Dear Friends,
Classes will be at Skate Escape in Northgate Mall this Tuesday through Thursday, June 20-22!
Our normal weekday venue, UU Marin, is having a summer kids camp this week, so we are holding our regular class schedule instead at Skate Escape, located at 5800 Northgate Drive, Suite 56.
Please plan to arrive a little bit before class starts at 9:30am to account for parking and walking into the mall.
Enter through the main doors across from Panera and Kohl's (right next to Ounces Outdoors, which is the turf area) and then turn left inside the mall, then Skate Escape is on the left.
All other doors will be closed since Northgate Mall is technically closed for the general public until 11am.
Tuesday, June 20th @Skate Escape Northgate Mall
9:30am 60 minutes Stop Drop and Dance + 10-15 minutes optional Core/Abs/Stretch (bring a mat)
Wednesday, June 21st @Skate Escape Northgate Mall
9:30am 60 minute HIIT Camp 30/30 (bring dumbbells and mat)
10:45am 60 minute All-Levels Vinyasa Yoga (bring a mat)
(Take 2 classes for the price of 1 every Wednesday!)
Thursday, June 22nd @Skate Escape Northgate Mall
9:30am 75 minute Happy Birthday Stop Drop and Dance class for Sara Rainbolt! Wear roller girl outfits - shorts, high socks, stripes or rainbows!
Remember that kids under 18 can always join any class with their parent for free!
Happy Birthday Alison & Olivia Van Dis!
Last Thursday, we celebrated Alison Van Dis and her daughter, Olivia's birthday, with a 75 minute Stop Drop and Dance class.
We all came dressed in blue, the color of the ocean, and they brought flower leis for everyone to wear. So much fun especially seeing Alison and Olivia dancing up front with friends they invited!
Thank you to those of you who came and packed the room!
"I would hope my legacy would be bringing smiles to faces. Happiness with my music."
- Janet Jackson
Oh Janet, you are a legend and your legacy has already been fulfilled, time and time, again...
We had three car full of dancers carpool from Marin to the Mountain View Shoreline Amphitheatre on Friday night to attend Janet Jackson's "Together Again" tour!
Janet was the same incredible performer and beautiful person as I remember from my last concert 25 years ago. It was a sold out venue and even though we got lawn chairs, there was absolutely no sitting down because we were dancing nonstop!
My childhood dream was to be Janet's backup dancer, and Friday's concert was the closest it's ever gonna get...
She was the one that taught me to love dance the way I like to dance. It didn't have to be all sexy and only body rolls like other female artists in the 80s were doing. Nope, Janet introduced the possibility that a female artist could be fully-clothed, hard-hitting, powerful, clean, and so so so strong.
That's the gift Janet gave to me.
I'm pretty sure there would be no Stop Drop and Dance now, without a 10-year-old me marching and dancing in the living room to "Rhythm Nation" (combined with me also doing Jane Fonda videos)...
Thank you for all our smiles and happiness Janet!
Thank you for raising $905 and Hippie Birthday Karin Conn!
Thank you to everyone who came on Saturday morning in-person or on Zoom to join our Stop Drop and Dance birthday fundraiser for Karin Conn! We raised $905 for Essence Goldman and her non-profit, "Believe Music Heals!"
Karin was super sweet and bought light up flower headbands for everyone who came in person, and made personalized magnets that say, "Dancing in Joy and Gratitude!"
In addition, she introduced her friend Essence, who shared in the beginning of class about how and why "Believe Music Heals" was founded, and at the end of class, Essence sang one of her songs, "Free."
Please send Karin all your love because she accidentally hurt her knee during class and we are hoping that it is not serious and will heal quickly! Despite the unfortunate injury, Karin kept dancing and smiling while sitting in a chair until the very end of class.
Karin is the ultimate example of being brave, positive, joyful, loving, and caring! Happy Birthday Karin!
July and August Dates
Saturday, July 1st: NO CLASS
Enjoy your long holiday weekend!
Tuesday, July 4th @UU Marin - 240 Channing Way, San Rafael
9:30am 75 minute Happy Birthday Stop Drop and Dance class for both Erin Meyers and Jen Gonzalez! Wear red, white and blue, and we'll be collecting gently used boys (aged 5-18) sporty clothing donations for Bloom - more info to follow!
All in-person memberships and live classes will be paused for one month from July 16th - August 16th.
My family and I will be joining our school delegation to South Africa, where we will volunteer to teach Stop Drop and Dance classes! Online content including previously-live recordings and on-demand classes will be available for free for current members! Our regular schedule will resume beginning on Thursday, August 17th.
It's The Little Things
In last week's newsletter, I shared a video clip from Kristen Sperling's 50th birthday where we danced and showed our "statement shirts," and the song I chose to put as the background music was "Little Things" by Michael Franti. Not only was that Kristen's favorite song, but also, it's one of our dances that has lyrics aligned with our belief of spreading more joy, positivity and light into the world.
Well you know what was really, really cool???
After I posted that video, Michael Franti actually took the time to watch it and comment on it!!!
He did exactly what he sang - he spent a little extra time to just throw a little smile at US.
It's the little things.
They are quick to do.
They are simple.
They are free.
But the little things make a huge difference.
So let Michael Franti not only inspire you through his music and lyrics, but also by his humble, compassionate, and kind character that took time out of his busy life to notice a small business like ours.
"You know that it don't cost a dime
Just to spend a little extra time
To throw a little smile at somebody passing by you
And you know love don't cost a thing,
But it's worth more than any diamond ring
Cause in this great big world its the little things
Every day that you're living,
all the love that you're giving
In this great big world it's the little things
Make every breath that you breathe
stand up for what you believe in
In this great big world it's the little things"
Happy Pride Month, Father's Day, Juneteenth, Summer Solstice, and more!
Love,
Grace
