Hi everyone

Welcome to the March edition of the Footloose Newsletter. 

Our new course has just started and we would like to welcome all our new beginners.  This newsletter is emailed out at the beginning of every month and is also printed for those who want to pick up a hard copy at the desk at classes.

We’re just back from our 2 week cruise to Bali along with 30 other rock n rollers from around Australia (18 from Footloose) and we all had a great time.  The weather was fantastic with clear blue skies every day – That’s right, no rain!   It was between 35 – 42^o every day.  The seas were very flat so for those on their first cruise, it was a great introduction to cruising.  We met some wonderful people from WA and I’m sure we’ll remain friends for years to come.  They’ve already booked on our next cruise as well.  A few of us spent a few extra days in Perth and Margaret River and that was fantastic.  Margaret River area is a must-do if you ever get to WA.

While we were away, two of our students announced their engagement!  Congratulations to Allan Shuttleworth and Cynthia Nicholson - the ring is awesome!

Don’t forget the Footloose Corrimal Leagues Club social dance is on this Sunday 7^th March at 6pm.  See further on for full details.

One of our students, Janine Fraser sends out an email every week with what local bands are on where, and she also organises outings for those on her email list.  So if you are looking for more things to do, email Janine at janinefraser@bigpond.com and she will add you to her mailing list.  

We had some very sad news while we were away.  One of our students – Stephen Cooper, who has been a student for around 12 months got news of liver cancer and unfortunately passed away two days later on 14^th February.  Stephen was a really nice guy and a good friend to a lot of people who are going to miss him.  Our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

Just a reminder – As we like to keep the clubs that we teach in happy, would you please put empty glasses on the table at the back of each of the auditoriums (or a table near the door).  Also, don’t forget, please don’t bring your own drinks into the clubs.  Drinks in clubs (whether it be water, soft drink or alcohol) are very reasonably priced.

Now read on for all the details of what’s happening, and we hope to see you out on the dance floor soon. 

Sue & Geoff

NEW - DANCE NIGHT OUT

As a way of promoting Footloose and our classes, a suggestion has been put forward by one of our members that we have a dance night out once every 6 to 8 weeks, where as many of us as possible wear a Footloose shirt.  This night would be held at a club where we know there is going to be a decent band, so look out in the monthly newsletters to find out when the nights will be held.

The first night out will be on FRIDAY 19^TH MARCH at SHELLHARBOUR WORKERS CLUB where a great band called the Jungle Kings will be playing.  It’s a free night and the band starts at 8pm in the Oceanview Lounge.

So let’s get behind this idea – it’s a normal night out dancing, but all we ask you to do is wear a Footloose shirt if you have one.  You can wear any of the polo’s or bowling shirts – whatever you want – any colour.  You can wear jeans, pants, skirts – whatever.  The intention is just to get the Footloose name out there and show the public what a great time we have dancing.

If anyone else has any suggestions as to things we can do to promote the studio, please feel free to let us know. 

Beginner intake numbers are low at the moment and this can be put down to the economic climate, so the more we promote the studio and get our name out there, the more students will want to start learning to dance.

FIRST LESSON FREE PASS

To encourage new students to start, we will be doing a new promotion for the next course which starts week commencing 19^th April. 

We will be offering a “First Beginners Lesson Free” pass, so if you know of anyone thinking of giving lessons a try, this will be ideal for them.   The passes will be available at the desk in the next week or so and you are welcome to pick up as many as you want. 

If you are going out to dances, quite often people will ask you where you learn, so it might be an idea to carry some in your wallet.

As a way of saying thank you for promoting the studio, for every new student you introduce, you’ll be put into a draw to win a gift certificate for a 7 week dance course – that’s a value of $70!  There’ll be two winners drawn so you could have a chance of doing the whole next course for free!  All you need to do is put your name on the passes that you give out and when they are returned to us, you’ll go into the draw. 

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND

Because we haven’t had time to do a complete gig guide for March, here is a brief listing of what local bands are on this weekend:

Friday 5 March

Fraternity Club -  Crushed Ice

Shellharbour Workers:   Backlash

Illawarra Yacht Club:  Charlie Harper band

West's Illawarra:  Rikki Organ band

Saturday 6 March

Figtree RSL Bowls Club:   Jo Vill

Illawarra Yacht Club:  South Beach Boogie

Sunday 7 March

Corrimal Leagues Club:  Footloose Social with DJ Ray;  6pm – 9.30pm $5 adults;  kids free

EASTER MONDAY LESSONS

Please note that all lessons will be held as normal on EASTER MONDAY 5^th April at City Diggers Club.

FOOTLOOSE SOCIAL DANCES

CORRIMAL LEAGUES CLUB SOCIAL

Don’t forget the Footloose social dance with DJ Ray at Corrimal Leagues Club is on this weekend – Sunday 7^th MARCH.  We generally hold one of these socials on the first Sunday of each month from 6pm to 9.30pm (please note that sometimes the date can change due to public holidays etc).  It’s a great way of practicing your dancing because Ray plays a heap of slow to medium paced songs.  Cost is $5 at the door for adults and kids are free, but must be supervised.  The club has a great bistro if you want to have dinner before heading upstairs to the dance.   Everyone is welcome, including your friends and family.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Please note that due to the Easter long weekend, the Corrimal Leagues Social in April will be held on SUNDAY 11^TH APRIL (and not 4^th April as it would normally be held).  This is due to the fact that Easter Sunday is on the first Sunday in the month.

CITY DIGGERS DANCE

Our first dance for the year with a live Sydney Rock n Roll band will be held at City Diggers Club Wollongong on Friday 26^th March.  The band this month is Vini and the Moonliters and one of our students – Trevor Joseph is a member of this great band, so please come along and support it.  Doors open at 7.30pm and the band plays until 11.30pm.  Cost is $10 at the door and kids under 14 are free.  Parking is available for $5 for the night at the David Jones car park which is right beside the main entrance to the Diggers Club.   So come along, have a great night and support rock n roll bands in Wollongong.

THIRROUL SEASIDE FESTIVAL

We’ve been asked to dance again at the Thirroul Seaside Festival.  It will be on Sunday 28^th March at Thirroul Beach Park, and we’ll be dancing from 12 noon until 12.20.

We need dancers – everyone welcome to join us!  You should wear your white Footloose Bowling or polo shirts, along with either the Blue Footloose skirt or plain black pants/jeans.  If you don’t want to dance, we’ll also need people to come along and hand out flyers.  If you don’t have Footloose gear, please just wear a plain white shirt/polo and black pants.

Please put your name down on the list at the front desk if you can make it.

NEW COURSE DATE

The current course will run for 7 weeks, and the following course after that starts week commencing 19^th APRIL and will also run for 7 weeks.  A timetable of classes will be available with the April newsletter.

ROCK N ROLL WEEKEND AWAY

We’ve been asked by one of our favourite bands to let you know about a weekend away to the Hunter Valley that they are putting on.

Craig & the Shackshakers have appeared at our dances, and they are organizing a bus trip to the Hunter Valley where they are playing on the Saturday night.  The dates are 29th – 30th May.  They have organised a bus, wine and cheese tastings, accommodation, sightseeing etc.  If you are interested in going, please call Amanda on 0434 156 364 or email her at info@letsmoovengroove.com.au for a booking form and costs.

Unfortunately Geoff and I can’t make it as we already have a prior commitment on the 29^th.

ROCKABILLY WEEKEND AWAY

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE for the Rockabilly Shakedown Festival on 16, 17 & 18 July at East Cessnock Bowling Club (near the Hunter Valley).  There will be dance nights with great bands on the Friday and Saturday nights, and a full day of bands in the park on the Sunday.  Cost is $30 for the 3 day pass.  Accommodation can be booked at Comfort Inn Cumberland - $255 for 2 nights (1800 355 175).  There’s also another motel nearby – Vintage Motor Inn which is $260/2 nights (4990 4333). 

There are already 14 of us booked to go, so should be a great weekend.

Bands are Flattrackers, Atomic Hi Tones, Benny & the Fly by nighters, Lonesome Train, Satellite V, Nitro Rockers, No Brakes PLUS 3 DJ’s.  There’ll be memorabilia and retro stalls, custom cars and Hot rods.

TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS, CALL THE EAST CESSNOCK BOWLING CLUB ON (02) 4990 1444.

BLUE SUEDE CRUISE

Note:  This cruise is now 80% booked out, so if you are thinking of going, don’t leave it too late to book!

The Blue Suede Cruise is a 7 day cruise being held in November this year which is geared to Rock n Roll dancers.  The entertainment includes Rock n Roll artists and 4 rock n roll bands.  The cruise is on the Rhapsody of the Seas and dates are 20^th – 27^th November 2010, visiting Noumea and the Isle of Pines.  There are 4 rock n roll and swing teachers (including us), teaching lessons on board as well.  All booking enquiries should be made to Trish at the Discovery Travel Centre in Cammeray on 9922 5100, and tell them you are booking as part of the Footloose group.  See Sue for a brochure.

SINGLE MALE CABIN:  A male student is wanting to share a cabin with 2 or 3 other males.  If you are interested, please see Sue for details or email us.

NEW ZEALAND HOLIDAY

We are hosting a ROCK N ROLL CRUISE to NEW ZEALAND in FEBRUARY 2011.  It’s from 20^th Feb to 5^th March 2011.  That’s 11 months away – so it gives you plenty of time to save for it.  We already have 38 people booked, so this will be one holiday not to miss out on!  The cruise is on the SUN PRINCESS, and it goes to 8 destinations in both the north and south islands of NZ.  Flyers are available from the desk at classes, or email me at footloose@hotkey.net.au and we’ll send you one. Everyone is welcome to join us  - including family & friends. 

NOTE:  We have a single guy and a single girl wanting people to share a cabin with.  The single guy wants to share a twin inside or outside and the single girl is willing to share a 2, 3 or 4 share cabin inside or outside.  See Sue if you are interested in sharing.

PLEASE NOTE - IMPORTANT:  Too be able to join in our activities, you must book with Sharron or Darryl at the Rock n Roll Travel Club on 1800 654 899.  If you book through a different travel agent, you cannot be included in our group lessons, cocktail party, tours etc.  The Rock n Roll travel club organises these activities privately and they are not part of the normal cruise line activities. 

SOCIAL NEWS: 

Congratulations to FRAN FREEMAN who became a grandmother for the first time - a granddaughter, Zadie was born on 28^th February.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR MARCH TO:

PETER O’NEILL – 2^ND ;  ALAN BINNS – 4^TH ;  JENNY WOODS – 8^TH ;  TOM MALCHER – 13^TH;  GRAEME JEFFERIS – 13^TH;  TERRY ROWE – 14^TH ;  SONIA ARNTS – 15^TH ;  KATHY CHISHOLM – 17^TH;  MIKE STJEPANOVIC – 18^th;   JAN GRIEF – 18^TH ;  RICKY MACKAWAY – 28^TH ;  RON FULLER – 29^TH;  MAUREEN FULLER – 31^ST

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