NEWS LETTER - AUTUMN 2009
Hello and a very big welcome to all new and existing dance school members. We wish to share all our past, current and present news with you all.
We have all had a highly exciting and successful Summer and Autumn term to date.
On Saturday 11th July; at the end of a very hectic Summer term and a celebration of four years of our Dance School a fun packed day was held at Ardley Village Hall. Parents and guests enjoyed an impressive presentation of our most junior members followed by an exciting children's competition. Next on the bill came our adult team match with Adrian and Melanie Laitt, Kieran and Hannah and Martin and Sarahromping home with a victory. Congratulations and well done to everyone who attended and competed in our special celebration. To round off a most enjoyable day in true Step by Step fashion we held a fab 60's & 70's party, some members
were so glam they were unrecognizable!!
Our second Summer School of which was held from 24th to 28th August at Ardley and Brackley proved once again to be highly popular and a great success with both children and adults alike. With such consistent training from Andrzej and Viv great improvements were made in stamina, style and technique in all participants.
A much more relaxed affair was enjoyed by the adults on Saturday 29th August at Brackley Town Hall where we all went to town in celebration of all our hard work at an Hawaiian party. A big thank you to all our members who regularly attend our social occasions entering into the spirit with fancy dress and attitude, our parties are becoming somewhat an institution! We are delighted to inform you dates are already in the diary for the next Summer School so keep free Monday 23rd to Friday 27th August to repeat this invaluable experience.
The summer term saw a first for many of our students who took part in their very first IDTA medal examinations. Thanks to the expertise of Jean and Andrzej's tuition all of the entrants passed with flying colours with marks of no less than a merit , well done and congratulations to everyone. After these fantastic results in the bronzemedal examinations most students are continuing this term with their silver steps; with several novice students starting their bronze standard.
To celebrate our marvelous achievements a Medal Presentation and social evening was held on Saturday 10th October 2009 at Bicester Community College of which the highlight was a fantastic demonstration of both Latin and Ballroom from our own David Roberts and Andrea Law which wowed the audience;
A very big thank you goes to them for taking time out of their very busy schedule.
Thursday 3rd September saw three couples from each generation and other dance school members attend the 'Help For Heroes' Charity event at Chacombe Park Retirement Home near Banbury. Our dancers thrilled many pensioners with a display of Ballroom and Latin, and afterwards many spectators were delighted as they were given the chance to dance with our dance team. Many thanks for those who took part it was thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed by those who attended.
The Autumn Term began with a bang at the Pavillion in Bournemouth on Saturday 19thSeptember ; two of our best couples were representing our dance school in the Best of British Title Competition. Firstly our teenagers represented by Kieran and Hannah finished in a very commendable 4th position in Ballroom and 5th in Latin; This was to be followed by a tremendous performance in the under 50's masters by David and Andrea finishing in runners up position in the Ballroom final consisting of Waltz, Tango and Quickstep, and finishing in a very credible position of 4th in the open Viennese Waltz final. They were crowned Britain's Best in Latin with top performances in the Cha cha, Rumba and Samba. To complete an exciting weekend; On Sunday 20th September it was a clean sweep for our golden couple in the over 35's pre-champs section in the South of England comp
WELL DONE! We are all so proud of you guys!!
The next big competition event for our children, teenagers and adults is going to be held on Sunday 15th November 2009 at The Tower Ballroom in Birmingham. The postcode for this venue is B16 9EE and contact telephone number is 0121 453 4142, further details and directions are available from Andrzej or Viv.
The starting time for the children's competition is 10.30 with entry being charged at £9.50 per person . The highly entertaining adult YARDA competition commences at 14.45 with a charge of £12.50 per person entry on the door, Come along let's get behind our guys and support them!!
SZCZECIN -POLAND 2009
Our first dance school trip to Andrzej's home town of Szczecin on 16th October proved to be a huge success and thoroughly enjoyed by everybody.
We all arrived at Stansted Airport in style adourned with our personalized dance school T-shirts. After we literally crashed down onto the runway it was such a pleasure to see the Mialkowski clan out in force to greet and distribute their Polska flags!! No time was to be wasted we were whisked off to an excellent restaurant offering delicious Polish fare with next stop our first trip clubbing!! All the ladies on the tables seemed to be perfecting the samba moves we regularly practice!!
Saturday morning we weren't as confident as nerves were rife in anticipation of our first dance lesson. The studio was as impressive as our coach Martin who put us through our paces with a two hour session of technique and choreography for the Cha Cha. This was followed by fun filled free time at the beautiful Galaxy Shopping Centre. The more competitive members enjoyed bowling, whilst others shopped and some chose to discover the local delicacies and Tyskie!!On Saturday evening we enjoyed being part of a Polish Family wedding Party at a fantastic traditional restaurant. Many surprises were in store; Janet found herself a stand in for Paul if he really does make Michael Malitowski move over, Andrzej learnt some new English song words and we were most surprised to discover that David Roberts (or his elder brother) is a magician in his spare time!! No wonder your luggage was so heavy Sam, you didn't tell us you brought an extra passenger!! Paul's birthday was truly celebrated in style, with the dance diva and all his friends strutting their stuff into the early hours! Sunday morning proved to be a much more sedate affair, after another birthday celebration for Paul we all
enjoyed a coach and walking tour of Szczecin; well done to the Polish Tour Guide who took plenty of stick what a sport!! We enjoyed an excellent lunch at the very impressive Café 22 with enviable views all over the beautiful city.
The pace continued Sunday evening with our ballroom session with Andrzej's previous coach and dance school owner, Mr Jacque. The serious waltz technique was followed by our first attempt at the Argentine Tango, look out Vincent and Flavia! Many moves were later practiced back at the hotel after dinner and a few
Polish beverages! Monday morning blues set in at the thought or our return to reality, the airport proved to be quite an adventure after most of the ladies being frisked, Tizzy nearly losing her passport and Mr and Mrs Douglas were guilty of holding up the plane to have their dodgy luggage searched!
FUTURE NEWS
The next date for your diaries is Saturday 21st November for a lesson with Andrzej, social dancing and an inspiringdemonstration for us all to enjoy. After the successful evening held in September we are to repeat evening but at
Ardley Village Hall from 19.00 – 22.00. Entry fee payable on the door is £8.00 per person. Refreshments will be available on site, come on everyone let’s get together and practice
Stuck for ideas this Xmas? We are delighted to tell you that we have many gifts and items on sale for you or future dance school members. We have produced our very first Dance School Calendar for 2010, this features photographs of all classes and is an A3 quality glossy finish priced at a very competitive £10.00, the cost includes a £1.00 donation to charity for each calendar sold. The production numbers are limited SO DON'T MISS OUT!! We are now taking orders for the launch of our calendar on Monday 16th November 2009.
Gift vouchers are available for purchase in dominations of £10, £20 and £30 of which can be used for classes, private lessons, merchandise or functions.
As many you are already aware we have an extensive range of dance shoes and clothing available for sale. These include T-shirts, shirts, fleeces, dance shoe bags, boxer shorts and ladies underwear! Please contact Bryan and Sue Douglas on 07802 916573 for further details. Catalogues and prices are available
to view at your convenience at the beginning or end of your lesson.
Step by Step dance school is proud to invite you to join us for of our very special end of year celebration we have organized for everyone on Sunday 13th December 2009 at the Mill Arts Centre in Banbury. We kick off this day of fabulous activities from 12.00-14.00 with the youngest members who have their chance
to shine with a presentation of Ballroom and Latin dances. From 15.00-18.00 comes the turn of the children and teenagers to compete and wow the audience in their exciting Ballroom and Latin competition along with our
adult beginner, intermediate and advance dancers to complete the line up. Spectator tickets will be available in advance priced at £7.00 each for the presentation, with the competition spectator tickets priced at £8.50 each.
All tickets are available before and after lessons so please ask your dance school assistants for issue or for further details. The registration for both competitions is to be completed in advance before or after lessons with full payment
of £10.00 entry fee per couple. Please note entries for the advanced adult competition are available by invitation only.We are all really in for a treat as two championship level couples will be thrilling us all with demonstrations of both Latin and Ballroom dances.
The fun does not end here! From 19.30-23.00 it is then the turn of the adults to pull out their glad rags and celebrate at our fabulous Christmas Ball, of which by popular demand is to be a black tie event. Spaces will be limited to this exclusive not to be missed occasion that includes another top class demonstration, mini buffet, bubbly a raffle and much, much more!! Tickets are priced at £20.00 each and are available only in advance.Whew! We then take a breather and hope that you all enjoy a very
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
DATES YOUR DIARIES
We already have secured 40 seats for our annual trip to the World Championships in Bournemouth on Thursday 21st January 2010, if anybody else wishes to join us for this fantastic experience please contact Sue Douglas on 07802 916573 for further details as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
HOT OFF THE PRESS!
Our next dance school holiday has been scheduled for the end of May, beginning of June. We are hopefully to spend time firstly in Berlin for a couple of days along with our guide! (Poor woman!) Then to return to Szczecin for a couple of days if we dare!! Mr Jacques' dance school have invited us to go to watch the international competition that they will be hosting, so this time we will need the Union Jacks!
This will combined with more dance sessions, evenings out etc! Further details will be issued in the New Year when we have confirmed plans, as before limited spaces will be available so don't miss out!!
WATCH THIS SPACE.
As ever, we hope that you have all had a most enjoyable year, and we trust that we have covered all news past and present to keep you all informed of our exciting events and opportunities. Thank you so much for your continued support, it has been a pleasure to work with such fantastic and enthusiastic people.
KEEP DANCING!
Best Wishes to All
Andrzej Mialkowski & Team
 GET IN TO THE
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Ballroom and Latin American
Christmas Ball
* top class dance demonstrationts
* mini buffet * licensed bar
* raffle prize * black tie event
* ballroom and latin american music
* Just £20.00 each, to buy before and after dance session or Box Office 01295 279 002
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