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Happy Birthday wishes to Karen Lupo,  Mark Rappa,  Jimmie Billups, Billy Marti,  John Festa,  Carol Feldman,  Louise Symington, Spinning Cindy,  Jaime Serna,  Caesar Rivera,  Millie Vargas, Angela McCabe  and  Lynette Allen. 

The Winner's Circle, in Long Island,  is celebrating 10 years of Latin music with a professional - Amateur dance contest and $2000 in cash prizes starting July 13th. Contest continues every Friday. For rules and registration http://www.Lidance.com or call MARY (516)785-8250  Doors open 9 PM,  39 Post Ave.  Westbury (516)997-4050 

So You Think You Can Dance champion, Benji Schwimmer is not just a dancer he is active in other organizations. He is always giving back. Check out his website: http://www.benjischwimmer.org/demand/mission.html

Music veteran, Marty Angelo, in a letter to judge Michael Sauer has asked to change places with Paris Hilton in efforts to help her get the treatment she needs. Marty has been a major force in the dance music industry for 3 decades. Read the press release: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/6/prweb532265.htm

The number one single in the UK is by Rhianna, but her new album has other tunes worth a listen. Check out "Don't Stop the Music" and "Shut Up and Drive." Just out, a great new album "Insomniac" by Enrique Iglesias.

Director Chris Stokes who's credits include the film "You Got Served,"which delivers street dance competitions at its best, is casting and directing a new dance film called "Back Down."

Congratulations to the new Johnny and Maria Vicino. We wish them years of happiness with lots of love & music in their lives. (Duel best men were Bobby O and Jerry Hobbs). That happy couple will be enjoying their honeymoon in Miami. 

1st Annual Disco Duo Dance Contest, Mardi Gras Style. At the new Mardi Gras Gaming & Casino in Hallandale, Florida. At the original site of the famous Limelight Disco. Tuesday, June 19, 2007 1st Place Duo -- $1,000.00 Cash & Trophy,
2nd Place Duo -- $500.00 Bonus Play & Trophy, 3rd Place Duo -- $250.00 Bonus Play & Trophy.

Kudo's to Donna Roesel. She has joined the staff of  Dance Manhattan, located at  - 39 West 19th Street, 5th Floor in NYC, 212-807-0802 - http://www.dancemanhattan.com

It's here, this Thursday, Liberty Swing kicks off the weekend with the Early Bird Dance, Sheraton Newark Airport (128 Frontage Road, NJ) from 9:00PM - 12:30AM a California Mix with DJ John Lindo, $10, free to 3-day ticket holders, Free Parking at hotel (mention Liberty Swing) http://www.libertyswing.com

This weeks edition of DanceTalk® is sponsored by Discoamerica, see all the details below. http://www.discoamerica.com

Make it a great week,
Ron

Discoamerica 2007

Pack your sand bucket and pail but first book your registration for Discoamerica.  Organizer Donna Boyle brings her dance convention to the Clarion Hotel in Atlantic City from July 5th to the 8th. Come experience the festivities of July 4th and enjoy the fire works in doors. Discoamerica 2007 celebrates with the GodFather of dance music- Vince Montana Jr. Bring your vinyl records for an autograph as Vince takes the stage and performs his hits - 'Magic Bird Of Fire', 'Runaway', 'Tangerine', 'Chicago Bus Stop', 'Your Just the Right Size', 'It's Good For The Soul', 'Heavy Vibes.... Could there be a better place to dance with friends. Donna returns to the adult playground with an incredible weekend of non stop dance action. It only happens once a year for hustle, West Coast Swing and Salsa in Atlantic City New Jersey. There will be poolside dancing, so pack your bathing suit, dance shoes and be ready for hot fun in the city. Folks from all over the globe come to AC to enjoy the casinos, famous boardwalk, shows & reviews, fine dining and night time action. Its all here. Check out the new Pier at Caesar's with all the fine shops and restaurants right on the ocean. Stay the entire week for fun: Ripley's Believe it Not, Steel's famous Fudge, Donald Trumps Taj Mahal Casino, White House Sub Shop, Fralinger's Salt Water Taffies, Planet Hollywood, comedy shops, Rainforest cafe and miles of beach and fun under the sun. You can register on Line at the website. But you must, let me repeat, MUST book now. Rooms are almost all gone. Come and join this years staff: Donna Boyle, Brian Gallagher, Nelly Cotto, Silvana Gallagher, Kenny Gonzales, Ron Bess, Luis & Mary Rosa, Keith Gussoni & Celeste Pfefferle, Jami Josephson, Joseph Kerner, Lori Brizzi, Louis Orlando, Paul Pellicoro, Arte Phillips, Joyce Szili, Mark James, Karen Lupo, Elizabeth Darchi, The DJs are ready to keep you dancing all day and night under the careful direction of Bobby Morales, Nelson Paradise Roman, DJ Mark (from Michael's Cafe). Don't miss the fabulous Saturday night dinner show featuring Vince Montana Jr. LIVE, performing all of his hits with the Salsoul Orchestra. There will be dance exhibitions, vendors and many surprises.
It only comes once a year....don't miss out on the event that everyone will be talking about. Visit the site at  http://www.Discoamerica.com

Letters to the editor

Hi Ron,
Long time reader and grateful for all you send and share with us. I'm the director of sales and marketing with a major marketing corp in LA that represents some of the largest corporate advertisers. I can't express how many of our clients immediately ask for 70's dance music to accompany their radio or television spots. Its a crazy revival. Just watch any major prime time television show and count the number of songs used by artists like KC, Donna Summers, The Tramps, Beegees....the list goes on.
Long live the dance music of my generation.
Stay well.
Leonard Freidman

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What Did We Learn In Kindergarten? 
With a shortage of leaders, followers are encouraged to and have become, in my opinion, overly assertive (synonyms: confident, self-assured, firm, forceful, forward, pushy and aggressive) on the dance floor.  When did it become acceptable to substitute poor manners in lieu of Hello?, Pardon Me?, May I?, and Thank you??
 To the unsung, often invisible ˜champions on the sidelines who have unselfishly shared their ˜significant other with the dance community; who have silently endured being ignored, interrupted, pushed aside and so on?..today is your day of recognition.  Without you, many of us would not be on the floor. Thank you.
To the steadfast dancers who have tolerated countless interrupted conversations, rest periods and meals; who persist thru aching feet, dehydration or fatigue as they are literally pulled (not asked) onto the floor in order to placate as many dancers as possible?.today is your day of recognition.  Without you, many of us would not be on the floor.  Thank you.
To the benevolent dancers who have demonstrated exemplary, thoughtful tactics not only towards the persons with whom you wish to dance, but to the people they are currently dancing or socializing with at that given moment; who repeatedly yield a coveted dance to afford a fellow dancer the opportunity?. this is your day of recognition as well.  Without you, many of us would not be on the floor.  Thank you.
To the exceedingly demanding dancers who are not attentive in your approach with whom you wish to dance or the person/people they are with?this is your day of reckoning.  Please be considerate.  Dancing is not an entitlement, its a privilege.   
To anyone that I have unknowingly offended in such a manner, please accept my apology.  Perhaps its time to return to the kinder, gentler days of the dance card or Kindergarten.

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Letter to my real friends at Michael's
There are a lot of rumors going around.  For the record, I have been called back to active duty in the United States Marine Corps.  It's been a pleasure knowing most of you, some of you not so much, you know who you are.  For reasons of National Security I am being relocated.  Live life, be happy and keep on dancing,  
Your friend,
 Kat Clark

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DanceTalk * 6-12-07

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Happy birthday wishes to Margaret Tuttle,  Rick Barney,  John Merisier, 
Lidia Welsh,  Shawn Brennan and  Robert Lawrence.

There is a birthday celebration on Tuesday night, June 12th for John Merisier at Michael's Cafe in Bensalem Pa. Come out and join the festivities.

For some good discussions on hustle dancing visit the Dance Forums web site (dance-forums.com). They list Hustle as a topic under the Swing category.

Shana and the Society Hill Dance Academy  just celebrated their 5th anniversary at their Philadelphia studio, it's the place to dance dance dance. 

Congratulations to Carolyn Grimaldi & Armando Sanchez on their recent marriage. We wish them both nothing less then happiness and dancing in their lives.

New Hustle Dance Team is forming. Rehearsals at Rendezvous in Rockville, MD. Choreographed & directed by Joyce Szili. You must know the basics of Hustle. There will be monthly dues to cover costs. You do not need a partner. Men wanted.  There are 4 couples and 4 lovely ladies who need leaders...COME ON GUYS...give it a try!  Contact Joyce Szili at JoyceDancr@aol.com 

Its not to late to join the dance party at the Stardust Weekend in the Catskill Mountains, NY June 15th to the 17th. A wonderful weekend of dancing. See all the details below. http://www.stardustdance.com

High five to Susan Fritz, she designed the brochure œsystem? for the Citigroup Private Bank. It won a 2007 Silver Portfolio Award for Corporate Image Campaigns from the Financial Communications Society. Way to go.

They're off to Italy for their Honeymoon.  Newlyweds, dance champion Susan Marolda and Ron Lazar had a spectacular wedding featuring DJ Johnny O who energized their special day.  We wish them both years of happiness together.

Don't forget to enter our contest, "Who Inspired me to Hustle"? You could win a copy of the Dream Girls DVD, Video tapes from Hustle USA, Discoamerica and more. The Deadline is June 12th. Write to Rowenlb22@aol.com

The deadline for early registration for this summers Discoamerica is June 15th.  Get the reduced price now. Rates go up on June 16th. Hotel rooms are going fast, reserve yours now. Visit http://www.discoamerica.com

This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by John Lindo's Liberty Swing Dance Championships taking place June 21 to the 24th. http://www.libertyswing.com

Make it a great week,
Ron

Time Capsule

Ten years ago, Bill Clinton was in the White House and the biggest box office movie of all time, took the country by storm. Titanic rocked the theaters and made Leonardo Dicaprio a house hold name. The Spice Girls were at the top of the music charts and Teletubbies invaded television in the US. The on line website,  Auction Web became eBay and the rest is history. That same year, the hustle began to experience a huge revival. 1997 was a big year for dancing. Max Chmerkovskia, who now stars on "Dancing With The Stars" was still green and spreading his wings. His partner was Inna Bykovskaia and they performed at the Stardust Dance Weekend in New York.  On that same roster was Donna DeSimone and Dona Marie Portelli along with  their troupe,  Odyssey Dance Company. The staff also included Jeff & Donna Shelley the owners of the first Hustle dance studio (New York Hustle - in the 70's). The Shelley's were also affiliated for 5 years with the American Ballroom Theatre.
Many of these dancers have gone on to bigger and better opportunities. In 1997, 
Hustle USA was the premier hustle dance convention of the day. This was the third installment of this competition. That year, Kenny Gonzalez was the recipient of the Eddie Vega award for his commitment to hustle dancing. Tony Pace, from Texas, along with Gladys Torres won the Pro AM Novice hustle division at the second annual event.  
Here is a look back at some of the other winners that year.
Amateur Jack & Jill
1) Steven Borth & Dee Scott
2) Wingo Hom & Sherry Druary
3) Avery Meisner & Janet Miller

ProAm Advanced
1) Silvana Gallagher & Stanley Smolanowicz
2) Kim Vanaman & Tom Robertson
3) Lawrence Rush & Diane Webber

Bookends
1) Walter Levy & Cedric Freedom
2) Ava Apple & Audriana Correa
3) Ylva Wintzel & Yuko Saito

Amateur Theatre Arts
1) Ralph Corey & Diane Masiello
2) Fito Garcia & Patricia Fortier
3) Errol Vega & Nan Bohrar

Professional Just Hustle
1) Brian & Silvana Gallagher
2) Louis Orlando & Elizabeth Darchi
3) Louis Rosa & Ava Apple

Professional Classic
1) Brian & Silvana Gallagher
2) Roberto Pagan & Loriann Greenhouse
3) Tony Pace & Sheryl Forrester - Guidry
4) Kenny Gonzales & Elizabeth Darchi
5) Lucas Jaime & Marianne Hettinger
6) Louis Rosa & Ava Apple
7) Walter Levy & Judith Rahilly

Profesional Theatre Art
1) Roberto Pagan & LoriAnn Greenhouse
2) Brian & Silvana Gallagher
3) Lucas Jaime & Marianne Hettinger
4) Kenny Gonzales & Elizabeth Darchi
5) Louis Rosa & Ava Apple

Winners Circle
 
Congratulations to Roberto™s Dance Studio Students at the International Hustle & Salsa Competition held in Miami,

IHSC Winners:
Triplethreat Pro-Am Classic
1st Place - Roberto Pagan & Erica Smith
2nd Place “ Roberto Pagan & Jewell Reid
 
Female ProAm Advanced Hustle
1st Place Roberto Pagan & Erica Smith
 
Open Gold
1st Place Mambo “ Roberto Pagan & Joelle DePalo
1st Place Bolero “ Roberto Pagan & Joelle DePalo
1st Place Swing “ Roberto Pagan & Joelle DePalo
1st Place Cha Cha “ Roberto Pagan & Joelle DePalo
1st Place Rumba “ Roberto Pagan & Joelle DePalo
 
Scholarship Three Dance Challenge
2nd Place Cha Cha, Bolero and Mambo “ Roberto Pagan & Joelle DePalo
 
Female ProAm Newcomer Salsa
3rd Place Roberto Pagan & Claudia Cebollero
 

DanceTalk * 6-5-07

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Happy birthday wishes to Lisa Berger,  Collette Antonelli,  George Dudley, Nellie Cotto,  Cindy Lehning,  Mona Walker and Ginny Carey.

We mourn the loss of two dancers this past week:
Gary Kreger, president of Central Jersey Dance Society (Princeton), passed away from a massive coronary, He was only 58. 
Morley Leyton, along with his partner (and wife), Monique Legar, were 2003 and 2004 PA State Polka Champions and taught at their studio in Willow Grove and elsewhere in the Montgomery County area. We send our condolences to their family and friends.

Condolences to Susan Hiser, her family and friends on the sudden loss of her father last week. We send our heart felt thoughts and prayers. 

Five years ago, we lost a wonderful. kind hearted dancer. She was a caring mother with a smile that you could never forget. Please keep Wanda Soto's memory alive.

They say that "there is no free lunch", but how can you beat the free dance at Club 412 to celebrate Gloria Rothstein's 50th birthday on June 10th. What a deal. See all the details below.

Mix it up Thursdays takes a summer Hiatus as John Lindo prepares for his summer dance event Liberty Swing Dance Championships - June 21 - 24 in Newark, NJ Airport Sheraton Hotel. Visit http://www.libertyswing.com

Lets tip our hats to Erica Smith as she moves on to Las Vegas on the hit dance show, "So You Think You Can Dance" http://www.fox.com/dance/

Wednesdays are movie night, 7:30 PM under the Shambles of Head House Square (2nd & Pine) In Philadelphia sponsored by Society Hill Dance Academy. Dancing begins at 7:30PM and the movies start at dusk. Bring your own chair. For info call 215-574-3574  FREE  Prior to each film they'll be teaching the dances popularized by the film.  Movies scheduled  6/13 Hairspray,  6/20 West Side Story ,  6/27 Grease,  7/4  Saturday Night Fever,  7/11 Dirty Dancing,  7/18   Swingers, 7/25   Cabaret,  8/1  Strictly Ballroom,  8/8  Chicago,  8/15 Goonies,  8/22 Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,  8/29  The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The new home for Thursday night dancing in Pompano beach Florida is The Emma Lou Olson Civic Center. For Ballroom & Latin dancing every Thursday.  The first dance is  June 14th at 7PM. Located on the corner of NE 6 Street and NE 18 Avenue, just north of Atlantic Boulevard (few blocks west of Federal Highway). $10 per person. For more details contact Lisa at dance007@bellsouth.net

Here are the top 10 dance songs being played in the clubs.
1 Fergie - Glamorous     
2   Kimberley Locke  - Change      
3  Jody Watley - I Want Your Love    
4  Ono - You're The One      
5  Beyonce & Shakira - Beautiful Liar       
6  Jennifer Lopez  - Que Hiciste    
7  The Killers  - Read My Mind       
8   A Girl Called Jane - He's Alive   
9  Ricky Martin - Pegate 
10 Erasure  - I Could Fall In Love With You  


This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by Desert Swing taking place Sept 7 - 9th in Phoenix. See all the details below.  http://www.desertcityswing.com    

Make it a great week,
Ron

Who Was Your Inspiration (part 2)

We have a new generation of dancers out there, some young and some not so younger, but all in all, they love the hustle. We asked some of the best hustle dancers who motivated them when they first started. We wanted to know how did they learn to hustle dance and whom did they admire. 
Growing up in Pennsylvania, I experienced a dance awakening watching Floyd Chishom and Nelly Cotto on the Merv Griffin Show (circa 1978). That gave me the desire to want to compete and grow. I also had the opportunity to put together a group routine with Lisa Nunziella and the late Danny Llaurado. Once again this reenergized me and made me work even harder. Those were times I will never forget.
I hope you enjoy the second of two parts. 
RB
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Ron,
I was at a ballroom dance in the San Francisco Bay Area when Raul Ante, Bobby Concepcion, and Audrianna Correo performed a 3-person hustle demo that made my jaw drop.  I had never seen hustle before, but I knew immediately that it was going to be my favorite dance.  "Big Daddy" Raul became my teacher, mentor, and inspiration.
Peace, Love, and Dancing,
Dr. Love (Gary Ulaner)

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Dear Ron,
So many great people have influenced in my dance career, that I had to give them all credit. I have danced with some of the fiercest women in hustle, Lee Rafrano, Lisa Nunziella, Lourdes Jones, Maria Torres, and Stracy Diaz. It all started for me at Radio City Music Hall. I was an usher at the age of 15, and I saw Billy Fajardo & Sandra (Rivera)  as back up dancers for Iris Chacon. Shortly after, I met Lee Refrano at Epinema Disco and I was on my way to becoming a dancer. With Lee, I was able to get to Dance Fever and I was Hooked. A while later, I meet Lisa Nunziella at Club 2001 Odyssey.  After a competition, Floyd and Nelly asked us to be in their dance review, The Disco Dance Stars. It was because of them, I became a professional dancer at the age of 16.  Eddie Vega  was so impressed with my dancing that he took me under his wing. He really taught me the art of Theater Arts. To me, Eddie was the best. I had the great honor to spend the last five years of Eddie's life touring with him. He was my friend, my mentor, and my greatest inspiration, and still is to this day. Lisa Nunziella is always in my thoughts, and still gives me hope and encouragement. For me, Lisa is the best of the best. I can't express enough how all of these people inspired me and changed my life, because of them, I plan to dance until the day I die.
Peace,
Ricky Quintana

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Ron 
My love of the hustle came from watching Billy and Sandra dance, for the very first time, at "The World's Largest Disco at Madison Square Garden", 1976. Billboard Magazine had turned Madison Square Garden into a giant disco. The pit of the garden was turned into a dance floor. There were four smaller square dance platforms with couples dancing the hustle. Each couple represented a New York City borough. Billy and Sandra represented the Bronx, Floyd and Annette Manhattan and I believe Louie and Rosemarie, Brooklyn. Don™t know about Queens. That night was the very first time I saw lifts/tricks being executed by Billy and Sandra. The fish and the snake stand out the most. 
Luis Rivera

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Hi Ron,
My sister Melanie was my first inspiration in the Hustle!  She was dancing Hustle before I was old enough to get into a night club.  I fell in love with the dance and she taught me the basics.  She is still an amazing dancer and mother! In the mid 70's I was living and breathing this dance. There were a lot of great dancers out there at the time, but I have to say that Floyd and Nellie took my breathe away.  Not only were they great dancers, they always treated me with the utmost repsect. It was always a pleasure to perform and compete with them.
Lisa Nunziella

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Being a Dance Instructor back in the 70's when the Hustle was young and
evolving, I had a very high standard when it came to who I felt deserved my
admiration and respect. I didn't meet anyone who fit that description until
I was invited to join the Disco Dance Stars. The first time I  saw Nelly
Cotto and Floyd Chishom dance I knew I'd finally meet the hustle dancers that
I could look up to and learn from.
Evie (Miss Hoover) Roderer

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To the Hustle World,
Floyd, Lisa Nunziella, Eddie Vega, Nellie, Arte Phillips,  Diane Nardone,
Billy Fajardo and Sandra, and Maria Torres. From a more local stand point Derrick Allen "Poetry in Motion" with Lilia, Ray Bogard and Kathy/Mary-Rose, James & Marguerite, Keith MERRIWTHER AND DARLENE.  There was a little guy from Elephas and Seconds and the Lemon tree named ARTIE GRUICH.
BOBBY O
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 Hi Ron, 
I was inspired by the NY and Phila. Street and Club dancers of the late 70's!! 
I  was on my way to College of Performing Arts, (after years of Ballet) and started dancing the HUSTLE in clubs and just loved it!!!  Decided to forgo college and open my own dance studio, " Dance Expressions" in my home town. Taught in many night clubs at the time and Donna Boyle was my peer and idol.. Loved the whole Dance Fever, and Merv Griffin days!    
 Lisa Sands

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Hi Ron,
Growing up in Queens the first time I experience the Hustle was at a house party. The first guys I saw that impressed me went by the name of " Butch Kid" with his friend "Knot Head Damon", and they were smooth. But it wasn't until I started going to the clubs in Long Island that I really got into the Hustle and met the one and only James Stanford with his partner Margarette that I was hooked.
He brought a  whole new style to the dance , along with couples like Xavier and Holly, Floyd and Nelly and Billy and Sandra that made me want to master this dance. While Eddie Vega took the dance to a whole new level' it was these couple that set the standard for him and those to follow. 
Today's hustle dances have yet to master the art of partnering, they would need to go back and watch these masters to really understand this dance..........
 Rodney Harris 

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