START OF THE HEADLINE STORIES SECTION

THE UPCOMING SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
http://www.ssqq.com/ssqq/schedule.htm

MAY DANCE CLASSES BEGIN THE WEEK OF SUNDAY, APRIL 24TH
http://www.ssqq.com/ssqq/schedule.htm
 

Note to SSQQ Students: May 2005 will go down in studio history as a month in which we made some very significant changes in the Whip/West Coast Swing program and in the Salsa program.  We think you will like the changes very much.  However we do need to explain what is going on for it to make any sense.

The problem with both programs is that they have grown so big that a huge gap has developed between the lower and higher levels. Most graduates of the SSQQ Lunar Whip class struggle mightily entering our Martian Whip program.  Most graduates of Intermediate Salsa find Advanced Salsa bewildering. A few do well enough to make it, but many others get frustrated and quit.

Consequently we are taking steps beginning in May to help our students bridge the yawning gap a bit more gracefully. We have added a new level called "Martian Whip Technique I" to the Whip program on Sunday and Thursday.  We will explain this class in more detail below. For Salsa we have made two changes. We added a second Intermediate Salsa class in April and in May we will add a third class as well. The fourth Intermediate class will debut in August. This will give our Intermediate students four months of seasoning if they so choose instead of the previous "one month" before starting Advanced. The other change is that we split our Advanced Salsa classes in two. Tuesday Advanced Salsa has become our Honors Salsa class. With that in mind we added a new Adv Salsa class on Saturday that will run parallel to the Adv Salsa class on Thursday.  The Thursday/Saturday Advanced Class will still be difficult, but not as hard as Tuesday. Plus with two chances to practice, things should get easier. More info below. We hope you like the changes. Please send your comments to Rick Archer, dance@ssqq.com

Here are the Descriptions for the classes in May:

• Gloria Sanchez will offer the final level in her Lindy Hop series on Sundays in May at 4:30 with  Super-Advanced Lindy Hop.

  The last time Gloria taught Lindy Hop, the class was so popular it continued for nearly half a year!  2005 has witnessed the same phenomenon. Come discover the magic of America’s 1st Swing dance, the Lindy!
   

• Scott Ladell has worked the same magic with his Hustle class that Gloria Sanchez has accomplished with her Lindy program. Scott is preparing to teach the first SSQQ Level 5 Hustle class in history on Sundays at 4:30. Known as "Latin Hustle" when it first appeared back in the "Saturday Night Fever" Disco era, Hustle is used to Disco music and soft R&B hits.  A very smooth, flowing dance, Hustle footwork & timing is very similar to West Coast Swing. However its patterns are more similar to East Coast Swing. These two elements make Hustle a unique dance all of its own.
   
• The Beginning Whip/West Coast Swing Superclass returns on Sundays and Thursdays in May. We start with Sundays at 4:30 and add our parallel class on Thursdays at 7 pm.
  
  We call this a "Superclass" for five reasons. 
  
  First SSQQ has the only program in town that allows you to take the course on 2 different nights for the price of one.
  Second, no other program runs for two hours like ours does. While all other classes meet for one hour a week, if you choose to come both nights, you will see progress far more quickly with four hours of instruction!  That is "Super" right there, but there is more.
  Each night after class we open up our studio for an hour and a half of practice. The other programs are so limited that THEIR students come over to SSQQ to join our practice. Best of all, this class has four levels.
  No other program in Houston combines Whip with the West Coast Swing like SSQQ does. The Texas Whip was the only game in town for forty years until West Coast migrated in during the mid 90s. This posed a loyalty challenge for many instructors. It became common for teachers to teach one system or the other. SSQQ teaches both Whip and West Coast Swing side by side and we show you how easy it is to merge the two systems. Pretty soon you won't even know they are two different dances. 
  Fifth, each month your group will graduate and be able to move up to the next level with the same two night a week offer for four months. Two nights a week, two hours a class for four months. Throw in our free Practice Night and you will be groomed to zoom when you graduate!
  
  No one ever said Whip and West Coast Swing are easy to learn. You will soon discover the four hours a week gives you a fighting chance to catch on to these two complicated dances. Flashy footwork, sexy hip motion, intricate patterns, and eye-catching turns make Whip/WCS a popular option for all dancers seeking new challenges.
   
• Sunday night at 7 pm introduces a brand new Whip class at SSQQ known as Martian Whip Technique I.  That's a pretty big title so let's shorten it to Whip Technique.  In conjunction with a parallel West Coast Swing Technique class on Thursday, the two Technique classes can be taken for the price of one.
  
  Furthermore if you wish to bypass the Whip class and just take the WCS Tech class or vice versa, that's fine. Both classes are completely independent of each other, but serve the same purpose - the Technique classes were designed to give graduates of Lunar Whip a place to get more seasoning before taking on Martian Whip on Fridays.
  
  Taught by Rick Archer, the Sunday Whip Technique class will concentrate primarily on polishing the women's Whip hip motion so that it is graceful.  Many women fail to master the hip motion because it is so difficult to learn the first time around. Well, guess what?  The second time around should be the charm.
  
  In addition to polishing the hip motion for the ladies, Whip Technique will concentrate on the flashy two-hand double resistance leads. This important feature of the Whip is NO LONGER TAUGHT as part of the Beginning thru Lunar classes.  It is so difficult to do well, we dropped it from our program so the classes could move faster. Whip Technique offers the perfect opportunity to bring this important Whip move back. Have you ever noticed that almost all West Coast patterns are led with one hand?   Interestingly, most Whip patterns are led with two hands!  We will show you how the two dances fit together like a glove.
  
  Have you ever heard of the Stray Cat Strut?  Or the Sleazy Bar Walkaround?  What about the Snaparound?  Or the Hook Step?  These are all major two-hand Whip patterns that we ignore in our earlier classes because there isn't time to get to them. These patterns are just some of the many features of the Whip you never see taught anymore because West Coast Swing is major game in town. 
  
  And did you know there are a half-dozen Bump exit patterns we never cover in levels 1 through 4 that you will learn in this class? 
  
  Suddenly all these patterns are ready to be brought back to life in the Sunday Whip Technique class.
  
  Please note that we reserve the right to expect a certain skill level to take these classes. The two Technique classes are for graduates of Lunar Whip or an equivalent class elsewhere. The two classes are meant to form a bridge between Lunar Whip and Martian Whip.
  
  One more note: there will be a Technique II class on Sundays and Thursdays in June if you wish to continue, but we go back to Tech I in July. This program is limited to two-months.
   
• We will have a Beginning Ballroom class on Monday evenings at 7 pm in May with Tracy and Jill.
  
  You probably have not a clue how complex learning to Ballroom dance can be. For starters, there are two major categories (Smooth and Latin) and two major styles (American and International). Then there are "Street Dances" and "Nightclub Dances" that are spinoffs of the Ballroom dances.
  
  The "Smooth" Ballroom dances include Foxtrot, Waltz, and Tango as the most famous three dances. For experts, you also have Quickstep and Viennese Waltz. 
  
  The "Latin" Ballroom dances, also sometimes known as "Rhythm Dances" include Cha-Cha, Rumba, Samba, East Coast Swing, Mambo, and Bolero.
  
  However depending on what part of the world you live in, Mambo could be replaced by Salsa, East Coast Swing could be replaced by Jive, Tango could be replaced by Argentine Tango, and Twostep or Slow Dancing could be substituted for Foxtrot.  Is your head spinning yet?
  
  Fortunately we simplify everything in our Beginning Ballroom class by sticking to four dances - Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, and Rumba. In other words, this class gives you a pretty good overview of Ballroom Dancing in just one short month.  Foxtrot is the dance for Sinatra music, Waltz is considered the most beautiful dance in the world, Tango is the dark and mysterious dance of Count Dracula, and Rumba is a marvelous dance perfect to use to sensual slow Jazz rhythms. 
  
  Right after each Monday class we have a free hour-plus Practice Night where you can spend some time mastering your patterns and footwork as well as spend time with the other students and instructors.
  
  Then once you learn enough about each dance to make some educated decisions, the next month we will have follow-up classes that concentrate strictly on one or two dances.
   
• Beginning Tango will be offered by Rick and Marla Archer on Mondays at 7 pm. We will the American style of the dance.

  Tango is a timeless symbol for the dark side of romance. The music is haunting and mysterious. In fact the unusual rhythms are so eerie and brooding, you almost want to look over your shoulder for Count Dracula. It doesn't help of course that we teach the class with the lights very dim...
  
  With songs like "Jalousie" (Jealousy) and "Ecstasie" (Ecstasy), Tango takes it place in legend as the dance of powerful passions.

  Stylish and very dramatic, Tango combines sleek, hip-locked gliding steps with abrupt stops into fans, flicks, flares, dips, and lunges. The eerie music, sultry motion, and the haunting sense of dark moods barely under control make Tango a truly fascinating dance!
  
  American Tango is more structured than its Argentine counterpart. Using Basketball for example, American Tango relies more on "set, predetermined plays" while Argentine Tango is more improvisational, make-it-up on the spot. Most insiders consider American Tango vastly easier to learn and more practical for the occasional dancer to use. Once you get serious, you can always drift over the vastly more difficult Argentine style for a tougher challenge.
   

• In May, YJ Pu and Jenny Shen will offer the first Super-Advanced Tango Class (Level 4) taught at SSQQ in over 3 years. In April we had 8 couples deep in concentration over the Fallaway, the Double Cortez, Advanced Fans and Lunges, plus syncopated footwork. Now in May this same class is poised to become experts at this challenging and intriguing dance!
   
• On Tuesdays in May, Steve Gekas and Danielle Lam will introduce SSQQ to the first-ever Advanced Salsa 11 class.
  
  Salsa first exploded onto the scene in 2000 with Ricky Martin singing "Living La Vida Loca" against the backdrop of the Bush-Gore struggles down in Florida. Since then Bush has been re-elected and Salsa has grown to become the most popular single dance style in America today.
  
  Steve and Danielle spend so much time dancing in the clubs and practicing at the studio that they have come up with their own style of exciting and complex Salsa patterns.  Since their students are mostly very experienced dancers, Steve and Danielle work hard to stay ahead of this talented group. As a result, Salsa dancers from around Houston flock to the studio on Tuesday to see if they can the challenge of this "Honors" Advanced Salsa program. Indeed, the Tuesday Advanced Salsa class has become so popular our biggest room regularly fills up with classes that approach 100 students. If you can handle the heat, this class can't be beat.
  
  Now in May Steve and Danielle introduce a new Advanced level consisting of new patterns and new challenges. Don't miss it!
   
• Sharon Crawford and John Jones continue their Lord of the Waltz Saga with Intermediate Western Waltz scheduled for Wednesdays in May. Several graduates from previous years were planning on joining in this month. Welcome back!!
   
• Thursdays in May mark the start of two major changes in the Salsa program. Starting with Advanced Salsa 6, a parallel to this course will also be offered on Saturdays at 4:30 pm. Although the pace will be more sympathetic than the frantic Tuesday Adv Salsa classs, this level will still teach the original Level 6 syllabus that has been around for several years. In other words, the class will be difficult, but with two chances to practice the material, it should be easier than Tuesday.
  
  The other change is that we will rotate instructors on Thursdays and Saturdays. This means that Jill Banta will teach the Thursday class and Martin Anderson will teach the Saturday class. 
   
• As mentioned earlier, the Beginning Whip/West Coast Swing Superclass returns on Sundays and Thursdays in May. SSQQ is the only place in town that allows you to take the course on 2 different nights for the price of one. Flashy footwork, sexy hip motion, intricate patterns, and eye-catching turns make Whip/WCS a popular option for advanced dancers.
   
• Thursdays marks the start of Texas State Whip Champion Bryan Spivey's new Martian Technique class I. Bryan's Thursday class will concentrate strictly on West Coast Swing. The West Coast Swing is a national dance. If you were to take our classes anywhere else in the country, you would not hear a word about the Whip. WCS would be the only game in town.
  
  So we are going to pretend you live in another city. You will take this class as if the Whip never existed. One immediate advantage will be that you will learn how to dance with someone who only knows how to West Coast (which is 98% of all Swing dancers in America!).
  
  For example, do you know how the Closed Basic is handled in West Coast Swing?  Here at SSQQ we use primarily the Whip version of the Closed Basic. But after you finish Bryan's WCS Technique class you will discover how the West Coasters handle this important pattern.
  
  Bryan's WCS Technique class will start with everything you learned in the first four months of SSQQ Whip/WCS and cover the WCS aspects again in fine detail. Not only will the ladies learn their ball-crosses and passing steps all over again, they will learn more about the "And 1" WC Basic, they will learn six variations on their passing steps, six variations on their anchors, when to hijack, how to hijack, plus flicks, dips, lunges, and every other footwork trick in the book.
  
  And what will the men learn?  They will improve their footwork dramatically as well as their leads, master the difficult two-hand "Rock and Go" patterns, learn to lead lunges and dips, and much more. And don't forget the ultra important Tarzan and Jane patterns - ask Bryan to explain!
  
  In a nutshell there are so many fundamentals in West Coast Swing that all we can do is give you the highlights in the first four months. Now in West Coast Technique I and II, Bryan can polish what you know and introduce many new dimensions of the dance as well.
  
  So you graduate from SSQQ Lunar Whip. Here are your new options:
  You can go straight to Friday Martian Whip and skip the Technique level.
  You can take Friday Martian and the Technique classes simultaneously.
  You can wait on Martian Whip and stick to the Sunday-Thursday Technique program while you get your skills up to speed.
  
  The Technique Program is a very sophisticated new feature of our dance program. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how rugged these two classes will be while we polish old skills and introduce new areas you never even knew existed.
  
  And you can take BOTH for the price of one. And you can repeat them for Half-Price at any time further down the road.
   
• Advanced Western Swing returns to Fridays in May. Adv WS used to be taught three nights a week including Sundays and Wednesdays. In recent months we have bypassed this class to offer some of the alternate Western dances like Western Waltz, Night Club, Triple Two, Western Line Dances and Western ChaCha.  You can expect those classes to return at some point, so we can't promise you Adv Western Swing will be on Fridays every month. However here it is in May. Please take advantage of it.
   
• Ghost Town 12 w/ Scott Ladell returns on Fridays. Scott has developed a reputation as a phenomenal teacher for upper level Western dancing.  You should enjoy this class thoroughly.
   
• In May, the SSQQ Martian Whip class will only be offered one night a week on Fridays. Taught by Texas State Whip Champions Bryan Spivey and Lisa Palmer, the pace of the class should pick up for two reasons.
  
  First, dancers who aren't ready for Martian Whip now have another option to turn to (Martian Technique) for seasoning.  Once these students polish the things they already know to the point of excellence plus learn the new dimensions to West Coast and Whip, they will catch on to the faster pace of Friday Martian with greater ease.
  
  Second, now that the Thursday class is gone, people will no longer divide their attention between two nights. Bryan and Lisa will be able to expect more consistent attendance and can build on previous week patterns with more confidence that each student will be able to remember what they did the week before.
  
  The size of Bryan and Lisa's class has been steadily increasing. Expect the Friday Martian Whip class to capitalize on the recent momentum and move to another level in May!
   
• Intermediate Salsa 3 comes to Saturdays in May. Taught by Linda Cook, this is the first time this class has been offered so you will be the pioneers. Fortunately you are in experienced hands so the class should be a slam dunk success. Enjoy!   In June, we will offer Intermediate 2 again. In July, we will offer Intermediate 3 again, then in August we will complete our expansion of the Intermediate Salsa program with Level 4.
  
  Please note we will make all 4 levels roughly the same difficulty.  This will allow students who finish Beginning Salsa to take any one of the Levels first. In other words, they can start with 3 just as easily as 1. Another nice feature is our students can stay at the Intermediate level just as long as they wish for more seasoning until they are ready to move up to Advanced Salsa.
   
• As promised, Advanced Salsa 6 will be offered on Saturdays at 4:30 pm as a parallel course to the Thursday Advanced Salsa 6. You can attend both nights for the price of one.  Eventually we will iron things out so the Thursday-Saturday program will have 6 Levels (1-6) and the tougher Tuesday Advanced Salsa class will offer levels 7 through 12.
   
• Zydeco is a dance from Louisiana that is taught by two phenomenal teachers Willie Bushell and Ronnie Alexander.  This class is one of the great undiscovered joys of SSQQ. These two men pack their class wall-to-wall, but everyone has so much fun I never hear anything but compliments on the class. Plus they take their students out on the town after their final class. Laissez les bon temps roulez!
   
• Bachata will Luis Castillo and Merengue with Jill Banta are two Salsa dances that will also be offered on Saturdays at 4:30 pm in May. Considering the exciting Int Salsa 3 and the Adv Salsa 6 classes will also be taught on Saturday, we expect the House will be Rocking on Saturdays in May!

VIOLET STEPLIGHTLY WRITES ABOUT HER FRIEND TWO-TIMIN' TESS!

Hello dancers!

As usual, I've been hanging around Practice Night keeping my eyes and ears open for a good scoop, but I managed to find inspiration in our very own newsletter.

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw the February logic puzzle about Casey Casanova. In case you've forgotten, Casey was taking dance classes five nights a week, and each night he romanced a different woman. All was well for Casey until his girlfriends decided to take more classes, and Casey had to take evasive action to avoid being caught in his tangled web of deceit. Several months ago, one of my SSQQ classmates found herself in a very similar situation. As much as Rick loves intrigue, I tend to wonder if he knew about this story when he chose the puzzle. It was such a coincidence.

Her name is Tess. Like so many others, Tess started taking dance lessons after a heartbreaking divorce. Actually, her marriage was much more heartbreaking than the divorce, so you could say she is now dancing to celebrate. Nevertheless, she turned to SSQQ to find the companionship she was missing.

Tess was bitten by the dance bug during the Swing Revival of the 1990's (by watching a certain television commercial that inspired so many of us), but her overbearing husband, Jason, wouldn't let her take dance lessons. To make a long story short, Jason had no interest in dancing, so he refused to support Tess's ambitions. I wonder if he knew Will? During the remaining years of her "marriage", Tess's desire to Swing Dance burned deep inside her, but she kept it secret to avoid arguments.

Let me explain why I said "marriage" the way I did. I define marriage as a loving partnership between two people. Let's examine Tess and Jason. Tess worked to pay the bills, and she considered getting a second job to help make ends meet. Jason refused to work, and he spent what little money Tess made on things to entertain him. Tess was expected to come home right after work, clean up any mess Jason and his friends made, have a full dinner on the table, and "perform" whenever and wherever Jason demanded it. Jason would often deny Tess the basic necessities for survival, so forget about providing her with something that would bring mere happiness. Loving? Partnership? I think not.

Fast Forward: Tess finally decided enough was enough, so she obtained a divorce. For once, Jason's laziness worked to Tess's advantage. Jason was too lazy to hire a lawyer, not that he could have afforded one, so the divorce went uncontested and rather smoothly. In a matter of weeks, Tess was single again. Jason's behavior challenged Tess's spirit for years, but it didn't break it. Freedom brought Tess out of hibernation, and she was ready to live again.

Tess never forgot about her desire to learn Swing dancing, and she wanted to meet men who liked to dance too, but she wasn't sure where to take lessons. Luckily, Tess mentioned her dilemma to a friend of hers who knew Rick during his days as a Social Worker, so she enthusiastically pointed Tess directly to SSQQ.

I don't have to tell you what Tess's first days were like. You've all been there, so I'm sure you can relate to how nervous she felt among strangers, how frustrated she felt when she couldn't follow a pattern correctly on the first try, and how excited she felt when she finally perfected her rock step.

Tess was thoroughly in love with Swing Dancing, and she managed to meet a man. For now, we'll call him East Coast Ernie. Tess and Ernie just started out as dance partners. During Practice Night, they'd find a spot in a corner of Room 1 and practice their moves. Ernie is a good dancer, but he lacked the confidence to really dance. Tess was sweet, so she was patient with Ernie's shyness, and she made every effort to encourage him. Tess and Ernie grew closer, and they eventually started seeing each other outside the studio.

Dating Tess was good for Ernie because they could practice their dance steps between classes, and his confidence grew with each passing day. Dating Ernie was good for Tess because she was finally interacting with a man who liked her and dancing enough to want to do them both on a regular basis. Oops, did I just say that? Holy Freudian Slip, Batman!!
One night, Ernie wanted to take Tess to Wild West. Tess didn't know how to Two Step, but Ernie offered to teach her, and he assured her they'd have a chance to Swing. Tess proved to be a good student, and Ernie led her through Two Steps, Polkas, and Cha Chas. True to Ernie's promise, Tess got to Swing. She never imagined she'd have so much fun at a Country Western club because she's never been a fan of the music. Tess decided the dancing was enough fun to make the music tolerable, so she signed up for Beginning Two Step right away.

Ernie was already a pro at Country Western dancing, so Tess didn't ask him to take the class with her, but she did wish she'd have someone to practice with after class. Her wish was granted as she walked into her first class, and she met Western Wayne. Much like Tess, Wayne had gotten a taste of Country Western music, and he was coming back for seconds. Wayne was experienced with Ballroom dancing, so he had no trouble with rhythm, frame, etc. The other men in the class were adequate dancers, but something about Wayne's confidence (and the way he looked in blue jeans) drew Tess in, and she decided that he was going to be her practice buddy.

Tess really should have seen this one coming, and I suppose I could have warned her, but things developed with Wayne exactly as they had with Ernie. They started out practicing in the corner of Room 1 after class, then they'd practice outside the studio, and then finally Wayne was asking Tess out on actual dates.

Poor Tess was so taken by having attention paid to her that she didn't ever consider the consequences of dating two men at the same time. In her defense, she never allowed herself to get too intimate with Wayne since she was already on that path with Ernie, but she also never told either man what had been going on. In a nutshell, Wayne would get Friday nights, and Ernie would get Saturday nights/Sunday mornings. This arrangement actually went painlessly for a couple of months, but then worlds collided.

Ernie's sister Ellen was turning 40, and she wanted to have a huge birthday bash, so she extended invitations to all of her family, friends, and coworkers. The party was on a Friday night. If you recall, Friday is Wayne's night, but Ernie put so much pressure on Tess to accompany him that she agreed to go. How could Tess turn down Ernie's sister's birthday?

Tess explained to Wayne she had something to do with some girlfriends on Friday, an innocent-enough explanation. Wayne was a little disappointed to lose his usual Friday night with Tess, but the thought of seeing her on Saturday instead made up for it.

As best as I can understand it, Tess did not know that Wayne had also been invited to Ellen's party. Nor did she spot him at the party. There's one thing I forgot to mention about Wayne. He apparently likes to make an entrance when he goes anywhere because he's always "fashionably late". Ellen's party was no exception.

The time came for Ellen's birthday cake celebration. All the guests gathered round to sing "Happy Birthday" to Ellen. That is when Tess caught sight of Wayne at the exact same moment Wayne caught sight of Tess standing unmistakably close to Ernie with his arm around her.

Tess had no idea Wayne was even at the party. The look of shock and dismay on her face left no room for wiggle room.

Uh oh. Busted. Wayne walked straight out the door.

Ernie witnessed the incident and no longer wanted to stay at the party. On the trip home, Ernie exacted a confession from Tess. After Ernie unceremoniously dumped Tess back at her apartment, she phoned me two minutes later.

Tess broke down in tears as she talked about it, and I never got much more out of her than "(Whimper) Wayne left . . . (squeek) . . . and Ernie . . . (gasp) asked . . . (quiver) . . . "who was that guy?" (Wheeze) I didn't . . . (high-pitched, unintelligible sobbing) know what to do!"

Okay, Tess, calm down! In between the tears and sobs, I never did get the complete story. But I at least gathered that neither Ernie nor Wayne were too thrilled at the discovery that Tess was dating both of them at the same time behind their back.

For the next week, Tess engaged in phone diplomacy, but it didn't do any good. Ernie, the guy she had been intimate with, no longer trusted her. Wayne, the guy she broke a standing date with to see Ernie, no longer trusted her enough to try again. Probably the only thing Tess accomplished was discovering how she got caught. A man who worked with Ellen was also taking dance classes. In fact it had been at Ellen's suggestion that both Ernie and the guy from her job had wandered over to SSQQ in the first place. Ellen wanted some of the SSQQ crowd to come to her big bash, so she asked her friend at work to invite people from the dance studio to the party. That's how Wayne heard about the party. He didn't give it a second thought until suddenly his Friday evening opened up. He would have to go stag, but at least it gave him something to do.

Casey Casanova may have dated 5 SSQQ girls on five different nights in the logic puzzle, but this was the real world. Tess learned the hard way that in SSQQ social circles, the odds of getting caught were probably a lot higher than she realized. You can only take classes at SSQQ for so long before you're socially connected to someone in another class. Think "Six Degrees of Separation", but add music.

So both guys checked out her life and I inherited her for the interim. For the past couple weekends Tess has been spending Friday and Saturday nights on my couch watching chick flicks on cable and eating ice cream. Each time she goes home I have to clean the makeup off the couch from all her crying.

I truly believe that Tess was never trying to lead Ernie and Wayne on. I think she threw herself into dating too soon, and she didn't know how to handle it. She was used to an absentee husband, so she couldn't help but make the most out of two attentive men. I think the part that bothers Tess the most is that she lost two terrific dance partners, but she finally started talking about taking lessons again. Hopefully Tess learned the value of communication and honesty, and hopefully she'll deal with her partners one step at a time. So, if Two Timin' Tess ends up in any of your classes, do her a favor and remind her she's just there to dance.

Thanks for reading my latest twisted tale. I hope you enjoyed it. Swing by next month and find out how Mr. Shilly-Shally strikes again, and this time he's contagious!!!!

Violet

GARY RICHARDSON NEEDS FULL OR PART-TIME HELP AT HIS COMPUTER STORE

(Editor's Note: Story Nine of this issue deals with Gary Richardson's computer store and all the things Gary has done to help the studio. With that in mind, I would like to help Gary a little so he can go on our Alaska Cruise (someone has to mind the shop!!)

"Rick, if you know of anyone who needs a job, and has some computer building/repair knowledge, I would be interested in talking with them and discussing a position that I have open.

It is a Monday thru Friday position from 1:30pm to 6:00pm and Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm position. This is the maximum hours the position would be for. However, in the beginning, three or four of those days I would not need help. I anticipate training the person and if he/she can handle the job it would expand to more hours relatively quickly. The days that I would need someone, for sure, is Tuesday and Friday and maybe Monday.

The job would be repairing, upgrading and building computers. I am willing to train, but the person does need to have a pretty good basic knowledge of Windows overall."

713 461 8660
tfwcomputers@houston.rr.com

 2005 CRUISE NEWS - THE ALASKA TRIP IN JULY IS UP TO 72 PEOPLE

In 2005, Marla and I have two trips planned. In July we take a dream trip on RCCL's Radiance to view the magnificent beauty of Alaska. Then in late September we have our Same Time Next Year Rhapsody Reunion Cruise.

THE JULY 2005 SSQQ CRUISE TO ALASKA (SATURDAY, JULY 16 - SATURDAY, JULY 23)
(THIS TRIP HAS 72 PEOPLE SIGNED UP!)
http://ssqq.com/information/alaska2005.htm
 

Trip Status as of April 15, 2005
We still have space, but it is only a matter of time till we run out.  The trip is practically sold out.  Our contract says at this point if Royal Caribbean wants to reclaim the unused space we have left, we have to give it to them. When this happens - tomorrow? one week from now? - not only will it be hard to find a spot, you will have pay several hundred more dollars to go.

I am not going to fib and say this trip is cheap. In fact, this is an expensive trip. What I can say is that right now the SSQQ price for this trip is $200 to $500 a person below market price. This discount is available because we booked the trip back in November! 

IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU WANT TO GO, WE ADVISE YOU TO DECIDE TO JOIN US THE MOMENT YOU READ THIS ARTICLE OR FORGET ABOUT IT.

WE NEED A $250 DEPOSIT FROM YOU NOW

Please note that you can still back out of the trip and get a COMPLETE REFUND UP UNTIL MAY 7th.

So there is no reason not to lock in a cabin at a tremendous bargain by acting now.

Act now!!   Email Marla Archer at marla@ssqq.com or call her at 713 862 4428.

By the way, don't forget about our September Rhapsody Cruise. See the next article below.
Same Time Next Year. http://ssqq.com/information/rhapsody2005.htm

THE SAME TIME NEXT YEAR SEPTEMBER RHAPSODY CRUISE IS UP TO 32 PEOPLE

Late last September we had the best cruise in studio history with 120 people sailing aboard the Rhapsody. This trip was wild beyond imagination. Our misbehavior is well-documented with lots of steamy pictures as proof. Visit Rhapsody 2004 to read and see what happened with your own eyes!!

This year's numbers are slowly beginning to rise. The glamour of our Summer Alaska Cruise has obscured this year Fall Rhapsody trip to some extent.  Nevertheless the key players in last year's adventure are climbing aboard for another round of mischief.

Almost all the Usual Suspects are back for another round. Mara Rivas and George (Mr. Handsome) are in training for a week of misbehavior. Center of Attention Phyllis is announcing to everyone who will listen that she plans to cause more trouble and that she has a NEW CAMERA. Is that a threat??  The Grapevine is coming again and so is Eva Blue. We also have Last Year's Mischief Rookies Stephanie I and Stephanie II. Maureen is coming again. All we need is the Great Gabino and we know the Rhapsody is in for serious trouble. Last year the Great Gabino narrowly missed unseating the Mischief Champion Mr. Handsome. This year Mr. Handsome has a girlfriend and has been a model of decorum. That is so boring!

Surely Mr. Great will have no trouble out-trouble making Mr. Handsome. But will he even try?  Hmm. Why don't you ladies start putting some pressure on Steve and see if you can get him back on the ship.

In the meantime, to guarantee a place on the September Trip, it is time to make a deposit since May 28 is a deadline. I will not say it is the "Final Deadline", but I will say the ship is practically sold out and we are at great risk of losing our Group Space. Why take a chance?  Lock in your spot with a $250 deposit and then you have till July 15th to make your final decision.

Call Marla at 713 862 4428 or email her at marla@ssqq.com 

For a look at this year's list of people who are going, click Rhapsody 2005
 

THE INFAMOUS SSQQ SLEAZY BAR WHIP PARTY

As most of you know, April marks the Annual SSQQ Sleazy Bar Whip Party. This year Bryan Spivey asked me if he could teach a Sleazy Bar class featuring his own thoroughly horrid moves. I explained that Ben was already down for the course, but there was no reason we couldn't have one taught by Bryan two weeks earlier at the Broke and Penniless Party. 

Over the years, Ben Liles has danced to the mantra 'Damn the morals, full sleaze ahead'!! For all these years Ben has been the unquestioned legendary SSQQ King of Sleaze, but he may be softening a little. It is tough for a happily married man with a great wife, a terrific son, and another child on the way to be out there keeping his tools of sleaze sharp. And look at the advantage Bryan has - Bryan is young, virile, powerful, SINGLE, and unimpeded with the conscience and guilt that traditionally goes with the institution of marriage. 

But don't count Ben out just yet. Ben is just so naturally SLEAZY!! And his beautiful wife Diana understands just how harmless his shameless behavior really is. I know Bryan will give Ben a run for the throne, but I don't think Ben intends to give up the title so easily. I fully expect Ben to not only touch upon the line of indecency, but perhaps even completely cross that line into the realm of totally disgusting, immoral dance floor debauchery. 

I think any person planning to dance lewdly and lasciviously at this year's party has much to learn from both men. I suggest you take both classes, then give me your opinion. 

As always, Ladies, I suggest you wear several layers of clothes to both classes. You are clearly in the danger zone and subject to horrible collateral damage in the struggle btw these Titans of Sleaze. Whatever happens, definitely do not come to me whining about what occurs behind the closed doors of the infamous Sleazy Bar Whip Workshops. No one will feel sorry for you. The only thing I want to hear from you is the facts. Just stick to the facts and check the tears. 

In the May Newsletter we will report back to see which man won the 2003 SSQQ Sleaze Championship, a true honor. We shall find out whether experience and guile can defeat energy and enthusiasm… 
………………..

IF YOU LOOK POOR, DON'T WORRY, WE WON'T SHOW YOU THE DOOR!!
Music Swing in Room 1 plus requests, Salsa in Room 4 plus requests.


THE INFAMOUS SSQQ SLEAZY BAR WHIP PARTY 
Saturday, April 26, 9:15-Midnight Cover charge $7 
http://www.ssqq.com/ssqq/party08.htm

Wear Red and Black and Watch Your Back.
Check your Guns and Knives at the Door; Leave your Morals at Home...


CRASH COURSES 7-9 pm 

BEG C&W : TEXAS TWOSTEP - Melissa 
INT TWOSTEP: CIRCLE TURNS - Ann 
BEG WESTERN WALTZ - Brian 
SHAGGIE JITTERBUG - Rachel 
EAZY SLEAZY WHIP - Rick 
BEG WEST COAST SWING - Charlene 
DISGUSTING SLEAZY BAR MOVES- Ben cpls only

Music: Western, Waltz in Room 1, Whip, WCS in Room 4, and whatever is asked for in Room 6.

 

adventures of a dance teacher: THE YEAR RICK ARCHER WENT WHIP DANCING 201 NIGHTS IN A ROW

Adventures of a Dance Teacher is a series of different stories written by Rick Archer about his various ups and downs in the World of Dance. As of March 2005, the total is up to 46 and there are five more stories just waiting around till enough free time opens up to write them all!

201 Nights of Whip Dancing

In 1986 over a seven month stretch I was crazy enough to go out Whip Dancing for 201 nights in a row. I never missed a night of dancing the Whip the entire time. You have my word on that.

Each night after I finished with my teaching, I would leave the studio to practice the Whip at various clubs around Houston.

The Streak began as a solution to a very deep depression. My personal life hit a rocky note.

In April 1986, I ended a stormy two year relationship. I had always believed that "communication" and good will could solve any problem between a man and a woman, but now I knew differently. I had discovered the hard way that sometimes no matter how hard you try, a relationship cannot be saved. I was crushed.

I turned to dancing to deal with my pain. The Adventure that followed changed my entire life.

To read the entire story, visit http://ssqq.com/information/advent42.htm

JACK BENARD

GARY RICHARDSON'S TFW COMPUTER STORE IS ABOUT TO SELL
ITS 100TH COMPUTER TO AN SSQQ CUSTOMER

Rick Archer Note: In this issue, Gary asked me to add that he has a job opening at his store. Help-Wanted

For more information about Gary's Computer Store,
website: TFW Computers
phone: 713 461 8660
email: tfwcomputers@houston.rr.com

(Editor's Note: Throughout my career there have been several people who were instrumental in taking this studio to its next level. I would have to say that Gary Richardson ranks in the top three people.

Back in early 1997, Gary and Betty Richardson started taking Western dance classes here at the studio. Gary wasn't a natural and he wasn't even sure he liked dancing, but drawing on some natural tenacity he stuck with it. Pretty soon he started to get the hang of Twostep and Western Swing and began to enjoy his classes more.

Due to a similarity in age, Gary and I struck up a friendship. Once I found out he owned a computer store, I wound up asking him questions about computers each time I saw him in class.

As I got to know Gary, he told me of the many things a computer could do to help me in my business.