An Opportunity Lost?
When I first heard of the addition of Hustle to the “Dancing with the Stars” repertoire, it seemed to be a positive step toward bringing awareness and exposure to the dance. Upon further thought, the questions became evident as to how accurate these dances would be performed and how seriously the pros would treat them.
It is common knowledge that Hustle, as well as West Coast Swing, are viewed as rogue dances of the Ballroom World. Ballroom Pros use these dances in Pro-Ams to have an extra entry for their student at competitions; often using a Latinized style and perhaps a 4-count version of Hustle.
My feelings, after the routines that were performed on Monday night (see video below), were mixed. The most positive result was Tony Dovolani and Susan Lucci’s valiant attempt at executing a proper Hustle. They had the assistance of, Hustle supporter and sometimes judge, Paul Pellicoro of Dancesport in New York; a decision that gave me some respect for Tony. Pellicoro made a smart business decision as he had a party where Tony and Susan were in attendance and it was possible exposure for his studio.
Since there were no Hustle Pro performances to show proper technique and how the dance doesn’t have to include “Saturday Night Fever” moves, this routine was an adequate demonstration of basic moves even though it included the cheesy “John Travolta Style” pointing. Although it had all the flavor of a Saltine cracker. Hence, the not so positive reviews from the judges.
The routine performed by Kym and Warren, on the other hand, while having energy and sass, was an amalgamation of stereotypical “Disco” moves and bad Hustle. I am not faulting Kym for not really knowing the dance, as it has never been her job to learn the dance before. I just fear that this is the image that the public will have of the Hustle because the routine gained praises from the judges. Judges who don’t know the difference between “Disco” and the Hustle.
In general, I do not feel that the image of the Hustle was scarred too badly. Though I can’t help but wonder how this perhaps was a lost opportunity for “the powers that be” of the Hustle Community to use this as a way to grow the interest in the dance especially by young people. I feel that if the producers were contacted and bombarded with emails and/or phone calls encouraging them to feature a pro Hustle couple or have a pro help the competing couples, the dance would have gained more respect and the exposure that it deserves. Showing that the Hustle can be done to contemporary music would not have hurt either.
All we can do is hope that if there is another season of DWTS, that someone will have to motivation and foresight to do everything they can to spread the word. I believe there is no time like the present and the seed should be planted now for a chance to have a Pro Hustle couple featured next season. I feel the opportunity should be taken while it exists.
What do you think about how “Dancing with the Stars” showcased Hustle? Did it help or hurt the dance? Please weigh in with your opinions, they are always welcome. Here’s the video of Tony and Susan for those of you who did not see the show.
10 comments
Yes, I completely agree with your assessment of The Hustle on Dancing with the Stars. Susan and Tony had the basic steps but that’s about it. It lacked the flow and energy of the hustle as we know it. The closest thing I have ever seen to a good hustle dance on television was on Season 3 of Do You Think You Can Dance? Lacy and Kammeron danced a good hustle. I include the link here:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=IgKMLJJw59U
Paula
Hi Paula,
Thanks for your link to the Lacey & Kameron video and for commenting…perhaps we’ll post the video you forwarded.
Asia B~
Publisher
I totally agree an opportunity was lost. I was at Dancesport when Susan and Tony came and although Maria Torres was there to work with them along with Paul, the end result was definitely not her work!
Had we gotten a heads up we all could have bombarded the producers of the show to allow for a proper pro session to teach the real dance and to perform it as well. If you recall, “So You Think You Can Dance” showcased a fabulous hustle 2 seasons ago where Maria Torres and Kenny Rodriguez choreographed the routine and it was spectacular!!! We need to have that done on DWTS’s as well…
JoJo (Long Island).
As both a hustle dancer and a ballroom dancer for many years, my experience has been that hustle is an after thought within the ballroom community. Unfortunately, the way the hustle was displayed on Dancing with the Stars is the the stero typical way people think of the dance. It was caught in a time warp, and though we hustle dancers know it has evolved to bigger and better things, the non dancer (and even some of the ballroom pros) don’t know that. I also applaud Tony and Susan’s efforts to authentically portray the dance as we do it today.
It’s been 30+ years since Saturday Night Fever, and hustle has been branded by that movie and era. Will we (as a group) ever be able to change that? I don’t see a lot of opportunity for doing so. Let’s just enjoy it for what we know it is.
This performance simply reinforces the perception that Hustle is nostalgia and no one will want to learn it except for “Trash Disco Night” or a “70’s Theme Party” where aging baby-boomers (like me
squeeze into their bell-bottoms and try to relive the “good old days”.
Furthermore, you will not likely have much influence over the producers of these shows. They only care about ratings.
I think that Hustle needs to be actively marketed to the public. Promoting it in studios is not going to get many younger people interested. I have posted ideas for this on other forums and gotten only crickets in response. I will put these out again in the hopes of getting some action going:
1) On a regular basis, get a lot of Hustle dancers together and go out to real clubs and dance it to contemporary music where people will see it. (Hustle can be danced to at least: classic Disco, House, Latin House, Dance/Euro, Hip-Hop Merengue, Merengue, Samba, some Hip-Hop, and some Reggaeton)
2) When malls have style shows, offer to choreograph some Hustle for the models, and even provide models that can dance.
3) Hire placement firms to put Hustle dancers in TV shows and movies where there are clubs scenes. This will cost some money but you can offer to provide the dancers and choreography.
4) Have a Gap (or some other popular chain) commercial with Hustle dancing. Remember how swing took off after the Gap ad?
Hustle needs to be demonstrated to be an up-to-date viable dance, not tied to the 70’s era.
What do you think folks?
“Illinois” Paul
You make some great points, like going out in groups to a freestyle club and dancing to contemporary music. I have lurked on some of those forums where the leaders are screaming about music speed, and I have never seen your idea. Its a good one that I will try my group of friends.
I agree, the producers don’t care about Hustle, they want ratings and keeping Hustle to the Disco days is the best thing for ratings cuz they know that’s what the audience expects.
Hustle on programs like DWTS (if done like Kim and Warren did) are totally a disservice to Hustle. Still if the community had comptent leaders, todays hustle would be repped on DWTS correctly, but helloooo??
The other ideas you suggest are really solid. The only issue that stands in the way is that what you suggest involves risk, and the only people have taken the risk so far are the ones who are currently the monopoly in Hustle’s so-called “establishment”.
The monopoly doesn’t want things to change and grow out of their control. until others step in and change the dusty old ways, Hustle will stay a corny old Disco throwback, missunderstood and embarrassingly un-do-able.
Hustle lounge site is great, cuz folks can speak out, but we need NEW leaders, and forget the ihda, it doesn’t do a DAMN thing for hustle.
-disgruntled dancer
I also was excited to hear that DWTS was showcasing Hustle. I have not watched much of the season this time, but my husband and I sat down eagerly to watch. I know these instructors did not know the Hustle but I think they should have taken the time to bring in some pros to show them what it is supposed to look like.
I cringe everytime someone comes out in a white suit and starts to point … I know what to expect. I was so disappointed. They did try some newer steps but the entire dance looked BAD. If this is how Hustle is going to be portrayed to a national audience, we don’t stand a chance of bringing it to a new generation of young people.
If you know how to get in touch with the producers of the show, please share it with all of us. I would be happy to send them my thoughts and requests for a professional couple to showcase the dance.
Nanci Sperl
Thank you all for reading and for your comments. We love reading your opinions and providing an open forum for discussion, so keep the comments coming!
It is unfortunate that we have to struggle to get the world to open the door to Hustle. Paul J’s ideas are good but have been tried many times, by many pros and amateurs. As you see it went no further than the venues Paul has mentioned. Plus I know of many that tried to contact the producers of DWTS but were ignored. Two years ago Billy and Katie were to perform in DWTS but were cancelled.
I feel that we are so very close to getting there. All I can say is: If first, you don’t succeed, try, try, again.
Thank you.
You know, it’s amazing how so many try to “Micro-Manage” this standing question: Why does the Hustle have such a difficult time staying alive. First problem is the Music. Keep using “Disco-typical” music and the dance will surly die. Second is the ability to look at ones self and realize this is an extremely physical dance, and if you’re out of shape or have health problems it’s simply not for you at this time! The third problem is the IHDA, they have had 35 years plus to do diligence with this dance, they’ve done nothing to give the dance to the younger generation, why?
Here’s where it’s simple, most Pro’s have the Hustle and other dances to offer. When the media says “Ballroom”, they mean Ballroom. Again, Hustle has changed over the years; the hustle has borrowed its moves from the ballroom sectors, kind of like the little brother syndrome. Anyways the instructor’s lean to what brings in the dollars and if it’s not Hustle they have to lobby with other dances. Also they’ve seen time pass by and before they knew it many grew into their 5o’s. Guess the lesson here is “Never play the game too long”.
There’s hope, here’s the biggest tip I can give to save this dance: Don’t just hear the Music, become the music (like me!)
This dance cannot be sold; it must be given at this time. As far as the Politics, smell the winds of change. How bout that new President!
It’s time for the Mentality Hustle to change-NOW!
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