CORRECTION! Erin’s email is erin.evans@bodypositivedancefitness.com! :)

Newsletter - August 11, 2023

UPDATES FOR August and Beyond...

It’s finally sunny, warm and beautiful in the great State of Maine, where our “lakes, streams and rock-bound coasts” are alive with Zumba-lovers single-single-doubling around, outside and in!  We are happy for this chance to give you an update of the goings-on at Body Positive Dance Fitness.

Of course, we were all disappointed with Susan’s unplanned and rather sudden change of heart about staying with Body Positive Dance Fitness.  While her departure was a surprise to all of us, we wish her the very best for her future endeavors.

Also in the department of unexpected news, we learned recently that Happy Wheels intends to close for maintenance August 20 – September 4, that it changed our schedule for Tuesday nights in September, and that some of our scheduled slots will not be available beginning in October. This information was communicated by Happy Wheels prior to our acquisition of Studio Fit in June, but we were not informed until several weeks later. 

This kind of disruption is exactly why we are building a new studio for ALL OF US!  And in the meantime -- we rented spaces in Westbrook and Windham for August, have secured a space in Westbrook for Tuesday evenings in September, and are on track for our studio opening in October.  Please grant a little grace and a lot of patience while we work hard to maintain continuity as much as we can.  We continue to put all our effort into ensuring that classes do not get canceled, and we will do our best to make sure that schedule changes are easy to find on our Facebook page, website, and in your email inbox.

Like the rain finally lifting, there are many recent summer happenings that bring joy! Highlights include our Saturday Family Zumba class series, topped off by a drawing for a free year’s membership won by Julie D.  July also marked the return of two instructors - Alison and Chelsea - who will be joining the team on the full, larger schedule with the opening of our new space.  Further, we are excited to welcome several new folks who’ve become regulars on the dance floor since Body Positive Dance Fitness opened its virtual doors on June 1.  Thanks to you for your welcoming, open-hearted community spirit – your energy and warmth are what make Zumba so special!

Speaking of our new space, you may have seen the construction progressing in our studio at 1064 Brighton Avenue in the Pine Tree Shopping Center.  Permits have been obtained and the initial steps of construction are underway!  Beginning Monday, August 14, you’ll see our contractors hard at work building out the facility, starting with our six private bathrooms, then on to the two large dance floors, and comfortable spots to hang out and relax between classes. We are so excited to have a full-time studio dedicated to providing this community with a convenient schedule of classes taught EVERY DAY by a variety of energized and talented teachers.

Below you will see recent photos of the spaces that will soon become our two large gyms, complete with knee-friendly flooring!

And check out our new YouTube video, taught by a collaboration of instructors - please enjoy this full one-hour class any time you are unable to attend in person!  There’s lots of new material in this video – it showcases some of the songs our new instructors and their students have been doing in their Zumba classes around the area. 

Temporary Space in Windham August 21-September 4:

We thought it would be helpful for you to see the space we secured for the last two weeks of August in Windham at the UCC Church, 723 Roosevelt Trail.  So Jess, Carson and Erin filmed a video of some of your favorite classics, mostly from inside the space, to give you a good idea of how nice it is.  You’ll see it has great wooden floors and a big stage; overall it’s a large, open and breezy spot.  Here is a preview of that new full-class video, which will be up soon: 

Looking Ahead to the Remainder of August — Let Us Know if You Want to Talk or Help!

We do understand that the location change can pose a challenge for some, particularly through the coming few weeks.  But we are glad to be able to maintain weekly Zumba classes on a regular schedule throughout this period.

Members:

If the location change poses too much difficulty for you to come to classes in the last two weeks of August, we are happy to accommodate by pausing your membership. Just send Erin a note to erin.evans@bodypositivedancefitness.com and she will put your membership on hold as of 8/20/2023 and restart it on 9/5/2023.  You will be credited for that time and your membership will continue after 9/5.  Or, as always, if you would like to cancel your monthly membership in favor of moving to one of our new “punch pass” options, please email Erin, and she is happy to take care of that as well. 

Construction Help?

In the weeks ahead, we expect to have opportunities available to folks interested in being part of the studio build-out: We will hold a couple of painting/building parties and would love your help making our new space the dance haven we know it will be. If you want to participate, please let us know and we will be in touch about scheduling. Feel free to email us any time (dancing@bodypositivedancefitness.com) or chat with us before or after class! We come nearly every day because - as has been the case for years - what we love most about Zumba is the boost it gives our day every time we get to spend an hour dancing with the most supportive and caring community in the world!

Thank you all for dancing with us; we look forward to seeing you on the dance floor again soon!

Carson & Erin