Mark Routzahn "DJ Mark"
Philadelphia and the surrounding areas 
over 20 years of experience, nightclub, private affairs, Michael's Cafe,
contemporary hustle, Latin, swing, ballroom, Oldies, Motown, Classic Rock

Modern Rock, Top 40, 70’s and Disco, Country, Big Band/Standards, Hip Hop, Funk/R&B.     
DJMARK@comcast.net  215-579-8771

Donnie Shields
NYC - VIP Party Productions
Weddings, Bat/Barmizvahs, Corporate Parties, Hustle, Latin and Ballroom,
Professional Light Shows, MCs, Dancers, Fun Photo Packages, Party Favors
516 318 7127 - 718 279 4863
cdoligist@aol.com

DJ Philip C. Spinka
PA - Submarine Productions
Hustle, West Coast, Ballroom, Weddings, Privates, More
570-466-1000
philip@spinka.com
http://www.submarineproductions.com

Nino Torre - The Midnight Music Co. / NiteMix Productions
Richmond, VA and Brooklyn, NY
Mobile and Club DJ for over 25 yrs. Known to host Hustle and Salsa parties at high profile
NYC landmarks like the legendary Windows On The World and Tavern On The Green. Hustle, Salsa
718-926-3704 (NYC) or 804-303-8884 (VA).
http://www.NiteMix.WS

DJ Johnny V    [ John Vicino ]
Babylon, LI NY
Night Club, private parties, Hustle, Contemporary
djjohnnyv2@aol.com
516-220-3845 -- 631-587-1883

Yahu
POLAND
OLD SCHOOL, Disco, PIONEER DEEJAY.
YAHUDEE@Y 
http://www.djsportal.com

DJ Jimmy Yu
Palm Beach, Florida
houseofu@msn.com
561-310-0030
Professional DJ since 1974 with the ability to play any type of dance venue.

-

Make it a great Cinco De Mayo and have a Happy Mother's Day. 

Happy Birthday wishes to Laura Cozik,  Smitty,  Sandi Castle,  Bobby O and  Anthony Bozarth.
 
Frank Nelson of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away last week. Please keep his dancing friends and family in your thoughts and prayers.

He was born this week in 1899, the man that brought ballroom dancing to the world on the silver screen. Mr. Dance, Fred Astaire.
 
Neil Bogart passed away 16 years ago. He appeared on the "Thank God Its Friday" tribute held on the Merv Griffin show. He was the president of Casablanca Records and gave many artists their first break in the music industry.
 
Congratulations to all the winners at this years International Hustle Salsa Championships held in Miami. The incomparable Lisa Nunziella was honored with the Augie & Margo Award. 
 
Congratulations to Glen Miller & the Swing Dance America attendees, held in Milwaukee Wisconsin. In the Open Hustle Jack & Jill, 1st place went to Nino Digiulio & Stephanie Risser, 2nd Fred Price & Angie Cameron, 3rd Carlos Garcia &  Leslie Bricker, 4th Eric Novoa & Elizabeth Gutzwiler,  5th Paul Cameron & Carrie Richards. For all the results visit http://swingdanceamerica.com/winners.html
 
Starting June 2nd,  it's the newest reality show, searching for the lead star to appear in the Broadway show "Legally Blonde." The TV show premieres on MTV.
 
Get into the new dance classes at SoHo Dance Studio, starting May 5th. Salsa, Ballroom & Hip Hop classes-new cycle running May 5th - May 31st. Registered students refer a friend and receive 1 FREE private lesson. Located at 598 Broadway, 6th flr. NYC 10012 p 212-226-6767  http://www.sohodancestudio.com

If your hungry for new dance music, here is your chance to get the newest songs, all on one CD. DJ Fancy's May Release. It features new songs from Madonna, Janet Jackson, Jordan Sparks & Chris Brown, Paula Abdul, Robyn, Moby, Lucas Prada,   16 new dance songs in all. To order contact DJ Fancy at  sparda3636@yahoo.com  Only $15 includes shipping and handling.
 
It's the 2nd highest rated television show, Dancing with the Stars, celebrates its 100th episode this Tuesday, 8PM EST. Several stars return to the dance floor: Apolo Anton Ohno, Julianne Hough, Mel B, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Mario Lopez. 

Mark James & Karen Lupo attended the New York Society Teachers of Dance (NYSTD) Annual Spring Banquet in Queens, NY this past Saturday - and enjoyed another great performance by Lucas Jaime & Yanna Samkovo.

This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by The Easterns and http://www.thehustlelounge.com, read more below. http://www.BarryDurand.com 

Make it a great week,
Ron

The Easterns  (Washington Dance Challenge)
 
The Easterns are here, from May 8th to the 11th. The event of spring comes to the Hilton Washington Dulles (1-800-Hiltons) for a mix of dancing, workshops and competitions. This is the 21st anniversary of the Washington Dance Challenge hosted by dance Champion, Barry Durand. A former 'Dance Fever' television champion, Barry has conquered many dance quests, as the publisher of his own national Dance magazine, he has been organizing dance competitions bringing dancers together from all over the USA. The weekend has an extensive menu that offers dishes for every dance appetite. Swing, hustle, country, line dancing, ballroom, plus more. Always a fun, friendly atmosphere, your enjoy over 40 workshops, competitions, variety show, a great hotel setting with 2 ballrooms and the famous lobby dance floor and a talented staff. This years invited pros includes: Robert & Nicola Royston,  Silvana Gallagher, John Lindo, Billy Marti, Jason Barnes & Erica Berg, George Garcia, Ken Roesel, Brian Gallagher, Debbie Lynn,  Dave Moldover, Anthony Lee, Kevin Fitzhugh & Tamara Brown, Joyce Szili, Frank Glowczewskie, Tony & Shawn Nguyen, Lisa & Christopher Joe Shaupp, Dean & Dawn Garrish, Barry Durand, Sam & Denise Miller, John & Dee Soares,  Jeff and Lynn Bartholomew, Sam & Chris Wetzel Mal & Linda Zerden,  Wild Man Louie St George, Clive Stevens,  Hot Pepper, BJ Brown, Louie St. George, DJ Jam, Mike Kelly, Kelly Faust, Bruce Bryant, Sharon Roberts..... The event takes place this coming weekend at the Hilton Washington Dulles Hotel, make sure you ask for the special $90 rate register now at http://www.DanceEasterns.com, Events & Videos: http://www.BarryDurand.com   http://www.MyDanceLesson.com

DJ Directory 2008  (part 2 - 3)

This is the 2nd installment of our 3 part series on the finest disc jockeys, specializing in dance music, from all over the USA. Many of these pros are on the air and/or take part at the national dance events. Thank you to all these professionals for the energy they put into their work and the enjoyment they bring us. Please retain this list for future reference - when you need a top notch DJ.  
The directory is brought to you by http://www.hustlelounge.com and DanceTalk®.

Valerie Hunt (aka DJ Girl Wonder)
Phoenix, AZ
Hustle, Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Ballroom
email: djgirlwonder@gmail.com
website: http://djgirlwonder.blogspot.com/
(480) 829-6272

Mark James
Long Island & New York City
Hustle, WCS & Salsa 
dannsirs@yahoo.com
516.835.9996
http://www.ultimatedancezone.com 

DeeJay Vicki Kay
West Palm Beach/Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Swing, Hustle, Latin, Ballroom
DJVic@MrDancePro.com
website  - http://www.MrDancePro.com
(561) 414-1503

Barry Lederer
New York City
All genres
barry254@msn.com
website --http://www.myspace.com/barrysdiscomix1
212-460-9281

DJ Linda
Wilmington, Del
Music for Weddings & Special Events
215-817-0955
e mail  djlinda@aol.com
website   http://www.djlinda.com

John Lindo
Morristown, NJ
swing, country, hustle, latin
jl@johnlindo.com
website – http://www.johnlindo.com
973-538-7147

DJ Maestro
Detroit Michagan
Dance, hustle
DJmaestro4life@aol.com
586 - 615 - 5869

DJ Dennis Matera
Totowa, New Jersey
Hustle, Salsa, WCS, Ballroom, 2-step, hip - hop, Club, Top 40, Dance, house, classic house, Rock, classic rock,
website - http://www.DJDENNISMUSIC.COM
CELL 973-768-2168
HOME:973-790-6711

Jackie McCloy
Long Island, New York
35 Years of Dance Music from Pre-Saturday Night Fever Underground Disco to Contemporary Progressive 

LIRecordPool@aol.com
(516)796-6596 

Ken Mercik
Enfield, CT
WC Swing (Blues, Contemporary, Etc...), Ballroom, Country, Classic Rock, Oldies (50's on up)
Phone - 860-749-5434
E-mail - ken@djkenm.com, djkenm@aol.com
Website - http://www.djkenm.com

Dave Moldover
Washington, DC
Variety Dance Music & More
dave@dancejamproductions.com  
http://www.dancejamproductions.com
301.330.7708

DJ Bobby Morales
New York City
Rare and Commercial Disco Classics,
Deep Soulful House Music, Salsa and Freestyle
Mixed Cd's available
DJBobbymo@aol.com   
(347) 524-5315

George "Cody" Morse
Long Island, NY
Ballroom, Argentine Tango, WC Swing, Hustle
Phone: 631-744-7777
E-mail: Info@LIDance.org
Websites: http://www.LIDance.org & http://www.TangoUSA.com

Letters to the Editor
(our goal is  to post readers letters twice a month, unfortunately due to space limitations we can not publish them all)

Let me say a little about a very nice and decent person,  Nan. I met Nan at Stepping Out Studio when it was at 57th Street & Broadway. She was always polite and friendly. I Danced with her several times and she always looked like she was having a good time on the dance floor. When Stepping Out Studio moved to 37 West 26th Street, Nan moved with them, which showed her dedication. When I started to Host Wednesday night parties with Simone, I truly got to become closer to Nan. I hired her to work at all my private partied because I believed that Nan was a trust worthy person and I could always count on her. Nan you are truly DANCING WITH THE STARS, and will be missed.
REST IN PEACE
Love Always David Padilla 
.........................
Ron,
Thank you for celebrating Nan's spirit and love for dance in this week's edition of DanceTalk.  As we all know, she was a pillar of support for the Hustle community. Along with many others in this scene, I have long admired her strong, gracious and graceful presence.  As Arte said, she was selfless. An integral member of our dance world, she could always be depended upon to help keep our Hustle family together.
She was one of the first Hustle dancers I met when I came to New York. At the time, she was an active competitor in theater arts.  She greatly impressed me with her energy, drive and courage on the dance floor.  Nan had to dance and had to be around it.  It was part of her soul.  She was a quite, private person.  Therefore, I feel especially fortunate to have known her and to have seen her perform and "shine" in her element. Nan, the beautiful dancer with tremendous spirit and heart, will be
greatly missed by all of us.
Thank you, Ron,
Daria Sanchez
.........................
Dear Ron,
I am glad to read that you celebrated the life of Nan. I didn't know her (I live outside of Boston). We live in a fragile world. We all move fast off the dance floor. A life can be snatched away at the blink of an eye. This makes us all aware of the value of friends and the importance of taking the time to express ones feelings off and on the dance floor. By the letters I have read, Nan was a beautiful person, inside and out. I love your newsletter for letting others express their sorrow and personal interaction with her. For many adults, writing your inner thoughts is a healing process. It emphasizes the care and love that we should all have for one another. I have limited time between my family, career and caring for an aging parent, but I always make time for my friends and to read your newsletter.
God Bless you, your family and those who expressed their love for Nan.
Alice Anne  
.........................
Hi Ron:  
Some of the e-mails sent to you support DJ's playing faster (130bpm and above) music at Hustle events in an attempt to attract new (younger) dancers. Hustle does not fail to attract new dancers because of the speed of the music, the internal politics or competition judging standards (all cited as apparent causes).  
 Hustle fails to attract new dancers primarily because of a lack of exposure and a poor image.  With the plethora of dance shows on network and cable TV we have seen only one true representation of Hustle in the last 3 years - when Maria Torres choreographed a dance routine for 'So You Think You Can Dance', yet we see a (socially obscure) dance like Paso Doble demonstrated on a regular basis (?).  The head judge on this show (Nigel Lithgow, an ex-dancer) admitted he didn't know the difference between 'disco' and Hustle. By contrast, Salsa has a carefully crafted image (dynamic, sexy, exciting etc.), though (Mambo) is at least 20 years older than Hustle it is never thought of as 'dated'. Yes Salsa has a core ethnic / cultural following but still manages to attract plenty of non-Hispanic dancers.  
Swing dancing has enjoyed a resurgence in the last few years due, in no small part,  to an image make-over initially driven by the Gap TV commercials which featured teen / twenty year olds dancing Swing / Lindy Hop (original dance, original music tempo). While Hip-Hop has gone mainstream Hustle remains the Rodney Dangerfield of dance, until/unless we improve its image and increase its exposure I see little change in the number of new (young) dancers.
Pat