Wow, summer just flew by. It's still hot and there are so many dance opportunities
to chose from.
Have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend.
Happy birthday to Terri Murphy and Patricia Caballero. Come out to Michael's
Cafe and help us celebrate.
This December, the Broadway show "Chicago," which won 6 Tony Awards, comes
to the silver screen. Original dance work by Bob Fosse, the new movie stars:
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rene'e Zellweger and Richard Gere.
Musically speaking, Gloria Gaynor has a new release "I Never Knew"
and Amber's new album "Naked" is in stores now.
* * *
* * *
* * *
* * *
* * *
The Awards for the first "DanceTalk Emmy's."
Thanks to all those that took the time to vote. I was not anticipating the
large number of responses that came in. Each category had numerous names
nominated. Many voters also gave me suggestions, other categories and ideas
that I'll take into consideration for next year.
I feel it's always positive to acknowledge those who stand out among the
crowd. It is only fitting to let the readers have the opportunity to also
play judge. You picked them, so here they are.
The 2002 Winners
Favorite DJ - Mr. Bobby Morales
Favorite Female Dancer - Debbie Ferro
Favorite Male Dancer - Donnie Shields
Favorite Dance Couple - Brian & Silvana Gallagher
Favorite Dance Couple (not hustle) -
Robert Royston & Laureen Baldovi
Favorite Female Instructor - Diane Nardone
Favorite Male Instructor - Arte Phillips
Congratulations to all the winners. The readers have spoken.
"Letters to the editor"
I appreciate those who write and share their thoughts.
Many of the letters share common responses. I guess we're all living and
experiencing similar feelings. Naturally, in the best interests of the readers,
I can only print so many letters.
I hope you enjoy their views.
I'd like to put my two cents in on this issue. I can remember back
in the late 1970's upto say 1981 when the evolution of Hustle had reached
its zenith and it was starting to die out. Hustle had become so technically
advanced that only the best of the best were dancing exclusively with each
other and the beginners/casual
dancers, were left on the side lines watching. The dance had become
so advanced that the beginners/casual dancers were discouraged by the mountain
of knowledge and skill that was required in performing Hustle at such an
advanced level. Most
people wanted to dance like that but they didn't want to put in the effort
perfecting the knowledge and skills required. As a result, they eventually
gave up, walked away, and called Hustle, sour grapes. Hustle basically
evolved itself out of existence.
There were a few people who fell in love with the dance, maintained the passion
and carried the flame for all these years, refusing to let it completely
die out. I feel that R&B Dance, some Hip-Hop and low-tempo Deep
House can still support Hustle
dancing in our Night Clubs today, but most Hard House and Trance music is
just too fast. Young people, properly exposed, will pick up this dance
and continue to perfect it because it's so much fun. When I go out
and Hustle in Night Clubs today, I still have people marveling at the dance
and saying they really want to learn
it, so Hustle still maintains the captivating qualities that it did back
then. For the most part though, if you want to Hustle today you must
attend a major dance competition or a Hustle party at a dance studio.
Still the best dancers, for the most part, are usually only dancing with
others at their skill level. Personally,
I almost never turn down a woman, at any level, who asks me to dance.
I feel it's my obligation to nurture the new dancers and I want to keep Hustle
alive anyway I can. At the same time though I'm constantly on the look
out for a dancer whom I can perfect my skills with, so I tend to ask women
that I perceive to be at a
slightly higher skill level than myself. In that regard things really haven't
changed much. We all need to work hard at perfecting our skills, staying
focused and working our way into the next higher echelon of this dance.
We must all be mindful
that if we put up a "Great Wall of China" around our knowledge and skills
and refuse to share ourselves with those at a lower skill level, these new
dancers will look elsewhere for their dancing enjoyment and Hustle will die
a second death. In any discipline, people at the same skill level usually
flock together, inter-act
and continue to perfect their skills in an effort to move to the next higher
level. The dedicated, who perservere, will eventually become professionals
and be among the best. It's pretty much like sports, the arts, and
social economic groups, Hustle is no
different. If you wanted to learn how to play basketball would you
show up at the court expecting Michael Jordan to ask you to join in on a
pick-up game or be offended if he didn't. I've been turned down by
great dancers, I understand and I just don't bother them again. I've
been around long enough to know the ropes. When
they feel I'm ready, they'll accept. I stay in my place and practice
with those at or near my skill level. We're not at the local club free-styling,
we're practicing an art form. Those ladies who expect to be deludged
by male suiters requesting their
company on the dance floor simply because they paid the price of admission
need to understand the game. We're all there to dance, have fun and
perfect our skills. If you want to dance, go ask that someone you've
got your eye on. If asked, smile, accept the invitation, dance and
have fun. Let's not blame the guys for not
asking every woman in the ballroom. Lately I've been seeing more guys
at the workshops than ladies, so obviously the guys do care and are concerned
with bringing the ladies some dancing satisfaction. Let's all work
together to keep this art form prospering.
