February 2013 Page 1 of 9

President’s Message

Mike Cowlishaw

What a wonderful year lies ahead! We had a

great start. The first club business meeting was

very well attended, with many sharing their passion

for the club. The biggest issue was regarding where

the club will hold some of the events this year, the

attending members voting to keep all the regular

events at the Champion Dance Academy. The

budget for the year was also approved.

We have several great events coming up in the

near future, beginning with our Valentine-themed

February social on the second of the month. You

won’t want to miss this one! The men of the chap-

ter are putting their best foot and their best

munchies forward. Ladies attending will also get a

special gift. Then we have the coronation party

for Queen-elect Kao on the second of March. This

is an elegant event, which includes a catered din-

ner. Please make your reservations with Ann

Meador. (You can get the information from our

chapter site). We have the State Board Event start-

ing March 22. This includes several dances and a

lot of fun over one great weekend. The Bakersfield

Chapter hosts this one, and they do a terrific job.

It’s close enough to drive, and sure to be a great

time!!

Back on the subject of help, we still have some

open positions. Several people have been wearing

a lot of hats for a while. If you can help for an

hour or three at some point during the year, it

would sure be appreciated!! We have a few of the

upcoming social taken care of, but April, May,

June, October and November still need a host. You

don’t have to do it all: just ask a few people to

help you. It’s very rewarding. If you can work the

sign-up desk for an hour once in a while, help set

up or tear down, that would be great. Things don’t

happen unless people get involved.

Dance tip: “I want to be a better dancer, but I

don’t have a partner.” I think we’ve all heard

this one a few times. There are many ways to

become a better dancer, and not all of them re-

quire a partner. We are fortunate to have group

classes on most Sundays. This is one way to

get better. Practicing by myself/yourself is of

more benefit than many people realize (the first

time or two might be tough ). Social dancing

is fun, and gives one a chance to work on tech-

nique learned in class. Performance classes or

groups add another level. Private lessons are

expensive, but will teach you things that can’t

happen in other situations. None of the above

require a regular partner, but will give one a

good chance to improve. Deciding to perform

with a professional will also force one to stretch

their dance muscles. All the above can make us

into better dancers. . .

I hope to see you on the dance floor, with happy

heart and happy feet!!

San Diego N.S.D.San Diego N.S.D.San Diego N.S.D.

SMOOTH TALKSMOOTH TALK San Diego Smooth Dancers, Inc.San Diego Smooth Dancers, Inc.San Diego Smooth Dancers, Inc.

“Bringing Ballroom to our Community”“Bringing Ballroom to our Community”“Bringing Ballroom to our Community”

February 2013, Vol. 13 No. 7

February 2013 Page 2 of 9

Queen’s Message

Shirley McCloskey

“The Renaissance of

Dance”! This was the Coro-

nation theme for Los Ange-

les chapter Queen Sandy

Wells. The Los Angeles

Coronation was my last out-

of-town Queenly function on

behalf of San Diego Smooth

Dancers. I say to you sin-

cerely and with gratitude that

it has been a genuine joy to

represent you throughout the

State over the past year. This Coronation event was

especially meaningful and poignant for me, and I

have been contemplating why. Perhaps it is because

I am saddened my Reign is coming to end – even

though I am extremely happy for Queen-Elect Kao

and all the beautiful events that will fill her Reign.

Or – per-

haps it is the unu-

sually long inter-

val (four months!)

since our last

gathering in Sep-

tember at Con-

vention. What a

joy it was to once

again meet and

visit and dance

with our fellow

dancers of NSD. It was a time of reunion, a natural

renewal of communication and connection with one

another. Conversations were similar to a family re-

union – getting up to date with “what’s been happen-

ing” – in your life – are you well and happy; your

dance life – are you dancing and practicing and what

is your focus; your NSD chapter life –what events

are coming up and will we see you in Bakersfield in

March.

Or perhaps it

is the message of

Queen Sandy’s

theme: Renaissance

of Dance – a rebirth

or revival of the art

of dance; also – a

revival of dancing achievement and vigor! This con-

cept is woven into the matrix that is NSD. All the

chapters want to promote dance, but not just

“dance”. The goal is to inspire a love of dance and a

desire that each person will dance to the highest lev-

el possible for themselves. From these goals came

our inter-chapter competitions. How exciting it is to

be at Convention or Boards and cheer for competi-

tors from your own chapter as well as enjoy the com-

petition performances from the other chapters.

I was able to join our Sunday dance classes to-

day – what a treat. The dances being taught are Inter-

national Fox Trot and Viennese Waltz, which are not

easy dances. The routines are challenging, the in-

structor, Carrie, is teaching technique as well as pat-

tern, the dancers were attentive and everyone was

working with vigor to achieve the goal – to perform

the dance movement accurately and consistently. We

were all burning a few calories with all this effort, so

we just had to partake of those chocolate cookies

between the lessons..

Have you

ever seen a Bacha-

ta/Tango/

Argentine Tango

performed? Vic-

tor Lee and Debby

Ku performed an

exciting Honor

Dance combining

these three dance styles. It looked like fun and made

you want to get up and try it. Ken and Marion

Scholz performed a beautiful Waltz to honor Queen

Sandy. Thank you to our new president, Mike Cowl-

ishaw, my gracious escort for this Coronation. There

(Continued on page 3)

All the Queens gather for a casual moment at the L.A. Coronation.

Photo by Shirley

Full Court at the L.A. Coronation.

Photo by Judy

Ph

oto

by

Sh

irley

Ph

oto

by

Sh

irley

February 2013 Page 3 of 9

SUNDAY NIGHT DANCE CLASS

Chuck DiSessa

Dance classes resumed on January sixth with real

gusto !!

Twenty members of the San Diego Smooth

Dancers joined sixteen guests for instruction by

Carrie Kloss in the International Foxtrot at 5:00 pm

and American Style Viennese Waltz at 6:00 pm

While several first-time guests appeared to be

overwhelmed with the intermediate level of choreog-

raphy, the core group that returned the second week

enjoyed the challenge of learning additional chore-

ography in both dances.

For many of us, the International Foxtrot offers

an excellent review of the basics, (which Carrie does

very well, by the way), as well as some challenging

creative moves which Carrie purposely includes for

the advanced dancers.

The Viennese Waltz at 6:00 p.m. even attracted

past queen Mary King, who wasn’t about to let an

aching foot stop her from learning the new choreog-

raphy. She even hinted we may see a Viennese per-

formance from her and John Selby later this year.

[hint, hint]

One interesting aspect of Carrie’s Viennese

Waltz routine has the ladies doing first an inside turn

and then an outside turn as we round the corner to

the short side. The short side ends with a contra-

check. While the contra-check is a lovely line, the

hesitation step that follows allows the men to

“regroup” before proceeding down the next line-of-

dance.

This dance can be a lot of fun, and Carrie’s cho-

reography moves comfortably around the room.

Please take advantage of our classes and come have

some fun with us.

Mike Cowlishaw, class member and newly elect-

ed President of the San Diego Smooth Dancers, Inc.,

was very helpful . He’s taken the responsibility of

filming and updating the dance-class videos every

week, thus making them available to all attendees.

For me, he is a constant presence, a “hands-on” kind

of guy—willing to offer his time and his talent to

meet whatever need arises.

While I am thinking about it, “many thanks” to

all of you who stayed late with Mike and me to dis-

assemble the Christmas tree and store it away ‘til

next year.

Looking ahead, Irina Chalkevitch will lead our

March and April classes with the American Waltz

being taught at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Cha Cha at

6:00 p.m. Those of you who attended the Christmas

Showcase saw firsthand what outstanding talent both

Carrie and Irina bring to our dance classes.

In closing, we are offering great classes this year,

in a magnificent facility, with outstanding instruc-

tors. The free, open-practice period begins at 7:00

pm, with music for just about any dance tempo you

desire. What more could you ask for??? Now, all

we really need is YOU!

Take care, stay healthy, and let’s have a really

great year !

Sincerely Yours for Better Dancing,

Chuck DiSessa, Dance Class Manager

were 6 of us from San Diego attend-

ing the LA Coronation: Verne and

Judy Miranda, Mark and Kao (Queen-

Elect) Chapman, Mike, and myself –

the Reigning Queen for another 6

weeks. Thank you for your support

and for allowing me to be your

ambassador – to the Statewide

NSD as well as to those to attend

our SDSD socials. I have had a

Royal good time!

Sincerely,

Queen Shirley

(Continued from page 2)

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y

February 2013 Page 4 of 9

Ringing in the New Year: 2013

Judy Miranda

Many thanks to Anthony

Wood & his committee for a

great New Years Eve party.

There were over 100 members

& guests in attendance.

Since the theme had to do with

masks, there was a table near the front

entrance that was covered with colorful

masks for those who had not brought their own. As you can

see from the photos many of our guests took advantage of

the masks & had a great time wearing them. They got to

keep them, so that made it even nicer.

Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did,

but backwards and in high heels.

~Faith Whittlesey

Ph

oto

by

An

ton

ietta

February 2013 Page 5 of 9

There was plenty of food for our guests. An-

thony made stew & meatballs, some of which

was “gluten free” for those who have dietary re-

strictions. In addition to that there were plenty of

veggies & fruit, along with cake, pie & cookies

for desert.

As part of the evening’s entertainment, Anthony &

Nancy did a fun tango for everyone, followed by Mark &

Kao doing their lively Quickstep that we all love. There

was also a Jack & Jill contest where the ladies did the

Electric Slide & the men judged them. It was fun, and we

had great participation from the ladies.

We also celebrated New Years

for each time zone, starting at

10:00 on up to midnight. it was a

fun evening and a great way to

bring in 2013. Each New Year’s

hour was brought in to the music

of famous operas selected by An-

thony Wood.

Except as noted, all photos for

this article by Judy, with assis-

tance from Vern.

Nancy & Anthony, ready for their Tango.

Larry, about ready to call it a night

after a hard job well done for us all.

The ladies competing for the Jack & Jill prize.

Kao & Mark finishing up their Quickstep.

NSD Dancers gather for a great evening of dancing to usher

out the old year and welcome in the new one together.

February 2013 Page 6 of 9

Bringing Ballroom

to our Community. . .

Cathy O’Hara

On December 28th Chuck DiSessa, Ines

Plikshe, Jacky Yu, Linda Gu and I performed

for a Pre-New Year’s party here where I live at

Town Park Villas.

Directions to Nina & Ron’s House for February 9th Meeting at 2:30

3443 Zola Street

San Diego, CA 92106-1559

619-221-0256

Take Rosecrans Street, either north from Harbor Drive from the airport, or south from the 8 Freeway area.

When you get to Zola, turn onto it to head west from Rosecrans (Zola lies between Xenophon and Browning

on Rosecrans and only goes west when you find it.) Nina and Ron are at the end of Zola, at the corner on the

left side of the street. Be sure to bring something for the potluck that will follow the meeting! Our thanks to

Nina and Ron for volunteering their home so that we can have a pleasant, cozy afternoon to get together and

discuss club business together.

We presented the class

East Coast Swing routine

with two couples, the Santa

Baby routine with Chuck

and me, and a Samba with

Jacky and Linda.

Along with this, I

taught and performed

the “Come Fly With

Me” routine with two

ladies who live here.

We had a great time

sharing our enjoyment

of dancing with the other

people who live in our

complex.

All photos on this page

by Cathy.

February 2013 Page 7 of 9

Mark C. Chapman, publisher (619) 213-9119

Smooth Talk is a members’ service and re-

source: all NSD members are encouraged to

submit ballroom-related items for inclusion in

the newsletter. Please send proposed articles, photos, and

suggestions for newsletter changes to:

mcchapman88@yahoo.com.

Monthly Deadlines: Submissions—15th Distribution—22nd

February Birthdays

Tey, Anita 2/1

Moody, Shirley 2/10

Valentini, Peter 2/10

Sanders, Nancee 2/17

Staudte, Jack 2/20

Plikshe, Ines 2/21

Folkman, Al 2/22

Sievers, Carol 2/24

Gee, Wendy 2/26

Holmes, Doug 2/28

Photo Credits Key

A big “Thank you” to those who contributed photos

for this month’s newsletter:

“Antonietta” Antonietta Wendland

“Cathy” Cathy O’Hara

“Judy” Judy Miranda

“Shirley” Shirley McCloskey

Next Meeting: The next General Membership Meeting will be held at

Nina and Ron Duffy’s home on Saturday, February 12th at 2:30.

Three New Members in January!

At our January General Membership meeting, we

voted to accept three new members into our chapter.

Please give a warm welcome to William Mackenzie,

Jeff Paxton, and Ashley Chu the next time you see

them at a social. Bill and Jeff have been attending

our events on a regular basis lately. And, there’s no

telling where you may have seen Ashley last: along

with our club events, she’s always there on Friday

nights at Champion, setting up the treats and the

punch for the guests. She’s also very active with the

San Diego Chinese Dance Club, where she was re-

cently elected to the role of Vice President.

Goodbye to a Dancing Friend

Although he wasn’t a member of NSD, many of

our members knew Sammy McMullen from various

dance events in San Diego, including our own chap-

ter’s venues. Sadly, Sammy succumbed to pneumo-

nia after a short stay in a local hospital, and many of

us will miss him at our dances.

Sammy used to sing along with some of the classic

songs, especially Foxtrots, that we dance to in ball-

room, and I am told that his partners enjoyed the add-

ed entertainment as this gentle Scotsman guided them

around the dance floor.

Ashley Chu, one of our three

new chapter members.

February 2013 Page 8 of 9

February 2013 Page 9 of 9