Geauga County Maple Festival, Astronomy, Free Day at the YMCA and Learn Ballroom Dancing- The Geauga News Weekly Roundup – April 26th, 2018

This weekend is jam-packed with fun events for you, so let’s get right to it! The beloved Geauga County Maple Festival runs all this weekend. There are several astronomy opportunities at the Oberle Observatory and Observatory State Park. Attend guest day for free at the Geauga County YMCA. Why not take up a new hobby and learn how to ballroom dance? We’ve got all this, and more, in this week’s edition of The Geauga News Weekly Round Up!

Events on Thursday, April 26th, 2018

– The Geauga County Maple Festival — April 26th – April 29th

– Chardon Toastmasters Meeting at Western Reserve Land Conservancy, 102-C East Park Street, Chardon, OH — 6:30 p.m.

– Lakeland Community College Visual Arts Student Exhibition, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, OH — 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

– Geauga Park District Spring “Elderberries” Program – Wild About Wildflowers at The Rookery, Great Blue Heron Lodge, 10110 Cedar Road Munson Township, Chesterland, OH – 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Events on Friday, April 27th, 2018

– Astronomy Education and Night Sky Watching at Observatory Park, 10610 Clay Street, Montville, OH — 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (weather permitting)

– ”The ToKnight Show” at the Newbury High School Auditorium, 14775 Auburn Road, Newbury Twp, OH —  Spaghetti Dinner 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Community Talent Show at 7:00 p.m.

– ”Help a Horse” Seminar & Social Hour at Rescue Village,15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Twp. OH —  6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

– The Geauga County Maple Festival — April 26th – April 29th

– Lakeland Community College Visual Arts Student Exhibition, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, OH — 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Events on Saturday, April 28th, 2018

– Blackbrook Audubon Society Cruise to Conneaut at Conneaut Harbor, 1204 Broad Street, Conneaut, OH — 8:00 a.m.

– 2018 Northcoast Writers’ Showcase featuring ‘Orphan Train’ author Christina Baker Kline, The Arthur S. Holden Center at Lake Erie College, 391 West Washington Street, Painesville, Ohio — 8:00 a.m.

– Children’s Day at the Lake County YMCA, 933 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, OH — 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

– 2018 Semi-Annual Spring Gemboree at Emidio and Sons Expo Center, 48 East Bath Road, Cuyahoga Falls, OH — 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

– Mason Bee Box Building Workshop at Swine Creek Reservation Lodge, Middlefield, OH —  10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

– Naturalist-led Night Sky Viewing with Park telescopes at Oberle Observatory, 10610 Clay Street, Montville, OH — 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

– Free Guest Day at The Geauga Family YMCA, 12460 Bass Lake Road, Chardon, OH — 8:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.

– The 20th Annual Portage County Environmental Conservation Awards Dinner at the Kent American Legion Hall, 1945 Mogadore Road, Kent, OH — 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

– The Geauga County Maple Festival — April 26th – April 29th

– Lakeland Community College Visual Arts Student Exhibition, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, OH — 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Learn Ballroom Dancing (Part One)

So, you’ve got a wedding coming up and you say you can’t dance? Learning how to ballroom dance can change that trepidation ino confidence. It can even change your life. This article will explain:

• The benefits of learning how to ballroom dance.
• Why you need to learn ballroom dancing.
• The top five dances everyone should know.
• Where you can learn to ballroom dance in Northeast Ohio.

Health Benefits                                                                                           

First, let’s talk about the health benefits of dancing. Ballroom dancing improves the physical health of dancers as well as their mental well-being. Dancing also contributes to social health and acuity. Psychology Today reports that learning how to dance benefits the brain as well as the body.

Physical Benefits

For those who don’t like working out, ballroom dancing provides the advantage of working out without the high impact. Ballroom dancing is a low-impact physical activity that strengthens the core muscles. The core muscles are muscles that keep you upright and strong. Core strength gives a dancer stability. Dancing helps participants maintain or even lose weight in a low-impact cardiovascular environment.

The Top Five Dances Everyone Should Know

Not all dances are the same. They range from formal to chaotic. Every dance has its own formalized or stylized steps — things you can and shouldn’t do. Here’s five basic ballroom dances for you to learn:

1. Waltz. Originating back in 16 century Germany, the waltz is the basis for most dances.  It’s characterized by smooth flowing movements where dancers gently rise and fall on their toes. The waltz provides a sense of up and down movement as dancers glide across the floor.
2. Swing. Swing dancing, originating in the United States during the 1920’s, is a fun, high energy dance style comprised of many types. There is the Lindy, created by George “Shorty” Snowden. This was followed by the Balboa, where partners touch chest to chest. These are just some of the many other variations Swing music and dancing.
3. Tango. This dance was created in Buenos Aires due to the loneliness of 19th century expatriates from Africa and Europe. This is a very sensual dance filled with passion and vibrant music. It is characterized by gyrations of the hips and quick movements of the head. A similar style is the Salsa. Starting in Cuba during the 1950’s, Salsa is characterized by Latin music with a quick beat. This style allows dancers the freedom to back away from each other and regroup if their steps become out-of-sync. These are called “shines.” Along with watching your step, a shine lets you show off your solo dance moves.
4. Quickstep. This dance is the fastest dance in ballroom dancing and comes from the Foxtrot. Because the Foxtrot was too fast for many people, they slowed it down and the Quickstep, or the “Peabody,” was born.
5. Cha-Cha. This a rendition of the classic Mambo and the Rumba. Enrique Jorrín, a Cuban composer and violinist, created the Cha-Cha in the 1940’s. It utilizes hip gyrations similar to the Tango. There are four basic steps to the Cha-Cha: walking steps, forward and backward, sidesteps and rocking steps. Each step is small and deliberate, employing the Cuban hip movement by using the ball of the foot on each step.

Ready to Try Out Ballroom Dancing For Yourself? Keep Reading and Find Out How After Wednesday’s Events!

Events on Sunday, April 29th, 2018

– The Geauga County Public Library Bookmobile Debuts at the Maple Festival Parade — 1:30 p.m.

– ”Help a Horse” Benefit Events at Rescue Village,15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Twp. OH —  12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

– Blackbrook Audubon Society Annual Spring Bird Walk Series at Headlands Beach State Park, starting at the Zimmerman Trailhead Parking, 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, OH — 7:30 a.m.

– The Geauga Park District Annual Spring Bird Walk Series at The Rookery, 10110 Cedar Road Munson Township, Chesterland, OH – 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

– 2018 City Nature Challenge, 9465 Kinsman Road (Route 87) Russell Township, OH — 2 p.m. 4 p.m.

– 2018 Semi-Annual Spring Gemboree at Emidio and Sons Expo Center, 48 East Bath Road, Cuyahoga Falls, OH – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

– Full Moon Programs  at Observatory Park, 10610 Clay Street, Montville, OH — 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

– “Astro-Nat” Chris Opens the Robert McCullough Science Center at Oberle Observatory, 10610 Clay Street, Montville, OH —  1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with the Sky Tonight Planetarium Show at 2:00 p.m

– Lakeland Civic Orchestra Presents: “Sounds of Stage and Screen” 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, OH — 4 p.m.

– The Geauga County Maple Festival — April 26th – April 29th

– Lakeland Community College Visual Arts Student Exhibition, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, OH — 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Events on Monday, April 30th, 2018

– Lakeland Community College Visual Arts Student Exhibition, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, OH — 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Events on Tuesday, May 1st, 2018

– Lakeland Community College Visual Arts Student Exhibition, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, OH — 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Events on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018

– Registration Opens for Geauga Park District’s 8th Annual Caveman Crawl 5K Trail Run & 1-Mile Fun Walk on Sunday, June 10th at The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Road, Novelty, OH

– Lakeland Community College Visual Arts Student Exhibition, 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland, OH — 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Learn Ballroom Dancing (Part Two)

Ballroom Dancing in Northeast Ohio

Here are a few dance instruction options to help you learn how to ballroom dance:

Dance Studios

• The Fred Astaire Dance Studio located in Chagrin Falls offers all sorts of lessons and activities for every level of dancer.
• Lake Metroparks offers dance lessons on Sunday at Painesville Township Park.
• Cleveland Swing and Salsa offers Salsa lessons on Monday nights starting at 6:45 p.m.
• Neylon Dance Studio in Concord offers a variety of dance lessons.

Learn How To Ballroom Dance At Home

• Learn and Master DVDs can teach you ballroom dancing at home.
• Check out TakeLessons.com for ballroom dancing lessons via the internet.

A Call to Feet

Regardless of age or physical prowess, whether an expert or someone with two left feet, for an upcoming event or simply to work out, it’s never too late to learn how to dance!

Ballroom dancing offers physical and mental health benefits that can last a lifetime. Ballroom dancing is for everyone! Learn how to dance and your life will change for the better.

Do you have a special occasion coming up and you need to learn ballroom dancing? Which of these dances will you try first? Write to drafts@geauganews.com and tell us about it!

Come Back Next Week for More Local Events in Northeast Ohio!

We hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s edition of The Geauga News Weekly Round Up! Be sure to check in next week for more local news and events in your area. Have a great weekend!

Have an event you want to see in next week’s edition? E-mail us your story: drafts@geauganews.com