Last week's newsletter announced the Annual General Meeting and Elections on Oct. 27. Then came a reminder mid-week from the USA Dance Central Office that elections for national officers were also taking place. The deadline for that is Oct. 25, and you need the ballot that came with your copy of American Dancer (featuring Alex Zaika and Elijah Piker on the cover, from MAC 2007). If you did not get your copy of your ballot for the national USA Dance election, read this post to find out how to get yours. As for the local election, the ballots and bios can be found on this post. Both elections are important, so we hope you will exercise your vote and have a say in the direction that USA Dance takes, nationally and locally.

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Last week on DWTS: Good-bye, Pretty Boy Surfer Dude. Although male model Albert Reed showed that he had the dancing goods, he fell short in the fan base department, as low-scoring Wayne ("Mr. Las Vegas") Newton made it into the next round, despite a decidedly lackluster quickstep that lumbered across the floor like a lumpy sack of potatoes. The voting public seemed unfazed by the fact that Albert dedicated his dance to his grandfather. During the results show, we learned that Jane Seymour had to absent herself to attend her mother's funeral in Great Britain. Jane will be staying in the competition, though. Her veddy English mambo did not do it for me, but she was safe from getting axed. The highlight of the results show? Victor Fung and Anna Mikhed performing the quickstep -- now that's what a quickstep is supposed to look like. Wayne Newton, take note! Who will be next to go? Tune in and find out. Better yet, tune in with us tomorrow night at ACME Bar & Grill, and we can find out together.

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Dance Times Square (DTS) will be putting on a Rock 'n Soul showcase at the Kaye Playhouse Theater at Hunter College on Monday, Oct. 22, featuring top students and pros from the studio. But what we really want to know is: "Where's the After-party?" It will be at DTS, of course. And guess what? All USA Dance members are invited: Show your USA Dance card at the door and you get to attend the After-party for FREE (as in no charge). Read this post for the details. Now aren't you glad you joined (or renewed your membership)? Go and find that USA Dance membership card and put it to good use.

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Tuesday's New York Times featured an article about the revival of a ballroom in Shanghai, China, from its heyday in the 1930s, its decline in the post-war and Chairman Mao era, and its return to its former glory in recent years, in the newly prosperous China of today. The ballroom, called the Paramount, attracts an older clientele that seems to revel in challenging people to guess their age, because the dancing keeps them young (and all along I thought it was all in the genes). To read the article, check this post.

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On the social tip:

• Hot Latin Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Club 56 in Farmingdale, starting at 7:30 pm (and keep in mind the salsa contest coming up next Tuesday, Oct. 16).
• Swing to a live band at the 92nd Street Y, Sat. Oct. 13, starting at 7 pm.

And, as always, check in with Wayne's Dance Commentary or NJoyDancing News & Notes for other great social dance ideas.

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To end on a non-ballroom but dance-related note: Do you want to participate in the 34th Annual Village Halloween Parade? Do you want to get paid $100 for your participation? All you have to do is be a puppeteer for some shoe puppets that will be part of the Zappos sponsorship at the parade. Dance or movement background is required. For more information, read this post.

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And that's it for this week. Happy Columbus Day, all!

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Yang Chen
President
Greater NY
USA Dance
(NYUSABDA)
www.nyusabda.org
www.nyusabda.org/forums-df
yang.chen@nyusabda.org