NOTE: Attendance by the USA dancers is confirmed, so come and join us on Sunday evening.
The social dates for this year are as follows:

The Address is: West Croydon and Kilkenny RSL, 19 Rosetta St, West Croydon.
For all but the first one (which starts at 6pm), dancing starts at 1.30pm and concludes at 5pm at a cost of $15 (cash only). The program is run by request, and everyone gets a request form when they enter, to nominate 5 dances they would like to do. We try to ensure that you get at least one of those, but we only do about 5 Intermediate dances during the session, so don't just ask for really hard ones (or lots of unusual ones), or you could miss out altogether.
We have decided not to offer meals beforehand this year, as they were not being well supported and it was not economical for the caterers. Instead, we will return to the format we were using long before Covid-19, with a break about half way through, where we share a combined afternoon tea/supper for 20 minutes. Please bring a small plate of food to share with your fellow dancers. We will have minimal fridge space, and a pie warmer, but no oven, so please don’t bring food that needs cooking or defrosting. We feel this is a better way to assist people to mix and chat. Doors will open 30 minutes before the starting time.
We have a small group of traveling line dancers from the USA attending the first social in March. They are visiting the Barossa Valley during the day, which is why we have made it an evening social rather than an afternoon one. They should be well lubricated and jolly by the time they get there LOL. Please come and join us, and make them feel welcome. If you have American coloured clothing or accessories, why not wear it.

No class changes at the moment, but there are some on the horizon as numbers in some classes are a bit sparse and they are uneconomical to be sustained in the long term.

Please note that, over the Xmas break, I have re leveled a number of dance choreographies, based on my computer analysis and experience. This will affect easy and transition classes only, at this stage. These dances have been moved to the correct class offerings (some up and some down), so you may find some of them are missing from your request choices.
This should now create a smoother gradient to move from Easy to Transition, and then on to Mainstream without significant stress or pressure to perform. Remember that Easy level classes are there to enable new people to enter our dance community. Experienced dancers have the ability to move up in class level to chase the complexity and challenge they are craving, or to stay at a level that suits their physical abilities or personal preferences. Please be considerate of the newer dancers at whatever level, and encourage them to give it a go.
Also be aware that Mainstream level classes are not baby Intermediate classes, that is the point of Crossover level classes. Mainstream classes are a vehicle towards Intermediate, for those that want to be challenged further, but a level in their own right for those that don't. Over this year, I will be addressing the overlap between mainstream and intermediate to make that transition smoother as well.
Without new customers, the higher level classes will continue to close due to lack of support, and that is not in anyone's interest in the long term.

When I talk about "Newbies", I am not just referring to beginners that have never danced before. I am referring to the newer, less experienced members of every class. Each time someone moves up from a lower level class to a higher level class, it feels like starting again. They go from being a "Top Gun" in the lower level class to a "Novice" in the higher level class. This can feel quite confronting, and not all of them succeed in making the transition. Some persevere, some drop back down and some give up altogether. We need them to succeed in making the jump, to keep our activity alive.
When I talk about "Angels", I am referring to experienced dancers that attend a lower level class, as well as their higher level class. Their presence is well appreciated, as they provide continuity between classes, and visual (and sometimes verbal) assistance to the weaker members of the class at the lower level. They also often provide a social fabric and continuity to what otherwise may be a transient group of people at the lower level. There is a down side to their presence however that needs to be understood and handled. They are usually the people that drive the requests, and have the amazing ability to know the names of the hardest possible dances available at the lower level, and because they have "been around", they know how to ensure they get their requests.
Our organization has survived for 32 years because we look after new people that come to our classes as much as possible. We have modified the various programmes at all levels to keep the first part of the class as accommodating as we can, with generally a lowish level warm up dance. The programme then often alternates between a harder and an easier level dance within the level of the class. So far so good....
Then, when there is spare time after the official programme is complete, all hell breaks loose when we get to requests.
Everyone seems to want to request a dance that is at the limit of their (and the rest of the class's) ability, because they want the practice and the challenge. We get that, and try to keep you all happy. But the instructors have a request of you, for the sake of the less experienced dancers in your class. Can you please alternate between requesting a harder and an easier dance from your favourite selections available to the class. This will help make the request time less daunting and therefore off putting to the "Newbies". Thank you for your consideration.

How often have I heard that from experienced dancers? After 30+ years it has to be hundreds of times. How some people forget what it was like to be a beginner... at any level.
For those of you that have decades of dancing under your belts, you do not realise what experience you have absorbed over that time.
It is important for everyone doing line dancing to understand that you are training not just your feet, not just your mind, but all of your body's muscles as well. The more you do a repetitive action, the better your muscles remember how to optimise your action for minimal pain, time and effort. Subtle changes to the way you lean make your body's centre of gravity shift, to improve your balance and comfort. You don't even realise you are training them, but your muscles remember (sometimes better than your brain LOL).
Each time you move up a level, there is a whole new set of training required. Those experiences stay with you, even if you are dancing at a lower level. The novice dancer has none of that mental or muscle knowledge to draw on. They are not stupid, just inexperienced. With time and perseverance, they too will find those "easy" dances easy, but not yet. They need to be handled with patience and compassion. Without them there will be no classes in the future, and line dancing will go the way of the dinosaurs.
There was a 10 year period, a while ago, when we had no beginners moving up. It was all too hard and off putting for them. We are now paying the price for that. The current experienced dancers want more classes at the higher level, but the classes they have, have a maximum of 10 or less people in them. This is not economical now, let alone adding more and spreading the experienced dancers out even further. If you want to dance at a high level, you will need to travel further and rearrange your schedules to make the classes you have access to, fit into your busy life.

We are running another free LDSA travel introduction session on Thursday 10th April, from 6-8pm at the Vermont Uniting Church, 576 Cross Rd (Cnr New St). Our travel agent and a representative from Viking will be in attendance and finger food and bubbly will be provided. Please RSVP if you, or someone you know, would like to attend, so we can ensure sufficient catering. This gathering is to introduce our 2026 Egypt/Turkiye/Jordan, 2027 Mediterranean and 2028 Scandinavian adventures. Be aware, that these are not line dance holidays, anyone that would like to join us are welcome. Line dancing is just a vehicle to collect like minded travellers together to explore places that we personally have not been. Apart from the cruise line component, the additional sessions are private tours with our own guides and drivers, and run by very experienced tour leaders with decades of group travel stories to share and learn from.

Reprinted from Josh Talbot in Sydney
It's that time of year again to remind you "Floor Etiquette" is a thing!

It's common to have a preferred spot on the dance floor, in class, or at social events. However, it's important to remember that if someone is occupying "your spot," you should graciously find an alternative until it's free again. No one has exclusive rights to any area of the floor, chair, or table, so please show consideration for your fellow dancers and avoid displacing anyone just to secure your comfort.

Once the dance has begun, it is important to navigate the dance floor with caution. Should you need to exit, opt for the most direct path off the floor, not merely the most convenient one for your destination. If you're joining a dance already in progress, secure a position along the side or back to prevent disrupting those who are already dancing DO NOT try and make your way into a centre spot, even if it just one or two lines in. It's unpleasant for dancers to encounter someone cutting through their line to enter or leave the dance floor.

While student-to-student assistance is valuable, it's important to consider that you may be offering help at the same time they are trying to listen to their instructor. Ideally, wait for a break before providing assistance.

If you wish to converse with a fellow dancers, please step away from the dance floor, particularly during a class. What might seem like minor chatter to you is quite distracting to someone who is concentrating.

In beginner classes, it's important for experienced students to remain on the dance floor to assist newcomers. Sitting aside until the music starts may intimidate beginners who might feel observed. A bit of guidance can make a significant difference. However, it's crucial to let them observe your movements without attempting to instruct them. Refrain from adding step variations; even if you're familiar with the dance, follow the teacher's directions.

All other level classes, please avoid variations unless permitted. This is because newcomers may find additional spins disconcerting as they're still learning or perhaps the dance has just been taught. Not everyone learns at the same pace. please keep variations for social events.

Everyone begins at some point, so if you notice a newcomer having difficulties, extend a helping hand by guiding their steps or reducing additional turns during socials. When you spot someone sitting by themselves, greet them with a friendly smile and invite them to join you. For many, Line Dancing is not just about dancing, but a way to make new friends and something to look forward to each week!

We've all come here by choice, so take pleasure in your dance, be mindful of those around you, and don't forget to smile. "Dance because you want to!"