Competitions!

We will be attending two major competitions this year. We need to register for these competitions in early January, so your competition fees are due January 2nd. Please give your money to us at class before the break, or bring it to Fit For Life by that date. Make checks out to Fit For Life. The fees are $151.00 total. The following is the information about each of the competitions:

Nampa Kick-off Classic:
$50.00
February 14
We will be performing all three dances. The times will be available closer to the date of the competition, but plan on being there early and most of the day. The fee for this competition covers your registration and a picnic lunch. You will need to drive down or have a parent drive you. If you need a ride, we will be trying to arrange carpools closer to the competition.

Lagoon National Competition:
$101.00
May 8-9
We will most likely only be performing on the 9th. We will know for sure closer to the competition date. We will be performing throughout the day, all three dances. Your fee covers registration for the three dances, entrance to park (with ride pass) and dinner together with the team. You will need to drive down yourself or with a parent. If you need a ride, we will be arranging carpools closer to the competition. You will also need to make arrangements to stay in Utah the night before the competition, as we may be competing as early as 7:00am. Several of our team members have family near the competition site, so if you need help arranging accommodations we will also be trying to get that figured out closer to the competition.



If you have any questions about competitions or fees, please get in contact with us as soon as possible! If you have a conflict with dates, we need to know now so we can figure out what we are going to do. If you are planning on doing a duet, these are the competitions we would like you to perform them for. The fees are $20/person ($40/couple) for each competition. If you were to do both competitions, you would need to pay $40 by January 2nd along with your other competition fees ($80/couple).

Keep practicing!!!

Brian and Krista
kristahobbs@gmail.com
http://bkballroomdance.blogspot.com/

December Performances

We will be having three performances in December so far:

Friday December 5th: 6:15pm at Ontario High School
Saturday December 6th: 2:15pm at Ontario High School
Saturday December 6th: 6:15pm at Ontario High School

You will be performing as the "warm-up" act for a play. We will be performing the Cha Cha and the Waltz. We are hoping to have all costume pieces for you to wear. We will let you know about costumes in class next week.

Please leave a comment on this blog or email me or call me if you have any problems getting to any of these performances.

Thanks!

Krista
kristahobbs@gmail.com
(541)889-9678

Competition Duet Sign-Up

Competition Duets

There is an opportunity available to participate as a duet at our Lagoon competition and at our other performances. You can select your music if you would like to, just bring us at least three choices on a CD so we can select the best music for your dance. If you do not want to pick the music, let us know what dance (or dances) you would be interested in performing and we will select your music. The fee for the duet will be as follows:

Choreography: $40
Instruction (includes 4-one hour blocks of time): $25
Additional instruction: $10/hour
Competition Fee: $20
Total per person: $85

These fees are per person, so each member of the duet needs to pay this much. You will also be responsible for your own costuming, but we are willing to help you out with suggestions or advice.

We will not begin choreography on your piece until we have been paid in full by both partners. You each need to fill out the form below and give it to us with the money. Please make your checks out to Krista Hobbs.

If you would like to do a duet for our performances, but not for Lagoon, your fee will be $20 less (so $65/person).

If you have any questions, just call or email us!

Brian and Krista Hobbs
kristahobbs@gmail.com
http://bkballroomdance.blogspot.com
541-889-9678
Competition Duet

Your Name________________________ Partner’s Name________________

Dance you would like to perform___________________________________________

Are you including a CD with music for this dance? YES_____ NO______

What days and times during December and January are you available to learn and practice? (You need at least four, please include extra so we can pick)


Fee: $85 Please make checks out to Krista Hobbs.

Cash_______ Check________

Date_________________________________ Signature__________________________________

November 5th Performance

October 21, 2008


Dear Students and Parents,

We are very excited to let you know about our first performance of the year. We will be performing at the Elks Club in Ontario for a Father/Daughter event that they hold every year. This event is important not only for practicing performing, but also they have told me that they will pass around a donation envelope after we perform in order to get some money for us. We can use this money for competition fees and costumes!

The performance is for November 5, 2008. Performers need to arrive by 6:45pm, and we will be performing sometime between 7:00-7:30. We are only performing the Cha Cha, so this performance should be really quick. We hope to have you out of there by 7:45-8:00.

We do not yet have our costumes for this year, although we hope to get them soon. For this performance we will be dressing as follows:

Men: Dress slacks, button down dress shirt, colorful tie, dress shoes (hopefully black). Hair combed straight back, Latin style.

Women: Black knee-length skirt, colorful top, dance shoes or black heels. Hair pulled back in a low bun, no bangs.

If you cannot make it to this performance, you need to let us know NOW! If you do not show up you will be letting down your partner and the team because your spot will be empty! If you let us know ahead of time we can make our formations work.

If you have any questions or need a ride, an outfit or any kind of help to get you to this performance, call us or email us or leave a comment on the website!

Thanks guys, we are so excited to start showing you off!

Brian and Krista Hobbs
541-889-9678
kristahobbs@gmail.com
http://bkballroomdance.blogspot.com

Competition Duets

There is an opportunity available to participate as a duet at our Lagoon competition and at our other performances. If you would like to do a duet, you need to let us know and pay your fees by November 11, 2008. You can select your music if you would like to, just bring us at least three choices on a CD so we can select the best music for your dance. If you do not want to pick the music, let us know what dance (or dances) you would be interested in performing and we will select your music. The fees for the duet will be as follows:

Choreography: $40
Instruction (includes 4-one hour blocks of time): $25
Additional instruction: $10/hour
Competition Fee: $20
Total per person: $85


These fees are per person, so each member of the duet needs to pay this much. You will also be responsible for your own costuming, but we are willing to help you out with suggestions or advice.

If you have any questions, just call or email us!

Brian and Krista Hobbs
kristahobbs@gmail.com

Shoes, Sponsors and Competitions!

Youth Performance class is getting ready to purchase shoes for all of the men and women. If you would like to see what the men's shoes look like/cost, please look at the following link:
http://www.allaboutdance.com/Bloch-Ultraflex-Split-Sole-Jazz-Shoe-for-Adults-S0403L?sc=2&category=685

I know we had talked about the women who had already purchased shoes last year not buying new ones, but Brian and I have decided to order new shoes for the ladies as well as the men. These new shoes should be more comfortable, and it will ensure all the ladies have the same shoes for performances. If you would like to see what these shoes will look like/cost, please check out the following link:
http://www.dancewearsolutions.com/dance_shoes/character/938.aspx

Don't order the shoes yet, we will order them together in order to offset shipping costs. We'll get everyone's size and money collected in the next two weeks and order the shoes as soon as we get those things.


Remember to look for your potential sponsors this week! We'll be getting the letter to you next week, and if you would like to get your sponsors now, I have already posted the letter on this blog...so feel free to copy/paste to your word processing program so you can print it out yourself.


Also, remember to think about/talk to your parents about the opportunity we presented for individual competition to replace our December 6th competition in Rexburg. We are tentatively looking at a December 13th competition in Idaho Falls, Idaho at Hillcrest High School. Costs would be very similar, we will let you know. It is a great opportunity!


See you at class!!

Krista

Ballroom For Kids!

Ballroom for Kids
Come join our Ballroom dance class that’s just for kids!

Who: This class will be taught by Krista Hobbs
You can reach her at Fit for Life, or call (541) 889-9678

What: Ballroom for Kids will be once a week, and will cost
$20.00/month

When: This class will begin on October 23, and every
Thursday from 4:15 pm – 4:45 pm (1/2 hour)

Where: Fit for Life Health Club: 160 N. Oregon Street,
Ontario

Why: In this class we will be introducing ballroom dance
movement to kids aged 5-11 years old. Your kids will be learning basic footwork for dances like the Waltz, the Tango, the Cha Cha, Salsa, and Swing. This class is a great way to get your kids interested in social dance, as well as an opportunity for them to learn how to really enjoy listening and moving to music.

How: To sign up, call or come by Fit for Life
Health Club (541) 889-8877

Sponsor Letter

Here is a copy of the sponsor letter that you will need to take to each of the businesses/people you are attempting to get to sponsor our class. Feel free to copy/paste/print this text if you need additional letters.

October 2, 2008

Dear Potential Sponsor,

We have recently started a performing ballroom dance class in Ontario at Fit for Life Health Club. Our intention is to have this class perform and compete. We want to offer you the unique opportunity to help a group of local ballroom students make it to a national competition.

As a new program we are just getting started and need a little help with costumes and competition fees. We would like to know if you would be willing to o sponsor our group for the current year. Your donation will provide costumes, registration fees, transportation and accommodations. If you choose to sponsor us we will be putting your name or the name of your business on a team tee-shirt that our performers will wear to local and national events.

We feel that a program such as this one is beneficial to everyone in the community. Our youth deserve the opportunity to do something that other communities take for granted. A program like this one gives the youth of our community something to focus on and strive for achievement in. As a sponsor you will be helping the youth accomplish all these things.

Thank you,

Brian and Krista Hobbs
With Fit for Life Health Club


_____$50 _____$100 _____$150 _____$200 _____$Other


*Keep this portion for your records.

If you have any questions, please contact Brian Krista Hobbs at (541) 889-9678, or Kent Fife at Fit for Life Health Club at (541) 889-8877.

Make checks payable to Fit for Life Health Club, and write “Ballroom Sponsor” on Memo line.

Name of Individual or Business____________________________________
(As you wish it to appear on the t-shirts)

Date of Donation_______________________________________________


Amount of Donation_____________________________________________
Cash_____ Check______

Was it a ballroom student who approached you? Please write their name here:_______________________

Please send this portion along with your check to:
Fit for Life Heath Club
160 N Oregon St
Ontario, Oregon 97914

Final Times/Dates for Ballroom Classes

Phew! Okay, we have had to switch around our dates and times one more time. This will be the final adjustment (fingers crossed!), so please note the differences:

Youth Social Ballroom
Tuesday 6:45-7:30
Youth Performing Ballroom
Tuesday 7:30-8:30

Ballroom Movement for Kids
Thursday 6:45-7:15
Adult Social Ballroom
Thursday 7:30-8:15

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 889-9678, or to leave a message for us at Fit For Life 889-8877.

Sign up now so we can get everything ready!

Date/Time Switch For Youth Classes

Hey everyone! We've had some time conflicts for our Performing class, and we want everyone who signs up for it to be there every week. We've decided to swap the class slots for the Youth Social Ballroom Dance class with the Youth Performing class. Soooo....


Youth Performing Ballroom Class
Tuesdays 7:30-8:30

Youth Social Ballroom Class
Thursdays 7:30-8:15

We hope this helps everyone who wants to sign up for our classes!

Thanks,
Krista

Estimated Fees for Youth Ballroom Performing Class

Costume Fees
Ballroom Shoes: If don’t already own a pair (we will evaluate) you will need to purchase some. We are still looking for the best deal here, so this will come later.
Practice Clothes: Ladies, please wear a knee-length skirt that allows free movement and a fitted top or leotard that also allows movement. Gentlemen, please wear loose fitting dress pants that allow free movement and a fitted top that also allows free movement. Any color or style is acceptable as long as it allows proper dance posture and movement.
Performance Costumes: $75.00/each will be the standard costume fee for ladies and gentlemen. This fee will pay for three costumes this year, Latin style, Smooth style, and one Swing costume. We are looking for volunteers to help with costume construction to save costs, as costumes can get very expensive.



Competition Fees
Lagoon Competition
May 8-9, 2009

Registration Fee: $39.00 (for three dances, if we do fewer the cost will go down)
Park Entrance: $27.00 (ride pass)
Meals/Misc expenses: $35.00
Total Estimated Cost: $101.00/student

BYU-Idaho Winter Dancefest
December 6, 2008

Registration Fee: $15.00
Meals/Misc expenses: $35.00
Total Estimated Cost: $50.00/student


Students and parents will be responsible for getting themselves to the events, although we are hoping to carpool/caravan down. You will also be responsible for getting your accommodations lined up for these events. We will be reserving blocks of rooms at a hotel for you to stay at if you like; we are also planning on having some “host families” for those of you who would be okay with that arrangement. We are really trying to keep down the costs, so if you have any suggestions or would like to volunteer to help out with planning and carrying out these trips, please let us know now so we can get things arranged.


Other Information

We are also hoping to schedule a few local performances. These will be announced as soon as we can book them (don’t worry; we’ll give plenty of notice). Students will be expected to get themselves to these events unless they notify us and we can help ferry them to the locations.

Students will be responsible for maintaining their costumes once they are issued. Please expect to take very good care of the costumes. They will also be responsible for bringing them to all performances/events.

We will be listing events and other important information on our new website for the dance classes at http://bkballroomdance.blogspot.com/ . Before any event, please check the website for costumes, times, expectations and to hopefully answer any questions.

We are really trying to keep costs down as low as possible while still being able to give our performing students great opportunities to learn and showcase what they have learned. If you have any ideas on how to save on costs or if you are willing and able to volunteer for any events (driving, chaperoning, sewing, just being there) please get in touch with us as soon as possible. No voluntary action is too small!

We are also looking for ways to raise money to help offset these costs. If you have any ideas or know of a business or organization that would be willing to sponsor us for either money or costuming or whatever, let us know!


So…grand total of what you need to spend for this class:***

Class tuition: $30.00/month
Costumes: $75.00/student
Competitions: $151.00/total estimate
Shoes: $? If you don’t have them already.

***Reminder: The costs are estimates! We will keep as close to these as possible, but they may fluctuate up or down depending on certain circumstances.

Letter To New Students and Parents

August 6, 2008

Dear Ballroom Dance Students and Parents,

We are excited to start a new year teaching ballroom here in Ontario. We will now be teaching our classes at Fit for Life. This year we are going to be teaching the same classes we had last year (Adult and Youth ballroom dance) along with two new classes that we are very excited about; Youth Performing Ballroom Dance and Ballroom Movement for Kids.

Please note the class times on the class description page for the days and times that we’re going to be teaching this fall. As always we expect our students to display excellent behavior before, during and after class. Remember that we are guests at this new location, and we would like to treat the facility with respect and care.

The Ballroom Movement Class for Kids is a new exciting experiment for us. We are hoping that this class will get our younger kids ready to enter the regular classes once they are old enough. We will be teaching some footwork and posture, as well as moving to the beat and just having lots of fun. This is a short class (30 minutes), but we think it will be awesome!

The new Performing Class is one that we are very excited about this year. Due to the nature of this class we will expect students to attend every week so that the whole group can benefit. We are encouraging students who would like to take this class to also enroll in the Youth Social Ballroom class in order to improve their confidence and technique. We are hoping to be able to take this class to the National Competition at Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, Utah. We are also looking into a few other competitions/performance spots to go to this year. This class will also be required to have proper footwear (ordered as a group) as well as proper practice clothing. Students will also be wearing costumes for performances and competitions, and this will require an additional costume fee. We will be giving a breakdown of the costs once our registration is complete. We realize that this sort of thing can get expensive pretty fast, so we are going to do everything we can to keep costs down this year. This means that we are going to need parent volunteers for performances and competitions as well as help with costumes and coordination. If you are willing and able to help, please let us know as soon as possible.

Classes will begin Tuesday, September 2nd. You can register any day now at Fit for Life. We are also going to be maintaining a website this year where you can find out the details of what is going on in our classes every week, any performances upcoming, costuming details, steps everyone is working on, and picture of our awesome students! The website will be up and running soon at http://bkballroomdance.blogspot.com . Parents/students can also leave comments and questions on the website that we will answer ASAP! If you have any questions or concerns or helpful ideas, please get in touch with us as soon as possible!

We look forward to an exciting year of dance, and we can’t wait to get it started and to see everyone!

Brian and Krista Hobbs
(541) 889-9678
kristahobbs@gmail.com
http://bkballroomdance.blogspot.com

Fit for Life Health Club *new location for dance classes*
160 N Oregon
Ontario, Oregon 97914
(541) 889-8877

2008-2009 Classes We Are Offering

Adult Social Ballroom Dance $25.00/month
Meets Tuesdays from 6:45-7:30

This class will focus on getting couples a basic level of dance skill they can use to have fun on the dance floor. We will cover one dance per month in this class. It is slow moving and requires no previous dance background. A partner is not required, but recommended to even out the numbers.

Youth Social Ballroom Dance (12 and up)
$25.00/month
Meets Tuesdays from 7:30-8:15

This class will also be a slower moving class that requires no previous dance background. We will cover the basic steps from different types of ballroom dances. This class does not require a partner, but it is recommended in order to even out the numbers. The youth class is a great way for youth to get involved in ballroom and to make new friends on the dance floor. There is a possibility for a recital for this class.

Youth Performing Ballroom Dance
$30.00/month (+ costume fees + dance shoes + competition fee (see fee information for class) )
Meets Thursdays from 7:30-8:30

We recommend previous dance experience for this class, although it is not required. We will be teaching basic to intermediate ballroom choreography to be performed as a formation group and also in duets. We encourage partners in this class, but it is not required. There will be travel in this group to various performance and/or competitive events. This class will also require a costume fee and specialized clothing (shoes, practice pants/skirts, etc.). This class is a must for those who wish to entertain and expand their knowledge and skill through choreographed routines.

Ballroom Movement for Kids (6-11 yrs)
$20.00/month
Meets Thursdays from 6:45-7:15

In this class we will be introducing ballroom dance movement to kids age 6-11 years old. There will be little to no partnering in this class. We will be teaching proper posture and footwork. We will spend lots of time listening to the music and having a good time. There is a possibility of a recital for this class.

Welcome to BK Ballroom Dance!

Welcome to the BK Ballroom Dance website! We'll updating shortly to let you know everything that's going on this year in our classes.