Hi Team,
Welcome to the end of the first 12th of the year! You survived January and all the snow! Hooray! We have lots of important events this week for returners and for new folks so please read the whole WAG! Steve and Susan taught today and we learned the international rumba, American tango, and mambo! So if you missed out be sure to talk to an A team member at DTS or go to guided practice on Thursday!
Special Announcements for Everyone:
- Michcomp Committee: Are you excited for Michcomp? This year, we are holding our own competition on April 15th. If you want to help us make sure everything runs smoothly, consider applying to be part of the Michcomp Committee! This is a low-commitment job that would only require a couple of hours a week. It would greatly help ease the load that’s put on our poor overworked board members, and it is a great way to contribute back to the team! Also, the people on the committee will receive compensation in the form of Ray’s eternal love and devotion. Apply here!
- Comp interest form: Please fill out the competition interest form if you haven’t already done so! This form is non-binding and is only to gauge interest. We are once again scrambling for rooms for the Arnold so it is imperative that you fill out the form even if you have the slightest chance of going.
- Partner search: We will be having a partner search on February 1st from 8:30-11 pm in Mason Hall room 1469. This is perfect if you want to meet other dancers looking for partners or attend any upcoming competitions this semester! If you can’t make it to the event, the official Winter 23 partner search sheet is right here! Please let us know if you need help.
- Intro to DTS/Intro to Comps Night: Are you curious about DTS and/or competitions? After the partner search on Wednesday, Feb 1st (10:00 pm-12:00 am), we will be having an intro to DTS and to competitions. No partner needed to come and hang out with us and learn all about how competitions work. Plus after we finish there will be time for you to practice at DTS!
- Ballroom Buddies: Do you hate Valentine’s day? Do you have too many questions and are not sure who to ask? Well, get ready because next week we are releasing a special valentines addition, Ballroom Buddies!!! It’s a chance to be matched with an upper-level team member (your buddy) who will help you navigate the team, comps, and everything in between. *However, unless they are on A team they should not teach you any dance moves or techniques.* It’s going to be hella cute so be sure to sign up! <3 <3 Please fill out this form if you are interested!
- Mandatory SAPAC Training: Every semester we hold a SAPAC workshop to educate our members on the importance of consent and boundaries. Due to the nature of our club, we believe that it is vital that every one of our members get this information. The workshop will be held virtually on Zoom on February 2nd, between 9:30 to 11:30 pm. If you attended the workshop last semester, you will not be required to attend again. However, if you did not attend it is required even if you have done similar trainings for other clubs. If you can’t attend, fill out the form here. If you do not attend the SAPAC workshop or fill out the form you will not be allowed to compete or come to any of our social events.
- Merch: Are you tired of everyone asking you “Wow, you’re such a good dancer! What dance group are you in?” Well then consider buying our team merch! Show off your ballroom swag around campus and represent Michigan at our competition! Fill out the form here and pay the team via Venmo!
- Shoe Vending Day: If you are interested in making a group trip to VE dance to purchase dance shoes, please fill out this interest form! Keep in mind, if you are interested in competing, you are required to wear dance shoes!
- Guided Practice: Starting this week we will begin to replace the Thursday newcomer lessons with guided practices. Guided practices are open to the entire team, but they specifically are designed to help people at the newcomer/pre-C level who want to improve their dancing. During guided practice, we will still meet in the IMSB MPR-A (like a normal newcomer lesson), but instead of a structured lesson plan where we teach three dances, we will instead play 15 minutes of music for 8 or so dances, and you will be free to practice your steps to them. There will be at least one A-team couple there to answer all your questions about techniques and steps that aren’t working well for your individual partnerships. You are free to come with a partner or by yourself and find people to dance with there, but it is an excellent opportunity to learn things tailored to your improvement. If you are not on the C or A team it is expected that you go to guided practice instead of DTS!
This Week’s Schedule…
Monday 1/30
9:30-11:30 pm: Open Practice at DTS
Tuesday 1/31
9:30-11:30 pm: Open Practice at DTS
Wednesday 2/1
8:30-10:00 pm: Partner search @ MH 1469
10:00-12:00 pm: Open Practice at DTS
10:00-12:00 pm: Intro to DTS/Competitions @ DTS
Thursday 2/2
9:00-11:00 pm: Guided Practice @ IMSB
9:30-11:30 pm: Open Practice at DTS
9:30-11:30 pm: SAPAC training for new members Virtual
Friday 2/3
Practice your mambo timings in your bedroom!
Saturday 2/4
Get ready for MSU next weekend!
Sunday 2/5
3:00-5:00 pm: Newcomer Lesson @ IMSB
As always, the board is here if you have any questions. We look forward to dancing with you soon!
Love,
Erika
MBDT President
Your favorite team members at the Women’s Gymnastics Meet!
