DWG Newsletter

July 2009

Salsa Congress Tour

Happy 7 Year Anniversary to Hugo & Grace!

 

Message to Our Students

Dear All,

Hi everyone! Hugo and I have successfully relocated to Clearwater, Florida where we are waiting for our home to be built in Tampa. Hugo has begun his new job while I have been on tour at the salsa congresses, dance events and festivals in the mid-Atlantic and on the East Coast.

I just arrived back from the DC and Philadelphia Congresses which were quite interesting to say the least. For more information on news of these events see the News Flash in heading #1 in this newsletter.

Salsa Lessons have continued with Niss Albaig on Tuesdays at The Promenade Dance Sport Facility. Check out www.salsa-now.net team formed by Nissim Albaig (one of our DWG instructors for the last few years!), his wife Sasha Albaig, Michael Fok & Georganne Cammarata . They will be supported by back up DWG instructors Rowan Job & even David Malek on occasions. None of you have to stop your Tuesday lessons at The Promenade! Grace will be coming back to teach workshops at The Promenade monthly and/or salsa congresses for the next 7 months once a month. So you still get to learn from me on select weekends. All the information on my workshops is on our main page, this newsletter, and flyers will be at The Promenade and circulated around the dance community by Baltimore's Best Latin Dance Instructors.

Since we are relocating to Tampa you will also have a place you can come visit very soon! Our home is being built as we speak! I can take you out to the salsa hot spots here to have fun if you are ever in town. Did I hear "Road Trip!!!!!?". I hear the buzz already...

PS. If you ever learned anything from us we want you to remember this... that if you do salsa, do it for a reason and help anyone you can in the process. Show random acts of kindness, patience and gentleness to beginners and never let pride get in the way of who you were truly meant to be as a dancer. We are so proud of you....God Bless each and every one of you.

Sincerely,

Grace and Hugo Badillo
Grace & Hugo Badillo

Grace Receives The National Volunteer Award!

Not many Americans are nominated to receive the National Volunteer Service Award from The President Himself.

Grace was awarded this on April 22, 2009 in Washington DC for her tireless efforts to help those in need and inspire others to do the same.


(click to enlarge)

Grace thanks all the special people who contributed to her receiving this award! You know who you are!

Thank You For Helping Others
Through Dance

DWG's history over the last ten years has been one of giving and helping those in Baltimore & Beyond through the generous donations, voluntary event entertainment, donations of our DVDs, Dance Lessons, and Products, and the help of our students. Over the years we have helped raise over $750,000 to organizations like:

  • Kennedy Krieger Institute, Grace Badillo Co-Chair (Children with major disabilities like Spin bifida)
  • Dance For The Cure, Grace Badillo, Chair (Esophageal Cancer)
  • Hands Across The Americas (Sending Doctors on Missions Trips to South America)
  • Preschool for the Arts @ St. Anne (Raising money for much needed supplies)
  • Christian Children’s Fund (Supporting a family with all their needs yearly)
  • Sexual Assault Resource Counseling Center (SARCC), PA (Raising money for resources to reach Latina Women who have been raped)
  • Centro De La Communidad (Helps Latinos w/immigration, learning a second language,  employment, housing & more)
  • Hispanic College Fund (Dancing with Grace gave $30,000 worth of  dance scholarships to 3 students)
  • Hispanic Youth Symposium, Chair of Talent Show, MC of DC Symposium (Where we mentored children to perform and compete for college money)
  • YWCA, Baltimore & Colorado (Helping 72 homeless families have a fantastic Christmas)
  • The Head Start Program (Program that provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.)
  • The Fuel Fund of Maryland (Providing much needed monies for low income families to heat their home during the winter months)
  • Caring Communities, (Serving Children with disabilities)
  • The Arc of Baltimore Community Resource Center (The Arc of Baltimore works in full partnership with foster parents caring people who have opened their hearts, minds and homes to children in crisis.)
  • Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (Breast Cancer Research)
  • Special Olympics (Sponsoring those who want to go!)
  • Casey Cares Foundation (For children with terminal illnesses)
  • The Girl Scouts (Community outreaches)
  • Private Orphanages in Puerto Rico, Mexico & the Dominican Republic (Food, supplies, monies)
  • Harvest Ball For Babies (To raise money for the homeless)
  • Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (Educational Programs and tools for patients)
  • Caring Communities.org Caring Network Respite Care Registry (Respite care is temporary relief or "intermittent Breaks" for caregivers and families who are caring for those with disabilities, chronic or terminal illnesses, or the elderly.)
  • National MS Society (Raising money for research)
  • Arundel Lodge, (Empowering Adults with Mental Illness)
  • Hospice of The Chesapeake (Supporting those who are dealing with advanced illnesses or bereavement through hospice)
  • Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Maryland     (Raising money for awareness and research)
  • Annapolis Preschool (To raise money for necessities)
  • Baltimore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (Events and Entertainment)
  • Dance Shoe Donations through HYM Style for Children in Colombia. (Purchasing shoes for teams of dancers that want to compete in the Columbia).
  • Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) (Raising funds)
  • 11th Annual EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women in New York City (Walk in memory of those who died of cancer)
  • Make A Wish Foundation
  • Children of The Nations (Helping the orphans of many countries; We Will support this year!)

Thank you for doing SALSA FOR A REASON and letting us inspire you to your greatest potential. We love you.... Grace and Hugo

YWCA Homeless Shelter
YWCA Homeless Shelter

Head Start Event
Head Start Event

Orphanage in Puerto Rico
Orphanage in Puerto Rico

Bravo Award

The Bravo Award Goes to.....

DWG Bravo Award

The organizers of the International New Jersey Salsa Congress who are working on helping create dance events and lessons for the disabled with Dancing With Grace

Sincerely,
Grace & Hugo
Dancing With Grace Productions

Grace’s Salsa Tips

Grace's Salsa Tips

Tip #1:Salsa Congresses: If you have never been to a salsa congress and you have been dancing for at least a year then its about time you get to one! These will increase your level of dance and give you goals to shoot for in the future. Dancing with people from all over the world will also help you realize how little we really know and how much there is out there to learn!

Tip#2: Using your neck. There are many moves where you can use your neck to add styling. Unfortunately I cant teach these types of moves due to my terrible neck accident I had in the past, but if you do elect to try, please warm your neck up before you go out by doing SLOW neck rolls forward and back in circles. Also, if you elect to add these to your dancing make certain you don't have a pony tail and you argent smacking your partner in the face all the time. Its annoying to be a lead and be hit in the face all the time. Be considerate of your partner.

DC Bachata Congress 2009

bachata congress
Grace will be teaching workshops on Sunday and will be a vendor in the DC Bachata Congress.

The 9th Annual New York International Salsa Congress

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The New York International Salsa Congress is New York City's PREMIER Latin Dance & Music event where the world comes to dance no matter your style and/or age. Held for 3 days & 4 nights (this year September 3 - 6, 2009), every Labor Day Weekend, which was rightfully declared the Official New York Salsa Congress Weekend by Mayor Bloomberg in 2005.

salsa congress nyc

Register Today

www.mambofateegz.com
The Official Attire of Salsero/as Worldwid
e

The Philadelphia Salsa Fest

The Philadelphia Salsa Fest

Belly Dance National Championships

Belly Dance National Championships

Grace will be teaching workshops and will be a vendor at the Belly Dance National Championships

The New Jersey Salsa Congress in April of 2010

Purchase Our New Beginner & Intermediate Salsa Videos

Salsa Videos

What makes our video different from others? Click here to find out at www.salsawithgrace.com or buy now!

Buy Now

For more details or to purchase our salsa videos please click on the button above.

Contact Us

Please feel free to forward this issue to friends and associates. Anyone can subscribe for free.

To subscribe to receive the DWG Newsletters click here.

To contact us at:

Dancing With Grace Productions
2505 Lord Baltimore Dr.
Suite A-121
Windsor Mill, MD 21244
Phone:
(410) 903-0648

E-mail:
ContactUs@dancingwithgrace.com

Topics:

  1. NEWS FLASH: DC Salsa Congress, PA Congress, & Monthly Workshops.
  2. Going Down Memory Lane: Pictures of the last 10 years of Salsa in Baltimore.
  3. Tuesdays at the Promenade by Salsa-Now
  4. Summer Saturday Schedules at the Promenade: Saturday July and August Dancing With Grace Class Schedule.
  5. DWG Accomplishments in Baltimore
  6. Workshop Listings/Sessions
  7. Is Dancing A Sin?

1. NEWS FLASH

DC Salsa Congress

The DC Salsa Congress was a buzz at the Crystal City Hilton in Arlington, VA. Yeah Yeah Yeah, I know, why is it named the DC Salsa Congress when its in VA? I don't know! Ask Shaka not me! Anyway, the congress was a success and many people really enjoyed themselves. Of course, there are always going to be complainers, but the main complaint was that people couldn't see the instructors and that almost all of the instructors (except Michelle Reyes and Myself) didn't rotate during class so many were left partnerless. Several of my students were so frustrated they told me "I'm outta here" and they left. To those that were unsatisfied I would like to say that its the instructors responsibility to make the class run well, but helpful if the student raises their hand and just requests, "Can we rotate?" instead of being annoyed, frustrated and upset. Many times instructors are so focused on what people are doing technically that we forget to rotate. This happens to ALL INSTRUCTORS. Next time please raise your hand and request rotating, and if they don't, then you can say "I'm outta here!". I look forward to next years event and hope you can all join and support the DC Salsa Congress. Great Job Shaka and Clavekazi! Great Job Performers and Vendors!

PA Salsa Congress

The PA Salsa Congress was a tragedy sabotaged by several people that wanted to make certain it was a flop. Texts and emails were sent out by people saying it was canceled. Then texts were sent out that there was a shoot out at the Felton where the socials were being held. These were all LIES. I arrived on Friday as a vendor and was there the entire weekend. Many of the instructors didn't show to teach their lessons either because they heard it was a flop or they "couldn't make it". Regardless of it being a flop I believe its important for instructors to keep their word and support the congress at all costs. One rumor stated that the congress was in such a dangerous ghetto location that no one should go. This upset me a bit since salsa was born in the ghettos of NY, Cuba, & Puerto Rico so why couldn't PA support it regardless? In this economy not all promoters can afford to do congresses in expensive hotels that run upwards of $20,000-60,000 to hold an event.

On Friday I taught several workshops to replace those that didn't show to teach their lessons. We were blessed to see Leslie Ferriera from LA arrive and teach, Dancing With Grace, Barbara Bernstein from Dance In Time, Wanda Holdren from Reading PA, Hector from Puerto Rico, Lee From Dance Like Magic, Raul Santiago, Christy Kam & Henry Velandias of Hot Salsa Hot, Ismael Otero and Shani Talmor, and the Mayan World Champions Eli Torres & Yen Dorado. Although there werent many students the performances were fantastic. Groups came from all over to perform and they did a great job. Although most of the salsa community turned their back on The Philadelphia Salsa Congress this year, the volunteers, instructors and performers who came showed themselves to be a great support. I have to say that whether or not you like or agree with the Promoter, supporting an event like this just helps salsa grow and I hope that everyone can turn out for the Salsafest in October in Philadelphia where the line up is just amazing! Check their website out at www.philadelphiasalsafest.com. Lets help salsa grow!

Monthly Workshops

Grace will be teaching monthly workshops with new material in Baltimore and VA in July & August, see below for more information.

 2. Going Down Memory Lane

Memory Lane

 

 3. Tuesdays at the Promenade by Salsa-Now

Promendade on Tuesdays

All Classes at the Promenade are $10 Each Unless Otherwise Stated

Salsa Lessons with SalsaNow!

7:00pm Salsa Lessons - Beginner I-III

8:00pm Salsa Lessons - Intermediate/Advanced

Meet the SalsaNow Team
SalsaNow was formed by friends who share a common passion for Salsa and an equal passion for sharing Salsa with others. Alexandra, Niss, Georganne and Mike are very active in the Baltimore Salsa community as organizers, instructors and  ambassadors of dance. 

We are committed to supporting our community through professional salsa instruction, fellowship and camaraderie. We hope to see you at one of our classes or out on the town.

For more details, please got to www.Salsa-Now.net

 

 4. Summer Saturday Schedules at the Promenade

** Saturday Salsa Lessons With Grace**

Grace has room for private lessons on the days that she is in town from July 9-12th and August 14-16th Contact her at grace@dancingwithgrace.com or call 410-903-0648

 

SPECIAL SATURDAY SUMMER SALSA LESSONS W/GRACE

July 11th Salsa Group Lessons by Grace at The Promenade $10 each
1 - 2pm  Salsa Beginners-Beginner III Footwork & Styling
2 - 3pm  Salsa Intermediate Technique Spinning
3 - 4pm  Salsa Intermediate Combinations w/spins

August 15th Salsa Group Lessons by Grace at The Promenade $10 each
1 - 2pm  Salsa Body Movement, All Levels
2 - 3pm  Salsa Intermediate Technique Footwork
3 - 4pm  Salsa Intermediate Combinations

Dress Code:
Casual, comfortable sweats or yoga pants, (preferably) salsa practice shoes (for turns and spins on a wooden dance floor). If you don't have salsa shoes, you can wear your evening dance shoes. Tennis shoes will inhibit your spins and may ruin your knees over time. You can go to the DWG Store to see if you find something you like or go online and check out shoes like Supadance or International. They can get pricey but make a world of difference when you dance.

Check out Grace's Shoe Clues Chapter in her Salsa With Grace Instructional Video so she can explain why you need good dance shoes, which pair you should buy first and how to take care of them! Purchase our Salsa Videos.

Directions:
Promenade Dance Sport Facility is located at 2605 Lord Baltimore Drive.  For directions and more information click here.

 5. DWG Accomplishments in Baltimore

2009 DWG Clients/Accomplishments

  • Nominated for Women of Salsa Award 2009, by Eileen Torres, Salsa Historian of www.salsacentro.com
  • Philadelphia Salsa Congress Instructor and Vendor
  • Bachata Salsa Congress Instructor and Vendor
  • Belly Dance Nationals Judge, Instructor, & Vendor
  • DC Salsa Congress Vendor
  • Salsafest (Philadelphia, Vendor and Backup Instructor)
  • Made the Cover of Fiesta Magazine
  • Columnist Writer for The Scene Magazine
  • The opening of The Ark, 18,000 sq foot Salsa Night Club
  • The release of our Spanish Instructional DVDs.
  • Vending & Teaching at Congresses all over the east coast.
  • Dance for the Cure Chair, Towson Cultural Arts Center
  • Salsa For A Reason V to benefit Hands Across the Americas
  • The Park School
  • The Girl Scouts
  • The Salsa Room
  • The Promenade Dance Sport Facility
  • Instructor For The Baltimore Salsa Meet Up
  • Instructor For The DC Meet Up
  • Instructor For The South Central PA Meet Up
  • Instructor For the VA Salsa Meet Up
  • Instructor For the Bachata Meet Up
  • Prince Georges County Public School
  • Writer for The Latin Opinion Newspaper
  • Writer for www.dancingwithgrace.com

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2008 DWG Clients/Accomplishments

  • Art Scape 2008
  • Dance For the Cure at Towson University
  • Judge for World Salsa Championship Preliminaries, Philadelphia Salsa Congress
  • The National Blacks In Wax Museum Release of Patty Labelle Statue (Latin Dance Opening Tribute Number )
  • DC Salsa Congress & Philadelphia Salsa Congress Vendor
  • Release of DWG T-Shirt Line
  • The creation of Dancing w/Grace Non Profit Organization to fund orphanages & save children from being sold into sexual slavery!
  • Dancing w/Grace Fun & Fitness Cruise to Puerto Rico November 1-9th, 2008.
  • Salsa For A Reason Fundraiser I, II, III raising $ for the poor, needy and sick.
  • Johns Hopkins University Dance Lessons
  • University of Maryland Festival
  • National Aquarium International Festival
  • Multicultural Festival
  • Salsapolkalooza Bilingual Festival
  • Belly Dance Spinning Technique Workshops
  • PA Salsa Meet Up Workshops
  • Spinning Workshop, Salsabor Studio in Pennsylvania
  • Andrews Air force Base Diversity Day
  • Bolling Air force Base Diversity Day
  • Columbia Senior Center Dance Sessions
  • Bachata Workshops
  • St. Vincent De Paul Dance Event
  • YWCA Homeless Shelter Dance Christmas Party, Puppet Show & Lessons for Families at the shelter w/our students!
  • Orphanage in Puerto Rico (Provided Christmas Tree, Gifts, Supplies for 1 year).
  • Maryvale Preparatory School Choreography
  • Baltimore Talent Development High School
  • Diversity Day, Medicare/Medicaid
  • Social Security Administration
  • Chair for the Hispanic Youth Symposium 2008
  • Countless Repeat Dance Clients from 2007/Private Dance Events.
  • Writer for Expresión Magazine
  • Writer for Latin Opinion Newspaper
  • Writer for www.salsasabios.com, www.dancingwithgrace.com, www.salsawithgrace.com, & www.senbaltimore.com

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Other DWG Accomplishments Throughout the Years

  • January 9 Night Salsa/Dance Fitness Cruise to the Caribbean.
  • Hosted the famous Orchestra Ocho y Mas at Gardels Supper Club.
  • Spanish Salsa w/Grace Beginner & Intermediate Instructional Dance DVD Release December 2007.
  • Chinquapin Middle School Recital (Underprivileged middle school students)
  • WBAL-TV 11 Story on the Children of Chinquapin Middle School Dancing Salsa and Bachata (Two 3 MINUTE SEGMENTS)
  • FOX 45 News Story on Dancing Salsa in Baltimore.
  • OVER 1500 HOURS OF PRIVATE LESSONS
  • OVER 1500 HOURS OF WEEKLY GROUP LESSONS AT THE PROMENADE DANCE SPORT FACILTY, GARDELS SUPPER CLUB, THE JETTY DOCKBAR, & WHISPERS & OTHER LOCATIONS
  • Creative Alliance Festival
  • Salsapolkalooza Event/Festival Bilingual Lessons
  • Catonsville Community College Hispanic Heritage Event
  • The National Aquarium Hispanic Heritage Celebration
  • October 2007 Dance Cruise to Bermuda w/our students!Release of the Salsa With Grace English DVD Instructional Video
  • Countless charitable dance services; fundraisers, helping feed orphans & the poor.
  • Classes for underprivileged children who went from D’s & F’s to getting A’s after Dancing With Grace!
  • Choreography Coaching for Champion Dancers.
  • Mentoring of students to become performers & dance instructors.
  • The blessing of teaching all of our students and filling their lives w/joy.


 6. Workshop Listings/Sessions

July

12

Sunday

Spinning Technique & Ladies Cross Body Lead Workshop, July 12th, Workshop

Location: 2605 Lord Baltimore Drive, Baltimore County, MD 21244
Date: Sunday, July 12th
Time: 1pm - 4pm

Workshop #1: Spinning Technique (1:00 - 2:00pm)
Workshop #2: Cross Body Lead Workshop, Review & Drills (2:30- 4:00 pm)

Click here for more details

 7. Is Dancing A Sin?

Have you ever wondered if dance is a sin? Many of us have been taught about God (the creator of Heaven & Earth). What does He say about Dance? To read Grace's article, "Is Dancing A Sin" click here:

Grace would love to know your opinion. Email her at grace@dancingwithgrace.com

Check out the last email I received about this article:

Hi Grace-

I loved your article on dancing.   I grew up being told it was a sin…so I was prohibited from dancing.   So guess what I wanted to do most of my life?  Yep!

BTW…Is there a sinful form of dancing?…of course.   And there is a sinful form of eating, driving cars, watching TV, recreating, etc.

I loved your take on the issue.   Thanks for sharing what you’ve learned and experienced.

As a Baptist Minister, and Christian radio Talk show host I now enjoy dancing with my wife…and I DON’T CARE anymore what the legalists say.

Neil
PS  I’m not much of a dancer…but it’s fun, and I hate the fact that the enemy tried to steal it from God’s people.  Well, I am committed to taking it back! 

 


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