Dance Talk + Dance Zone - Mark's Corner

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Hustle & Salsa Dance Cruise

Where can you find a vacation where you can dance with all of your friends and experience a cruise to the exotic Caribbean all at the same time? Come join event organizers Drew Axelrod & Caren Casper to celebrate their 10th National Hustle Dance Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas voted a Conde Nast top-ten cruise ship, from February 23 - February 28, 2009, from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The pre-cruise party is on Sunday night, February 22nd at the popular Palladium night club in Margate, Florida. The next day starts the adventure-at-sea which includes a star-studded staff: Diane Nardone, Event Director; Connie MacDougall, Event Coordinator; and top instructors: Billy Marti, of Stepping Out Studios, Tina Price of Cash Bash, Carl Charles, Isaac & Laura Altman of World Salsa Federation, plus great deejays: Nino Torre, Johnny V and Bobby Gerard. With an attendance of more than 200 dancers each year, the Hustle & Salsa Cruise has Jack' N Jill contests just for fun, over 20 hours of Dance Workshops and 25 planned hours of social dancing. They will have 3 complimentary themed cocktail parties which are loads of fun. There is also a great professional group photograph taken as a remembrance of your spectacular time. There are 2 elegant formal nights, fabulous meals, buffets, a separate dining room area just for us. Incredible Broadway shows, Ice-skating performances, our Western Caribbean itinerary will sail from Ft. Lauderdale to Cozumel, Mexico to Belize City, Belize and back, along with other exciting activities to do at a non-stop pace that will leave you exhilarated. Cruise fares start at only $590 (inside cabin, category N) plus taxes, port charges and fuel supplement. Your dance package is all-inclusive no hidden or extra charges. Hotels and airfares are still very low, so book your reservation early, and come join us to celebrate this spectacular dancing-at- sea vacation! There is just so much to do on this 5-night sailing you will never be bored! If you need a flyer and a registration form please call Caren at 754-246-2874 or go visit our website at: http://www.hustlecruise.com and download the registration form. Come join us with all our friends and let's have a spectacular time on the water and in the sunshine. Everyone will totally love this ship!

Letters to the Editor
(our goal is to post readers letters twice a month, unfortunately due to space limitations we can not publish them all)

Hi Ron,
Okay. The ballots have been counted, the people have voted and the results are in: Doreen's Tuesday Hustle Party at Backstage in Woodmere, LI should take front and center, above all the rest. From the moment you walk in, one is captivated by the chic yet warm ambience of the club. A rather large , fully stocked bar is directly in front of you, pool tables to the left and ample, intimate seating is to the right - Just Perfect! A large, beautifully polished wood floor ( no powder needed) with flashing lights await your every dance step. Overall, the place is tastefully decorated with clean restrooms(very important). You can even order a snack from the bar and or watch TV on one of many screens available. The commute there is closer than it sounds and is quite centrally located in Nassau, near the Queens border. You must come and experience the Backstage for yourself. You are going to leave wondering ( as I did), " where has this place been all my life?"
See you all on Tuesdays.
Robert D. Lawrence
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Hi Ron,
I MISS MY LIFE AS A "HUSTLER"!! Some of the best years I've ever spent were following the Hustle dance circuit, along with all of it's amazing, dedicated, passionate dancers, across the country. Competition has always been in my blood and I loved every minute of it, especially the late night dancing and sleeping until noon. Recently though I found a new addiction. Three years ago I signed up for my first triathlon, with absolutely NO swim experience. I hired a wonderful coach to teach me how to put my face in the water, then told her she had 12 weeks to prepare me for a ? mile open water swim. It took 3 weeks just to get me from one side of the pool to the other, lol. I had been biking and running, so that was not much of an issue. Crossed my first finish line and was completely sold on a brand new sport. Seeing as triathlon takes just as much practice and training as competitive Hustle, I had to give up a dance that was one of my deepest passions in life for 12 years running. But it was replaced by something that I felt equally enthusiastic about.
This past summer I started an all-female triathlon team called "TEAM LIPSTICK". We are currently 30 athletes, plus 5 coaches, competing in sprint and olympic distance races across the country. I have never been so fit in my life!! This sport will lean out your body like no other. And the commaraderie that goes along with being part of a team is priceless. Especially since it's just us girls! My alarm clock goes off at 5am everyday, which is precisely when I think "Why did I give up dancing?". But I haven't actually given it up, I'm still out there socially, and still loving it. To all of those dancers I haven't seen in so long, please know that I still think about you and will never forget having the time of my life. Hopefully our paths continue to cross. You can keep in touch with me through http://www.teamlipstick.com
Big hug to everyone reading this. Laura ;)
P.S. I took Tiffany with me!
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Dear Ron,
I'm writing to pay tribute to my great friend Jim DeFato, a terrific hustle/all-around dancer, a devoted, loving father, and a passionate videographer and dance documentarian. Jim's life was celebrated today during a beautiful service in Brooklyn, near his family home.
Colleagues, friends and family joined to share their grief at his sudden passing as well as to express their joy for having known such a loving, generous spirit. Jim was a retired New York City Firefighter. Approximately 20 current NYC firefighters were on hand to honor him, standing ceremoniously in formation outside the entrance to St. Dominic's Catholic Church. During the service, a heart-rendering poem, written by Jim's lovely daughter Heather, was read by a family friend. Audrey Melikian, an opera singer, fellow dancer and Jim's best and dearest friend, paid tribute to him by filling the church with her incredibly beautiful, soaring voice.   It was a moving, unforgettable farewell to a very sweet and kind man. A real hero.
Jim was my true friend. We just spoke the Friday before last, both of us expressing our sadness over Arte's passing. Jim was one of the first dancers I met when I moved to New York. On occasion, I used to help him record the dance events he loved so much.
He has always been there for me. I was shocked and heartbroken when I learned that he, too, had passed away. Another lovely person taken away far too soon.
Ron, thank you for giving us this forum to express ourselves. It goes without saying that this has been a time of tremendous loss for our hustle community. Many blessings to you and your loved ones. I hope to see you soon at events scheduled during the holiday.
Sincerely
Daria Sanchez (NYC)
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Hi Ron,
There is no point to berating the level of competence of any of the dances/dancers presented on Dancing With the Stars because the music is so abysmal. The quality of music this season is consistently horendous. The dancers do the best they can. It is a great show and I love watching it. I just have a really hard time listening.
With thanks,
Margaret
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Dear Mr Bess,
Thank you for all that you do with the DanceTalk I would love to write for you It would be my honor   As a young women not born in this great country I have become in love with dancing   I grew up in and studied  classical dance in school Everyone had too We did not socialize dance The city of New york has so much to offer and I have found great dance studios to learn and enjoy   I am sophomore in city university As a dancer we all speak the same language I find a friendliness among the dancers that I love   I wish to share my sadness and prayers to others for the loss of Mr Artie Phillips. He was king of hustle.
Thank you Mr Bess and I really would love to write for you,
Sophia Svenn
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I've made (what was a difficult) decision to leave Radio Mixshow and devote the extra time to Family travel and other very important music industry business. I've enjoyed a fine relationship w/ all the stations I've mixed for and represented; namely WKTU 103.5 fm (the beat of new york). After 20 years mixing music (1988-2008) (every weekend & some weekdays) on several radio stations, I've made my contribution to listeners from many lands. Being comitted to such a task is making a major sacrifice. Accepting that, I was more than willing to take it all on; and did for 20 years. I never compromised my focus or goals with any mixshow program I was commissioned to produce. I loved it! My name, brand and reputation (as a DJ & Producer) have been solidly built and I'm both fortunate and honored to have had such a nice opportunity. I will continue to have more. You will all continue to hear alot from me - just not in Radio Mixshow. I'm not going anywhere - just growing and doing many other things that I've wanted to do with both my Family, Friends & in the Music the business.
JohnnyRocks
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Ron,
I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for making my birthday special at Michael's Cafe. I was going to cancel my birthday dance after the very sad news about Arte. But after talking with some very close friends I changed my mind. I was reminded that Arte was all about celebration. The more I thought about it I realized that Arte would always make a point to dance the birthday dances with any and all of the lady's. It didn't matter to him if they had ever met before or if they just started to learn the hustle and didn't even no a step. Arte would have them dancing. I could go on, but enough could never be said - Arte we all miss you. DJ Mark's Tribute to Arte Phillips was very special and heart felt. When he did the moment of silence, you could of hear a pin drop.   Then (I'm not sure if you could hear this, but) someone walked in the front door - and my heart seemingly stopped beating for a few seconds. I wanted that to be Arte walking in - Moments passed - Then softly I heard Mark's voice once more - You announced that you were playing Arte's favorite tunes in a set and that we should all dance in his memory - I know that Arte was there with us - I felt it - I will never forget that moment.
Pat Stewart
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Hi Ron,
It's been a pleasure to have shared moments with my friends Mr. Jim DeFato, a humanitarian, a confidant, a great talent behind a camera and on the dance floor and Mr. Arte Phillips, dancer, showman, Teacher of teachers, choreographer, comedian and now an angel of dancers. When you hear a good song and have to decide to sit or dance when someone asks, on behalf of my friends Jim and Arte, I hope you say yes and DANCE!"
Nino Torre (Virginia)
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Letters For Arte
Hi Ron,
I received a phone call from Star Search asking me to come on the show and compete. It was a wonderful offer but I turned them down saying I needed to find the right partner. Star Search responded by saying to just come on the show as soon as I found one. I immediately thought of Arte Phillips, and even though we had never really met, we new of each other being dancers in the New York dance scene. Arte was the perfect choice with his boyish Hollywood Brad Pitt looks, his incredible speed and versatility as a dancer. He of course, said yes, and we quickly went to work as we had to create at least five routines for the show. The shows format had changed: instead of dancing one number per week, we had to compete Monday morning, then Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning, Tuesday afternoon, and so on, until you ultimately lost. We had approximately two months to pull a partnership together. Dancing with Arte was like dancing at 78 rpm's- every lift, dance step and transition was fast- but it was the perfect formula for Star Search as we had only 90 seconds in which to show our stuff. Dancing on Star Search together was truly exciting. We did very well and won enough times to make it into the final rounds. This next part of the story was very hard on both of us. When the finals ended in a tie, the vote was supposed to go to the bused in section of the audience. We were told by the producers that unfortunately all the ballots had been pre- filed out by our competitor's friends. Since the show had already been taped there was nothing they could do about it. We lost, without ever really knowing who should have won that night.  We went onto dance in the Miss America pageant the next two years in a row. We also performed together in Peter Maxwell's ballroom dance company which toured the Hawaiian Islands .  I was surprised when we were both asked which number we enjoyed the most that we both picked the piece that was most out of our own comfort zone and element. I loved the Prince number, "She's a Dream" and "Diamonds"- as it was more jazzy and sexy. Arte chose "Night and Day" which was very lyrical and had an old Hollywood ballroom style - which we performed in a long black dress and tuxedo. What I will remember most is Arte's nonstop infectious energy. He livened up each and every rehearsal, performance and event with his fun loving, upbeat personality. When he danced he lived on the edge and it was always very exciting, daring and risky. He lived how he danced. Anyone who has ever met or known him will miss him. I already do.
Sharon Savoy  (Virginia)
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Ron,
My most powerful memory of Artie was when he and Lisa won the title for the USBC in Hustle at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. They did what Augie and Margo did for the Mambo 20 years before them. I can't describe how proud I was of the fact that they were representing "our" dance, "the hustle". I wasn't the only one that got goose bumps watching them win that competition. The whole grand ballroom was on its feet screaming and cheering in excitement. This moment was my most memorable and to me. This was Artie me at his best. He was still young, raw and hungry. What he and Lisa had finally done was make the conservative "strictly ballroom" world stand up and take notice of the newest dance on the block. The Hustle was not to be considered a passing trend any longer. Hustle was setting the trends and their performance confirmed that!.. They put Hustle on the map that weekend! Many thought Hustle was a street dance that was going to fade away - That night Artie proved them all wrong. Hustle had finally come into its own. From that moment on Hustle and Artie earned the respect of the whole dance community. Artie helped it break through to the other side -
For the rest of my years I will always remember Artie, - , Monday nights at DanceSport , always in front of the DJ booth, dancing full-out with his many friends .
He danced full throttle right to the end . What more could a dancer want?
It's really hard to believe that he has left us so abruptly. But his spirit of dance will continue to live on in the people that he touched and inspired! We will all miss him! Each in our own way.
~Paul Pellicoro (Dancesport NYC)
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Dear Ron,
I met Arte Phillips at the Poor Peters Parlor dance contest years and years ago in Long Island, and I couldn't believe how good a dancer he was. I asked all my friends and aquaintances WHO was THAT GUY? I was told that this guy came from Queens and was THE MAN. Since then I have seen him everywhere from Roseland to the Ice Palace, Alexis, Phil Blacks Studio, every borough, new jersey,upstate, the catskills, cruise ships, Madison Square Garden, Ipanema, Boombomakow, the Latin Quarter, Cat Club, Starship, Infinity, Plato's Retreat, The Electric Circus, The Hop, Yakity Yak, Fred Astair's, The Lemon Tree, Elephas, Seconds, Kisses, Act 111, Fudgies, The Milky Way, Darions, Dance studio, Scandals, Fantasy Island , 2001 Odyssey, The Golden Dove, Pastels, Penthouse, Uncle Sams, Harpers, The Winners Circle, Jupiters, Metro 700, Fokus, Feathers,  Channel 80, Zachary's, FKA Penrods, Decamerons, Chaz, The Bijou, Long Island exchange AKA the Savoy, Regines, Les Poulets, - The Limelight, Palladium, Funhouse, Melons, Broadway 48, Adams Apple, Lamaganette, Tatou, - to name a few
Before you knew it before during and after TV, Broadway, Dance Feveer, Star Search, He started dancing all over the United States and then the world. I will never forget when I asked him to dance at KIKKERS bar a tiny corner neighborhood bar in QUEENS in a dance contest that I was running and he showed up and danced wearing Red and Gold with Maria Torres, they brought the house down! There was a congregation of Rock people that hated the Hustle, hated DISCO hated my contest, They lost their collective minds after they saw their routine to My Sweet Summer suite by the Love Unlimeted Orchestra. I will never ever ever forget the impact that that night made on me and just as I have been in such awe of his accomplishments seeing him perform in so many different stages, dance floors and venues this really hit home harder. May he rest in piece - Let him dance in the heavens and look down on us- there will be countless people that will never forget what he brought and will continue to bring to the dance world. My request to everyone that has kids that do the Hustle or not, talk about Arte Phillips, share pictures, share the Dvd's and videos of what he has done and try to pass on the great things that he has done perhaps people could immortalize him as we do Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, - and all the greats of our lives so our children's children know -
BOBBY O (Tampa)
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Hi Ron:
    After reading your article Immortal - Arte Phillips   I had to stop and shed a few tears. You chaptered Arte. After I moved away I only heard about what he was doing but never got to connect. You my friend have made it possible for people like me who have moved out of the NY area to still remain in-touch.
For that I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
George Velazquez (Georgia)
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Dear Ron,
Beloved Arte Phillips
My deepest condolences to his Family.
I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Arte Phillips.
This is a great loss for the dance community. He mesmerized the world with his dancing. He was caring and kind. A classy, gracious and true gentleman. Arte was such an inspiration to me and I miss him terribly. I will always remember his everlasting smile and will cherish his Memory, Love and Friendship.
It has been an honor
May Arte rest in peace
Donna J Boyle (Disco America )

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