Austin Peay State University offering Eclectic Line Dance Class

Starting November 3, 2014, Austin Peay State University (APSU) will be offering a great Beginner Line Dance Course/Class. This will be a 6 week course that is designed to fit with the University setting. The course/class is not just to teach a person line dances but to teach an absolutely Beginner how to dance. Of course, it is always great to review those basics so everyone is welcome to participate.

Students will learn the basic dance steps used in all dances. Proper Execution of steps, understanding of weight changes, how to recognize different rhythms, timing of steps and how to count music. 

The 6 week course/class will focus on the particular characteristics that make that week’s rhythm unique. The line dance(s) taught each week will focus on the particular steps that demonstrate the week’s rhythm.

The 6 week Course/Class will be taught by Larry B. Larry has been Line Dancing for over 15 years and an Instructor of 10 years. For More information on the above course, click here http://signmeup.apsu.edu/CourseStatus.awp?&course=141G67802

For more information on Larry B and other great dance opportunities in the Middle Tennessee area go to www.linedancenews.com

The benefits of dancing: Strengthening bones and muscles, tone your entire body, improve posture and balance, reduce stress and tension, boost memory, improve flexibility, weight loss, increase energy and increase mental capacity.

 Keep Dancin' Larry B

Line Dance News announces Austin Peay State University Eclectic Line Dance Class

September 22, 2014, is the start of the APSU Beginner Eclectic Line Dance Course/Class. This will be a 6 week course that is designed to fit with the University setting. The course/class is not just to teach a person line dances but to teach an absolutely Beginner how to dance. Of course, it is always great to review those basics so everyone is welcome to participate.

 

Class will be Mondays, 9/22 – 10/27 except 10/6, 6:30 – 8:20pm and this class is open to the public. Registration will be open till Noon on 9/22/2014 for this first session. There will be another 6 week session starting on 11/3-12/8. The class will be held Dunn Center, third floor annex on the east.

 

Students will learn the basic dance steps used in all dances. Proper Execution of steps, understanding of weight changes, how to recognize different rhythms, timing of steps and how to count music.  Each week class will focus on a particular dance rhythm.

 

The 6 week course/class will focus on Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Polka, West Coast and Nightclub 2step rhythms.  Each week the class will focus on the particular characteristics that make that week’s rhythm unique. The line dance(s) taught each week will focus on the particular steps that demonstrate the week’s rhythm.

 

The University is hopeful that the Beginner class will be a success and if so will be looking to expand the program to an Intermediate Class as well as an ongoing Beginner Class. Don’t miss out on some great dances set up for this class. Register now by going to http://signmeup.apsu.edu/

 

The 6 week Course/Class and the “Line Dance Fitness” class will be instructed by Larry B. Larry has been Line Dancing for over 15 years and an Instructor for 10 years. For More information on the above course, Larry B and other great dance opportunities in the Middle Tennessee area go to www.linedancenews.com

 

The benefits of dancing: Strengthening bones and muscles, tone your entire body, improve posture and balance, reduce stress and tension, boost memory, improve flexibility, weight loss, increase energy and increase mental capacity. Dance class is also a great social event to meet new friends.

 

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

Labor Day 2014

Depending on whether you count from the first Labor Day or from when it became a Federal Holiday. This Labor Day is the 132th or 120^th. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with a street parade to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labor organizations. After the parade, a festival would be held to amuse local workers and their families.

In later years, prominent men and women held speeches. This is less common now, but is sometimes seen in election years. One of the reasons for choosing to celebrate this on the first Monday in September was to add a holiday in the long gap between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

It is largely a day of rest in modern times. Many people mark Labor Day as the end of the summer season and a last chance to make trips or hold outdoor events. This Labor Day marks the Second Anniversary of moving into what we call our Forever Home. Just three short years ago, we moved from Florida into the little house on the Bluff (condo) then built and moved into this house 11 months later. 

The past three years has been full of ups and downs with making new friends and losing a few as well. We have been blessed with a whole new Tennessee/Kentucky Family. They have been a great addition to our lives and we love them all. 

Larry B., My Line Dance Instructor Persona, is finally a resident instructor at Murph’s Country Music Barn in Cedar Hill, TN.  As of August 27, 2014, I started instructing a Line Dance Fitness Class at Austin Peay State University (APSU). Now starting in September 2014 will be instructing an Absolute Beginner Line Dance Class also at APSU.

Paul continues enjoying the life of a retiree. He has become a great house/personal manager for us.

Also living in the same city with my only blood sister has been an added bonus and blessing. We have gotten closer than ever and support each other in all endeavors. Plus Pop has a one stop place to see both kids and has actually been spending more time in Clarksville when he does visit.

We could not be happier in our home and continue to make additional improvements in back yard to add more living space. We have also added a Garden and fruit trees to complete the back yard.  

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

Austin Peay State University offering 2 Line Dance Classes

Austin Peay State University (APSU) Recreation Department has confirmed a “Line Dance Fitness” class to their recreation program starting August 27, 2014. This class will be at the Foy Recreation Center on Wednesday afternoons from 5-6 pm. This class is designed to be an ongoing fast moving class to provide a great cardio workout. This class is for students, faculty and members of the Foy Center.

Starting September 22, 2014, APSU will be offering a Beginner Line Dance Course/Class. This will be a 6 week course that is designed to fit with the University setting. The course/class is not just to teach a person line dances but to teach an absolutely Beginner how to dance. Of course, it is always great to review those basics so everyone is welcome to participate. Class will be on Monday nights 6:30 to 8 pm and this class is open to the public.

Students will learn the basic dance steps used in all dances. Proper Execution of steps, understanding of weight changes, how to recognize different rhythms, timing of steps and how to count music.  Each week class will focus on a particular dance rhythm.

The 6 week course/class will focus on Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Polka, West Coast and Nightclub 2step rhythms.  Each week the class will focus on the particular characteristics that make that week’s rhythm unique. The line dance(s) taught each week will focus on the particular steps that demonstrate the week’s rhythm.

The University is hopeful that the Beginner class will be a success and if so will be looking to expand the program to an Intermediate Class as well as an ongoing Beginner Class. Don’t miss out on some great dances set up for this class. Register now by going to http://signmeup.aspu.edu

The 6 week Course/Class and the “Line Dance Fitness” class will be instructed by Larry B. Larry has been Line Dancing for over 15 years and an Instructor for 10 years. For More information on the above course, Larry B and other great dance opportunities in the Middle Tennessee area go to www.linedancenews.com

The benefits of dancing: Strengthening bones and muscles, tone your entire body, improve posture and balance, reduce stress and tension, boost memory, improve flexibility, weight loss, increase energy and increase mental capacity. Dance class is also a great social event to meet new friends.

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

Austin Peay State University offering Eclectic Line Dance Class

Starting September 22, 2014, Austin Peay State University (APSU) will be offering a great Beginner Line Dance Course/Class. This will be a 6 week course that is designed to fit with the University setting. The course/class is not just to teach a person line dances but to teach an absolutely Beginner how to dance. Of course, it is always great to review those basics so everyone is welcome to participate.

Students will learn the basic dance steps used in all dances. Proper Execution of steps, understanding of weight changes, how to recognize different rhythms, timing of steps and how to count music.  Each week class will focus on a particular dance rhythm.

The 6 week course/class will focus on Cha Cha Cha, Waltz, Polka, West Coast and Nightclub 2step rhythms.  Each week the class will focus on the particular characteristics that make that week’s rhythm unique. The line dance(s) taught each week will focus on the particular steps that demonstrate the week’s rhythm.

The University is hopeful that the Beginner class will be a success and if so will be looking to expand the program to an Intermediate Class as well as an ongoing Beginner Class. The APSU Recreation Department is currently looking at a possible “Line Dance for Fitness” class to add to their program at the Recreation Facility.

The 6 week Course/Class and the potential “Line Dance to Fitness” class via the University Recreation Department will be taught by Larry B. Larry has been Line Dancing for over 15 years and an Instructor of 10 years. For More information on the above course, Larry B and other great dance opportunities in the Middle Tennessee area go to www.linedancenews.com

The benefits of dancing: Strengthening bones and muscles, tone your entire body, improve posture and balance, reduce stress and tension, boost memory, improve flexibility, weight loss, increase energy and increase mental capacity.

 

Line Dance Today

A friend and neighbor got me interested in Line Dancing about 15 years ago and it has become my favorite past time and exercise routine.  So much so that I took over being the volunteer dance instructor at our community Club House in our old neighborhood in Florida.  I thought moving to Middle Tennessee and being so close to Nashville, that it would be an easy process of getting a line dance class established.  That has proven to be more difficult than I anticipated.

I am currently the resident Instructor at a great family place, Murph’s Country Music Barn in Cedar Hill, TN. This is a great location and right about midway between Nashville and Clarksville.  The Barn has a Saturday Night Dance with live band and Dance class from 6:30 to 7:30 pm then review of the class during the first band break.

I am happy to announce that starting in September; Austin Peay University will include a beginner class in their Adult Education program open to the community and students. I am fortunate to be a part of this start up program as the Instructor and the plan is to move it through the initial six week program so we can expand to having a beginner and Intermediate program.

You mention Line Dancing and the first thing people say is they don't like Country Western Music or they just don't get into line dancing.  Well, once they see that we dance to everything from Country to Gospel, they tend to think a little differently.

A Line Dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows without regard for the gender of the individuals, all facing the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time. Line dancers are not in physical contact with each other.  The earliest folk dances in many cultures were line dances, originating before social proprieties allowed men and women to dance together in couple dances. In early forms men and women often danced in separate lines, but the same dances are often done today in mixed lines.

The Balkan countries, among others, have a rich tradition of line dance surviving to the present. These folk line dances are also performed in the International Folk Dance movement. Folk line dances have many forms: pairs of lines in which the dancers face each other, or a line formed into a circle, or the line follows a leader around the dance floor. The dancers may hold hands with their neighbors, or use an arm-on-shoulder hold, or hold their neighbor's belts.

Although line dancing is associated with country-western music and dance, it has similarities to folk dancing. Many folk dances are danced in unison in a single, nonlinear "line", and often with a connection between dancers. The absence of a physical connection between dancers is, however, a distinguishing feature of country western line dance.

Line dances have accompanied many popular music styles since the early 1970s including pop, swing, rock and roll, disco, Latin, gospel, waltz, polka and Jazz just to name a few styles.

Thanks to choreographers, like Bill Bader, Max Perry, Jo Thompson, Scott Blevins and others, that began to use ballroom rhythms and technique to take line dancing to the next level. Today, you can find line dancing groups all over the world and line dance competition and workshops as well.  This is partly due the great Choreographers/Instructors such as Jamie Marshall, John Robinson, Guyton Mundy, Rachael McEnaney, Rob Fowler, Rona Kaye, Stella Cabeca, Jo Kisner and Ira Weisburd just to name a few of the great people that promote and spread the joy of dancing to the local and world-wide masses.

There are now groups forming that promote line dancing as a way to help decrease cholesterol, high blood pressure as well as weight control.  So you see Line Dancing is not the good ole country steppin you thought it was, there are moves to keep your heart rate up and it’s a great way to meet new friends. Get out there and get those feet and hips moving to the groove.

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

 

When You Least Expect it!

As many know I have struggled to establish a Line Dance Class since moving to Tennessee. I was able to do a gig at the Clarksville Athletic Club for a fund raiser for Breast Cancer that ran for four months in 2012.

Then I was blessed to meet Luke Henry, who put in a good word for me with City of Clarksville Parks & Recreation Department. I was contracted for a 6 month gig for them at the Crowe Community Center.

I had decided after Luke passed to get back to dancing. I found the Clarksville Dance Club and started taking classes for myself in September 2013. I put starting my own class on the back burner. I just was not in the right frame of mind to market myself or the leg work to locate an establishment to host classes. I just wanted to dance and take classes for myself.

On October 3, 2013, which was the second month anniversary of Luke's passing, Patricia, my Thursday night Dance Instructor, asked me for my Line Dance Business card. She said she wanted to pass it on to the owners of Murph's Country Music Barn. I had just heard about Murph's through the dance club as a great place to dance.

On October 4, Patricia called and told me that she had passed my information to Murph and his wife. She stated I should expect a call about starting a Line Dance Class. The next day, we gathered and paid honor to our friend Luke at Morton's Outlook in the Smokey Mountains and I updated my friend on things while sitting on his favorite outcropping.

The following Monday, I got a call from Murph and when I returned the call I spoke to his lovely wife, B. We had a great chat and they wanted to meet me to discuss how we could benefit each other. They were looking to bring more people in on their Saturday night dance and would like to offer their facility for a beginner class if we got a good response on Saturday nights.

I met Murph and B on Saturday, October 12 and they are the nicest people you would ever meet. The facility is huge but is warm and welcoming as you enter. This venture is their retirement activity. They hold weddings, special dinners, weekly auctions, and weekly dances. Murph's is a great family place to sit back listen to some good music and dance your night away on Saturday night.

We have agreed that I will start teaching a class at the Saturday night Dance on November 2, 2013. I have gathered information on the songs done at Murph's and working on putting a Dance Lesson together.  Working with Murph and B to bring more clientele to Murph's Country Music Barn is going to be an exciting new adventure and a new avenue for establishing a class.

I could not have asked for a more accommodating couple to work with as Murph and B. I know my new guardian angel is watching over me and ensuring I get back to teaching.

Keep dancin' Larry B.

 

2013 Year of Dance

2013 is going to be my Year of Dance and I am so excited.  I have signed the contract with the City of Clarksville which is through August of this year then we will look at extending contract to a yearly basis. Of course, that will all depend on the success I have at establishing a great ongoing class program.

Am I worried, a little but I have faith that I am a great Instructor and that the students will spread the word that LB’s classes are fun, energetic and a great form of exercise.  I have already prepared a great variety of beginner/intermediate dances that encompass music from country to pop.  I will continue to watch the web for new dances that I feel will fit into this area. The one thing I have learned with teaching at the Clarksville Athletic Club is that Pop and Country are the two favorite genres.  I will see once the classes get going if I need to expand on that area.

I will be doing continued research to provide a great variety of great dances for the students. I will most likely pull what is popular in local clubs. I will continue to check out the most popular dances from the websites and dance classes around the country.  I want my students to be able to jump in at any club or class they happen upon.

I am now in negotiations with the City of Oak Grove, Kentucky to provide an International Line Dance program at their community center.  This would be a great location for a program due to the close proximity to Ft. Campbell Army Post. I feel we could offer a great program for the Military families in the area.  These negotiations are still ongoing at this time. I have proposed a free Introduction to Line Dance class to see what type of response we may be able to get on that side of the county.  I think we can pull students from neighboring towns like Hopkinsville, Guthrie and Pembroke by starting this program.

Yes, 2013 has been dubbed Larry B’s Year of Dance.  I encourage anyone visiting the area to drop in on a class and if you have any friends/family in the area to pass the word along that we are going to have a great year of dance in Clarksville, Tennessee.  See you on the Dance Floor

Keep Dancin’

LB

Line Dance Class Established

I have been in Clarksville, TN for little over a year and marketing myself as a Line Dance Instructor. I have put myself in front of everyone I could to establish a line dance class.  I thought moving to an area 45 minutes from Nashville; I would find lots of classes to take for myself and instructors in the area that would be able to give me advice on how to establish oneself in the area.

This was not the case; I could not find one class being taught in the Clarksville area. Now if you want to take a Zumba class they are everywhere but no dance classes.  I was fortunate to connect with some ladies through my sister’s softball team that assisted in introducing me to the folks at the Clarksville Athletic club. I was able to provide class there for four months with all proceeds going to the Cancer Society.  As they say when one door closes another opens.

I had been to the Parks and Recreational Department numerous times with my flyer, business card and copy of my liability insurance. I was either there at the wrong time of year, wrong time due to a city function or vacation issues.  Finally, I received a call from Melissa at the P & R department. After our first meeting, I was in the door and picking out the room to hold my class.

If not for the encouragement of my mentor, Stella Cabeca, I might have just given up on pursuing my goal of establishing my own class. Stella was instrumental in providing me with how to set up a class, how to approach the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department and how to get a beginner’s class off the ground.

Now I have a new flyer with a location and start date for my new International Line Dance class in Clarksville, TN.  I am moving ahead with developing the first few weeks of classes.  I am busy printing the step sheets and downloading the music.  For the next couple of weeks, I will be hitting the road again to local store owners to request posting my new flyer. I have one store owner that has not only agreed to post in her window but requested flyers to use as stuffers in her customers purchase bags.  That particular shop owner has even got her whole staff interested in taking my class. Now that is what I call local support.

Here is to a great 2013 and a big bear hug/thank you to all those who has supported me.

Keep Dancin’  LB

Homeward Bound

Well it has been a hectic week in South Florida, it was great to see old friends and to be in the office. I always enjoy being in the office and seeing all my fellow co-workers even though I have to admit I get more work done in my own little office in Tennessee. I mean after 20+ years of working alone in my home, the concept of dressing and driving to an office is just so foreign to my mindset.

I got the chance this week to teach some line dancing, and dance with a large number of the field staff. Now that was a fun day and I have the video to use for blackmail if the need ever arises.. Just kidding.. or am I .

I also got to surprise my International Line Dance Instructor, Stella Cabeca. I was able to announce in her Thursday night class that because of her encouragement, support and mentoring; I will be signing a contract with the City of Clarksville, Tennessee to provide an International Line Dance class at the Crow Community Center starting in February, 2013.

Yet as I sit here at the Ft. Lauderdale airport; a calmness has come over me for I know I am heading home. What a difference a year makes in one's life, for over 20 years South Florida was home. Now it is a place where the office is located and long time friends live.  I know I am always welcome down in South Florida but I also know it will never feel the same, it will never be home.

It is simply too busy, too crowded and just too hot for me now. I am a Tennessean now and could not be happier.  The pace of life is slower, people are friendly and a whole lot less of them to deal with than here in South Florida.

So yes it was a good week in South Florida but can they load this plane any faster. My body and soul needs to be back in the hills of Tennessee.  

Keep Dancin'  LB

Dancing into 2013

It has been a great two months here in Clarksville, TN. We have moved into our new home and have everything completed as far as the house itself is concern.  We have also had our first visitors from Florida and we hope they had an enjoyable time at the Orchard Hills B & B.

I have been busy not only with work and setting up the house but have had a great gig at the Clarksville Athletic Club teaching Line Dancing. The last group that attended my classes has requested private classes which I will start holding on Tuesday evening at the house. We are going to utilize Paul’s half of the Man Cave for these private classes.  This should be a great experience and gives me the chance to learn new dances along with this group.

The newest group of students at the Athletic Club promise to be a lot of fun as well. I have a group of young ladies that are really into dancing.  My favorite is going to be a young lady about 10 years old that wears red high top tennis shoes with hot pink laces.  She was so much fun this week and of course, after class demonstrated her tumbling abilities as well doing back flips across the floor. Now I wonder if I can get that choreographed into a dance...

I am currently working with the Oak Grove, KY Community Center regarding establishing a class or classes with their program director. She wants to introduce more variety of classes to the local community there in Oak Grove.  I have also been in communication with the manager of the Electric Cowboy, the local night club.  I will continue to market the local clubs to establish a permanent location for my classes. 

It has been difficult to get established in a permanent location to conduct my dance class but I know that 2013 is going to be a promising year. I have students now that will spread the word and along with my continue persistence in promoting myself, LB’s Line Dance Class will become a reality.

Here is to a great 2013.

Keep Dancin’ LB

Yahoo!

New Beginnings

Yahoo!

Nearly 11 months ago, Paul and I made the decision that it was best for us and family to relocate to Clarksville, TN. After much discussion and mental anguish, I approached my boss to request a transfer and was rewarded with the knowledge that she was not about to lose me to another State or office. So with the security of being employed remotely, we put the house on the market, thinking we might have to leave and deal with a long distance sale. Fortunately, that was not the case and the Florida house sold in two days.

So with a month to pack, deciding what went with us in our two vehicles and what would be placed in storage, our path was clear to make the final move to Tennessee. We had purchased the Little Condo on the Bluff a couple of years prior as our getaway location and now it would be our new home.

The Condo is a great little house, quiet and peaceful but the goal of moving to Tennessee was to eventually convince Dad it was time to retire and that we wanted him to live with us. Dad is the only surviving parent that my sister, Paul and I have and it is our goal to ensure he takes care of himself. So even though we loved living in the condo, it was not going to be our ultimate location.

After spending months roaming Montgomery County, we looked at multiple re-sells but no matter what we liked it was going to take thousands to make it suitable for ourselves. Our wonderful realtor passed on a link regarding a new subdivision approximately 3 miles from the condo. After touring the spec. homes in the community we found the perfect model. It had a Dad Suite and a bonus room that we could convert into 2 man caves. Plus starting from the ground up we could make all the modifications that we wanted from the start.

So after 5 months, we are now in the Orchard Hills house. We have spent the week moving, unpacking and purchasing to our bodies and credit card are totally exhausted. We are now awaiting the delivery of the Florida Storage and few items that we had to order to arrive. The Dad Suite is nearly complete and now the real work of convincing the Old Missouri Mule to think about retiring will begin in earnest.

Clarksville has become our new home town and we could not be happier. A new home, new neighborhood and starting Monday September 10^th; Larry B resurfaces with an International Line Dance class at the Clarksville Athletic Club. It is always stressful starting out on a new beginning but having family and support from friends it has been a great adventure. Granted it is one we do not plan to do again, Clarksville is the final stomping ground.

Till next time, LB.

Press Release-LineDanceNews.com

Clarksville, TN-8/10/2012- LineDanceNews.com announces the New International Line Dance classes by Larry B at the Clarksville Athletic Club, 220 Dunlop Lane, Clarksville, TN. The classes start September 10, 2012 at 8 pm.  Classes will be on Monday and Wednesday evening and currently will run for three months.

Larry B. has been dancing for 10 plus years and has been teaching International Line Dance for 5 years. Larry B moved to Clarksville from South Florida in 2011 and has been actively seeking a place to call home for his Line Dance classes.

International Line Dance for the Social Dancer is not your typical Line Dance Class. Classes consist of dance choreographed to Country, Hip Hop, Jazz, Rock N Roll, Gospel and Pop. International Line Dance is a fun socialization activity and a great exercise program. International Line Dance is for all ages and all levels of physical endurance.

The above is a preliminary new release that I am working on for release this weekend. I so excited to have found a new venue to host my International Line Dance Classes.  The arrangement is for 3 months to see what the response will be at the Clarksville Athletic Club. I have been told that if the Classes are successful then I will be offered a position on the Clubs schedule.  I foresee a long rewarding relationship with the Clarksville Athletic Club.

Moving to a new location has been a challenge in regards of getting into the local scene and establishing a venue for teaching.  My Sister, Cindy, asked us to attend a July 4^th celebration for her Softball team.  Tammy, the team coach asked what I enjoyed doing in my spare time and of course, I said teaching Line Dance. She was excited to hear and stated she wanted to take my class. I explained that I had not found a venue to host my classes since moving to Clarksville. She stated she would introduce me to Heather Evetts, a member of Cindy’s Softball team who just happen to work at the Clarksville Athletic Club.

I have also been given a new lead with the Clarksville Parks & Recreation Department and will be reaching out to them as well over the next few weeks. Yes, I can say things are definitely on the upswing here in Tennessee, new house nearing completion, new venue to host my classes and possibility of making a deal with Parks & Recreation. 

Keep Dancing... Larry B

Working the City of Clarksville, Tennessee

I am lucky to have a great Boss, who allowed me to take a PTO day, today. Thanks Elaine...

I spent the majority of the day traversing the City of Clarksville, Tennessee.  International Line Dance Flyer and business cards in hand, I worked my way from Ajax Senior Center to the YMCA.  I have a tendency to be a stubborn Missouri mule with a single mindset to accomplish an objective. Currently, that objective is to establish at least one line dance class of my own in Clarksville.

Although I did not finalize a host for a class today, I did get my name is out there and my goal is known. The Senior Center has a Tuesday night class taught by a physical therapist from Ft. Campbell, I will meet with her in March and see if we can work together at the center.  The proceeds for this class go to help the center with operating cost. So this would be a great way to give back to the community.

Melissa at the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department was encouraging.  They currently do not have a program but she thought it was a great opportunity for the 2012 calendar. She was in budget discussions this week and would discuss with her department. She stated she would have one of the staff contact me in within the next two weeks to discuss the possible opportunity.

The YMCA was more receptive today, especially since I informed them at present, I am not interested in being compensated but looking to establish myself here in Clarksville.  This time I got a business card and a promise that my information would be given to Amanda, the Executive Program Director.  So I will see if I get a call back from Amanda or this Missouri Mule will be making a call next week.

The Rainbo Roller Rink is still a possibility but not until summer. They have a Rhumba class and do special projects for Special Olympics and feel they just don’t have the space to start a Line Dance Class at this time. They would be interested after school is out and advised that if they could get a feel for the type of response they would get from hosting a Dance Class, then it could be a summer program. I will put this information on LineDanceNews.com in the next week to get the word out.

Over all I feel good about the day’s activities. I will continue to work on researching other locations to investigate for possible host locations for a dance class.  The one accomplishment for the day is I am not a registered voter in the Great State of Tennessee.  Till Next time... LB

Promoting Oneself

Now that I am back in Tennessee, the next 90 days are dedicated to promoting myself as an International Line Dance Instructor here in Clarksville.  I have always disliked the marketing aspect of my professional  life, the idea of going out to sell a product, service, etc. It just was not my forte but when the product and services is ME.  Well that is even more unnerving to me.

Anyway I decided I had to get out this week and start beating the bush so to speak. I stopped by the local skating rink on my side of town. They offer Zumba classes two nights a week, so I thought if the rink was willing to offer Zumba why not a Line Dance Class. So I presented myself in my Line Dance News embroidered oxford shirt, Larry B’s Dance Flyer and business cards. I cannot remember being so nervous opening a door to a building.

I explained I was new in the area and looking to establish a new dance class. I saw that they offered Zumba and wanted to inquire if they might be interested in offering a dance class one or two nights a week as well.  I went on how it was a wonderful form of exercise much like Zumba. In fact the song playing for the Zumba class I knew a line dance to. The lady at the counter, thought it was a great idea but unfortunately she did not make those type of decisions. She took all my material and promised to discuss with the manager and owner if they arrived that evening or the next day.  “Note to self, ask for the decision maker before launching into my sales pitch.”

Actually, it was a great practice run for me and the lady was super nice. She stated she loved Line dancing and would let the manager know she thought it a great idea.  So my confidence was up as I left the Rainbo Skating Rink. On my way home, I passed Lana’s Dance Studio and decided to stop. I thought might as well get to know some of the Dance teachers in the area and see if they might have any input to a place that might be looking to host a Line Dance Class. I figured professional courtesy may count for something..

The stop was a good move, I got several great leads and now have a few more ideas on where to go to promote a class.  Keep

What is a Line Dance Class?

I have been working to develop a great flyer and/or brochure to promote myself as a Line Dance Instructor. I got to thinking about the best way to describe the activity. I wanted to relate the classes as a fun yet beneficial activity for all age groups and all levels of endurance. I then got side tracked into Fitness. So I decided to pull some thoughts and information I had into this bog entry. It is that time of year when people make new year resolution’s to get fit with exercise.

Being fit, eating right, and exercising is something that many people have to learn. Even with all the ways to get fit, it can be hard to choose particular methods. It is recommended for getting fit, try to exercise for at least fifteen to thirty minutes at a time. Exercising in short bursts can be a way to add variety to your routine or fit exercise into your day, but you won't see the same benefits unless you're exercising for at least fifteen minutes.

You should find a workout that you actually enjoy doing if you really want to be able to stick to it. If you do not like what you are doing it will be very difficult to find the motivation to do it on a regular basis. It is recommended that you add music to your fitness routine. Listening to music while working out will keep you going for much longer than if you are doing repetitive exercises in a quiet area. Music will make you feel energized and help you keep pace by following the beat. Fitness Experts say to put together a specific fitness play list, featuring songs that you know will keep you on track.

So to recap, to help you get fit; utilize an activity that you enjoy incorporated with music featuring songs most everyone knows. That sounds like a lot of fun and something that everyone could do and do safely. That is what I call a Line Dance Class. Where you don’t need a partner to participate; meet lots of great people and have fun getting in shape.