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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I thought I would forward a little information
about Jim Belzer, since it is possible that some of you may not have been around
to remember the impact that he has had on the Twin Cities dance
scene.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I met Jim back in 1995, when we were all
dancing Country 2-step, but West Coast Swing was the next best thing. Jim
was one of the premiere teachers of these two dances, but was really quite
capable of a wide variety of dances. He was always anxious to provide new dance
opportunities, and was really looking for a new West Coast Swing dance
place in the western suburbs, since the other two clubs were in east St.
Paul and east Minneapolis. I remember meeting with him in '96 to develop a
plan for a club. That plan didn't materialize, but about three years later he
had assembled the right people and the right venue to get the East Meets West
club off the ground, with dances held in Plymouth. That meant that there was a
West Coast Swing dance every Friday.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jim later went on to see the need for
another ballroom dance night, and that's what was behind Cafe Bailar. Again
he assembled a great team of volunteers and a nice venue, and that club is
still going great. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It is people like Jim who keep the dance community
strong, not only by providing places to dance (which I happen to know is a
tremendous amount of work) but by putting a lot of great dancers on the
floor for us to dance with. I don't think there is a West Coast Swing or
Country dancer in town who hasn't been in a lesson or danced with someone
who took a lesson with Jim. He was patient and innovative, as well as a talented
dancer. He is already missed.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have attached a picture of Jim, taken for the
newsletter of East Meets West back when I was editor.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Lois</FONT></DIV>
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