Gainesville Swing and Social Dance least - important subscription confirmation

Hello Gainesville and Ocala Dancers,

The Gainesville and Ocala Dance newsletter has
moved to a new service.

If you have not done so already, to continue to receive the
newsletter, go to www.GainesvilleDance.com and subscribe.

A number of people have told me they were not switched to
the new service and did not receive last week's newsletter.

If you know anyone who used to get the newsletter or is
interested in dancing in north central Florida, please
forward them this notice.

Thank you and happy dancing,
Andy

www.GainesvilleDance.com

February 6 and 7 Israeli Dance Workshop with Dany Benshalom in Gainesville

KOL SIMCHA OF GAINESVILLE FL & MJF AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

PRESENT

Kehilat Kol Simcha

PO Box 12749

Gainesville, FL 32604-0749

www.kolsimcha.org 352-485-1210

6th ANNUAL

Gainesville/UF Spring

ISRAELI DANCE

WORKSHOP

February 6 & 7, 2010

with

DANY BENSHALOM

Guest Teacher from Israel

and

Ruthy Slann

Location:

Westwood Middle School Cafeteria

3215 NW 15th Avenue

Gainesville, FL

Schedule:

Saturday: Instruction & Dance Party 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Sunday: 1st Session 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

2nd Session 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Lunch 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

3rd Session 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Incl. Review)

Directions:

Take exit 387 (Newberry Road/SR 26/West University Avenue) off I-75 east until you get to SR-121 (NW 34th

Street). Turn left (north) and stay on 34th street and turn right (east) on NW 15th Ave. (the school will be on your

right). The main school parking lot will also be immediately on your right. Continue east to NW 31st Drive and

turn right (south). The Westwood Middle School cafeteria is the 1st building on your right adjacent to the 1st

parking lot you see on your right (the School Cafeteria parking lot). A detailed map is available at:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Gainesville&state=FL&zipcode=32605-5097&country=US

For More Information contact Tony Arroyo 352-485-1210 or Joseph Simpkins 352-283-0649.

Return this form with your check payable to Kol Simcha postmarked by February 1st, 2010.

!

ISRAELI DANCE WORKSHOP

Name _________________________________ Phone: _______________________________

Address _______________________________ E-mail: _______________________________

_____ I will attend the full workshop – $55 (by Feb. 1st) {Full-time students $45}

_____ I will attend Saturday evening only – $30 (by Feb. 1st) {Sat-only Full-time students $25}

_____ I will attend Sunday only – $40 (by Feb. 1st) {Sun-only Full-time students $35}

All prices will be $5 additional at the door {Note: all prices are only $5 more than in 2008!}

Saturday night dancing in Ocala

Greetings and Salutations,

This is not your regularly scheduled class email, nor any kind of official email at all. In fact, this isn't even an email, and
these are not the droids you are looking for.

20 Nerd Points to those of you that knew that was a Star Wars reference.

We had mentioned in class that Brianne and I are headed to Urban Cowboy ( http://ocalaentertainmentcomplex.com/ ) in Ocala on
Saturday night, and thought it would be fun to bring some Gville folks and take over the joint! This is nothing formal of course, so
bring whoever you like. Nor is there a special occasion really, other than maybe my finding a new babysitter (woot!). If you have
never been to UC, you should try it out. Brianne and I are quite smitten with the place. It is brand new, has a huge dance floor, a
NEW dance floor, and the cover charge is cheap ($5). Granted, it IS a bar, and permits smoking. But our favorite part is the high
ceilings and ventilation suck the smoke straight up. The first smoking-permitted bar I have ever left and NOT smelled like an ash
tray.

They also cater to the dancers, because we are the entertainment. It is nothing but dance music all night long, with a variety of
Two Step, Line Dances, Cha-cha and West Coast & East Coast Swing. Typically, they play a West Coast about every 2nd or 3rd song.
They are teaching beginner Two Step Saturday night until 9, so if you come early you can catch that as a bonus! Two Step is a close
second favorite of ours, right behind West Coast.

Some folks were asking for directions that we could not provide at the time. But through the magic of the internet you can get them
in a nice little printable map:

Click on the "Get Directions" button and enter your address in the A slot and enter 1227 SW 17th Ave Ocala Fl in the B slot.

If you are having "technical difficulties" (aka user error), I did one for you below. There were several ladies who professed to
have little geographic knowledge, so I picked a starting point in Gainesville that every woman will know how to find: The Oaks Mall.
;-)

*ducks to avoid the (very fashionable) shoes being thrown at his head*

1) Leave the Oaks Mall and take I-75 South 36.2 miles
2) Take ext 352 for FL-40 East 0.3 miles
3) Turn left at W Silver Springs Blvd 2.0 miles
4) Turn Right at NW 16th Avenue/NW 24th St/SW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave - continue following M. L. King Jr. Ave 0.8 miles
5) Turn left at SW 17 Ave - destination will be on left - sign will say Ocala Entertainment Complex

It says it's a 46 minute drive, but that is assuming you are driving the speed limit... BWAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahhaha! In reality, once
you hit I75 South in Gville its about a 30 minute drive.

Hope to see you there!

Josh "his Nerd Points roll over to the next month" Angel

Senator LeMieux's Weekly Update

 

January 26, 2010 It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your United States Senator. Thank you for subscribing to my weekly email update - a brief summary of some of the more notable events during the last seven days. I hope you'll find this useful and informative. You can also follow my regular updates from Florida and Washington via You Tube, Twitter, and Facebook.                If you want to share this newsletter with a friend, sign them up today at http://LeMieux.Senate.gov . The State of Our Union With President Obama set to deliver a state of the union speech Wednesday night, this is an appropriate time to take stock of where we are as a nation. A lot can be understood about the state of our union by our reaction to the recent crisis in Haiti. Even though we face difficult economic challenges here at home, millions of Americans have been willing to donate money and goods to survivors. It is that American spirit that keeps our union strong. I commend all groups and individuals who have given something to help bring comfort to the people of Haiti. Your charitable nature sends a strong and positive message to the rest of the world that we will help those in need, especially during times of great crisis. Click here to learn more about how you can help. http://lemieux.senate.gov Looking at our nation's challenges, the first focus must be on keeping and creating jobs. The national unemployment rate is 10 percent. Unemployment in Florida is at nearly 12 percent. The federal government should react by removing barriers to job creation. I have suggested Congress and the President move to immediately approve trade agreements pending between the U.S. and Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. Especially in Florida, trade agreements are job creators. More than 33,000 Florida companies - 95 percent of which are small and mid-sized businesses - export goods from our 14 deepwater ports. Washington can also respond to the jobs crisis by making the tax code more predictable. Business owners are afraid to invest in business growth for fear they will be penalized. I stand ready to work with my colleagues in Congress to advance job creation initiatives, but it's going to take leadership at all levels to get this done. Later this week, I will introduce a multi-faceted initiative focused on helping Floridians find jobs, helping people create jobs, and finding ways to promote economic development throughout our state. The state of our union also faces a challenging debt. Already our nation is $12 trillion in debt. This week we are debating whether to increase borrowing by another $1.9 trillion. I oppose raising the debt ceiling and support an initiative to not only stop the increase, but also cut spending across the board by $120 billion. Every day we avoid making the tough decisions to rein in spending is another day we put huge burdens on our children. We owe it to future generations to balance the federal budget and pay down the nation's debt. Our future depends on it. On Wednesday, I hope President Obama will talk about clearing the way for economic recovery. American families need jobs and job security, and we don't need more government programs or more government spending. We cannot afford to look to government as the solution to all our problems. Individual prosperity starts with individuals. I hope the President will recognize limiting the size and scope of government is in the best interest of Florida's families and a robust economic recovery. I stand ready to work with all of my colleagues and the President to achieve this goal. The Crisis in Haiti The tremendous outpouring of support for victims of the earthquake in Haiti is a reminder of the generosity of individuals. I recently met with students from St. Mary's School in Little Haiti, the largest Haitian community in South Florida. This tragedy personally touched many of the school's students, who have relatives in Haiti. Though many come from families with modest means, within the first 24 hours after the earthquake, students raised $500 for Haiti's relief efforts. This is just one of the many acts of generosity Floridians are undertaking to assist the Haitian people in their time of need. Visiting with Monsignor Hogan of the Archdiocese of Miami at St. Mary's Cathedral in Little Haiti & Sister Jane Stoecker and the children at St. Mary's Parish School. During this crisis, it is important we remove potential impediments to relief. That is why I joined with my Senate colleagues to adjust the federal tax code to make it easier for people to contribute directly to Haiti's recovery. The Senate unanimously approved this tax code fix and I am hopeful the House of Representatives will follow suit and send it to the president for his signature. The U.S. tax code should not stand in the way of humanitarian relief efforts. The people in Haiti continue to need a great deal of assistance and there are many generous Americans who want to help. Click here to learn more about how you can help. http://lemieux.senate.gov Fighting the War on Terror Unlawful foreign enemy combatants should not be treated as if they have the same rights as common criminals. During congressional oversight hearings last week, we learned that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Christmas Day bomber, was given Miranda rights - including the right to remain silent and the right to consult a lawyer - without the knowledge of the director of the FBI. At the advice of his counsel, Abdulmutallab then stopped providing information about his knowledge of al Qaeda. I am concerned our nation is losing critical opportunities to prevent future terrorist attacks by treating unlawful enemy combatants like common criminals. Nor should we try suspected terrorists in civilian courts. We should not be giving them Miranda rights or other constitutional protections guaranteed to American citizens. We should be fighting the war on terror as if our lives depend on it, because they do. My Position on Congressional Earmarks Due to the current budgetary and deficit crisis, I have decided that at this time, it is not appropriate to request earmarks for particular projects. In my time here, it has become clear that the federal government has an alarming and unsustainable spending problem. Last year alone our national deficit was $1.4 trillion, an amount larger than the deficits of the last four years combined. Our deficits will not disappear with the status quo. On the day I was sworn into the Senate, the national debt was $11.8 trillion; in 10 years it is projected to be greater than $24 trillion. I will continue to support Florida organizations' competitive grant applications with federal agencies and am happy to assist worthy Florida projects in obtaining federal funding through the competitive process, but until Congress takes meaningful measures to control spending I believe the principled approach is to refrain from earmarks. Florida Crops Disaster Declaration The unseasonably cold weather that swept through our State earlier this month resulted in substantial crop loss for many Florida farmers. During this already difficult economic time, the cold snap left many Florida growers scrambling to make ends meet in an industry that has an annual economic impact in our state of more than $87 billion dollars. In an effort to help these farmers reclaim a portion of their losses, I have urged U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to give careful consideration to the disaster relief declaration request sent to him by Florida Governor Charlie Crist. A federal disaster relief declaration is the first step in restoring lost proceeds and mitigating the economic damages these growers have shouldered. Without federal assistance, some family-owned and operated farms that have passed from generation to generation could potentially close. Our office continues to work with Governor Crist and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as they assess crop damage and gather information that will be provided to the federal government as growers seek assistance in the coming weeks and months. Protecting Florida's Fishing Economy During my recent trip to the Florida panhandle, I spoke with area fishermen regarding new government regulations imposed on recreational fishing for red snapper, amberjack and other Gulf of Mexico fish. The decisions to close Florida fisheries to recreational fishing are disappointing and threaten the livelihood of a great number of Floridians. Besides the lack of sound science on which to base these decisions, closures of the South Atlantic grouper and red snapper fishery in January and the Gulf of Mexico grouper fishery in February come during Florida's peak recreational fishing and tourism months. Recreational saltwater fishing in Florida has an economic impact exceeding $5.3 billion annually and supports over 54,000 jobs. These closures will add to the problems of already difficult economic times, not only for fishermen, but for those local business owners and families who depend on the recreational fishing industry and connected services for their livelihoods. We need to improve the outdated systems currently used to manage our fisheries. Through more modern data collection, state and federal fishery managers will have access to the resources necessary to support science-based and proactive fisheries management decisions for the fisheries off Florida's coasts. I understand the necessity of making tough choices in order to maintain the fishery for the benefit of future generations, but drastic measures, such as fishery-wide closures, should be based on sound science. Casework Corner One of my primary goals is to make sure Floridians are well served by Federal agencies. From time to time, I will share accounts of how our office has helped a Floridian. Recently our office received a call from a veteran who had applied for post 9/11 GI Bill benefits in July 2009. As of December 2009, he still had yet to receive assistance and contacted our office for help. My office immediately contacted the Veterans' Affairs Educational Office regarding this matter. Upon reviewing the constituent's paperwork, the VA processed and paid the veteran's claim ten days later for over $3,000 dollars in tuition and books. If you have a concern involving a federal agency, please contact our Orlando Regional Office by calling (407) 254-2573 to speak with a member of the Casework Department. The toll-free number for Florida residents is (866) 630-7106. To find out more about how my office can help you, go to http://lemieux.senate.gov  or stop by one of our scheduled Community Office Hours events in your area.

Official Web site

Eagles Club Dancing Class: End of the Endless Whippings

Dear Distinguished Dancy-pants,

Well folks, much like Death, Taxes, and Death Taxes; Wednesday has rolled around again. And we aren't sure exactly what Wednesday
rolled around in, but something has GOT to be done about the neighbors walking their dogs in our yard.

Anyhoo, before I so rudely digressed I was leading up to the last Whip pun I get to do for a while. So here goes: we have whipped
Whips, and are now having our final Whipping. The Endless Whip! Or the Continuous Whip. Whichever works. But don't worry, when we
whip this Whip we won't want for a Whip that works well with our wild and wooly women with which we wind up with in our wonderful
West Coast Whip class. Whew! After that wandering Whip wordplay I may want to wet my whistle!

Ah, I feel better now.

So we are having our last Whip themed class for a little while, finishing up with a really cool variation that is fun to torture
your dance partner with as it could basically go on forever. Kind of like my emails. So don't miss it!

Josh "Haha, very punny" Angel

p.s. I noticed that Andrew Weitzen always has an inspirational or thoughtfull quote in all his emails. As always, I am more than
willing to shamelessly rip off other peoples ideas, so I thought I would start doing the same starting with this email.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like. - Book review by Abraham Lincoln

She was what we used to call a Suicide Blond - dyed by her own hand. - Saul Bellow
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gainesville South Main Community Arts Center (SMArts) Meetings Changed to Fridays

South Main Community Arts Center (SMArts)

Our weekly open meetings are being moved from Tuesdays, to Fridays at 4:30. This is a more convenient time for key members. Bring
your ideas and creativity. Chris has plans to make the big room into a lounge-like setting for members so it is utilized every day
while also showing our art.

What does being a member entail? If you can volunteer and watch the gallery certain times instead of paying big dues, then bring
that suggestion up. We can use help manning the space between the classes and events. Especially once the lounge is ready.

Also this coming Friday, 7-10pm, is the Gainesville Downtown Art Walk, the monthly event when we expect to get many visitors. The
notice has already gone out mentioning our new art and pottery, the classes (which are filling up), jewelry on display then, and
services we offer, etc. Artists, bring your art to the meeting Friday, and talk to Chris and Nick. Your help is needed on Art
Walk, before, during or after. Others, seeya that night!

The two recent January music events were very well attended. One was presented by us (thanks, Rio) while the other was a guest
event. There will be more in Feb. Stay tuned for our calendar app coming soon :-)

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=131555319254

Gainesville, FL Cafe Chabad, Bar/Bas Mitvah Class, Family Weekend

 

Upcoming Events - Chabad @ UF 1/26/10
Cafe Chabad Kosher, social night out! No reservations necessary! Come hang out with friends and enjoy good Kosher food. An opportunity to get a fresh, home- cooked, delicious meal, and taste a variety of Kosher culinary delights. Tuesday night, January 26  6:00 - 7:30pm Cost: Students $7 Adult $10 Child $6    Café Chabad is subsidized by: Dr. & Mrs. Michael & Betty Wolf In loving memory of his father: Chanoch Elazar Ben Toviah Noach - Leonard Wolf At: Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student & Community Center 2021 NW 5th Ave (five blocks north of the stadium) Chassidic Discourses   Broaden your horizons & change your perspectives on life study Chassidus. Wednesday, January 27  8:45 - 9:45 At: Tin House, 330 NW 20th Street  Chanie's Kitchen Mix, bake & experience the secrets of Kosher cooking Presented by: head chef Chanie Thursday, January 28  8:30pm For students only At: Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student & Community Center 2021 NW 5th Ave (five blocks north of the stadium)  Friday Night Live! Get into the Jewish Gator Spirit! Shabbat on Fifth Ave!   January 29 - 7:30pm Join us with your friends for Prayer, followed by Kiddush, Song, Challah, delicious Shabbat dinner, warm words of Torah & dessert buffet. Services & Shabbat dinner will be held at: Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student Center 2021 NW 5th Ave (five blocks north of the stadium) All are welcome!  Shabbat Morning Services   January 30 Shacharit: 10:30am Torah Reading: 11:30am Followed by Mussaf, Kiddush & Farbrengen Havdalah Service As the Shabbat Queen departs and darkness descends, the Havdalah ceremony fills us with hope and courage. Start your week on a high note. Every Saturday night fifteen minutes after Shabbat is over, join us for Havdalah service followed by a short inspirational living Torah video presentation.  Hilchot Niddah - Jewish Laws and views on Family Purity   A class on the laws of Jewish marital intimacy for the serious female college students. Take this class and think about love, relationships and marriage in a whole new way Sunday, January 31, 8:45-9:45 At: Tin House, 330 NW 20th Street  Free Trips to Israel An experience of a lifetime!     If you are Jewish, ages 18-26 and have never visited Israel on a peer educational program, we would like to invite you on a ten-day, adventurous, inspiring and educational tour of Israel. For Free! Join the over 150,000 young Jews who have enjoyed this incredible gift. For more information and to sign up please visit: www.IsraelExpress.org or www.JewishGator.com This trip is a gift of birthright Israel One-on-One Learning Annoyed with "organized religion?"  Challenge Rabbi Berl or Chanie. You never know what you may teach them. Both Rabbi Berl and Chanie are available for 1-on-1 learning or discussions on any Jewish topic of your choice.  No questions off-bounds! Call or E.mail to set a date and time to study 352.336.5877 - www.JewishGator.com  Donate today! Please send in your generous contribution today by clicking here and help strengthen the Jewish experience at the University of Florida.   Mezuzahs Need a Mezuzah for your new dorm room or apartment? Contact Rabbi Berl at Rabbi@JewishGator.com   Jewish Learning Network Do you want to learn, but don't have the time for an official class? Join JNet, the Jewish Learning Network.  Join hundreds across the globe who have been set up with a phone learning partner.  Pick a topic of your choice, Choose a convenient time, Try it today.  If you are interested, sign up today at www.JNet.org or e.mail Rabbi Berl at Rabbi@JewishGator.com   E-mail List To add a friend or relative to our growing e-mail list, or if you are not on our snail mailing list and would like to receive information by mail as well, let us know at: Rabbi@JewishGator.com   Jewish Gator information: Classes, programs, Services, activities! Pictures, Parshah, candle lighting, Jewish thought, Ask the Rabbi & much much more! Log on today: www.JewishGator.com Dessert Showdown Taste test your Shabbat sweet tooth at the Friday Night Live dessert buffet. Each week a different two students will attempt to create their masterpiece desert. Every month a desert Queen or King will be crowned Call or e.mail to reserve your desert week 336.5877 - Chanie@JewishGator.com   Cholent Showdown Taste test your Shabbat palate at the Shabbat morning Kiddush. Each week a different student will attempt to create their masterpiece, Cholent, Dafina or Chamin Every month a Cholent King or Queen will be crowned Call or e.mail to reserve your Cholent week 336.5877 - Chanie@JewishGator.com	Click to Help Haiti!   Jason Rosenberg, a local Jewish doctor, is part of the team from The Orthopedic Institute in Gainesville, FL. They are working to help as many people as they can who  have been injured in the Haitian earthquake. They are set up in in border town of Jimani, DR and are operating on crush and burn victims  (many of them children). They are on day 6 and need a little emotional boost - Please help by  signing up to follow them on Twitter (its easy!) The Orthopedic Institute is donating $1 towards the Haitian recovery  for each follower! Please take a second to follow them : http://twitter.com/TOIHealth Thanks so much! Please forward   jLearn is the latest Jewish learning experience for students at the University of Florida. You will have the opportunity to choose from a selection of 4-6 week courses on a variety of interesting Jewish related topics. Sign up now at jLearn.org and enjoy special perks! Minyan - Daily Evening Services  7:30pm (fall semester) Snacks served The Minyan is in loving memory of: Malkah Bas Doris May her memory and good deeds be an eternal inspiration to her family, loved ones and all of Klal Yisroel. Amen! At: Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student & Community Center 2021 NW 5th Ave (five blocks north of the stadium)   Coffee, Cake & Jewish Study   Delve into stories from Jewish history and study various ethical and mystical insights into Judaism. Saturday/Shabbat Mornings, 9:30-10:15 am  At: Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student & Community Center 2021 NW 5th Ave (five blocks north of the stadium)   Bar/Bat Mitzvah Group Study Session #1   Sunday, Januaruy 31, 4:00-5:30  At: Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student & Community Center 2021 NW 5th Ave (five blocks north of the stadium)   Second Annual Bar/Bat Mitzvah Extravaganza  Check out this article about the Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebration!   Have you missed out on an authentic Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration? Well, it's not too late, you can have Your Bar or Bat Mitzvah! Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student Center and LCSG will be a hosting an amazing Bar/Bat Mitzvah Celebration, for any Jewish man or woman who has not had an opportunity to formally celebrate that important milestone. Free of Charge. You will prepare for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah with 4 classes followed by the grand traditional Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration. All Bar/Bat Mitzvah participants will have the opportunity to invite their friends and families for the grand bash/celebration. A limited amount of candidates will be selected, first come, first serve. Invite your friends to sign up today. For more information and to sign up contact: Rabbi Berl Goldman: Rabbi@JewishGator.com or Taylor Newman: Newman88@ufl.edu Bar Mitzvah: (lit. "son of the commandment") A Jewish boy who reaches the age of thirteen, the age of adulthood in Jewish life, thus becoming religiously responsible for his own conduct; also refers to the event marking this milestone. Bat Mitzvah: (lit. "daughter of the commandment") A Jewish girl who reaches the age of twelve, the age of adulthood in Jewish life, thus becoming religiously responsible for her own conduct; also refers to the event marking this milestone. Heroes Family Weekend 2010!   Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student Center at the University of Florida Presents: Heroes Family Weekend 2010! February 19--20  Invite your parents, family and relatives!  An inspirational weekend, showcasing Jewish life at UF Honoring our parents and students Friday night: February 19 - 7:30 Experience the warmth of Shabbat Services and Dinner Starring the parents; our inspiration and guiding heroes Saturday morning: February 20 - 10:30 Enjoy morning services and Torah reading followed by Kiddush lunch Saturday evening: February 20 - 9:00 Buffet dinner, Comedy Entertainment, Music Awards ceremony and special student presentations Starring the students; our leaders our heroes, guaranteeing a Jewish tomorrow! A showcase of Jewish life at the University of Florida For all parents, family and relatives of current Jewish UF and SFC students. Please send us your parents name and contact information and we will send them a Family Weekend Invite RSVP today! At: Lubavitch-Chabad Jewish Student Center 2021 NW 5th Avenue Gainesville, Florida (five blocks north of the stadium)

Dance Alive National Ballet

BACK STAGE JANUARY 2010

YOU ARE REALLY  IN FOR A TREAT! Where else can you see talented young dancers and superb professional dancers in a thoroughly entertaining evening ...  all while supporting exceptional arts education programs?   Next Generation works to be premiered include "Urchin" and "Escape" by DANB choreographer Judy Skinner, "Scherzo"  by DANB principal dancer Beth Ann Maslinoff, "Orange and Blue Rag" by NG Co-Director Lara Thomson (with music by DANB Choreographer In Residence Stella Sung) and "Dark Mountain" by guest choreographer Omoniyi Osoba.  DANB principal dancer and Assistant Director Andre Valladon has staged a new work for advanced dancers which will feature a pas de deux with Mr. Valladon and NG soloist Elizabeth Kessler.   DANB principal dancers Carla Amancio and Andre Valladon will thrill the audience with their performance of "Bailero" and as a special treat, DANB will present a sneak peak of a work which will be premiered at DANB's FUSED TUTU March 27th.   "Requiem" is but one part of a six part work that incorporates art work of three Olympians - Liston Bochette III, Al Oerter and Larry Young.   "Requiem" will be danced by DANB principal dancers Heather Martinez, Eivar Martinez, Reka Gyulai, Rostislav Dzabraev, Isabel Garcia-Rose and Tak Kwan Chu.    Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at Pofahl Studios or at the door.  For informaton, call 352-371-2986.         Photo of Carla Amancio by A. Casebolt.    COMING ATTRACTION ...FUSED TUTU! Saturday, March 27th  7:30 PM Phillips Center for the Performing Arts                                      Andre Valladon & Beth Ann Maslinoff.      Photo: Johnston Photography        Artistic Director Kim Tuttle began planning for this concert over two years ago. A major focus for FUSED TUTU is the bold and exciting partnership between AOTO (Art of the Olympians) and DANB. 'MISSION OLYMPUS' was established in 2009 featuring ballets, residencies and master classes based on art work by prestent and past Olympians. SOAR, a four work that will be performed March 27th, is inspired by the art work of Olympians Liston Bochette III, Al Oerter, and Larry Young.  The common thread between AOTO and DANB is the well-known Olympic ideal of the 'pursuit of excellence'.      Artistic Director Kim Tuttle selected sculptor Larry Young's "Tango" for the a pas de deux featuring Andre Valladon and Michele Incollingo that is entitled "The Passion".  Mr. Young generously provided permission to replicate his work and sent a small casting.  Gainesville artist Paul Costanza was given the job of duplicating the work so that it could be toured.  The work had to be light enough to travel AND be able to be hung or turned. It is HUGE!      Resident Choreographer Judy Skinner has selected three of Olympian Al Oerter's works for her section "The Athlete".  Again, with generous permission, the long process began!  Each piece had to be enlarged to four or five times its size.  Below, "Ignition", one of the works that will be showcased.   As you can imagine, there is MUCH MUCH more scheduled!   Stay tuned for our February newsletter for more on FUSED TUTU   More Good News!      1st Annual Nutcracker Festival was a Hit!      Photo of Isabel Garcia-Rose and Reka Gyulai by A. Casebolt.  Numbers for "Mommy & Me" doubled and the "Sugar Plum Teas" were virtually sold out!  (Those wanting to attend the event next year most certainly need to purchase tickets in advance.) "Chocolate & Champagne Holiday Gala" was highly successful and "NUTCRACKER" attendance far exceeded 2008 - and we added an extra show!  School shows were packed with many more wanting the 10:30 show than we were able to accommodate.   Sponsored in part by a grant from a Tourist Development Tax Grant from the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners in conjunction with the Alachua County Tourist Development Council, the project exceeded expectations.  Data reflected from credit cards, surveys and emails (license tags not yet in):   196 Florida visitors outside of Alachua County 33 Florida counties represented 46 out of State 11 states represented 5 out of US 4 countries represented   BRAVO to all the volunteers who made this event possible!  A special thanks to the hotels and businesses who were our NUTCRACKER PARTNERS.   On the Road Again  ... and Again ... and Again! Pictured above, Kim Tuttle's L'Amour.  From a comment on You Tube, "Absolutely WONDERFUL - this piece soars!!!"   While preparing for Fused Tutu, the Company also had to prepare for two totally different tour programs!   January 20th through 23rd found the Company presenting six performances of LADY BUG:ACTION HERO!  at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts; the sixth year the Broward County School System has brought the Company in to perform this work.  Sold out houses and wonderful responses from the children at all the performances made us feel GREAT!   From one of the teachers,   " BRAVO!!!  BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!!  We loved the program today.  The children were captivated.  Everything and everybody was superb.  The dancing was perfection.  Thank you for a delightful morning!"                  North Lauderdale Elementary     The Company headed out for Delray Beach January 27th  for performances of L'AMOUR, DON QUIXOTE, MADAME BUTTERFULY PAS DE DEUX, FILLE MAL GARDE AND SOAR. Next, Artistic Director Kim Tuttle, Assistant Director Andre Valladon, Judy Skinner, Carla Amancio and Tim Heflin travel to Ft. Myers where Mr. Valladon will teach master classes at Cyprus High School and all will meet with the officials from AOTO.  Ms. Amancio and Mr. Valladon will perform BAILERO at a reception celebrating the soft opening of the AOTO Center of Excellence on January 29th.   The dancers returned to Gainesville for performances of LADY BUG:ACTION HERO! at Oak Hall School on February 1st.   It has indeed been a busy month!     Tim Heflin in ARIAS.   Photo by Colleen Rand.    As many of you know, Tim Heflin, DANB principal dancer for over thirty years, had a stroke December 20th. We would like all of his friends and fans to know that he is doing well thanks to his excellent health, strong constitution, mental strength and phenomenal drive! Company Trainer for the last several years, Mr. Heflin knows the body and what has to be done.  He has an excellent support group and with their help, improves daily.  It will take time, but he fully expects to be back in the classroom dancing.   Leading roles created for Mr. Heflin include BOLERO, DON QUIXOTE, FRANKENSTEIN, DRACULA, SPARTACUS, TOM JONES, CLEOPATRA, TRISTAN & ISOLDE, TSUNAMI and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Dance Alive National Ballet is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency in partnership with the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Dance Alive National Ballet is sponsored in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art, the City of Gainesville, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs and a Tourist Development Tax Grant from the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners in conjunction with the Alachua County Tourist Development Council. Granting Agencies or Organizations that DANB belongs to.