Dance Talk + Dance Zone - Mark's Corner

Happy birthday wishes to Sam Clemente , Gladys Torres (RIP), Ester Hohenberger, Brian Fortuna,   Audrey Rigsbee, Sandra Elliot and Ray Mennan.

The maestro, Barry White passed away just four years ago. Recognized as an accomplished singer he was also an incredible orchestrator and writer. He is missed.

The hottest new dance event, with host Star Seguinot, kicks off on Thursday October 9th. A Salsa social at "Ballroom on High" in Pottstown, Pa. Don't miss the premier, including a beginner salsa lesson at 8PM and general dancing till 11PM. Boasting a huge dance floor and advanced lesson at 7PM. For details call 215-920-4511 or write Star@netcarrier.com

Cheers to Tony & Lina Dovolani , from "Dancing with the Stars". Twins born last week. Son Adrian Driton - 7 lbs and daughter Ariana  weighing 7 lbs., 10 oz. Not to be out done......Laila Ali, a top contestant on DWTS just gave birth to Curtis Muhammad Conway, weighing in at 6.8 lbs

Congratulations todance pro Angela McCabe. She and husband Joe are expecting their second bundle of joy. Another little dancing girl is expected this December.

Enjoy the images from Trisha Caballero's birthday party at Michael's Cafe, courtesy of Fred. Click

Hold the date, Saturday night, December 6th, 2008 for the 16th annual Holiday Spectacular. Donna Boyle and Ron Bess return to the beautiful Stardust Ballroom in Bellmawr, NJ. The floor is huge and the party is going to be hot. More details coming soon.

Say good bye to summer and all the hits with DJ Fancy's hot CD. This was one of his best and you can still get one now. Featuring "Closer", "When I Grow Up", "Pocketful Of Sunshine", "Damaged", "Leavin" and the remake of "Don't let Me Be Misunderstood". 16 hot new dance songs in all. Only $15 includes shipping. To order write to him sparda3636@hotmail.com

For great photos and videos from Lori Brizzi's 2008 New York Hustle Congress be sure to visit the Hustle Lounge at Click Here

Dancing With The Stars premier for a special three day hoop la next week. Monday Sept 22nd the new season of fun begins on ABC television at 8PM EST.

The newest event in Florida, takes place Oct 4th, Sunday. Get ready for the Salsa/hustle Summit, for details visit   Click Here

This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by Vai Dance and DJ Fancy. Get ready for a Champions weekend. Read more below.

Make it a great week,
Ron

Champions Weekend

Get ready for the "Champions Weekend" taking place at Vai Dance on Saturday, September 20th and Sunday the 21st. Head lining this weekend are the World Dance Champions Kelvin Roche & Lori Ann Greenhouse. There is an allure with this couple unlike any other. Kelvin and Lori Ann will be teaching, performing and hanging out with the Philly/NJ gang. It will be a Champions Weekend as the couple that has dominated the scene for the last few years will bring it to Vai Dance. Kelvin has a long dance history going back to the hustle days of the 80's. A close friend of the great Eddie Vega, Kelvin and his partner were top competitors placing in the New York Harvest Moonball and many other competitions. He would move on to senior instructor at Paul Pellicoro's Dancesport in NYC, teaching all the Latin dances. While he was focused on teaching and performing, Lori Ann was breaking hearts as she was triumphant with her partner Roberto Pagan winning all the national comps. She was a World Hustle title holder and appeared in the motion picture "Let It Be Me". When Lori Ann's partnership with Roberto ended she began teaching at Dancesport and teamed up with Kelvin. Incorporating classic hustle with difficult lifts and tricks these performers have traveled the circuit capturing all the titles in the Hustlesphere. Along the way they have become independent teachers and have been featured dancers in multiple motion pictures including Disney's "Enchanted" and "El Cantante". They continue to dazzle audiences all over the country as they perform their various Latin and theater arts routines. Like very few couples can do, once they take the floor, they own it. True performers and dance artists. You don't want to miss their special visit to the Philadelphia area at the beautiful Vai Dance center. Owner and artistic director, Silvana Gallagher, has compiled an exciting weekend. There will be three hustle workshops, a dance party with DJ Brian G, raffle, door prizes and spectacular show.
It all kicks off with a 5PM workshop on Saturday. Fun & Playful hustle. This workshop is perfect for beginners. The cost is only $20.00
At 6PM - is "Hustle Like the Pros" geared for intermediate and Advanced hustle dancers. This workshop is $20.00
At 7:30PM - A progressive hustle lesson for all levels followed by a California Mix Dance Party with contemporary and classics with DJ Brian G. There will be hours of social dancing and refreshments will be served. The progressive workshop and dance party cost is only $25.00
Register now for workshops by phone at - 610.789.3248
Kelvin & Lori Ann will be available for private lessons. Their background is extensive from Ballroom & Latin to Salsa and Hustle. Don't miss this opportunity to work with this amazing couple. Book your Private Lesson now, there are limited time slots for Saturday & Sunday! See you at Vai Dance Studio, 801 West Chester Pike, Havertown, PA, 19083 | 610.789.3248 | info@vaidance.com

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)

Dear Dancing Friends,
Thanks to all who attended this year's New York Hustle Congress. I hope your feet feel better because I was told they hurt from dancing so much. The DJ's had the music jammin from beginning to end. I am glad you thought the dinner was delicious and you enjoyed the dinner show and concert with the Trammps. All the dancing stars were there and as always, the teachers and staff were terrific. Thanks to our MC, Ron Bess and to all of our judges. Congratulations to all of the competitors. The results will be posted on the website soon but whether you placed or not, you are winners for getting out there and participating. Every year I strive to learn so I can make the next year's event a better one. I thank each and every one of you for your participation.
Sincerely,
Lori Brizzi
....................
Hey Ron,
I wanted to share a funny story with you. I was helping my mother down size at her home as she will be moving to a retirement village not far from me. I was helping her discard junk when I came across an old foot locker from my younger sister Deb. It has to be nearly 30 years old. Well its got a lock on it that I had to brake off and what comes flying out...about a dozen of my old 33 12 inch records. She must have been mad at me and took some of my favorites at the time. Sad thing is I don't even have a record player any more to play them on. anyway, here are some of the titles. Gino Soccio- I wanna Take you there, TS Monk- Candidate for Love, Melba Moore - Pick Me Up I'll Dance, Madleen Kane - Rough Diamond, Michael Theodore Orchestra - The Bull.
Keep up the great work, Jordan
....................
Dear Ron,
I dealt with a great loss almost a year ago. As an only child, I was thrown in to a deep, severe level of depression when my mother suddenly passed away. I'm only writing to you now because for the last year I just couldn't do a thing. It is only recently that I began to dance again and catch up with old friends. I attended some counseling, a grieving group but nothing seemed to help. Sometimes we are not aware of the pain one another is going through. It seems crazy to think that for almost a year I was still depressed and unable to face the day to day challenges. I wanted to stress the point of friendships and dancing and together they helped bring me back to see the importance of everything else in this world.
Please, understand when others are not smiling, it may have nothing to do with you, but you can help them get back on they're feet by being a friend. I am very grateful to my dance friends and to you Ron for your newsletter,
With the utmost respect,
Amy Katz
....................
Dear Ron,
My daughter, Susan Fritz,won the professional Jack and Jill
with Derek Allen at Diane Nardone's WHDC. I was not able to attend the event. I would so like to see my daughter dance. If anyone out there taped them, could they please put it on youtube so I can view Susan and Derek.
Thank you so very much.
Kay Fritz
....................
Hey Ron,
Glad we had a chance to talk at the New York Hustle Congress. You made some interesting analogies that I hope you will permit me to share with everyone. First off, I apologize for being a bit negative and condescending towards you. I did not mean that in a personal way. Just me being ........ stupid............ When we were discussing the attendance at dance events you made an interesting point that I now have come to realize that I think you were correct. Not everyone comes to competitions to compete. Some folks come to watch, some come just to dance and for some it is a vacation. They get excited about getting dressed up for the evening, putting on their new outfits like a big school reunion. Regretfully, I didn't go to the dinner show but others told me how great it was and that sitting together as friends made it extra special..................... All in all, I do agree with your point. These hustle weekends are more then just dancing, it is about hanging out with your buddies, having a few drinks and dancing.
Thanks for keeping me in line,
Harris Sulken
....................
Dear Ron: My birthday was a blast!   I just wanted to thank everyone who joined in in helping an "old lady" feel young!   LOL Thanks!!!!
Celie

IN A SEASON OF SURPRISES, THIRTEEN NEW STARS WILL SHINE AS DANCING WITH THE STARS RETURNS FOR ITS SEVENTH SEASON

The Three-Night Premiere Event Begins Monday, September 22

Two Couples Will Be Eliminated During the First Week of Competition

Jonas Brothers and Jesse McCartney Perform on Dancing with the Stars: The Results Show, Wednesday, September 24

Jimmy Kimmel Welcomes Maurice Greene to Jimmy Kimmel Live Tuesday, August 26

It will be a season of surprises in what promises to be the biggest and most demanding season ever as thirteen celebrities take the ballroom floor on the hit series Dancing with the Stars, which returns with a three-night premiere event, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. Each week, all new surprises and twists await viewers. Season seven marks the largest cast assembled to date, the oldest and youngest competitors ever, and includes two Olympic Gold medalists, a Grammy®-winning singer, a television legend, an Oscar® winner, and a Super Bowl champion. Additionally, all four professional dancers who've previously tasted the thrill of victory return to compete against one another for bragging rights. Can one of them reclaim the mirror ball trophy?

For the first time ever, all thirteen teams must prepare two routines for the first week of competition, one of which they'll perform on Monday night. The judges will score the performances on Monday while the viewers cast their votes for their favorites. Only twelve will have the chance to showcase their second dance on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 (9:00-10:0 p.m., ET). In dramatic style on Tuesday's show, one couple will be eliminated as the remaining contestants perform their second dance of the season. The judges will score the dances on Tuesday and the viewers will once again cast their votes before a second duo is dismissed WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

As announced today on Good Morning America, in alphabetical order, the thirteen stars making their ballroom dancing debut are:

LANCE BASS - Lance Bass has sold over 50 million records as a member of the phenomenally successful pop group *NSYNC. He also executive produced and starred in a number of film and television projects. In 2002 he successfully trained to be a cosmonaut at Russia's Star City and was certified by both the Russian Space Program and NASA for a mission aboard a Soyuz capsule. Lance has also released his memoir, Out of Sync, for Simon Spotlight Entertainment. The 2006 U.S. Youth Latin Champ and 2007 World Swing Dance Champ Lacey Schwimmer teams up with Lance to make her series debut.

TONI BRAXTON - The winner of six Grammy Awards, Toni Braxton is a Billboard chart-topping singer and actress, selling over forty million records worldwide. Her U.S. number-one hit Un-Break My Heart is the second biggest single by a female artist in history. She has also appeared in two Disney Broadway shows: Beauty and the Beast and Aida. Dancing with the Stars marks her return to the spotlight after a six-month health hiatus. She teams up with season one champion, Alec Mazo, who returns for his fourth season.

BROOKE BURKE - A host, actress, entrepreneur and celebrity mom, Brooke Burke has truly done it all. She has graced numerous magazine covers, has her own top-selling swimsuit calendars, and is regularly ranked in men's magazines as one of the sexiest women in the world. Recognized worldwide as host of the hit travel series Wild On!, Brooke has since hosted several high profile network series, including Rock Star: INXS and Rock Star: Supernova. On the acting front, she has guest-starred on such television series as Las Vegas, Less Than Perfect, Eve, It's All Relative, The Bernie Mac Show, Monk, Rock Me Baby and That's Life. Brooke is a mother of four and recently launched her own babystore BabooshBaby.com, a site where she shares her secrets (and some products she used) to get back in shape after giving birth. Brooke teams with Derek Hough who returns for his third season.

ROCCO DISPIRITO - The James Beard Award-winning celebrity chef and author Rocco DiSpirito combines his world-class cooking with a passion for empowering home cooks. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Rocco opened the 3-star Union Pacific in New York City in 1997. In 2003 he launched Rocco's for the reality series, The Restaurant. Rocco will next appear on the A&E series, Rocco Gets Real, beginning in October, along with its companion cookbook, Rocco Gets Real: Cook at Home Every Day. He teams with Karina Smirnoff who returns for her fifth season. Karina teamed with R&B singer, Mario, last season.

MAURICE GREENE - The winner of two gold medals, in the 100m sprint and the 4x100m relay at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, track star Maurice Greene was dubbed the "World's Fastest Man" during his career. In addition to being the former world record holder in the 100m sprint, and winning multiple world championships, he also won silver and bronze medals at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. He is the current Indoor World Record holder in the 60m at 6.39 seconds. He teams up with two-time champion, Cheryl Burke. Cheryl returns for her sixth season.

KIM KARDASHIAN - Actress, model and reality television star, Kim Kardashian shot to stardom after the first airing of her hit E! reality series, Keeping up with the Kardashians. The series follows the exploits of Kim, her siblings, her mother Kris, and her stepfather, Olympic Gold Medalist Bruce Jenner. Kardashian recently completed her first feature film, Disaster Movie and will also be seen on The N's series Beyond the Break. She teams up with defending champ, Mark Ballas, who returns for his third season.

CLORIS LEACHMAN - Actress Cloris Leachman's storied career has been recognized with nine Emmys®, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award®. She has the distinction of being the only woman to win eight Primetime Emmy® Awards and one Daytime Emmy®. Leachman has starred in a wide range of theater, television and motion picture projects, creating such indelible characters as Phyllis in the TV series Phyllis and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Nurse Diesel in High Anxiety, and Ruth Popper in The Last Picture Show (for which she won an Oscar® and a BAFTA). In 2008 she has already completed three new films; The Women, American Cowslip and New York I Love You. She is in the process of writing her memoir and is currently touring the U.S. with her one-woman show CLORIS! Cloris teams with World Latin Champion and Mark's father, Corky Ballas, who makes his series debut.

CODY LINLEY - Cody Linley will be the youngest contestant ever to compete on Dancing with the Stars. He is best known for his role as Jake Ryan on the wildly popular Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, a role in which he was nominated for a Young Artist Award. He also helped the show garner an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Children's Programming. Cody's film credits include My Dog Skip, HOOT, Miss Congeniality, and Cheaper By the Dozen. He teams with two-time Dancing with the Stars champ, Julianne Hough who returns for her fourth season.

SUSAN LUCCI - As the most famous face in daytime television history, Lucci has held audiences spellbound for years as the sexy, sassy, beautiful woman you love to hate, Erica Kane on All My Children. In May 1999, all of America stood and cheered when Susan Lucci won the Emmy® Award for Best Actress. While competing on the show, she will continue her work on All My Children, and celebrate her 10,000th episode this November. In addition to her performances on Broadway and in cabarets across the country, Susan is an entrepreneur, having launched successful cosmetic, fashion, and jewelry lines on HSN. She teams with Tony Dovolani who returns for his sixth season.

MISTY MAY-TREANOR - Beach Volleyball champion Misty May-Treanor and partner Kerri Walsh captured their second Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and became the first team ever to repeat as back-to-back champs. The victory also marked their 108th straight match win. Misty and Kerri were distinguished as AVP Team of the Year for four consecutive years (2003 through 2006). Misty was also named Most Valuable Player in 2005 and 2006, Best Offensive Player in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and Best Defensive Player in 2006. She now joins a new teammate, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who returns for his fifth season.

TED MCGINLEY - Actor Ted McGinley's extensive television credits include Married&with Children, Hope & Faith, Happy Days, recurring roles on the critically-acclaimed series The West Wing, Sports Night, Charlie Lawrence, Dynasty, and The Love Boat. He has also starred in such films as Pearl Harbor, Daybreak, Dick, Major League: Back to the Minors, Wayne's World 2, and the cult hit Revenge of the Nerds. Newcomer Inna Brayer will be paired with Ted. Inna is the current US Amateur 10 Dance Champion.

JEFFREY ROSS - Comedian Jeffrey Ross a.k.a. the "Roastmaster General," has delivered numerous show stopping performances at celebrity roasts honoring the likes of William Shatner, Hugh Hefner, Donald Trump, Pamela Anderson, Bob Saget and Emmitt Smith, inspiring New York Magazine to crown him The Meanest Man in Comedy. As a comic, Jeff has appeared on several late night and morning shows Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The View. Jeff's other TV credits include Weeds and C.S.I. He has also appeared in such films as the Farrelley Brothers' Stuck on You, and the critical sensation, The Aristocrats. Jeff continues to tour regularly. He teams with Edyta Sliwinska, who is the only pro to compete in all seven seasons of Dancing with the Stars.

WARREN SAPP - Recently retired defensive tackle and Superbowl Champion Warren Sapp played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13 year career. His 96.5 career sacks are the second-highest career total sacks for a defensive tackle in the NFL. Warren was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1999, played in seven consecutive Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003. This Fall, Warren will co-host Showtime's Inside the NFL and will be a studio analyst and game commentator for the NFL Network. He is teamed with Kym Johnson who returns for her fifth season.

Viewers may cast their votes for their favorite teams via phone on Monday and Tuesday night during and up to 30 minutes after the Dancing with the Stars performance shows. AT&T subscribers may also text message their votes by texting the word "VOTE" and entering the number that corresponds to the team they want to support (standard text message rates apply). Viewers may also vote online at http://www.abc.com starting from the opening of each episode on the East Coast and until 12:00 Noon, ET the following day.

Dancing with the Stars: The Results Show will feature the return of Macy's Stars of Dance, featuring some of the most renowned dancers and choreographers of our time, including an extra spectacular performance on October 21st to commemorate the Macy's 150th anniversary. The Kids Ballroom Dance Competition, a fan favorite, also returns.

Hosted by Tom Bergeron (America's Funniest Home Videos) and Samantha Harris (E! Entertainment), the celebrities will perform choreographed dance routines which will be judged by renowned Ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

Dancing with the Stars is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, Strictly Come Dancing. This version is produced in America by BBC Productions. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Rob Wade and Matilda Zoltowski are co-executive producers. Alex Rudzinski directs. Dancing with the Stars is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound and Spanish audio via SAP.

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