DONT' FORGET!

This Sunday, November 28th will be our November Learn and Practice from 1 to 3 pm. Out topics for this month are Salsa and Rueda. Johnny Martinez and Jennifer Cornell will be our instructors. Our venue will be J & R Dance, LLC located at 2580 Brookview Road, Castleton, NY !2033 We hope to see you there As always the cost for members is $10 nonmembers $15. Keep on dancing!

Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge - A Huge Success

Albany NY AIDA would like to thank its members and the participants in our Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge. The weekend was packed with events ranging from medal testing and Proficiency Competitions to fun dances, a question and answer session, and workshops. A huge thank you to Lori Woods-Gay and Michael Choi for traveling to the capital region to be our adjudicators and presenting three wonderful workshops. Thank you to CM FIne Arts in Clifton Park and Dance Fire Studio in Niskayuna for providing our venues. This weekend would not have been possible without all of our volunteers, so thank you to all of you as well. One further acknowledgement is needed, a huge thank you to Sue and Mike Martin for organizing this event and keeping everything running smoothly, We appreciate everyone who helped make this weekend a success.

Learn and Practice

A huge Thank You to Elizabeth and Grey Masko for the October Learn and Practice. Elizabeth and Grey donated both their time and the use of their studio for this event. The lessons were excellent and enjoyed by all who attended. We are fortunate to have the support of so many fine instructors and studios!

Important Reminders!

Tomorrow is the deadline for applications for the Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge1 Don’t miss out on this fun-filled weekend of dance activities and learning opportunities. Take advantage of access to professional AIDA evaluators Lori Woods-Gay and Michael Choi. We are truly fortunate to have such well respected and accomplished dance experts here to work with us.

Sunday, October 24th is our next Learn and Practice. It will be from 1 to 3 at the Fred Astaire Studio in Saratoga Springs. Grey and Elizabeth Masko will be teaching West Coast Swing and American Foxtrot. Please join us!

Learn and Practice Update

Thank you to Boris and Sasha Spitchka for a wonderful Learn and Practice session today at their Latham Fred Astaire Studio! Albany NY AIDA appreciates your generosity in donating your time and the use of your studio for today’s workshop. All who attended were enthusiastic about the lessons presented!

For those who missed today’s lesson, be sure to mark your calendars for Sunday, October 24th. Our session that day will be taught by Grey and Elizabeth Masko at the Fred Astaire Studio in Saratoga Springs. Grey and Elizabeth will be teaching American Foxtrot and West Coast Swing.

Too Good to Miss! Join in the Fun! Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge

Time flies, so don’t lose track! The Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge is rapidly approaching. There is something for everyone! Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity! Spend an afternoon remembering how much FUN it is to dance. Registration forms will be posted on our events page. Most details will be on Facebook.

We are fortunate to have Lori Woods-Gay conducting the medal tests and workshops on Saturday. Lori is a distinguished AIDA Examiner. Lori and Cher Rutherford co-authored Components of Partnered Choreography the syllabus for Theatrical Dance. Lori is also a world-class adjudicator. Among her many accomplishments, Lori has performed at the British Exhibition Championship at Blackpool,

On Sunday, Lori will be joined by Michael Choi. Michael is also an AIDA examiner. Those of you who participated in our Spring Ballroom Challenge will remember Michael. This is a fantastic opportunity to get feedback and learn from two world-renowned Ballroom Competitors and coaches.

Spooktacular Ballroom Challenge Schedule – October 30-31, 2021

(Times subject to adjustments only based on registrations)

Saturday, October 30 – At CM Fine Arts, 17 Executive Park Drive, Halfmoon, NY 12065

  • 10:00 AM - Testing and private coaching sessions with Lori Woods Gay.

  • 12:00 - Workshop 1 with Lori Woods Gay. Topic: What you would like your partner to do

    or not do. (No partner required.) – 50 minutes

  • 1:00 - Workshop 2 with Lori Woods Gay. Topic: Four ways to lead. (No partner required.)

    – 50 minutes

  • 2:00 - Individual Dance Competition heats (must sign up in advance) – Salsa, Hustle, Cha

    Cha, Swing, WCS. Judged by Lori.

  • 2:20 - Team Match (must sign up in advance) – Standard/Smooth Waltz, Quickstep,

    Tango; Latin/Rhythm Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive/Swing. Judged by Lori.

  • 2:45 - Adult Fun Dances – Variable speed Waltz, Clockwise Quickstep, Leader/Follow

    Switch Swing, Back to Back Mambo. Judged by audience.

    Sunday, October 31 – At Dance Fire Studio, 22341 Nott St. E, Suite 104, Niskayuna, NY 12309

  • 11:00 – Youth testing with Michael Choi.

  • 11:30 – Youth Proficiency Competition. Judged by Lori Woods Gay and Michael Choi.

  • 12:30 – Youth Fun Dances, Halloween costumes encouraged. Judged by volunteer

    judges.

  • 12:45 – Youth Q&A session with Lori Woods Gay and Michael Choi.

  • 1:30 – Adult Proficiency Competition. Judged by Lori Woods Gay and Michael Choi.

  • 2:30 - Adult Testing with Michael Choi.

  • 3:00 – Workshop with Michael Choi. Topic: Spins and Turns. (No partner required.)

  • 4:00 - Pizza with the Pros with Lori Woods Gay and Michael Choi.

  • 4:45 – Adult Fun Dances – Straight Leg Samba, Superspeed Hustle, Three’s a Crowd

    Merengue, Mystery Song [non-ballroom dance, interpretive]. Judged by the audience.

  • 5:00 – 7:00 Social Dance.

Deadline for applications is Saturday, October 16th! Don’t miss out! Join us for some long-awaited fun.