Fred Astaire Student, Barbara Carroll ‘Insures’ BlueCross Success

When Barbara Carroll walked into the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Plymouth, Massachusetts, for her very first dance lesson on September 27, 2010, it was certainly no accident! She could never have imagined that just one year later, almost to the very day, she’d be starring in a TV commercial for the world-famous BlueCross and Blue Shield insurance association. Carroll is featured with Instructor Mike Winward for the spot, which the Plymouth studio is proudly airing all this week.

“I have a copy of the commercial on DVD that we’re playing constantly in our studio,” says owner Casey Baird. “It is a beautiful spot that showcases Barbara and Mike well.”

The commercial is scheduled to air this week as follows:

Friday, September 30, from 8:15 A.M. to 8:20 A.M. on NECN

Saturday, October 1, from 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. on WCVB-TV (ABC), and between 11:00 P.M. and 11:35 P.M. on WHDH (NBC)

Sunday, October 2, from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 A.M. on WBZ-TV (CBS)

Congratulations and happy anniversary, Barbara!

NDC Orlando, Oct. 26-30

Fred Astaire Dance Studios invites you to experience the magic of dance at the next 2011 National Dance Championship being held October 26-30 at the Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort in Orlando, Florida.

You will make everlasting memories at this action-packed event filled with competitive dancing and spectacular professional performances. Saturday night’s Gala Banquet will be the highlight of the weekend with its dazzling showcase performed by top-ranked competitors. In addition, you will be just steps away from all of Disney’s most popular attractions.

Mark your calendars now for this extraordinary, unforgettable dance extravaganza!

New Children's Book Pays Homage to Fred Astaire

Can you imagine our pleasure at discovering Fred Astaire’s image (well, sort of) inside a well-loved children’s storybook, My Name Is Not Alexander?

Alexander is a little boy with big dreams. Through a series of conversations with Dad from breakfast to bedtime, Alexander changes his name half a dozen times to match those of heroes he identifies with, including Theodore Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson, and wonderfully, Fred Astaire.

“I am FRED,” says Alexander, “the greatest, smoothest dancer who ever was!”

Jennifer Fosberry is the author of My Name Is Not Alexander, and Mike Litwin is the creator of the delightful illustrations. Published by Sourcebooks in 2011, rave reviews indicate that the book charms the young reader in the style of its precursor, My Name Is Not Isabella, an award-winning celebration of great women in history by the same author.