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Summer 2016 NewsletterPittsburgh Ballroom Pulse

Volume Four

What a summer of dancing it has been! Pittsburgh Ballroom held dances in some of the most awesome, unusual, and unique venues. There were also several

opportunities to perform in and for the community!

In June, there was Ballroom dancing at Carnegie Museum’s Third Thursday in the Carnegie Museum Music Hall Foyer; and , at Heavenly Rhythms! Latin Night at Bicycle Heaven, the worlds largest bike museum and shop. At our monthly dance we tried out a new venue, La Roche College. (Huge floor.)

In July, the Outreach team danced at the UPMC Wellness Fair (Wellapalooza) in Lawrenceville. The monthly dance was held at the VFW in Coraopolis.

In August, we had a “Roaring” good time at the Palisades in McKeesport (No Lion).

You won’t want to miss our upcoming dances and events. The Harvest Ball Dinner Dance sells out fast, so make sure you register soon. And, something new to look forward to is the first Sunday Practice Dance hosted by Absolute Ballroom, October 16 at 4:00 PM.

We also want to thank Christopher Roth, Steel City Ballroom; Chris Drum; and, Jessica Maughn, Arthur Murray - Wexford for sharing their expertise. We appreciate the excellent dance instruction provided for us over the summer.

A big thanks goes out to Board President, Gretchen Brocks and her team, for making all of the arrangements and enhancing Pittsburgh’s reputation as a great place for ballroom dancing. And, thanks to Paul Vladuchick for providing so many superb photos. You can check them out on the following pages and at www.PittsburghBallroom.com.

Dancing in Pittsburgh this summer has been amazing!

SepteMBeR Dance Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM SNPJ 540 3rd Avenue, Bridgeville, PA OctOBeR Dance Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM SNPJ 540 3rd Avenue, Bridgeville, PA

HaRveSt Ball DInneR Dance Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM TweNTieTh CeNTury CluB 4201 Bigelow Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA

DeceMBeR Dance Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM MCKeeSPOrT PAliSADeS 100 Fifth Avenue, McKeesport, PA

Subject to changes and additions. visit www.pittsburghBallroom.com for the most current listings.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Upcoming Dances & Events

AboutPittSBurgh BAllroom

Pittsburgh Ballroom 2016 Inc., the region’s premier non-profit ballroom dance organization is a 501(c)3 registered non-profit charitable organization. We support youth, collegiate, special needs in the Pittsburgh region. Dance Local, Support Local.

We are properly and legally licensed to present copyrighted music whether it be mechanically presented (deejays) or live bands.ASCAP, BMI, SESAC

You can choose to join just our mailing list or join as a member for $25 per year and enjoy reduced entry fees to events. Pittsburgh Ballroom, http://www.PittsburghBallroom.com

Membership is growing fast! Please join us for great dancing.

On Board Gretchen BrocksChuck WatsonDeborah HattrupRamona CoreyJanet SmithDennis McCannBill Maxwell

Newsletter, Gwen LoughnerWeb, Norrie Bastedo VladuchickPhotography, Paul VladuchickFliers & Programs, Gwen Loughner Outreach, Fannia Xu

Please send submissions to PULSE editor Gwen Loughner at gwen@wordcrafterscia.com.

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Article Contributed by Dennis McCann

In the hours before the July 5th board meeting, and, thanks to the persistence

of Board member Bill Maxwell, we, the music committee (Chuck Watson, Dennis McCann, Ramona Corey, Greg Smith, and Bill), sat down, analyzed, and selected the very best music for our Pittsburgh Ballroom dances.

Going over hundreds of songs we categorized each as:

• We liked it and all agreed on the most appropriate dance step for it;• We agreed the track was “okay” but maybe not the best; and, • Nice try but no cigar.

Many songs were obvious from the downbeat. They sounded good musically and were easy to categorize. Others had to be listened to longer before deciding – especially the ones we decided to bag. Many Latin songs could have been categorized into at least two different steps.

A cardinal ground rule was that unless it was clear which dance step(s) would go with it, that track would not make the cut. That is, it might be nice to listen to, but could be challenging to dance to. Some songs that were our favorites didn’t make the cut for that reason.

In the end, we wound up with what we think is a solid list of good ballroom music. At the Pittsburgh Ballroom dances you’ll hear modern pop music, some oldies, and a few so old that they pre-date the term “oldies” (short selections of classical that are just right for ballroom). Bill’s identification and suggestion of danceable versions of classical pieces helped us round out our playlists. For instance, we included Rachmaninoff’s 18th Variation on a Theme of Paganini. This piece can be danced as a very smooth rumba. There are also a number of novel “signature” songs that you’ll hear at the dances.

Bill’s broadcasting and programming background came in handy in selecting a varied inventory of ballroom music for our library. We are grateful to Bill for his assistance in putting these playlists together.

What’s Playing at The Dances?

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On July 12, 2016 Pittsburgh-based hospital chain, UPMC, sponsored Wellapalooza, a health and wellness event at the Teamster union hall (Teamster Temple) in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood. UPMC wellness staff and other health-related vendors participated. Pittsburgh Ballroom dancers were on hand to promote ballroom dance.

Performers from Pittsburgh Ballroom included Fannia Xu, Elliott Toy, Frank and Bonnie Glazer, Chuck Watson and Lynne Preisser, Michael and Gretchen Brocks. In addition to the performances, everyone was invited to participate in the The Electric Slide and Cupid Shuffle line dances. And, board member, Dennis McCann, was happy to be able to dance the Chicken Dance, one of his personal favorites.

Pittsburgh Ballroom members who are interested in joining us in the next health and wellness event, or any of the Outreach events, are welcome to participate and can contact Community Outreach Coordinator Fannia Xu for more information.

UPMC Wellapalooza ‘Star Wars’ theme added to the fun.

Pittsburgh BallroomOutreach Performs at UPMC’s WellapaloozaArticle Contributed by Dennis McCann

With the end of summer approaching faster than we’d like, it is a pleasure

to remind you of this delightful upcoming fall event. The Annual Harvest Ball, with dinner and dancing, will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the beautiful Twentieth Century Club in Oakland. It always sells out, so we urge you to buy your tickets early. One of the highlights from last year’s Harvest Ball was the mini-dessert bar. It’s now on our “tradition” list for this event and is available during the social dancing part of the evening. There will be raffle baskets, again, too. If you would like to donate a basket or a raffle item, please contact us. Your donation is appreciated and will be recognized at the event. Menu options for the evening are Chicken Almondine, Grilled Salmon, and Vegetable Lasagna. Registration for members is

Get Noticed! Pittsburgh Ballroom has sponsorships available for the rest of year!

$100 level: 6 months of...

• Name and logo displayed on Pittsburgh Ballroom’s website

• Name and logo printed in Pulse, our monthly newsletter

• email blast with name listed as a sponsor and business link

• Recognition at dances (announcements, fliers, etc.)

Additional levels and packages available on request; please contact us at info@PittsburghBallroom.com. Your donation is tax deductible. 4

$60.00 (USD) and for Non-members it is $70.00 (USD). Dress is semi-formal. Visit www.PittsburghBallroom.com to purchase your tickets.

“When people take up ballroom dancing this is the kind of place they think of. In a small way we are making dreams come true. I love that.” — Dennis K. McCann commenting on the Twentieth Century Club venue.

Coming up - Annual Harvest Ball

Youth Program EventsTop photos from Woodland Hills School from the Youth Program May recital. For three years, Janet Smith has chaired this youth program with her husband, Greg, at Woodland Hills School District. Please join us in supporting our LOCAL youth programs.

Pittsburgh Ballroom Youth Program performers in Market Square in June. Students are from Woodland Hills School District. Thank you Dennis McCann for filling in as a lead in the show.

Coming up - Annual Harvest Ball

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summer Dance event

It was the first time Pittsburgh Ballroom members, and, probably most of the attendees, have had the opportunity to dance in the Carnegie Music Hall Foyer.

“Wow was it beautiful. We had a blast.”

Elizabeth Estes and Peter Suchy John Foley and Norrie Bastedo Vladuchick

Carnegie Music Hall Foyer with dancers swirling around the floor.

Winnie Leung and Elliott Toy Patty McKnight Sedlack

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Many thanks to Bicycle Heaven for the opportunity to dance at their place. It was great to dance in and browse through this one-of-a-kind museum.

Your Ticket to FUN!

JOIN PITTSBURGH BALLROOM TODAY!

Members enjoy reduced entry fees to

events. Only $25 to join for the year.

DON’T MISS ONE MINUTE!

Join our mailing list and get in on local

dance happenings and special events.

WWW.PITTSBURGHBALLROOM.COM

summer Dance event

Cathy Cannon Kelly

Melva Perich and Tom Hattrup

Donna Hoskin and Bob Hoskin

Joe Aiken with very rare PeeWee Herman bike.

Welcome to Bicycle Heaven!

John Foley and Norrie Bastedo Vladuchick

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summer Dance event

Lots of fun, good friends, and great dancing at Pittsburgh Ballroom’s monthly dance held in July atthe VFW in Coraopolis.

Linda Pavlik and Rosemary Traill Diane Stout and Angel Jackson

Barbara Stone and Charles Stone

Kara Parkes and Chris Roth

Bruce Sims and Maureen Goldfinch Cris Brendel and Richard Goehring

Cris Brendel and Jari Jariwala

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All Aboard

the Cha ChaCha ChaCha Cha

Quick StepCha Cha

Waltz

Cha Cha

SwingTango

Rumba

Train!

VISIT WWW.PITTSBURGHBALLROOM.COM

$10 Members • $15 Nonmembers$5 Full time students with ID

Bring a snack or dessert to share, if you like.

Monthly Dance…at Pittsburgh Ballroom’s

Monthly Dance

Enhancing Lives Through Ballroom Dance!

We have lots

of room for

new friends.

Please join us!

Saturday, September 10 • 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM

SNPJ BRIDGEVILLE7:00 Lesson

Cha Cha Lesson with Amanda Wolf from Absolute Ballroom

8:00 - 10:30 Dancing

Diane Stout and Angel Jackson

Barbara Stone and Charles Stone