Speaking at PA's New Media Champion Sharing Session

Thurs, 30th April 2009

As one of Moulmein Constituency's 'New Media Champions', I was invited to speak and make a presentation on the experience gained and results achieved in Moulmein since the launch of PA's 'New Media Initiative' in December last year.

Organised by the PA's Corporate Communication Division, the Sharing Session brought together 200 over participants - comprising other NMCs, CC support staff and PA officials.

The presentation I made covered the Moulmein website and its linked sites, including the Tanglin Music Club and the Tanglin Dance Club websites. The seminar organisers had been impressed with the danzbuddies website - and had asked that I focus on the danzbuddies site and share more on the experience gained in building up the dance club site.

The danzbuddies website and the accompanying blog were launched in December last year after I attended a PA-sponsored training session on New Media technology.

The site is well visited and its hit rate has crept up steadily in the last 4 months since its launch.

danzbuddies Wednesday Class - New Dances

28th April 2009

hi danzbuddies

Here are the new dances (and a couple of old ones) to be shared for this week:

- 'Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny' by Barbara Lowe, 40 count, 4 wall, beginner level. A very simple dance with one easy tag. The familiar 'Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' song for this dance is by Bombalurina.

- 'Ni Na Nay' by Rafe Andersen, 32 count, 4 wall, beginner level. Another simple dance with song of the same name by Cameron Cartio. The song has a heavy indian influence and the dance calls for some samba-type moves. Tags at the end of walls 1, 3 and 4.

- 'Imelda's Man' by latest dance from Kim Ray, 64 count, 4 wall, intermediate level. Seems to be the most popular dance of the week. Note that there are several other dances to the song used, 'Big Bad Handsome Man' sang by Imelda May. Although its a 64-count dance, steps are simple. The last four eights has easy to remember repititions. No tag, no restart.

We shall be revising the following dances, both are featured in the 'Country Jamboree with Jan Wyllie' Party in June:

- 'Buicks To The Moon' by Lesley Johnston, 44 count, 2 wall, beginner level. Nice song used - 'Buicks To The Moon' by Alan Jackson. A bit of a rumba type dance. Its not perfectly phrased with the music, but still danceable......

- 'Waltz Of The Wind' by Jan Wyllie, 63 count, 2 wall, waltz dance, hi -intermediate level. Danced to Jann Browne's 'Mexican Wind' - nice song. Unfortunately the dances steps are challenging. Needs concentration to do it well.

Danzbuddies Health Screening

Sunday, 26th April 2009

Our Annual General Health Screening for danzbuddies and residents in the neighbourhood was held on Sunday, 26th April 2009. The early birds came as early as 8.00 am, were quickly registered and ushered into the Examination Room for their briefing and to start their round of 5 stations of tests.

A subsidized rate was charged for the basic screening package.
However many danzbuddies took advantage of the special price offered for more comprehensive packages offered.

The basic package included blood pressure measurement, measurement of fasting venous blood glucose and fasting blood cholesterol tests.

A hearty breakfast of fried bee-hoon, bread and various spreads

was on offer. And everyone was hungry, having fasted overnight.

Family Life Interactive Retreat 2009

Wed. 22nd April 2009

Was nominated as one of Moulmein Constituency's Family Life Champions to attend a 'Family Life Retreat' held at the YWCA's Fort Canning Lodge Pool Terrace. Organised by Focus On The Family, the one day seminar/workshop had as its theme 'Fostering Resilient Families in Times of Crisis'.

The programme included a talk by Family Life Coach and Author, Simon Sim on 'The Singapore Family - Rising in Resilience'. This was followed by presentations by representatives from the NTUC Family Development Unit and MCYS on availability of funding and training resources.

We had lunch at the YWCA's Cafe and then broke into Discussion Groups to share and discuss our Family Life promotion projects and the common problems encountered.

Many were surprised to learn about the great amount of funds available to companies and grassroot organisations for organising activities which promote Family Life and we came away from the seminar with many ideas of new projects to organise in future........

danzbuddies Wednesday Class - New Dances

Tues, 21st April, 2009

Hi danzbuddies,

Here are the dances we will be sharing for this week:

' 18 Yellow Roses' by Maria Tao. 64 count, 4 wall, Intermediate Level. no tag, no restart. Nice song of the same name by Bobby Prins. We are using the Bobby Darin version. Nice slow rumba-like beat, a nice and enjoyable dance.

'Treat Her Right' by Maggie Gallagher. 48 count, 4 wall, beginner level. no tag no restart. Danced to a cute little number - 'Treat Her Right' by George Thorogood. The beat needs a little getting used to. Dance steps are simple, however. A popular dance at local parties.

'Hot & Hazy' by Patrick Fleming, Bracken Ellis Porter & JP Potter. 32 count, 4 wall, intermediate level. 2 restarts. Nice song 'Never Loved Before' by Alan Jackson & Martina McBride fro the 'Good Times' album. Like the last part - a galloping full turn......

'Here We Go Boogaloo' by Ruben Luna. a three part phrased dance, total of 112 counts for parts A, B and C. Intermediate level. Danced to Soul Control's 'Boogaloo Here We Go', a great song with a fast mambo beat. Hottest dance in town right now.......so, 'die die must do, lah"........

We will also share another one of Jan Wyllie's dances:

'Waltz of the Wind' - 63 count, 2 wall, intermediate level. Nice waltz. Song is 'Mexican Wind' by Jann Browne.

danzbuddies jam session - 'wine & cheese nite'

Friday, 17th April, 2009

We were still in a 'wine tasting' mood and so, for tonight's jam session, we brought along two bottles:


First a white wine from New South Wales - a "Richland Westend Estate 2008 Sauvignon Blanc" bought from Wine Connection -$24.80. Nice yellow-gold hue, very aromatic, dry, with ripe tropical and citrus fruit flavours. It had a long fresh crisp finish. I was worried it may be too young to drink but was pleasantly surprised it was good and proved a great match for the soft brie cheese we had.


Next bottle was a red, from Victoria - a Lindemans 'Premier Selection' 2007 Shiraz Cabernet. Bought from Cold Storage, $28.00. Deep ruby colour, rather dry and high in tannin. Fairly pronounced flavours of plums and blackcurrants. Also went well with the cheese.

Both bottles were polished off in double quick time........and so too the cheese. And the dancing.........? well, the drinkers seemed a wee bit wobbly after all that drinking.........

Line Dance Party @ Tanglin CC on Sat. 18th April

Thursday 16th April 2009

REMINDER

Danzbuddies Line Dance Party this Saturday starts at 4.30 pm. As usual, we will have table seating arrangements - by now, most of you have your regular buddies to sit with. Let us know if you have other guests you want to sit at your table. Click here for the dance list.

Winebuddies Dinner & Wine Tasting Session

Tuesday, 14th April 2009

Our second serious wine tasting session was held on Tuesday at 'le terrace' at Chancery Court.

Joining us for the session were our Swiss friends - Bernard Rouvelet and Madeleine Huguelet , good neighbours John Goh and wife Maureen.

We were trying to find suitable 'pairing' of Asian dishes to go with the selected wines - 1 white and 3 reds (all from France). Went to buy some roast duck and spare ribs, roast pork and duck livers. Also ordered Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka, Mutton Mysore, Bryani Rice and two vegetable dishes from Brindals (they delivered to our doorstep, all for $58). Madeleine brought some sweet and sour chicken and a variety of cheese. John baked us a good bread pudding.

To start off, we opened up the white - a 2006 Riesling from Alsace (haut rhin region). Visually pleasant , clear, greenish hue, a bit on the pale side. Quite aromatic with flowery flavours. Crisp and off dry, light body with a good finish. A good match for the sweet and sour chicken, the Tandoori Chicken and the Indian vegetables.

We went next for the much touted 'Pommard' - 2005 Pinot Nior from one of Beaune's wineries 'Leigneurs de Bligny'. Good colour - deep garnet hue, medium body, moderate aroma. Unfortunately, we all agreed - not so good in taste and had no balance. So this failed the test which was a great disappointment.

On to the next bottle - a 2006, 'Beaune' Pinot Nior also from 'Leigneurs de Bligny'. Good colour - deep red, aromatic, medium-full body, off-dry, crisp and very flavouful. Good legs and long finish. Paired well with many of the dishes - the pork ribs, roast duck and roast pork, especially the duck liver. A good pass mark for this one.

Finally, we opened up the last red - a 2007 'Mercurey' Pinot Noir from Vignerons de Buxy, this is North of the Chalonnaise region. Spicy and rustic, good fruity aroma, subtle tannin, hint of spice and vanilla flavours. Went well with the bread pudding and the cheese platter, but by then, we had too much to eat already to try it out with the meat dishes.

Danzbuddies Wednesday Class - Dances to be Taught

Hi danzbuddies,

Here are the dances to be shared this week:

'Dreamin' , a new dance from Jan Wyllie, 32 count, 2 wall, beginner, very easy dance. Song used is 'An American Dream' by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. This song has been used for some other dances but I think it goes well with Jan 's new dance which may be one of those she'll do on her visit in June.

'Isn't She Lovely', by Jose Miguel Belloque-Vane & Roy Verdonk danced to the same-named song by Stevie Wonder. 32 count, 2 wall, beginner level. Fairly easy with a nice footwork for the last 8 counts on alternate walls.

'Spanish Love' , by Phil Johnson, 32 count, 4 wall, intermediate level. Nice rumba music/song 'Te Quiero' by Mestizzo. Nice choreography with some nice turns , should go a long way.

'Chasing A Thrill' , by Sadiah Heggernes. 64 count, 2 wall, intermediate level. Good music/song of the same name by Jeanette. Good steps that go well with nice strong beat in the song.

'Ballroom Cha' , another good choreography from Kenny Teh (Cumba Dance, Semowah...). 32 count, 4 wall, beginner level. Nice ballroom cha cha music.

We will also be revisiting:

'This Country's Rockin', by Jo Thompson &/Barry & DariAnne Amato - one of the dances included in the 'Country Jamboree with Jan Wyllie'.


Some interesting dances for this week, come and join the fun !

Danzbuddies Wednesday Class - Dances to be Taught

Wed, 8th April 2009

Here are the dances to be shared for this week:

- 'Let Me Love You' by Hazel Pace. A nice waltz dance, 48 count, 4 wall, intermediate level, no tag and no restart. Nice familiar love song by John Denver - 'Annie's Song'.......

- 'Go Baby Go' a brand new dance by Rachael McEnaney. 64 count, 2 wall, Intermediate level. Quite fast paced (120 bpm) with one restart. Song is 'Don't Upset the Rhythm' by The Noisettes....

- 'Move UR Hips N Don't Hold Back' by Rep Ghazali. 64 count, 2 wall, Intermediate level. A nice samb type dance. Song 'Muevelo' is by Lois Super Reyes.....

Taking & Passing the UKA Latin Gold Level Exam

Sat, 4th April, 2009

This is a day to remember for a long time - after months of preparation and practice, we finally faced up with United Kingdom Alliance or UKA's examiners Mr. David Roberts and Mr Graham Crookes to perform our exam routines for the four dances - the cha cha cha, jive, rumba and samba.

Fortunately, all went well and both of us came through and passed the exam with 'Highly Commended' grades. It's no big deal, some will say. Yes, but we do it to keep ourselves in tune and up-to-date - it's stimulating to continue to learn and put to practice new moves and routines we picked up during our dance classes. You're never too old to stop learning new things! Our heartfelt thanks to Felicia for her encouragement and great coaching.......

danzbuddies Friday Jam - dancelist

hi danzbuddies



The dances for our walk-through jam session this Friday are listed in the following danzlist posted at Yipee website.


We will also be revising 'Getcha Good' by Robbie McGowan Hickie, onre of the dances featured in the 'Jan Wyllie Jamboree ' at ACS in June.