Dear Friends,
It has been A WEEK!
We have had quite an eventful, nonstop week in addition to our usual class schedule, beginning with a special night out last Wednesday to Karaoke night at Ranch Water Bar in San Rafael!
“What the heck? Cast of Dance Moms San Rafael??”
This was the quote of the night by our Karaoke DJ when the very first Stop Drop and Dance song came on and we started not only singing altogether, but we were synchronized dancing too (of course)! Haha!
It was even more fun because we got to celebrate Marianne Jacobson's actual birthday and the DJ said it was a tradition to “Get Low” if you’re the birthday person! So he began to play "Low" by Flo Rida and T-Pain, and...
I mean… that’s one of our dance songs! We KNOW how to get low (in choreographed unison too - HAHA again)!
Nonstop screaming from the top of our lungs.
Nonstop laughing and smiling.
Nonstop dancing and sweating.
We bring karaoke to the next level.
Sunny's Pink Pony Club!
Happy birthday to Sunny St. Germain last Thursday, who chose the super fun theme, “Pink Pony Club,” for her Stop Drop and Dance birthday celebration!
Sunny hand made pink Pom Pom hair bands for everyone in class and brought pink disco backdrop decorations, PLUS the perfect pink pony balloons!
In addition to dancing to Sunny’s favorite songs, we finished class learning two new dances, “HOT TO GO!” and “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan! Happiest birthday Sunny!
“I’m gonna keep on dancing!!!”
Thank you for raising $5188 for World Down Syndrome Day with Cassidy!
We are so honored to have taken the 3/21 Pledge for the 6th year in a row last Friday and we were able to transform our Stop Drop and Dance class into an impactful fundraising opportunity for Ruby's Rainbow.
“Individuals with Down Syndrome have three copies of the 21st chromosome. This is why March 21, or 3/21, is World Down Syndrome Day - a day when we celebrate these amazing individuals who are rockin’ that extra chromosome!”
- Ruby's Rainbow
Thank you to Jessica Kissane and her daughter, Cassidy, for organizing the successful event at St. John's Episcopal Church in Ross with rainbow decorations, rainbow socks and sweat band accessories, rainbow candy necklaces (a HUGE hit with the kids!), plus pizza and refreshments afterwards!
Our goal was $3000, because that is the amount that allows us to give out a personal scholarship for an individual who is pursuing higher education, and we not only surpassed it, but we set a new fundraising record!!!
2020: $160
2021: $1417
2022: $2158
2023: $2990
2024: $4420
2025: $5188!!!
Thank you to EVERYONE who donated, danced and supported our 3/21 Pledge and Ruby’s Rainbow! We are so GRATEFUL to be able to award another scholarship this year!
And Cassidy, you are so BRAVE and we are so proud of you for making a real difference and helping others have their dreams of higher education come true!!! One day it will be YOU!!!
We raised $4500 for Jed Foundation!
Thank you to Marianne Jacobson for celebrating her birthday this year by hosting a Stop Drop and Dance class on Saturday for Jed Foundation for the 3rd year in a row.
Today, 1 in 4 teens and young adults struggle with a mental health issue.
Thank you for everyone who donated to Jed Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides research-driven programs to improve mental health in high schools and colleges, as well as online resources and campaigns for teens, young adults, family members, and communities.
Marianne chose the theme of red and LOVE for our dance event and was joined even by her husband Bob, daughter Miranda, and long-time neighbors and friends, Sandy, Tia, Ed, Stephanie and Bill.
Thank you for making a difference and helping Marianne in her fight to prevent suicides, especially among our teens and young adults.
We Boogied for Marin Catholic!
We finished the busy week on Sunday by gathering at “Club MC” to raise $1000 for Marin Catholic! We led a lunchtime Stop Drop and Dance class for moms, followed by snacks and refreshments!
Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to our party to celebrate the MC community in a positive and fun way! Shoutout to a few of our regular dancers who are alumni and incoming freshman parents that came to support MC: Susannah Wallenstrom, Marianne Jacobson, Rita Ribera Channon and Jessica Kissane!
Thank you also to the incredible hosts who went over and beyond from:
- delicious sweets from Meghan Dasher and Jennifer Moore
- sparkling waters, mimosas and savory scrumptious bites from Lisa Butcher, Alison Williams and Keala Landry
- ridiculous decorations including a silver backdrop with giant 6 foot disco balls from Barb Untermann
- photography and videography of the event despite hobbling around with a broken foot by Orna Weisberg
- and the queen of party planning who organized all the details and made this event possible, Erin Meyers!
Way to boogie Mama Wildcats!
Superhero Themed Class for Barbara Roberts TODAY!
Time to reuse those old Halloween costumes for our Stop Drop and Dance class today, Tuesday, March 25th at 9:30am @UUMarin for Barbara Roberts' birthday celebration!
Barbara is one of our members who comes to class regularly but isn’t a “front of class” person. BUT! Despite this, she commits to coming up front just once each class, often through some “PPP” (Marianne coined this term to stand for Positive Peer Pressure)!
Let's show Barbara some love for her first birthday dance party!
Suneela Jain's Birthday Fundraiser this Saturday!
A note from our birthday host, Suneela Jain:
I'm asking you to support People's Action Institute and the joy and spirit they bring to community organizing, at a time when we keenly need both of these things.
Every person in this country wants to live a life of dignity; every person wants their children to be included, for legal outcomes to be just, to be healthy, safe and secure with the opportunity to thrive.
Community organizers believe in creating space for every person to give voice to how they can achieve these outcomes. These voices are important and valuable. Those confronted with the consequences of some of our most challenging issues - climate change, housing affordability, health justice - often have powerful insight into how to address them. Civil society and local engagement are also cornerstones of a healthy democracy.
In these times, it's fundamentally important that we empower local communities and the leadership that they generate. We need to support the types of networks that People's Action Institute is creating and resource the skill building that effective community organizing takes.
Sulma Arias, PAI's ED, is an incredible, heart-centered leader who also understands what it takes to build a movement. Please join me in resourcing her work, in empowering local leadership, and in telling this network that we care about their success.
Thank you for your generosity and compassion!
With your donation, you will receive a zoom link to our class on Saturday or come in-person (Theme: Come as you are)!
Even if you cannot make class, we appreciate your support! All donors will receive an on-demand recording of our class for the following week.
Donate here to Suneela's Fundraiser for People's Action Institute
Mark your calendars!
Please note a few important changes to our live schedule in the next few months, beginning with a save the date for Andrea Spencer's birthday class on Tuesday, April 1st with the theme of YELLOW to represent Springtime!
CLASSES CANCELLED:
Spring Break: April 8-12
Soulshine Bali Retreat: April 26-May 3
I will be traveling to Cabo during Spring Break with my family to celebrate my sister in law's 40th birthday! Then later in April, we have an amazing group of 43 dancers flying to Michael Franti's Soulshine Bali resort for our 3rd Power With Grace retreat!
Thank you for your understanding when regular classes are cancelled. Remember that all our classes are recorded and available on-demand when I am out of town (unlimited access to on-demand classes is included in our PWG Membership!).
Marin Magazine On The Scene Feature!
Thank you to Anne Kaplan for sharing the exciting news that our 4th Stop Drop and Dance-a-thon that happened on February 2nd was featured in the "On The Scene" section of the latest issue of Marin Magazine, April 2025!
As some of you know, our classes are purely through word of mouth. I intentionally do not focus on traditional marketing like paying for advertisements or using social media strategies to gain followers, because honestly, the people I attract are simply friends of friends of friends, never strangers.
But it is nice (and surprising) when someone like the On The Scene writer, Donna Berry Glass, recognizes our event as something special, and chooses to spotlight our small business with the greater community. I appreciate that.
I appreciate hard work.
I appreciate acts of kindness.
I appreciate taking a leap of faith.
I appreciate growth from facing your fear.
I appreciate people trying to make a difference.
I appreciate positivity and looking at the glass half full.
I appreciate when humbleness is the norm.
I appreciate learning from mistakes.
I appreciate trying your best.
I appreciate honesty.
I appreciate YOU.
Happy Spring Friends!
Love,
Grace
