The Autumn season is upon us with a “harvest” of dancing occasions! Please read through this month’s “Top Hat & Tales” to find all that Fall has to offer. In this newsletter you will find our new feature, “Student of the Month Spotlight”, as well as information on the new Salsa Morph Party and upcoming Competitions.
We would like to offer a warm welcome to all of the new Top Hat students. September brought many new faces and feet to the dance floors of Top Hat Dance Studio. Between the Youth program in Philadelphia and all the adult group classes in both locations, it is very exciting to see the enjoyment of Ballroom dancing extend to so many new students & friends. If you are a current Top Hat family member, please help us make all the new members feel at home!
In this month’s edition you will find information on…
1) New Feature…Student of the Month Spotlight
2) New Salsa Morph Party
3) Myfoxphilly’s HOT LIST Recap
4) Puerto Rico Hustle & Salsa
5) Big Easy Dance Classic
6) October Studio Schedule
New Feature...Student of the Month Spotlight
Each month Top Hat Dance Studio will use this new section of the newsletter to spotlight a student from one of our schools. The students in the monthly spotlight are nominated by members of the Top Hat staff. This is a way to recognize the hard work and enthusiasm of Top Hat students and a way to introduce everyone to various members of the Top Hat family. So without further ado, October’s “Student of Month Spotlight” is…Greg & Sandy Kirkham.
Six years ago friends invited Greg & Sandy to join a group class at the Lancaster studio. Sandy drug Greg to that first class as he agreed to “temporarily try out the dance thing”. It didn’t take long to get hooked and that “temporary dance thing” turned into several group classes a week, private lessons, and even competitions! As they have learned many dance styles, 2 have emerged as their favorites. Sandy has come to enjoy the Foxtrot due mostly to the smooth Frank Sinatra type music. Greg’s favorite dance is the Hustle because he was able to approach it without any preconceived notions as to what the dance was or was not. He was also drawn to the fact that Hustle can be danced to many different types of music both old and new.
Both Greg & Sandy have said that their favorite aspect of Top Hat Dance Studio is the friends they have met and the family environment. They say that they both felt immediately welcomed and at ease; “if you want to go on trips, great, if you want to compete, great, there is no pressure to do anything you do not want to do”.
When asked about competitions, Greg mentioned that he has always been a competitive person but competing in ballroom dancing was totally different. He says that dance competitions have given him a chance to test himself against his friends and peers. Greg also enjoys that different competitions have given him a chance to meet and dance with many different partners.
Greg & Sandy have become a vibrant part of the Top Hat family and we are so pleased that their “temporary” trial turned into a lasting stay at Top Hat Dance Studio!
New Salsa Morph Party
With the success of Top Hat’s new Salsa Program, we are excited to add a monthly Salsa Morph Party to compliment the already popular Morph Parties and to give everyone more chances to practice their spicy Salsa steps.The Salsa Morph Parties will begin October 6th and continue on the first Saturday of each month. Every party starts at 8:00pm with an all levels group class. The party commences at 9:00pm with a mix of Latin music ranging from and including; Rumba, Cha-Cha, Bachata, Guafuera, etc. As the evening continues, the music will Morph into a strictly salsa party.
Please join us October 6th for an evening of fiery Salsa fun! And if you want to freshen up on your Salsa moves, why not come to Top Hat’s Salsa classes?! The Philadelphia Studio classes are Friday nights, beginning with Level I at 7:30pm and Level II at 8:30pm. Step up your Salsa on Sundays with the Intermediate Level 3 class at 2:00pm and the Advanced Level 4 class at 3:00pm. See you on the dance floor!
Myfoxphilly’s Hot List Recap
Thanks to all of you, the Myfoxphilly’s HOT LIST was a great success. We received 2nd place for favorite overall dance studio and 1st place for favorite Ballroom studio! Everyone at Top Hat Dance Studio was touched and overwhelmed by the testimonies and comments posted on the HOT LIST website. Top Hat has always been a “family” and that was very apparent in the remarks from our students and friends.
Thank you to each and every one of you for supporting Top Hat Dance Studio!
Puerto Rico Hustle & Salsa Festival
Top Hat Dance Studio is thrilled to return to Puerto Rico for the 2nd annual Hustle & Salsa Festival. Last year, many of the Top Hat family enjoyed several days of sun, fun, & dancing. This year promises to be even better! Workshops will be taught throughout the weekend by the biggest names in the Hustle & Salsa communities.
The weekend also includes poolside parties and shows every evening. The event runs October 11-14, 2007 at the beautiful Condado Plaza Resort in San Juan. Please contact the studio for more information. Come join us at a tropical paradise for a fantastic weekend of dancing!
Big Easy Dance Classic
Top Hat Dance Studio is heading down to New Orleans for the 2nd annual Big Easy Dance Classic. Held at the Doubletree Hotel in the heart of the French Quarter, this competition is a Top Hat favorite. This year the event runs from November 29th – December 2nd.Workshops will be given by some of the biggest names in the worlds of Hustle, West Coast, and Salsa. There will be social dancing every evening including an all Salsa party on Friday and an all West Coast party on Saturday. A professional show will be among the highlights, plus great Amateur and Professional competitions throughout the weekend.
Please contact the studio for more information and come join us for a great time in the Big Easy!
October Studio Schedule
Philadelphia:
Basic Ballroom group classes begin new dances on October 3rd. Basic Ballroom I (7:30-8:30) will be starting Cha Cha. Basic Ballroom II (8:30-9:30) will be continuing with Waltz.
All of our Hustle classes, including , our all NEW Intro to Hustle class, taught by Top Hat’s own Ginny Carey, will be starting a new 6 week cycle on Saturday, October 20th.
Salsa 3 & Salsa 4 classes are cancelled for Sunday, October 07 & October 14. All other classes will run to schedule for the month of October.
There will be 4 Morph Parties this month! October kicks off with the brand new Salsa Morph Party on October 6th. The fun continues with the Ballroom & Latin Morph Party on October 13th, Hustle Morph Party on October 20th, and West Coast Swing Morph Party on October 27th. All Morph Parties include an all levels group class at 8:00pm with the party beginning at 9:00pm. The cost of each party is $10 per person and you are welcome to BYOB. If you have any questions, please contact the studio.
For all other class schedules and cancellations please pick up a calendar at the studio or visit our website at www.tophatdancestudio.com.
Lancaster:
Basic Ballroom group classes begin new dances on October 24th. Basic Ballroom I (7:30-8:30) will be starting Salsa. Basic Ballroom II (8:30-9:30) will be continuing with Waltz.
On Thursday, October 25th, Latin and Smooth classes will also begin new dances. Latin 3 (6:00-7:00) will be continuing with Rumba and Smooth 3 (7:00-8:00) will be starting Viennese Waltz.
There are no classes Wednesday, October 3rd and Thursday, October 4th due to the New Holland Fair. Enjoy the parade, yummy food, and games at the Fair!The monthly studio party is on Friday, October 26th. There will be a group class at 8:00pm and the party will immediately follow at 9:00pm.
For all other class schedules and cancellations please pick up a calendar at the studio or visit our website at www.tophatdancestudio.com
As always, if you have any questions or need more information on anything, please feel free to contact the studio, and as always…
Keep Dancing!!
Top Hat Dance Studio
10771 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa 19116
(215) 676-3100
110 S. Railroad Avenue
New Holland, Pa 17557
(717) 393-6653
Website: www.tophatdancestudio.com
Email: info@tophatdancestudio.com
Expanding the Enjoyment of Dance…One Step at a Time!
