Dance Talk + Dance Zone - Mark's Corner

Many conversations and debates question the downward trend of social dancing. Many readers have written, in search of how to rejuvenating the magic of the 70's and 80's. Can that level be attained again? Why is it that dancing has taken off on the tube but counter intuitively has not transcended into the clubs and ballrooms? Shouldn't they be directly proportionate?
Lets make the comparisons for ourselves, to find some answers.
To move forward and create a revolution of dance you have to understand the history and what made it so successful. When Disco-mania struck it took the U.S. by storm. It was estimated at one point, that the disco audience numbered some 50 million people. Ages ranging from 13 to 60, (according to the research of Jack Villari). Business minded folks from coast to coast scratched to get into this sector by investing in clubs, films, recording industry, books, periodicals, sound products, lighting, special effects, radio stations, roller rinks, marketing, consulting & design firms, disco record pools, disco franchises, dance schools, clothing etc....As you can see, the interest level helped drive the music and dance, to even higher levels as it was backed by investors. The disco scene became big business throughout the US and the rest of the modern world. As the popularity grew, so did job opportunities as new products were created. The growth effected other media forms and business markets. Disco and dancing were a true social phenomenon.
Discotheques became the testing ground for new record releases. A 3 minute radio tune was released as an 18 minute, 12 inch vinyl, for club use first. The club was the laboratory. If dancers liked the song the DJs would continue to play those songs. It was now up to the radio stations to respond to this demand. This had a direct impact on radio programing. In so many words, DJs could proudly say, "you heard it here first." More radio stations popped up with the disco format, playing longer songs without interruptions. As the popularity continued to mushroom, more execs jumped on board. Merv Griffin hosted disco specials including the famous TGIF promo and a special from Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Phil Donahue, The Mike Douglas Show, Dinah Shore and even ABC "60 Minutes" presented disco artists and featured dancers. As you can see, the growth of the disco era was driven by commercial marketing. Many hotel chains retro fitted their establishments with discotheques. Everyone in business wanted to cash in on this hot commodity.
The Disco era was different then the previous dance crazes of the 20's and 40's. It was a child of our modern age. It was new and different. Dancing has always been a means for social enjoyment as well as for cultural ceremonies. The success of the disco era trumped that of the earlier dance periods based on the advancement of the media. Today with the advent of the Internet, this has lead to diminishing music sales. Downloading videos and cd's has played a major part in today's society. Another contributing factor, is the multiple choices that teenagers have with extra curricular activities. Sports have always been around but today, in addition to football, basketball, baseball and hockey, kids are involved with soccer, lacrosse, rugby, golf, tennis, volleyball etc... Girls also have more of a selection. Today, lacrosse, track, basketball, soccer, swimming, gymnastics, softball, all these activities factor in, limiting time for young people to develop an interest in dance. As the youth becomes more actively engaged in sports, it bites into any dance time. And for the teens and college kids that do engage in dancing it tends to favor free style, not touch dancing. Can we put a positive spin on the growth of the hustle? Can there be a resurgence? Today we have various media vehicles that didn't exist back in the 70's. MTV, VH 1 and the Internet - for social networking sites. Integrating instant messaging as well as sites like Facebook, MySpace and Match.com, create new ways for people to connect. Night clubs were the playground for meeting new friends and potential Love interests. The number of clubs continues to recede as more folks utilize the internet to find their mates. Times have changed. We live in a hyper competitive world. The club scene no longer has the drawing power it once commanded. It appears it will take much more then just a hit movie to initiate a dance resurgence in the clubs. Sure the ratings for the popular dance TV shows are up but the overwhelming majority of viewers at home are non dancers. Could an economic crisis have an impact? Historically, after war, recession or a depression there are positive shifts. Entertainment becomes a primary outlet. I guess we will soon find out.

New Music for Fall
It's autumn and time to Fall into the new CD release by mixologist DJ Fancy. This brand new, hot off the press disc, captures 17 fresh songs, including special remixes, that are climbing the music charts.
DJ Fancy has that uncanny ability to pick dance songs, weeks and sometimes months in advance, before they hit gold. No need to buy 17 different CDs when Fancy packs the best new songs all on to one convenient CD.
"Ron, I have had many e mails from many Dancetalk readers talking about the music and different dance styles" explains DJ Fancy. "I'm not much of a dancer but I do know how to get down. My newest CD has a mix of melodies that will appeal to everyone's listening buds. The beats per minute will fit for fast tempo hustle dancing to slower beats for smooth hustle and swing," shares Fancy. "Ron I am very impressed by your readers and their knowledge on music and dancing. I am very grateful for their support."
The new CD has new releases by Rhianna, Lindsay Lohan - (yes thee Lindsay Lohan who now has a big hit on her hands), John Legend, academy award winner Jennifer Hudson, Cascada, New Kids On the Block featuring NeYo and Estelle accompanied by Kanye West. There are also some new, lesser known artists, including, Kreesha Turner singing "Don't Call Me Baby Anymore," Keo Nozari with his European hit "Rewind" and a song flying to the top, "What I Want" by Fireball. "I'm glad that dancers still appreciate this style of music," explains Fancy. "Abroad, euro disco, club, deep dance is still main stream and out sells all other forms of music sales. Thank you too all those readers that have purchased music from me in the past."
Its over an hour of brand spanking new music that is hot in the clubs and heard exclusively on satellite radio.
DJ Fancy knows how to pick the hits. If you love new dance music then you have to purchase this release. It's a great CD for listening to in the car, at home, dancing to or ....a great gift idea for the holidays. The cost is only $15.00 per CD which includes shipping.
To place your order, write to DJ Fancy at sparda3636@yahoo.com
If your hungry for new music, DJ Fancy has the right recipe

The History of the IBBG by Robin Amante

On October 7, 2008, IBBG closed its door for possibly the last time with an astounding turnout of more than 110 people, probably the best night ever. 11 ? years ago when the Savoy closed down, I went in search of a new venue to continue our Tuesday night Hustle party. Millie told me of a new place that open called Long Shore Brewery. I quickly went down there and negotiated a deal with the owner. After one week there, I talked him into hiring DJ Ken Holleman who previously played at the Sayoy. A few weeks later Doreen joined forces and it became known as "Doreen's Singles". We were there for 3 years when Long Shore Brewery sold the restaurant to new owners and we had to leave. Doreen found NCI where we danced on Wednesdays for about a year. When she heard that Long Shore Brewery had reopened as The International Buffet Bar & Grill and still had the dance floor, she renegotiated with them and back we went to Tuesday nights, now known as IBBG. Soon after that, DJ Ken was replaced with DJ Chris who has been playing the best of Hustle with a dash of Latin and West Coast Swing for the last 7 years. Some of the events over the years have included benefits for two of our dearly departed friends, Leslie & Anita. Donna DeSimone's dance troop entertained us for both benefits. Thank you Donna. IBBG premiered upcoming competitor's routines for Hustle events to be performed around the country. There were Dance contests and Halloween parties. Diane Nardone had her World Hustle Dance Championship kick off party there in 2006 & 2007. Mary & Luis Rosa hosted Friday Night Fever for a few months while mentoring a youth Salsa group who performed for us on several occasions. We had a few guest DJs over the years, Luis Rosa, Johnny O, Johnny V, Nino Torre, Bobby Morales & Nelson Paradise Roman. All in all, it's been a great run. I feel privileged to be a part of this dance history. We hope to keep the party going at our new location Rivera's Café in Great Neck starting this Tuesday, October 14th. See you on the dance floor!!! Robin Amante

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