Always Good News with Connie Smith, CTS

📘 BOOK LAUNCH: AFTERSHOT 👉 She Was Told to Stay Silent… She Didn’t A quiet, heartfelt moment at Indigo Burlington Centre… Behind this table is a story that carries real weight. We had the privilege of reconnecting with Lana — a police officer, author, and danceScape wedding student alumni. Years ago, Beverley helped Lana and Brandon on the dance floor, learning their First Dance Mambo to “Time of My Life.” 💃 This time, we met her here — standing behind her book, AFTERSHOT. What she shares isn’t easy. PTSD. Silence. The cost of speaking up. And yet… she chose to speak anyway. For Beverley, this moment was deeply personal. Her father, Derek, served as a police officer in the UK. So this isn’t just a story we heard — it’s one we feel. What stayed with us most? Strength doesn’t always look loud. Sometimes it looks like this… Showing up. Telling the truth. Standing behind your story — even when it’s hard. If you know someone in law enforcement, a first responder, or a family member supporting them… 👉 This book matters. 📍 Indigo Burlington Centre 📘 AFTERSHOT by Lana Boland #Aftershot #BookLaunch #MentalHealthMatters #FirstResponders #PTSDAwareness

💃 She’s 15. I dance ballroom. And today… she led. In dance, we often talk about leading and following — but sometimes, the roles shift. Sometimes, the person with less experience in life leads with courage, creativity, and a willingness to try. And sometimes, the person with more experience learns by letting go — and stepping into something new. This is what we’re discovering through Rise Through Rhythm: That leadership isn’t about age. It’s about presence. It’s about being willing to step forward — and also being open enough to learn. When we create space for that, something powerful happens: 👉 Confidence grows 👉 Connection deepens 👉 Wisdom is shared — across generations This is also the kind of work we’re committed to building through the danceScape Endowment Fund, established through the Burlington Community Foundation — supporting programs where people can grow, lead, and learn from each other over time. #RiseThroughRhythm #BeBold #YouthLeadership #danceScape #CommunityImpact

💃 Sometimes, all it takes is a moment to be bold. A simple Cha Cha Challenge became a celebration of something much deeper — community, courage, and connection. With $25,000+ now in the danceScape Endowment Fund, we’ve reached the point where we can begin supporting local charities annually. But more importantly, we’re building something that lasts. Thank you Megan for stepping forward with such openness and courage, lol — a true Be Bold moment. 🌸 The Sakura Project A time to reflect, remember, and connect 📍 Spencer Smith Park 📅 May 2 | 10:30 – 11:15 AM 👉 www.dancescape.org⁠� #BeBold #SakuraProject #danceScape #CommunityImpact #Legacy

Lynn & Beverley Birthday Celebration 🍝🎂 A beautiful evening at Di Mario's Trattoria celebrating Lynn and Beverley. Thank you to Mel for this delicious treat ❤️ Since 2009, what began through dance — introduced by Lynn’s mother (always remembered) — has grown into something much more. Students… friends… family through life’s many stages. It was especially meaningful to celebrate Lynn’s milestone birthday after her recent operation. So wonderful to see her strength and spirit. Looking forward to seeing her back on the dance floor soon 💃 Because dance is never just about steps… it’s about connection, care, and shared rhythm through life. #danceScapeLife #CelebrateLife #DanceCommunity #LifeMoments #Gratitude

March Break Reminder – No Group Classes or Practices March 16th – 20th Please note that danceScape is closed for March Break from Monday, March 16th to Friday, March 20th, 2025. There are “no” group classes and practices scheduled. For Private lessons, please speak to your instructor as there may be some times available.

Beverley’s Birthday Surprise Discovery 🍜🎂 Huge thanks to Selina and Nicholas for taking us to Gourmet Street Eats in downtown Hamilton to celebrate Beverley’s birthday. Some evenings feel a little like stepping onto a new dance floor — you don’t quite know the rhythm yet… and then suddenly everything flows. That’s what happened tonight. Who knew that some of the best Indonesian, Singaporean, and Malaysian flavours we’ve tasted would be right here in downtown Hamilton? For Robert, the dishes instantly brought back the rhythms of childhood flavours. Having grown up in Malaysia — once part of the British Commonwealth — those Southeast Asian street food tastes carry memories of another time and place. And in a beautiful twist of history, Beverley grew up in Britain, and now here we are together in Canada — discovering how cultures, flavours, and people continue to meet and mix in new ways. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, and we learned that the owner, Mimi, had built a loyal following from her previous restaurant Mimi Asian Gourmet. You can feel that same care and energy continuing here. Dessert was a fun adventure if you grew up loving taro and sago pearls. Beverley wasn’t entirely convinced though — being raised in Britain on tapioca pudding left her with a few dessert-related childhood traums. 😂 Ever since Nicholas’ birthday, it seems we may have started a new tradition: surprise taste-testing adventures. Because sometimes culture is shared the same way dance is — through rhythm, flavour, and people gathering together. Maybe one day this becomes an “Eat • Make • Share” inspired evening — where food, music, stories, and dancing all meet in the same rhythm. Until then… we’ll definitely be back. #EatMakeShare #danceScapeLife #RhythmOfCulture #HamiltonFoodScene #CelebrateLife

From Salsa Class… to CBC Radio - Congratulations Kyle! 🎙️💃🕺 Are people starting to move away from dating apps… and back to meeting in real life? Recently, producers from CBC Radio’s Now or Never @cbcnowornever were researching communities across Canada where people are finding connection beyond apps. During that search, they discovered our danceScape community here in Burlington. They asked if we could recommend a few students willing to share their experiences — and Kyle from our Salsa Absolute Beginners class stepped forward. In the interview, Kyle speaks honestly about navigating the ups and downs of dating apps and how trying something new — salsa dancing — helped him build confidence and connect with people in a real-world community. His story will be featured as part of a 5–7 minute segment within the hour-long CBC episode. 📻 Airs Thursday, March 12 at 2 PM EST 📻 Also Sunday at 3 PM EST on your local CBC Radio station or the CBC Listen app (and later on podcast platforms). We’re proud of Kyle — and grateful for this incredible community that shows up each week ready to try something new. Sometimes the best connections begin with a simple step… onto the dance floor. 📸 Video & Photo Credit Nicholas Brudnicki & Selina Tang-Brudnicki #danceScape #CBCNowOrNever #SalsaCommunity #BurlingtonOntario #MeetThroughDance

From Salsa Class… to CBC Radio - Congratulations Kyle! A class that started as Salsa Absolute Beginners… and quickly became a community. 💃🕺 Recently, producers from CBC Radio’s Now or Never were researching communities across Canada where people are finding connection beyond dating apps. During that search they discovered our danceScape community here in Burlington. They asked if we could recommend a few students willing to share their experiences — and Kyle from this class stepped forward. In the interview, Kyle shares how stepping outside his comfort zone to try salsa dancing helped him build confidence and connect with people in a real-world community. His story will be featured as part of a 5–7 minute segment within the hour-long CBC episode. 📻 Airs Thursday, March 12 at 2 PM EST and Sunday at 3 PM EST on your local CBC Radio station or by downloading the CBC Listen app. (and later on podcast platforms). Proud of Kyle… and grateful for this amazing group that shows up every week ready to learn, laugh, and support each other. Sometimes the best connections begin with a simple step onto the dance floor. 📸 Photo & Video Credit Selina Brudnicki & Nicholas Brudnicki #CBCNowOrNever #SalsaCommunity #BurlingtonOntario #ConnectionBeyondApps

From Salsa Class… to CBC Radio - Congratulations Kyle! Are people starting to move away from dating apps… and back to meeting in real life? 💃🕺 Recently producers from CBC Radio One’s @cbcnowornever were researching communities across Canada where people are finding connection beyond apps. During that search, they discovered our danceScape community here in Burlington. They asked if we could recommend a few students willing to share their experiences — and Kyle from our Salsa Absolute Beginners class stepped forward. In the interview, Kyle speaks honestly about navigating the ups and downs of dating apps and how trying something new — salsa dancing — helped him build confidence and connect with people in a real-world community. His story will be featured as part of a 5–7 minute segment within the hour-long CBC episode. 📻 Airs Thursday, March 12 at 2 PM EST and Sunday at 3 PM EST on your local CBC Radio station or by downloading the CBC Listen app. (and later on podcast platforms). We’re proud of Kyle — and grateful for this incredible community that shows up each week ready to try something new. Sometimes the best connections begin with a simple step… onto the dance floor. 📸 Video & Photo Credit Nicholas Brudnicki & Selina Tang-Brudnicki #danceScape #CBCNowOrNever #SalsaCommunity #BurlingtonOntario #DanceCommunity ConnectionBeyondApps SalsaDancing MeetPeopleNaturally TrySomethingNew DanceLife