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| Dear Dancer,
Top Hat Dance Studio kicks off the New Year with exciting new classes and fabulous upcoming events & competitions. It has been one full year since Top Hat moved to its new home on Bustleton Avenue and it is safe to say that it has been an amazing year. We've added new classes, new competitions, many new wonderful staff members, and best of all...an overwhelming number of new friendly faces on the dance floor at Top Hat. A huge thank you to every one of you who have made Top Hat Dance Studio an incredible place to be. Appropriately, we start 2008 with our studio trip on the 19th thru the 28th of January, our Hawaiian Cruise! If you are sad that you're not joining us, never fear, there is always another studio trip just around the corner.
Please read on for dancing great in 2008...
 In December, Top Hat Dance Studio had the privilege of sharing in a most significant event in the lives of two students. Anthony Matejik proposed to Kathy Myers following Hustle class on December 15th. What an honor to be a part of such a special day! Everyone at Top Hat sends their deepest wishes for many years of happiness and joy.
Congratulations Kathy & Anthony!
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Student of the Month Spotlight
Meet Pat Stewart, January's Student of the Month Spotlight...
 Pat never really thought about dancing; in fact he thought he had two left feet. Three years ago he saw Kathy Austin doing Hustle at a local club. He was intrigued by the dance and Kathy recommended Top Hat Dance Studio. So in the fall of 2004 Pat took his first Hustle group class.
During those first months, Pat regularly attended classes but did not think much about dancing or practicing outside of class. He attended MadJam in 2006 and watched his friends compete in Pro-Am divisions. But it was a showcase dance at that event performed by Daniel McGee that really inspired him. Pat says that because of that performance, his focus changed and he desired to become a better dancer.
Then in 2007 Pat decided to compete in "Just Hustle" divisions with Anita Giacone. In his pursuit to become a better dancer and partner, Pat began taking every Hustle group class he could find. He also fit a weekly private lesson at Top Hat into his schedule. He has enjoyed preparing for competitions as he feels that prep time allows a focused concentration to work on flaws and improve technique. Pat went on to compete in 5 competitions during 2007 and has realized that he is totally and completely hooked on this dance thing!
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New Great Classes at Top Hat!
We are very excited to announce that starting in January of 2008 our Monday night schedule in our Philadelphia location will be getting a face lift. The classes that you have already come to love, Yoga, Adult Hip Hop, and Intermediate Styling & Technique are all going to be moving to new times. Starting on Monday, January 6th, 2008 Adult Hip will be moving to 5:30pm, Yoga will be moving to 8:30pm, and Intermediate Styling & Technique will be split into two new classes at 6:30pm and 7:30pm.
 May we introduce Top Hat's two new classes, American Smooth 3 and American Rhythm 3. Both of these classes are going to replace and expand upon the information and concepts that were taught in the Intermediate Styling & Technique class, while create a great continuation of our existing Basic Ballroom 1 & 2 program.
American Rhythm 3, Mondays at 6:30pm with Top Hat's Jameson Kilburn, will pick up where Basic Ballroom 2 left off and cover Rumba, Cha Cha, Bolero, Samba, East Coast Swing, & Mambo at the Full Bronze/Pre-Silver level. This great new class will also cover the same in depth information from the Intermediate Styling & Technique class or Cuban Motion, Turning Technique, Arm Styling, and so much more. This class has been designed to help you learn how to take your American Rhythm dancing to the next level!
Immediately following American Rhythm 3 will be our brand new American Smooth 3, Mondays at 7:30pm with everyone's favorite Daniel McGee. This class will include an incredible continuation of the Full Bronze and Pre-Silver syllabus in Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and Viennese Waltz, while focusing on Frame, Rise & Fall, Proper Footwork, and all the other necessary ingredients to make your smooth dancing feel and look like Fred & Ginger.
Now you can continue with each of your favorite dances for a full 18 weeks! The first dances that will be covered in the two level 3 classes will be Cha Cha in American Rhythm 3 and Waltz in American Smooth 3. Samba and Bolero will be covered in Basic Ballroom 1 & 2 so look for these dances to soon move into the level 3 classes in the coming weeks.
The cost of these two great classes, like all classes at Top Hat, is $10 per person per class. You can also use your Top Hat Dance Studio group class card or your all NEW Unlimited Group Class Card (details below).
Monday Nights at Top Hat Starting in January
5:30pm Adult Hip Hop with Ryan Stauffer
6:30pm American Rhythm 3 with Jameson Kilburn
7:30pm American Smooth 3 with Daniel McGee
8:30pm Yoga with Sandy Ericksson
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New Unlimited Group Class Card at Top Hat!
Introducing the best dance deal in Philadelphia & Lancaster, Top Hat's Brand New Unlimited
Group Class Card. That's right, you can now purchase one group class card and have your pick of all 96 group classes offered every month at Top Hat Dance Studio of Philadelphia and Lancaster.
These new cards can be purchased online or at the studio for $185 per card. The card will become activated once you use it to take your first class. Once the card has been activated you will have 30 calendar days to take as many group classes as you like, have a ball, they're all yours. Unlike our current group class cards (for 6 classes), the unlimited class cards cannot be used by more than one person.
Not for you? Never fear, if this doesn't sound like something that would benefit you, you will still be able to pay $10 per person per class or use your Top Hat Dance Studio Group Class Card. If you have any questions about this great new deal, please feel free to contact the studio.
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West Coast Swing & Hustle Weekend
 One of the most vivacious & exciting professional West Coast Swing & Hustle couples is coming to Top Hat Dance Studio! Tybaldt & Hazel Ulrich will be running an entire weekend in February devoted to those 2 favorite dances. Tybaldt & Hazel teach and compete on both the West Coast Swing and Hustle circuits and have combined teaching experience of over 20 years. They have placed in the Top 3 of numerous professional divisions over the past several years.
Their style is spirited and vibrant, making their workshops fun and vastly informative.
Hazel & Tybaldt will be at the studio teaching workshops and private lessons all weekend long. If you are interested in having a private lesson with either Hazel and/or Tybaldt please contact the studio for scheduling. Lesson times will fill up fast so please call soon to get your spot reserved!
There will also be an incredible Hustle and West Coast Bash on Saturday Night, February 23rd starting at 9:00pm. Done in true Top Hat style, this party will be a blast that promises a non-stop night of fun that you simply do not want to miss. Calling all dancers...it's time to dance!!!
Workshop Schedule:
Saturday, February 23 at 4:00pm - Whips, Wraps, & Chains - beg/int WCSwing
For all of you beginner/intermediate West Coast Swing dancers who are looking for new fun and exciting patterns, this class is for you. Have a ball and learn them all, this class is a must!
Saturday, February 23 at 5:00pm - Playful Patterns - beg/int Hustle
Known for their fun and creative dancing, Hazel and Tybaldt plan on showing you some of their favorite patterns in this great Hustle class.
Sunday, February 24 at 12:00pm - Make Time for Play Time - int Hustle
Get there faster and play on your "& one". In this class, you will work on musicality and playing with the music in a way that gives you the control and speed needed to really enjoy your Hustle dancing.
Sunday, February 24 at 1:00pm - Fancy Footwork - int WCSwing
Spice up your steps with this amazing class in fancy footwork. You will learn fun and creative alternatives to give your steps a makeover. Give your patterns a brand new look for the New Year!!
The cost of the weekend is $15/workshop & $15 for the party. Or you can buy a weekend pass for $50 which gets you admission to all 4 workshops and the Saturday Night Party. Top Hat class cards and unlimited class cards may not be used for classes with Hazel & Tybaldt. If you are interested in private lessons with Hazel & Tybaldt, the cost of the lessons will be $75/hour (teaching hour is 50 minutes).
If you have any questions, would like to book a private lesson, or purchase a weekend pass for this incredible weekend please contact the studio.
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January Studio Schedule
Philadelphia:
The Basic Ballroom 1 & 2 classes begin new dances January 2. Basic Ballroom 1 at 7:30pm will be starting Samba. Basic Ballroom 2 at 8:30pm will be continuing Bolero.
West Coast Swing and Salsa classes start a new series at the beginning of every month. The current start dates are January 3rd for West Coast and January 4th for Salsa.
New Monday Classes begin January 7th. Please see article in this newsletter for details.
Hustle classes begin a new 6 week series on January 12th.
A Ballroom Bash Dance Party will be held on January 12th. The class begins at 8:00pm. The party starts at 9:00pm. The cost of the Ballroom Bash 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:
Group classes begin new dances the last week in January:
Basic Ballroom 1 will begin Cha Cha on January 30th at 7:30pm.
Basic Ballroom 2 will continue with Foxtrot on January 30th at 8:30pm.
Latin 3 will start Salsa on January 31st at 6:00pm.
Smooth 3 will continue with American Waltz at 7:00pm.
There will not be a studio party in January.
For all other class schedules and cancellations please pick up a calendar
at the studio or visit our website at www.tophatdancestudio.com
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Upcoming Competitions
Mid-Atlantic Dance Jam: March 06 - 09, 2008
MAD Jam is a West Coast Swing & Hustle event hosted by Dave Moldover in Tyson's Corner, Va. just outside of the Washington D.C. area. Top Hat has always had a lot of fun at this event and we're looking forward to another great year with Mad Jam 2008. Complete with packed late-night parties, a long list of incredible workshops, and an amazing environment with some of the nation's best dancers and teachers, you definitely don't want to miss this weekend of dancing. If you would like to attend Mad Jam with Top Hat please be sure to get your registration forms into the studio by February 20th. All competitors must register through the studio.
Philadelphia Festival Dancesport Championships: April 11 - 13, 2008
 Ballroom & Latin Dancing at its BEST! This is Philadelphia's hometown dance competition and hosts Sandy & Andy Fortuna have always provided one of the best weekends of dance in the area. There are competitions throughout the weekend and a top notch Saturday Night Banquet and Show. If you would like to join us for the competition and/or the Saturday night event, please contact the studio. The Saturday Night Banquet is on a first come, first served basis and most definitely will sell out. (Last year it was sold out 1 full month before the event). Deadlines and pricing information will be coming soon.
International Hustle & Salsa Competition: May 01 - 04, 2008
IHSC is held on Miami's beautiful South Beach in the Miami Spa & Resort. Hosted by Billy Fajardo and Katie Marlow, this event is not only one of the greatest Hustle & Salsa events there is, it also offers a great escape to one of America's best vacation destinations. The weekend is complete with parties, competitions, workshops, and a wonderful beach and poolside dancing atmosphere. This year IHSC has added Latin & Rhythm competitions to its schedule so there are more opportunities for you to be the star! If you are interested in joining Top Hat Dance Studio as we head to Miami, grab a registration form at the studio. Forms sent in through the studio are due by April 14th. All competitors must register through the studio.
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As always, if you have any questions or need more information on anything, please feel free to contact the studio, and as always
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10771 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa 19116
(215) 676-3100
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110 S. Railroad Avenue
New Holland, PA 17557
(717) 393-6653
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Expanding the Enjoyment of Dance. . .One Step at a Time!
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