Have a safe and happy Easter and Passover
 
Happy birthday wishes tto Tom Banner,  Lisa Abelson,  Disco Dave Sarul,  Kerri Bicking, Bruce Levy,  Eileen Bates,  Fred Fedak  and Tony Sergant
 
Our heart felt condolences go out to Joann and her family on the loss of her husband, Chester D. Vacca Jr., a long time dancer in the Philadelphia area. Please keep them in your prayers.
 
Fox television has announced the date for the return of the hit show "So You Think You Can Dance". Preparing for it's fifth season, with a 2 hour premiere, the show kicks off on Thursday, May 21at 8PM EST.
 
We're less then one month away from the biggest Spring event,  Swing Dance America Dance Convention taking place April 23 - April 26. Hustle is growing in the midwest. It all takes place at The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, located at 1736 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Four days of Hustle + West Coast Swing dancing and competitions. Join Glen Miller and Kelvin Roche, Lori Ann Greenhouse, Keith Gussoni, Celeste Pfefferle, Stephanie Riser, Joe Kerner, Nino DiGulio  http://swingdanceamerica.com/  Online registration is open.
 
We have had a tremendous response to the topic on the hustle future. Have you voiced your thoughts on how to attract new faces to the dance? We have opened the forum for feedback exploring ideas on how to preserve the hustle for future generations. One man made a difference in the field of Ballroom by implementing his "Dancing Classrooms".  Pierre Dulaine, (Take The Lead), reached out to the students in NYC and today has injected his classes to over 240 public schools reaching over 30,000 students. It's time to implement creative ideas to reach the young prospective hustle dancers  Kids are inspired by their peers. Imagine a group of young dancers doing the hustle on You Tube? Would that work? Help us create a Hustle blue print. We can't wait for someone else to do it for us. We need your input. Sound off at the Hustle Lounge as we move the hustle into the 21st century.  Visit  http://thehustlelounge.com/point-of-view-ron-bess-dance-talk/
 
Don't miss a spectacular performance by Mark James & Karen Lupo this coming Saturday, April 11th, at Temple B'Nai on Long Island. Presented by Louis Del Prete, your enjoy a great show and dancing all night. See all the details below.  http://louisdelprete.com/schedule.htm
 
Mad Jam 2009 was an incredible event and now all the photos are available for your viewing and purchase. Thousands of awesome pictures can be seen at http://www.SamsSnapshots.com. This selection includes the top 1, 10, 100, and 500 shots of the weekend.
 
It's the Second annual Club Med, Dancing With 'OUR' Stars,  June 4-7, 2009 in Port St Lucie, Florida at the Sandpiper, Club Med.  An all inclusive program that includes 3 nights lodging, meals, snacks, soft and alcoholic beverages, lessons in all types of activities including tennis, golf, circus and over 50 dance lessons throughout the weekend.  There will be social dancing day and night. www.clubmed.us/theme-weeks
 
Coming soon to Michael's Cafe, in Bensalem Pa, the roll out of complimentary group hustle lessons for beginners, on Wednesday nights. In efforts to open the door to non dancers and curiosity seekers. Local dance professionals will get you moving. More details coming soon.  
 
Disappointing news on Salsa champion, Alex DeSilva. He has been charged with multiple counts of rape. A popular choreographer on "So You Think You Can Dance" he was arrested on April 4th. According to the LAPD, all of the victims were his students. DeSilva allegedly lured them to his home in North Hollywood where he allegedly raped them. Bail was set at $3.8 million dollars.
 
** Please note, this Friday April 10th, DanceTalk will be sent out. This will be in place of Monday's edition April 13th. DanceTalk will then resume it's normal delivery every Monday, effective April 20th.
 
This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by Disco America Dance Championships.
June 26 - 28, 2009, King Of Prussia Pa.  www.discoamerica.com 

 Make it a great week,
Ron

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"Have a Great Easter or Passover
       Reach out to another
           and Give Thanks or Forgiveness."

                   - Anonymous

   Complete Info - Go to the main page - Main Page- Save as a Favorite
 
The DanceTalk readership among Disc Jockey's is extensive across the country.  Many of these top DJ's have deep roots that go back to the early days of disco. We have reached out to some of the top Jocks for their expertise on some of the great songs that artists have covered and transformed into dance classics, better known as remakes. Thank you to our wonderful DJs for their insightful selections.
Enjoy
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The two that come to mind would be Donna Summers- I will go with you (Pavarotti) and  Whispers - Make it with you (Bread). Even though this Donna Summer remake was not from the Disco Era, It is my favorite Donna Summer tune to Hustle to - Very Dramatic!
Bob Frione
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Ron,
2 songs come immediately to mind; "If You Could Read My Mind" by Ulta Nate and "Memory" by Menage.
Thanks.
DJ Jim Alexander, Houston
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Hey Ron, one of my favs is Magic Bird of Fire adapted by Vince Montana from the Firebird Suite a 1910 ballet by Igor Stravinsky
 Michael Gormley
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 Hi Ron,
My personal favorites are found in recent years and a little newer than 70's & 80's Disco but get a great response on the dance floor !!!
1. Stranger in the night - Engelbert Humperdinck
2. The look of love - Nina Simone
3. Summer time - Smoma
Of course then you have classics such as:
1. That old black magic - Softons
2. Where do I begin - Andy Williams
Love and prosperity to all my dance friends,   Johnny V
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Hi Ron:
There are so many remakes, but here are a few that I like, a couple new and a couple old.  
New song:  Right Round by Flo-Rida.  Old song:  You Spin Me Round by Dead or Alive.
New song:  Double Dutch Bus by Raven-Symon.  Old song:  Double Dutch Bus by The Gap Band.
New Song: I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany.  Old song:  I Think We're Alone Now by Tommy James and the Shondells.  
New Song:  Begin the Beguine by Johnny Mathis.  Old song:  Begin the Beguine by too many previous "big bands" etc. to mention.
DJ Vicki Kay :)
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Hey Ron,
Great questions and here is a flash from the past. My favorite remake was of the classic song by the Rock Group the Doors. It was a huge song, Light My Fire. Well, back in 1979 Ami Stewart remade the classic for club dancing. It scored big in the clubs.
Keep dancing,
DJ Frankie
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 Hi Ron a favorite of mine was done by Dusty Springfield but may have went even further back then Dusty. the great Disco remake is - "If My Friends Could See Me Now" by Linda Clifford.
  And my other favorite Disco remade song is - "What a different a day makes". remade by the late Esther Phillips  originally done by Dinah Washington.
Regards DJ Allan Surdi
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I have many but here are just a few.
Funky Nassau - Knee Deep
I Love America - Hanna Hais
Keep On Jumping- Corenell
Love On My Mind - Freemasons
Was That All It Was - Kim Mazelle
 Nino Torre
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Could It Be Magic - Barry Manilow, Donna Summer redone by Andrea T. Mendoza & Tibet
Somewhere - West Side Story redone by Vickki Shepard
Walking In The Rain - Samira
Begin the Beguine - Artie Shaw redone by Johnny Mathis
Don't Stop Believin - Journey redone by George Lamont
DJ Mark Routzhan
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I just recently downloaded a Chakka Kahn remix album.  It has a good sound of a lot of her greatest hits.
I found it on Amazon.com
Erik Novoa
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SUMMERTIME by MFSB, VENUS  by Frankie  AVOLON, SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES by OLD BLACK MAGIC,  REALLY WANT TO SEE YOU TONIGHT by Barry MANILOW, HOW HIGH THE MOON by Gloria  GAYNOR, JINGO by JELLYBEEN,  ZING WENT THE STRINGS by the TRAMMPS,  ONE FINE DA by JULIE,  STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT by E HUMPERDINK,  BRAZIL by the SALSOUL ORCHESTRA, WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW by MSD,  BEGIN THE BEGUINE by Johnny MATHIS, LETS HANG ON by GUN CLUB and 1-2-3 by SALAZAR
Bobby Gerard
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BEGIN THE BEGUINE  JOHNNY MATHIS
NIGHT & DAY        FRANK SINATRA
EVITA     FESTIVAL
TOUCH ME IN THE MORNING     MARLENA SHAW
I AM WHAT I AM   GLORIA GAYNOR
FRANKIE CROCKER  POINCIANA,FRIENDLY PERSUASION,I CAN'T GET STARTED,THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU
FRANKIE CROCKER  SKYLARK,FLAMINGO,BE MY LOVE,MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT,MY REVERIE,PRISONER OF LOVE,TUXEDO JUNCTION
MAYBE THIS TIME  NORMA LEWIS
SOMEWHERE & ALL I ASK OF YOU   VICKI SHEPARD
POINCIANA   PARADISE EXPRESS
EVITA    FESTIVAL
DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA  MADONNA
MEMORY  & WIND BENEATH MY WINGS   MENAGE
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU  SARAH WASHINGTON
THEME FROM KING KONG   LOVE UNLIMITED
LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE    CHAMPS BOYS ORCH.
MY HEART WILL GO ON      CLUELESS
MORE           CAROL WILLIAMS
Viola Wills;  Stormy Weather,                      
Frank Pellici
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Hi Ron,  I came up with many but my favorites are  " Zing went the strings of my heart " by the Trammps ,  " Heaven must have sent you " by Bonnie Pointer,  " Touch me in the morning "  by  Marlena Shaw and   " Knock on wood  "  by  Aimi Stewart.      Some notable others are "Stubborn kind of fella " by Buffalo Smoke, " Never can say goodbye ' by Gloria Gaynor,  " Move on up  "  by Destinations Theme,  " Ain't no mountain high enough "  by Inner Life, and  " I'm a man  " by  Macho.    I have a lot more but I tried to limit it to dance songs.  Thanks
DJ Anthony Bradley
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Hi Ron,
I would have to agree with the Donna Summer remakes (Could It Be Magic & McCarthur's Park)  but other great remakes were "Gimme Some Lovin" & "Knock On Wood"
Best Regards,
Dominick Lauriano

Coming off an incredible year, Disco America is positioned to explode this year for their 11th annual dance Championships.  The summer, the event takes place June 26, 27 & 28th, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel located in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Donna Boyle and Joyce Szili invite you to join them, for this summer extravaganza. This year, Disco America takes place one week before the July 4th weekend. What a way to celebrate the anniverary of our nation in a historical setting.  The first Early Bird Special is good until April 30th.  Package rates do go up $15 starting May 1st. The room rates have stayed the same at only $115.per person.  You can book your room now at 610-265-7500, make sure to ask for the Disco America room rate. This helps keep the room rates low, crediting the event for your attendance. Make plans now to join us for the weekend. Your enjoy hours of social dancing, creative workshops, a dinner show, competitions in all divisions, the Philly Freeze and some of the best classic dance music of then and now. Some of the confirmed staff members are:  Louie Orlando, Beth Darchi, Joe Kerner, Stephanie Risser, Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlowe, Ginny Carey, Billy Marti, Brian Gallagher, George Garcia, Carlo DeJesus, Silvana Gallagher, Tony & Shawn Nguyen, Christopher & Lisa Schaupp, Kelvin Roche, Lori Ann Greenhouse, Diane Nardone, Steve Neeren, Mark Sakowski, Ron Bess... with more to come
Last year, Disco America was simply a blast and this year, it's only going to get better. For a summer treat, book your room now as everyone is going. Spend a few days or the week, just make sure you're there.
For more details visit www.discoamerica.com