Have Your Say

Last Updated : Sunday 2nd May 2021

 

Your letters of thanks to those supporting your Social Events & Notices.

Titles in: BLUE = Your Letters      RED = Notices     GREEN = Website Updates

All items are included at the discretion of the Editors.

 

 

The Australian Line Dance Ball Award Winners 2021

Posted: Sunday 2nd May 2021

 

 

Australian Beginner Line Dance of the Year:  Country Boy Lovin' ~ Maddison Glover

Australian Improver Line Dance of the Year: Brings You Happiness ~ Stephen Paterson

Australian Intermediate Line Dance of the Year: May I Have This Dance ~ Chris Watson

International Line Dance of the Year: I've Seen It All ~ Gary O'Reilly

International Choreographer of the Year: Gary O'Reilly (Ireland)

Australian Choreographer of the Year: Stephen Paterson (Victoria)

Australian Line Dance Personality of the Year: Stephen Paterson

Australian Line Dance Instructor of the Year: Luke Watson ~ Uber Line Dancing

Australian Line Dance Website of the Year: Victorian Line Dance Association

Australian Line Dancer of the Year: Maddison Glover

Line Dance Floor of Fame: Julie Talbot

 

 

 

Linedancer's 25th Crystal Boot Award Winners 2021

Posted: Tuesday 2nd February 2021

 

Download: CBA Commemorative Brochure (includes step sheets to CBA teaches) [added on 8th Feb 2021 approx 19MB]

 

Dedicated Dance Artist: CALICO
 

Dedicated Dance DJ: MICHELLE RISLEY
 

UK Instructor: DARREN BAILEY
 

International Instructor: MADDISON GLOVER
 

UK Choreographer: FRED WHITEHOUSE
 

International Choreographer: MADDISON GLOVER
 

Female Dance Personality: MADDISON GLOVER
 

Male Dance Personality: GARY O’REILLY
 

For The Love Of Dance Award: STREAMLINE
                                              KATHY CHANG
                                              IRA WEISBURD
                                              MAUREEN & JOHN ROWELL
 

Hall Of Fame: CHRIS WATSON
 

Absolute Beginner Dance: WHEN YOU SMILE (Jose Miguel Belloque Vane & Roy Verdonk)
 

Beginner Dance: BONAPARTE’S RETREAT (Maddison Glover)
 

Improver Dance: HALF PAST TIPSY (Maddison Glover & Rachael McEnaney-White)
 

Intermediate Dance: FAITHFUL SOUL (Maggie Gallagher & Gary O’Reilly)
 

Advanced Dance: ALL I NEED TO KNOW (Maggie Gallagher & Gary O’Reilly)
 

Wild Card Dance: ONE TOO MANY (Neville Fitzgerald & Julie Harris)
 

Dance Of The Year: FAITHFUL SOUL (Maggie Gallagher & Gary O’Reilly)
 

Lockdown Heroes: STEPHEN PATERSON
                            TINA ARGYLE
                            THE STREAMLINE BOYS (DANIEL TREPAT, JOSE MIGUEL BV, JEAN-PIERRE MADGE)
                            LINEDANCER RADIO

 

CBA 2021 Workshop Teaches are on our WORKSHOP TEACHES page

 

 

 

Milford Linedancers Update

Posted: Tuesday 26th January 2021

 

Hello Chrissie & Mike,

Through all the lockdowns, we kept busy. I produced a series of "Lockdown News dance videos" and the mail list I run was full of chat and music which kept everyone together along with their family news, photos and humour (this was great when in complete lockdown stage) ...
as soon as we could we danced with small numbers almost daily in the hall until we finally reached "back to normal" stage.

 

Covid has made a few dancers nervous so instead of the usual 75+ dancers turning out weekly we are down to 60.

This year we had a large and stunning Christmas Show with costume and dance through the different eras of music... it had been suggested because everyone looked so great and the dance and music so lively and full of fun that our next year's big show ought to be a charity show - instead of our usual audience of families and friends.
We will do this and we have chosen St.Vincent dePaul for our chosen charity - we have big hopes to make a nice donation to their Christmas Food Basket funds.

I am blessed as a teacher to have classes full of students who just love to come (most twice weekly) to enjoy their dance and each others' company and we have all become close friends who look out for each other and generally care for each other -
I am continually told "it is more than just a dance class" and the friendship, humour and love of music we all share is enjoyed every week.

 

Valerie Hughes (Milford Linedancers)
 

 

 

CANCELLATION OF 2021's RAUMATI LINE DANCERS WEEKEND WITH ADRIAN & JESSICA

Posted: Thursday 3rd December 2020

 

Hi,

The Raumati Line Dancers have been keeping a close eye on COVID developments in Australia as well as our own border restrictions here in New Zealand.

Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that Adrian and Jessica will yet be able to travel over from Australia in May 2021, or indeed that they would be allowed in even if they could travel safely.

So, it is with great sadness that we have decided to cancel the event altogether and reimburse all paid entry fees that weren’t paid out when the May 2020 event was postponed.

Our apologies, we cannot in good conscience carry on with the May 2021 Workshop Weekend but we fully intend to look at hosting a workshop weekend again once the world and COVID-19 calms down once more.

Meanwhile, please either provide your bank details when replying to this email, or visit May 2021 Refund Request to receive a full refund.

Kind regards
Rik Holmes
Raumati Line Dancers

 

 

LETTER FROM JENNY - ALDF 2021 POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH 2022

Posted: Tuesday 13th October 2020

It is with much regret that Sharon and the Royal Stars have made the decision to postpone The Auckland Line Dance Festival 2021.

We feel this is the best way to proceed during such unprecedented times and with so much uncertainty around international travel. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event in 2021 both for our dancers here in New Zealand and those planning to visit from overseas. However, we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today. New Zealand continues to require inbound visitors into the country to complete 14 days of managed quarantine. Our primary concern is always the responsibility we have towards our guests.

Lucky for us, all 3 of our international instructors Maddison Glover, Fred Whitehouse and Daniel Trepat have committed to a new event date which is 4th-6th March 2022 at the same venue, so please save this date!!

We will automatically credit your registration fees already paid to the 2022 event unless you would like a full refund, but unfortunately, we are not able to cover any third party transaction fees.

If you would prefer to have your registration fees refunded, please contact us or email your refund request by Jan 30th, 2021 to:  aldf2021@gmail.com

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this rescheduling may cause you but we look forward to bringing you a wonderful ALDF2022.

Jenny Yao (Auckland)

 

 

 

 

NZ SOURCED NAME BADGES

Posted: Wednesday 17th June 2020 (Updated Friday 3rd July 2020)

Provided by Suzanne Howie

 

LINE DANCE BADGES ARE BACK
New Zealand sourced line dance badges
 
We can’t change the colour of the print of the name (white) and as you can see, there is no bling.  BUT the background itself is very sparkly and looks quite impressive.  However, there is nothing stopping you adding you own bling. Sheets of different ‘ready to stick on’ bling dots are available in various shops.
 
There is a choice of how the badges are attached to our clothes:
The usual pin, which costs $12.50 each, plus p&p  or a strong magnet on either side of your top, at $15.50 each, plus p&p
 
The lady who is handling these badges is called Rebecca.

If you wish to make enquiries, please contact:
 
Barclay Engravers Tel: 07.5787938 or 021 049 0704,
rebecca@barclayengravers.co.nz  (Unit 23a/61 Maleme Street, Greerton, Tauranga).
 

Barclay Engravers ask that the order be emailed to them, to ensure correct spelling of name, shape and colour.

Please nominate one person in your group to take the order and email it to the company. 

They will email an invoice and upon payment will post them to you.  However, individual orders are welcome.
 
And as we keep hearing at these difficult times ‘support local’
 
Please find attached an updated sample sheet of the shapes and colours available.

The printer does not do justice to how vibrant the colours are.
They are a very attractive alternative.

 

 

 

COVID-19 - UPDATE - ALERT LEVEL 1

Posted: Tuesday 9th June 2020

 

We have now moved to COVID-19 Alert Level 1.

At Alert Level 1, everyone can return without restriction to work, school, sports and domestic travel, and you can get together with as many people as you want.

Controls at the borders remain for those entering New Zealand, including health screening and testing for all arrivals, and mandatory 14 day managed quarantine or isolation.

It's still important that we keep the basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands and coughing or sneezing into your elbow.

We should all continue to keep track of where we’ve been and who we’ve seen to assist with rapid contact tracing if it is required.

The Official Government COVID-19 & Health Information can be found at: www.covid19.govt.nz

 

AUSTRALIAN LINE DANCE AWARDS 2020 ~ RESULTS

Posted: Tuesday 5th May 2020 

 

Australian Line Dance Awards

Saturday 2nd May 2020 ~ Mayworth, QLD

 

Australian Beginner Dance Of The Year

Bonaparte’s Retreat – Maddison Glover

Australian Improver Dance Of The Year

Dance With A Stranger – Adrian Lefebour 

Australian Intermediate / Advanced Dance Of The Year

You Need To Calm Down – Adrian Lefebour & Jessica Lamb

International Dance Of The Year

Half Past Tipsy – Maddison Glover (AUS) & Rachael McEnaney White (USA)

International Choreographer Of The Year

Fred Whitehouse (IRE)

Australian Choreographer Of The Year

Maddison Glover

Australian Line Dance Personality Of The Year

Maddison Glover

Australian Line Dance Instructor Of The Year

Maria Smith

Australian Line Dance Website Of The Year

Aussie Dancesheets / Line Dance Sydney

Australian Line Dancer Of The Year

Stephen Paterson

 

 

 

2020 Crystal Boot Award Winners
Posted: Monday 3rd February 2020

 

Dedicated Dance Artist: Paul Bailey
Dedicated Dance DJ:     Michelle Risley
UK Instructor:    Fred Whitehouse
International Instructor:    Gary O`Reilly
UK Choreographer:    Fred Whitehouse
International Choreographer:    Gary O`Reilly
Dancers' Choice:    Linedancer Radio
Female Dance Personality:    Maddison Glover
Male Dance Personality:    Gary O`Reilly
Absolute Beginner Dance:    Rocket To The Sun by Maddison Glover
Beginner Dance:    Bonaparte`s Retreat by Maddison Glover
Improver Dance:    Senorita La-La-La by Julia Wetzel
Intermediate Dance:    Faithful Soul by Maggie Gallagher and Gary O`Reilly
Advanced Dance:        Rolling With Love by Heather Barton and Simon Ward
Wild Card Dance:    Dance Monkey by Alison Johnstone
Dance Of The Year:    Faithful Soul by Maggie Gallagher and Gary O`Reilly

 

7th Feb ~ The Workshop Teaches from this weekend have been added to the Teaches page.

 

 

 

What Qualities Make a Good Dance Teacher ?
Posted: Saturday 28th September 2019


Anyone can be a dancer, but not everyone has the skills and aptitude to be an effective dance instructor. There is more to teaching than just choreographing a few dance moves and expecting students to blindly follow suit. It takes a whole lot of gumption to mold awkward beginners into skilled dancers that can proudly showcase their craft to the public.
Of course, people have differing opinions on what being a good dance teacher entails. Some would prefer a teacher with more relaxed teaching methods, while others work best with a teacher that is strict and micromanaging. There is no one style of teaching to rule them all.


No matter your teaching methods, there are a few benchmark qualities that they should all possess in order to teach effectively. Here are some of the essential attributes that aspiring dancers should expect from their dance teachers:
 

Important Characteristics:
 

Patience
 

Teaching dance is gruelling.

 

Students enrolled in a dance class have varying degrees of skill, and as such, can absorb and learn material at different paces. There will always be students who will learn more slowly than their peers. Having to adjust the learning material to accommodate these students can be taxing for the teacher.
 

Patience is always a hallmark virtue of any good teacher. For a struggling student, a patient dance teacher can make or break his or her motivation to study the art.
 

Flexibility and Sensitivity

 

A good dance teacher is sensitive to the needs of his or her students. He or she must be able to make changes and revisions to the choreography at the drop of a hat, so as to ensure that each and every student is able to keep up with the lessons.
 

Professionalism
 

Respect is given where respect is due; an effective and respectable teacher should always be at the pinnacle of professionalism.

 

No student would like to be taught by someone who does not take each class seriously. For many, dancing is more than an art; it’s a lifestyle. And the teacher should be able to show this much respect for dance in the way he or she acts in class - whether it’s the way he or she dresses, talks, and interacts with the students.
 

Organisation
 

A dance lesson does not merely involve going through a random set of choreographed dance moves.

 

Each lesson should be tailored to accommodate a progressive form of learning, wherein the student is first taught the basics, which would then form the foundation for later lessons. The teacher should put an emphasis on prioritizing the mastery of the building blocks of the art, instead of letting his or her students do complicated dance moves all at once. An effective teacher knows that the body needs time to adapt gradually to new choreography.
 

Passion
 

A teacher is also a lifelong student.

 

This means that he or she must be willing to learn and try new things so that students will never have a dull moment in class.

 

Some of the most effective dance instructors do not focus on just one style alone - they are able to use and adapt different styles for their lessons. The passion of the teacher for the art must show through and rub off on his or her students. He or she must learn when to encourage, when to prod, when to adjust, and when to correct a pupil. His or her class is not merely a collection of amateur students, but a group of people who are passionate to learn the intricacies of dance.

 

A memorable dance instructor is always one who has a solid sense of artistry for the craft.

 

He or she can inspire and move students in their love of dancing.

Enough Said.

Bobby Mobley - Universal Line Dancing

 

Mr & Mrs Ed: A great article Bobby we are pleased to share this with everyone.

 

 

 

 

CRYSTAL BOOT AWARD WINNERS 2019

Posted: Mon 28th January 2019

 

Dedicated Dance DJ        Gary Lafferty
Dedicated Dance Artist    Richard Palmer
The Irene Crossley For The Love Of Dance Award    George Crutchlow (Copperknob)
UK Instructor    Fred Whitehouse
International Instructor    Maddison Glover (AUS)
UK Choreographer    Fred Whitehouse
International Choreographer    Gary O`Reilly (IRE)
Female Dance Personality    Maddison Glover (AUS)
Male Dance Personality    Gary O`Reilly (IRE)
Hall Of Fame Inductee    Dave Baycroft
Rising Star    Blaire Morgan
Absolute Beginner Dance    Rocket To The Sun by Maddison Glover (AUS)
Beginner Dance    I Close My Eyes by Hazel Pace
Improver Dance    Groovy Love by Daniel Trepat (NL), Fred Whitehouse and Jonas Dahlgren (FR)
Intermediate Dance    Vanotek Cha by Gary O`Reilly (IRE)
Advanced Dance    Blaze Of Glory by Fred Whitehouse, Neils Poulsen (DK), Shane McKeever and Simon Ward (AUS)
Wild Card Dance    Come Alive by Rachael McEnaney-White (UK/US) and Shane McKeever
Dance Of The Year    Vanotek Cha by Gary O`Reilly (IRE)
Outstanding Dance Achievement (for dances that have continually been in the charts and nominated for awards for years)
Lipstick Powder & Paint by Steve & Claire Rutter,
Mamma Maria by Frank Trace (USA),
Superheroes by Maggie Gallagher,
Young Blood by Peter Metelnick & Alison Biggs