When Life Hands Us Lemons . . . Watch What FADS Folks Can Do!

On November 9, 2012, the inspirational message on the left appeared on the facebook page belonging to Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Beirut, owned by Marwan Jammal. And the message isn’t just lip service. When it comes to positive thinking (as is the case with so many other FADS folks), Marwan and his staff are notably, remarkably upbeat.

 
Well, we’ve had Marwan and his staff on our minds quite a bit during the past 3 days as they’ve endured the worst storm in their region in a decade (some reports say the worst of all time). Like Hurricane Sandy’s devastating effects on FADS folks elsewhere, this weather event has been highly destructive, resulting in widespread power outages, traffic nightmares, over-flown rivers, and saddest of all, fatalities, throughout major portions of the Middle East.

Now that the storm is finally loosening its grip on the area of his studio, Marwan has been able to send us these photos to share with you. We’ve also included a link to news about the storm. 

We wish Marwan and his staff, as well as all who are affected, a rapid recovery. And we’re pretty sure it won’t be long before FADS, Beirut, makes something positive come from it all, like teaching students how to dance in the snow. . . .

Read more about the Storm at The Daily Star

FADS West Hartford part of Pink Party to support Breast Cancer Awareness

~by Carmen Champagne

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and FADS West Hartford is more than aware … they’re taking part in a local fundraiser, in conjunction with Hartford Magazine and other area business, to help support the cause.  "Pink Party", an outdoor street fair, which includes a fashion show, fabulous food, live music and a dance exhibition by FADS instructors, will be held at Blue Back Square in West Hartford Center tomorrow, October 5^th.

Jessica Lengenfelder, owner of FADS West Hartford, had the opportunity to speak about why the cause was so important to her on Fox News this morning.  View her interview below.

The party runs from 5-8 p.m. and will be emceed by a Fox on-air talent.  Swag bags and raffle tickets will be available to purchase with a portion of the event proceeds going towards breast cancer research and local breast cancer programs through Komen Connecticut.  For a full schedule of events, visit Hartford Magazine.

Fred gets 'Made'

Brandon FADS Makes MTV’s ‘Made’

by Nancy Lapierre

Wow!  Is Brandon studio owner Kelle Pierce Chancellor excited – and so were we when we heard why!  Her Florida studio has earned FADS a fantastic new opportunity — to be featured on MTV’s reality show, ‘Made,’ on June 14!

With the motto “Spinning dreams into reality one hour at a time,” ‘Made’ is a highly popular reality television series now in its 12^th season. Showcasing teens with goals that they could never fulfill on their own, the teens are offered a little help from MTV and their MADE coach (and, we happily note, Fred Astaire Dance Studios!) to become the people they dream of:  from singers and film directors to athletes and dancers.

The FADS episode will feature the magic of dance lessons in improving the confidence of an awkward teen-aged boy. What will happen?  Will the lessons help?  Will he gain the self-assurance that he seeks? Or will he hit the skids on the dance floor?  Will our dancer turn famous, like Branden Naccarato, the Pennsylvania teen couch potato-turned-tri-athlete who gained national attention after his appearance on ‘Made’? 

The mystery will remain until show-time, and we sure do want to know what happens!

 

This exciting honor was bestowed upon the studio because of its enticing, comprehensive website (do check it out here!) and "the friendly, upbeat way" MTV’s initial call was handled.
Kelle writes, “We are so proud that they chose us amid several independent competitors!” 

Kelle runs the studio with her husband, David. The pair makes a supreme effort to reach the younger age group, and Kelle knows that “this is an awesome way to get the FADS name out to the teenage demographic.” 

Kelle and David Chancellor

A favorite teacher at her own studio, Kelle was also recently hired to be the local high school’s dance program choreographer for the 2012-2013 year. “We will have a FADS ad in all their programs and on the school’s website,” she notes, “which will reach hundreds of students and their families.”

“The Brandon Team is SO proud to be a part of the great FADS family,” writes Kelle, who is thankful for “everyone's support of the newbies on the block!”

Congratulations to the Team for this great opportunity, the result of great work!