October Newsletter

THE ARTHUR MURRAY LAS VEGAS NEWSLETTER -  OCTOBER 2007

September was an exceptional month for us at Arthur Murray Studios. Our SHOWCASE EVENT “Dancing With the Movie Stars” and our SHOWCASE DINNER, DANCE AND PROFESSIONAL SHOW was a huge success.  This year we had over 100 Student Dance Routines! All of our instructors choreographed special routines for each student to showcase their individual talents.  Vicki Venka was our visiting adjudicator for the Showcase. There were awards for Top Categories such as Best Amateur Couple; Gary & Lisa,  Best Costume; Kelly, Most Original Routine; Brandy, Justin & Trent, Best Actors; Greg & Lexi, 1^st Place Newcomer Male and Female; Chris & Karen, 1^st Place Assoc. Bronze Male and Female; John & Brandy, 1^st Place Full Bronze Male and Female; Dave & Heather, Top Silver Students; Dan & Sandy, Top Juniors included Meghan, Connor & Jaliegh, Top Instructors which is based strictly off of the scores and progress of their students. Top Male Teachers; 1^st Place Adam, 2^nd Justin, 3^rd Trent.  Top Female Teacher; Honorable Mention to Valerie.  Jack & Jill Dance Winners; 1^st Place Cynthia & Dave, 2^nd Allison & Bob, 3^rd Jaleigh & John, 4^th Tanya & Dan and 5^th Amoiri & Myron.  The FINAL DANCE-OFF for our own “Dancing With the Las Vegas Stars”, Season 1, was featured at the Showcase Event. The Competition began August 3^rd and was hosted by both Studios. It was a very close competition for all of the Dancers. Every week our Honorable Gold Bar, Gold and Silver Level Judges marked their scores based on four top categories. Our 1^st Place winners, Lesley & Trent received a Mirror Ball Trophy and tickets to the “Dancing With the Stars” Live Show in Hollywood, California. Our 2^nd Place winners, Kelly & Adam also received tickets to the “Dancing With the Stars” in Hollywood, California. Thank you to all of the Students and Teachers who participated. Lesley & Trent, Kelly & Adam, John, Nova & Xiaoqian, Raquel & Justin, Nancy & Arnell, Marco & Diamahn, Lance & Allison, Brian & Laura. A special thanks to our audience as well as our esteemed panel of Judges; Louise, Ray, Shanna, Tim and Kayla for a job well done!

“DANCING WITH THE STARS” began on Monday September 24^th at 8pm on Channel 13 followed by the Tuesday evening results show at 9pm. The emergence of this program has introduced the WORLD OF BALLROOM DANCING to millions of viewers and many of our new students.  As a result, we will have more incredible people to dance with and we have increased our staff members.  Incidentally, we are pleased to have on our staff, Marriann Nelson. Marriann comes to us with a dance background and she is the mother of last season’s “Dancing With the Stars” Champion, Julianne Hough.  Julianne danced last season with Apolo Anton Ohno and is currently dancing this season with two-time Indy 500 winner, Helio Castroneves.  Marriann’s son Derek Hough is also dancing this season with Actor, Jennie Garth.

PRIVATE COACHING with Vicki Venka was held following the Showcase.  Vicki Venka is a well renowned International Coach and Arthur Murray Competition Adjudicator. It is always a pleasure to have her in our Studios. We are very excited to welcome Nick Kosovich to our Studios October 10^th, 11^th and 12^th.  He is also an Arthur Murray International Coach and Competition Adjudicator.  You may have seen him as the Professional Dance Partner of Vivica Fox on “Dancing With the Stars”, Season 3.  Most recently, Nick and his wife Lena performed an outstanding Tango on “Dancing With the Stars” Tuesday October 2^nd Results show.

STAFF PERFORMANCE – Las Vegas Arthur Murray Staff often perform at many conventions in local Hotels.  On September 16^th  Adam, Justin & Valerie demonstrated Swing and Hustle routines at Bally’s Hotel & Casino.

“MADS CLUB”, Murray After Dark Social Club is an Out on the Town Evening with your Teachers and Friends.  It is held the first Wednesday of every month at a designated local Lounge location. Last month we danced for hours at the Mandalay Bay’s Coral Reef Lounge.  This month we will be dancing in the Showroom at the South Point Casino.  Ask your Teachers how to join MADS Club.

FALL FORUM – October 6^th and 7^th, 13 members of the Las Vegas Arthur Murray staff and management will travel to the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, California to attend the Arthur Murray Fall Forum where Current Events and the most Recent Dance Styles will be presented by nationally acclaimed champions.

SCHOOL FIGURES CLASS – ASSOCIATE BRONZE LEVEL, Sunday, October 21^st, 2-5pm Durango Location.  This class will prepare you for Medal Ball Checkout.  The focus is on the Top 5 Steps and Techniques for the 6 Main Ballroom Dances; Smooth Dances – Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Rhythm – Rumba, ChaCha and Swing.  $15.00 per Student.  Refreshments will be provided.

MEDAL BALL TESTING and SEMI-FORMAL MASCARADE BALL DINNER & DANCE – Lynn Sevick, International Coach and Arthur Murray Competition Adjudicator and also the daughter of Vicki Venka, joins us again for Medal Ball. Testing will be done Friday evening October 26^th and the Semi-Formal Masquerade Ball will be held on Saturday October 27^th at the Maryland Parkway Location. 

INTRODUCING ARGENTINE TANGO MILONGAS AND TANGO WORKSHOPS.  Ven a Bailar el “Tango del Corazon” or shall we say “Come Dance the Tango of the Heart”.  Hugo Latorre & Miriam Gittelman are from Argentina.  They have been hosting Argentine Tango Milongas (Dance parties) at our Durango studio on the third Saturday of every month. Their weekly Workshop is on Thursday evenings at 8:15pm at the Durango Studio. Tom & Tanya Smith are also hosting Milongas at the Maryland Parkway Studio on specified Saturday evenings at 8:15PM. Check the Calendar for dates. This is a great introduction to one of the most romantic dances.  All events are $15.00 per person. Newcomers are always welcome.

As the summer is ending we would like to once again acknowledge all of the Students and Instructors who participated in the July Arthur Murray UNIQUE DANCE-O-RAMA at the Hyatt Hotel in Irvine, California.  We brought home the 2^nd PLACE TROPHY in our Division of 16 Arthur Murray Schools.  CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LAS VEGAS DANCERS; Lisa, Cynthia, Connie, Lesley and Instructors Greg, Trent & Justin.  We would also like to acknowledge our dedicated RISING STAR COMPETITION DANCE FINALISTS; Allison & Justin; Valerie & Adam.

OUR NEWEST BRONZE STUDENTS!!! We are excited to congratulate Chris Sutton, Adam Sullivan, Emily Coleman, Sherry Catanzaro, Doug Haynes, Cameron & Jessica Christiansen, Sonya Puleva. Lexi Hamill, Adriana Capetillo, Ron & Charlene Proto.

STAY TUNED FOR AMLV NEWS IN NOVEMBER 2007