Something To Consider
04.15.08

The swing scene in South Florida is in a state of flux and there are many dancers that are concerned with the unsettled nature of the community at this time. As with many groups, change is often disconcerting and uncomfortable. Having been involved in several "communities" over time, I can attest that change isn't easy, but is a part of the growing process and that is exactly what this community is doing again...growing!
 
Community growth is healthy and good for all involved. There are some who will pine for "the good old days." There will be some involved in organizing and teaching dances that will not survive the changes and still others who will thrive and prosper. As choices become more numerous, those that do not have a plan will struggle. This is a natural process. Quality will always rise to the occasion and your options on how to enjoy the dancing in South Florida will strengthen over time.
 
Maintaining a healthy relationship with the community is important for all concerned. Our relationship with Mark Traynor led to his desire to have us lead his chapter of Floorplay in South Florida. We were honored by this unexpected offer and feel very responsible to Mark, Floorplay and the community to continue to offer a quality dance. Our relationship with the Palms Ballroom has been strong and provided Floorplay with a good home for the past year and a half and for the foreseeable future.
 
In the same context, our rapport with Jeff and Vinny at Goldcoast Ballroom has created the opportunity to experiment and create the Swingin' Fridays format so many of you have commented favorably on. Having these wonderful partners and so many of you in the community spreading the word and supporting these events has generated strength in the community and expanded our possibilities for the future.
 
As DanSynergy Inc., we have created a mission to help; "Dancers connecting dancers". Beth and I live and breathe this mission and invite so many of you to join that crusade. "Dancers Connecting Dancers" is embedded in our logo and written on our hearts. As we have stated before, the community has done so much for us in the past, we feel honored and responsible to our fellow dancers. We work to educate everyone around us on this wonderful dance and how it is impacting areas across the US and in many other countries now as well.
 
Many of you have brought up the lack of support being generated by the South Florida Swing Dance Society in regards to our activities in partnership with Goldcoast Ballroom. It is unfortunate that a few influential officers of that club have chosen to pursue personal issues over the needs of the community. We have communicated with them regarding their issue, but they have informed us they will maintain this advertising blackout of Goldcoast activities.
 
In the meantime, we find that our connection to the swing dance community at so many levels has generated the support needed for these activities to thrive. Offering quality at a reasonable price to all of our swing friends is the most important message and one we will continue to trumpet rather than get involved in petty squabbles.
 
The strength of the community is in the dancers that make that community. Good leadership can help the scene, but it is each of you coming out and supporting events that return quality to your life. It is each of you encouraging others to join in the fun, the comraderie and the love of dance. Beth and I again thank all of you for trying our dances and coming back. We also thank you for spreading the word and helping bring still more dancers out each week. The grassroots of our community is where our strength lies and those roots are each and every one of you!