Monthly e-Newsletter July  2019
NASSPDA


Spotlight
 
As the summer is sizzling and the temperatures are really high we all try to escape to the beach or to the air conditioned coffee place. How about if we beat the heat with the (hot) Salsa or the (passionate) Tango? Wait, I forgot you can make tons of step on your Fitbit just running around the dance floor pretending you are doing a fancy Quickstep running steps. 
If you wonder where you can go to practice and improve your dance skills at classes and private lessons, NASSPDA Board members are sharing where they are teaching or practicing.Feel free to join them and share the fun!


Eddie Alba co-owner and teacher at Century Dancesport - Tustin, CA
https://www.centurydancesport.com

Debra Esparza practices and takes lessons at Dance Wise Phoenix, AZ
https://www.dancewisephoenix.com/about

Lee Fox teaches private and group classes at Star Ballroom, Pompano, FL
http://www.starballroomdance.com a nd at Scandals Saloon in Fort Lauderdale, FL
http://www.scandalsfla.com

Luis Grijalva - teaching at Rhythm and Beat Dance Studio in San Diego, CA
https://www.facebook.com/rhythmsandiego/

Simone Assboeck - Simone is teaching at Dance Together NYC http://www.dancetogethernyc.com/about-us.html

Kalin Mitov - Teaching independently in various location in Boston, MA - www.BostonOpenDanceSport.com
Horace Luong - teaches the recreation ballroom dancing program at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MB www.horaceluong.com/hlsb





Announcements 

NASSPDA Scholarship Program

NASSPDA's scholarship program has been expanded since 2018 to include all its sanctioned competitions.  Anyone planning to compete at a 2019 NASSPDA sanctioned competition may now apply for financial aid. 

Out of the 5 (five!) Scholarships available to be awarded for the year of 2019 (in the amount of $400 each plus dues for one year of membership) there are still two scholarships left for NASSPDA's upcoming 2019 USA Championships participants at New England Open in Boston - Needham on Saturday, September 21st. 
Please  apply by August 21st, 2019 if you are planning to participate in this particular event at NASSPDA's website  here





NASSPDA Survey

The NASSPDA Board has heard from some community members that a name change is necessary to expand its mission and become more inclusive. In particular, the "same sex" in the name may not be welcoming to the non-binary community. The Board would like to engage the community (NASSPDA members and non-members) for feedback and direction on the potential name change and expansion of mission.

Thank you in advance as we value and appreciate your opinions that will help steer our organization.  Please  click on this link.



NASSPDA Membership Directory

Have you checked out the NASSPDA  Membership Directory?  This is a resource to allow NASSPDA members to connect with others in the community.  Please contact Horace Luong ( hluong@nasspda.org) if you'd like to be added to  the directory (this is available to NASSPDA members only).


Donation

Thank you Carly Mattox and Ballroom Hub studio NY for raising $315 donation to NASSPDA at your pride dance event Dance for Pride June 30th! 
Your donation will help growing our Activity and Scholarship funds.

Now NASSPDA's website has a button to donate right there:

Thank you for your generosity!





Competition Calendar
Competition Committee


NASSPDA's 2019 USA Championship will be held at the New England Open on Saturday, September 21st in Needham-Boston Massachusetts. The Championship is a NASSPDA sanctioned event and will therefore abide by the rules and regulations of NASSPDA's Competition Rules (http://nasspda.org/Rules), in particular regarding eligibility of garnering the Championship Titles. NASSPDA members will receive a discount upon registration, and two NASSPDA Scholarships are still to be awarded (please apply by August 21st and see details below).
The   other portion  of the New England Open, including  the  Single Dance , Scholarships and  New England  Championships  Divisions,  are open to all dancers and combinations of partnerships.
Visit the competition 's  website for Tentative Schedule, Events and Registration:






Membership Information
Membership Committee

Join NASSPDA TODAY!  Please complete the membership form and make your membership payment directly through our website (nasspda.org).

If you have problems, or want to help us improve the website (parts are still under construction) please write to Horace Luong, our website administrator, at  hluong@nasspda.org .


Blackpool: Diane Willmott & Sarah Hughes


Outreach and Media
Promotions Committee

ACTIVITY GRANT FUNDING PROGRAM
NASSPDA would like to encourage its members and our community at large to engage in various fun activities that promote same-sex dancing. We recognize that many of our members may have a creative idea and NASSPDA would like to contribute in a small financial way.
Up to 4 grants of $250 each will be awarded per calendar year on a first-come first-served basis to applicants who can demonstrate that the proposed activity will advance NASSPDA's mission of promoting and expanding social and competitive same-sex partner dancing. 

The proposed event should also be in alignment with NASSPDA's following goals:
* Support functions and venues for social same-sex partner dancing.
* Provide a resource for same-sex partner dancers.
* Aim to raise the level of same-sex partner dancing
* Encourage the inclusion of dancers from diverse backgrounds with regard to race, ethnicity, gender, age, [dis]ability, gender identity and/or expression.
 
Some ideas for events and organizers to receive grant support:
  • Same-sex dance classes
  • A social dance mixer with actively inviting and encouraging same-sex dancing or "alternative lead and follow"
  • An excursion to a local competition, introducing dancers to the concept
  • A welcome party before one of NASSPDA's sanctioned competition
  • Setting up a booth at a local street fair promoting same-sex dancing
  • A neighborhood or community event promoting partner dancing and the inclusion of same-sex dancing
  • Involving studios to promote same-sex dancing
    •
  • An event in conjunction with a city's Pride activities
    •
These are just a few suggestions. To apply for financial support from NASSPDA's  $250 Grant Program, please visit our website at  NASSPDA.org , click on  the  ' Scholarships and Grants ' bar and then 'Grants" to read more for more information. You can also email us at  promotions@NASSPDA.org  with any questions.