As you can see, at the end of October we were thrilled to host our first Zumbathon. We raised almost $600 for Susan G Komen for the Cure in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Then before you knew it the Holidays were approaching. Our Halloween was as festive as possible. We had an unlikely snowfall in October which "canceled" Halloween in our neighborhood. We did our best to keep the Halloween spirit in the studio.
In honor of Thanksgiving we had our first official "Friend Week". The students were allowed to bring a friend with them in class, when they did so they both received a special gift from Uptown. It was lots of fun to meet new children and have our students share their dance class with them. We plan on doing another friend week soon!
We all know what happens after Thanksgiving... more holiday buzz! Ah yes, hearing Miss Leslea saying, "Santa is watching" all December when the lil ones are not standing in first position =). Needless to say, the Holidays were wonderful around Uptown. We had our usual week of parties and started introducing Recital songs and choreography. Santa was even there, and my son and husband joined in on the fun too! It's very heartwarming to see the kids with my son, they all love when he is there and it puts a huge smile on my face to see how loved he is. 
We all took a much deserved Holiday break, having a week off to rejuvenate and let the creative juices flow. Miss Pat and I picked out costumes and finalized songs and put a dent in choreography. January is all about Recital excitement; measurements for costumes, learning dances, asking 1567 times, "can we see our costumes", etc.
On top of all that excitement, I have started a program for Belleville residents called the Belleville Fit Club. My goal is to encourage the community to stay fit and healthy. The program is for grade school children and adults and best of all it is FREE! I am very pleased to report that the program is going very well. Even the town is supporting the program, so I feel very honored. I will keep you posted on the progress of BFC for sure. Other than that, we have our Recital and Rehearsal dates set. We were lucky enough to secure the same location for the show. The community center had changed ownership, so we were uncertain whether or not we would be able to have our show there, but we were lucky to have secured the venue. I am also learning web design, yes I have time for this, why not... I'm a mommy, wife, business owner, dance teacher, fitness instructor, personal trainer, community volunteer... why not add web design to my resume ;) Anyhoo, check out how I have spruced up the site a bit "on my spare time" lol. http://www.uptowndancenj.com/. Speaking of spare time, I'm looking into getting other Zumba Fitness certifications since our Zumba classes have been taking off at Uptown. One of my assistance is even in the process of obtaining her degree this March, I am so proud of her!
We are wishing you all a very joyful, healthy, happy 2012! Did you know that we are celebrating 20 years of dance. Yup, 2012 marks 20 years of business for Uptown Dance. I could not be more excited for this milestone and am excited to share 20 more great years with you all. Thanks to you for making those years so special. I will close with a post I made of Facebook not to long ago...
"Feeling so blessed to have been able to bring dance to so many in the past 20 years. Sitting here thinking of all the kids I have taught and watch grow up and all the people who have passed through our studio...the lives we have touched and changed... the joy... the art of dance... the extended family we have created. I love this time of year when old students come in to visit or send u Holiday cards. Even if they stop dancing with us they still find a way to remind us of how we were an important part in their life. Getting very emotional. Here is to another 20! So happy I found my calling in life."
