Happy birthday to Joyce Szili, belated wishes to Anthony Lee.

Wishing a healthy and speedy recovery to our dear friend Gladys Torres. She has suffered a small set back but, we know she'll be back on the dance floor soon. Gladys recently moved up into the professional dance rank. Over the years, she has been a true dance leader -- encouraging & bringing together so many dancers.
As she, has always done for others, I ask you, to keep her in your prayers. More then ever she needs your love, support and blessings.

DJ Mike Gormley is spinning some of the best dance music at Michael's Cafe, Bensalem Pa, on Thursday evenings. You can find Mike on Saturday evenings at the Taj Mahal Hotel/Casino, in Atlantic City, spinning hott dance music from 9:00PM in Club Xanadu all summer long.

The Latin Legend, Celia Cruz has passed away. The "Queen of Salsa," died Wednesday afternoon after battling cancer.

Norma Rivera will be competing in Las Vegas for the title of MRS. UNITED STATES. Norma is the current "Mrs. Puerto Rico United States 2003." The Las Vegas pageant will be televised on Channel PAX TV JULY 23rd. Robin Leach (Life styles of the rich & famous) will HOST. Viewers can vote on line for the "Internet choice award" which will be presented live on stage the evening of the final competition. Visit www.mrsunitedstates.com when site opens click on THE PAGEANT, then click on DELEGATES scroll down & vote (choose MRSPRUS Norma Rivera-Varrichio). Norma still performs and hustle dances in Long Island. Show her our support and vote.

Robin Gibb, of the famous Bee Gees, is releasing and promoting a new solo album.
Since the loss of his twin brother Maurice he has become a workaholic. Unfortunately, older brother Barry has secluded himself in his California home since the loss.

Coming soon, my One ON One interview with singing sensation Gloria Gaynor. Stay tuned.

DJ Bobby Gerard, of Florida, debuts his new radio "dance classic hits show"
on WAXY 790 AM in South Florida on Sunday's from 8PM to 9PM.
Bobby is the resident DJ at the Paladium Nightclub in Margate at Tuesday's Hustle Night. Bobby G is also a featured late night DJ at this weekend's "World Hustle Dance Championships" in NJ. Bobby DJ'd last February on the "Hustle into Paradise" Caribbean Dance Cruise to the Bahamas.

I hope to see everyone at this weekends gala, World Hustle Dance Championships, an additional three tables have been added for the Saturday Night Dinner show. If you haven't reserved your seat, do so, FAST. The Hotel is sold out. If you call the Crown Plaza they will assist booking you a room near by.

Make it a great week,
Ron

DanceTalk * 7-15-03

Happy birthday wishes to Celeste Pfefferie, Ralph Lew, Diane Weinberg and Karen Pomanger.

Miquel Marrero kicks off two fun dance events in Central Park New York this August. Focused on the kids, Miquel brings a hustle party to the park. More details coming soon.

Tampa Bay Florida is rolling out their newly formed "Hustle Dance Club." Join them for their first monthly kickoff Hustle Dance party on Friday, July 18. See details below or visit www.dancetampa.com

Every Friday night at the Taj Mahal Hotel/Casino, in Atlantic City, Bob Pantano presents his Disco Dance Party at 9:00PM in Club Xanadu all summer long.

Did you get the Fever? What did you think? Don't miss next weeks exciting Dance Fever show (every Sunday at 7:00PM EST)
I'm curious to hear your feedback? Visit their website at 'DANCE FEVER' - OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Photos from the 2003 Ashokan Western & Swing Week are on Carlos Cardona's web site! Enjoy! http://www.nyswingdance.com

The late great Barry White's family stated, the South Park Recreation Center in California, will be renamed after White - who grew up in that section of Los Angeles.

Make it a great week,
Ron

The World Hustle Dance Championships - Preview

The music is going to take you back to a time when dancing mesmerizing the world. Be prepared to hear the sounds that drove people to the dance floor. Its all here, at the Third annual World Hustle Dance Championships. Early registrations reveal a bigger turnout and plenty of excitement in the competitive ranks. Organizer, Diane Nardone puts the Open WHD Championship Title up for grabs. This prestigious competition is open to all couples with a $5,000.00 cash purse. This title, is by far one of the most sought after, in the hustle field. It is sure to be an explosive division. The Weekend of actives gets underway on July 24th in Secaucus, New Jersey at the Crown Plaza Hotel/resort. Last years event bridged dancers from the West and east coasts. We expect to see an increase, not only from the West but in the mid East and southern states. To date, over 300 dancers have already pre-registered from over 26 states and various countries.
Why all the excitement?
Diane has successfully brought back some of the original dancers that paved the way for today's generation. Still young, these creative dancers come out to lend their support and show their love for the hustle dance. The staff of instructors, judges, DJ's & performers are a list of Who's Who in the field of dance: Anthony DeRosa, Anthony Lee, Barry Douglas, Bobby Gerard, Bobby Morales, Brian Gallagher, Connie Macdougal, Dave Muzii, David Flynn, Diane Nardone, Donna Roesel, Donna Shelley, Fred Price, Georgie Azpuru, Hazel Mede, Jeff Shelley, John Festa, Johnny O, John Merisier, Ken Roesel, Mark James, Melody Cochran, Lori Brizzi, Nicola Royston, Nino Torre, Phil Lamothe, Robert Royston, Roma Moon, Ron Bess, Silvana Gallagher, Sonya Saamova, Susan Marolda, Tina Price, Tony Pace, Tybaldt Ulrich, Wes Carrajet....
In attendance will be Bill Kent, from New Jersey Monthly magazine. He is preparing a special feature on hustle dancing and how it has grown from "yesterday to today."
The weekend is going to be hott and its not to late to join the festivities. Come on the journey as we revisit the dances of the 70's and how they've progressed into the new millennium.
Visit the web site now. www.hustledanceworld.com

Time Capsule
Some of the greatest disco music came from the magical year 1977. The entire country was getting down to the beat. The sound was energetic, fun and up lifting. All of these songs still sound as explosive today as they did when released. Everyone wanted to conquer the newest hustle steps to the newest music. These were the top songs on "Billboard Magazine's Disco Action" for the city of Boston - 26 years ago.

These songs are timeless

* Devil's Gun - CJ and Company
* I Feel Love - Donna Summer
* Get On the Funk Train - Munich Machine
* The Way You Do the Things you Do - Foxy
* Best Of My Love - The Emotions
* Could Heaven Ever Be Like This - Idis Muhammed
* Magic Bird Of Fire - Vince Montana & Salsoul Orchestra
* The Magic Is You - John Davis & The Monster Orchestra
* Cerrone's Paradise - Cerrone
* You Can't Hide From Your Self - Teddy Pendergrass
* I Found Love - Love & Kisses
* Funky Tropical - Bidu & His Orchestra

DanceTalk 7-8-03

Happy birthday wishes to Nancy Merle, Nina Rosado, Georgie Azpura, Roma Moon and Jeff Gessner.

Wishing Jeanette Siminski a quick recovery from her foot surgery

Steven Mitchell and Karen Hill are expecting baby number 2, this coming winter.
Congratulations to them both.

We salute Pasquale "Pat" Guarraggi as he departs for the Middle East to serve and protect our great country. Pat is in the Air Force Reserves and his unit is being activated and shipped out. We send him our support and appreciation for his commitment to our nation. Stop by Michael's Cafe on Tuesday, July 8th for his going away party.

Barry White had us dancing for years to his powerfully sexy dance music. He has passed away but will not be forgotten. For a look at his productive career, scroll down.

Best of luck to Terra as she moves from New Jersey to Florida.

The musical genius Cerrone has reemerged on the dance music frontier. After an eight year absence he is back -- and from what I sampled it sounds extrordianire. Cerrone brought us so many euro-disco classics including "Love In C Minor" and "Super Nature." This September he releases "Love on the Dance Floor."
Look out.

Make it a great week,
Ron

Barry White
1944 - 2003

This past holiday weekend the music industry lost a wonderful bass singer who was the musical genius that innovated, produced and wrote million selling records.
Grammy award winner, Barry White, burst on the scene in 1972 with his Love Unlimited Orchestra and delivered a new sound combining orchestral dance music with a heavenly choir. This was the classy sound that helped deliver the early sounds of disco music to the masses.
At the age of 58, Barry fell to kidney failure. He had been undergoing dialysis while recuperating from a stroke he suffered last fall. He died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California on Friday, July 4th.
Over the last few years, this deep voiced crooner could be heard on episodes of "The Simpsons," the Fox comedy "Ally McBeal" (where he appeared) and in a widely broadcast Apple Computer commercial. He had been working on an album of duets to be released later this year. His sound was so distinct that the rappers and current musicians have been sampling his music including: 50 Cent, the Beastie Boys and Daft Punk. The soon to be released movie, "American Wedding" (American Pie 3) features Barry's music.
After his family moved to Los Angeles, he made his recording debut at age 11, playing piano on the Jesse Belvin hit "Goodnight My Love." When he was only 16 he cut singles with a soul group called the Upfronts. Later, as a talent scout, he discovered the Love Unlimited singers. He produced their million-selling 1972 single `Walkin' in the Rain With the One I Love.'' His career now slingshot up the charts.
The next year, White returned to performing with the song ``I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby,'' which topped Billboards R&B chart reaching No. 3 on the pop chart.
He is credited by many industry professionals for helping to launch the disco phenomenon with his orchestral ``Love's Theme'' in 1973, which he conducted with his group, The Love Unlimited Orchestra. In 1974, his album ``Can't Get Enough'' climbed to the top of the pop charts on the strength of the signature hits ``Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe'' and ``You're the First, the Last, My Everything',' which still receives heavy radio air time and is routinely played in the clubs. In 1981 he collaborated with his wife, Glodean, on the 1981 album ``Barry & Glodean,'' which featured the songs ``I Want You'' and ``You're the Only One for Me.'' During the hey days of disco he performed in concert backed by a 80 woman orchestra.
He enjoyed a larger resurgence with the 1994 album ``The Icon Is Love,'' and his ballad ``Practice What You Preach'' became his first No. 1 hit in 17 years. His single ``Staying Power,'' off a 1999 album of the same name, won him two Grammys and proved he hadn't tamed his libidinous lyrics. In 1999 he penned his autobiography, Love Unlimited: Insights on Life and Love (Broadway Books). That year, White's chronic blood pressure forced him to cancel several live shows with the group Earth, Wind & Fire.
Mr. Barry White is survived by eight children, grandchildren, and his companion Catherine Denton. Born in Galveston Texas, Barry possessed that rare talent and ability to put a "sex appeal" sound (normally heard in a ballad) into a dance song.
He gave women chills up their spine and kept us dancing all night.
His music will live on forever.

Letter to The Editor
(we welcome your letters, send them to Rowenlb22@aol.com)

Hey Everyone,
After 3 rounds of auditions, Laura and I finally made it out to Las Vegas to appear on the televised revival of Dance Fever. We have had to prepare (3) 90-second routines and (3) 30-second versions of those routines and we are beyond nervous....just taking a nap is nerve-wrecking at this point.
We were rehearsed by a Dance Fever coach and we were also interviewed. While we were there we also saw Carla & Kevin (Lindy), Yuval & Nathalie (Lindy) and Kyle & Sarah (West Coast Swing). We were very proud to be the only Hustle representation on a show that was formerly built on Hustle. We'd like to thank everyone for their support. We kept a lot quiet at first, simply because I didn't know if I could get time off from my job (commercial real estate) and it would be terrible for us to get excited if we had to bow out....but fortunately everything worked out.
We have a ton of people to thank just for getting us here....for starters Ron Bess, Arte Phillips, Billy Fajardo, and John Merisier.
So in case you want to watch what happens, the show premiers on SUNDAY, JULY 13 on ABC Family Channel. Don't ask us the results,....you'll just have to watch.
Much love to everyone...and we want you to know that it's because of all the social dances with everyone and the amazing Hustle/Swing community that we have mustered up the confidence and ability to be here.
Love from Vegas,
Erik (Novoa) & Laura (Cozik)

DanceTalk * 7-1-03

Make it a great July 4th weekend. Be safe and share a dance with a friend.

Happy Birthday wishes to Joe Reggi and Susan Hiser. Come on out to Michael's Cafe, in Bensalem Pa, Tuesday night to celebrate.

Congratulations to Eleny Fotinos, (CO-owner of Dancesport in NY City) she was married on May 25th to Christophe Ratel. The newlyweds are expecting their first child (a baby boy) in early October 2003.

Please Note: Diane Nardone is having her monthly social on July 19th but the location has been changed to the VFW Hall in Washington Township. For more details call (201) 666-6224 www.dkndance.com

Its time to register for this Falls Dance Excursion. Kimberly Vanaman continues her traditional weekend of dancing, workshops + more, in and around New York.
The excursion includes Hustle, WCS, Latin, Ballroom and Swing. More details to come or E mail: jskg-vanaman@att.net

Make it a great week,
Ron

"Dance Fever" is Back

The TV show will premiere on July 13th, Sunday, (from 7:00 to 9:00PM EST) on the ABC Family network. The following five weeks, the show will continue on Sunday's but for one hour from 7:00 to 8:00PM. The series will conclude on August 24th with a two hour finale from 7:00 to 9:00PM from Las Vegas. Erik Novoa and Laura Cozik, from New York, are in Las Vegas right now competing on the show. The surefire mixture of dance contests and pulsating club music is back and ready to wow a whole new generation of viewers. The new show will be hosted by Eric Nies, (bye bye Denny Terio). Best known for his appearances on MTV's "The Real World" and "The Grind," Eric will preside over the amateur dancers as they try to impress the three celebrity judges:
Carmen Electra, singer and actress, best known for appearances on "Baywatch," "Starsky & Hutch" and her artistic contributions to Playboy magazine and her
on -- and -- off again relationship with Dennis Rodman. Grammy award-winning artist MC Hammer, will also add his insight. Hammer turned the pop world upside down singing and dancing to his own creative "It's Hammer Time" style. Rounding out the panel is renowned director/choreographer Jamie King, who has worked with Madonna, Britney Spears and Ricky Martin. The judges will each draw from their own professional dancing and performing experience to determine which amateur performer(s) has all the right moves to be crowned America's hottest dancer.
Tune into the show. Good ratings could lead to future seasons and contests in your city.

Music
Here is a new list of hott dance music being played in clubs in the tri-state area. **Keep in mind, many of these songs have been released then later remixed for the ultimate dance beat. The song version on the album will differ in tempo from the remix. Many of these songs were originally written as ballads then given a dance makeover. Check to make sure which rendition your listening too.

Madonna - "Hollywood" (slow tempo)
Deborah Cooper - "Real Love"
Mary Griffin - "Without you", (fast 132 BPM but hott)
BT - "Remember"
Daniel Beddingfield - "If You're Not the One"
Frankie J - "Don't Wanna Try"
Becky Baeling - "Getaway"
Jason Nevins feat.Holly - "I'm In Heaven"
Whitney Houston - "Try it on my own" (Hott, dance mix)
Andy Moor - "No More"
Tomcraft - "Lonliness"
Martin featuring Loleatta Holloway - "Relight my fire "
Deborah Cox - "Play Your Past "
Kira - "I'll Be Your Angel" (fast)

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