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(We have had an outpouring of letters in response to the editorial on the economy Vs dancing. These tough times are impacting us all. We have to brace ourselves, we have not hit bottom yet. If your feeling down, or depressed, seek the guidance of a medical care professional. Talk with someone that can give you sound advice. Remember, a great way to relief stress is to exercise. Dancing is a wonderful form of exercise. Together, we can all manage a crisis better. Keep an eye out for your friends and be ready to comfort them. Tell them to dance away they're stress).
RB
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Hi there Ron,
I totally agree with your editorial about how unemployment will hurt dancing and people being interested in going out to dance. I think your dancetalk is great and that you are providing a great service for dance lovers. I do have a recommendation!!
If it is not too much to ask, many dancers will be dealing with tough times ahead. How about posting carpooling and room sharing in dancetalk? I know it is a lot to ask and I'm sure you put many hours into the newsletter but this could be a priceless service. Thanks for all that you do.
Debbie Watson - North Wales Pa
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Hey Ron,
I understand that there will be fewer competitions this summer. I feel bad and can relate to the problems with the economy. I retired 2 years ago but now I'm searching for a part time job since my utility bills have gone sky high. I am on a fixed income but can just about make ends meet. I love going to the dance competions but will have to cut back some too. It will be a hard year and I feel bad for our younger friends dealing with these problems - Thanks for keeping me current on all the dance stuff - The real hard part now is selecting the events I can afford to go too. I know this is not a fun topic but this is now my reality. If you know anyone who needs a licensed electrician, give me a shout.
Thanks Ron,
Joe Jaloway
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Hi Ron
I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly express my sincere thanks to you and all the other members of the dance community who took the time to send their good wishes and express their concerns regarding my recent hernia surgery and sciatica. Being cooped up at home during the most trying times of my recuperation, I appreciated very much, every get well card, email message, and/or phone call as a true blessing. The surgery went very well and with the exception of the first 48 hours or so, was a relative piece of cake. The sciatica, which had to be put on the back burner due to the hernia is now my main target and nemesis. During the past week, the level of pain caused by the sciatica has lessened substantially. I credit our own "Dr Giovanni" for this as I firmly believe that taking a suggestion from him is what began the lessening of my pain. I am not out of the woods by any means. I still have enough pain to make dancing, and walking up or down stairs in a normal fashion, quite impossible, but I'm beginning to finally see the light at the end of this long tunnel. I begin a series of therapy sessions at Moss Rehab Monday morning, 2/9. Hopefully this will be the beginning of the end. I'm looking forward to once again having the opportunity to share the good times, with all the good people, who make our community the beautiful thing that it is. I will never take the joy, and ability to dance, let alone walk, for granted again. Keep dancing everyone. I hope to see you soon. Thanks Ron. Fred Fedak.
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Hi Ron,
I really enjoy reading your newsletter and appreciate you acknowledging my birthday. Big thanks.
My husband is looking at a transfer at work that will take place this spring. I was excited to read that Marie Izzo has a studio in North Carolina. It sounds like she has a great background in dance. I hope they do dance socials there. Her studio is not far from where my husbands corporate office will be...and most likely where we will look for housing. I will miss the east but it is reassuring to know that we have dance transplants in the Carolinas as well. I will not miss the cold weather. :)
sincerely,
Rose Fancheta
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Hi Ron,
After ending my professional dancing career over 29 years ago, I never imagined I'd enter another dance competition, but apparently that's not what was in the "Stars". I recently heard about a dance contest to be held in Pittston, PA; the prize would be dancing in another competition along with 9 other couples. Odd prize, yes but wait it gets better! What excited me about this was that the 2nd competition would be part of the "Dancing with the Stars" show which just took place this past Tuesday Feb the 3rd. at the Wachovia Center in Wilkes Barre, PA. Every year since "Dancing with the Stars" has aired; the professional dancers and some of the "Stars" that competed during that season have toured across the country. This year was no exception. What I did not know was that at each venue the sponsors of the tour work with a local dance studio, who then hold a contest to pick 10 couples to go on to participate in a "competition" during the night of the show. This past Jan.23rd is when the contest was held for this particular area. Amazingly we overcame the 1st first hurdle. It's the day of the show and my partner Wingo Hom and I, along with the 9 other couples, are ushered into the arena about 20 minutes before the public is let in. We are briefed on all the when's, where's, and how's and given about 10 minutes to warm up before changing into our outfits. The entire area at the base of the bleachers was used as the dance floor. We were seated at tables, along the edge of the dance floor, next to the raised stage area where the live band and singers were located. (I must mention how AWESOME the musicians and singers were, they could have had there own show.) There were 3 rows deep of tables surrounding the floor. (To me it felt like a large Hollywood nightclub in the style of the 1920's or 30's, very Fred and Ginger) Show time was 7:30pm; for us, this time was referred to as the "pre show" and our cue to begin the 1st portion of the competition, a Cha-Cha, Kym Johnson from Australia, who is one of the professional dancers from the show, was our judge. She had to pick 5 couples to move on to the next dance which will be the East Coast Swing. We were thrilled when we heard our number called for the next round. Now, at the end of the swing, Kym has to decide which 2 couples will move on to the finals. Amazingly we were chosen. *** We went back to our seats to relax and enjoyed the first act. We were captivated with the choreography and talent of the dancers, singers and the "stars". The Stars at this event were Lance Bass, Maurice Greene, Toni Braxton and Marilee Matlin, along with those many professionals that we have come to love, Edyta, Cheryl, Lacy, Mark and my favorite Derek Hough. (While I was taking pictures someone tapped me on the shoulder and nicely asked me to move over a little. it was Derek about to make his entrance onto the dance floor. OK I'll move!) Our solos will now be danced at the beginning of the 2nd act, as soon as the intermission ends. For the finale the sponsors allowed us to pick between the 2 dances, so we chose a Cha-Cha and danced it to the song Mercy, by Duffy. Inter mission over, we didn't wait long to begin, as soon as the lights went back down our names were announced. I guess all went well, I know I had fun and didn't fall on my face or lose a shoe. As a partner, you can't ask for anyone better than Wingo. Now it's time for couple #2 (Mike Walton and his girlfriend Debbie) dancing the Swing. The audience was then asked to pick their favorite couple by texting on their cell phones. Modern Technology!
To my amazement the audience found something agreeable with couple # 1. We won! Marilee Matlin presented us with a trophy and surprised us with 2 Samsung "Eternity" I phones. I had the time of my life, and wining was just the icing on the cake.
Evie
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HI RON,
in response to your topic on the economy. i do agree but we all have decisions to make and dancing is high on my list. i am a sales manager, not the owner, for a successful fine jewelry store. i have been employed there for almost 14 years. i feel i have a great relationship with the owners. in addition to selling, i handle payroll, schedules,inventory and everyday operations. business is very slow. not to many people are interested in buying a rolex right now. yes, i am in fear of having my hours cut but i will never give up dancing. its a big part of my life. i will cut out a meal because dancing is that important to me. i have made life long friends and live to go out to swing dance. i cross my fingers that business will pick up but as you wrote, people are very nervous. maybe with valentines day coming up we will see a rebound but either way, dancing will live on in my life.
THANK YOU,
C.L.
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I would like to thank "The Three Amigos " for letting me jam with them. My thanks for a great night of dancing at the Starlight in Nutley, NJ too. Great dance floor, and a packed house of good dancers. One great night!
Frank Pellicci

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