Author: mainstfunk

WOW! What a great start to the year we have had. The twenties are off to a roar just as we thought they would be. It has been so lovely to meet so many new and eager dance families so far this year, as well as welcome back so many loyal and committed returning students too. This newsletter contains some exciting and important information about two upcoming performance opportunities available to all students from Minis-Seniors, so keep reading!

SMCM SCHOOL FETE

One of our local primary schools, St Mary of the Cross Mackillop, where many of the MSF kids attend and MSF Principal Kristie also teaches, is holding a fun and exciting school fete to raise funds for the Save Our Sons foundation. This event is in honor of a local boy who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy disease which causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. The MSF Kids have been asked to perform and entertain the crowd! This is a great opportunity to practice performing in front of a relaxed and encouraging audience, bond with your classmates and get involved with the local community for a great cause. The fete will also include, rides, food trucks, face painting and more fun activities which you are invited to join in, after your performance.

WHEN: Saturday, March 7
ARRIVAL TIME: 1.00 pm
PERFORMANCE TIME: 1.30 pm
WHERE: SMCM Primary School located on Farmhouse Boulevard in Epping.
WEAR: Class uniform as outlined on our website: https://mainstfunk.com/uniform-shoe-hair-requirements/

CITY OF WHITTLESEA COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

For the sixth year in a row, Main St Funk has been invited to perform at the City of Whittlesea Community Festival. This event is always a highlight in our dancing year and it is a great day out with family and friends. Performing at the festival has always been a positive experience and in 2019, we had close to 100 Main St Funk students attend to perform on the day. We highly encourage you all to come along, get up on stage and have fun!

WHEN: Sunday, March 15
WHERE: Whittlesea Public Gardens, Barry Rd Lalor – Meet at the Youth Stage.
ARRIVAL TIME: 12.00pm
PERFORMANCE TIME: 12.35pm
WEAR: Class uniform as outlined on our website: https://mainstfunk.com/uniform-shoe-hair-requirements/

RSVP TO THE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES HERE: https://forms.gle/Bi489pMeu7bMsgEv5
Even if you can’t make it, please fill out the form so that we know to stop bugging you. 😉

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

• Labour Day: Monday, March 9 – Classes WILL run
• Easter Monday: Monday, April 13 – Classes WILL NOT run
  View all important dates here:https://mainstfunk.com/dates-events/

HOUSEKEEPING

MEDICAL RECORDS
At Main St Funk we aim to look out for every child and cater our classes to ensure they are a positive and safe experience for all involved. If your child has a medical condition or takes medication, please get in touch with the MSF team so that we can discuss what we can do for your child. Other things you may like to let us know about are learning difficulties, injuries or any personal or family situations that you feel may affect the way your child learns or behaves in class.

STREET PARKING
Thank you to everyone who has kindly respected our ‘Street Parking Only’ rule. We have seen a significant improvement since last year. We ask parents to park in the street to ensure the safety of our students walking up and down the thoroughfare and to maintain a good relationship with our neighbors, who require access to their spots at all times. The three car parks out the front of our studio are for MSF staff only. Thank you again!

UNIFORM
Main St Funk has in place a set of uniform guidelines. Please start ensuring you/your child start coming to class dressed in accordance with these. A uniform promotes a sense of unity and teamwork and helps students get into the right mindset for dance class (dress like a dancer, feel like a dancer) and it helps the teacher see the student’s body line, ensuring they can correct technique and prevent injuries. See uniform guideline here: https://mainstfunk.com/uniform-shoe-hair-requirements/

END OF YEAR IMPORTANT DATES

COMPULSORY THEATRE REHEARSAL: SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14 
The theatre rehearsal is the one and only compulsory event we run throughout the year and attendance is mandatory for all students who wish to participate at the end of year concert. This year we have secured a Saturday rehearsal for the whole school. This means no late-night rehearsals on a school night and our senior school, who perform in all three shows, will only be required at the one rehearsal. Arrival and finishing times will be confirmed closer to the date. For now, please keep the day free to ensure you and your child won’t be disappointed.

CONCERT GROUPS AND DATES

• In 2020 MSF will hold 3 ends of year concerts. Most classes will perform in one concert only.
  • All seniors, teens, inter/teen jazz and inter/teen ballet/contemporary will perform in all 3 shows.
  • Petites do not perform in the concerts.
  • The symbols marked under each class on the timetable refer to the concert group. If you have enrolled siblings or in multiple classes, please ensure you have chosen classes within the same concert group. 
• The concert dates were originally sent out in December 2019, however, due to our videographer’s availability, we have had to make a very slight change. Please note down your concert group’s date in your diary. See below.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Make sure you are following Main St Funk on Facebook and Instagram. We love to post daily to give you inspiration, a sneak peek into our classes and to stay connected with our dancing family. www.facebook.com/mainstfunk www.instagram.com/mainstfunk

One last thing… most important thing to remember this year is that Main St Funk students dance for fun and because they love it. We encourage an inclusive, harmonious environment where our students are dedicated to their class and committed to working to the best of their ability, as a team. We are proud of the way we have mastered the balance of working hard and having fun and we are happy to have each and every one of you on board for the roaring twenties.

THE MSF TEAM xo

“I’ve got a question, how do I get in touch?” – The best way to get in touch with the MSF team is by email mainstfunk@gmail.com We welcome phone calls but we can’t answer during teaching hours so please leave a voice message!

WELCOME TO THE VERY FIRST MSF NEWSLETTER OF 2020!

TERM 1 STARTS THIS COMING MONDAY, FEB 3RD.

We are so excited to enter a new decade with our dancing family and to celebrate Main St Funk’s 14th birthday. It is with big warm hearts that we welcome back SO MANY returning and dedicated students and we are equally excited to meet lots of new faces too who are starting their dancing journey with Main St Funk.

WELCOME BACK TO OUR DEDICATED TEACHING TEAM!

Along with our gorgeous students, we also welcome back our resident teaching legends, Nakarin and Bree, along with two new teachers, Laura and Holly, who already fit in perfectly with our dancing family.

Many of our younger classes are also privileged with a fantastic student teacher to assist them in their learning each week. We welcome back Stephanie, Evie, Keira, and Tiana and welcome to the team, Summer! These students have been with Main St Funk for a number of years and have shown a high level of dedication and passion for dance and working with the younger MSF kids sparks a joy and sense of acheivement in each of them.

If you would like to know more about your dance teachers, check out our staff page on the website: https://mainstfunk.com/meet-the-team/

THE ROARING 20s AND THE MSF SPIRIT!

As always, in 2020 we aim to continue our legacy of being a welcoming, inclusive, FUN and vibrant dance school. We strongly believe in ensuring every student feels special and valued in our community and we hope that as each of you walk through our studio door, that not only do you experience the benefit of our big family culture but you also uphold the Main St Funk spirit by being kind, having a positive attitude and trying your very best. This standard filters right through our school, from our leading teaching team, to our younger students and even our dance parents.

If you are new to MSF, you may have signed up for our dance classes because you want your child to dance for fun, fitness, and friendships. We absolutely provide an environment for these things to flourish but please know, we also instill in each of our students a strong work ethic and we encourage our students to be dedicated and committed to dance in a way that is realistic and sustainable. We encourage our students to approach dance by putting their best foot forward, having a positive mindset and knowing that it is ok to make mistakes and to be a “work in progress.”

At Main St Funk we have found a fabulous balance where our students are consistently challenged to work to the best of their abilities and at the same time, have fun and make amazing memories along the way. 

We have eliminated the pressures that are often associated with dance class by teaching a quality dance education without competitions, exam results or report cards and there is no in-house competitiveness because every student is “the star” in their own special way. We aim to encourage our students to work as a team, to applaud in each other’s acheivements and to aim to be THEIR best not THE best.

Main St Funk has made a mark in the local community because our reputation for being an all-inclusive, welcoming dance school is beyond compare. Our vision was to create an environment that felt like family but that doesn’t work without the wonderful kids and parents who share and uphold our values. So thank you, for contributing to what makes Main St Funk a dance school with a difference and for ensuring dancing is ours, and all of the MSF kids’, happy place! 

We can’t wait to welcome you all back, or for the first time, into our dancing home and we just know, with the MSF spirit soaring stronger than ever, that 2020 is going to be a great year. LET’S ROAR!

Kristie Carla and Chloe xx

We know with a new year comes lots of questions so please check out our FAQs page to ensure you are prepared and equipped for a great year of dance: https://mainstfunk.com/2020/01/29/frequently-asked-questions/

As a new year of dance approaches, please see below a simple guide to all of your quick and easy questions. Of course, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the MSF team if you have more questions.

When do dance classes start back?
Main St Funk runs inline with the public school terms. Term 1 begins Monday, Feb 3rd and finishes Saturday, March 28th. 

What does my child need to wear?
To start with, just wear loose comfortable clothing that is easy to move in. eg: leggings and a t-shirt. Main St Funk Does have a uniform policy in place, however, we allow the first term as a grace period to allow the students to settle in and decide on their classes and to give their parents the opportunity to source good quality and affordable options. Please read our uniform policy here: https://mainstfunk.com/uniform-shoe-hair-requirements/

What kind of shoes is appropriate for dance class?
For hip hop, we recommend a supportive sneaker, similar to what the kids wear on sports days at school. Eventually, you will require plain black shoes for performances however these are not compulsory for weekly classes. If enrolled in ballet or jazz, you will need to buy the correct dance shoes from a dancewear store. These are also outlined in the uniform policy linked above. 

Do we need to bring anything else to class?
Yes, every child is required to bring a water bottle to each class. Please ensure this is filled up before class starts and is clearly labeled with your child’s name. If your child requires medication, eg. Asthma Puffer, please pack that in their dancing bag each week and if they are at the studio for a big block of classes, eg. 3 hours, feel free to pack a quick, healthy snack.

Where is the studio?
Main St Funk is located at factory number 6 at 13 Lydia Court Epping. We are tucked away behind the Epping Bunnings on Cooper St.

Where do we park our car?
There is ample parking available in Lydia Court and Taryn Drive. It is street parking only and parking is not permitted inside the complex or out the front of our studio. This is out of respect for our neighbors, who have not expressed permission to use their car spaces but more importantly for the safety of our students who walk up and down the thoroughfare to and from the studio.

What time should we get to the studio?
Aim to get to the studio 10 minutes before class starts. This will give you time to park, take your child to the toilet, fill up drink bottles, change shoes if needed and will help your child settle in. Arriving rushed or late can create an anxious and stressful situation for your child and may mean they miss out on important things at the beginning of class.

Can I sit and watch my child’s class?
In general, no, we don’t allow spectators in the studio during class as we find it to be disruptive for the children and teacher. We do however believe it is important that you know what happens in an MSF dance class and for you to be assured the class is suitable for your child, so we do allow you to sit and watch your child’s first class with Main St Funk. Please refrain from talking while the class is on and remember not to take any photos or videos during class.

Why can’t I take photos or videos of my child while they are in dance class?
Main St Funk has a strict “No Photos or Videos” policy. This is in line with our child safety code of conduct and copyright laws. We understand the importance of capturing special milestones so we encourage you to take photos of your child before and after class but never during. We will have a special photo station set up which you are welcome to use. You agreed to our policies and procedures upon enrolling in our classes. Please have another read if you need to clarify anything: https://mainstfunk.com/code-of-conduct-child-safe-policy/

I’m not sure if my child wants to dance or what style of class they will like. Can they do a trial class?
Absolutely! Your first class with Main St Funk is always an obligation free trial. This means if they try the class and it’s not for them, you won’t be charged.

What happens if I or my child can’t make a class?
Main St Funk encourage full attendance where possible but understand that sometimes illness, school camp and holidays can get in the way. If you’re going to be absent, a courtesy email or text is appreciated. Please remember, missing lots of dance classes can cause stress and anxiety for the child who will need to work extra hard to catch up. Please avoid missing dance class where possible to ensure a more positive experience for your child and to help their confidence grow.

Do you offer make-up classes?
Unfortunately, we cannot offer make-up classes for missed lessons. Each of our classes are taught by different teachers and working on different lesson plans and choreography. We also find that attending a class time that is out of their ordinary routine, with a group of students they don’t know and a teacher they haven’t met, can actually end up being a stressful experience for the student and of little benefit to their progress.

Can I get a refund for missed classes?
Unfortunately, Main St Funk cannot offer a refund for occasional missed lessons. As our fees are all-inclusive, we charge the same amount per term regardless of the number of classes. In the event of an extended planned absence, i.e. a family holiday for 3 weeks or more, we can on occasion, adjust the fees. Please talk to the MSF team in advance of your planned, extended absence.

How do I get in touch with the MSF team if I have questions or concerns throughout the year?
You can send us an email, text or give us a call.
Remember to leave a voice message if we don’t get to the phone in time.
If you need to talk to us in person, just come up to the front desk if we are not teaching at the time. Otherwise, please call ahead to make an appropriate time to talk. Usually, your teacher will have classes either side of your child’s so they will not always be available to chat before or after your class. Please also refrain from contacting the MSF team on their personal Facebook or Instagram pages. If they are on social media, they are not at work.
E: mainstfunk@gmail.com PH: 0433220973 (Chloe)

Uh oh, the holidays got away from me and I haven’t signed up for any classes yet. Is it too late?
No, it’s not too late! Some of our classes are full but we do have lots of options still available. Enroll for your class of choice here: https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/mainstfunk

Are there any important dates or events I should know about?
Yes, Main St Funk students work towards a big end of year concert! We also hold a casual mid-year performance, one compulsory rehearsal and are often invited to perform at local community events. The dates + events page on our website is updated regularly and already lists our end of year concert and rehearsal dates. Check it out to stay organized: https://mainstfunk.com/dates-events/

Still, feeling nervous?
Have a read of our article “My Baby’s First Dance Class, What do I do?” for further hints and tips. Even if you are not a first-time dance parent, there are some great tips in there: https://mainstfunk.com/2019/01/23/my-babys-first-dance-class-what-do-i-do/

Want to stay in the loop?
Follow Main St Funk on social media for daily updates, sneak peeks, inspiration and friendships. Join our private Facebook group to stay in the know and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.

www.facebook.com/mainstfunk

www.instagram.com/mainstfunk

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1904615593183306/

So, do you fancy yourself as a bit of a choreographer? A future dance teacher? Or, are you thinking about entering Main St Funk’s Choreography Challenge but you’re not sure where to start? Here are some hints and tips from your dance teachers at Main St Funk to making up a dance. We encourage you all to give it a go! Dancing and creating routines is so much fun and a great outlet for energy and expression.

FIRST, FIND A SONG.

• Start by simply listening to music. Put your iPod or Spotify playlist on shuffle and find something that makes you want to move and groove and leaves you feeling inspired.
• Check it is the right tempo for you and that it isn’t too fast or too slow. Can you hear the beat? Can you count, in time to the music, to the magic dancing number of 8? Can you clap the rhythm? If you can do those things, you have found a song with a speed that you can manage. Another good test is skipping to the music! If you can’t skip in time with the beat, it is either too fast or too slow!
• Make sure your song is appropriate. Ask a grown-up to have a listen and to google the lyrics. Swear words, dark themes or adult connations are not appropriate for a children’s dance performance.

PICK A CHARACTER OR THEME

• Sometimes having a character to portray will help you to create new movements for your dance. For example, if your character is a Bunny Rabbit, think about ways you can tell your audience that you are a bunny rabbit. You might show off your floppy ears, wriggle your nose or shake your tail.
• Older dancers may have more subtle ways of expressing their characters through facial expressions, stance and stage presence.

STORYLINE

• Having a storyline to follow will help keep your movements logical and relevant to your character or theme.
• Start by giving your dance a Beginning, Middle and End, just like in a storybook. It helps to write these ideas down for you to refer to later.
• You might stray from your original ideas once you start creating and that’s ok too! Dance is an art form and it will be interpreted by the audience in many different ways.
• Listen to the words of the song. They can prompt your movements. Acting out the words in your song can help to enhance your storytelling.

GET MOVING

• The best way to make up a dance is to simply, dance!! Put your song on and let loose with no rules or restrictions. Do this a few times and you will find a pattern. You may repeat a certain move or step to a particular section of the song each time.
• A good idea is to film yourself dancing. Then you can watch yourself and pick out bits of movement that you think look good and scrap the bits that don’t.
• Now start piecing your movements together. Remembering to stick to the beat and rhythm that you found earlier and to count to the magic dancing number of 8.
• Remember that your dance won’t come together overnight, it takes time and patience to make up a dance. At Main St Funk we spend an entire term (about 10 weeks) and sometimes even longer, preparing our routines for the stage.

BE STILL

• Sometimes it helps to lie down, put your headphones in and close your eyes while listening to your song.
• Imagine what you would like your dance to look like.
• Visualise yourself performing to your song and then jump up and make those awesome dance steps you dreamt up a reality.

WORK AS A TEAM

• If you are performing in a group, it is important that every team member has an opportunity to contribute to the creation of the dance.
• Start by each individual team member making up their own 4 counts of 8 of choreography. Then come together and teach each other your creations.
• Remember, everyone at Main St Funk is equal. No one student is the star or the boss. Listen to each other and be supportive of each other’s artistic choices.

EXPLORE THE STAGE

• Make sure your dance travels across the stage and uses the whole space. You can travel forward and back, from one side to the other, across the diagonal (from one corner to the other) or around in a circle.
• Aim to have a section of your dance in each of the four corners of the stage and in the middle.
• Dances that travel around the stage are much more interesting to watch than a dance that is just in the one spot.
• If dancing in a team, remember to change positions and use different patterns. This makes it interesting to watch and ensures every dancer gets a chance to dance in the front row.

USE YOUR LEVELS

• You don’t need to be standing on two feet for your entire dance. Don’t forget to explore floor work and jumps. Using levels creates an exciting and dynamic performance.

DO WHAT YOU KNOW AND WORK TO YOUR STRENGTHS

• You learn so many dance steps in class each week. Don’t be afraid to draw from those to add to your dance. Maybe you have a favourite step or something that you know you can execute really well! Add those into your dance. You can make them your own by adding your style, personality and character.

THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX

• Your choreography doesn’t have to mimic the dances you have learnt in class. Experiment with different movements. Get creative and wow the audience with something quirky or unexpected.

RECORD

• With so many different dances to remember, it can be tricky to remember every step. Especially, when it is a dance that you have choreographed and there is no one else who knows the steps to remind you!
• Record your dance on a phone or device that you have access to for reminders.
• It also helps to write things down!

REPEAT

• Every song has repetition. For example, a verse, a chorus, a verse, another chorus, a bridge…Where there is repetition in the song, there should be repetition in your movement.

PRACTICE PERFORMING

• Now that you’ve nailed your dance moves, now start practising your performance and stage presence. This means reflecting the theme or character of your dance. Is your dance-happy? or sad? How do you want the audience to feel when they watch you? Your facial expressions should match this.
• Practice looking up! The audience wants to see your face!! Many dancers have a habit of looking at their feet when they are concentrating really hard. Have trust that you have worked hard and your body remembers the movement.
• And remember, the audience doesn’t know your dance and won’t know if you’ve made a mistake unless your face tells them! Keep smiling!
• It helps to practice in front of an audience a few times. Ask someone; eg. mum or dad or a sibling or a friend to watch you do your dance. Then it won’t be so daunting when you hit the real stage.

COSTUME

• Your costume is so important in portraying your character or storyline to the audience. Make sure your outfit choice matches your choreography choices.
• If dancing in a team, make sure everyone is costumed.
• Wearing the same costume helps promote team spirit and unity and also helps to make your dance look clean and tidy.
• Mis-matched costumes can work too! It depends on your dance.
• Make sure you have a dress rehearsal in your costume to limit the chance of wardrobe malfunctions on stage.

FORGET YOU EVER READ THIS BLOG
There are no set rules to choreographing a dance routine. Dancing is an art form and can be expressed and explored in many different ways. This blog is just a guideline to help get you started, but your masterpiece might come together in a completely different way.

Whether you follow this guide or not, we can’t wait to see what you come up with! When it comes to art, there is no right or wrong, so get out there and be YOU!

Don’t forget to fill out the entry form if you plan on performing: Choreography Challenge Entry Form.

Dear Main St Funk Family, Congratulations and thank you for a wonderful first semester of dancing! We are very proud of the way all age groups are working towards skills and choreography and the way you all performed at the mid-year concert! With so many first-timers, we were so impressed with the standard and teamwork shown by our whole community. 2019 is shaping up to be a fun and exciting year.

Please see below friendly reminders, important dates and exciting MSF updates! 

END OF YEAR CONCERT FOOTAGE FEE

A reminder that this year’s end of year concert will once again, be filmed by professional videography company, Mode Productions. The professional concert footage will be provided in a digital format to ALL families for $28 per family. Each family will be provided with footage from BOTH performances (cast 1 and cast 2). The $28 will be added to your term 3 and term 4 fees ($14 each term). An informative email was sent to all families on Friday the 24th of May. If you did not receive this email and would like more info about the digital concert footage, please let us know and we will forward it to you.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY

Main St Funk has been invited to perform at Aurora Lendlease’s “Winter Warmer” event. This is a community event and an open invite to all MSF kids. This is not a compulsory performance but highly encouraged as it is a great way to practice performing in front of an audience in a relaxed and friendly environment and a great way to bond and have fun with your classmates. Only classes with a significant number of students available to attend, will perform on the day so please fill out the form to let us know if you can make it.

WHAT: Winter Warmer Community Event
WHEN: Sat Aug 3 2019
ARRIVAL TIME: 5.45pm
PERFORMANCE TIME: 6.15pm
WHERE: Treetops Park, Wollert
WEAR: Class uniform. Long sleeves and MSF hoodies encouraged.

PHOTO DAY DATES

Every year Main St Funk hold an in-house photo shoot with our resident professional photographer Bianca Jobson. Students wear their concert costumes (to be provided to you later in the year) and have the opportunity to be photographed individually and with their class. These photos are then made available to purchase in prints and digital format. These photos blow us away every year and are the perfect way to cherish the memories of a fabulous year of dancing. They also make great Christmas presents for grandparents and relatives. This year we will hold 3 photo days. Please check the list below and make a note of your allocated date/s in your diary. Times TBC.

PHOTO DAY 1 – FRIDAY OCTOBER 11th
Friday Mini Ballet, Friday Mini Hip Hop, Friday Tiny Ballet, Friday Tiny Hip Hop, Friday Littlie Hip Hop, Friday Junior Jazz, Monday Junior Hip Hop, Friday Junior Hip Hop.

PHOTO DAY 2 – SATURDAY OCTOBER 12th
Saturday Mini Ballet, Saturday Mini Hip Hop, Saturday Tiny Ballet, Saturday Tiny Hip Hop, Saturday Junior Ballet, Tuesday Littlie Ballet, Saturday Junior Hip Hop, Tuesday Littlie Hip Hop, All Seniors.

PHOTO DAY 3 – SUNDAY OCTOBER 13th
Monday Mini Ballet, Monday Mini Hip Hop, Tuesday Tiny Ballet, Tuesday Tiny Hip Hop, Wednesday Tiny Hip Hop, Monday Littlie Jazz, Wednesday Junior Hip Hop, Monday Littlie Hip Hop, Inter Hip Hop, All Teens.

MAIN ST FUNK LEGGINGS AND OTHER MERCHANDISE!

We love rocking the Orange Spot and we know you do too. Now we’ve got MSF leggings to match!! We are excited to be able to offer you a pair of black leggings that are both affordable and good quality. Made from Supplex Nylon fabric, these leggings are durable, long lasting and the design is exclusive to Main St Funk; featuring a high waisted orange band and our famous Orange Spot logo on the lower leg. These leggings are versatile and can be worn during Hip Hop, Jazz and Contemporary class and over Ballet attire during winter. They can also be worn to future performance opportunities including community festivals, the end of year concert (for the finale) and the mid-year concert (from 2020 onwards).

To order your MSF leggings and other MSF merch, click here: https://forms.gle/5B2mrePXr4CpMCPt8

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT OUR KID’S PARTY PACKAGES?

Let the funkiest dance school in Melbourne play host to your next birthday or event. With a range of exciting party themes to choose from, the team at MSF can cater to all ages, genders and interests. For more info and to enquire about the party of your dreams, hit up our website:https://mainstfunk.com/kids-parties/ 

DANCING DAYS – END OF YEAR CONCERT REMINDER

This year’s end of year concert, “Dancing Days”, will follow the theme of a calendar year. The MSF Kids will take you on a journey from one new years eve party to the next and will highlight every special holiday, celebration and milestone in between. Think Valentines Day, Birthdays, Easter, Christmas, Mother’s Day, First Day of School and much much more. Each class will perform two routines highlighting two special events that occur each year.

Don’t forget, our whole school has been split into two casts. Please ensure you are familiar with which cast you are in and which rehearsal/performance dates are relevant to you. Make sure your family and friends know as well, so they know which concert to come to when they want to cheer you on. This has been emailed out to you but can also be found below. If your child will not be participating in the end of year concert/s, please inform the MSF team asap as we begin planning choreography and costumes.

CAST 1: Seniors, Teens, Inters, Monday Junior Hip Hop, Monday Littlie Jazz, Monday Littlie Hip Hop, Tuesday Littlie Hip Hop, Tuesday Littlie Ballet, Tuesday Tiny Ballet, Tuesday Tiny Hip Hop, Monday Mini Ballet, Monday Mini Hip Hop, Saturday Mini Ballet, Saturday Mini Hip Hop.

CAST 2: Seniors, Teens, Inters, Friday Junior Hip Hop, Friday Junior Jazz, Wednesday Junior Hip Hop, Saturday Junior Hip Hop, Saturday Junior Ballet/Contemporary, Friday Littlie Hip Hop, Friday Tiny Hip Hop, Friday Tiny Ballet, Saturday Tiny Hip Hop, Saturday Tiny Ballet, Wednesday Tiny Hip Hop, Friday Mini Hip Hop, Friday Mini Ballet.

DON’T FORGET THESE IMPORTANT DATES

COMPULSORY THEATRE REHEARSAL: 

The rehearsal is the one and only compulsory event we run throughout the year and attendance is mandatory for all students who wish to participate at the end of year concert.

CAST 1: Wednesday 20th of November
CAST 2: Thursday 21st of November

END OF YEAR PERFORMANCE:

CAST 1: Friday 29th of November
CAST 2: Saturday 30th of November

Our important dates page and google calendar are updated throughout the year to include things like; term dates, performance opportunities and mid-year concert. Check it out and sync your google calendar to ours so you never miss a reminder: https://mainstfunk.com/dates-events/

HOUSEKEEPING AND STUDIO ETIQUETTE

• A reminder that parking is not permitted inside the complex or in front of any of the neighbouring factories. Please park in the street.
• Students are not to walk through the thoroughfare without a parent or guardian present. Please collect your child from inside the studio.
• Please take your child to the toilet before class to limit disruption.
• All students require a water bottle at every class, even in the colder months.
• Parents, please supervise your children in the foyer. There is strictly no running, jumping or climbing allowed.
• Parents and siblings are not permitted in the studio during class time unless invited in by the teacher.
• Strictly no photos or videos to be taken during class time.
• Please continue to enjoy our comfortable student and parent lounge but remember this is a shared space, please clean up after yourselves.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Make sure you are following Main St Funk on Facebook and Instagram. We love to post daily to give you reminders, inspiration, a sneak peek into our classes and to stay connected with our dancing family.
www.facebook.com/mainstfunk | www.instagram.com/mainstfunk

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and stay in the loop. Being familiar with all the details will ensure you and your child have a fabulous year at dancing.

Please don’t ever hesitate to contact the MSF team should you have any questions.
E: mainstfunk@gmail.com PH: 0433220973

HAPPY DANCING!
Kristie, Carla and Chloe. x

Photo Day 2018 Example

MSF Leggings

MSF Kid’s Party Package

Time flies when you’re having fun, we have hit the halfway point already! We have lots of exciting things happening both in and out of the studio in the coming months. Coming up fast is our Mid-Year Concert “In the Making”. We have been so impressed by the work ethic and teamwork we have seen from all ages, as they push to help us create an amazing show. Keep it up, kids! At concert time we get lots of questions, which we welcome! We have put together a list of FAQ to help make the day a little easier for you.

WHEN/WHERE/WHAT TIME?
Please note, there is an unfortunate misprint on the concert tickets and the wrong date has been printed. Please remind your guests and supporters that the concert will be held on Sunday the 23rd of June.

WHEN: Sunday, June 23rd 2019

WHERE: St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. 212-226 Diamond Creek Rd Greensborough

DANCERS ARRIVE: 11.00am

AUDIENCE DOORS OPEN: 11.45am

SHOWTIME: 12.00pm

MINGLE: 1.30-2.30pm

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE DAY?

• Students will be dropped off, no later than 11.00am.
• Students should arrive dressed, with hair done, ready to perform
• All bags/coats/drink bottles will be left with parents/carers unless you/your child are in multiple dances then a small bag containing shoes and uniform is permitted.
• Audience members (including parents and siblings) will wait outside or in the foyer, while the MSF team help the children set up and settle their nerves.
• Please be punctual. The sooner we have all the performers settled, the sooner we can open the doors to the audience.
• During the show, all students will sit and watch with their class. After performing their dance, students will return to their place in the audience, with their class.
• Students do not sit with their families and no student will be dismissed from the concert until the after the show has finished.
• After the show, you are invited to enjoy tea and coffee with your dance fam.

CAN I STILL GET TICKETS?:
There are still plenty of seats available. If using your phone to purchase, make sure you zoom out and swipe to see all of the available seats. After ordering your tickets, they will be available to collect at the studio. You can order tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/BCGYA

WHAT DO STUDENTS WEAR TO THE MID-YEAR CONCERT?
Full uniform, including hair and shoes, are required from all students. If your child performs in multiple dances, we recommend layering, to make outfit changes easier for them. For example, if your child does hip hop and ballet and their hip hop dance is first, please put on ballet stockings and leotard and then your hip hop uniform (leggings and MSF tee) over the top. The concert order has been posted up on the studio walls where you can check what dance you/your child has first. Students who do ballet, as well as other classes, will keep their hair in a ballet bun for the entire show. A full outline of uniform, hair and shoe requirements can be found here: https://mainstfunk.com/uniform-shoe-hair-requirements/

DO THE STUDENTS NEED TO WEAR MAKEUP?
No, makeup is not required for the mid-year concert. If you do choose to wear makeup (or put makeup on your child) for the mid-year concert, we recommend a light, natural look, using neutral tones to highlight the natural features. Use as little or as much makeup as you like but be mindful, as there are no stage lights, a full face of stage makeup can be very confronting, especially on little people.

CAN WE RECORD AND TAKE PHOTOS DURING THE CONCERT?
NO. Main St Funk has a strict “no photos and no videos during classes and concerts” policy. This is in line with national child safety laws and copyright laws and is a policy that all families agreed to upon enrollment. Rules aside, it is also very distracting to our young performers, many of whom are performing for the first time ever, to look out to a sea of phones and flashes. We understand the importance of capturing this special day so we encourage you to take photos of your child before and after the show and we will be providing all families with digital footage of the concert, at no charge to you! So switch your devices off, sit back, relax, be in the moment and enjoy the show! Your little one will be so excited to look out into the audience and see your smiling face!

IS THERE CLASS THE WEEK AFTER THE CONCERT?
Yes, there is one more week of term left, after the concert and classes will run as normal from Monday, June 24th – Saturday, June 29th. This is PJ Week AND Bring a Friend Week! Dress up in your comfiest and cutest PJs and bring along a buddy to dance in your class for free. This week is also open to the public as a free trial week. If you’ve got a friend who wouldn’t be suitable to your age group, but they would like to try a class, get them to get in touch so we can find the right class time for them.

HAVE YOU GOT A QUESTION THAT ISN’T LISTED ABOVE?
There’s no such thing as a silly question, please get in touch with The MSF Team, so we can help you out.

Kristie, Carla, Chloe.
mainstfunk@gmail.com
0433220973

Mid-Year 2016

Mid-Year 2017

Mid-Year 2018