2/29 Greeting & Announcements

Dear all,

You must have noticed the new leaves and flowers everywhere, and heard the songs from the birds. Spring is so enjoyable, isn't it?

Again, please mark your calendar.

• March: No class on 3/19 for spring break

• April: 4/16 Recital at Brentwood Christian School Theater!

Costumes: We have received some costumes and expect to get them all by next Saturday. I will send email to each class for the detailed info on cost and payments. Once we have all the costumes, we'll have our first dress rehearsal in the studio.

More information on our recital will be sent to you soon. On 4/16, everyone should get to the theater at 3:00 pm. Our performance starts at 7:00. It should be finished by 9:00 and we all exit the theater by 10:00. Not everyone but some students may need to practice in the morning. Anyway, please do not plan for anything else on the recital day. It's our big day in the year and we all have been working so hard for it!

We have only 5 weeks before our recital. Please do NOT miss class! Make your every effort to come! Dance is team work. When you are missing, your team is affected.

Thanks and see you this Saturday!

Xiwei Chen

REMEMBER: ALWAYS CHECK THIS BLOG FOR THE LATEST NEWS/ANNOUNCEMENTS! :-)

BUTTERFLIES!!! Ms Chen needs your child's measurements for Recital!

Dear Butterfly class,

For this year's recital, the Butterfly class will perform 3 dances, the Red Flowers fan dance, the new Tibetan dance called Tibetan River, and a contemporary dance.

We are now almost at the completion of the contemporary dance. I first planned to have a few students do this one and the rest will do a different one, but everyone loves it and wants to do it. So, we need to order the costumes for this one now.

Please send me your students' girth measurement ASAP. Girth: Measure from the center of one shoulder, down through crotch, and back up to same shoulder. Here is a website with pictures to help. Just scroll down to "Girth".

We are still looking for people who can bring the costumes from China for us. I don't know the final cost of the Tibetan River dance costumes until I receive all of them. 

The contemporary dance costumes will be $35-$40. 

Thank you!

Xiwei Chen

BUTTERFLY NEWS: THIS SAT 2/20

Dear Butterfly Class,

This Saturday 2/20, your class is 1:30 - 2:30. Please do not miss the class. We are still learning the new dance!

The performers will go to Austin Chinatown Center (10901 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78757 click for map) directly after the class. 

We must get there by 3:00. Let's stay together by the stage. 

GOOD IDEA FOR PARENTS TO SHARE CELL PHONE NUMBERS. PARENTS CAN SHARE THOSE ON SATURDAY AT DANCE STUDIO DURING DANCE CLASS.

Since Chinatown has only one dressing room for everyone to share, we'd better change into our costumes in the studio.Check your costumes and the hair pieces and bring everything to the studio for class on Saturday.

Below are the Chinatown dances and student names:

(NOTE: If your child's name is missing or you see any mistakes, please comment below this post-- and this will be updated to show correction.)

1. Red Flowers (Sarah Brown, Ella Duncan, Caroline, Samantha, Allie, Aimee, Emma, Chelsea, Adelle)

2. On the Horseback (Anya Loo, Isabella Shi)

3. By the Creek (Iris, Michelle, Claire)

4. Flying Fairies (Aimee, Samantha)

5. Little Peacocks (Rabbits)

Thank you and see you Saturday!

Xiwei Chen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Detailed information that Ms Chen received from the organizer for Saturday's event: 

  NAME OF EVENT: Chinese New Year 2016

·       LOCATION: Austin Chinatown Center, 10901 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78757

·       DATE & TIME OF EVENT:

o   Saturday, February 20^th from 11:00AM-10:00PM

o   Sunday, February 21^st from 11:00AM-5:00PM

·       YOUR GROUP’s NAME: April Rain School of Chinese Dance

·       TIME OF PERFORMANCE: 3:55PM-4:15PM on Saturday, February 20^th

o   so that you are aware of the different moving parts, I’ve attached a run of show for your reference; please be on time!

·       YOUR GROUP’s CHECK-IN TIME: 45 minutes before performance time

·       GREEN ROOM:

o   Unit in between of Short n’ Sweet Cafe and DUY Chinese Restaurant (see attached CAD)

o   Please be aware that the green room is:

§   very minimal lighting (we do not recommend putting on make-up on in here)

§  shared with the other acts

§  not locked or secured so we highly discourage leaving valuables there; Chinatown Center and its contractors are NOT responsible for any theft or loss

§  For location, see attached diagram

·       PARKING:

o   Spaces are free and VERY limited to the Chinatown Center parking lot. We HIGHLY encourage your group to carpool in order to reduce the amount of people looking for a parking space.

o   Alternatively, CapMetro will be providing FREE bus rides from the North Lamar Transit Lot and Chinatown Center during the peak hours of

§  11:00AM—2:00PM and 6:00PM—8:00PM on Saturday, February 21^st and

§  11:00AM—2:00PM and 4:00—6:00PM on Sunday, February 21^st

·       RAIN PLAN:

o   We will be holding the event rain or shine

o   A tent will be covering all of the stage area and individual tents will cover the vendors regardless of shine or rain

NEED TO KNOW: SUNDAY 2/21

Dear Parents and Performers,

This Sunday 2/21, dancers will perform at the Chinese New Year Celebration by FCC (Families with Children from China) at AARC, 8401 Cameron Rd, Austin, TX 78754 (click here for map). 

ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 3:00 PM

PERFORMANCE IS AT 4:00PM.  

Ms. Chen will not be available to lead, but Debbi and Vicki will be in charge. 

We have confirmed 3 dances:

1. Flying Fairies (Aimee, Samantha)

2. Girls from Da Ban City (Grace Brown)

--- POSSIBLY another dance added here---

3. Red Flowers (Aimee, Allie, Caroline, Chelsea, Ella Duncan, Emma, Olivia, Samantha, Sarah, (Hewetts?))

Since the second dance is pretty short, Ms. Chen is trying to get another dance so Aimee and Samantha will have enough time to change. Check back here to see any update about an added dance.

General Information on the Chinese New Year Event at Chinatown

Chinese New Year at Chinatown is one of Austin's largest events to ring in the New Year. Our April Rain dancers will perform on Saturday, but feel free to stay longer with your family to enjoy more festivities!

From Chinatown's website:

Join us for a weekend-long celebration to welcome the Year of the Monkey! Special performances, family-friendly attractions, community resources and food accompany this Austin tradition.

***SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20th***

11:00AM – Austin Taiko & Welcoming Ceremonies
11:25AM – Summit Taiko
11:35AM – Summit Lion Dragon Dance Team
12:00PM – Ronald McDonald Show
1:00PM – Draiku Aerial Spectacle
2:05PM – The Love of China School of Dance
2:35PM – Texas Wushu
2:45PM – Austin Dance India
3:00PM – Master Gohring’s Tai Chi & Kung Fu
3:35PM – Hawaiian Kona Isle
3:55PM – April Rain School of Chinese Dance :-)))))))
4:30PM – Fountain of Praise Worship Band 頌泉
6:00PM – Night Market Co-hosted by Vietnamese American Community of Austin, Texas
6:00-10:00 – SPECIAL CONCERT by Mạnh Quỳnh, Ngoc Huyen, & The Heat Band

***SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21st***

11:00AM – Welcoming Ceremonies
11:00AM – 2:00PM – Thein Hau Linh Son Lion Dance Team & Firecrackers
2:00PM – 5:00PM – Summit Lion Dance Team & Firecrackers

For the latest event schedule and updates, visit: bit.ly/AustinCNY