 October NewsNotes
 Survey
Please take the time to respond to our survey. The club board is always interested in suggestions and comments that improve your dancing experience. To that end we are conducting an electronic survey, please use the following link and help us be a better club:
Balboa Park Survey Page.
Membership
On Sunday October 7th we begin renewing current members for 2019. This process is important because we need to submit a substantial roster list before January 1st 2019 as part of our relationship with the city, permitting us to use the ballroom. You can speed this process by having $20 in cash and your membership card handy.
Regarding the economy of the club. Admission fees pay staff and operating expenses, membership pays capitol expenses such as insurance and equipment. Without the membership we would not be able to use the fabulous Balboa Park Club ballroom.
Classes
In October our smooth/standard dance is Tango and the latin/rhythm dance is Rumba. The Tango is very popular and fun; Rumba is a slow latin dance and is easy to learn.
Tango
Tango is a partner dance that originated in the 1880s along the River Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay, and soon spread to the rest of the world. Early tango was known as tango criollo (Creole tango). Today, there are many forms of Tango danced in the US. Popularly and among tango dancing circles, the authentic tango is considered to be the one closest to the form originally danced in Argentina and Uruguay.
Tango is an iconic dance, that's why you see it in Bond movies, Scent of a Woman, and many others - even the Addams Family! The walking movements exhibit a variety of different characteristics expressed by the couple and are unlike the walks of other ballroom dances. Movements are sometimes slow and slithery, and other times sharp and staccato, such as a quick foot flick or a sharp head snap to promenade position.
Rumba
Rumba is a genre of ballroom music and dance that appeared in the East Coast of the United States during the 1930s. It combined American big band music with Afro-Cuban rhythms, primarily the son cubano, but also conga and rumba. Taking its name from the latter, ballroom rumba differs completely from Cuban rumba both in its music and dance.
Two variations of rumba with opposing step patterns are danced around the world. American style rumba was imported to America by band directors like Emil Coleman and Don Aspiazú between 1913 and 1935. The film Rumba, released in 1935, brought the style to the attention of the general public. American style rumba is taught in a box step, known for its slow-quick-quick pattern danced on the 1, 3, and 4 beats of 4-beat music. International style rumba was developed in Europe by Monsieur Pierre after he compared the established American style with contemporary Cuban dancers. International style is taught in a quick-quick-slow pattern danced on the 2, 3, and 4 beats of 4 beat music, similar in step and motion to the cha-cha-cha. Our beginner and advanced classes will be teaching International style, the intermediate class will be American style.
Calendar
We have a canceled night on October 21st. Parking will be much easier now that the Food Truck Friday activities have ended. The party is on the 26th.
Remember to check the calendar in case there are last minute cancellations. Click the calendar image above to view the online calendar.
Club Dance Party - October 26th
The Halloween spooktackular party will be hosted by Kurt Popp.
Kurt Popp originally trained in Germany (ADTV certification, equal and beyond ISTD fellow for international ballroom and latin dancing). Kurt has a licentiate degree in theatre arts dancing (USISTD), a double associate degree in american rhythm and smooth dancing with DVIDA and USISTD. Kurt has 30+ years teaching experience of amateurs and professionals in international and american style for social dancing, competing, shows, and professional examination preparations. Kurt competes as a professional in international style 10-dance and with students, pro-am, in international standard and latin, as well as in american rhythm and smooth. Kurt teachers our advanced level class.
You may contact Kurt at Kurt@KPDancehouse.com or visit him on the web at www.KurTpopp.com.
We play music for a variety of dance styles, from classic ballroom (Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango) to Rhythm and Latin Dances (Salsa, Rumba, Cha-Cha, swing). We also take requests for your favorite song. There will be snacks and cool drinks in the foyer. During the course of the evening we will have a mixer or two and Kurt will teach a short lesson that will be really fun to get everybody on the floor.
Our parties are a potluck affair, we ask attendees to bring finger foods - sweet and savory - in disposable containers ready to serve. Too many people bring sweet items such as cookies and cakes, unless you have an overwhelming sweet tooth think about bringing chips, pretzels, crackers, or vegetables instead.
Costumes and Vintage Gowns for sale
 
An exciting costume sale is happening on Saturday October 13th in Mission Hills from 10-5. The pictured items will be on sale, as well as many other costumes including Victorian, Civil War, Viennese, Dia De Los Muertos, Steampunk, Colonial, Edwardian, Halloween, Belly Dance, Flamenco, hats, shoes, jewelry, and more! Over 15 vendors will be present - many who are professional dancers and costumers. Many $1, $5, $10 items, as well as full, professional costumes for $50. See you there! 3747 Eagle Street 92013 (google map).
The vendors love their craft and many also have materials to make costume and vintage clothing. Get ahead of the Halloween costume quest and check them out. Further, in the lead up to the Viennese Ball I get many women asking about resources for creating vintage dance clothing - there is no better resource than these folks who love their hobby. More details are here.
Facebook
The club now has a Facebook group page. We invite you to join the page to allow the cub to better communicate and allow you to engage with your fellow dancers. Our instructors will be posting tips and special events to improve your dancing and the board will post last minute calendar changes and parking warnings.
Tim Waldowski
President, Balboa Park Dancers
http://www.balboaparkdancers.org
Phone (outgoing message only) 858-859-1926.
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