So what's going on at the studio as of February 13?

ATTENDANCE

It appears that we will set an attendance record this month.  Since the advent of Online Registration, we have a fairly good guess how many people register each month.  We are knocking on the door of the previous high.

Salsa is ridiculous. I have never seen so many students in all my life. 

The joke among my staff is our classes are largest on the nights I am not there and we are setting attendance records on months when I am too slow to get out the Newsletter.  I guess this means I am not a one-man team, yes?

Nice work SSQQ Staff, and thank you very much SSQQ Students.

ROOF

It appears that we finally have our roof fixed.  I will believe it when I see our floor and ceiling survive a serious rain.  Cross your fingers!!

PARKING

Parking is ridiculous as long as the construction continues on the hospital next door. The word is that it should be finished in a month or two. We shall see.

Meanwhile the Bellaire Police have begun to frown on people parking practically out on Bissonnet. I wrote a little story further below in case you need more clarification, but basically it is a fire hazard.  I completely support their wishes.

In the meantime I have found all sorts of interesting new places to park.  Before you all complain about parking, I want you to think about it for a minute.  When I go to the movies, I walk just as far from my car to the theater as I do to SSQQ.  I wait in lines just as long as the lines at SSQQ. 

And by the way, no one has any business complaining about standing in line at SSQQ - register Online!!  I paid a programmer $5,000 a few years ago just so you would not have to stand in line if you didn't want to.

One thing nice to say about Bellaire - its marvelous police department keeps a close eye on our studio all the time.  I know this for a fact.  The policeman who fussed at me about the parking problem then turned around and said he has never seen so many people look so happy in his life.  Our studio has a great relationship with Bellaire PD.  As a result, we do business in a ultra-safe environment thanks to their watchful eye.

Two more notes on parking. 

One, be nice to anyone who asks you to park elsewhere.  Sad to say, back in the days of free sodas at practice night, people would leave cans everywhere. Now you know one of the reasons why we switched to "free practice night" over a year ago. 

Please show respect for every business that loans you a parking spot nearby.  Thank you.

Second, does anyone know why parking is forbidden on the East Side of First Street in Bellaire?  This is a mystery that has perplexed me for ages.  After all the street is practically deserted at night and there aren't even any homes on that side of the street.  We could really use that side of the street for parking.  If anyone has a clue to the mystery, please enlighten me.

OUR NEXT DANCE PARTY

Our next dance party is Sweethearts of the Rodeo on Saturday, Feb 25.  It is a Western dance with Western, Waltz, and Swing music in Room 1 and Whip/WCS dancing in Room 4. Wear anything you like!  Special crash courses include Dirty Dancing (couples only) with Bryan Spivey and Sweethearts of the Rodeo (Ghost Town Sweetheart Position patterns) with Linda Cook.

08 HISTORY OF SSQQ (AND RICK ARCHER)

In my own HUMBLE opinion, the story of how I created SSQQ is actually pretty amazing.  It reads like a wild roller-coaster ride!

Here is the first paragraph: 

It is of course a cosmic absurdity that a guy who openly admits he is not a natural dancer, has never won a dance contest, does not perform, choreograph, or put on shows, has never received any teaching awards or professional recognition whatsoever, somehow managed to create the largest dance studio in Houston, Texas (and quite possibly in the entire United States).

The story contains FOUR just-in-the-nick-of-time rescues where people came out of nowhere to save my skin.

The story talks about the careless whisper that changed my entire life and time a woman I only knew for 5 minutes in my life gave me the break that led to the formation of the studio. 

Twice a teacher showed up out of nowhere when I was on the brink of self-destruction.

Twice I got evicted and both times I unexpectedly found the perfect dance studio the very next day to solve my problem. It was almost as if both times my next location was already awaiting me.

The story contains FOUR different instances where people who had never met me before in my life offered me important jobs on the spot!

The story also goes into detail about a strange conflict-of-interest agreement that changed the entire direction of my career.

You will also read the amusing story of how SSQQ got its name!

If you are curious about this unusual studio and the events that led to its formation, click here


JOEL MCCLESKEY

Congratulations to SSQQ Assistant Joel McCleskey for his Pro-Am world championship victory in SWEDEN of all places over New Years.  This is the second year in a row that Joel has won a Country-Western World Dance Championship.  If you would like to read a very good story about his victory last year as well, click here: Joel McCleskey 2005

The story of his victory is pretty amazing. His regular teacher had a serious injury... sprained ankle or maybe worse.  He showed up and wondered where his teacher was.  You know, Sweden is not exactly down the street.  At any rate, Joel was told to pick a professional female dance instructor and perform with her.  Joel hooked up with Brandy Tobias from Massachusetts.  Dancing with this lovely "hired gun", Joel swept the field against men who danced their regular instructors!!

One more note about Joel. Just for the record, Joel McCleskey and his wife Ruth signed up for "Two Left Feet" here at SSQQ back in July 2002.  I remember the day clearly. The man could barely walk, but thanks to "Two Left Feet", he is now a World Dance Champion. I say this for the simple reason that this means there is hope for all of us. Nice work, Joel!!

10 BRYAN SPIVEY

Speaking of dance champions, by an amazing coincidence - SSQQ West Coast Swing instructor Bryan Spivey recently won a major Professional Jack and Jill competition at the Americas Classic when he drew the name out of a hat of the same Ms. Brandy Tobias!!  You can read the story here in this same newsletter by the way.  My hunch is Ms Tobias is quite a dancer!  

Bryan had quite a dance competition recently. He was named Top WCS Instructor for the second year in a row.  He won the Pro-Am competition with straight first place ratings from EVERY JUDGE.  Bryan also won a Third Place in a Pro-Am with his fiancée Lisa Palmer.  Speaking of Lisa, I noticed she pulled a third place of her own dancing in Strictly Swing.

Bryan told me there is a major "Training Wheels" dance competition coming up later this month known as the "Novice Invitational".  This the same competition that Bryan won back in 2003 - just three short years ago and look at him now! 

Bryan is holding a West Coast Swing Competition workshop here at SSQQ on Saturday February 18 at 11 am (see details below 10 )  Bryan is going to explain the ropes of WCS dance competitions - what the judges look for, how to part a routine together, how prepare properly, who to bribe, you know, all the important things that go into performing well at a contest.  Be sure to check out the details!

One more note. Some of you may not realize that Bryan got his start in the world of dance as a Hall Monitor. Now we find that Joel got his start in Two Left Feet, our dance class for people with footwork self-esteem problems. 

Both men are championship dancers now.  In a way it is very unique that both found glory with the same lady, Brandy Tobias. What a strange coincidence!  I mean basically speaking she lives in Massachusetts and two guys from Houston both more or less drew her name out of a hat.  That links their stories together.

But what they really share in common is that neither man had any idea he had a gift for dance ahead of time.  They started somewhere humble and figured it out along the way.  So did my best friend Mike Fagan, a Rice Computer Professor. He started out as a foosball player and a Berkeley grad-nerd and ended up winning a State Whip Championship.

You gotta start somewhere. But mostly you gotta start.  A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

04 CRUISE UPDATES Marla and I came close to pulling off a cruise to the Pacific Northwest. We had almost 20 people.  But so many people begged us to do another Rhapsody Trip that we decided to do the right thing and postpone the Pacific Trip to next year or maybe the year after. The fact of the matter is that a lot of people felt cheated out of their Rhapsody Vacation in 2005 by Hurricane Rita.  They got half a trip and that simply wasn't enough.  Just about the time the Birds and Bees were starting to make their move, the trip was over!!

But even more important than that, we barely missed setting an important HOT TUB STUFFING RECORD!!  This year, we simply will NOT be denied.  In fact, I predict we will take more people on this cruise than any previous SSQQ cruise. The record stands at 144.  But you know what?  We were cheated last year, so this year we are going to make up for LOST TIME and go absolutely banana strawberry watermelon nuts on this trip.  We will set new marks for inconceivable stupid adult misbehavior... and do a lot of dancing in the process. After all, The Rhapsody Crew not only remembers us, they love us!  And several of our women love them!!   Hmm. Read the writeup.

In fact, I predict we will take more people on this cruise than any previous SSQQ cruise. The record stands at 144.  But you know what?  We were cheated last year, so this year we are going to make up for LOST TIME and go absolutely banana-strawberry-watermelon nuts on this trip.  And by the time we set those new hot tub records, we will all be prunes.

Check out the February Highlights Here: February Extra

February Update on the 2006 SSQQ Cruises

Rhapsody Reloaded Dance Cruise
Sunday, August 27th thru Sunday, September 3rd 

As of Monday, February 13, we have 17 passengers aboard.

Here's the Sales Pitch:
Sail the Rhapsody of the Seas for 7 action-packed night of Slow Dance and Romance under the seductive Caribbean moon... Join us and help set unbelievable records for hot-tub stuffing, mischief-making, and nonstop dancing upon the high seas!

This trip carries a warning! - The SSQQ Rhapsody Cruise will make this ship seem like a “Love Boat”-rerun as flings, flirtations, and genuine romances simmer & sometimes boil. Women are rendered wild and crazy at sea and men are in great danger of fooling around and falling in love. Come only at your own risk...

Leave from Galveston, head to Key West, Grand Cayman, & Cozumel
Inside: $598 Oceanview: $688 Balcony: $988

Here's the Inside Scoop:

The "buzz" on this trip is phenomenal.  Everybody says they are going.   For example:

-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Richardson
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 10:18 AM
To: Rick Archer
Subject: Cruise of August

I think you are going to see a very large group on this cruise. In my talking to a lot of people, most are saying they are going to sign up.

Gary

But there is a catch that you insiders should be aware of:  We can guarantee the above prices for 100 people up until April 21.
Anyone who wants to go on this trip has to keep track of these two things.

If you sign up AFTER April 21, you will have to pay the higher "going rate".
If you sign up AFTER we reach 100 reservations, you will have to pay the higher "going rate".

We cannot guarantee price or availability after April 21.  So sign up now. It is a $250 deposit and it is fully refundable until June 22nd.

If you wanna go, put up some dough.

Email Marla - marla@ssqq.com or phone her during the day at 713 862 4428.

And be sure to check the web site for pictures of last year's trip: Rita Rhapsody 2005
And be sure to check the web site for further promotional information on this year's trip: Rhapsody Reloaded 2006

The Autumn Leaves New England Cruise
Saturday, Sept 23 - Saturday, September 30

As of Monday, February 13, we have 30 passengers aboard.

Here's the Sales Pitch:
Sail the Jewel of the Seas as we visit New England to see the stunning beauty of the Autumn leaves! Leaving out of Boston, we first visit Martha’s Vineyard, then Portland (Maine), Bar Harbor (Maine), Halifax (Nova Scotia), St Johns (New Brunswick), then return to Boston.

Trees swayin’ in the Autumn breeze, breathtaking vistas of red, yellow, and orange leaves, the magnificent lighthouses of Maine, the marvelous history of Boston, lobsters, clam chowder, Acadia National Park at Bar Harbor, the stunning Canadian landscape and seascape, plus the quaint charm of New England is yours for the taking in this wonderful trip to a part of the country many of us have always dreamed of visiting, but never had the chance to do.

Inside: $1035  Oceanview: $1185   Balcony: $1335 SOLD OUT AT THIS PRICE (but more expensive balconies are still available... but not for long!)

Round trip air fare and ground transportation available thru Royal Caribbean for $465.

Here's the Inside Scoop:

This trip is the one dozens of people have told us they WISH like heck they could go on.  However we won't lie to you - it is expensive.  So we aren't sure how many people we will end up taking. 

However there is strong demand for this trip around the country. Even though we don't sail until late September, the balconies are already sold out!!  I know that's hard to believe, but it's a fact.

The good news is: we still have Inside and Oceanview space available until March 17th at the price listed above. After that, we lose our reserved space.  So if you want to go, you have a month to join up at the current prices!

We cannot guarantee price or availability after March 17.  So sign up now. It is a $250 deposit and it is fully refundable until July 19.

If you wanna go, put up some dough.

Email Marla - marla@ssqq.com or phone her during the day at 713 862 4428.
 

And be sure to check the web site for pictures of last year's Alaska trip: Alaska 2005
And be sure to check the web site for further promotional information on this year's trip: New England 2006

MBA REFUND STRUGGLE - In June 2005, I had two MBAs demanding a Refund. I said no. What ensued was the toughest battle over $46 in my entire life.

In this story, I explain their position, my position, the thinking behind the SSQQ Refund Policy, and the story concluded complete with a bizarre and ironic twist at the end.

As a hint, I worked harder on this story than any story in my entire life.  I think you will find it interesting. RA

History of SSQQ

Many people are curious how SSQQ got started, where it got its unusual name, and how our program was developed.

Since my own story and the History of SSQQ are practically "identical", this story actually serves as my own brief autobiography.

Here is the Introduction:

It is of course a cosmic absurdity that a guy who openly admits he is not a natural dancer, has never won a dance contest, does not perform, choreograph, or put on shows, has never received any teaching awards or professional recognition whatsoever, somehow managed to create the largest dance studio in Houston, Texas (and quite possibly in the entire United States).

Social Dancing started as my hobby. Then as the result of several remarkable twists of fate, it also became my career. I never expected to become a dance teacher.

However in 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980 a unique rat-a-tat series of opportunities launched me on the adventure of a lifetime. For four years I led a charmed life which culminated with the creation of SSQQ.

Each time a golden opportunity presented itself, I had enough sense to take advantage of it. But I must add I usually stumbled through each new door with the same confusion as a befuddled Alice in Wonderland. Most of the time I went through the door backwards.

But once I fell through the door, at least I had the sense to start scrambling.

Nor did I have much "vision". I kept my eye squarely fixed on each rung of the ladder without looking up. I rarely thought much beyond the next day or next week. As a result, I never imagined that someday I would become the owner of Houston's largest dance studio.

The story contains FOUR just-in-the-nick-of-time rescues where people came out of nowhere to save my skin.

Twice a teacher showed up out of nowhere when I was on the brink of self-destruction.

Twice I got evicted and both times I unexpectedly found the perfect dance studio the very next day to solve my problem. It was almost like both times my next location was already waiting me.

The story contains FOUR different instances where people who had never met me before in my life offered me important jobs on the spot!

The story goes into detail about a strange conflict-of-interest agreement that changed the entire direction of my career.

In my opinion, it is also the story of seeming divine intervention . Although I do not practice formal religion, I appears I must have a "Guardian Angel".

In truth, the story of my dance career and my dance studio is the result of at least a half-dozen lucky breaks including two amazing "Right Place at the Right Time" miracles that read like sheer folly.

In 1977, I was a mediocre, barely-qualified line dance instructor with 15 students learning the "Bus Stop" and the "Four Corners". Then out of nowhere came "Saturday Night Fever". Three months later I was teaching classes of 70-100 people seven nights a week.

In 1980, I accepted an offer to teach a Western class before I knew how to Twostep or Polka. Nor could I hear a C&W song and tell you what to dance to it. Two months later I became the best-known Western dance instructor in Houston, Texas... even though I had been to a Western dance club in my life.

And the story contains the inside information on the gamble of a lifetime. As you will see, there were many times when I flat-out had to bluff my way through a tight spot to somehow make it to the next level.

Yes, there was perhaps a little skill and hard work along the way, but make no mistake about it...

I was in the right place at the right time or the recipient of uncanny cosmic help so often that the story of SSQQ Dance Studio begins to sound "predestined".

History of SSQQ

Bellaire Police issue warning not to park on Grassy Area in front of dance studio.

In February 2006, the Bellaire Police have been kind enough to come in our studio and ask that offending cars be removed on at least 5 different occasions.

Now they say they are ready to tow.

The reason not to park there is because it blocks access to the Fire Hydrant and makes the opening to the parking lot to narrow to access in case of an emergency.

SSQQ has tried putting traffic cones out there, but they keep getting stolen.

At any rate, now you know.

Bryan Spivey Wins Top Teacher Award at America's Classic AND Wins First Place in the Jack and Jill Pro-Am

Story at Americas Classic 2006 - National Event in Houston

This year at ACC was awesome! There were over 900 people who attended this event spanning from California to New Jersey and even as far north as Canada!! The registration had to sell standing room only tickets it got so packed!

On Saturday afternoon we had the Pro-Ams (professional dancing with amateur...much like dancing with the stars) and I had five ladies in both divisions that I danced with. We all had a good time. Later that afternoon, we had the preliminaries for the Jack n Jill.

Awards came Saturday evening. My fiancée Lisa Palmer finished 3rd out of 20 ladies from all over the country in the Non-professional division. And for the 2ND straight year in a row, I was named TOP TEACHER!!  Lisa and I also found out that we made the finals for the Jack n Jill on Sunday. Just making the finals was huge because there were over 60 people competing in the professional/rising star division...and only 11 made it to finals.

The Jack n Jill contest is where you don't know who your partner is going to be nor do you know the music...it is on-the-fly choreography.

The Jack n Jill finals roll around on Sunday, and we are spotlighted (a NON-heated format where you and your partner are the ONLY ones on the floor) in front of the entire crowd. When it was my turn, I drew a lady named Brandi Tobias from Massachusetts. I had never danced with her before, so I was wondering how our dance was going to turn out. We had a good dance and even put on a little show ;O). After that contest, a lot of people came up to me saying how exciting Brandi and I were to watch. That Just tickled me because there were professionals from Tulsa, Denver, Boston, Dallas, Madison, Milwaukee, St Louis, Minneapolis, Ohio, California in the Jack n Jill.

Well the awards came, and I was really hoping that I could just at least place because there were some pretty big names there. Well, when they had called the 3rd place finalists and the 2nd place finalist, I thought that there was no chance. Well, Mario always waits a little longer for the room to get quiet before announcing the 1st Place finalists and when had this
grin, I had hopes. Sure enough Brandi and I had won the Professional Jack n Jill!!

That was truly a great feeling to win that contest against so many people, but the kicker was when we went back to get the score sheet. There were a lot of people in front of the score sheets when I walked back to see and someone told me that i had gotten all 1st place votes. The judging system they use at these dance events is 'relative placement.' Unlike ice skating where a judge can give a 9.5 many times, each judge in relative placement gives ONLY (1) 1st, (1) 2nd, (1) 3rd, etc depending on how many couples compete, i.e. if there are 10 couples one judge will rank each couple 1-10. Well, all five judges gave us their 1st place ranking!!! These judges were from LA, Sacramento, New Jersey, and 2 from Dallas. Everyone of them thought we were the best out there! That was the best feeling of the weekend!

Overview of placements
Bryan Spivey - Top Teacher 2X  :O)
Lisa Palmer and Bryan Spivey 3rd place Pro-am
Lisa Palmer and Victor Loviera 3rd place strictly swing
Bryan Spivey and Brandi Tobias 1st place Jack n Jill

West Coast Swing Competition Workshop by Bryan Spivey!!!
Saturday, February 18th
Time: 1100 am-2 pm (with a break and some music to go along)

Where: SSQQ dance studio

For: Anyone getting ready for NOVICE INVITATIONAL - MARCH 3-5. Also, for anyone who has ever thought about competing, want to improve your dancing, get familiar with what the judges are looking for, and some helpful tips and tricks that can help you get noticed better; whether it be for competition or just even social dancing.

We will cover some of the popular types of competitions -
Strictly swings
Progressive (routines)
Jack n Jills

Cost: $20

To Register: At the door at the time of the Workshop.

VINCE YOUNG

(Editor's Note: The Upset Victory in the closing seconds of the Texas-USC Rose Bowl instantly made this the BEST FOOTBALL GAME I have ever seen in my life. I was so pumped with adrenaline afterwards I couldn't even sleep.  So I sat down at my computer and typed out the letter below and mailed it the next morning.

In the days since, both Vince Young and Reggie Bush have declared their intentions to become professionals. This set up a tremendous debate here in Houston. While it is likely that taking Reggie Bush would make the Texans a winner as well, I doubt he alone would be the difference. Vince Young has that once-in-a-lifetime kind of football ability and he is a tremendous leader.

I recommend all Houstonians and all fans of the Texans football team make it known loud and clear that Vince Young is the right person to pick. If we don't speak up, we are going to lose Vince Young to New Orleans or to the Tennessee Titans. Let's keep Vince Young right here in Houston where he belongs, okay?  RA)

Why the Texans Should Take Vince Young
written by Rick Archer
January 5, 2006

The Houston Texans
Two Reliant Park
Houston, TX 77054
(832) 667-2000

Gentlemen,

If you have the opportunity to draft Vince Young, please do so.

Reason 1: Vince Young is a hometown hero.

During the Texas-USC Championship Game, he was compared to Roger Staubach, the Dallas Cowboy legend known as just as much for his leadership and charisma as his football prowess.
It is obvious that Vince Young is a leader along the same lines.

Drafting Vince Young will make Houston Texans football must-see for a decade plus.


Reason 2: Look what drafting another hometown hero, Earl Campbell, did for the Oilers.


Reason 3: Reggie Bush versus Vince Young.

Try this one: Hakeem Olajuwon versus Michael Jordan. Even though Michael Jordan became the most famous basketball player in the world, not one Houstonian ever questioned for a moment drafting Olajuwon.

Why? Because Hakeem Olajuwon was a "hometown hero" (in addition to being the Second Best Basketball Player on the Planet!!)


Reason 4: Roger Clemens. Look what GAINING a hometown hero has done for the Astros.


Reason 5: Nolan Ryan. Look what LOSING a hometown hero did for the Astros.


Reason 6: Rashard Lewis. The Rockets still have a black eye for holding three first-round draft picks and not having the guts to gamble even one of them on a home town kid who was burning with desire to play for them. Rashard Lewis is now an NBA All-Star. Even more ironic, not one of those 3 draft choices is still in the NBA.


Reason 7: You cannot afford to let Vince Young get away.

If you listen to the experts and discover drafting Reggie Bush is the "better" football move, you are missing the point. People buy football tickets with their heart, not with their brain. Vince Young would likely play for the Texans in a heartbeat. He is a Texas phenomenon and HOUSTON, TEXAS, is his hometown. Every person in the world he loves lives here.

People from Dallas would follow the Texans. People from Austin would follow the Texans. People all over the State would follow the Texans because Vince Young helped Texas win the national championship despite being a strong underdog to one of the best college teams ever assembled. The Texans would no longer be second-class citizens to the Dallas Cowboys... Texans Football would become must-see TV throughout the state.

Mr. Young is a legend in his hometown. He is a legend in his home state.

By letting him get away, you risk embittering millions of people who desperately want you to give Vince Young the chance to become the face of the Texans. We like David Carr, a fine man, but we love Vince Young. He is "one of us" and we admire his prodigious football ability.

Even if Reggie Bush turns out to be the second coming of OJ, it doesn't matter. Vince Young is arguably just as good. Best of all, his "marketing" here in Houston is off the charts. Yes, your "Superbowl Plan" might be set back a year or two, but on the other hand Vince Young might turn out to be "that good". I have never seen an athlete like him before.

We ran Bud Adams out of town because he was a jerk. We voted to build a stadium for Mr. McNair because he had the guts to get us a franchise despite all the odds. We have supported his football team. Now we ask Mr. McNair to take a chance on the man who led his team to victory in the most amazing football game I have ever seen.

Vince Young is worth the gamble. If he gets away and makes it big somewhere else, the bitterness will last for an eternity. Please give us our hero and you will never regret it.

We are football fans and we love Vince Young. 

Rick Archer

-----Original Message-----
From: James W
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 7:48 PM
To: 'Rick Archer'
Subject: RE: vince young

I thought your letter was great! That is why I wanted to help you contact the Texans and get your letter to them in a more effective way. I recently expressed my own sentiments to the Chronicle's Richard Justice by email. You never know what might be the tipping point to the Texan's deciding to draft Vince Young. There are many people that are at best casual football fans of the Texans in Houston and the surrounding area. But drafting Vince Young would change all of that. The city/state/nation could very well fall in love with a kid with so much talent and a life story like this. Everybody loves a winner! The Texan's would be crazy to pass this guy up.

James

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Brent B
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 7:44 PM
To: dance@ssqq.com
Subject: Vince

I think you said it all; we need Vince in Houston.
Brent
 

 

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