March Madness

WELCOME
Let’s welcome all our new students who have crossed the floor in 2024.
May dance bring you the joy and fun that our dance family has come to know.

March Madness lives up to its name.
The first 2 weeks of March have come and gone!
It’s a new month and a new season and shortly day light saving will end.
It’s time to prepare for the next few months, time to harvest, time to see the fruits of your labour during the Summer months. If you are a gardener and planted herbs it’s time to dry them and store them for the cold season. If you planted veges it’s time to pickle them and so forth. Get my drift.
I believe in “what you sow is what your reap”. Therefore, I hope your efforts during the summer are now reaping the rewards.

NSW STATE TITLES
Congratulations!
Let it be said the comeback after 5 years was extremely successful.
The new format was a hit!
We loved the added bonus of having Azz and the Cats perform for us and elevate the vibe in the room.
A big thank you and congratulations to all who participated and for amazing team and sponsors who made it happen.
The club was so impressed they rang me Monday morning and as luck would have it we are back in 2025. Save the date 8 March 2025.

There is still some fine tuning in some areas which I will be looking at next year closely.

NEW COURSES
Please note the following new course dates for the following venues
Gosford 14 March
Clarendon 14 March
Emu Plains 18 March
Concord 20 March



GOSFORD DANCE PARTY
Our next dance party at Gosford will be held this Friday 16 March. Let’s celebrate St Patricks Day.
Time 6.30pm – 9pm
$8 at the door

CHRISTMAS IN JULY
I have made the decision to avoid the clubs for the return of the Christmas in July due to the exhuberant hiring fees. I am not comfortable in passing those fees to our students.
Minimum venue hire is $1500. Gosford Hall has a great dance floor and accommodates 150 people comfortably. We are in the process of choosing a band and theme and will let you know in the coming months. In the meantime please SAVE THE DATE.

Venue Gosford Hall
Date Sat 20 July
Band to be confirmed
Theme to be confirmed

VRDDA STATE TITLES
The next competition on our calendar is the VRDDA State Titles in Melbourne Sat 18 May.
If anyone is interested in entering or would like to spectate and be at our table please let me know by Wednesday 20 March.

Saying

Much love to you all
Anna Justin

2024 Awaits You

Welcome to the New Year
A Fresh canvas awaits us in 2024.
2024 is the year to take the floor!
Are you ready?
Get the first look this quarter with our calendar dates covering classes, socials and upcoming Festivals.

2024 Forecast
2023 was about continuing to rebuild the studio and grow. We made so many new friends and gained so much love and we can’t wait to see our dance family continue to grow.
We re-introduced the monthly socials at Gosford and it was great to return to Castle Hill Bowling club for our annual Christmas Party.
A lot can happen in a year and in 2024 we look ahead to more dancing, more socials, bringing back our Christmas in July event and the ever popular NSW State Titles dance competition.
Will you burn the floor with us?

Free what?
Yes first class free for all new enrolments. If you are still deciding if dance is for you try our first lesson free offer. It’s not too late too book!
Our classes resume as follows
Emu Plains Monday 15 January
Concord Wednesday 17 January
Clarendon Thursday 18 January
Gosford Thursday 1 February

Diary Dates to Remember
Elvis Festival 10 January
Friday 26 January
Ettalong Stars Festival 8-11 February
Valentines Day 14 February
NSW State Titles 9 March
Kurri Kurri Nostalgic Festival 22-24 March
RocknVintage Roll Thirroul 3 March

Get down and boogie
We are back in 2024 with our dance nights on the third Friday of the month at Gosford Hall.
Polish those shoes, meet and mingle and dance like no one is watching. Don’t be shy.
Friday 19 Jan
Friday 16 February
Friday 15 March

NSW State Titles Dance Competition
WSDC presents the return of the NSW State Titles on Saturday 9 March at St Marys Band Club in Sydney’s west. It’s hard to believe it has been 5 years since our last event. We are thrilled to see this event return.
Competitors forms, Sponsorship forms and spectactor tickets are ready to rock and roll. If you have any interest or questions please message me.
We are thankful to the early Sponsors
All Shook Up, Argyle Business Brokers, Express First Aid, Victorian RocknRoll Association

Saying

See you on the floor in 2024

Jingle Bells

Christmas time
My favourite seasons of the year Summer and Christmas!
It’s been a whirlwind of a year for us and our family. So much to be grateful for. I live by the “ask and you shall receive” motto. Sometimes you have to wait a little longer than you may want.

This season try not to get caught up on the stress of Christmas. That’s not what this festive season is about. I have heard so many over the last month talk about being stressed around Christmas. Change your perspective Less is more. Slow down… Life is short.

White Christmas Party
Thank you to all who participated in the White Christmas Party and the end of year Christmas Dance routine. I was so impressed to see so much White in the room. Jive Bombers played to the dancers and we didn’t expect anything less. It was such a great night and the club management and staff were amazing. I was so pleased to get around and talk with so many and relax and get a few dances in.
Congratulations to the best dressed table The Fosters.
Congratulations to our best students Phung and Irene
Congratulations to all raffle winners and a big thank you to Tracee Geddes for her
generosity.

The Best Couple Trophy is yet to presented and will have to wait till later this week.
I will keep you in suspense till Friday night.

Grateful
I want to take this opportunity to thank the staff and team at Blue Suede Shoes Dance School. This year we celebrated 32 years never would I have imagined I could give up my 9 to 5 job and do what I love and with such great people around me.

Closing dates
Gosford ended last Thursday 7 December
Emu Plains class ends Monday 11 December
Concord last class ends13 December
Clarendon Tavern class ended 7 Dec BUT join the Christmas Party 14 Dec $10

Resume Dates
Emu Plains resumes Monday 16 January
Concord 18 resumes Monday January
Gosford & Clarendon resumes Thursday 1 February
Please check back early January for confirmation just in case of any changes.

Christmas Vouchers
Looking for a gift? Have you thought about giving an experience? How about the gift of Dance!
We have dance vouchers available starting from $70 for a 4 week pass postage included or email service.
Happy place Happy Feet

NSW RocknRoll Dance Competition March 2024
We are in preparation to bring back our dance competition. It’s hard to believe the last competition was in 2019. More details coming in January as we await confirmation of venues. In the meantime if you are interested in competing please let your teachers know and book your private lessons in January. There is a lot involved behind the scenes and we will be looking for volunteers on the day. We are also seeking sponsors. If you would like to sponsor an event please let me know by return email and I will send the sponsorship form.

That’s it for another fantastic year wishing your all the happiest and healthiest 2024!
May all good things come your way and more!

Saying
You manifest more by letting go than you do by holding on
Maryam Hasnaa

Happy Cnristmas
Anna & Justin

Spring Time

“Today’s music ain’t go that same soul. I like that old time rock and roll.”
This line resonates not just with music but with our everday rhythm in life. Today’s fast life has lost it’s soul. I’d like to bring back some of the old simple yesteryear slow life.
Living the slow life for the past 3 months really places perspective into going back to basics and how little we really need to live. The less I have the happier and lighter I feel. It’s our family and friends and the time we have with them that is important. LIfe is not about
accumulating stuff which only makes us heavier and in turn brings stress.

This edition we have new Spring courses. Please spread the word if you have friends that would like to learn and have been putting it off forever. This is the time to start. I received a beautiful email this week, a new enquiry asking if it was too late to start learning in their 70’s. It’s never too late!

New course dates
Spring courses start as early as this Monday coming
Monday 4 September Emu Plains Public School Hall
Wednesday 6 September Concord Presbyterian Hall
Thursday 5 October Gosford Hall
Clarendon course has begun and its not too late to come along and learn to dance.

These courses are tailored for absolute beginners. We get you off your seat onto the floor dancing like Fred and Ginger in no time. Join the fun, friendly, family atmosphere.

Fathers Day
Don’t forget to spoil those Dads this weekend! Take them dancing and let them leash their inner John Travolta! We hope all the father figures will have a memorable day!

Rocktober Events
ChromeFest Sockhop
Can you believe it we can now say ChromeFest is next month. We have Mescalero featuring Don Hopkins performing.
We have 25 tickets left for the Friday Sockhop . Please message or email me for tickets. You may also purchase them via our website shopping cart Events tab. Please note there are no refunds but you may transfer the tickets.
Date Fri 27 October
Venue Gosford Hall 217 Albany Street North at Gosford nearest cross street Henry Wheeler Place
Time 7pm-11pm
Tickets $28 by bank deposit
BSB 062121  ACC 10618711 Acc Name Anna Ocello

ChromeFest Saturday Jive
This is a ChromeFest event that I will be overseeing on the night. If you wish to
purchase tickets please visit the Chromefest.org site ticket events page.
Double Header A band called Twang and Bad Luck Kitty $32

End of year Christmas Party
It will be an end of year party but the start of Summer where all the FUN begins.
We can now confirm our end of year Christmas Party for Saturday 2 December back at one of our old stomping grounds Castle Hill Bowling Club. We are happy to have the Jive Bombers performing and our theme is All White Summer party.
It is customary at our end of year event to decorate your own table. We have prizes for best dressed table so get your creative juices ready.

Christmas routine – if anyone is interested in doing a routine for the Christmas Party please let us know so we can structure classes accordingly.

Gosford Socials
We are bringing back our Gosford socials as early as Friday 20 October. I do hope you will all support this event and that we can continue it through to December and into 2024.

Sayings

Baby it’s cold outside

Winter has come
Go out and have some Fun
On the dance floor we play
All Night and Day!

Up Up and away! some of our staff are travelling to The Summer Jamboree therefore there will be some disruptions to the Emu Plains and Concord classes this month until mid August.

DANCE CLASSES
EMU PLAINS Monday nights continue with Intermediate RocknRoll until mid August. All other levels and classes will return in August
CONCORD Wednesday nights continue as normal.
Our friendly staff will be there to greet and teach you each week but some familiar faces will be absent.

ONLINE CLASSES GOSFORD these classes will continue there will be a 1 week break next month. Usually during a 5 week month we have a break on week 5. Please note August is a 5 week month but we will be having Week 1 off instead of Week 5.

GET READY TO GET LOOSE
It’s time to get your social calendar in order and Save the Dates for the following festivals.
RETROFEST PORT MACQUARIE PANTERS Tickets available online 25-27 August
HUNTER VINTAGE & RETRO FAIR West Wallsend Workers Club 2 September
NELSON BAY ROCKNROLL 20-22 October Free event held at Nelson Bay RSL Club
CHROMEFEST 27-29 October various events indoors and outdoors
CRANK IT UP Follow them on Facebook or visit their website for updates 17-19 November
END OF YEAR CHRISTMAS PARTY Date and venue TBC

Tickets for the following events at ChromeFest are available as follows
ChromeFest Sockhop Friday 27 October at Gosford. Another batch of 30 tickets have been released. Tickets may be purchased via Blue Suede Shoes Website Event tickets page or email me directly.
ChromeFest Saturday Night Jive Saturday 28 October Mingara visit ChromeFest.org

Song for the month Drift Away
Give me that beat and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your Rock and Roll and drift away
Dobie Gray

Saying

That’s all Folks!
Don’t forget to get up and dance and move to the groove!
Anna & Justin

Sway in May

Our theme this month is Chill & Thrill!
“I got chills and they’re multiplying” I think it’s fair to say we all know the movie of those
famous words. So, grab yourself something to drink and let’s get straight into the thrill part.

Sockhop
For those of you who have been in the dance scene for the last 10 plus years you would have heard of ChromeFest. This festival at The Entrance Memorial Park is held every year on the fourth weekend of October and is a real crowd pleaser.
Blue Suede Shoes have been fortunate to work with ChromeFest for over 10 years along with my son’s dance troupe Sydney Swing Katz. We are happy to announce that we will be part of the 3 day festival once again this year.
We are kicking off the festival on Friday night 27 October with the annual Sockhop to be held at Gosford Hall 7pm-11pm . Yep, that’s right our very own venue. Tickets to this event are limited to 150. As most of you know this event is sold out within a few weeks. Pre-sale starts this Monday 1 May. Details are below.
Performing on the night is our very own local popular Steve Edmonds Mescalero band
featuring Don Hopkins on keyboard bringing some bopping boogie and blues to the mix.

Tickets $28 bank deposit available now.
Credit card online available from Tuesday. Please note there is an additional $1.50
processing fee. Get in early!!
Email or message for to book.

Mother’s Day 14 May
Sunday 14 May we celebrate Mother’s Day. To all the mums, mums to be and dads who play the mom role we wish you a very Happy Mothers Day. Don’t forget to give your hero a call and make them feel special.

Frankie Manning 26 May World Lindy Hop Day (26 May 1914- 27 April 2009)
What you can learn in May The Shim Sham
All you Swing Lovers its Frankie Manning Month. For all your dancers – Frankie Manning is the King of Swing Dancing and considered to be one of the founders of Lindy Hop. In
honour of his birthday month and World Lindy Hop Day we will be running a Shim Sham class so everyone can participate at the next social. The Shim Sham class will be held as part of our Intermediate class on Thursday 11 May at 7.30pm. No partner required.
All students past and present are welcomed to take part and learn the Shim Sham or just join in for a refresher.

What’s Happening Gosford?
Let’s have an inside look into the second half of the year as we approach mid year.
The winter season is almost upon us and this means there will be an interruption to our Gosford classes from June. This pause is temporary while we are on holidays. From past years we have noticed that this is our most quiet period with lots of students jet-setting to the north to capture the sunshine or just travelling as a whole.
But don’t fret you may still continue to learn the basics via online classes so there is no
disruption to your continued learning. You may enrol by email.
During this period we will also have a break from our Socials with a return in the Spring months please see below for dates.

Don’t stop till you get enough
When we return in Spring we will be hitting the floor running with our Socials, Christmas Party and dance lessons. Grab a pen and mark your calendar with the following dates:-

Save the Dates
ChromeFest Sockhop 27 October
Gosford Social 20 October, 17 November, 15 December
Christmas Party 25 November
Gosford Classes return Thursday 5 October

A word from the floor
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our new students who have joined our family dance school. It is a real blessing to teach dance and bring joy and life into your lives. For me it is a passion and has been from a very young age and I hope your journey to date has been inspired. I really appreciate your support and am grateful to all who have supported our external events such as Aloha, Gosford Socials and theme classes.

Saying

Remember Dance like no-one is watching
Anna & Justin

Step into March

February is over, let March take over!
Welcome to Autumn with it’s beautiful sunsets and glorious days we have had this week!
Not only is it a new month but a new season!

In this issue I would firstly like to thank all the new students who have crossed our dance floors throughout all locations and our awesome loyal students who welcome them week to week. There is such an infectious spirit amongst the classes and it’s promising for the year ahead and I am truly grateful how everyone is blending in.

Upcoming Festivals
Don’t forget to please support these events and help grow the dance scene. During lockdown everyone I spoke to expressed how they missed their dancing, going to the festivals, dance events and of course their dance family.
Here are some dates to add to your diary
ROCKNVINTAGE ROLL THIRROUL 19 MARCH
KURRI KURRI NOSTALGIC FESTIVAL 22-26 MARCH
COOLY ROCKSON COOLANGATTA 7-11 JUNE in my opinion the original and the best Festival with a great line up. Need to book early always a SOLD OUT event


Blue Suede Shoes presents Aloha Event
Take the road straight to Aloha! Time is ticking tick tock tick tock -Only 4 Weeks to go and there are tickets still available. We thank you for your support and friendship and ongoing loyalty. We certainly would love to see this event a success so we may host more in the future. Have you booked?

ALOHA EVENT Saturday 15 April featuring the very talented No Brakes entertaining us for over a decade. It’s been a while between drinks. We have known the members of the band for as long as the studio has been opened. Great band, great music, great dance floor. Are we in the mood to party? Come in holiday theme or as you are.
Emu Plains School Hall 7pm
Tickets $25 bank deposit $26.50 online by credit card

ST PATRICKS DAY SOCIAL
Come dance with us! Nothing fancy just twistin’ the night away!
Our second social for Central Coast with DJ Mickey at Gosford Hall is next Friday 17 March
Nibbles and soft drinks permitted
Theme Green and just $8 at the door.

MARCH NEW COURSES
GOSFORD 4 week courses starting week 1 next course 6 April
EMU PLAINS Monday 20 March
CONCORD Wednesday 22 March

OTHER CLASSES CLARENDON Thursday nights, KATOOMBA Tuesday nights
On other news regarding CAMDEN we had no success in finding a venue at this point.

GOSFORD SOCIALS SAVE THE DATE
We can confirm the following dates for Gosford Socials. We would love to see all students of all levels support this social and help grow this monthly gig. Friendly, fun and relaxed environment with possibly the best dance floor on the lower Central Coast.
21 APRIL
19 MAY

CHROMEFEST SOCKHOP FRI 27 OCT GOSFORD HALL
Let’s Rock! Our favourite event on the Central Coast is ChromeFest!
It’s a crazy fun weekend I’m sure you all agree.
We are excited to lock in
MESCALERO with STEVE EDMONDS on vocals ARTIE on doube base, TONY on drums FEATURING DON HOPKINS on keyboards. A great mix of rocknroll, jump jive boogie and blues.
Pre-sale Tickets available in April prior to going live in May to the general public.
Details to follow shortly. Expression of interest just email me.

SAYING

Wishing you a magical weekend and bright start to the week ahead.
Anna, Justin and the Team at Blue Suede Shoes

Welcome January

Happy New Year and  Welcome January!

The start of the year here in OZ means it’s the Summer season.  It’s always exciting and
everyone is rested up and ready to go.

This year Be Seduced by Dance, the energy, the fun, the connection and the music.

Dancing DAYZ will resume from next week. Please note as Australia Day falls on a Thursday 26 January we have moved Gosford & Clarendon start dates to first week in February.

Resume Dates
Concord Wednesday 18 Jan
Emu Plains Monday 23 Jan
Gosford Thurs 2 Feb
Clarendon Thurs 2 Feb

Social Calendar Dates for Gosford
Our first socials will begin next month at Gosford Hall
Fri 17 Feb with DJ Mickey
Fri 17 March St Patrick’s Day band night awaiting confirmation

Save the Dates
We are awaiting for venue confirmation for our first Event of the Year to be held
Sat 15 April with No Brakes performing.
Our theme is Holidays.  Come as if you are on holidays in Hawaii or skiing, or on a beach holiday, come as an air hostess, pilot, captain of a ship etc  bring your luggage you get my drift lol.
As soon as venue confirms we will post full details.  In the meantime please save the date.
7 February UPDATE – The venue has been confirmed Emu Plains School Hall and the fee is $25 please vist link here to purchase your tickets.

Weekly Wrap
To keep all our students informed from week to week I will be posting a Weekly Wrap on Facebook each Friday.  This will basically be a wrap of the week that was and any
reminders for the week ahead.  It will also be an opportunity for our students to engage.
If you have something to add just comment under the post.

Quarter One NSW Festival Dates in 2023
Lady Luck Sat 21 January
RocknVintage Roll Thy Ryans Hotel Thirroul Sun 19 March
Kurri Kurri Nostalgic Festival 24-26 March

Saying

Dancing Dayz are back
Anna, Justin & the Team (yes I need a new photo of the team)

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

We are unwinding for the year and Summer is here!

I would like to wish everyone a very safe and Happy Christmas.  I hope you all have time to unwind and spend time with family and get outdoors.  It’s the time of giving and your
presence is the best gift you can give and receive.

This year has been a BIG year for us with our holiday, two milestone birthdays the big 40 and the big 60 and Michael’s retirement. Furthermore, the return of most classes, festivals and dance venues.
Michael and I had planned our trip to Italy in 2020 and had to put it on hold for 2 years.  During which time we were busy behind the scenes planning our European citizenships and passports and purchase of our Italian property.  That has now all come to fruition.
When you are faced with an obstacle it just means you find another way around it.
If you have a dream or goal don’t give up instead try
the 3 P’s –
Patience,
Passion and
Persistence

CHROMEFEST SOCKHOP
Despite the wet weather this year it was great to see ChromeFest return.
The change of venue for the Sockhop was a blessing after discovering there was a 4×4
metre dance floor at the original venue (The Entrance Leagues Club.)  We are thankful to everyone who supported the event.
The date for ChromeFest next year is 27-29 October and the ChromeFest Sockhop will be held Friday 27 October next year.

CLOSING DATES GOSFORD, CONCORD, EMU PLAINS, CLARENDON
Gosford classes ended last Thursday with a Christmas Social and thank you to
everyone who contributed with the yummy sweets and savouries.

Concord end of year class will end on Wednesday 14 December and as always bring a plate to celebrate.

Emu Plains will end Monday 5 December at the School Hall and the last class will be held at the Clarendon Tavern on Thursday 15 December as the hall is unavailable on Monday 12 December.

Clarendon Tavern will end Thursday 15 December which will also be a combined social for Emu Plains & Clarendon students.

THE ALBERT PALAIS WRAP UP
I am very grateful to all of you who were a part of this wonderful occasion. The feedback has been great as always.  You are all too kind.  The reason I kept the 100th combined
birthday a surprise was so no one would bring gifts.  I also wanted to surprise Justin therefore I didn’t even tell Monica or the staff.  Your presence was the gift and our gift to you was the canapes and service.

The Aston Martini’s as always didn’t disappoint and the canoli tower was a hit!

I have little footage and photos of the night as I was playing the social butterfly around the floor but I’m pleased to have had the group photo taken.
It truly was a wonderful way to finish the year.

Gift Vouchers
If you are looking for last minute gifts we have Gift Vouchers available on our website.  These can be redeemed for classes or events.
Please Click here for details

2023
In 2023 we are looking to focus on small socials at alternate venues.  We will change it up from month to month with either a DJ or band playing every other month.  Most students like that community feel and it’s also a great place for new students to feel comfortable getting on the floor for the first time.

Unfortunately, Christmas in July has become a casualty over the last 3 years and not viable with the overheads of the room hire and bar staff.  The overheads are becoming a little challenging and I understand some find it difficult to cover the entry fees. We are looking into replacing the event with a smaller venue and rebranding it altogether to make it more feasible for everyone. More details in 2023.

RESUME DATES
GOSFORD THURSDAY 2ND FEBRUARY
CONCORD WEDNESDAY 18 JANUARY
EMU PLAINS MONDAY 23 JANUARY
CLARENDON THURSDAY 2 FEBRUARY

UPCOMING FESTIVALS 2023
Parkes Elvis Festival 4-8 January 2023
Lady Luck 21 January 2023 at The Carrington Hotel
Kurri Kurri Nostalgic Festival 24-26 March 2023

SAYINGS

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Anna Justin & the team

Spring Time

Spring News
Welcome to our Spring News! edition!

We are still traveling and have really been inspired in so many ways.  Travel is the best
education in so many ways.  It teaches you to broaden your mind and be grateful every minute of the day.

I am looking forward to the last quarter of the year probably my favourite time of year with ChromeFest and end of year Christmas Party coming up.

New Courses
New courses have begun at Concord and Emu Plains 2 weeks ago and Gosford will be back on a new night starting Thursday 6 October.
Also, new courses for Katoomba coming 6 September.
Tell your friends and spread the word.  Details will be posted on the website early September.

ChromeFest
I am pleased to say that Friday Sockhop is a SOLD OUT event and there are still Tickets available for Saturday Night Jive. Tickets for the Saturday event may be purchased directly from the Chromefest website.  Please note I will be hosting the event but I am not
responsible for the sale of tickets.

End of Year Christmas Party
Lastly, tickets for a Night at the Albert are on back on sale.  Pre sale Tickets may be
purchased by simply emailing me.  Direct Deposit is available now and from mid September you may purchase the tickets via the website.
We have the Aston Martinis playing for us for the event in the most grand setting at the Albert Palais in Leichhardt.  There is street parking and I’ve been told there is a car park nearby as well. If you purchased tickets earlier this year you need not to anything.

Upcoming Festivals
ChromeFest 21 & 22 Oct
North QLD Swing Festival 10-11 September

Saying
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the attention to arrive safely in a well and preserved body but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up,
totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow, What a ride!”….Hunter S. Thompson