Hi Everyone,

It has been awhile, but my new Vista program was not happy with pretty much anything I did pertaining to the website and mass emails....so I no longer have Vista and back with XP, hope this solves lots of problems, but I am probably SPAM in a lot of your computers, so if friends have said that they did not receive this newsletter, please tell them to re-subscribe. Thanks for your patience through all of the computer nonsense. SO on with the news:

Classes are going very well, I do believe that "Line Dancing" maybe making a climb back up, after all it is cheap entertainment and exercise all in one. As always to check out my list of classes go to my website and click on classes, it is usually up to date.

Coastal Kickers has a new home as of this Tuesday, July 8th. We will moving to the Saco Eagles on Spring St (road behind the Shaw's Plaza in Saco). Marylou will be putting up signs, we will enter around the back, up to the second floor. Please no outside beverages. I will be your DJ for the evening. With lessons by either Eva or myself.
Doors open at 6, cost is $7, come and try out a new dance floor.

Summer Fun in Maine, is only a few weeks away. This your host for the weekend will be Irvin and myself along with Louie "Mad Louie" Moniz formerly from RI, but now lives here in Maine (lucky us). I have extended the cut off date to July 20th (postmark date)please DO NOT mail any registrations after this date. If you do plan on going and will register at the door, please email me ASAP and I will add you to the list, space is limited so don't be left out in the heat and sign up today. We have several local instructors coming in for your learning enjoyment, there will be both line, couples and lead/follow lessons throughout the day. Lunch is included (yummy BBQ) and continental breakfast on Sunday. This is at a campground with a great dance hall, including a floating wood dance floor. If you want to camp, you can for those that prefer the comforts of home we have a special rate at a local Best Western. For more information go to our website, flyer is right on the front page, just click and print.

Next Friday, July 11th, I will be the instructor at Maplewood Dance Center on Warren Ave in Portland, ME. This is by far the best dance floor in New England (at least that Line Dancers can use). Deb Jefford's is Maplewood's weekly instructor, but she will be out of town so I will be covering for her. Come one, come all and lets have some fun. Lesson is from 7-8, dancing from 8 til 11ish. Cost is $10.

Coming this fall, partner classes in Gray, this will be through the Adult Ed program, so I will keep you posted.

Coming up in the near future is Boston Dance Revolution in Braintree, the 2nd weekend in August. www.bostondancerevolution.com

What we are dancing here in Maine:

Crazy Foot Mambo, Amor De Heilo, It Hurt's, Mars Attack, Smell of Your Sweet Perfume, Firecracker (Robert Lindsay), Peaches & Cream, Laid Back n Low Key, Catch the Rain, Rock & Roll Waltz, No Place to Go, Shy Waltz....just to name a few.

Have fun and dance..........it is still the cheapest form of entertainment with a little exercise thrown in. Find some where, meet new people and DANCE.

DUE TO THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BEING USED FOR VOTING, THERE WILL BE NO DANCE THIS TUESDAY, JUNE 10TH......WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK, JUNE 17TH DOORS OPEN AT 6PM ....STILL WANT TO DANCE THIS WEEK, HOW ABOUT YOU......

COME JOIN US TONIGHT FOR CLASSES AT THE J.R. COMMUNITITY CENTER ON ALFRED ST BIDDEFORD(ENTER ON THE BACK SIDE-PROSPECT ST GYM ENTRANCE)BEGINNERS START AT 6PM - EXPERIENCED AT 7:30 COST IS ONLY $5

OR

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE GOLD ROOM ON WARREN AVE IN PORTLAND (NEXT TO JOKERS) DANCING STARTS AT 7PM COST IS ONLY $3.....COME DANCE THE OLD FAVORITES, THE NEW FAVORITES AND LOTS OF REQUESTS.

'NEW' CLASS ON THURSDAY MORNING, UNIVERSAL CHURCH ON MAIN ST IN KENNEBUNK (PLEASE PARK AT TOWN HALL AND CROSS THE STREET TO CHURCH) CLASSES START AT 9:30, COST IS $5........FOR ANY NEW DANCERS COME IN EARLY AT 9 FOR AN EXTRA HELP LESSON.

TO SEE A COMPLETE LIST OF CLASSES/DANCES GO TO WWW.TOTALLINEDANCERS.COM

Hi Everyone,

Well, March is here and we are still buried in snow, I think snow bankings will be here well into May (YUCK!!). I have never had to cancel as many classes this winter, then in the other 9 years I have been teaching.......21 classes so far.....cabin fever anyone.

Update on my brother, he is doing very well from his last operation. Everything is now back in place and working, he no longer looks 9 months pregnant and the doctor says there is still swelling from the operation. He starts rehab back up next week, so maybe by the 1 year anniversary (his birthday, May 5th)he will be almost back to normal (or as close as my big brother can be normal) Unless there is a big change, this will probably be the last update on Michael. Thank you everyone for your love and support through this very long year for me and my family.

As you know from the last newsletter, I lost a very dear dancing friend unexpectedly, sometime in early summer there will be a dance in Larry Dutch's memory, because that is what he would want us to do. I will keep everyone informed, as I find out more.

I do have some more bad news, one of our "Gold Room" dancers had a very bad accident, on the way home from dance, last week. Marcia Garneau was headed home to Sanford on Rt 4, when she hit a patch of black ice, that put her in the patch of an oncoming car. The car was totalled, Marcia has a broken ankle (right above the ankle) and her shoulder blade has been injured, as of this typing they are at the Doctors for a CT Scan to find out the extend of that injury. She was banged up pretty bad, she WAS wearing her seat belt, but landed in the back seat on the passengers side. We wish Marcia a quick recovery and hope to see her back on the dance floor soon. Anyone who would like to send her a "get better" card can send it to: Marcia Garneau, 27 James Ave, Sanford, ME 04073.....we all know that cards help the mind set into getting better.......so even if you don't know Marcia personally, she is a fellow dancer, lets make her happy with cards.

OK, now back to dancing.........what classes I have been able to have are doing very well, I personally think that line dancing is taking an upward turn, after all it is a cheap form of entertainment, not to mention great exercise.

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THIS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12TH, COME TO OUR "ST PATTY GOES TO THE BEACH" PARTY AT THE GOLD ROOM, IT ALL STARTS AT 7PM. WHERE GREEN OR BEACH WEAR (PLEASE NO BATHING SUITS OR FLIP FLOPS)WHEN YOU ARRIVE AND PASS THE "PARTY THEME" WEAR, YOU WILL RECEIVE A TICKET FOR A DOOR PRIZE. NOW IT WILL BE UP TO MELISSA/IRVIN (WHICH EVERONE IS AT THE DOOR)IF YOU PASS THE "PARTY THEME" WEAR. LAST MONTH'S DOOR PRIZE WAS DINNER AND A MOVIE FOR TWO........SO IT MAY BE WORTH THE TROUBLE TO DIG OUT THOSE SUMMER CLOTHES. AS ALWAYS THERE WILL BE LOTS OF DANCING WITH A FEW LESSONS INBETWEEN, IT IS ALWAYS A "REQUEST NIGHT". WE ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT CROWD AND HAVE LOTS OF FUN. COST IS ONLY $3, PLEASE NO OUTSIDE BEVERAGES AS THERE IS A FULL SERVICE BAR AND GRILL ON PREMISES. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US (ANYONE UNDER 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT)WE ARE AJCENT TO JOKER'S, AN INDOOR PLAYGROUND FOR YOUNGER KIDS, FOR A FEE KIDS CAN PLAY, WHILE YOU DANCE.

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DATES TO MARK DOWN:
MARCH 19TH NO DANCE AT "THE GOLD ROOM" - WEEK LONG TRADE SHOW

APRIL 2ND & MAY 7TH - FROM 6PM TIL 7PM WILL BE REVIEW/MAKE UP CLASSES FOR THE PARTNER CLASS FROM LEWISTON, ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THIS REVIEW TIME ADD $5 TO THE $3 FOR THE DANCE TOTAL $8.

APRIL 3RD THURSDAY & 4TH FRIDAY - NO CLASSES, I WILL BE AT THE BOSTON LINE DANCE SHOWDOWN

APRIL 20TH THROUGH MAY 3RD - I WILL BE ON VACATION (HAWAII) I HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MY DAY CLASSES TO BE COVERED AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE GOLD ROOM......THE ONLY CLASSES THAT WILL BE CANCELLED WILL BE MONDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT. BE ON THE OUTLOOK FOR A SCHEDULE FOR APRIL WITH ALL THE NEEDED INFORMATION FOR YOU.

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS CHECK OUR EVENT PAGE ON THE WEB PAGE FOR NEW AND UPDATED FUTURE EVENTS AND CLASSES.

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Dances that are being taught in my classes:

Crazy Foot Mambo (B/I) Paul McAdam
If You Wanna Be Happy by Dr. Victor
I LOVE this dance, the music makes me smile (I really mean laugh) and the dance is not hard at all, a couple of steps you need to practice, but even the beginner could do it after a few lessons.

Funkafied Blues (I) Jo Thompson Szymanski
Funkafied Blues by E.C. Scott
If you like dances with a great West Coast feel, this dance is for you. As always Jo did a great job matching dance to music. Give some feeling and enjoy.

Burning, Burning, Burning (I) Gordon Eliott
Burning Love by Elvis Presley
Let's talk fast, very fast but a fun dance. It has one restart, but it fits well. Steps are not hard, most everyone is dancing it after one lesson (that means remembering it in the next class).

Firecracker (I) Robert Lindsey
You Set My Heart on Fire by Helena Paparizou
I like this music (Helena has great dancing music)and this dance has been up at the top of the "Carol Craven" survey for quite awhile.
All my classes like this dance. The tag is easy, don't let it scare you.

Mambo #5 (I) Pedro Machado & Anthony Lee
Mambo #5 by Lou Bega
Brought this dance back in a couple of my classes, we like to dance it at "The Gold Room", I taught a beginner dance "Darlin Mambo" so that everyone could enjoy the music. Coastal Kickers has the most lessons as we did the dance for a variety show in Kennebunk last Friday night. I still like this dance, although didn't find it as hard to teach/learn as it was in 1999.

Big Girl Boogie (B) Mavis Broom
Big Girl by Mika
Nice Beginner dance, steps are repeated and you get to do the Hula Hoop (hip bumps in a circle)don't freak, no hula hoop needed. The music is cute.

Rock & Roll Waltz (I) Max Perry
Rock & Roll Waltz by Scooter Lee
This is a classic, always fun to do....again another dance that was much easier to teach/learn as it was many years ago.

Blusher (B) Kate Sala
Whatever You Do, Don't by Shaina Twain
I have taught this dance in every class, everyone likes to dance this one and it is requested alot. It is not hard to learn, has all familiar steps for anyone dancing for a few months.

Hound Dog (I) Judy McDonald & Jill Babinec
Hound Dog by Smokey Joe's Cafe
Cute, Cute, Cute.........it is just a lot of fun to do this dance, music is not very long and you get to wag your tail and slam the door. What dance would you ever get to slam a door.

Boardwalk Time (B) Irene Groundwater
Under The Boardwalk by The Drifters
I always loved this song, and it is a good dance to introduce tags to the new dancer.

Scrap It (B/I) Kathy K.
Scrap Piece of Paper by Paul Brandt
Funky Cold Medina by Ton Loc (the preferred music)
Another classic, that any line dance should know this dance, you can do it to several different songs. Everything is repeated, with the exception of the last few steps.........

High Time (I) Neville Fitzgerald & Julie Harris
High Time for Getting Time by Travis Tritt

This one will get the heart rate going. This dance is what I remember line dancing to be many years ago. It has been very well received in most of my classes. Yes, even one of my beginners classes wanted to learn this one, it took about 4 weeks but they all can do it and up to speed. This is one tag, but it is not hard at all, if anything, it gives you time to breathe.

Upcoming lessons: (subject to my change of mind)
Amor de Hielo by Debbie Ellis
Dance Like You're the Only One by Theresa & Vera
My New Life by John Offermans
Workin' For A Livin' by Rachael McEnaney
Drive Me Wild by Scott Blevins (as requested by many)

Where we will be in the near future:

This coming weekend, we will be at East Hill Farm in Troy NH. There are 8 of my students joining me this weekend, anyone who would like to join us for the very social dance weekend there is still room. Go to our event page and click on East Hill Farm for all of the information you could want......I promise you will dance and eat yourself silly....not to mention having fun.

I will be doing an early lesson for Joan and Vince at the Mill A Round on March 29th, join me at 6:30, prior to the dance for your lessons and then stick around and dance the night away with all of your dancing friends.

The first weekend in April will be the Line Dance Showdown, of course this is a close to New England one of these large events come to the Northeast. For more information, please go to the event page and click on "Showdown" for more information.

Then, it is off to Hawaii for a 12 day cruise.........12 days, of being waited on. Not sure I will want to come back home, but I promise I will.

OK......enough from me this month, remember to always check the website www.totallinedancers.com for any upcoming events or changes in class. Have a good month.........remember to dance often.

Hello Everyone,

This has been one of the longest winters that we have had in a really long time. Between shoveling snow, canceling classes (boohoo). I do not know what day it is (Today is Monday, right?).
I hope everyone has stayed safe and warm.

We are still having our Valentine's Dance this Wednesday at The Gold Room, where RED and receive a ticket for a special prize (the red needs to show, so under-roos don't count). So bring you honey out for an evening of fun and dance.


I do have some sad information, a very dear friend and dancer passed away this past week. Larry Dutch, the owner of Peaks Hill Lodge in Dedham, ME went dancing in the heavens above at the young age of 58, he died in his sleep, sometime Sunday night. Larry was a man who believed in being physical fit, and as far as anyone knows had not been sick. As tears flow again as I type this.....My heart goes out to Carrie (Larry's significant other) and Larry's family. This leaves a very big void both in my life and the dance world. Yesterday(Sunday) the memorial service was held at Belfast Area High School, it started at 2 and we had to leave at 4:30, (so that I could make it to my class in Lewiston for 6), and it was still going strong, Larry was loved by all and will not be forgotten anytime soon. I was scheduled to do a workshop with Larry on March 22nd, we had just made the arrangements.....I have been told that someone in the Bangor Area is looking to still have the workshop in Larry's Memory, when I know more, I will let you all know. Love you lots Larry...we will miss you, but your wish would be to keep dancing, so we will.

OK......I have pulled myself back together.

Now, for some good news, my brother Micheal had his surgery to fix his belly (his organs were all in the wrong place, he looked very pregnant). It was a complete success, everything seems to be in working order, if you know what I mean. Thank you to everyone who has asked how he is doing, he is definitely climbing back up that mountain of life.

As far as dancing, we have only has one dance weekend since the holidays, it was Joe Steele's Mid-Winter Workshop in Tewskbury, MA.
He knows how to throw a good party. This workshop was geared towards the social dancer, about 1/3 of the dancers were "newbies" dancing less then a year. I was tired, can't imagine how they felt.
Also had the pleasure of working with several instructors for the first time. Joe has put a good right up and pictures on his website, go check out what you missed at www.clubcountry.net Thank you Joe for inviting me to teach, I had a great time.

So, now starts the busy season.........next weekend is Dance Jam at the Mill-A-Round in Manchester, NH with Dancin' Dean and a few of us New England instructors, Me(Tina Foster), Sarah Preston, Paula Frohn, Lynne Flanders, Christopher Petre and of course Dancin' Dean. I will be catering the lunch.......for just $6.
FMI you can go to www.dancindean.com or go to our website www.totallinedancers.com and click on events.

Then comes East Hill Farms in March on the St. Patricks Day weekend (14th - 16th). Along with us (Tina & Irvin), Paula Frohn & Micheal Silva and Tim & Pat Stanger will teach you, entertain you and dance with you all weekend long, not be forget the host of East Hill Farms feeding you everytime you turn around. This is a socially friendly weekend, with both partner and line dancers, both Friday and Saturday night dances are by "requests", along with dancing the lessons you have learned thorough out the weekend. FMI go to www.east-hill-farm.com call today to make your reservations, I promise you a dancin' good time.

In April is the Line Dance Showdown the 3rd - 6th
Our Hawaii Cruise on the 20th
Steve Lescarbeau's Spring Break in Myrtle Beach

FMI on these and other events, you can go to our events page and click directly to the event directors website or print a flyer.

Classes have been doing well, with the exception of Mother nature deciding when we should dance. I have canceled more classes this year, then in the whole 10 years I have been teaching, so I think enough is enough....stop snowing NOW....

Here are the dances we have been working on:

Firecracker, Robert Lindsay, (I) - I really like this dance alot, and it has been well received in the classes I have taught it in. Does have 1 tag, but nothing to difficult.

Not Like That, Robbie McGowan-Hickie, (B/I) - This is a fun dance, have fun with it and add some attitude (boy, does my day classes have the attitude part down).

Funkafied Blues, Jo Thompson Szmanski, (B/I) - As always Jo did a great job with the music, the dance flows so well. No tags, bridges or extra play, just lots of chance to put some feeling to it.

Big Girl Boogie, Mavis Broom (B) - This is a very easy teach, the only hard step (for the newbie) is the sailor steps. Music is fun to listen to. Need a filler dance, this is a good choice.

Mambo #5, Pedro Mechado & Anthony Lee, (I) - This is a phrased, 1 wall dance. We first learned this in 1999. I can remember it taking us forever (like a month of 1 hour classes) to learn this dance. Dancers have come so far these days, that the majority of the students had it in just a couple of lessons....this dance sure was a lot of fun, I am glad someone asked me to teach it again.

Hound Dog, Judy McDonald & Jill Babenic, (B/I) - This dance is just fun, not long enough to get tired of doing it, but just enough to "slam the door shut" at the end. When was the last time you "wagged your tail".....I promise you will laugh when you are dancing this one.

High Time, Neville Fitzgerald & Julie Harris (I) - This dance brought me back to what line dancing was when I first started way back when....it goes to the Travis Tritt song, High Time for Getting Down. It is fast, but even my beginners class is working on getting this one down.

Rock & Roll Waltz, Max Perry (I) - Brought back this old time classic from way back when (probably the mid 90's)this dance is a lot of fun, even for a waltz.

Boardwalk Time, Irene Groundwater (B) - I taught this dance, because I love the music and now I love this dance. It is a good way to introduce tags to the new dancer.

Blush, Kate Sala (B/I) - This is a very good dance, and a great piece of music by Shaina Twain, Whatever you do, Don't. It flows very well, I have taught it in most of my classes and they are doing well with on a first teach.

Catch Me, Tina Foster (B) - This is my own creation that I did for Joe Steele's workshop. It goes to Falling into You by Whiskey River Falls. It is a very simple beginners dance.

Some of the ongoing reviews (due to snow storms and missed classes)are:
Simplemente, Kate Sala
It's Up to You, Kim Ray
Give It Back, Rachael McEnaney
Don't Cry on My Shoulder, Jo Thompson Szmanski
But I Do, Pat Stott

For a list of on going classes and dances, please go to my website www.totallinedancers.com and click on classes.

SEE YOU ALL ON THE DANCE FLOOR SOMEWHERE............