NASSPDA’s Board of Directors hopes that you all had a good start into 2022, despite having to still negotiate the effects of this seemingly everlasting Pandemic, which is just taking yet another turn for the worst with the now dominant Omicron variant.
However, looking forward, we naturally hope that dancing is still or will again come back soon into your life, especially once we can safely socialize and compete again, with or without mask.
Last year, due to a significant drop in cases of Covid-19 infections during the summer, partially based on the rate of vaccinations, and subsequent loosening of restrictions, the first NASSPDA sanctioned event, the ‘New England Open’ (http://www.bostonopendancesport.com/home.html), took place in Dedham, MA, on October 9, 2021. The atmosphere on the dancefloor was noticeably one of jubilation, being so grateful to get out there and once again strut one’s stuff, showing off one’s skills, and reconnecting with other dancers and just simply being able to move out on a large dance floor. Attendance was smallish, which meant that many events were uncontested. However, that did not diminish the fun had by all.
‘Floorplay, LA,’ which was slated for February 27, 2021, as well as the biggest event of the year, ‘April Follies,’ slated for April 24, 2021, had both been cancelled. Since many dancers would have had not enough time to prepare and due to the uncertainty of how the case numbers of Covid-19 infections would develop, it was deemed the wiser and cautionary choice.
Whether ‘Floorplay, LA’ (https://www.floorplayevents.com/) will take place this year has yet to be decided and might be later in the spring, which would be possible due to the organizers of this year’s ‘April Follies’ (https://www.aprilfollies.com/) decision to cancel, based on the uncertainties that the Pandemic still present. In order for this big event to be financially viable, attendance numbers are an important factor, which are bound to be not at pre-pandemic levels.
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The Board of NASSPDA is still working on aligning some of its established rules to those newly created rules by the founding members of IFSSDA, ESSDA, IAGLCWDC and NASSPDA.
Because NASSPDA was fiscally solid at the beginning of 2020, the Board had decided to offset some of the financial hardships of its members caused by the Pandemic through extending everyone's membership by a year. However, this effected 2021, because NASSPDA sources its income mainly from membership dues, and despite the extension membership dropped. This prompted the Board to launch a donation drive in the spring of 2021. Due to several members’ generosity, funds raised are helping NASSPDA maintain its website, finance ads in event programs, continue awarding scholarships and community outreach grants, which all together ensures that NASSPDA may continue fulfilling its mission.
Since mainstream events sanctioned by the NDCA and USA Dance have also only been taking place sporadically and shown great fluctuation in attendance, not many of our community were in attendance yet, taking advantage of the new rules that are allowing any configuration of a couple, disregarding sex or gender of each dancer. As previously reported, challenges that have been cited by officials as well as competitors are in particular educating its community, especially their licensed judges, and questions regarding costuming. The Board of NASSPDA continues to monitor this new development, but still believes that at this point its system of grading competitors newly at each sanctioned event, separating different gender configurations of a couple by events and vetting invited judges makes any of its sanctioned events a very different experience.
NASSPDA is still seeking individuals and/or couples that will spread the word about and impart the values of NASSPDA at events other than sanctioned by NASSPDA. This ambassadorship position comes with a stipend to cover some expenses and the provision of promotional material. Should you know of anyone being interested or qualified, you can find more details on NASSPDA’s website along with application form (https://nasspda.org/nasspda-ambassador-program/).
NASSPDA’s Board and the Scholarship Committee are also working on revamping the scholarship program for 2022, so that it becomes more attractive and beneficial to its recipients. This may include an expansion to IFSSDA sanctioned events and a range of remuneration rather than a set amount.
And, maybe you have noticed, NASSPDA’s Website Committee is working on rejuvenating as well as updating NASSPDA’s website and started in cooperation with the Promotion Committee publishing articles on the website (https://nasspda.org/articles/) as well as in the almost monthly eNewsletter (https://nasspda.org/newsletters/) related to Dancesport, particularly tailored to and written by members of our community.
If you have written and/or want to write about something or come across an interesting bit of news that might interest our community of dancers, please don’t hesitate to share and email us at newsletter@nasspda.org and/or webmaster@nasspda.org.
And, of course, this year’s election of the Board is soon upon us, which means that five positions of the Directors of the Board are to be renewed and/or newly to be filled. One of the current Board Members and Chair of the Website Committee, Horace Luong, has already informed the Board that he will not be up for reelection due to a major promotion at his work, for which we congratulate him. NASSPDA was very lucky to have him serve on the Board of Directors for so long, in particular as the keeper of its website. Our heartfelt thanks for all that he has contributed!
This means, of course, that NASSPDA needs new candidates to step forward or being nominated by members (see https://nasspda.org/board-member-election/). Hopefully, such candidate(s) will add to the gender, ethnic and geographical diversity of the Board as well as specific skills that could help in areas of marketing, promotion, membership, finance, etc., or he/she/they just simply is/are an enthusiastic dancer. Nominations should be received by April.
The upkeep of NASSPDA’s website, which is built on WordPress, plays a major part in NASSPDA’s visibility and ‘promised’ transparency. NASSPDA has also taken up the development of IFSSDA’s website, which is built on WordPress as well. This task doesn’t necessarily have to be fulfilled by a member of the Board, but could also be delegated solely to a member of our community, who has the skills necessary and therefore could fill the shoes of NASSPDA’s Webmaster. If you know of someone with the appropriate skills, please contact NASSPDA at info@nasspda.org.
Please stay well, safe, sane and healthy!
HAPPY DANCING and KEEP SMILING!
Benjamin Soencksen
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Scholarships for 2022 Nasspda Sanctioned Events
SIX scholarships are available to anyone that is planning to attend a NASSPDA sanctioned competition taking place in 2021, in support of covering expenses related to participating.
Each one is in the amount of $400 plus a one-year NASSPDA Individual Membership.
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Ambassador Program
In need of broader visibility, better promotion in the DanceSport world and advocating for same-sex competitive dancing, NASSPDA is looking to engage Ambassadors.
As many North American DanceSport organizations have changed their definition of a dance couple, we are witnessing interest and participation of newly formed same-sex, reverse role, and gender-neutral couples at their events. Many of those couples haven't been introduced or exposed to NASSPDA as an organization; hence, they also do not know the benefits of being a member of NASSPDA.
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Donation
A Big Thank You!
The Board of Directors would like to sincerely thank all the individuals and businesses who have donated to NASSPDA in our recent fundraising drive. Through the generosity of our community, we’ve exceed the match offered by NASSPDA Vice-President Debbie Esparza and have raised a total of over $4100 !
The funds will be used to support programming, scholarships, maintaining our presence in the dance community and beyond and to help further our mission to expand.
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Competition Committee
NASSPDA Sanctioned competitions in scheduled for 2022
The upcoming competitions for 2022 will be confirmed by NASSPDA Competition committee and will be announced. Stay tuned for all upcoming events.
Non Sanctioned by NASSPDA competitions with same-sex events in 2022
Rio Grande Dance Classic
March 31-April 3, 2022
Vancouver Challenge Cup 2022
Scheduled fro February 26-27, 2022
ESSDA sanctioned competitions
Eurogames 2022
July 27-30, 2022
Nijmegen, Netherlands
IFSSDA sanctioned competitions
The XI Gay Games - November 3-11, 2023 Hong Kong
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Rio Grande Dance Classic
MARCH 31- APRIL 3 2022
Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Rio Grande Dance Classic will offer events in the following Styles:
International Standard
American Smooth
Argentine Tango
Country Western
International Latin
American Rhythm
Salsa
West Coast Swing
(If we don't offer a style you are interested in dancing, let us know! We will make room.) The Rio Grande Dance Classic will offer events in the following categories:
Amateur (Student/Student)
Pro/Am (Teacher/Student)
Professional
Solo Performances
Formation Teams
Scholarships
Traditional, Same Sex, & Reverse Role couples are encouraged to enter any and all events. Please spread the word, share this event, & invite friends and family! We look forward to seeing many of you again and also to seeing new friends on the dance floor!
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Membership Directory
This is a resource to allow NASSPDA members to connect with others in the community. Please contact Webmaster and their email webmaster@nasspda.org if you'd like to be added to the directory (being added is a privilege available to NASSPDA members only).
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Dancer Partner Connections
We understand how hard it can be to find a dance partner. Therefore we'd like to help by offering this connection service where individuals in our community interested in searching for a partner can proactively post an ad and/or passively review ads.
If you'd like to post an ad, please complete this form. It does not cost anything AND you can share as much or little information as you want. This page is maintained by Horace (hluong@nasspda.org) so please contact him if you want your ad removed or edited.
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New partnership with The National Academy of Health and Phisycal Literacy (NAHPL)
NAHPL is a diverse organization that seeks to advance health and physical literacy in our society, especially in K-12 schools, higher education, and in dance and sport venues. NAHPL seeks to grow and advance professional leaders who will interact and network on regional, national and global levels to expand health and physical literacy opportunities for all children and adults.
As a member and mission centered organization, NAHPL encourages and facilitates active participation by all members, advocating for health and physical literacy. NAHPL leadership and members plan and implement professional learning opportunities and events at the regional and national levels, and advocate for health and physical literacy in Pre-K-higher education and across society.
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Check our next issue of the e-Newsletter for a continuation of our articles release where we will focus on dancesport. |
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