Friends of the National Ballet Newsletter

                                          August 24, 2011

The summer intensive camp was a great success this year.  The students benefited this year by having access to a relaxing setting and a refreshing swimming pool at Les Chers studio.  The classes this summer were augmented by sessions in the pool.  The summer intensives were a great start to this year’s ballet season.

Registration for fall classes is underway right now!  Check out the National Ballet website or Facebook page for details on registration.  Don’t forget that auditions for the Nutcracker are being scheduled to begin very soon as well.  Make the best out of all the opportunities the National ballet has to offer and get involved with the Nutcracker performances.

Margaritas by the pool was a great success.  Mark and Becky were terrific hosts treating everyone to margaritas, appetizers, dinner, music, and a beautiful poolside setting.  Pam Moore brought everyone up to date on the activities of the school and the company.  Students will be getting new handbooks reintroducing them to the history of the National Ballet and the protocols we follow at the studio.  Please make sure you get your copy of class schedules and and student handbook.  Thanks again Becky for a wonderful and relaxing evening!

THE FRIENDS IN ACTION:

1)    Bowie Back to School Bash:  Lori  and Ida Glaze joined Kathleen Parker and Bill DuBoyce at the Bowie Gymnasium for this event this past Saturday.  Lots of folks came out to see the best of what Bowie has to offer.  We distributed a lot of literature about the National Ballet school and the upcoming Nutcracker performances.  It was nice to meet so many people who already knew a lot about the NBS and had attended the Nutcracker in recent years.  Hopefully our outreach will have a positive impact on our enrollment and Nutcracker attendance.

2)    Bowie International Festival:  the International Festival has been one of our bigger fundraisers over the years.  We are planning to participate again this year selling beer and wine.  Laura has once again pledged to handle acquiring the beer and wine.  We found that it is easier for us if interested parties donate money to purchase our inventory rather than donating bottles of wine or beer.  We will accept either donations but please consider cash donations to support this event.  Do not forget about donating time as well.  We will need energetic people to help set up and breakdown and everything in between.  Work starts at 9 am and runs through 5 pm.  Let us know if you are available to work and if you have cash to donate to purchase beer and wine.

3)    Bladensburg Rotary Foundation 5K  Run/Walk is coming up the end of October.  This event will be at Watkins Park again this year.   We had several members of the Friends participate last year.  Registration forms will be made available at the studio and through email in the near future.  Start lining up your sponsors and limbering up those hamstrings to run for the benefit of the National Ballet.

4)    The Nutcracker: the dates have been set and flyers and cards will be made available in the studio.  We will need ushers and concession workers.  Please clear your schedules to help us out at the performances.

5)    Raffle: Tickets are still available for our ongoing raffle.  Grand prize is $500.  Please let Kathleen know if you are interested in buying raffle tickets.  The drawing is set to be on December 13, 2011.  The raffle is a great way to support the Friends of the National Ballet without having to commit a lot of time, sweat, or tears.

IN THE WORKS:

1)    SEPTEMBER MEETING: Pam will be arranging a mandatory meeting for the students/parents in September.  The Friends of the National ballet will have its first meeting at that time

2)    October meeting may be scheduled as a Sunday brunch with a guest speaker.  Details are in the works.

3)    Holiday Party: Possibly to be held on December 13 when the raffle drawing takes place.  Suggestions for this event are being accepted at this time.

4)    Hospitality Committee: We are looking for someone to chair this committee to carry on the Saturday morning coffee, donuts, and ballet tradition.  Take over this committee work and surprise us with some new activities that will enhance the school and enthusiasm of the Friends.

Please take the time to fill out Friends of the National Ballet registration forms to up date our database.  We are looking forward to working together in making this ballet season the best season yet!  Now that the quaking has stopped get ready for the swimming to start.  Be prepared for Irene to visit this weekend then get charged up to help out the Friends of the National Ballet this year.

Respectfully submitted,

Bill DuBoyce

President, The Friends of the National Ballet