Dance enthusiast

Judy D is a Newfoundlander who fell in love with salsa six years ago. She then created the Salsa in St. John’s facebook group in 2008 as part of her ongoing quest to encourage the growth and stability of the salsa dance community in St. John’s, NL. Since there's no public venue dedicated to regularly providing space for salsa dancers (outside of lessons), the fb group allows the growing network of salsa members a central place to find, create, and share information about upcoming salsa events. The group is informal and volunteer run, and has grown to over 350 members. If you have any questions about Salsa in St. John’s, about events, or if you would like to help out in any way, please come join our group on facebook and write on our wall:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SalsainSt.Johns/

If you're not on facebook, check out our new Salsa in St. John's blog page: http://salsainstjohns.com/

Judy has also been eagerly awaiting a Lindy Hop scene in St. John's...and it's finally here!!! A new MUN Swing Club was just started this fall by new MUN student, Chantelle. Swing by her website: http://www.swinginstjohns.com/ OR her fb group for the latest news:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/224978010883244/

In her "other" life, Judy is a Mental Health Nurse and a breast cancer survivor. Dance has brought so much joy, health benefits and friendship into her life, she hopes that by promoting dance opportunities more people will be able to share in the benefits too. With this in mind, Judy has begun working on a brand new "after work" project...and here it is:

"Dance for Strength NL" was been entered into the online Aviva Community Funding Competition, but unfortunately it didn't win. To see the idea go to
http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf12912
Even though it didn't win, hopefully a seed was planted!

live love laugh...and dance!
Judy D

p.s. NEW in Feb 2012 - Sunday Salsa Socials 6pm-10pm @ Mexicali Rosa's on George St!!!

Richard has recently retired (Dec 31, 2010) from the position of Manager of Programming and Promotion for the Arts and Culture Centres in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, a position he held since 1975. He began his career in the performing arts as a lighting technician. He spent three years as the National President of CAPACOA (Canadian Arts Presenting Association); he was Vice Chair of the Debut Atlantic Society and is a founding member of the Atlantic Presenters Association, and Dance Events Inc. In 2002 he became the Founding Chairman of CDA (Canadian Dance Assembly). He sits on the Board of the recently founded provincial dance organization, DanceNL. He also sits on the Board of Kittiwake Dance Theatre, and has been volunteer Technical Director since its creation in 1987.

He has been honoured for his contribution to the performing arts, by receiving the Contact East Professional Presenter Award in 1998; as the 2002 recipient of The National Arts Centre Award for Distinguished Contribution to Touring, in 2003 as SOCAN Patron of Music, in 2004 the CITT (Canadian Institute of Theatre Technology) Professional Achievement Award, in 2010 the Contact East Award of Excellence, and in 2011 he was inducted into the Dance Teachers’ Association of Newfoundland Hall of Fame.