Bradenton Dancers Win National Dance Championships

Students of That's Dancing! Dance Education for Adults won top honors at the Starpower National Talent Championships July 1-3. The event was held at Disney's Dolphin Resort in Orlando. The `"Starfire Dancers"   are adult students of Bonnie Gray, and study at the Historic Manatee Central Building in Bradenton.  Their tap routine "Thoroughly Modern Millie" earned a Platinum Medal, the High Score award in the Small Group Tap division, and The National Championship Title for Adult Small Groups.  Their Character Jazz routine to "King Of The Road" also won a Platinum medal, the High Score Character Award, and The runner-up to the National Title. A very competitive category, all of the Top 5 finalists in the Adult Small Group division earned "Platinum Medal " status- the level above  "Gold."

Tap soloist Suzy Berinsky also won top honors as the National Champion Adult Soloist. Her winning routine to "It's Sandman!" scored a Platinum Medal, and the High Score for Adult Tap Dance as well as the Solo Title.  The 3 wins bring the total for this group to 4 titles- This group won the National Champion Small Group title on 2008 as well.  All routines are choreographed by Ms. Gray, a working professional stage performer, and award winning choreographer.

The group performs locally, and their next scheduled performance is August 19, for the Manatee Central Open House (515 - 9^th Street E, Bradenton). They are currently working on a show to be performed aboard the Royal Caribbean Ship  "Grandeur Of The Seas" in January 2010.  The new class session will begin in August.  For more info on this group or the adult dance program, visit www.bonniegray.com

Hi ALL;

Cruise dates are selected!!  Jan 23-28, 2010.
My Starfire student Show will be performing a 30 minute show on board the Royal
C: Grandeur Of the Seas!

We sail out of Tampa. We will stop in Key West and Cozumel- sailing 5 nights,
Sat-Thurs.  You are welcome to join us! Let me know if you need details-
Deposits are due june 25.

Still need renters!  Hardwood Floor, mirrors, barres, piano.  2930 - 9th Street
N, St Pete!  Great place for classes, seminars, worshops, rehearsals!

New session begins June 1.  Mon/Tue in Bradenton, Thursdays in St Pete.
Come Join us for Fun and Fitness!

Starfire dancers head to Disney in July to compete in the national dance
competition!

See you this summer!

Hi ALL!
I will be performning at Bradenton Womens Club for a concert and Dance on July
31st. 8-11 PM, concert and Dance, FREE Dance lesson at 7PM w/ ticket purchase.
Tables can be reserved- don't miss it!

April 3rd's "First Fri" is part of the Bradenton Month-Long celebration of JAZZ.
I am performing solo @ Dancing Crane Patio (1019 10th Ave W) from 615-9PM. I
hope you'll come by! Thankyou to those who came last time- it was Great Fun!
First Fri Artwalk is a Village of the Arts tradition, involving 35+ Galleries
(Art, Antiques, Bookshops, Designer Clothing, Cafes) and numerous musical Acts.
The V of Arts district is located: 9th Ave W / ML King to 17 Ave W (N to S) and
14th Street W/ BIZ US 41 t0 9th Street W.

Hi All:
I have been working on a new (BeDazzled Trio) Demo w/ Tom and Annie.
Tom did the recording and mixing, I did the songlists and ad info and
Bev made us a lovely CD cover. All should be put together any day. It
has a track of Short cuts (For Sales Purposes) and then a full track of
a bunch of songs- our general wide variety. We have new postcards and
Biz cards as well. Tho we prefer Jazz, we can do it ALL.

Also I've been "sitting in" or even occasionally singing Karaoke
(UGH!!!) here and there looking for work-  If you know anyone I might
do this with- let me know. I am hoping that if the management has heard
me, maybe I can hook up with a gig on their next available opening. It
worked for me in the past. In some cases, I just prove myself a
suitable sub- or "add-on" for the band should they need one. That's OK
too. We are especially intested in St Petersburg, as that is most
central for our Trio.

Know anyone getting married? I sing wedding ceremonies
(solo/duo/whatever), rehearsal dinners, and receptions, and of course-
I can also teach the Bridal party and/or parents to dance - or
choreograph a cool performance # for them.  I am being featured at the
GCW&E Bridal Expo in Bradenton on March 8th. Singing for the Fashion
Show.

Access Broadway @ Radisson Worldgate Convention Center.

B'ton Group: PLATINUM Medal and 2nd Highest Score for All Adult Dance
groups for "Millie" Tap #. Suzy, Michelle, Kathy, Jeanne, Vickie, Kim,
Barbara.

B'ton Group: High Gold Medal for "King of the Road" Jazz #.  Barbara,
Vickie, Michelle, Kathy, Jeanne, Suzy.

Claudia R (St Pete) PLATINUM MEDAL & 2nd Highest Score for All Adult
SOLOs for "Left My Door open" and High Gold medal for Tap
Solo: "Carolina in the Morning"

Suzy Berinsky (B'ton)PLATINUM Medal! for her tap Solo: "it's Sandman"

Marge Friel = Hospitalized with bronchitis,and uable to compete. :(
NEXT COMPETITION IS: March 28-29 in Lakeland @ Lakeland Center!

Fri Feb 6: Bonnie featured @ 1st Friday ARTWALK. On The patio @ Dancing
Crane Gallery 1019 - 10 Ave W, Bradenton Village of The Arts.

Sat Feb 7: 9 of my That's Dancing! Students Compete in 6 entries in the
Access Broadway Talent Competition, ORLANDO.

Sat Feb 7: St Pete Studio hosts VALENTINE EVENT- Glamour Makeup and
StripTease Dance class! RSVP Required! 12:30-3

Sat Feb 21: St Pete Studio hosts Your BEST PHOTO & IMAGE Seminar: Ask
the Photographer, and Image Info: Color and Figure Analysis! RSCVP
Req'd. tentatively 12;30-3 PM, $10-15.00

NOTE: need work and Exposure-  Please give out my card when possible -
and consider me for any events upcoming!

HI ALL

Need some work if you can think of anything-
Clubs, Veterans Org, Gated Communities, Fundraisers, Weddings.

Also need Renters in St Pete Studio:
Monday and Friday are Completely open-
Tuesday Open Daytime and after 7PM
Saturday /Sunday are usually available.

Got some great saturday workshops coming up-
Usually 2 per month... Dance, Wellness, Image Analysis...

Bonnie

Hey Gang!

With all the restaraunt Cutbacks and Closings- ALL live entertainment
is IN TROUBLE, and far too many of us are vying for the same gigs! If
you don't FEED it, it will Die!

PLEASE suggest ME
(BeDazzled, Heatwave, SOLO, FLOOR SHOWS, Theme PARTY SHOW)
to anyone you can think of who needs a band, Or a Show, or a vocalist!
Note: I'd be very happy to provide you with some Biz cards or postcards
to pass out.

After all these years it would really be a shame for me to have to get
a full time job. EEEEK!!!!

:(

Bonnie

Hi all-

Bad news... Little harbor has canceled all music scheduled for Wed,
Thur, and Sundays which effectively cancels ALL dates i had there.

If you can drop a CD for me at YOUR fav dinig space, please ask me for
one...  Or a DVD for your club for holiday parties...  I am in need of
work!

I wonder if a person can live on canned soup?.....

This Sunday is our Open House-
2-6 PM @ the New studio 2930 - 9th Street N (Enter and Park in BACK)
Door Prizes, sampler classes....
Please come and see the new space- And bring a friend!
Bonnie

Thanks to ALL of you who came out Sunday-
It was great fun to have so many!

next gig there is NOV 16-  430-830PM

Bonnie

BeDAZZLED returns to Little Harbor!
430-830 on Oct 12.  Great music, food, oceanview.

NOTE: BOOKING HOLIDAYS NOW!!!
AND
Have had requests for performance info from:
MJs JAZZ LOUNGE St Pete, and Polo Club, Lakewood Ranch-
so if you can put in a good word for the Duo or Trio-
I'd appreciate it!

B

Hi All-

Thanks a bunch to those who came out to support us, and to celebrate my
birthday! It was a great day!

We will be back there on Oct 12, 430-830. so- I hope you'll come.

All my performer buddies agree that Live entertainment is in danger of
extinction due to poor audience turnout and support...  When YOU have
the chance- PLEASE support live entertainment! If you dont feed it, it
will die-

Bonnie

Come help me celebrate my birthday!

SEPT 28, 4:30-8:30 PM

Little Harbor, RUSKIN

Come help us make a great Video- for promo purposes.
Rhoda and I (CELEBRATION DUO - Piano and Vocal) will be performing a
short concert (Classical, sacred, Wedding, inspirational, patriotic)

on WED SEPT 24, 6:15 PM,
at MANATEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
15th Street E and SR #64.

I hope you'll come and get a sample of what we do- for weddings, art
shows, events, etc. And help us to have a good audience to play to
while Videotaping!

Hi ALL-

BUMMER we were canceled out on Sunday. Winds were high, and Patio
deserted, so they did what they rarely do- esp on a Sunday- and
canceled the music. I worked at home- trying to find more work mostly.
I hope you had a great weekend- clouds and all.

TOM and I will be at Little Harbor on Wed eve, 6-10 PM,
then BeDAZZLED will be back - end of month- SEPT 28.

I am seriously considering opening a rehearsal hall in St Pete- have
lost mine AGAIN, and have been bumped around a few years now. Perhaps
you or someone you know can help?  If I do this - I'll  need renters:
people who want to come weekly or monthly to hold classes,
rehearsals, meetings there. I will only be there a couple days and 1
eve per week. So the rest is available. I would also need help
paintimg, assembling the floor, and moving sound equipment and stuff
from Bradenton to St Pete.  I am looking closer at a place (on 9
street N) this Thursday AM.

In my life- TODAY (Day after Labor Day) is the beginning of the year.
Have a great year! Bonnie

Hi ALL-

Hope to see you THIS SUNDAY - Aug 31 @ Little Harbor! We'll be at the
Sunset Grille patio. BeDAZZLED will be dazzling you from 430-830 PM.
Great Music, food, Sunsets- We'd LOVE to see you there- and bring your
camera, so we can get some Fan Club shots on this site!

Indy trip was great! Wed -Sunday. Got a chance to see my family, plus I
Sang w/ my brother Donn's band (Donn, his son Shayne, his Daughter
Savannah, and our friend Danny)on Friday eve, and my sister Lynda sat
in on a few songs too! it was good to see her singing again. She seemed
to be doing a bit better in general.
The Convention was Fri-sun at Indiana Convention Center. Beautiful
place- had been there once before - but that was to attend a
Graduation. B.

THANK YOU! to all of you who came to Little Harbor yesterday! What a
beautiful day it was! I had 6 (WOW! 6!) tables of people! (and a record
for tips in that location)I am so grateful for your support. We are
there again Aug 31, 430-830. With Annie along, I am no longer stuck
behind the keyboard, and I am so thrilled about that!

Take care this week when Fay comes by, I am hoping she won't stop
anywhere near us. See you soon.

Bonnie

PS- we have more YOU TUBE videos up-
including my Student Dance Champs Videos!
have a look! (and leave a compliment?)

Launching "BeDAZZLED" his month! The BeDAZZL-ing Duo of Bonnie and
Annie performing this time in 4pc group. We are launching our new team -
Please come! please bring your camera so we can add some Fan photo
albums! we are there 430-830 on the 17th and the 31st.
NEXT MONTH: SEPT 28th, we MOVED the date, was originally the 21st....

If you have chance, take a listen to Bonnies Radio interviews, for
6/12/08 WSLR- see the LINK page!

Bad news-  Manny's is closing. I won't be there Friday or anytime
after. I may get in wherever Manny moves to....  Hard to say. Thanks to
all who came out-

Have to cancel those of you who were planning to come out on the 15th
and 29th- I told AJ (my agent) he had to find me something for the 29th
as you all were planning to come! So- I'll Keep you POSTED. BUT- there
is also LITTLE HARBOR on Aug 31! It'll be fun. Annie and I with Tom on
Sax, Jeff on Drums.

Almost time to switch to stage work anyway-  which is where I belong.
If you can help me by referring me to Event Planners, Fundrasiers, Vets
Organizations, Activity Directors, please do- We have YouTube now, so
that should help!

Bonnie

Thanks to Nicole!

Check in for more-  I plan to have several!
FORWARD to anyone who might be interested- i need SHOW & EVENT WORK

www.youtube.com/bonniegrayfanclub

Hi gang-
I am at Little Harbor's Unbeleiveably gorgeous resort on Wednesday eve.
9Aug 6, with Tom on SAX) I suspect there will be folks there to check
me out for their Venues-  they have said they'd like to come, and i
plan to remind them - So, I would be GREAT if some of you can also be
there-  Always good to have a friendly audience!

Thanks a MILLION to my showgirls and Annie who came out to Mannys this
weekend- and to Lora May's Party, and The dancers party that came the
week before. These folks will tell you-  Manny went out of his way to
see that they were extremely happy with the experience!

See you soon?
Bonnie

MANNYS-
Come out for some Jazz and Cocktails!
Or even better, some really great food @ Manny's (516 South Howard)
I'm there from 6-10 on 25th AND 1st (and again Aug 15 & 29)
Manny has promised PERKS for Fan Club members!

MySPACE-
Join the MySpace Friends when you have time-
www.MySpace.com/bonniegrayproductions.
This site has a Quick Calendar + more....

PICS & VIDEOS-
FanClub Pres Beverly is working on NEW BeDazzled Photos of Annie and
I.
Friend Michelle(and family)are working on VIDEOS (Several!) that will
be posted on You Tube.

IN THE MEDIA-
My National Champion Competition dancers were noted in SRQ daily,
Bradenton Herald, AND Manatee Herald Tribune, all within the past 2
weeks.
I am being interviewed about my adult dance class program next week
(Bradenton Herald) and am the Featured Artist on WSLR Sarasota "Women
Matters" show w/ Jane Blanchard, Tuesday Aug 12, from 5-6 PM.

Hi All!

As you may know, we've added a few dates at Little Harbor to finish
up the summer. My main reason for that is- we've add ANNIE LEDIG! We
will be using those dates to fill in the summer till the show season
starts, and to find other types of venues- more "show" friendly...
allowing us to put our talents to their best use.

Little Harbor IS a Beautiful, Gorgeous place- I urge you to come and
see for youself. It sits on the sands of Tampa Bay, just outside of
Ruskin. Fabulous Atmosphere, Food, Sunsets, and of course, MUSIC.

The "Heatwave"  duo (Me and Tom W/saxaphone), are there on Wed Aug 6
6-10,

but the Sunday gigs are now BeDazzled! - Me and Annie, plus Tom and
Jeff. Now I won't be stuck behind the keyboard all the time anymore
(HOORAY!) Which will really make me happy. Annie and I recently had
new photos done (Thank you Beverly E and Pat F!) and I will soon have
a webpage for that-  as well as some cards for you to pass around-
should you be willing. Sundays are August 17 and 31.

As always- your praising us to the staff there (and anywhere we
perform) is most helpful-  See you there!
Love, Bonnie

WooHOO!  Thanks for coming thru on the Perks offer!

You are WELCOME any night I'm there, But here's an update of what's
developing:
July 25 a few couples are coming out for dinner, taking advantage of
the GIFTCARD Perk,
August 1st my BGP cast of dancers and singers are meeting for a fun
night,
August 15 my network groups may come!
and Aug 31 my students and swing dance friends are getting groups
together!   I hope you'll ALL come- any night you choose-

In other news- I am being considered for a spot @ the new (not yet
open) Firkin and Fox on SR64 in Bradenton.  They are planning to come
and observe @ Mannys or (more Likely) Lil Harbor, so hopefully it'll
be a night YOU are there, making me look popular!!! :) + if you
happen to have ANY connections there... put in a good word for me-
I would LOVE a Sunday Gig there!!!

see next blog for NEW Little Harbor Happenings!!
There's NEWS!

Manny is getting a lot of raves and requests for me. He would like me
to play regularly every friday night, providing I can bring in at least
a couple of people per night I am there. You can help me make this into
an ongoing gig. So, Brand New, (formerly "42nd Street") so it's a bit
quiet sometimes, but great food and service. Please come.
NOTE: My people who come for dinner get PERKS on the Friday nights that
I am there... varies depending on how many of you there are. Just
reserve and tell them you are a member of my fan club. Possible PERKS
include: free glass of wine for ea one in your party, free hors d'oerves
(sp?) or even a $10 off GIFT CARD for two meals. I can get you the gift
card- just ask, but you do need to reserve and give them the fan club
connection.
I'll be the July 25, Aug 1, 15, and 29. No promises after that, so put
me on YOUR calendar! 6/615-10pm. 516 South Howard, (Hyde Park) Tampa,
813-253-0042, www.mannysbistro.com

Need help with several projects:

Computer
1- copying CDs
2- copying DVDs
3- scanning photos

Inventory
4- sorting my wardrobe/costume storage

Promotional
5- promotions online and live
6- mailing list help: calling to get correct adrresses of returned
advertising mail, and/or stuffing /stamping / mailing

Sponsorships
6- Sponsor(s) for Sacred Music CD
7- Sponsor(s) for Christmas CD