OCTOBER newsletter!

Hello friends,
Can you believe it's October already? We have a lot going on here at the 'Box, including the start of Winter Performance Workshops, some exciting new offerings, a new class time for salsa, preparations for our TWO Year Anniversary party (which we hope you'll all attend), and more.
We are excited to celebrate TWO YEARS of sharing our love of movement with all of you. We hope our 3rd year is even bigger & better! Come join us for workshops, partying, and classes - and let's celebrate!

See you soon,
Cera & Shoebox Studio

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1) New Session begins - Winter Performance Workshops begin October 24th
2) NEW CLASS! - Monday Night Bootcamp
3) NEW CLASS TIME - Salsa Rueda w/ Nick & Serena
4) Dia De Los Muertos TWO Year ANNIVERSARY BASH! - Performers wanted
5) NEW PROGRAM! - Shoebox - New Years Resolution Lab
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1) New Session begins - Winter Performance Workshops begin October 24th

Fall session FLEW by, and now it is time to start working on our THIRD Annual Holiday Performance Showcase! Our student recitals have been getting bigger and better every time, and this one should be no different!

Each workshop runs for 8 weeks, beginning October 23rd and culminating in the Student Showcase on December 18th.
You do not have to perform to take the workshop, but it's highly encouraged! (Classes that take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday may miss 1 week for Thanksgiving holiday).

Cost: $115
Drop in rate during workshop session: $15 - YOU CAN STILL DROP IN during workshop sessions!

Participating classes:
Salsa Rueda w/ Nick & Serena: Mondays, 7-8pm (Oct.26-Dec.14), All levels
Hip Hop Fusion Bellydance w/ Brittney: Mondays, 8-9:30pm (Oct. 26-Dec.15), All Levels
World Fusion Contemporary w/ Cera: Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm (Oct. 27-Dec.12)
Zumba w/ Claire: Tuesdays, 8:15-9:15pm (Oct. 27-Dec.12)
Hip Hop w/ Cera: Wednesdays, 7-8pm (Oct.28-Dec.16th), All Levels
Bellydance Drills & Skills w/ Michelle: Thursdays, 7-8pm (Oct. 28-Nov.19, Dec. 3-Dec.17th), All Levels - NOTE: No Class on Thanksgiving Holiday. Pro-rated at $105
Lebanese Bellydance w/ Najla: Thursdays, 8-9:30pm (Oct. 28-Nov.19, Dec. 3-Dec.17th), All Levels - NOTE: No Class on Thanksgiving Holiday. Pro-rated at $105
Modern Fusion w/ Cera: Fridays, 6-7:30pm (Oct. 29-Dec.12), All Levels
Int/Adv Tribal Fusion w/ Cera: Saturdays, 11:30-1pm, (Oct 24th. 14-Dec. 12th), Intermediate/Advanced - Some bellydance experience STRONGLY recommended
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2) NEW CLASS! Monday Night Bootcamp
Mondays, 6-7pm

No Frills, No nonsense, No excuses - Just BOOTCAMP. If you wanna get your butt kicked into gear, come get your workout on. Monday nights at Shoebox are gonna whip you into SHAPE!


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3) New Class Time for Salsa w/ Nick & Serena
Mondays, 7-8pm

Salsa folks said they were incapable of dancing while there was still light in the sky.
Please make a note in your schedule!

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4) Dia De Los Muertos TWO Year ANNIVERSARY BASH! - Performers wanted
Friday, October 30th
8pm-??

We've made it TWO years here at 855 Folsom! To celebrate, we're having our third Dia De Los Muertos themed party.
We'd love it if any of our students or friends would like to showcase their talent at this party. If you'd like to perform, hit reply and let us know.
The night will also feature a Day of the Dead Costume Contest, Raffle prizes, and performances all night! Win free classes! See your favorite teachers perform! Celebrate two amazing years of classes at the 'box!


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5) NEW PROGRAM! - Shoebox - New Years Resolution Lab

If you have been wanting to start a new fitness regimen, change your eating habits, or turn over a new leaf in your life, the New Years Resolution Lab may be for you.
This 8 week program will take a small, dedicated group of people through a transformation process of mind, body, spirit, and most importantly - daily habits.
This process will include small group fitness classes, talks with a nutritionist + chef, reframing the role of nutrition and exercise in your life, and more.

This program is still being developed, but we are compiling a list of interested participants and their availability.
If this sounds like something that may be for you, please email shoeboxstudio@gmail.com with the subject "New Years Resolution Lab" and let us know you'd like to stay in the loop!


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See you all soon!

www.shoeboxsf.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/shoebox-studio-san-francisco

August Newsletter

Hey Shoeboxers,
August snuck in so fast we almost missed it!
We've been workin' hard over here at the box, and the teachers, students, and companies who rehearse here have been performing all over the bay area for the past few weeks - including with Amanda Palmer at the Fire Arts Festival, at the SF Mecca Immersion, and UNMATA's Human Rodeo. It's been a big couple of months for Shoebox dancers!

Please take note of a couple of important bits of info below - first, our student show is just around the corner, on August 28th! Second, beginning next week, there will be a later start time for Zumba with Claire, so please get all the info below, and update your calendars.

See you all soon,
Cera & SBS

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In this newsletter...

1) Shoebox Student Showcase, August 28th, 8pm, Dark Room Theater
2) New Time for Zumba w/ Claire
3) Bring A Friend, Save Some Cash
4) Shoebox Lost & Found

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1) Shoebox Student Showcase, August 28th, 8pm, Dark Room Theater

Join us for the 2nd Annual Summer Student Showcase!
Date: Friday, August 28th
Time: 8pm
Where: The Dark Room Theater, 2263 Mission St, SF
Admission: $10+ Donation


Featuring performances by the students of:
Brittney's Hip Hop Bellydance Fusion class
Cera's World Fusion Contemporary & Hip Hop classes
& Najla's Lebanese Bellydance class



And featuring guest performances by:
Salsa Vale Todo (Nick & Serena's professional salsa team!)
Eve Adelfi
Bri Hurley
Kitiera Moorehead
Hello, Vixen!
Claire Furlotte (our Zumba teacher)
Clandestine
The Bellydance Mafia (The Shoebox Studio Troupe)
Cody Gianotti (Flute/Beatboxer)
& of course, DCDT

A packed night of performances for only $10, and limited to only 50 people! Come see what your friends and family have been doin all summer at Shoebox!

Get Tix online here: http://sbsstudentshow.eventbrite.com/

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2) New Time for Zumba w/ Claire

Beginning August 18th, Zumba will be 8:15-9:15 pm. Please update your calendars!

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3) Bring A Friend, Save Some Cash

For the months of August & September, if you bring a friend to Shoebox, you both receive $2 off drop in, or $10 off a 10-class card. Come dance with us!

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4) Shoebox Lost & Found

Are you missing your water bottle? Sunglasses? Socks? Sweatshirts? Did you know that SBS has a lost & found? Next time you're here, check the bench by the front door, or ask Cera if she's seen your missing stuff - when we find things we keep them here for you...unless they're really cute, and then you may find us wearing them....

May-jor New Offerings at Shoebox (sorry for the cheese, we couldn't resist...)

Hey Shoeboxers,
It's an exciting month here at the studio! We've made some major (May-jor. Get it!? Nyuk nyuk) changes to our schedule, and we have some great workshops (including a FREE one), and a big party coming up for the month of May. Read on for all the information.
See you at the studio!
-Cera & Shoebox Studio

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In This Newsletter

1) NEW Class Schedule
2) FREE "Bellydance Improv Skills" Workshop w/ Najla - May 7th
3) "Beyond Bellydance Basics" A 2-part Workshop series w/ Rose Harden, May 5 & 12
4) "Breakin' Belly" Workshop w/ Kamille (Rockabelly) & Shelly (B-Girl) - May 30th
5) Cera's Birthday Bash + DCDT Fundraiser - May 8th
6) Rent Shoebox for workshops, classes, events, etc
7) Vote for Shoebox in SFGate's Best of the Bay Contest

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1) New Class Schedule

Major changes are being made to our weekly schedule - please read on and note the new stuff!

MONDAYS:
6:30-7:30pm: Salsa w/ Nick & Serena
7:30-9pm: *Hip Hop Bellydance Fusion w/ Brittney Laleh Banaei - beginning May 11th

TUESDAYS:
6-6:30pm: Dance Conditioning w/ Cera
6:30-8pm: *World Fusion Modern w/ Cera (Beginning May 19th)
8-9pm: *Cardio Dance Workout (Beginning May 19th) w/ Claire Furlotte

WEDNESDAYS:
6-6:30pm: Dance Conditioning w/ Cera
6:30-8pm: Fusion Bellydance Level 1 w/ Cera
8-10pm: Damage Control Dance Theater Rehearsal (Private)

THURSDAYS:
6-7pm: Yoga/Pilates Combo w/ Cera
7-8pm: Hip Hop w/ Cera
8-9:30pm: Bellydance Improv Skills w/ Najla (Beginning May 7th with a FREE workshop!)

FRIDAYS:
6-7:30pm: World Fusion Modern w/ Cera

SATURDAYS:
10:15-11am: $5 Pilates
11:30a-1pm: Fusion Bellydance Levels 1 & 2 w/ Cera
1:30-3:30pm: Studio Troupe Rehearsal (Private)

* New Class, Please visit website for complete class description + instructor bio.

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2) FREE "Bellydance Improv + Performance Skills" Workshop w/ Najla - May 7th

This free workshop is the kickoff to our new Thursday night class, Bellydance Improv + Performance Skills.
This mixed-level class will include warm up, drills, and improv exercises for the solo dancer. Students will come away with a solid introduction to traditional bellydance technique and solo improvisational performance skills.

Najla has been practicing traditional Middle Eastern dances since the age of four. She first learned debkes from her grandmother, who began the Folk Dance Festival at the American University of Beirut. She continued to train in ballet and modern, and then met Alexandra King at UCSB, with whom she studied American Cabaret, Persian Classical, Uzbek, Turkish Romany, and Ghawazee for six years and was a member of Seher Dance Company. Aside from studying with masters of their craft such as Leila Haddad, Amel Taftsout, Nanna Candelaria, and Cera Byer, Najla has a wealth of experience as a solo dancer, and has spent her dance life honing and defining her interpretation of what Lebanese style is. She is currently a principle member of Damage Control Dance Theatre.

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3) Beyond the Basics - Two Special Classes with Rose Harden
Tuesdays May 5th & 12th, 6-7:30pm

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to study contemporary belly dance with Rose Harden. Over 7 years of performing and teaching with Ultra Gypsy during a formative time for tribal fusion has given her unique insight to sharing the essentials of great technique, dynamic presence and the joy of this dance form.

This special two week session is geared toward the intermediate/advanced dancer. Each session starts with Rose's comprehensive approach to integrating core strength and dance movement in the warmup to enhance your dancing. We will move through drills, advanced combos, and spins, with an emphasis on performance preparation. It's time to up the anti ladies!
Spaces are limited so sign up now!
http://beyondbasicswithrose.eventbrite.com/

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4) "Breakin' Belly" Workshop w/ Kamille (Rockabelly) & Shelly (B-Girl) - May 30th

Full details on this awesome workshop will be up on the website VERY soon. Check for details!

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5) Cera's Birthday Bash + DCDT Fundraiser
May 8th, 8-11pm
PUSH Studio, 864 Folsom St. (directly across the street from Shoebox)

For the 4th year running, I will be throwing an "anything goes" art salon for my birthday. This year will be the biggest and raddest yet - It's gotten so big that we've had to upgrade to a swankier venue, the new Push Studio art gallery!
We will be doing performances, drinkin' wine, hangin out, and raising cash for DCDT's upcoming evening length show, CAVE. Please come out and show your love & support.

Featuring performances by...
Kamille Raks Bellydance (Rockabelly)
Photon (Beatbox Flautist, in his 3rd Bday Art Salon appearance...)
Team Lexington
Room for Cream (featuring JD Limelight, rockin his 4th year Saloning it up)
April & Three Sisters Bellydance
Claire Furlotte
The Bellydance Mafia
Expansion Dance Theater (led by NEW SBS teacher, Brittney Laleh Banaei)
Deb Rubin
Damage Control Dance Theater
Kami Liddle (Bellydance Superstars)

....and MORE!

Raffle prizes! Silent Auction! Amazing art! Tarot Readings! Your friends! Come celebrate....

$5+ Donation at the door (no one turned away)


(* if you would like to perform/exhibit work at this or any other DCDT fundraiser, please let me know by hitting reply to this email)

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6) Rent Shoebox for workshops, classes, events, etc

Shoebox is available for classes, workshops, meetings, parties, photoshoots, special events...you know. Whatever you need it for, really! If you are interested in renting Shoebox for an event, please email Cera or hit reply to this email. Discounted rates are available to regular students.

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7) Vote Shoebox BEST OF THE BAY in SF Gate

Shoebox has been nominated for SFGate's Best of the Bay! Please show your love and support by voting here:
http://baylist.sfgate.com/shoebox-studio-sf/biz/178492?utm_source=shoebox-studio-sf&utm_medium=reciprocallink&utm_campaign=reciprocallinks

March at the Shoebox! New Session!

Hello Shoeboxers,
Stay out of the spring showers by stepping it up at Shoebox! (Then say that 5x fast. Yes, we're cheesy.)
March 4th begins our Spring Session of classes, and we've got some great new offerings for you, in addition to old favorites, special requests, and fun events!

Some Highlights:

* SAMBA! w/ Tika Morgan

* Special one-time workshop with Najla Turczyn of Damage Control Dance Theater, on Raqs Sharki fundamentals and Lebanese Stylization for Bellydance.

* Shoebox Clothing Swap!

* Weekend intensive featuring Deb Rubin and Bellydance Superstar Aubre

...and more!

Please read on for all info + schedule changes, plus upcoming events.

See you in the studio,
Cera & Shoebox Studio


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In This Newsletter...

1) NEW CLASSES! Samba, Pilates/Yoga Combo, New Class time for Hip Hop
2) New Class PRICING for Dance Conditioning classes
3) Raqs Sharki & Lebanese Stylization workshop w/ Najla
4) Bellydance Body - Full Weekend Intensive w/ Deb Rubin & Aubre
5) Shoebox Clothing Swap - Just in Time for Spring Cleaning!
6) Rent Shoebox for meetings, events, rehearsals, and more
7) Bring a Friend DISCOUNT - $10 off class cards when you bring a friend in March

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1) New Classes! Spring Session, March 4th-May 10th

Tuesdays (Beginning March 10-April 28th):
Samba w/ Tika Morgan, 6:30-7:30pm (Check website for class description, or click here for a sample video on youtube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh8KcxN0i4o)

Thursdays (Beginning March 12th):
Pilates/Yoga Combo w/ Cera, 6-7pm, $10 (or $5 if you take 6 & 7pm classes)
Hip Hop Fusion w/ Cera, 7-8pm (You asked, we listened! Hip Hop is back to it's old time on Thursdays!)


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2) New Class PRICING for Dance Conditioning classes - $5 if you're taking both classes!

Many of you have been attending Dance Conditioning as a "warm up" for the class following it, which makes your class night rather expensive.
Now, If you take Dance Conditioning back to back with any other class, it's half price! That means $5 for Dance Conditioning, or the new Pilates Yoga Combo class, if you're taking the class after it as well.
If you have a class card, each Dance Conditioning class will be marked as 1/2 a class, so you also get 1/2 off.

If you're just dropping in for Dance Conditioning or Pilates Yoga Combo without taking the second class, the price remains $10.

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3) Raqs Sharki Fundamentals & Lebanese Stylization workshop w/ Najla
Thursday, March 5th, 6:30-8pm
$20

Special 1-time workshop with Najla Turczyn of Damage Control Dance Theater.
In this mixed level workshop, Najla brings a lifetime of bellydance experience to you and breaks down some of the fundamentals of traditional Raqs Sharki along with specific Lebanese stylization.

Only $20 at the door, no advance registration required. Students of all levels encouraged to attend.

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4) Bellydance Body - Full Weekend Intensive w/ Deb Rubin & Aubre
Sat March 21, 1:00-6:00 PM
Sun March 22, 1:00-5:00 PM

Biomechanics, Therapeutics, & Embodiment for Dancers—from both Yogic and Pilates perspectives. Injury rehab. and therapeutics for Dancers. With Aubre Hill & Deb Rubin. 9 full hours of study.
This workshop weekend will assist you in radically shifting bellydance posture and technique, and freeing up new movement pathways to support healthy, embodied dancers. We will discuss injury prevention and self-care; learn ways of protecting overused areas in bellydance--such as psoas, low back, and hips--, and deepen our practices to stretch, strengthen, and activate the body in preparation for bellydance. A great foundation for any level dancer, of any style bellydance.
Pls. bring a yoga mat, a journal for note taking, and water bottle.
We invite you to also bring your specific questions, ailments, or injury concerns to be addressed.

$145 before Feb 14th; $160 at the door.
Paypal: deb@sfmeccaimmersion.com to reserve your spot.

For more info, click here: http://shoeboxsf.com/workshops.php

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5) Shoebox Clothing Swap - Just in Time for Spring Cleaning!
Sunday March 15th, 11am-1pm

All last month a big topic of discussion in classes was re-organization, getting rid of things, and starting fresh - which means folks around here have got the Spring Cleaning bug, big time! The Beginning Bellydance class proposed a clothing swap, which we think sounds like a blast.
Sunday, March 15th, show up with all the clothes* you are ready to part with, and be prepared to take a few new things home! But, you wont have to bring home anything you dont want - Everything that doesn't get claimed will be donated to Out of the Closet Thriftstore.
Feel free to bring snacks or juice to share. We'll put on music, spread out on the floor, and find some new treasures.

*Not limited to clothes! Feel free to bring jewelry, makeup, costuming items, housewares, anything you're ready to part with or swap for.

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6) Rent Shoebox for meetings, events, rehearsals, and more

Shoebox is available during weekdays, Saturday nights, and now Sunday afternoons, for meetings, events, rehearsals, art groups, or whatever else you might need some extra space for. Rentals are only $15/hr, or $12 an hour for folks who have a 10-class card or Monthly Dancer Card.
To rent Shoebox, simply hit reply to this email, or call us at (415) 861-5976

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7) Bring a Friend DISCOUNT - $10 off a Class card when you bring a friend in March

For the month of March, if you bring a friend with you to class, you'll BOTH receive $10 off a 10-class card or Monthly Dancer Card!

Also, the best advertising for Shoebox is YOU. If you love it here at SBS, please tell your friends, family, facebook status, barber, everybody, about our little studio. Spread the joy of dance with your friends and neighbors!

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See you in the Studio!

February At the Shoebox!

Hello Shoeboxers,
We hope your 2009 is rockin' so far!
We have a great workshop coming up in February featuring our own Deb Rubin with guest Bellydance Superstar Aubre, in addition to our regular offering of awesome classes.

Also new, our Friday afternoon Yoga class with Christie is now available as a drop in class for only $10.

Please read on for info about upcoming events, and a special performance opportunity for dancers.

See you in the studio,
Cera & Shoebox Studio

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In This Newsletter...

1) Bellydance Body - Full Weekend Intensive w/ Deb Rubin & Aubre
2) Friday Afternoon Yoga w/ Christie
3) Featured Class of the month: Salsa Rueda w/ Nick & Serena
4) DISCOUNT - $10 off the Monthly Pass/Dancer card in March
5) Discounted Personal Training w/ Cera

AND: Performance Opportunity for Dancers!

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1) Bellydance Body - Full Weekend Intensive w/ Deb Rubin & Aubre
Sat Feb 21, 1:00-6:00 PM
Sun Feb 22, 1:00-5:00 PM

Biomechanics, Therapeutics, & Embodiment for Dancers—from both Yogic and Pilates perspectives. Injury rehab. and therapeutics for Dancers. With Aubre Hill & Deb Rubin. 9 full hours of study!

This workshop weekend will assist you in radically shifting bellydance posture and technique, and freeing up new movement pathways to support healthy, embodied dancers. We will discuss injury prevention and self-care; learn ways of protecting overused areas in bellydance--such as psoas, low back, and hips--, and deepen our practices to stretch, strengthen, and activate the body in preparation for bellydance. A great foundation for any level dancer, of any style bellydance.
Pls. bring a yoga mat, a journal for note taking, and water bottle.
We invite you to also bring your specific questions, ailments, or injury concerns to be addressed.

$145 before Feb 14th; $160 at the door.

Paypal: deb@sfmeccaimmersion.com to reserve your spot.

For more info, click here: http://shoeboxsf.com/workshops.php

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2) Friday Afternoon Vinyasa Yoga w/ Christie
Fridays, 1-2pm
$10 drop in or $35/month

Christie teaches Vinyasa Yoga and challenges students to open their physical body and deepen their mental awareness, moving toward balance. Vinyasa yoga synchronizes ujjayi breath with a fluid sequence of poses building internal heat to cleanse the body and ultimately the mind. Christie's teaching is gentle, encouraging, and supportive, and moves students of all levels toward new levels of excellence.
Until now, this class has been private to employees of VideoEgg, but is now open to all! Come experience the powerful transformation of Yoga.

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3) Featured Class of the month: Salsa Rueda w/ Nick & Serena
Monday's, 6:30-7:30, $13

Get set for Nick & Serena's San Francisco Salsa Festival (http://salsaruedafestival.com/) with some Rueda classes!
Learn all the basic, beginning, and intermediate moves for Salsa Rueda. Come be part of the exciting global community of Salsa Rueda!
For the past 8 years, Nick has been teaching Salsa and in particular, Cuban style Salsa, bringing to it his existing concepts of connection, balance, and fluidity. Nick combines decades of Cuban tradition with modern movement concepts of space, timing, and flow. Presently, he teaches club-style Salsa, Rueda de Casino, cha cha cha, son, and several martial arts. Nick has trained and taught all over the U.S., including extended periods in Miami, New York, and Texas. He has also taught in Hawaii, and all over California. He has taught at numerous Salsa Congresses, Festivals and Cruises and is the co-star of "The Quick And Dirty Guide To Salsa vol. 4".

See a video of Nick & Salsa Rueda in action.

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4) DISCOUNT - $10 off the Monthly Pass/Dancer card in March

Gear up for spring! Beginning March 1, you can receive $10 off any Monthly Dancer Card. The monthly card allows you to take unlimited classes at the Shoebox for the month. Usually $120, for the month of March it will be marked down to $110.
This is great for students who plan to take 3 classes/week or more!



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5) Discounted Personal Training w/ Cera

Get support for all of your resolutions, changes, and new beginnings.
Personal Training is an excellent way to stay active, fit, committed, and focused!
Sessions are built around your personal fitness goals and are designed to motivate, inspire, and challenge even the couchiest of couch potatoes.
Now you can have custom work outs developed for you by Cera at prices starting from $60/session, including weekly phone and email support.
Online Fitness Coaching is also available starting at $100/month!
Visit http://www.cerawithac.com/personaltraining to sign up for a FREE consultation and read client reviews.

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- Performance Opportunity for Dancers! -

Cera & Damage Control Dance Theater are developing an evening length show, which will premier Summer 2009.
We are taking on a cast of 10-15 dancers.

Dancers should have a strong background in one or more of the following:
Bellydance
Modern
Hip Hop
and/or other forms of ethnic dance

We also have an opening for 2 tissue/silk aerialsts.

Ability to isolate, undulate, and get off the ground is essential, along with a strong work ethic, commitment, and a drive to push yourself as a dancer, an artist, and a person.

Auditions will be held: Sunday, February 15th, 5-8pm
Callbacks will be held: Wednesday, February 18th, 8-10pm

Location: The Garage Theater 975 Howard st.

No need to bring a prepared piece. If you have a resume, please bring it with you.

For more info, visit our invite on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/event.php?eid=48895797399