There are some changes to the regular class schedules so if your dancer regularly does any classes on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, please note the changes on February 16-18 and March 8. We have done our best to ensure the least disruption to regular classes for dance and school. We have checked the schedule carefully, but it is possible that some changes might need to be made if any groups were missed. Let me know if you notice a problem.

It is very important that everyone in the group gets the opportunity to practice on stage to make sure all of our dancers have a positive experience performing in the Festival. Please email if for some reason, you are unable to attend a group rehearsal. Note that Primary and Grade 1 dancers have two opportunities to practice at Beban.

Thanks.
Bev, Carolé & the Kirkwood Faculty

For convenience, here is the schedule for those little ones not participating in Festival but still having class on Saturday, Feb 18. The times have not changed or are fairly similar to the regular time:

10:45-11:15 Age 3/4 Ballet Carolé
11:15-11:30 Age 3/4 Tap Leah
11-11:15 Kinder Tap Leah
11:15-11:45 Kinder Ballet Carolé
11:30-11:45 Pre-Primary Tap Leah
12-12:30 Pre-Primary Ballet Carolé

Everyone else, please be sure to check the online schedule!

Costumes have arrived for 13 groups! These dancers have been fitted and final billing for these costumes will be available for pick up in file folders starting on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. Please read details on billing slip carefully. It explains who to make cheques payable to and where to drop off the money.

Teachers will distribute costumes to the dancers, once full payment for the whole group has been received.

Final Billing available for:

6/7 Modern Chantelle

6/7A Jazz Heather (Monday 6.30 pm)

6/7A Jazz Heather (Monday 3.30pm)

8 Modern Chantelle

6/7B Jazz Katie

4 AB Modern Chantelle

3B Jazz Katie

4/5 Tap Leah

3B Tap Leah

4AB Tap Leah

2A Jazz Katie

8A Jazz Heather

6A Ballet Bev/Carole

Thanks,

Sandra Hovey & the Kirkwood Faculty

It is time to think about signing up for the Pre-Festival Gala!

If your dancer is performing a solo or duet/trio in a Festival and would like the opportunity to showcase it at the Pre-Festival Gala, here is the detailed information about the shows:

About the shows:

1. There will be 3 Gala shows on Saturday February 18th. They will be held at approximately 3:45-5:30pm, 6-7:45pm and 8-9:45pm depending on how many dancers sign up. (Note: there will be stage rehearsals on Thursday Feb 16th , Friday Feb 17th and Saturday Feb 18th. On the 18th, it will just be Grades 1-3 doing stage rehearsals for their groups and they will end by 3pm at the latest.)

2. The registration fee for each dancer will be $5. This fee includes performing one dance on stage and a high-quality digital photo of your dancer taken while performing (which will be emailed post-Gala).

3. Admission to watch each Gala show is $5. We hope that audience members will stay for the duration of a single show (1 hr, 45 min) so that each dancer will have a full house to perform to.

4. Audience members may take photos and videos; however, new this year, KYDC will also have a designated photographer and videographer for each show. During the email registration process (see info below), you can elect to purchase a video DVD of the solo/duet/trio for $5 and/or a photo CD with all of the images captured during the dance for an additional $5 . Note: Payment for this DVD will only be accepted during pickup in the event the lighting or the video/photo quality is inadequate. An email will be sent out post-Gala announcing when the pickup dates will be.

5. A per arrangement by Carolé, KYDC and the Kirkwood PAC a few years ago, KYDC is hosting all three Gala shows. All organization, coordination and volunteering will be done by the KYDC directors, parents and dancers this year.

How to sign up:

1. Due to the popularity of the Pre-Festival Gala, each Kirkwood dancer will be able to perform ONE dance unless they are also doing a duet/trio as their second dance. In this instance only, if their partner is not performing a solo at Gala then the duet/trio can be registered. (Note: If your dancer is interested in performing TWO dances, we may be able to accommodate pending final registration numbers. In fairness to all dancers, these extra dance spots will be filled by early registrations, in the order that they have been received, if we could not fit everyone’s second dance into the shows. Please keep in mind that this is an unlikely scenario.)

2. Respond to the sign up email that will be sent out on Friday January 13th at 10:30am. Registration into Gala must be received by Tuesday January 31st.

a. You will need to provide the title, style, choreography and durationof the dance. You can provide information about a second dance as well, if you would consider doing two.

b. You will need EMAIL THE MUSIC or DROP OFF THE MUSIC with your payment (see 3. below). We would like to be able to get the music all well ahead of time and preferably by email so we can put it on an iPod and not have to be concerned about the mass of cd’s on the big day! (To email music, you just attach it like an attachment on your email. If you don’t know where it is located on your computer and you use iTunes, open iTunes, click on the name of the music and drag it onto the desktop. This will create a copy of the music. You can now attach this copy from your desktop. When you delete it from your desktop it will still exist in the mysterious location it was initially in so don’t worry about that! Email Bev if you’re still having trouble.)

c. You can put your preference for which show your dancer would like to be in (Approximately 3:45-5:30pm, 6-7:45pm and 8-9:45pm) and we will do our best to accommodate your preference.

3. Put the payment ($5 for the registration fee) in an envelope with your dancer’s name on it in the PAC locked mailbox by the Consignment Room door. If you are dropping off a CD, put that in the Kirkwood office door mailbox too (although we would much prefer music by email ) (Even though your dancer could potentially do a second dance, please just pay for one, as again, doing two dances is unlikely.)

4. In early February, the schedule for the show will be sent out. On the big day, please bring a back-up copy of your music, just in case!

That’s it! Please look forward to registering for Gala on the email that will be sent out on Friday January 13that 10:30am. The deadline for signing up, providing music and paying is Tuesday, January 31st.

Thanks!

Bev, Leah, Katie, Carolé & KYDC

The following email is for dancers at Kirkwood entering solos, duos or trios in local dance festivals

Please note that Kirkwood is not responsible for any entry handed in after the deadline and will not be accepted – thank you for your understanding. A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has submitted their entry forms to date. Your efficiency and thoroughness is very much appreciated!

A few more notes re: entry forms:

(1) ALL entry forms this year (NIFPA, UIMF, CoreDance) require the length of the dance for entry submission. Please take the time to touch base with your choreographer as the entries are not going through without this information.
(2) On the UIMF (Nanaimo) entries they are asking for the date of birth (not just the month as indicated on the entry form). I can look this information up in the studio database but it will be much easier if you could provide this information on your form when you hand it in – thanks!
(3) I will no longer require a CATEGORY number on the UIMF forms (they are still needed on the CoreDance forms) – this makes your lives much easier!! Thank you to those who have handed in their UIMF forms already and did the work. I found out through you that we didn’t need it!

With appreciation,
The Kirkwood Faculty

2. Costume Invoices – URGENT ATTENTION REQUIRED – All families please check dancers file folder to see if you have an invoice. Please remember costuming is a massive task. To make sure the studio meets costuming deadlines; prompt payment of the invoice is required. The due date is Nov 25th at the latest. By this time we will already have had to pay for your costumes ourselves. Please place all payments in the mailbox down on the consignment room door. Please make sure your invoice is enclosed with payment for bookkeeping purposes.

3. Costumes for Renting – When planning our dances and organizing costumes this year, teachers tried to keep in mind costumes we may be able to reuse rather than make or purchase new. Also, to keep costs low generally, we were hoping that Consignment can start to build up sets of costumes so they can be rented year after year. We need your help. If you have any of the costumes below and have not brought them to Consignment or contacted us about them, please do so. If you do not want to sell your costume, we would appreciate being able to use it as a rental. Otherwise, we will probably have to purchase costumes for groups instead and that will mean more cost, time and effort for us all. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

- Pink and white clockwork doll costumes. I need all 15.

- Turquoise capriccio in D minor costumes. I need 12.

- Western Symphony girls costumes only. I need all 9.

- Birds ballet tutus. I need 8.

- Mint green body wrappers lyrical dresses (Raeanne Madges group) from the dance Coming Home. I need 12.

- Water dresses from grade 2 B last year. I need 12.

- Purple lyrical dresses from grade 2B last year. I need 12.

Bring costumes to consignment clearly labeled with your name. All costumes will be purchased by consignment unless otherwise stated as RENT only.

Thank you,
Sandra and the Kirkwood Faculty

The following email is in regards to general information, cost and entry deadlines for 2 festivals coming up in the new year for Kirkwood Academy dancers. There is a lot of information, so please read it thoroughly if your dancer plans to enter choreographed pieces (solos, duos, small groups) into any one of the festivals. If you have any questions after reading the information, please email me at leah@kirkwoodacademy.com. The bulletin board at the studio in the lobby houses information for parents / dancers as well. Information for the Upper Island Music Festival (Nanaimo Festival) will be sent separately on November 15th when it opens for registration.

(1) North Island Festival of Performing Arts (NIFPA) – NOW OPEN

· Where: Courtenay (Sid Williams Theatre)

· When: February 19 – March 3

· Cost for entries: $10 – $15 for solos (6, 8, 10 and under $10 – all others $15); $20 duos, trios

· Deadline for entries: Monday, NOVEMBER 28th

• Please note that they have been having troubles with their online registration for studios. We are hoping that they will extend their deadline for entries, but we don’t want to take any chances. If there is an extension we will make sure that the Kirkwood population is made aware of such changes.

All entries will be entered through the studio representative through the computer database. NO ENTRIES SHOULD BE COMPLETED INDIVIDUALLY ONLINE. All payments will be made by cash or cheque (made out to CAROLE MARTYN) and submitted with the appropriate paperwork by the November 28th studio deadline. Entries should be handed in to Leah’s staff folder on the office dooror personally to Leah Kos. Please secure your entry in an envelope with payment. Write your dancer’s name and NIFPA clearly on the front.

How do I enter my dancer?

All solo / duo / small group entries for the NIFPA are the responsibility of the dancer / parent to complete. Kirkwood is not responsible for entries handed in past the studio entry deadline.

As NIFPA is no longer accepting paper entries, Kirkwood has generated studio entry forms (available in the lobby, near the festival bulletin board). Please do not take more than you need – for solos, you will only need ONE ENTRY FORM per dancer since the contact information is the same. Please enter duos and small groups on the ENSEMBLE form. If you are unsure of what discipline your dancer’s piece is (e.g. demi-character ballet or lyrical ballet), please consult with your choreographer.

(2) CoreDance Festival – NOW OPEN

· Where: Nanaimo (Port Theatre)

· When: May 8-11, 2012

· Cost for entries: $55 per solo; 2 solos $100; 3 solos $130 ($45 add’l solos); duos $28 per dancer; small group (4-6) $30 per dancer; freestyle solos $30

· Deadline for entries: (EARLY) Monday, November 28th (REGULAR) Thursday, January 5th

· Benefit of registering early? Free merchandise and entry to win solo choreography by Geneen Georgiev

*Please note that DVDs of performances are NOT included in the entry fee but can be purchased separately*

CoreDance Festival offers an exciting chance for competitors to meet the adjudicators before they go on stage – register your dancer for the ADJUDICATOR’S WORKSHOP! $75.00 for any level. Register quick before it’s full! Registration is open for dancers aged 6 and up! You don’t need to be a competitor to register – interested in enrichment – these workshops are for you too! Workshops will be held at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre this year on May 8th (3:30 onwards).

Why is the cost higher than other festivals? CoreDance is a unique two-tiered festival where dancers compete against themselves to earn either a bronze, silver, gold or platinum medal standing. The top 3 marks in each category will be placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd. All dancers receive a keepsake (award pins, ribbons or medals) and all groups receive a trophy. Performers have an opportunity to get into the Gala (top 10 scores for solos and top 10 scores for groups) and win cash prizes!

All payments will be made by cash or cheque (made out to CAROLE MARTYN) and submitted with the appropriate paperwork by the November 28th(early) or January 5th (regular) studio deadline. Entries should be handed in to Leah’s staff folder on the office door or personally to Leah Kos. Please secure your entry in an envelope with payment. Write your dancer’s name and CoreDance clearly on the front.

How do I enter my dancer?

All solo / duo / small group entries for the CoreDance are the responsibility of the dancer / parent to complete. Kirkwood is not responsible for entries handed in past the studio entry deadline.

Download an entry form online through the CoreDance website: www.coredance.ca or pick up forms from the studio. Use the SOLO AND WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FORM for all solo entries and workshop registrations (one form per dancer). Category #s can be found online or on the festival information board at the studio. Use the GROUP REGISTRATION FORM for all duos, trios, etc.. Fill out and sign the LIABILITY FORM (one per dancer). Add all solo, group, merchandise and workshop fees owing and write a cheque for the total amount to CAROLE MARTYN. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS YEAR YOU MAY NOT ENTER AS AN INDEPENDENT ENTRY IF YOUR HOME STUDIO IS PARTICIPATING IN THE COMPETITION. Hand in your entry package by the studio deadline personally to Leah Kos or to Leah’s staff folder on the office door.

A few new things for the 2012 Core Competition!

• NEW! Freestyle category! Dancers will perform for one and a half minutes on stage. No music will be chosen in advance and dancers must interpret a song chosen by the DJ based on the division entered (Classical, Contemporary, Urban).
• New package deals for TMMEDIA

• Package A $50 (All photos from your dance, digital video of your dance – GO GREEN and have your media emailed to you ($45 if you choose this option))
• Package B $60 (All photos from your dance, DVD video of your dance with adjudication, free mailing if you don’t pick it up at the competition)
• With either option, upload your video to YouTube for free!

Top 10 solos and Top 10 groups will make the May 11th GALA SHOWCASE

More cash, scholarships and prizes than ever before!

Thank you!

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Leah (leah)

leah

1. Festival – The UIMF has changed the date for Festival! Festival will be starting two days later, on Saturday, March 24th. They will do their best to schedule solos and duets on the first couple of days and then start group dances on Monday, March 26th. We are appreciative that the Festival committee has done their best to accommodate families going away for a much needed Spring Break.

2. Studio Rental – Studio rental for both teachers and students is $6.00. If you would like to rent the studio to practice exam work or Festival dances, you can email Deanna at studiobookings. Starting in November, the limit to times booked per month is four and as studio space is in high demand, only an hour can be booked at a time. Dancers can only book studios for the next month (i.e. November) starting on the last Sunday of the month (i.e. October 30th). If you are the first or last person at the studio and do not know the door and alarm code, please be sure to ask Deanna. Make sure you set the alarm and lock when you leave.

Support Our Fundraiser!

Hello Kirkwood Families,

As a way to target the problem of lost belongings and a large lost and found closet, Kirkwood Youth Dance Company is fundraising with Mabel’s Labels, a company with all types of labels that are colourful, indestructible, easy-to-use and fun! These labels are a great way to keep track of dance shoes and dance wear!

Iron-Ons, Stickies, Bag Tags, Allergy Alert labels & more! Personalize your labels with names, nicknames, initials – whatever you choose. Cool icons help even little ones identify their own belongings. Dishwasher, microwave, laundry & kid tested! Dispatched within 24 hours!

Visit www.kirkwood.mabel.ca to place your order while helping our fundraiser!”