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Happy Birthday wishes to Jason Richman,  Ariana Young,  Sheri Barnes, Bobbi Petri,  Anita Giacone,  Nancy Carillo,  Tony Pace,  Frank Pellici,
Steven Mitchell, Laura Cozik and  Smitty.

Condolences to Kathy Austin and her family. Robert Jones, her brother unexpectedly passed away last week, Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Competitors/performers here is your time to shine. Yahoo and Television's entertainment show Extra have teamed up to sponsor a huge dance contest. The winning couple (or act) gets a cool $50,000.00 and their video might even appear on the Extra TV show! The deadline is May 22.  All dance styles are welcome to participate. Download your video's now. Visit  http://bix.yahoo.com/extra

New York has never celebrated the forms of dance that it has birthed until now: Voguing, Jazz, the Jitterbug, Punk, Gothic, Salsa and the Hustle. Now they will honor these and dozens of other dances on May 19, Sunday in the Big Apple,
"One Parade with Many Cultures" See all the details below.

Dancing With The Stars comes to Long Island, NY. Hold the date, Saturday, May 26th, in Long Island when Tony Dovolani and Elena Grineneko perform at the Surburban Temple in Wantagh. See more below and stay tuned for all the details next week.

Congratulations to photographer Fred, his daughter just gave birth to a 7lb, 7 oz baby. The newest dancer, Savanna Rayne O'Neill. Take a peek at http://whatsnew.fredf.fotki.com/

Congratulations to Long Islands own,  DJ Johnny 'V'  Vicino on his up coming marriage to Maria Lettieri. We wish them both only the best.

Village Person, Victor Willis, won't be charged with attacking his girlfriend. Victor was the original policeman in the '70's disco band "The Village People." This past September, Willis was sentenced to three years' probation on drug possession charges. He recently completed a seven-month program. Willis co-wrote hits such as "YMCA" and "In the Navy." He left The Village People in 1980.

The Disco Ball returns to the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City June 2nd, a great line up of talent including the Ritchie Family, Carol Douglas, The Trammps and Tavares.
Next week, in DanceTalk, we will provide the complete list of performers.

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

Make it a great week,
Ron

Liberty Swing Dance Championships


The Big man is back, John Lindo, returns June 21st to the  24th, for his third Annual Liberty Swing Dance Championships. One of the premier Swing dance weekends in the country. This event sells out every year, simply because it's that good. The best dancers are on staff to perform, compete and teach work shops. The atmosphere is fun and inviting for all ages and skill levels. This year LSD moves to the Newark Airport Sheraton Hotel. The Sheraton hotel has already SOLD OUT. You can contact the Holiday Inn Newark Airport, adjacent to the Sheraton, as the overflow hotel. The toll free number for the Holiday Inn is 800-465-4329. Please make your reservations now before they sell out! You can register on line. This years all star staff includes: Mario Robau, Robert Cordoba & Deborah Szekely, Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollman, Parker Dearborn & Jessica Cox, Angel & Debbie Figueroa, Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake, Robert & Nicola Royston. The DJ staff includes, John festa, Beth Bellamy, Victor Loveira and Butch Metcalf. Order your three Day Weekend Pass now, it includes all dances, ballroom activities, workshops, and Saturday Dinner Pasta Buffet. Through 6/10/07 = $135 then On 6/11/07 = $155
¢ Day Passes (purchased at the event only, if available) Includes entry to daily workshops, dance and ballroom activities  ° Friday = $50, ° Saturday = $70 
° Sunday = $50, ¢ Friday & Saturday Evening Passes (After 10:30pm) = $25 
This is Swing dancing at its best. John is known for providing the highest quality event that is inspiring, respectful and great fun for everyone attending. His mission is to ensure that all attendees will be treated with respect, integrity the best customer service we can provide in a fun safe atmosphere. I guess that is why these are the hottest tickets in town. 
Visit the website at:  http://www.libertyswing.com

Dance Central Station

The first Dance Central Station was an incredible experience. It was one of those nights when you don't get to bed until 4AM but you say, it was well worth it. The Prince of Hustle - Billy Marti - should be Knighted.  Friends and colleagues came out to hear singing sensation Elsie perform, experience a dance fashion show "Dance Couture," witness a dance contest where all the attendees 'were the judge' and dance the night away.
You Be The Judge, dance contest featured 8 dynamic couples strutting their stuff. DJ Nelson "Paradise" Roman hand picked the songs and had everyone tapping along. The majority of votes by the attendees selected Jesus and Robert as their first place winners and the recipients of passes to this years Discoamerica.
Co-host Donna Boyle performed a reunion exhibition with her original partner David Padilla. Together, they won on the national syndicated Dance Fever show. This marked a dance reprise some 25 years gone by. Guests were treated to a hot & cold buffet, cold drinks and bubbly. The brand new 2007 line of dance wear by Couture Dance was modeled in a wonderful fashion show by Lemington Ridley, an upcoming name to watch. 
Dance exhibitions were performed by National Dance Champions Kelvin Roche and Loriann Greenhouse, Luis & Mary Ann Rosa's Latin Dance Connection featuring the amazing Starlite Kids and dance Icons Nelly Cotto and Kenny Gonzales. The intensity of the night was off the chart. Dancers from all different generations were on hand to promote the up coming Discoamerica taking place July 5th to the 8th in Atlantic City, NJ. This is the 9th edition of Discoamerica, which is currently the longest running hustle competition of its kind. The dance weekend returns to the popular Clarion Hotel in Atlantic City. Reserve your room today: 800-782-782 -9237
This years special dinner show is headlined by the incomparable Vince Montana Jr, who will be performing LIVE.
Congratulations to Billy Marti for raising the bar and making this a stellar night of dancing. Thanks to all the wonderful dancers that were on hand to make this such an incredible time: David Padilla, LoriAnne Greenhouse, Steve Neeren, Donna Boyle, Smitty, Jerry Hobbs, Disco Dave Sarul, Elizabeth Darchi, Luis & Mary Ann Rosa, Roberto Pagan, Lori Brizzi, John Festa, Donna Roesel, Rob Finocchio, Kelvin Roche, Louy Orlando, Trisha Caballero, Nelly Cotto, Chuck Fetta, John Merisier, Tariq Brown, Bobby Morales, Kenny Gonzales, Mariann Gonzales, Robert Ortiz, Carolyn Grimaldi .

Dear Mr. Bess,
I turned 54 last fall. My closest friend since grammar school passed away before she reached 50 years old. You were kind enough to acknowledge her warmth and beauty in your news letter. Vicki Sue Robinson never forgot her friends. Even when she had the number one song in the country - Turn the Beat Around - she always came home to Philadelphia. Vicki never lost sight of what is most important in her life. We were so proud of her and miss her to this day. She was a kind gentle soul and I know she is singing for the angels above. Thank you for remembering her.
God Bless,
Marie (class of 1971)

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Dance Central Station was without far the most exciting social event of the year so far. Not only did you have your local dance divas but also had new jersey, philly and
Long island's super stars. I like to take this opportunity to thanks all those who made
this night a spectacular one. First I would like to express my thanks to Stepping out
studios staff  Talia , Suzie, Benjamen and Tommy for believing in me and giving the opportunity and guidance to bring Dance Central Station to life. I would also like to
Thank all the professional that gave a star studded performance which included world
Champion "Kelvin Roche and Lori Ann Greenhouse", "Luis and Mary Rosa and the Starlite kids", and the all time divas "Kenny Gonzalez and Nelly Cotto". I would like to express my Special thanks to Lemington Riddley of Dancecouture for giving such an elegant and memorable fashion show. Nelson " Paradise' Roman for spinning the hottest dance jams and Steve Neeren with his West Coast Swing groove. I would also like to give two thumbs up James Canora for such a delicious cuisine. Lets not forget the voice of the Dance community, Ron Bess. Without him most of us would be in the dark on where to go dancing and who's who in the dance community.  Freestyle's  superstar "fascination". You still got what it takes. And most of all the beautiful and talented Donna Boyle and David Padilla for that wonderful reunion dance. Donna, thank you for joining me on the maiden voyage of "Dance Central Station". And last but not least all those wonderful students, friends and dancers for attending this event and making it a memorable one. I couldn't have had a successful evening without you. Love you all

BILLY MARTI
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Hi Ron,
I wanted to compliment you on the great write up on Evie that was published in last weeks dancetalk. I hope your share my letter with your readers. I met Evie at Michaels in Bensalem last year and found her to be a delight. But as you had written she is not one to speak about her dance background or brag in any way. I never knew she was such and accomplished dancer. Great job, thanks for sharing this information. you both make this dance community such a great place to hang out in.
Linda H.