eBlast 4/8: Thank you!

DANCIN' DONS & DIVAS eBLAST - April 8, 2011

Happy Birthday, Lolita!

Dancin’ Dons & Divas would like to send birthday wishes to our member, Lolita! Her birthday was on April 3. Here’s to many more!

THE BLACK OUT – IN REVIEW

We would like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support, feedback and love shown to us during the past weekend at our 4^th annual dance affair, The Black Out! We’ve met wonderful new people and reunited with many of our dearest friends in the dance community.

Friday night was the kick-off and the beautiful ladies of step, Sherry Gordon (Detroit) and Monique Salter (Chicago), teamed up to present the females with styling and flair in the workshop “Steppin’…For Ladies Only.” Then that night you all  “Repped Yo City” with DJ Mellow Khris (Chicago), whom got the first night weekend event rockin’ with our biggest meet & greet event to date!  Cities that were represented included: Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Oakland, New York City, Detroit, Toledo, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Akron, Minneapolis, Chicago, Flint, and, many more.. Of course, our hometown city of Cleveland, Ohio came in full effect.

Saturday morning offered a new twist for us, providing a Zumba class featuring Cleveland instructor Angie Smith. For those that are local and enjoyed her class, be sure to check her out at the following locations/times:
Tuesdays 7:45pm @ all about u fitness (2940 Noble Rd in Cleveland);  Monday-Wednesday 6:30pm @ Sports and Spine (3365 Richmond Rd, Suite #110 in Beachwood). Tell her 3D sent you!

Ted Massey (Detroit) and Marc Thomas (Columbus) provided great line dance instruction on Saturday afternoon. Cheryl Powe and Rick Wetherspoon’s walkers workshop had the participants walking in no time. The Ultimate Steppers workshop, consisting our “Steppin’ Dream Team” of Cheryl, Rick, Sherry, Monique, TykMyn and Darrel provided steppin’ instruction for many levels.

The main event with DJ Calvin (Chicago) had the crowd of approximately 600 on their feet the entire night and Mykel “Shorty Smooth” Farr (Cleveland born-and-raised, now in Milwaukee) kept the after-party going for those who wanted to continue to get their dance on until we almost saw the sun rise!

Sunday’s walkers workshop featuring TykMyn (Chicago) and Darrel Davis (Chicago) proved that based on the number of participants, walking is becoming a fast-growing phenomenon outside of Chicago. DJ Cross (Chicago) was the last (but not least) musical host for The Black Out weekend, providing the sounds for the Denim Farewell Set.

Pictured above: The Black Out 2011 Workshop Instructors:
Picture 1: Ted Massey, Darrel Davis, Sherry Gordon, Rick Wetherspoon, Monique Salter, Drew Alexander (assistant), Cheryl Powe, Tyk Myn, Marc Thomas; Picture 2: Angie Smith)

2011 Winner of $500 Cash Giveaway Raffle

Congratulations to ShorDee Kelly of Detroit, Michigan, the recipient of the $500 Cash Giveaway Raffle drawing held Saturday night!

THE BLACK OUT - SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Dancin’ Dons & Divas would like to thank and recognize:

*           The management and staff at Embassy Suites – Independence

*           The management and staff at The Penthouse

*           Cleveland artist Dub Dolla for providing the official Black Out theme song used in YouTube promos! Check out the full length song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwsxf8Ndwq4

*           Tracey Bivens for the article “Going Way Out for the Black Out!” on http://www.ilovesteppin.blogspot.com/

*           The Cleveland dance community for your support and assistance with spreading the word about Dancin’ Dons & Divas as well as The Black Out being held in your city

*           Those that traveled to attend the weekend’s festivities

*           The Black Out Musical Hosts: DJ Mellow Khris, DJ Calvin, DJ Shorty Smooth and DJ Cross

*           The Black Out Workshop Instructors: Marc Thomas, Ted Massey, Angie Smith, Cheryl Powe, Tyk Myn, Monique Salter, Sherry Gordon, Darrel Davis and Rick Wetherspoon

*           The Associates & Friends of Dancin’ Dons & Divas: Sene Jackson, Katrina Mickle, Cherrelle Dandridge, Christina Pickens, Rick Speed, Starr Sizemore-Rice,  Carmen Smith, Michael Thornton, Sheronda Ridley, Jeanene Hill, Jeff Clark, Lynne Batten and Cheryl Powe

*           Prize sponsors: Stepper2Stepper Ent. and I Love Steppin.

*           Sounds by DJ Dan Fielder

*           Vendor participants for The Black Out with CDs, lashes, makeup, photos and clothing merchandise.

Be sure to look on our Facebook fan page, Twitter, eBlasts and website for upcoming news, announcements and events!

Until then…

Dancin’ Dons & Divas
Allen, Carli, Terry, Lolita, Keith and Michelle