DanceTalk - The Archives
December 2005
Thank for
Visiting the Archieves of Ron's Dance Talk
Ron Bess & daughter
picture courtesy of Eric Novoa
LINKS of INTEREST - for HUSTLE
Click on Flames to Burn on to the -
From iTunes & Mark James
DanceTalk * 12-27-05
Happy New years, have a safe and prosperous 2006
Wishing a happy birthday to Keith Harrison, Joanne Piazza, Carol "CK,"
and Eileen Erlich.
Come out to Michael's Cafe as we say good bye to 2005 and dance for the last time this year. Birthday celebrations and a wonderful night of dancing with the top rated musicologist DJ Mark. No cover, free parking in Bensalem Pa.
Congratulations to dance champion Maryann Rosa, she has excepted a new position as a Professor at Queensborough Community College. She is a Registered Nurse Practitioner with an MSN. We wish her only the best.
Las Vegas is known for its awesome weddings. Paige Shoyer and new hubby Barry slipped away and tied the knot. They were married at the oldest chapel in Vegas, as were Richard Gere, Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. We wish them a long and happy future together.
Next Thursday, Dancing With The Stars returns to TV, 2 hour premier with new stars and new rules. See details below.
Rhythm Force comes to Tampa, Florida, Get ready, as Bobby O brings NY hustle on Wednesday nights to Swing City Dance Studio starting on January 4th & every Wednesday there after. 7532 N. Armenia, http://www.dancetampa.com 813-935-7458
Check out the newest members of the Hustle Hall Of Fame and the new pictures. http://www.HustleHallofFame.com/ Send us your recommendations for new candidates to Rowenlb22@aol.com, send your photos to dannsirs@yahoo.com
There are still some staterooms on the Enchantment available for the Hustle, Swing & Salsa Cruise for only $30 more than the original discount group rate.
Visit the website at http://www.Hustlecruise.com
Philly Festival DanceSport Championships take place April 7,8,9. Come witness what has made Dancing with the Stars the number one show in the country. See it live and up close the best ballroom /Latin dancers in the nation. Come join Sandra and Andy Fortuna at the Philadelphia Airport Marriot Hotel.
http://www.phillyfestival.info
Next week in DanceTalk®, a recap of 2005, and all the great memories in Dance.
Please check out all the wonderful New Year's dance events. Be sure to make your resolutions, keep dancing and spend time with those important people in your lives.
Make it a great New Years,
Ron
The Decade Music Died - Part 2
This is the second half of our article on the legends that enriched our lives with wonderful music. All of these gifted artists broke ground in the dance music industry but left us much too soon, not to find their way home. Without question they left an important mark. Their songs take you back in time.
Dance music has lost many of its pioneers from the 70's and 80's. Their impact and creativity lives on as they have influenced many of the super stars of today and generations to come.
Phyllis Hyman - A Philadelphia native, she was a class act, "You Know How To Love Me" and "Under Your Spell."
Ron Baker And essential member of the powerful MFSB orchestra.
Sharon Redd - A powerful vocalist that had top hits with "Love Insurance" and "In The Name Of Love."
Sylvester - Early flamboyant star had many hits including Dance Disco Heat, Do You Wanna Funk and You Make Me Feel (mighty real).
Tasha Thomas - Best known for "Shoot Me (With Your Love).
Valorie Denise Jones - One of the members of the Jones Girls whose hits included "Nights Over Egypt," "You're Going To Make Me Love Somebody Else."
Barry White - The God Father of R&B and the creator of the Love Symphony Orchestra which had many brilliant arrangements.
Bert Reid - of the singing sensational NY group Crown Heights Affair, classic songs including "Dreaming a Dream" and "Dancin"
Edwin Starr - Upbeat artist that gave us high energy classics like "Happy Radio" and "Contact."
John Whitehead One half the incredible writing team McFadden & Whitehead. A long list of hits including the classic "Aint No Stopping Us Now."
Laura Branigan A trained vocalist that hit gold with "Gloria"
Luther Vandross - He sang with Chic and Change and then had a long solo career with many hits including "The Power Of Love." International star who could sing ballads and dance songs equally as well.
Maurice Gibb - The quiet BeeGee, English born, he contributed to a list of Grammy hits from Saturday Night Fever and beyond.
Rick James - The funky king of soul, "Super Freak."
Ron Kersey - A member of the Trammps and the Salsoul Orchestra, he wrote the huge hit "Disco Inferno."
Letters to the Editor
From the Editor: As many of our readers know, Sandi Fortuna is the artistic director for the American DanceWheels foundation. The organization is growing and catching the eyes of dance lovers all over the world. They have been performing to thunderous applause but need volunteers. As Sandi says best, "the truth is everyone loves to dance, even if their legs don't work."
To continue to build they need women and men for the performance team and for the classes. Now is the time to get involved.
Please read her letter and share it with your friends.
Dear Dancers,
I need your help. The dancers on American DanceWheels Foundation performance
team appreciate the support of the Philadelphia area dance community....
your attention at our performances, your applause, your compliments, your
donations. Wheelchair dancing is really unique and deserves recognition and more
participation. If you are the volunteering sort of person, and are willing
to share some of your energy and time, you could make a difference.
We have a plan, a project manager to coordinate efforts, and lots of
potential contacts to get American DanceWheels Foundation funding,
sponsorship, more able-bodied partners, more visibility.
If you are interested in volunteering to help us bring the joys and fun of
ballroom and Latin dancing to disabled dancers and their partners, please
call me at 856 869 0010, and leave your contact info in voicemail box #7.
Thank you so much,
Sandra Fortuna, artistic director, American DanceWheels Foundation
http://www.AmericanDanceWheels.org .
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hi Ron,
Derrick Allen, really exemplifies the best of Hustle. He is the best hustle dancer I've seen in all my years since 1978, but what's more a friendly and gracious man. He declines no one for a dance and gives every partner a beautiful ride. I'm really proud he's part of the Long Island contingent. Keith on the other hand certainly deserves person of the year. Did you know that he and Celeste took care of going into the dorm at Tulane and shipping my daughter's things home? Actually I contacted Keith but Celeste did all the leg work. They were both just awesome.
Hustle dancers are good people!
Love, Lisa
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hi Ron. As 2005 begins to slip away, I just wanted
to thank you for keeping all the LA Divas in touch with
our dance buddies back east, south, and north.
We eagerly look forward to another year of dancing,
and we'd like to send our warmest regards to all
for a magical holiday season and a New Year filled with
promise and JOY!
See 'ya on the dancefloor SOON!
Gloria
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hey Ron I enjoy your articles and have been a loyal reader of dancetalk for four years. I wanted to wish you and your beautiful family a Merry Christmas and Happy New years. I d'ont know if you relize the importance you have made on me and my hustle buddies. You have kept us dancing letting us know all about the dance circuit and what is brehttp://wwwing. I especially like your updates on older danciers and am so happy to see the hustle hall of fame. I am sending you 2 nominees for entry into the website .........
Thanks and keep up the great work. God Bless you,
Alan
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ron,
To you and your family, a Happy Chanukah and a Healthy New Year!
Be prosperous and keep writing Dance Talk ...it is wonderfully informative for the dance community, especially for those of us at a distance!
Paige
DanceTalk * 12-20-05
Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah to all our readers.
Happy Birthday wishes to Donnie Shields, Ron Troy, Stephanie Risser, Joan Dudley and Noel Colon.
New Jersey's own, dancing author Steve Irvin Holmes has a new release, "Up From Welfare," visit http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/16926 for more information.
We will be celebrating Ron Troy's birthday this Tuesday night at Michael''s Cafe in Bensalem Pa. Come out and enjoy a great evening of dancing from 8:30PM till 12:30AM, with no cover and free parking.
The hit show Wife Swap (ABC television) is preparing a new show with an episode that focuses on a family of dancers. If you would like to be considered for the show and the possibility of receiving $20,000 while receiving incredible television exposure, please write to me at Rowenlb22@aol.com for more details.
For those qualified dance teachers and dance hosts, you can reach Diane Zammel at DanceToSeaWithZ@aol.com, the ultimate vacation at sea doing what you love to do most. You could be sailing for the holidays, contact her now.
Their in, the results and winners of the 2005 Readers Choice Awards. See the complete list below. You picked them. Thanks to all our readers that participated.
Singing sensation Lou Rawls has been stricken with cancer of the lungs and brain.
His long career includes many memorable dance songs. Keep him in your prayers.
Pictures from the Holiday Spectacular 2005, courtesy of Scott Michielli, http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8FYuW7Rw5fv
Make it a great holiday week,
Ron
2005 Readers Choice Awards Winners
To our readers: Thank you for voting and making this our biggest response. Hundreds of readers voted in this years awards. To our winners. Congratulations. You have been selected by a large readership, a true cross section of the United States, that appreciates you for not only your talent and skills but for your kindness and positive spirit in the dance community. You are not only gifted but well loved and received in the dance world. The votes have been counted, here are your winners for 2005. Make sure you let them know that they have been chosen, the "best of the best."
The Winners Circle
*** Favorite DJ - Mark Routzahn
(aka DJ Mark)
*** Favorite Female Dancer - Silvana Gallagher
(Voted #1 Three years in a row)
*** Favorite Male Dancer - Derrick Allen
*** Favorite Dance Couple - Loriann Greenhouse and Kelvin Roche
*** Favorite Dance Couple (not hustle) - Tybaldt & Hazel Ulrich
(Voted # 1 two years in a row)
*** Favorite Female Instructor - Diane Nardone
(Voted #1 four years in a row)
*** Favorite Male Instructor - Arte Phillips
(Voted # 1 four years in a row)
*** Person of the Year - Keith Gussoni
(Voted #1 two years in a row)
Holiday Gifts - with a touch of dance
Its not to late....to shop on line. Looking for a gift for the person who has everything? If they are a dance junkie then look no further. Here are some wonderful ideas and websites to share the gift of dance for the holidays.
** Great selection of dance DVD's and books - http://www.mjames.org/suggestions.html
** Dance shoes - http://www.bristolpkdancewear.com
** Tickets for the Hustle Cruise - http://www.Hustlecruise.com
** Dance clothing - http://www.renitabella.com
** Dance Classics, the best of the disco era - http://www.danceclassicshowcase.com
** A holiday weekend to remember at the New Years Extravaganza hosted by Bill Cameron's -http://www.DancePros.net
DanceTalk * 12-13-05
Happy Birthday wishes to Anthony Lisotta, Ellen Levine, Debbie Ferro and
Jeff Snow.
Congratulations to Dance Champions Mark James and Karen Lupo... he popped the question. Kudos to them both on their marriage engagement.
Thank you to all the dancers that attend this years Holiday Spectacular. It was a wonderful night of dancing. Read all about it below.
Next week, drum roll please, the winners of the 2005 Readers Choice Awards, where you, the readers, picked the top dancers and DJ.
NY auditions for National TV promo upcoming event, Tango, Salsa and Foxtrot dancers Tuesday from 9-5 at Dance Time Square 56 West 44th St. 3rd floor between 6th Ave and Broadway 212 - 994-9500
Photos are now being added to the Hustle Hall Of Fame. Visit the website at http://www.HustleHallofFame.com/ If you would like to nominate a dancer send their name to Rowenlb22@Aol.com
The Central Jersey Dance Society introduces a new Salsa Sensation dance on the third Saturday of every month, starting December 17th at the Suzanne Paterson Center, in Princeton, NJ. visit http://www.centraljerseydance.org
or call 609-333-1415
Two new entries for "Dancing With The Stars" television show are actor George Hamilton and http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancing/
girl Stacy Keebler. We know Stacy can wrestle, now lets see if she can learn to dance with the stars!
Disco America 2006 returns for year number 8 at the Clarion Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ, from June 30th to July 2nd. Hold the date,,,more details coming soon.
Make it a Great Week,
Ron
To Sea With Z
Although our economy has had its ups and downs, one thing that has been consistently successful are cruise ship vacations. Folks love to enjoy the adventure at sea. Almost recession proof, a ship cruise is the ultimate vacation: beautiful summer - like weather, wonderful food, activities galore, island hopping and dancing at sea. Diane Zammel has created a niche like nobody else. Her company, To Sea With Z, provides an incredible service to the major ship lines cruising around the world. She puts dance teachers and Dance hosts on board to host, teach lessons and group classes to the ships passengers. Her teachers are skilled in Latin and ballroom dancing. Her male dance hosts entertain female passengers on the dance floor. With the assistance of Ronne Infeld, the dance coordinator, their objective is too keep guests dancing from port to port. If your a dance teacher and/or have the skills to be an enthusiastic dance host, this is for you. What a wonderful opportunity to sail the high seas. Cruising is a labor of love for owner Diane Zammel. She along with her husband, a dancer/choreographer, became dance partners for life. Their first booking on a cruise ship took place over 25 years ago. It is then they decided to start the land-based business œTo Sea With Z? “ booking Enrichment Programs for the cruise lines. They started with one ship and were so successful booking talent that one by one, more ships were added. After the passing of her beloved husband in 2000, Diane turned what was once a hobby into a full time career, spending all of her spare time building the business into what it is today: Norwegian Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Carnival, Orient Lines, NCL America, Royal Caribbean and Holland America “ and over 30 ships cruising worldwide throughout the year. Her goal is to find outstanding Dance hosts, teachers and Dance Professionals to enhance the cruise experience for the passengers, while at the same time, giving a wonderful opportunity to the people that she books aboard the ships. Dance Instructors must be a couple, knowledgeable in all Ballroom and Latin dances and have the ability to conduct several different one hour classes. The caliber of teaching should be of the bronze level or higher. Some ships may require the dance couple to perform a showcase number on stage or perform a "dance party show" (champagne hour). Diane also is looking for Dance Hosts. This is a program where male Dance Hosts accompany unescorted women on the dance floor and to other ship activities. Dance hosts mingle, socialize and dance the night away with the guests.
You can learn more about the programs by visiting the website. If you are a well rounded instructor or dance host that would like to experience the excitement of dancing at sea...contact Diane for all the details.Hurry now and get on board for the up coming holidays. (305) 931-1026 e mail:Dance2seawithz@aol.com http://www.toseawithz.com
Holiday Spectacular Review and Highlights
The day before the 13th Annual Holiday Spectacular, Philly received a whopping 6 inches of snow...everything was blanketed white. Dancers from the southern tip of Ocean City - NJ to Manhattan and as far away as Virginia, Florida, Long Island, DC dug out to join us for this annual event.
The Paso Doble Ballroom, Levittown Pa, boasts one of the largest (9,000 sq. ft.) Canadian maple wood dance floors on the East Coast. There were as many as 200 dancers on the floor at once, dancing to the rhythmic beats of DJ Mark. The night kicked off with a street Hustle dance lesson with Ron & Donna, as the focus was to rediscover the original Holiday Spectacular we hosted back in 1992 at Club Bumpers in Northeast Philadelphia. The evening brought together a very dressy crowd. The ballroom was decorated with colorful lights, tinsel and a traditional holiday theme with multiple spinning mirror balls high above the dance floor.
The dance contest was an Open jack and Jill competition, where anything goes....just like we did 13 years ago. Attendees covered all genre's of dance.....ballroom, Latin, WCS, and hustle. Many DJs, event organizers and dance teachers joined us for our gala event including: Mark James, Donna Roesel, Elizabeth Darchi, Bill Poulter, Silvana Gallagher, Karen Lupo, Jameson Kilburn, Donna Reinhart, Joe Kerner, John Merisier, Arte Phillips, Dara Putrusky, Teddy Dormoi, Kenny Arditi, Rob Finocchio, Brian Gallagher, Susan Marolda, Tiffany Brown, Louis Orlando, Dave Moldover, Andre Phelps, Danny McGee and Steven Mitchell. Also on hand were some of the finest amateur hustle dancers in the country. Many of them competed in the Jack and Jill Contest. The competition was opened to both professionals and amateurs. After partners were selected, couples were given 15 minutes to warm up and practice prior to the contest. Dancing to France Joli's "Come To Me," dancers were given the opportunity to artistically start off slow and gradually build up their tempo to a clapping audience. The final heats included: Wingo & Terri, Jeff & Susan, Elizabeth & Scott, Joey & Anita, Chris & Lisa, Michael & Joanne. The judges were Mark James, Susan Marolda, Arte Philips, Brian Gallagher and Donna Roesel. The winning couple was Lisa Choi and Chris Bates taking home his and her DVD Players and copies of the new DVD - Mad Hot Ballroom.
Thanks to our sponsors Philly Fest, Mad Jam, Hustle Salsa Cruise and Bristol pike Dance wear. We appreciate everyone coming out to join us at our new home, The Paso Doble Ballroom. Special thanks to DJ Mark for keeping the dance floor packed.
We look forward to seeing everyone together again for bigger and better events in the near future. May your holidays and New Years be nothing less then Spectacular.
DanceTalk * 12-6-05
Happy Birthday wishes to Chucky Mayo and Jose Ruiz
Our heart felt condolences go out to Alice Kijewska and her family. Alice's mother passed away this past week. Please keep her in your prayers.
The polls are closed as we are tallying the votes from the DanceTalk® Readers Choice Awards. The results will be posted soon.
This coming Saturday is the last big hustle party of the year...make plans to be at The Holiday Spectacular - door prizes including passes to Mad Jam (March 2 - 5) and Philly Festival (April 7-9) hosted by Donna Boyle and Ron Bess.
Take a plane, train or automobile but don't miss the party. Details below.
Sandi Fortuna just returned from the Ohio Star Ball in Columbus. She judged competitions and also met with performers, competitors, teachers, coaches, judges, leaders of teacher organizations, about the Amer DanceWheels Foundation. Ballroom dancing will return to PBS television (after a long absence) with two one hour segments of Championship Ballroom Dancing with Marylou Henner and Tony Meredith which will air on Wednesdays Feb 1st and Feb 8th called the "America's Ballroom Challenge."
Did you ever think about being a dance host and/or professional instruct at sea?
Diane Zammel hires dance instructs for cruise ships all over the world.
Read all about these opportunities in next weeks edition of DanceTalk.
Check out all the holiday events and New Year's bashes taking place in an area near you. Please plan to attend and support these important dance events. Give someone a wonderful holiday gift....the gift of dance.
This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by Bill Cameron's New Years Dance Extravaganza. A WCS, Lindy Hop and Hustle party all weekend (Dec 30 to Jan 1st) There is a fabulous dinner show & party on New Years Eve. Visit the website for all the details at http://www.DancePros.net
Make it a great week,
Ron
The Decade the Music Died
Don McLean wrote the classic song, "American Pie," about the day that music had died. He reflected on that grim night that a horrific airplane crash took from us three major rock artists. McLean felt the impact and grieved the loss of these young, promising, gifted artists....whom all should have had a long future ahead of them.
Rock and Roll did change.
A quarter of a century ago the world was dancing to a new beat. Disco was in the air waves. The music was uplifting and put a smile on dancers, moms and dads and business owners in general. After the dark days of Vietnam and the rebellious 60's, dance music was back in fashion but, the sound that had ruled the country for a decade had cooled off. Disco music took a rapid fall in the mid 80's.
What killed disco? there wasn't a plane crash. Was it the infamous Chicago stadium record burning event, hosted by a local radio station that chanted "Disco Sucks" and encourage death to disco? Was it the shift in music to the radical Punk rock that became the sound du jour? Could it have been a back lash towards the liberal life style of disco (Studio 54) and the over saturation of dance music?
There have been many accusations over the years why the sound slowly descended, however, here is another theory for consideration.
When an industry suffers so many grave losses of its finest artists, producers and composers, in such a short period of time...does it surprise anyone that this rich dance sound was doomed? Don McLean wrote about that one day curse that crippled rock and roll, but over the course of just a few years, our disco generation loss many performers. Here is (part one) of our list of some of the pioneers that broke ground and left us much too soon, not to find their way home. Without them, you can see why the dance sound of the 70's took a decline. Its amazing the industry was able to exist at all. Part two, of this important list of names, will be posted in the near future.
Vicki Sue Robinson - An early artist that helped put disco on the map..."Turn the Beat around" was a disco anthem.
Andy Gibb - the youngest brother of the legendary Bee Gees....just began to scratch the surface.
Bebu Silvetti aka Silvetti - Wrote and composed many orchestral hits including - "Spring Rain."
Bernard Edwards - co partner of the Grammy award winning Band Chic
Dan Hartman - Record after record created his own sound.... "Instant Replay," "Relight My Fire," he had the golden touch.
Eddie Kendrick's - Sang the classic "Date With the Rain" and was an original member of the Temptations.
Frankie Crocker - Ground breaking New York DJ, writer, producer that could do it all.
Glenn Hughes - The original Leather man of the popular award winning singing group the Village People.
Gregg Diamond - A genius, founder of Bionic Boogie, included hits like "Risky Changes" and "Star Cruiser." Produced many bands.
Harold Melvin - The creator of The Blue Notes, broke ground in the Philly Sound
Jacques Morali - Produced the Ritchie Family and the Village People, need I say more.
James Wells - underrated singer, a diamond in the rough, sang "My Claim To Fame"
Johnnie Taylor - Helped kick off the disco sound with "Disco lady" early on.
Karen Young - A disco Janis Joplin, Philly vocalist that struck gold with "Hot Shot."
Neil Bogart - The president, creator and brain child of Casablanca Records that gave so many artists their start and opportunity in the music industry.
Patrick Cowley - Took disco to another level with his techno sound and classic song "Menergie."
Van McCoy - The man who gave us the song to go with the dance ..."The Hustle"
Paul Jabara - Singer, writer, He was bound for greatness. Wrote the classic hit "Last Dance" for Donna Summer and the wonderful "Honeymoon in Puerto Rico"
Part 2....... Coming soon
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