AULD LANG SYNE 2009

Father Time 2009 is saying his last goodbyes.... Baby 2010 is due soon....

HERE'S WISHING EVERYONE A GREAT YEAR AHEAD

Dancing In The Street (Orchard Road, 25 Dec 2009)

Wildcats Go! (Orchard Road Dec 2009)

Photo Collage - S'pore Trip (Dec 09)

Merry Christmas from us! :D

Wishing you and yours

a Christmas filled with PEACE & JOY

&

a New Year filled with LOVE, HOPE, CHEER & ABUNDANCE!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

From: The CHEN family

(Allan Chen, Mei Ling, Brandon, Justin & Ethan)

Amazing Grace - truly lovely!

Beautiful christmas lights display.

Amazing Grace Techno - Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

Christmas Mass Line Dance - Orchard Rd

Come Christmas evening, most (if not all) line dancers in Singapore will be heading to Orchard Road for the CHRISTMAS MASS LINE DANCE PARTY. And so will I! :D My family and I timed our holiday to Singapore during this time of the year to see the famed Christmas lights and decoration on Orchard Road. And since I got to know of the mass street line dance event, all the more reason to be there! lol!

If you happen to be in Singapore during that time, and you're a line dancer (or even if you're not but just wanna see what we crazy line dancers do), pop over to Orchard Road on the 25th.

Details are as below:

Christmas Mass Line Dancing @ Orchard Road

Date: 25 Dec 2009 (Fri) Christmas Day

Time: 5:30pm - 10pm
Venue: Orchard Road
Fee: FOC
Theme: "Christmas"

DANCE LIST

DANCING IN THE STREET (Teach Video)

This is a recording of my teach of DANCING IN THE STREET at the Lim sisters' event in JB last Sunday (6 Dec 09). It has been edited down from 15 mins to a shorter version of 8 plus minutes. My video editing skills are limited so please pardon the 'chop-a-block' feel of the final cut :D

I made the steps as simple as possible so that we can enjoy the music without having to concentrate too much on the steps. The whole idea is to have FUN while dancing to the lovely upbeat track by Atomic Kitten.

DANCING IN THE STREET Stepsheet

I am sooooo exhausted from today's dancing, but sooooooo happy at the same time. I met up with old friends, made new ones and had a jolly good time overall! Oh, by the way, I'm referring to the Lim's sisters' event, Dance 4 Peace held at Wisma Tiong Hua, JB, today.

The teach of my latest dance, DANCING IN THE STREET, went without a hitch. So here it is, the official release of the stepsheet.

Dancing In The Street

I've finally completed my latest dance titled DANCING IN THE STREET. I had so many versions going that I was a little hard put in deciding which I liked the best :D. I finally settled for one which isn't too difficult, yet still interesting to dance. The pace is quick so I kept the steps quite basic in order that the dancer can enjoy the music without too much stress.

I'm looking forward to teaching this dance at the Lim sisters' event in JB this weekend, if their schedule permits. And if all works out well (meaning to say the video-recording of the teach and dance looks alright) then it will be released sometime next week.

Dear line dance friends

Please note that the Intro for XIANG SI HE PAN should be 32+4 counts instead of 32 (which was printed in the original script). The erroneous script has since been replaced with the correct one.

XIANG SI HE PAN line dance

Here's the latest addition to my dances......XIANG SI HE PAN (to the song of the same name sung by Tsai Chin)

The stepsheet and video are posted below. It's listed as Intermediate only because of the TAGs and RESTARTs. The 32 steps are actually pretty easy and the TAGs and RESTARTS are not that difficult to master. You can hear it in the music.

I hope you'll enjoy the dance! :D

Here's the video:

Games People Play - UPDATE

As with all my choreographies, I do it because I like the music, and was moved by it. If someone somewhere picks it up and teaches it, that's a bonus and gives me a great big warm fuzzy feeling...lol! But I would be less than honest if I said I didn't harbour the hope that my dances would be well-received.

I felt that fuzzy feeling last month when Rosie Multari wrote me to say that she'd be teaching GAMES PEOPLE PLAY at WOW Line Dance Spectacular 2009. My reaction was exactly that...WOW! I hadn't expected the dance to go that far from home. I was happy enough knowing that it's being danced to good reviews in certain parts of Malaysia and Singapore, but to be taught in US?....Woohoo!

Then yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised again when Annemaree told me it would be taught at WINDY CITY LINE DANCE MANIA this weekend (Sat, Oct 10), by Judy McDonald. I asked her how she got the news and the answer was Amy Christian-Sohn, a mutual friend, who herself would be attending the event. Amy later wrote me to say she thought I knew. Nope, I didn't, and that makes the news all the sweeter :D (warm fuzzy feeling again, lol).

Rosie & Judy, if you're reading this, THANK YOU! And also to Annemaree & Amy for being the bearers of this good news. :D

Part of the schedule for WOW Line Dance Spectacular 2009

Part of the schedule for WINDY CITY LINE DANCE MANIA 2009

LUAU Line Dance Party

I'd just had my 6th annual line dance party yesterday, and I must say, we had a ball! The theme this year was - LUAU! and boy! did everyone come dressed to theme. Ladies came in their sarongs/pareos, hair bedecked with flowers, both real and plastic. The myriad of vibrant colours added to the atmosphere of the party.

Lunch started at 12 noon and everyone tucked into a scrumptious buffet prepared by Kampungku Restaurant, until 1:30pm. We then headed over to the dance hall just across the corridor, everyone ready to parrrrty!

Dancers quickly got into the groove on the dance floor as the DJ spinned music following the playlist set for the day.

Midway through the first cd, we had a performance by my Beginners & Intermediates, all members of Celebrity Fitness (1U). In total, they'd only had one full & proper practice session before the party as we could never get all the members together due to vacations, school holidays & the Raya holidays too. I know they were jittery (for many of them have never performed before an audience), but they held it together very well. I am very proud of them to say the least.

To make a long story shorter :), check out the photos below as well as the slide show to get a glimpse of the FUN we had.

Best Dressed Finalists:

Best Dressed!

Thank you everybody for making it a GRRREAT party!

WILDCATS GO! IN SOUTH KOREA

I came across this excellent video uploaded by Mr K, a line dance instructor in South Korea. He and his class did a wonderful demo of the dance, but more importantly, he also did a walk-through. I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) that this is the only walk-through of WILDCATS GO! at present.

His walk-through section has been superbly done. It's clear and well edited to show the different sections of the dance. Thank you Mr K! This video will be an invaluable asset to those wishing to learn the dance.

Playa Blanca - Video

I've finally recorded the video for my dance PLAYA BLANCA. No walk-through though, just a quick demo of the 1st wall as I feel the steps are easy enough to pick up :D

The video is available on Youtube.

PLAYA BLANCA (Beginner Dance)

This dance was specially written for the V Young group of line dancers who had so graciously invited me to Tawau (see 2 posts back) to perform at their party and also to share my dances with them.

The official teach was at the party on Saturday night (8 Aug 09) but unfortunately no suitable videos were taken. Will do one later on and post it here.

Although it is a phrased dance, it is still manageable for the Beginner as the steps are easy and phrasing uncomplicated. The music's lovely and reminds one of sandy beaches and swaying palm trees :-D

Click on image to enlarge

Games People Play 2 (Beginner/Improver)

Eversince GAMES PEOPLE PLAY was released, many have tried the dance and liked it. There were also many more who said they love the music and would love to dance to it but preferred an easier version. And so, my friends, I give you GAMES PEOPLE PLAY 2.

It's a Beginner/Improver level dance, only 32 counts and 2 walls. Easy steps :-)

My friend Annemaree, an instructor in Melbourne, gave me valuable input as I tweaked the dance so that it would fit the level for which it was meant (I tend to get a little too ambitious most times.....LOL)

She has also put together an excellent demo/walk-through video to the dance (thanks Annemaree!) on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrkOAehTrV8

I shall be submitting the stepsheet to Yipee soon, and also sending it out to friends in my contact list. You can also view it below or download it from the 'CHOREOGRAPHY' section located at the right column of this blog.

Click on image to enlarge

The first official teach of this dance was last weekend in Tawau, Sabah. I hope you'll give it a try.

Enjoy!

Line Dancing in TAWAU

I spent a lovely weekend (August 8 - 10, 2009) in Tawau with the V Young Group line dancers, headed by their teacher Teresa.

Nicole, a friend of my husband's, who learns under Teresa, asked if I was free to make a trip there to share my dances with their group. It so happened that my husband was flying over for business and thus I also made arrangements to follow him. To coincide with our trip, the V Young group organised a line dance party on Saturday night, which was attended by 130 guests, including journalists from two local newspapers.

Special draw prizes were sponsored by PM Malaysia which distributes the FITLINE products from Germany.

After dinner, the V Young group and I started the ball rolling with our joint performance. I had edited 3 songs into one continuous track: the first saw me dancing THE TIME OF MY LIFE,

after which the V Young group came onto the floor to perform BLUE TRAIN,

and I finished off with my dance GAMES PEOPLE PLAY.

Several more groups came out to perform their prepared numbers before general dancing started and everyone hurried onto the floor to strut their stuff :-)

I had fun too as I knew some of the dances on the play list, and what I didn't know I tried picking it up as it was being danced....lol.

Later on in the evening, I taught my newest (as yet unreleased) dance, PLAYA BLANCA, to the line dancers. This dance was specially written for them and I'm absolutely glad they liked it.

The next evening, the group got together again and they requested for a review of PLAYA BLANCA, and also for me to share 2 more dances with them: GAMES PEOPLE PLAY 2 (a beginner/improver version to my Intermediate dance GAMES PEOPLE PLAY; stepsheet yet to be released) which they picked up immediately, and MY LOVE IS TRUE which was fine for the 1st wall but got a little chaotic for the other walls....lol. I am confident they'll master it soon enough, as I did go through it a little quicker than I normally would, due to time constraint.

Later in the evening, I was requested to showcase BORN TO ROCK and also THE TIME OF MY LIFE again. I also did a quick demo of ROOMBA (by Guyton Mundy) and BOOM BOOM (by Jose Miguel). All in all, we had a blast. I especially enjoyed making new friends and also getting to know people whom I had only communicated with online prior to this trip (eg. Suzie & Lilen)

I have been asked to return soon....lol. We'll see.....I'll have to work around my classes and my family commitment, but as the popular phrase goes....."I'LL BE BACK!”

CONGRATULATIONS! to the V Young Group for a successful party and a big THANK YOU for your invitation, your hospitality and your friendship.

It's A LUAU!

Yes! The theme for my party this year is: LUAU!

Come in your best beach or island wear. Think sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, pareos and exotic flowers in your hair (to the men: you can wear flowers in your hair too if you're game LOL).

Start planning your outfit now :-D

Tentative Dance List

(click on image to enlarge)

Note: If you are attending and wish to suggest some dances, email me and I will take it into consideration if time permits.

Ding Ding Pak Ding Ding

I caught Ethan doing this little number of his right after I came home from work this morning.

He has a particular fondness for the Standard Six performance in which his Tai Kor (Brandon)was involved last year. It's basically a Malay number/dance but it's done with everyone seated and only hands are moved to the beat of the music.

My maid had tied a green ribbon around his forehead to add authenticity....lol

Here he is in action ;-D.....

It put a smile on my face. Hope it did the same for you too! (^<>^)

October Party

This year I had actually decided not to host a line dance party as I find that there are sufficient parties being organised throughout the year to satiate even the 'thirstiest' line dancer around. However, I have finally given in, after much persuasion by certain students.

So! the tentative date has been set for October 4th, 2009 at Lakeview Club, Subang. The tentative dance list is also in the midst of being compiled and I've already got a theme but will confirm everything on this blog on a later date.

Again, I'm keeping the party small (about 80 pax, because dance floor is limited). Therefore, if you wish to join me on this occasion, please call or email me to let me know you're attending.

I look forward to your support and participation to make the event successful as you've always done in the past for me :-)

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY (Intermediate Cha-Cha)

That's the name of my latest dance! ;-)

The stepsheet and videos are posted here for your viewing pleasure. Two pieces of music are used: one Chinese and one in English. I find both songs equally nice and I couldn't decide which one to go with. Therefore I went with both, leaving the final decision to the individual.

Danced to Sum Lei Yau Hei (chinese song)

Danced to Me, Myself & I (english song)

Click on image to enlarge

Hope you'll give the dance a try. If you need any help concerning the dance, just drop me an email :-)

The Day The Music Died

Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

Just like the Hollywood icons of the past (Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Buddy Holly...) who 'left' so suddenly, the icon of our era left the World in shock with his unexpected and sudden departure. And just like them, he will forever be remembered in the history of Hollywood Legends & Mega Giants.

Despite the controversies he experienced during the later part of his life, let us pray that only good memories live on, as he did contribute SOOOOO much to music and to dance.

May you finally Rest In Peace, Michael.

New Release Soon

It's been more than a month since my last entry. The days have been filled to the brim with classes, family (the boys especially) and the everyday mundane chores. However, I've managed to 'steal' some time here and there to choreograph a new dance for release....hopefully this month...if not, then in July.

It's a 64-count, 4 walls, Intermediate dance. I'm working on finalising the details (also searching for alternative music as the original music is in chinese) and recording a video to be released together with the stepsheet.

Will announce the release here as soon as it's out. So if you're interested, do keep your eyes peeled to this blog and check in once in a while, ya?

As mentioned, it should be sometime end June or early July.

Ta! for now.

HAPPY WESAK!

Wishing everyone a peaceful, mindful and blessed WESAK!

MAY YOU BE WELL & HAPPY

SADHU, SADHU, SADHU

Maggie G In Tokyo, Japan - 29 May 2009

Heads up everyone! Hiro Suzuki (Japan) is hosting his annual Tokyo Crazy Country Dance Festival and this year he has invited MAGGIE GALLAGHER to be the guest instructor. Visit the link at http://www.country-dance.com/English/e-cft/e-11TCCDF/e-11TCCDF-Home.html for more info.

If you're just a hop-skip-jump away from Tokyo, I suggest you hop-skip-jump over there in May to be a part of this annual event which is always fun. I know, because I was there last year =D

And for Malaysians, Hiro is hoping some of you will attend his event. So if you're planning a trip to Japan this year, why not make it in May.

Hiro can be contacted at hiro@suzuki.or.jp or +81-3-3754-9173 (tel).

Dazzling Latino LD Party - 18 Apr 09

Several months ago, I was asked to teach a beginners class and these ladies took to linedance like duck to water. They were eager and enthusiastic and even got together for practice each week to run through what they'd learnt.

Because of their enthusiasm, I thought it a good idea to take them out to experience a line dance party. And the recent one, DAZZLING LATINO, by the FunStompers was the party we decided to attended. Each week before the party date we'd learn one new dance on the party dance list and the ladies gamely absorbed what was taught.

From left: Elaine, Jean, Gillian, Anura, Chris & Manjit (Simon is behind the camera)

On the evening of the party itself, when the dancing began, my beginners went to the floor.....and they made me so proud. They were smiling and enjoying themselves, and they danced, so well, the dances they learnt. Well done ladies! (and Simon too! =D)

Chris, Gillian and Jean in action on the dance floor

Everyone having loads of fun!

The party was a success, and my compliments to the FunStompers for their great organisation of the event. The hall was filled with dancers and every dance was a floor filler. Food was good and some of us at our table had seconds and even thirds! lol

Outside the hall, a supplier was selling dance sneakers and latin dance shoes at reduced prices. Another table sold t-shirts, the proceeds of which would go towards helping a young lady, Yvonne Foong, go one step closer towards her surgery to remove a 5cm tumour in her brain. For more on her and how you can help, visit http://www.yvonnefoong.com/.

There's even a post by her about the party! =D Check out this link: http://www.yvonnefoong.com/2009/04/20/line-dancers-help-raise-funds-for-brain-surgery/

Although I don't do it enough (going to LD parties), but when I do I always enjoy meeting up with friends again. It's also especially great when these friends aren't just from PJ and KL but from out of town. Judy Teh (Johor) was present and it was a pleasure to meet her again since Jubilation 2008.

Meeting up with friends from Klang.

With my two good buddies Sze (left) and Bronya (right), both of whom I don't meet enough because of our busy schedules.

Most of the dancers were dressed to the nines, and to theme which was DAZZLING LATINO. The ladies looked oh, so pretty, and the men smart and handsome.

I will surely look forward to the FunStompers' next event in August this year. If you do not know what event I'm referring to, check out this earlier post of mine: http://linedanz.blogspot.com/2009/03/cato-larsen-in-town-15-august-2009.html.

The emcee, Margaret Lee. No, she's not about to break into a chinese song and dance...lol. Margaret is informing the crowd of FS' August event, and the theme: MAD HATTERS. Hence, the funny hats you see here and below on the 2 pretty ladies.

The event is going to be BIG! So if you haven't booked your place yet, call the organisers and do so. A FunStompers' event is always a sell-out and this is one not to be missed. See you there!

My Love Is True - Teach Video

Last Saturday, 18 April 2009, I was invited to share my dance MY LOVE IS TRUE (MLIT) at the FunStompers Dazzling Latino line dance party. A video of my teach was recorded and the edited versions are posted here for the benefit of those wishing to view a teach of MLIT. One set back though, the last 8 counts of the teach was not recorded. You will however see the last 8 counts in the walk-through.

Also please excuse my 'metallic'-sounding voice. The conversion from original recording to the video-edit below by Windows Movie Maker had somehow 'altered' it.

The first video is quite lengthy (close to 5 minutes) and is broken down into several sections, showing the various parts of the dance being taught.

The other video shows a walk-through and is approximately 1.5 minutes in length.

My Love Is True (teach)

My Love Is True (walk-through)

BLUE TRAIN - Linedancer Magazine May 2009 Issue

Hi All

Just saw that my Beginner dance BLUE TRAIN has been included in the May 2009 issue of LDM under 'This Month's Dances' section.

Here's a screen image of Linedancer Magazine's webpage for it's May issue (click on image for larger view):

And here's the stepsheet as it appears in the magazine:

Note of thanks to LDM for their kind permission to reproduce the stepsheet in this blog.

Family Earth Hour

Our family just emerged from an hour of darkness (save for the street light and our 4 glasses of gel candles) in support of Earth Hour 2009.

Both our neighbours on either side of us also supported the movement but sad to say not the rest of the street.

My 3 boys were pretty excited about the event, the youngest (just 2 years old) of course didn't understand what was going on and was particularly fascinated by the gel lights. Justin (9) and Brandon (13) played games like shadow figures and riding on 'horsie' with their baby brother.

Ethan...totally captivated by my home-made gel light

My Dad took the time to meditate while Mom relaxed and just enjoyed the cool night. Hubby and I also relaxed and sat back to enjoy the hour (but all the while keeping a watchful eye over the children). We were lucky to be blessed with a cool night as it had rained heavily during the evening.

Earth Hour Malaysia

Malaysians Unite! Make a stand, do your part...as a Malaysian....as a citizen of the World. Submit your vote against global warming by supporting Earth Hour this 28th of March at 8:30pm local time.

How? Check it out at www.earthhour.org.my and register your vote as well.  

Let's, together, make a difference.

Warren Buffet's Advice for 2009

I received an email with the above title, recently, from an online friend and felt I should share it here with you. Wise words indeed from the second richest man on earth (after Bill Gates apparently), who has to date donated USD31 billion (85% of his fortune) to charity.

As the whole world, and we Malaysians, brace for an economic downturn in 2009 and perhaps further beyond this year, it would serve us well to heed and practise the advice given by Warren Buffett.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."

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