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Christmas is right around the corner, last minute shoppers are scrambling through the malls, holiday parties are winding down as we all head home for the holidays . . . .

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As announced last week, NY USA Dance is hosting a New Year's Eve Gala on Monday, Dec. 31, starting at 8 pm. If you have attended in the past, you know it's a great time, and it is (to our knowledge) the only mixed ballroom event in Manhattan on New Year's Eve. So if you want to dance into the New Year to a variety of ballroom dances, in New York City, the place to be is Sandra Cameron Dance Center, where Soho meets Nolita. Admission is only $25 for students, $35 for USA Dance members and $45 for the general public, if you pre-pay on paypal by Friday, Dec. 28. At the door, prices will go up by $10, so if you want to save a few bucks, pay for admission on-line this week. For more details, check the Forum post.

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For those who are planning to compete at the MAC: Deadline for registration is this Saturday, Dec. 29. If you plan to register on-line, you can do so at any time by using this link. If you prefer to fill out paper forms, they are available for download from this link, and you must have the forms postmarked by Dec. 29 for them to be deemed timely. MAC is again the Northeast Regional Championship and qualifier for April's National Championships in Baltimore, so if you want to make your mark as a NE Regional Champion, sign up now for MAC to avoid being shut out.

For those who plan on joining us as spectators to watch the excitement of MAC 2008 unfold live in the historic and beautiful Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan Center, tickets are on sale now and available for purchase through the website. Once you order your tickets, they are available for pick-up at the Manhattan Center during the weekend of MAC 2008 (Jan. 18-20). It's not too late to pick up a ticket or two or five for your favorite DanceSport enthusiast; it's only a mouse click away through the wonders of the internet. And while you're pondering that, keep in mind MAC VIP tickets, for that special MAC fan who wants to catch all the action from the best seats in the Grand Ballroom. Seats will be limited so buy your tickets today.

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If you're looking to dance this week, salsa seems to be your best bet.

• There's salsa at Taj Lounge (West 21st betw. 5th and 6th) on Christmas Eve, with $10 admission after 7 pm or free with a dinner reservation. At Taj there will be a live band, DJ and a performance at 10 pm.
• If that's not enough salsa for you, there's a salsa/mambo dance party hosted by Afro-Latin dance troupe Abakua at Club 412 on Friday, Dec. 28, starting at 9 pm. Then on Saturday night, you can salsa some more, and throw in some swing too while you're at it, also at Club 412 on Saturday, Dec. 29. If you need a lesson, get there at 7 pm; otherwise, the party starts at 8 pm. More details here.

For other suggestions, check in with Wayne's Dance Commentary and NJoyDancing News & Notes. (No Hot Latin Tuesday at Club 56 this week -- it's Xmas!)

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To close out this week's edition: The Quadrille Society will be hosting the Bal d'Europe, a society ball, on March 1, 2008, at the Pierre Hotel, and they are looking for dancers to take part in the opening quadrille performance. Rehearsals will start in January, at a location to be announced. It is a great way to meet new people and make new friends -- what better way to start 2008? For more information, check out this post.

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Merry Christmas, everbody! Here's to wishing you a joyous and safe holiday!

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