All posts by Anna

The Dance Diaries Edition 1

Newsletter,
Hello Everyone!
This month’s Blog is left field.
It is titled The Dance Dairies.  I may or I may not continue with another edition.
I decided to write a blog unlocking the world of Performance, Social and Competition Dancing. After all this is what I have specialised in for 34 years.
*Attention Dance Enthusiasts!
Whether you twirl for fun, take the stage, or dance to win, there’s a world of difference in every step for everyone!
Discover the different aspects of performance, social, and competition dancing in my latest blog.
This was a long time in the coming.
I decided to provide some education in this dance world that I have been part of for more than half my life.
There is no right or wrong when it comes to dancing.  It is a form of expression for the individual.
Like every sport ,rules apply when it comes to competition and guidelines are required for performance.
When it comes to social dancing just good old fashion manners and common sense will get you through the dance floor.As long as you’re having fun and not hurting anyone, I say “dance like no one is watching”!
My final blog of the year will be the Christmas News which is in the pipeline for December.

Read this months blog on the link below
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10rUV42egaeh3IjWuDSoHDD-_k-WiOMwu/view?usp=sharing

Thank you

Anna

Spring Blog

Newsletter

Welcome to September!
Thank you so much for signing up and joining our newsletter! We are so excited to get to serve up good stuff for you and keep in touch (pen pal style, cool, right?)

In September we prepare for the end of year.  YEP! that’s right, hard to believe 2024 has slipped past so quickly.

Please Read on by clicking on each page..
or alternatively click READ ME

Unlocking May

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Unlocking May
Dance In May and beyond
As we prepare for the new season of winter my goal is to encourage and inspire everyone to move their body and what better way? DANCE! Yes..I’m biased…
Did you know studies over the last 10 years found by contracting your muscles you secret proteins and chemicals that can make you resilient to stress . By bringing movement into your life you release these “hope proteins” and ignite a positive energy within you. Therefore, DANCE can only be good for your mood and lift your vibration instantly.
Don’t believe me give it a go and see how you can elevate your wellbeing.

New courses
First Lesson Free
Continuing the theme of GIVING in 2024. We are offering First Lesson FREE.
Please also see Refer a Friend Program below for details on how long term students can
receive FREE lessons too.

Learn to DANCE New courses
Are you ready to liven up your social life with some rock and roll dancing or Swing? If you’ve always wanted to learn how to move and groove to the rhythm of these iconic dance styles, then look no further.
The classes are fun, friendly and engaging with a high energy vibe and easy step by step
instructions. Don’t be shy give us a call and give it a try.

It’s not too late to enrol!
Concord 24 April
Emu Plains 29 April
Clarendon Tavern & Gosford 2 May

Halloween in July
Buy your ticket NOW! $25
Halloween is our theme for this year Christmas in July with Flattrakkers performing.
Engage in the fun of dressing up for the event to add that bit of excitement.
Always a great opportunity for a get together.
Where? Gosford Hall
When? Saturday 20 July
What time? 7pm-11-pm
It has been a long 5 years since the last event.
I would like to thank Tracey Geddes for her raffle donations. If you have a business and would like to donate prizes please email me.
There will be BEST DRESSED prizes to continue the long time tradition.
Let’s have a bit of FUN, all welcomed to come along.
Email for bank details or head to our Event ticket page

Gosford Corner
Disruption for Gosford in May
Reminder there are no classes Thursday 16 May. We are there this week 9 May and return again 23 May.

Café dance classes at Gosford
Warm up and enjoy! We are going to start Café dance classes at Gosford. The perfect way to warm up the body and soothe the soles during the cooler July weather. We are bringing back refreshments during the cooler weather in July in conjunction with our workshops.
Adding a cozy touch to the workshops by enjoying a drink or snack while you socialise and relax at class.

Pot Luck night!
The last week of our June course we are going to have a pot luck night. Bring a plate to share. The class times for Thursday 27 June are as follows
RocknRoll 6.30pm Social dancing 7.30pm
This will be the last night of our mid year course at Gosford as we will be pausing to run our workshops during July and new courses will recommence Thursday 8 August.

August is our Birthday month
We will celebrate our Birthday at our Halloween in July event and further celebrations with an open invite to all students on Thursday 1st August for a Dinner at La Fiamma Ettalong. Bookings are essential.
Please RSVP for this special event.

July workshops
We have changes coming for the month of July at Gosford. There will be no new courses run in July instead we are running individual workshops each week with a different flavour. Please note the workshops available below and send us your suggestion for week 4.

Student Profile Vids are back
The Student Profile Videos are a great way to showcase our students and the different walks of life that come on to the dance floor. They are back and we look forward to bringing them to you from each venue.

Lets talk Shop
Learn to Dance Vouchers
Did you know aside from dance classes and dance events you can buy gift vouchers for birthday gifts and special occasions. There are Learn to Dance Vouchers from $65 to $120 available. Wedding Dance Vouchers from $440 also available.

Merchandise
We are taking orders once again for ladies and mens Tee Shirts and Jackets
Tee Shirts $40 and Jackets $120
Shoes can be purchased by appointment. Send me an email for further details.

BSS Dance Calendar
Get your calendars ready because there are some amazing events coming up at Blue Suede Shoes
May is Frankie Month join one of our swing classes
July Workshops Gosford Hall
Gosford Socials 21 June, 16 August, 20 September, 15 November Gosford Hall
Halloween in July Saturday 20 July Gosford Hall
Birthday Dinner Thursday 1 August La Fiamma Ettalong
Chromefest Sockhop Friday 25 October Long Jetty Hall
Xmas Party 30 November Castle Hill Bowling Club

Lets start a conversation
What comes first music or dance?
I would be interested to hear your feedback on this topic. It is like what came first the chicken or the egg ?
Considering the sense of hearing would make one think music, you hear a bird sing, you hear a particular sound and that would make you move to the rhythm your hear. However, I then realise we walk, we run, we are moving constantly to a particular rhythm in our day without music and I can dance without music. There is music inwards -in our heads, in our hearts and in our soul that we listen to and we do not necessarily in that situation hear the music that is played outward.
What are your thoughts?

Refer a friend progam
Would you like FREE lessons? Yes FREE
Refer a friend and when they enrol earn a FREE lesson

Courtesy Call
We appreciate your courtesy call and would like to thank you for the kind consideration.

Saying
Be the type of energy that no matter where you go,
you always add value to the spaces and lives around you

Anna & Justin

March Madness

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WELCOME
Let’s welcome all our new students who have crossed the floor in 2024.
May dance bring you the joy and fun that our dance family has come to know.

March Madness lives up to its name.
The first 2 weeks of March have come and gone!
It’s a new month and a new season and shortly day light saving will end.
It’s time to prepare for the next few months, time to harvest, time to see the fruits of your labour during the Summer months. If you are a gardener and planted herbs it’s time to dry them and store them for the cold season. If you planted veges it’s time to pickle them and so forth. Get my drift.
I believe in “what you sow is what your reap”. Therefore, I hope your efforts during the summer are now reaping the rewards.

NSW STATE TITLES
Congratulations!
Let it be said the comeback after 5 years was extremely successful.
The new format was a hit!
We loved the added bonus of having Azz and the Cats perform for us and elevate the vibe in the room.
A big thank you and congratulations to all who participated and for amazing team and sponsors who made it happen.
The club was so impressed they rang me Monday morning and as luck would have it we are back in 2025. Save the date 8 March 2025.

There is still some fine tuning in some areas which I will be looking at next year closely.

NEW COURSES
Please note the following new course dates for the following venues
Gosford 14 March
Clarendon 14 March
Emu Plains 18 March
Concord 20 March



GOSFORD DANCE PARTY
Our next dance party at Gosford will be held this Friday 16 March. Let’s celebrate St Patricks Day.
Time 6.30pm – 9pm
$8 at the door

CHRISTMAS IN JULY
I have made the decision to avoid the clubs for the return of the Christmas in July due to the exhuberant hiring fees. I am not comfortable in passing those fees to our students.
Minimum venue hire is $1500. Gosford Hall has a great dance floor and accommodates 150 people comfortably. We are in the process of choosing a band and theme and will let you know in the coming months. In the meantime please SAVE THE DATE.

Venue Gosford Hall
Date Sat 20 July
Band to be confirmed
Theme to be confirmed

VRDDA STATE TITLES
The next competition on our calendar is the VRDDA State Titles in Melbourne Sat 18 May.
If anyone is interested in entering or would like to spectate and be at our table please let me know by Wednesday 20 March.

Saying

Much love to you all
Anna Justin

2024 Awaits You

Newsletter

Welcome to the New Year
A Fresh canvas awaits us in 2024.
2024 is the year to take the floor!
Are you ready?
Get the first look this quarter with our calendar dates covering classes, socials and upcoming Festivals.

2024 Forecast
2023 was about continuing to rebuild the studio and grow. We made so many new friends and gained so much love and we can’t wait to see our dance family continue to grow.
We re-introduced the monthly socials at Gosford and it was great to return to Castle Hill Bowling club for our annual Christmas Party.
A lot can happen in a year and in 2024 we look ahead to more dancing, more socials, bringing back our Christmas in July event and the ever popular NSW State Titles dance competition.
Will you burn the floor with us?

Free what?
Yes first class free for all new enrolments. If you are still deciding if dance is for you try our first lesson free offer. It’s not too late too book!
Our classes resume as follows
Emu Plains Monday 15 January
Concord Wednesday 17 January
Clarendon Thursday 18 January
Gosford Thursday 1 February

Diary Dates to Remember
Elvis Festival 10 January
Friday 26 January
Ettalong Stars Festival 8-11 February
Valentines Day 14 February
NSW State Titles 9 March
Kurri Kurri Nostalgic Festival 22-24 March
RocknVintage Roll Thirroul 3 March

Get down and boogie
We are back in 2024 with our dance nights on the third Friday of the month at Gosford Hall.
Polish those shoes, meet and mingle and dance like no one is watching. Don’t be shy.
Friday 19 Jan
Friday 16 February
Friday 15 March

NSW State Titles Dance Competition
WSDC presents the return of the NSW State Titles on Saturday 9 March at St Marys Band Club in Sydney’s west. It’s hard to believe it has been 5 years since our last event. We are thrilled to see this event return.
Competitors forms, Sponsorship forms and spectactor tickets are ready to rock and roll. If you have any interest or questions please message me.
We are thankful to the early Sponsors
All Shook Up, Argyle Business Brokers, Express First Aid, Victorian RocknRoll Association

Saying

See you on the floor in 2024

Jingle Bells

Newsletter

Christmas time
My favourite seasons of the year Summer and Christmas!
It’s been a whirlwind of a year for us and our family. So much to be grateful for. I live by the “ask and you shall receive” motto. Sometimes you have to wait a little longer than you may want.

This season try not to get caught up on the stress of Christmas. That’s not what this festive season is about. I have heard so many over the last month talk about being stressed around Christmas. Change your perspective Less is more. Slow down… Life is short.

White Christmas Party
Thank you to all who participated in the White Christmas Party and the end of year Christmas Dance routine. I was so impressed to see so much White in the room. Jive Bombers played to the dancers and we didn’t expect anything less. It was such a great night and the club management and staff were amazing. I was so pleased to get around and talk with so many and relax and get a few dances in.
Congratulations to the best dressed table The Fosters.
Congratulations to our best students Phung and Irene
Congratulations to all raffle winners and a big thank you to Tracee Geddes for her
generosity.

The Best Couple Trophy is yet to presented and will have to wait till later this week.
I will keep you in suspense till Friday night.

Grateful
I want to take this opportunity to thank the staff and team at Blue Suede Shoes Dance School. This year we celebrated 32 years never would I have imagined I could give up my 9 to 5 job and do what I love and with such great people around me.

Closing dates
Gosford ended last Thursday 7 December
Emu Plains class ends Monday 11 December
Concord last class ends13 December
Clarendon Tavern class ended 7 Dec BUT join the Christmas Party 14 Dec $10

Resume Dates
Emu Plains resumes Monday 16 January
Concord 18 resumes Monday January
Gosford & Clarendon resumes Thursday 1 February
Please check back early January for confirmation just in case of any changes.

Christmas Vouchers
Looking for a gift? Have you thought about giving an experience? How about the gift of Dance!
We have dance vouchers available starting from $70 for a 4 week pass postage included or email service.
Happy place Happy Feet

NSW RocknRoll Dance Competition March 2024
We are in preparation to bring back our dance competition. It’s hard to believe the last competition was in 2019. More details coming in January as we await confirmation of venues. In the meantime if you are interested in competing please let your teachers know and book your private lessons in January. There is a lot involved behind the scenes and we will be looking for volunteers on the day. We are also seeking sponsors. If you would like to sponsor an event please let me know by return email and I will send the sponsorship form.

That’s it for another fantastic year wishing your all the happiest and healthiest 2024!
May all good things come your way and more!

Saying
You manifest more by letting go than you do by holding on
Maryam Hasnaa

Happy Cnristmas
Anna & Justin

Spring Time

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“Today’s music ain’t go that same soul. I like that old time rock and roll.”
This line resonates not just with music but with our everday rhythm in life. Today’s fast life has lost it’s soul. I’d like to bring back some of the old simple yesteryear slow life.
Living the slow life for the past 3 months really places perspective into going back to basics and how little we really need to live. The less I have the happier and lighter I feel. It’s our family and friends and the time we have with them that is important. LIfe is not about
accumulating stuff which only makes us heavier and in turn brings stress.

This edition we have new Spring courses. Please spread the word if you have friends that would like to learn and have been putting it off forever. This is the time to start. I received a beautiful email this week, a new enquiry asking if it was too late to start learning in their 70’s. It’s never too late!

New course dates
Spring courses start as early as this Monday coming
Monday 4 September Emu Plains Public School Hall
Wednesday 6 September Concord Presbyterian Hall
Thursday 5 October Gosford Hall
Clarendon course has begun and its not too late to come along and learn to dance.

These courses are tailored for absolute beginners. We get you off your seat onto the floor dancing like Fred and Ginger in no time. Join the fun, friendly, family atmosphere.

Fathers Day
Don’t forget to spoil those Dads this weekend! Take them dancing and let them leash their inner John Travolta! We hope all the father figures will have a memorable day!

Rocktober Events
ChromeFest Sockhop
Can you believe it we can now say ChromeFest is next month. We have Mescalero featuring Don Hopkins performing.
We have 25 tickets left for the Friday Sockhop . Please message or email me for tickets. You may also purchase them via our website shopping cart Events tab. Please note there are no refunds but you may transfer the tickets.
Date Fri 27 October
Venue Gosford Hall 217 Albany Street North at Gosford nearest cross street Henry Wheeler Place
Time 7pm-11pm
Tickets $28 by bank deposit
BSB 062121  ACC 10618711 Acc Name Anna Ocello

ChromeFest Saturday Jive
This is a ChromeFest event that I will be overseeing on the night. If you wish to
purchase tickets please visit the Chromefest.org site ticket events page.
Double Header A band called Twang and Bad Luck Kitty $32

End of year Christmas Party
It will be an end of year party but the start of Summer where all the FUN begins.
We can now confirm our end of year Christmas Party for Saturday 2 December back at one of our old stomping grounds Castle Hill Bowling Club. We are happy to have the Jive Bombers performing and our theme is All White Summer party.
It is customary at our end of year event to decorate your own table. We have prizes for best dressed table so get your creative juices ready.

Christmas routine – if anyone is interested in doing a routine for the Christmas Party please let us know so we can structure classes accordingly.

Gosford Socials
We are bringing back our Gosford socials as early as Friday 20 October. I do hope you will all support this event and that we can continue it through to December and into 2024.

Sayings

Baby it’s cold outside

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Winter has come
Go out and have some Fun
On the dance floor we play
All Night and Day!

Up Up and away! some of our staff are travelling to The Summer Jamboree therefore there will be some disruptions to the Emu Plains and Concord classes this month until mid August.

DANCE CLASSES
EMU PLAINS Monday nights continue with Intermediate RocknRoll until mid August. All other levels and classes will return in August
CONCORD Wednesday nights continue as normal.
Our friendly staff will be there to greet and teach you each week but some familiar faces will be absent.

ONLINE CLASSES GOSFORD these classes will continue there will be a 1 week break next month. Usually during a 5 week month we have a break on week 5. Please note August is a 5 week month but we will be having Week 1 off instead of Week 5.

GET READY TO GET LOOSE
It’s time to get your social calendar in order and Save the Dates for the following festivals.
RETROFEST PORT MACQUARIE PANTERS Tickets available online 25-27 August
HUNTER VINTAGE & RETRO FAIR West Wallsend Workers Club 2 September
NELSON BAY ROCKNROLL 20-22 October Free event held at Nelson Bay RSL Club
CHROMEFEST 27-29 October various events indoors and outdoors
CRANK IT UP Follow them on Facebook or visit their website for updates 17-19 November
END OF YEAR CHRISTMAS PARTY Date and venue TBC

Tickets for the following events at ChromeFest are available as follows
ChromeFest Sockhop Friday 27 October at Gosford. Another batch of 30 tickets have been released. Tickets may be purchased via Blue Suede Shoes Website Event tickets page or email me directly.
ChromeFest Saturday Night Jive Saturday 28 October Mingara visit ChromeFest.org

Song for the month Drift Away
Give me that beat and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your Rock and Roll and drift away
Dobie Gray

Saying

That’s all Folks!
Don’t forget to get up and dance and move to the groove!
Anna & Justin

Sway in May

Newsletter

Our theme this month is Chill & Thrill!
“I got chills and they’re multiplying” I think it’s fair to say we all know the movie of those
famous words. So, grab yourself something to drink and let’s get straight into the thrill part.

Sockhop
For those of you who have been in the dance scene for the last 10 plus years you would have heard of ChromeFest. This festival at The Entrance Memorial Park is held every year on the fourth weekend of October and is a real crowd pleaser.
Blue Suede Shoes have been fortunate to work with ChromeFest for over 10 years along with my son’s dance troupe Sydney Swing Katz. We are happy to announce that we will be part of the 3 day festival once again this year.
We are kicking off the festival on Friday night 27 October with the annual Sockhop to be held at Gosford Hall 7pm-11pm . Yep, that’s right our very own venue. Tickets to this event are limited to 150. As most of you know this event is sold out within a few weeks. Pre-sale starts this Monday 1 May. Details are below.
Performing on the night is our very own local popular Steve Edmonds Mescalero band
featuring Don Hopkins on keyboard bringing some bopping boogie and blues to the mix.

Tickets $28 bank deposit available now.
Credit card online available from Tuesday. Please note there is an additional $1.50
processing fee. Get in early!!
Email or message for to book.

Mother’s Day 14 May
Sunday 14 May we celebrate Mother’s Day. To all the mums, mums to be and dads who play the mom role we wish you a very Happy Mothers Day. Don’t forget to give your hero a call and make them feel special.

Frankie Manning 26 May World Lindy Hop Day (26 May 1914- 27 April 2009)
What you can learn in May The Shim Sham
All you Swing Lovers its Frankie Manning Month. For all your dancers – Frankie Manning is the King of Swing Dancing and considered to be one of the founders of Lindy Hop. In
honour of his birthday month and World Lindy Hop Day we will be running a Shim Sham class so everyone can participate at the next social. The Shim Sham class will be held as part of our Intermediate class on Thursday 11 May at 7.30pm. No partner required.
All students past and present are welcomed to take part and learn the Shim Sham or just join in for a refresher.

What’s Happening Gosford?
Let’s have an inside look into the second half of the year as we approach mid year.
The winter season is almost upon us and this means there will be an interruption to our Gosford classes from June. This pause is temporary while we are on holidays. From past years we have noticed that this is our most quiet period with lots of students jet-setting to the north to capture the sunshine or just travelling as a whole.
But don’t fret you may still continue to learn the basics via online classes so there is no
disruption to your continued learning. You may enrol by email.
During this period we will also have a break from our Socials with a return in the Spring months please see below for dates.

Don’t stop till you get enough
When we return in Spring we will be hitting the floor running with our Socials, Christmas Party and dance lessons. Grab a pen and mark your calendar with the following dates:-

Save the Dates
ChromeFest Sockhop 27 October
Gosford Social 20 October, 17 November, 15 December
Christmas Party 25 November
Gosford Classes return Thursday 5 October

A word from the floor
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our new students who have joined our family dance school. It is a real blessing to teach dance and bring joy and life into your lives. For me it is a passion and has been from a very young age and I hope your journey to date has been inspired. I really appreciate your support and am grateful to all who have supported our external events such as Aloha, Gosford Socials and theme classes.

Saying

Remember Dance like no-one is watching
Anna & Justin