Mariachi Madness

Ballroom, Country-Western, and swing dancers from the Southwest and beyond will gather this week to compete at the Rio Grande Dance Classic in Albuquerque, April 13 – 16.

Social dancers may think a competition has little to offer them. We encourage them to think again.

Here are dozens of reasons for social dancers to consider spending some time at the Rio Grande competition.

Come make merry with us at our Holiday Party, 7 – 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at CSP Dance Studios, 1624 Eubank Blvd. NE. There‘s a free waltz lesson at 6:15 p.m. Andy Nelson will DJ.

This is also a Member Appreciation Dance, so all USA Dance members get in for free! Others pay $10.

We’ll also elect our board of directors for 2023-24.

USA Dance is partnering with Albuquerque dance instructor Joseph Chavez for an afternoon of fun and affordable workshops on dance technique on Sunday, March 30.

What kinds of dance lessons would you like to take at USA Dance? Would you prefer evening dances in the summer?

We are conducting a survey of our dancers, and we encourage you to spend a few minutes to give us your thoughts. Your responses will help us plan for the coming year. The survey includes space to give feedback, in your own words, to the USA Dance board.

In light of Gov. Lujan Grisham’s decision this week to lift the indoor mask mandate, dancers are no longer required to wear face masks at USA Dance (but anyone who prefers to wear a mask should continue to do so). We still require that all attendees show a one-time proof of vaccination. Our next social…

Barry Paur, a longtime USA Dance member and a friend to many of us, passed away a day shy of his 86th birthday on Jan. 22.

Barry’s memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 5, at the Wyoming Chapel, 7171 Wyoming Blvd. NE, with a reception to follow.