Year In Review: The Forever Dancing Salsa Formation Team

This year's Spring Showcase marked the Salsa Formation Team's completion of its first year of classes and performances. In just one year of weekly classes, students have performed four different choreographies at six events. These performances included three Forever Dancing showcases plus an Open House, the 2012 DC Dance Challenge (where the team received a perfect score of 30/30), and, most recently, the 2013 DC Travel & Adventure Show at the Washington Convention Center. What started as a simple track salsa routine comprised of club style moves has evolved into a Rueda de Casino theme with numerous partner changes and more complex choreography. And what was a trial-by-fire class has turned into a beautiful group of people who support each other and the team like family.

When I first received the invitation to teach the class, I was anxious to see who would join; even a little nervous that no one would! I began looking at some of my Salsa II students like a hungry lion looks at a gazelle in the grass, thinking, "I want YOU on the team!" I had choreographed for other salsa groups in the past, but had the luxury of more frequent rehearsals with people with more flexible schedules, but in no time, I had enough students to run the class. The routine featured both partnering and solo shines that displayed the students' knowledge of Salsa II moves and their ability to work with one another. Spectators at our first performance commented that they enjoyed seeing a group mixed in with an evening of mostly dance duets. Following that performance, I received some requests for a Rueda-themed formation. For those readers who may not know what "Rueda" is, it means "circle" in Spanish. Therefore, Salsa Rueda = salsa in a circle. It involves couples executing moves as a group announced by one "caller." It also features partner changes and fun vocal calls. I love it because it gives everyone a chance to dance with everyone on the team, and the lead-and-follow format blends the teaching of material with memorization of choreography. I agreed to try it once to see how it went, and in fact, it went so well that the theme stuck and we are still dancing Rueda to this day.

The things I enjoy most about teaching the formation class are: 1.) Seeing students grow and challenge themselves to try new things. That's what dance is all about. I am so proud of everyone for their patience, support, and hard work, and the salsa formation team is living proof that anything is possible if you just put your mind to it. 2.) Getting to know my students on a personal level. We spend a good deal of time laughing and having fun in class that it's almost like a group therapy session. Every member brings something new and different to the team, so it's a very diverse group of people (and we all know variety is the spice of life). We are always welcoming new members to the team, so don't be shy- get your shoes on and let's dance!
Next performance: DC Dance Challenge- Saturday, October 6, 2013.



The premier of the Salsa Formation team at the Forever Dancing 2012 Spring Showcase

The Forever Dancing 2nd Anniversary & Open House

 The 2012 DC Dance Challenge at Glen Echo Park











The team before the 2013 DC Travel & Adventure Show

Having fun in our paper penguin hats at the DC Convention Center

The team backstage at Forever Dancing's 2013 Spring Showcase

Debut of our new costumes

SIGN UP TODAY BY CLICKING HERE: Sign up here for the Salsa Formation Team!

Learn more about our Salsa classes by clicking here: Information about Forever Dancing salsa classes 

FDB Raving Fan Raffle winners

CONGRATULATIONS are in order to the winners of the FDB Raving Fan contest!

Meg Phillips and Yvonne Malloy are being inducted into the FDB Hall of Fame for being 2012's Forever Dancing "Raving Fans!" Thank you for spreading the word and for helping our studio to grow!

Our two raving fans tied in submitting the most online reviews, blowing the competition out of the water. Meg won free group classes during the month of November for bringing the most students to Forever Dancing Ballroom, and for having the most tickets in the raffle. Yvonne will be receiving 2 free private lessons plus a pair of new dance shoes for winning the raffle drawing. We appreciate everyone's participation and thank you all for your positive reviews and support.

Your opinion is important to us and we love to hear your feedback and ideas. The quest to find the 2013 Raving Fan is officially open, so get those reviews in and tell your friends to come check us out-- you will be greatly rewarded!

Open House!

So you wish you could dance?!
Here is the perfect chance....  On Saturday, July 21st, Open House is held at Forever Dancing Ballroom, and you are cordially invited!
From 12 noon to 3 PM, introductory (read "no dance experience required") 30-minute classes are given in Ballroom Dance, Argentine Tango, Salsa, Flamenco, and Aerial Dance.
Admission is free.  No partner is needed--, but bringing some friends for added fun is optional.


Ever dreamt of dancing gracefully in the air since you last saw Cirque du Soleil?  Wish to glide to a smooth Waltz on your next vacation cruise or at a friend's wedding?  Tired of just watching others dance at Salsa club on weekend nights?  Mastered Swing and your next ambition is Argentine Tango?  Open House is a fun opportunity to try them all.  Turn your dancing fantasy into your reality!
Also take this time to talk with the instructors who are so passionate about sharing their crafts.  Experience the posh dance studio with gorgeous cushioned floor.  Meet the friendly dance community.


To welcome and support you further into the exciting world of dancing, Forever Dancing will be offering a very special discount to new students who are signing up for a series of classes at Open House.  So wake up the dancer in you!


Check out the link for the schedule of classes;

https://www.facebook.com/events/394979790548651/

Press Release and Open House Invite

Forever Dancing, L.L.C.

Contact: Jennifer Bonini                                           

Studio telephone/Fax: (703) 824-3555

Office telephone: (703) 798-1071

Email: Jennifer@ForeverDancing.com

Happy Feet, Happy Heart

                Health benefits of Ballroom Dancing

Falls Church, VA. The viewing rate of the reality TV show, “Dancing With The Stars” continues to grow strongly. 

The obesity rate in America continues to rise alarmingly. 

Put the two together, and the answer is simple; dance for your fitness and well-being!

Benefits of Ballroom Dancing are numerous.  If you know you need to add some physical activities to your life but hate the idea of working strenuously at a gym, dancing is a great way to get some exercise while having fun. In those graceful moves hide some serious cardiovascular workouts that raise your pulse and burn calories, aiding in weight loss. You will find yourself moving more gracefully even off the dance floor, improving metabolism, blood circulation, stamina, bone density, balance, flexibility, and posture.

Aside from its physical benefits, Ballroom Dancing is also good for your emotional and mental health.

Dancing, like other forms of exercise, releases Endorphins, feel-good chemicals, in your system. Also because Ballroom Dance also requires your focus on your coordinated movements, your partner, and music, it takes your thoughts off stress of your daily life. What attracts viewers to the popular ABC show, “Dancing with the Stars”?  Celebrities, shimmering costumes, amazing dance routines, backstage dramas….  “And pure joy of dancing the participants discover as they train for the show,” adds Fabio Bonini, artistic director of Forever Dancing Ballroom in Falls Church.

Dancing vigorously to some great music enlivens your sense of self.  Socializing with other dancers is relaxing and fun. “The greatest benefit of Ballroom Dancing may be connecting with oneself…” admits Bonini, “… teaching dance is very little about dance.  It’s rather about people… who they are and who they want to be.”

In addition, several studies link Ballroom Dancing to prevention of Alzheimer’s disease because it involves all physical, cognitive, and social activities.

To support and celebrate the happy and healthy dancer in all, Forever Dancing Ballroom is celebrating its second year anniversary with a daytime Open House offering free classes in Ballroom Dance, Salsa, Argentine Tango, Aerial Silk, Flamenco, and Brazilian Dance, and an evening of dance party on Saturday, July 21, 2012.  So why don’t you get dancing?

Forever Dancing Ballroom is located at 5818-B Seminary Road, Falls Church, Virginia, 22041.  http://foreverdancing.com/

A Year Since....

The First Saturday Night Ballroom Dance Party at Forever Dancing Ballroom is always a fun time with the beautiful dance floor, great selection of music, welcoming atmosphere, and the friendly dance community who adores this Ballroom as their home.  

However, this Saturday's gathering will be extra special for me... because it is the anniversary party.  

When the monthly Ballroom Dance Party inaugurated one year ago in June 2011, the studio owners Fabio and Jennifer Bonini turned the event into a benefit dance to support recovery of Japan, who had suffered from the triple tragedies of the earthquake, tsunami, and unclear disasters in that March.  Still in the first year in the operation of their dance studio, Fabio and Jennifer gave 100 % of the evening's proceed to the cause.  Between teaching and managing their young business, the couple folded paper cranes for decoration-- and as prayers.  Many guests came to support the good will.  Friends who would usually not attend ballroom dance events also showed up.  In addition to the admission to the party, generous donations were offered.   

The recipient of the proceed was chosen to be the All Hands Volunteers, in which one of the studio's dear friends and a local dancer, Ranko Fukuda, made a courageous decision to join by halting everything in her American life and returning to her damaged home country for hard working 6 months. 

Now close to its second birthday, I have been honored to witness countless good times around Forever Dancing Ballroom; showcase events, special guest instructors, competitions, parties with new and familiar faces, live bands, numerous celebrations, deepening friendships....  

Yet "Dance for Japan 2011" will always be one of my favorite events ever held at the studio.  Not only because I am Japanese, who was woken up early on 3/11/11 by my sister breaking the news from home, but also the event reminded me how simply good human nature is.  So much love, support, and good wishes poured in.  It didn't matter where they were from or if they knew anybody who were affected by the disasters.  We all suffered as sisters and brothers of the world and had to do something to help even from afar.  So we stirred up positive energy on our beloved dance floor.  Japan had lost enough.  Japan had cried enough.  It was time to create something new.

And on with the life we go.  Each of us, too, have our good days and bad days.  But when we return to the dance floor, we find our way back to our center.  So we dance on.

Wishing to see many faces again this June at the First Saturday Night Ballroom Dance Party at Forever Dancing Ballroom!!

Spring Showcase

This year's Spring Showcase celebrated our students' achievements with great support from over 100 family members and friends in attendance, and fantastic performances by students and staff.  Fabio and Rie kicked off the show with an energetic Jive to Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now," which set the stage for the other Rhythm routines that followed.  We must have all been feeling the Latin vibe, because there was not one single Smooth routine in the program!  I think that made for a more upbeat and fun atmosphere that really got the spectators' toes tapping.  My Salsa Formation Team also made their debut with a performance to "Los Campeones De La Salsa" by Willy Chirino.  They liked it so much, the team has nearly doubled in size since then!!  Some of our Aerialists performed their unique silks routines, which, if you have never seen it before, is a show of masterful technique in itself.  Robin has done a wonderful job training her students in the art of dancing with fabric.  We also welcomed some student-teacher pairs from neighboring studios, which almost made the evening feel like a family reunion (minus your crazy Aunt Aida).  All in all, I think everyone had a super time at Forever Dancing and we are excited about the next Showcase!
With numerous competitions and events coming up, there are lots more opportunities to show off, so talk to us next time you are in the studio about how you can get in on the action!

LAST CALL!!! Dancing Trip to Brazil

Ah, dancing in the paradise!! Dancing Trips©'s 2012 visit to Brazil sets the scene in the "Magic Island" of Florianopolis (also lovingly known as Floripa). From your arrival on April 25th to your departure on April 30th, there is no worry on the enchanted island. All your needs for a perfect vacation are carefully planned and arranged, from fine accommodation in the heart of Downtown Floripa to exciting sightseeing tours in modern cities and a rustic fishing village to exquisite cuisines Brazil is renowned for to unique shopping opportunities.

Of course this is a dancing trip, and a plenty of dancing is in order. The most popular dances in Brazil include Samba, Bolero/Rumba, Swing, Salsa/Mambo, Forro, Cha-cha, Argentine Tango, Zouk (Slow Lambada), and Merengue. Take workshops to learn very typical Brazilian social dances or polish your Argentine Tango or West Coast Swing from some of the best dance masters. Attend nightly parties and meet local dancers and visitors from all over the world. Numbers of shows will amaze and inspire you to deepen your dance skills-- and maybe to perform on your next visit!

Your Dancing Trips©’s host and guide is a native of Brazil, bi-lingual in Portuguese and English, and a master dancer himself. The group is small, and service is personal.

There are only 5 spaces left to close the group. If you don’t want to miss this experience of the lifetime, contact: Fabio@ForeverDancing.com. The deadline is April 10.

For more information visit: www.DancingTrips.com