Posts from — November 2008

From the entire Staff at The Hustle Lounge, to all of our friends, family and supporters in the Hustle and Dance Community, thanks for a wonderful year. 

We wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving.

Make it a great Thanksgiving

Happy Birthday wishes to Julia St. Marie, Alex Abraham, Jo Jo Jack, Jose Bolivar, Barry Bernstein, Connie Macdougal, Frankie Heebner, and Lauren Sipkovich.

Tragically, Jim DeFato passed away last week in Brooklyn, NY. He was a retired NYC Firefighter and a creative freelance videographer who filmed at many dance competitions including “NY Hustle Congress”, “Disco America”, “Hustle USA” & provided work for “Stepping Out” and “Dance Manhattan”. Jim was a great Hustle/Swing/Ballroom/Latin Dancer. He had a kind soul and was ready to help anyone at any time, day or night. He is deeply loved and will be greatly missed. He died of a heart attack.

To view photos of Arte Phillips, from his early years with the “Disco Dance Stars” and videos from “Star Search”, visit: http://www.mjames.org/arte_phillips.html

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Today we cried. One of the most compelling dancers of our generation has passed away.

Loved by so many, Arte Phillips is a dance legend.

Our condolences to his thousands of students, teachers, friends, family and admirers, world wide. Only three months shy of his 50th birthday, the dance world is heart broken. We have posted a special letters section, below, in memory of our beloved Arte.

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As mentioned previously we have more videos, check out Philly based Hustle Pro Brian Gallagher in the Circle of Love at NY Hustle Congress 2008.

Happy Birthday wishes to Jonathan Laub, Dara Patrusky, Pat Stewart, Robin Amante, Jim McGraph, Todd Gleason and Sarah Goldstein.

Don’t miss the Westie Weekend, kicking off this Friday at the Atrium. Jason Colacino is the guest instructor and he will be at Got Swing? This is Jason’s first visit to the Philly area. See all the details here.

Kenny Orgeta is choreographing the remake of the hit movie “Footloose”, which launched the acting career for Kevin Bacon. The film was so successful, it was adapted for Broadway. The new motion picture is expected to be released in early 2010 with new songs and some remakes.

Dance Champion Donna DeSimone hosts a Holiday party on December 27Th, at Paul Pellicoro’s NYC DanceSport. Workshops and special performance by Donna & James Hamm to celebrate the holiday season. More details coming soon.

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“Out of many we are one”
President Barack Hussein Obama
November 4, 2008

The people have spoken; tonight in overwhelming proportions, we as a Country have created seismic change. Barack Hussein Obama has been elected the 44th President of the United States.

While we don’t often comment on politics here at The Hustle Lounge, the historic proportions are too great to ignore.

The mess that is Iraq, a battered Economy never before seen in US history, our bitterly partisan government, our dismal Global image, 8 years of the worst (anti) leadership this United States has ever seen and a host of other miseries have finally pushed the people to react.

The entire Nation will be absorbing, soaking, marinating in all of these watershed moments to come, the Inauguration, the Cabinet and finally, how the term unfolds.

Change will be a major theme moving forward but as our new President elect conveyed in his speech, now that the baton has been passed, the hard work must begin.

I hope and wish for the Hustle community to benefit from this momentum and chi that has been created by the people.

Hustle as a microcosm can learn from the mistakes of the Bush administration and in the new era of hope, grow, with the Obama administration.

Asia B
Publisher

Happy Birthday wishes to George Hancock, Ken Friedman, Mike Fardella, Donna Boyle and Carl Free.

We send our heart felt condolences to DJ Greg “T”. His father passed away last week. Please keep Greg and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Next weekend, November 14 & 15, it’s Westie Weekend welcoming the incredible Jason Colacino. A gifted dancer that specializes in West Coast Swing. For all the details visit Rob & Sheila’s website here.

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