Thank you for joining us; we always love being with you!
2024 Galas
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Theme: “Little Rascals & Friends”
What does that mean (huh?): We’re going to toss all the adult formalities aside and just live-it-up as your childhood self. Just Pure Fun.
Attire: Dress up in your favorites from any part of your childhood, or any childhood, even if fictitious. (Theme attire is always optional . . . but fun!)
Awards: There will be contests for the “Baddest Brat”, “Best Attire”, “Best Personification” plus game winners.
Music: The Rusty Rockers
Food: $15/person with a potluck dish
$25/person without a food contribution
Thank you for your help and support towards the band fee. Your contribution helps us bring fabulous bands for your dancing pleasure.
September 8, 2024
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Theme: The Enchanted Bayou
Band: The Blues Box Bayou Band
Attire: Where whatever you feel enchanted in! The decor will be swampy with lots of votive candles. Think of the bayou in “Pirates of the Caribbean” and we’ll fill the evening with goddesses, witch doctors, wenches and pirates.
Food: $15/person with a potluck dish
$25/person without a food contribution
Thank you for your help and support towards the band fee. Your contribution helps us bring fabulous bands for your dancing pleasure.
October 13, 2024
Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Theme: A Formal Event celebrating “Dia de los Muertos”
Band: Swing Gitane
Attire: from formal to “Day of the Dead” attire, and everything in between (google it to get some ideas). We will be honoring and celebrating our lost friends and family members with candles, love and joy.
Food: $15/person with a potluck dish
$25/person without a food contribution
Thank you for your help and support towards the band fee. Your contribution helps us bring fabulous bands for your dancing pleasure.
About Day of the Dead:
Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a multi-day Mexican holiday in which friends, family and communities come together to celebrate and remember the lives of loved ones who have passed on to the spirit realm. Its origins can be traced to pre-colonial Mexico, when it was believed that the souls of the dead loved ones returned to their families once a year so that their lives could be celebrated. Although the holiday’s official date is November the 2nd, festivities commence in the days leading up to it.
Day of the Dead traditions are numerous, joyous and lively; nothing about this holiday is meant to be serious or somber.
We will be setting up a Day of the Dead Altar, or “ofrendas”, a structure dedicated to the deceased, upon which gifts and offerings are placed in order to guide their spirits back among the living just for the holiday. You are welcome to bring photos of your passed on loved ones to place on the altar.
The symbolism of the alter items include:
Photos on an altar draws the deceased to cross over.
Candles are to guide the wayward spirit’s path to its altar.
Flowers, especially the marigold’s scent, are believed to aid spirits on their journey and the bright blooms attract souls to the altar.
Water is often placed on the altar as refreshment for the weary traveling spirit after their journey.
Perforated Paper (the colorful strings of banners) have holes to allow a way for souls to travel through and visit. It’s also believed that the delicate nature of the paper is symbolic of the fragility of life.
Food and beverages (especially Tequilla) is a way to tempt your loved one’s spirit back to Earth. Favorite foods also shows how much you love and remember them.
Sugar Skulls are often used for children to decorate. The skulls represent the people who have passed and who are receiving offerings at the altar. The sugar symbolizes the sweetness of life.
Salt is considered a symbol of purification and protects one from negative energy.
Personal articles or jewelry of the deceased adds a personal touch.
Let’s celebrate!
Memories . . . .
2023 Galas
“Dancing Under the Stars”
Rod Harris and the Columbia Big Band will be filled the air with swing and dance tunes on Wednesday, October 25 at The Dance Castle!
Cowboys, cowgirls, outlaws, saloon girls, and prairie folk rule!
2019 Gala Memories!
Dates & Themes:
July 14: “Alter Ego”
Thank you Marian Z. for the great theme idea! OK, folks, if you haven’t a clue, google it!
Music by Les Olson
August 11: “Havana Nights”
Thank you to Barbara and Nat for the inspiring theme! We’re going to have fun at our Cuban Night Club, enjoying the Latin music and tropical breeze . . .
Music by Les Olson
September 8: “Downton Abbey meets the Queen”
Kudos and hugs to Bonnie for our Formal Gala theme with a 1920’s twist.
Music by “Swing Gitane”
October 6: “Agrabah Under the Stars”
Many thanks to Rayna for the Casbah theme! We’ll be rockin’ it to the Blues Box Bayou Band!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=ms.c.eJxFktmNRTEIQzsasS~%3B9Nza68HB~_j4wxccTFJcqCKkyq~%3BmRAB32A0w6UpysV~_w~_U9Y48kAsSI2zcaRULkmxMqe0A~_2zhPkA5I0FQ0Lc2G0BtQMBUV5FQyORgSgSrDRYXTHdtN0DMcYFrTQY43sNXYVCkjEcIRmpHAFy~%3BW5yf6Xr481ggALHRA9G9P0UbHwieW1IBZkuQAUxRreglbXI0RnKStlzSqrm2uQDW45VdO8IY6amhKQByAbb0RqeL3mQTXekAz~%3B9wRy~_8CnmKGoWhKNF5scQf0~%3BVQeMjWkKih5p~_y3S3dtD8ZW3pfXfMfQT~_etA~-~-.bps.a.2525268374197630&type=1&__xts__[0]=68.ARC_gcz1-TEXXucancqLCcbpIZvzEcDPXugun9g8lLwLxarjLXb8_nSYqMbN_l6UWA7PyIySB69OFZRQMhk-HitgWoTkd5P7ngFS7ts0z1iM86NEzrU2cQDgxgU5B8ts7wAfXjUM3KIK4kfdCIdHMHNCZiUp-qDcKiErx2moOXauzA96nNCE1tLG5TRnMM6MUvGK5jf2x-QAStYEyPKBcTfdG23QnUcq8oi9j87HcwLT-3M_bOQoz6wybPb7mzwUeUYSnxx32obGnM7VPf9mUTucgpWO7hOpXcy2vvaj8IEZM9brS7xP2QpnQDJzMD6cG4N3t4FHQkZ_Em4HXeGz2z0_viWjh02OBAa8WbcQHyJq-iudsNejQ1BJu7QSYLu8kON4P-3tI7wgFWmtkyIeky68GNCTwQ__EbvO-WutU2Mh3s2r9F4yQEoQdpPtYtBj96kXdf3keWiFtUyKZS8G&__tn__=HH-R
2018 Galas:
July 8th: “Victorian Circus” with music by Les’ Entertainment. Victorian performers had a wonderful evening, dancing under the stars.
August 12th: “Night on the Bayou” with music by the Blues Box Bayou Band. Dancers sure know how to have fun!
September 9th: “Musicals”, a formal event, with music by Les Olson. Live your character or just dress up and have fun!
October 14th: “Night at the Haunted Mansion” with music by Swing Gitane, 1920’s spooky theme . . . an eerie evening of dancing under the stars.
2017 Galas:
June 18th: “West World” with music by Les’ Entertainment. The “old” west with towns people, Cowboys, Sheriffs, Saloon Gals, Indians, artificial intelligence, scientists or whatever you want to come as! PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER FORECAST
July 9th: “It’s A Small World” with music by Les’ Entertainment. Represent your heritage with your ethnic attire and food!
August 13th: “Black & White Formal Ball” with music by Les’ Entertainment. All the Ritz and Glitz!
September 10th: “Detectives and their Dames”, music by Swing Gitane. 1940’s who dunnit . . . . hmmm . . .
October 8th: “Arabian Nights” music by Blues Box Bayou Band. Probably a little bit boho and part gypsy too!
2016 Galas:
May 8th: Honky Tonk (Country Western) with music by Greg Brown: canceled due to rain
June 12th: Jungle Safari with music by Les’ Entertainment
July 10th: Strollin’ through the ’50’s with music by Les’ Entertainment
August 14th: You’ve got Talent!, talent show (or not!) with music by Les’ Entertainment
September 11th: Downton Abbey, our Formal Night with a 20’s flair! with music by Swing Gitane
October 9th: Renaissance, with music by the Blues Box Bayou Band
2015 Galas:
May 10th: Cowboys and Indians; music by Greg Brown
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.887681231289694.1073741839.103779559679869&type=1
June 14th: Greeks and Romans; music by Greg Brown
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.905389402852210.1073741840.103779559679869&type=3
July 12th: Fabulous 40’s; music by Swing Gitane (extra charge)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.918057868252030.1073741841.103779559679869&type=3
August 9th: Circus; music by Les Olson of Les’ Entertainment
September 13: Elegant; music by Les Olson of Les’ Entertainment
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.954091091315374.1073741843.103779559679869&type=1
October 11th: Pirates; music by Blues Box Bayou Band (extra charge)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.961684783889338.1073741844.103779559679869&type=3
2014 Galas:
June 8: Super Heros and Super Villians (make up your own!) Music by Greg Brown and his Music Express
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.709580745766411.1073741831.103779559679869&type=1
July 13: ’50’s Night; music by Les’ Entertainment
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.728080443916441.1073741832.103779559679869&type=1
August 10: Gangsters & Flappers; music by Swing Gitane
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.742062595851559.1073741836.103779559679869&type=1
September 14th: “Elegant”; music by Les Olson
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.757799880944497.1073741837.103779559679869&type=1
October 12th: Knights & Maidens (Medieval); music by Blues Box Bayou Band
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.771417876249364.1073741838.103779559679869&type=1
2013 Galas:
April 14: Great Gatsby! (gangsters & flappers)
May 12: Once Upon a Time . . . . (fairytales)
photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.519255584798929.1073741825.103779559679869&type=1
June 9: Night in the Wild, Wild West (Western Hoedown)
photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.531250553599432.1073741826.103779559679869&type=1
July 14: Rock ‘N Roll (Fab ’50’s)
photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.569071133150707.1073741828.103779559679869&type=1
August 11: Woodstock (Hippies and Flower Children)
September 8: Red Carpet (Elegant, Academy Award Style)
photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.573276082730212.1073741829.103779559679869&type=1
Thanks for the info, hope to see you Aug 14 I have been down with back injury, feeling a little better. Sherry Pert-Burns
Awesome Sherry! Looking forward to seeing you soon! Ilene
I can’t wait untill the first dance gala of 2013. See you there………
Hi Ilene & Jim, I just wanted to thank you so very much for your patience in the dance classes… I just loved them. I wanted to share this with you.
I was out singing at the Pine Tree Lounge one night when a group of French people who were touring the USA on mototcycles came in to party. They were non-stop dancing with each other. It was so entertaining and great to watch them having so much fun. Then one gentleman asked me to dance. He started dancing the Eastern Swing and I actually could follow him. The whole time I am having fun dancing the Eastern Swing with him, I am also thinking “Thank you Ilene and Jim, Thank You Ilene and Jim for being so patient with me while taking your classes. So Thank you so very much. I really do appreciate it . Love, Janice
The pictures and videos are awsome. Really am enjoying them….
The Spring Gala was so fun and I really enjoyed being the Easter Bunny. Such a fun evening.
Thank you for sharing the evening with us! I know we’ll have a great photo of you posted soon!
I had such a ggggreat time at the dance gala. I felt like a princess in my dress and boa…………..Thank you Jim and Ilene for doing these for your group. I know I look forward every month to attending and it is the highlight of my month…………………………..Pauline
Hi Pauline! You were the princess of the Gala! We are already looking forward to the next Gala in April 2012. Thank you for sharing the evening with us.
I told Pauline that she was the most elegantly dressed- and it was true!
Dear Ilene and Jim,
What great teachers you are! We all look pretty impressive in the July Dinner/Dance
Photo. We have enjoyed your galas so much. Thank you both for all that you do for
us. Loved your Mexican Buffet…bravo on all the dishes you prepared!
Jean 🙂
Hi Jean! I’m so glad you will be joining us again. We are going to do the Waltz Mixer on Sunday in our beautiful gowns; it’ll be magnificent! Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Thank you Ilene. Looking forward to dancing the night away. We will bring an apple pie.
Thanks Colleen; I’ll have pie before dinner! ha ha!
The evening will be beautiful, elegant and romantic! Weather will be perfect and the moon almost full. The main menu will be: pork tenderloin, grilled prawns and a baked potato bar. Please bring side dishes, salads, appetizers or desserts! YUM!