time competitors at the recent Holiday Star Ball Regional Dance Event held
at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare Dec. 9th and 10th.
Congratulations go to Shveta Singh, Jamie Breslin, Fernanda O' Brien, Jane and Dave Sundstrom, and Mimi Caveney. We were proud you were representing our studio! Returning veteran competitors include: Judy and John Bittner, Michele Ostrowski, Darice Grzybowski, and Charlotte Vonstein. We are so very proud of you all!
Winners of awards include a hearty congratulations to John Bittner who won
Top Male Bronze Student! Charlotte Vonstein won the Top Junior Award and
Michele Ostrowski won first place in the Smooth Championship
and third place in the Rhythm Championship.
Well done everyone!!!"
Inter Regional Dance Event Chicago Open!
Rich Heinsen, Alexis Carmody, Debbie Witulski,
Darice Grzybowski, Nelle Robinson, Peg Simpson, Karen Roche,
Charlotte Vonstein, Michele Ostrowski
We are extremely proud of all of you!!!
A big "Congratulations" to our Bronze Open Championship Rhythm and Smooth
First Place Winner - Michele Ostrowski!!
Special thanks, too, to all of our formation participants.
Judy Bittner, Jody Davidson, Jane Miller, Michele Ostrowski, Jan Olsen, Karen Roche,
Marie Valente, Samantha Sheehan, and Peggy Simpson.
| Thank you to all that participated in DanceSport Classic 2011! |
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MARDI GRAS 2011!
Students at the Burr Ridge Fred Astaire showed up in full masquerade costume for the annual
Mardi Gras Party. They enjoyed a festive evening dancing, eating alligator gumbo,
with libations flowing and watching students and staff perform during a floor show.
What a fun event that our students brought many guests to share the love of dance!
glee Sunday, January 30th
The production of "Glee" Sunday, January 30th by students and staff of three Chicagoland Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Michigan Avenue, Mokena, and Burr Ridge, at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, was an evening of entertainment to remember! Students and staff delighted family members and friends in the audience with a variety of live performances.
From Burr Ridge: The song "Over the Rainbow" was performed by Darice Grzybowski and Jake, it served as a reminder of a sweet, sentimental, and innocent time. Jody Davidson's number with Caleb to the song "The Climb"
reminded all of us what life is really about........Peggy Simpson and Jake danced to the song "Telephone" with ease, sophistication, and an element of fun!! With a gal on each side -Rich Heinsen donned a tuxedo, top hat, and cane to perform a top-notch number with Margie and Ellie entitled "Dancing with Myself". Professional pieces, both partnerships and group, sprinkled the first and second half with delight.
During the second act John and Chris Fagan, their daughter Connie Sweeney and Jake performed an upbeat number to the music "Rehab" with much audience appreciation! Judy Bittner's expressive two man number with Caleb and Jake to the song "Listen" brought oohs and aahs as she was lifted several times high above the crowd. A three man number with Karen Larson was then danced with more daring lifts and moves to wow the crowd to the tune of "Me Against the Music". The last Burr Ridge number performed with polished detail by Karen Roche to the song "Le Jazz Hot" also brought cheers and amazement from all.
What a fun and thrilling evening for all three studios, the audience, and Fred Astaire Choreographer Jim Carter.
We participated in the Lemont School District's "Ladies Night Out" Fundraiser at Ruffled Feathers Country Club. The dance floor was surrounded by vendors selling everything from Christmas ornaments to jewelry to photography. Our students came out to take lessons; we led group classes, and performed an amazing pro show all to benefit the district's efforts to revive arts courses cut for budget reasons this year. It was a great success!
Parkhurst Army Reserve Center
Our manager and a couple of our professionals led a group of Army reservists in a group class!! Everyone had a good time, and we had them sweatin' through their fatigues!!!
Dancing with Our Stars
(click here for pictures and article on pinoneerlocal.com)
The professionals of Burr Ridge teamed up with doctors and nurses from Hinsdale Hospital to put on a show at their first annual Dancing with Our Stars fundraiser. Instructors donated their time and the doctors put in a lot of hard work to show off their new moves!