Napa Ballroom and Social Dancers is restarting our monthly dances beginning May 14, 2022. .
As we restart our monthly dances We will carefully follow the medical protocols and scientific studies over the coming months.
When we are confident that it is safe to greet each other with a welcome back hug, our dances will "swing" back into action as we have done in the past.
Keep well and safe through these very trying times!
Warmly, Ron Richardson and the Board of Napa Ballroom and Social Dancers www.napaballroomdancers.org
Other dance opportunities include the first Friday of the month dance of the Vallejo Ballroom Dancers at the Vallejo Community Center lesson. The B Street Sunday dance at the San Rafael Community Center (the last Sunday of each month), and Steve Luther is now hosting a Big Band Ballroom Night at Monroe Hall on the 4th Fridays of certain months.
The Golden Gate Smooth Dancers host monthly Sunday extravaganzas for only $35. Reservations are necessary by the Wednesday prior to the dance. Check our "Golden Gate Smooth Dancers" link for all the details. Please Check our website "Links and Lessons" for all the info on multiple dance lesson opportunities. The list includes Ted Rocha in Vallejo, and the Napa Arthur Murray studio.
We always welcome new ideas and definitely appreciate the participation of all dancers, behind the scenes in planning committees and help with set up and take-down. If you know of any businesses that would be willing to donate gifts or wines to help support our organization, we will be happy to note their involvement at our dances and website.
Hope to see you at the dances! We appreciate your support of dancing in Napa. Your attendance is necessary for both of our groups to be able to continue to provide these wonderful dance events in our local community.
Also I happened to be reflecting on all the friendly and vibrant people whom I have met through dancing...serendipitously I came across this article, "The Gift of Dance 2013" by Skippy Blair, (an icon in the world of dance, especially west coast swing). It is a message that perfectly captured my thoughts.
If you are reading this article, you are probably one of those lucky people who already own "The Gift". Dance may even be as important in your life - as it is in mine! If that's a fact, I hope you realize the magnitude of your Gift. Each of us, at one time or another, has sent and received any number of special gifts for special occasions. But do we ever stop to realize how much of a "Gift of Life" has been given to us - when we can DANCE?
Think of all the times when the world was coming down around you and someone said "Let's go dancing". Didn't that change your day?
Personally I have been in situations where I thought I could not make it through the day: Personal pressures - Car broke down - Someone broke a window in the studio - My wallet got "misplaced" with a cashed paycheck in it! But - there was a class to teach and people were expecting me. Picture this: The music starts - The class lines up - Someone asks a question - And there you go - Or should I say "Off and dancing"? The problems of the day simply disappear - even if it's only for a little while. Dancing allows us to "take a break" from ALL of the cares of the day.
Perhaps you've known all along that "Dance" is a gift. But do you treat it as a gift? Don't mess up the wrapping by spoiling someone's evening. Simply, share the gift. Someone out there needs your smile and a quiet assurance that they are progressing as they should. Someone out there has had a bad day, and needs someone to tell them that they are okay. Each one of us needs to be that someone who knows the value of sharing the gift. Every once in a while, take the time to dance with someone a little less talented or a little less experienced.
Use the dance as a way of growing and learning how to give back some of the treasures that life has given you. When you can dance, you have been truly Blessed. Pass on the Blessing.
We are now at the end of 2013. Many wonderful experiences lie behind us - but many, more wonderful experiences lie before us. Today is the most valuable day in our lives. Close your eyes - Take a deep breath - and Smile. Take a moment to become aware that "It's later than we think." Every time we do something for someone that will brighten their day - More joy returns than one can imagine. One warm "Hello", one sincere "Thank you for the dance" - One small, unexpected token of friendship, can really make somebody's day.
AND, if you're out there thinking that nobody cares about you, or that you can't really do anything for someone else until somebody does something for you, please remember this: I Care About you. Whoever you are, and wherever you are, I CARE ABOUT YOU. So go ahead and get yourself out there. Show that you care about the people around you. Does this sound like I've had a really emotional day? You bet. I've spent several days thinking about all the wonderful people I've come to know, simply because of the dance. Many of them are no longer with us. They have gone on to a higher plane of existence. They are up there, blazing new trails, gathering musicians, "DJs" and dancers - getting ready to welcome each of us, as it becomes our turn to "graduate."
Meanwhile, I am eternally grateful - and thankful for all the wonderful people who have been, and continue to be, part of my life. My prayer for the whole dance world is that somehow, the whole world could experience the exhilaration and "renewal" that takes place, once we discover that "Life itself is a dance!" Live the experience. Create the Joy. "Share the Gift."
God Bless all dancers everywhere. and Much Love, always, from Skippy