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Happy birthday wishes to Gladys Torres, Ester Hohenberger,  Brian Fortuna, Steve Winter  and Lana Thomas.

Laura Nugent was in a terrible motorcycle accident last month. A popular dancer from NY, she had to have her left leg amputated (above the knee). Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Rescue and Recovery worker, Alex Jack, has been sick from the effects of his work at the World Trade Center during 9/11.  He will be having surgery today. We wish him a speedy recovery and are thankful for all he does.    

Dancing With The Stars? judges Carrie Ann Inaba & Bruno Tonioli go at it on Dance War, a new ABC prime time show. All types of amateur dancers 18 years of age and older. Dancers may be asked to sing a few bars of a well-known song, acapella. If you are not a singer do not be discouraged. If chosen, vocal training will be provided. Auditions in NY - Sat, Sept 29, 2007 - 8am sharp / all dancers Central Park  Wollman Ice Rink, 830 5th Ave. (5th Ave & 60th St) NY 10021

The new Via Dance Studio's Open House has been rescheduled to Oct. 6th. Dance Champion Silvana Gallagher welcomes you. See more details below.

Looking for a DJ? For the complete 2007 Hustle DJ directory, visit http://www.mjames.org/djs.html

Saturday, September 22nd, The North American DanceSport Championships will be aired on the Comcast network. Originally taped in Cherry Hill, NJ this summer. Co hosted by Ashly DelGrosso from Dancing With The Stars. Details below.  

CORRECTION: The New York Hustle Congress, Pro Am showcase division. 
1 Lawrence Rush & Carmen Sanchez-Cortez
1 Leonardo Medina Jr & Lisa Fiorito
In the Pro-Am Showcase Division there is not a first & second place.  Both couples received First Place honors.

Due to space limitations we will post the second installment of the 2007 Swing Dance Directory next week in DanceTalk®. 

This weeks edition of DanceTalk® is sponsored by Annette Alicanti & DonaMarie Portelli presenting Hustle, Latin & WCS dancing at the Crazy Donkey, with DJ Johnny V. Grand Opening Tuesday, September 18th. See all the details below

Make it a great week,
Ron

Hustle/ Latin Nights

As the summer cools down, things are heating up. Tuesdays have a new twist.
Hustle, Latin and WCS under one roof. DonaMarie and Annette join forces to deliver a new, weekly social.  It will be the best dance music all night long. It is going to sizzle as hustle, Latin and WCS dancing rules the floor all night under the careful hands of DJ Johnny V. It doesn't get much better then that. Long Islands favorite son, Johnny V, is well known for his music selection. His classic dance mixes at the Starlight Ballroom and IBBG rock the house. He now brings that energy to the Crazy Donkey. DonaMarie is ready to turn it up a notch. She is no stranger to making things happen. DonaMarie will be appearing in the soon to be released motion picture "Enchanted."  She is an accomplished teacher, coach, judge and competitor. She was undefeated, for three consecutive years with Mark James in the grand finals at the annual Zachary's Show Dance Competition. Her professional performances  include New York Express; Phantom of the Opera Tour, Principal Dancer, Dance Fever, at the Schubert Theater,  Ohio Star Ball . Forever Tango at the Schubert Theater and A Tribute to Andrew Lloyd Weber. She has also appeared in other motion pictures including Let It Be Me and Only With You, Unconnected and The Marconi Brothers, Join the grand opening party on Tuesday night, September 18th, at The Crazy Donkey, 1058 Route 110, Farmingdale, NY and there is more...........
Get ready for three weeks of Thursday night dancing at the new Bianco, formerly the Viper Lounge. 573 Nesconset highway in Haugppauge, NY. Latin dancing. That takes place on Sept 25, Oct 4th & 11th.
You don't want to miss the grand opening of the new Tuesday dance night. It all kicks off this Tuesday, September 18th. Easy to get to.
Crazy Donkey, 1058 Route 110, Farmingdale, NY, For Directions Club (631) 753-1975, For Info Annette (347) 386-6932 or DonaMarie (631) 398-8054
Admission is $15 which includes 1 beverage of your choice and a Free Dance lesson each week.

Letters to the Editor

Hi Ron, on Saturday, July 28th, at the World Hustle Dance Championships, Diane Nardone, Director; honored me, Silvana Gallagher, with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" and inducted me into the World Hustle Hall of Fame.  For anyone who attended the World Hustle Dance Championships that Saturday night will remember my complete surprise as Diane announced my name.  I was left speechless.  In one flash of a moment I was overwhelmed with 16 years of memories and could not sort through those thoughts quickly enough to say anything intelligent.  So, now, with having had a chance to sort through it all, I now need an entire edition of DanceTalk.  When I really,  truly, think about who just awarded me, it still surprises me,  even 1 month later. 15 years ago I made a striving effort to follow in the foot steps of some of the greatest women in Hustle, the women who inspired me to be the dancer I am today.  Footwork, footwork, footwork, I was fascinated by feet (and still am) that I watched everyone's feet.  Not just anyone's feet; I wanted interesting feet, who had the footwork. Progressive, in place, syncopated, who had the feet?  Well, it became very obvious to me one night, at Shadow's night club in Valley forge.  The night I met the New York dancer's for the first time.  And all I remember thinking about was "look at the footwork".   I didn't realize the potential of the  "3, And 1" until that night when I saw Diane Nardone for the first time.  She had enough footwork to fill my head for a week.  After that night we made regular trips to New York and New Jersey. Two, three, times a week.  She helped me achieve an understanding of more is possible.  So I went for more and more and more.  So, when I truly think about what it means to me to receive this award, this acknowledgment from Diane, you have to put it into true perspective; stop and see it from that young girl who's eyes were star struck by this woman named Diane.   
With sincere gratitude,
Silvana Gallagher
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Ron-
What a blast! The Hustle Congress rocked. It was a pleasure seeing all the alltimers and the newbies of the hustle. I felt like I was transported back to Roseland. What and incredible feeling. Not to mention getting the opportunity - seeing you again after so many years and.finally matching the faces with the names you mention so many times in your newsletter.
 But most of all, catching up with Billy Fajardo, my old mentor and blazing the dance floor with my buddy Hector Berrios.
 I can't wait till next year. Many thanks to Lori for a great job and for keeping the hustle alive.
Luis Rivera
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Hi Ron, it was great to see George Valasqez get a award for all he has done. I found it quite inspiring myself. I enjoyed the weekend but have come to the conclusion why many of the pros walk around like sourpuss. I know they teach 24/7. Where as many of us do this on a social basis for fun and exercise. Lori is always up beat and I enjoy that. Others, I know this is their full time job. But if you really don't enjoy teaching change your career. You bring the rest of us down.
See ya at Mad Jam next year.  
God Bless,
Taylor
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Dear Ron,
I wanted to let your reader Greta know that the song Brazil was done by the Ritchie Family, (Not sure of the spelling), as an accountant, I have developed a very good memory and analytical mind that can also get me in to trouble. LOL, actually Ron, I am very shy and grabbed onto dancing as away to meet folks. Now that I am at an age that my college, home, are all paid for, financially I am very sound, I can spend more active time with my social life. Sadly, it was put on hold for a long time. My career has landed me in Raleigh, NC, should any of your readers have a place to Hustle and West Coast Swing dance, I would love to hear about it. I did have the chance to attend two dance events this summer (based on your newsletters recommendations) I appreciate you listing the events and their websites. It made it very helpful for me - being from out of town.  I look forward to meeting you and attending more events in 2008. Thanks for all you do Ron,
Anna Longo
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Dear Ron:  I just wanted to thank everyone who made my birthday celebration more spectacular than the last one!!!  So many men, so little time....lol.  I also wanted to thank Natalie for making me her World Famous Cake.  ( It was low in calories too, lol)  It's great getting old!!!
Celie 
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Hey Ron,
Just wanted to comment on the YouTube site of you dancing with your daughter. I was really floored. I don't know if you still dance with her since this was from a couple of years ago but I can't believe what a little star she is.  I find it very admirable to see a father/daughter dance team. I don't remember seeing anything like that in the past.
I hope she is still interested and sticks with it
I wanted to tell you that we really enjoyed the New York Salsa and Hustle Congress.
It was a great pleasure to see you and your wife and so many dancers from the 70 and 80's. Can't wait till next year.
Thank you,
Michael Franco