DanceTalk ® 5/5/08

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 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 Hustle Lounge & The Easterns, more below 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 www.DanceEasterns.com, Events & Videos: www.BarryDurand.com www.MyDanceLesson.com

DJ Directory 2008 (part 2 of 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 The Hustle Lounge 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
www.ultimatedancezone.com

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

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

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

John Lindo
Morristown, NJ
swing, country, hustle, latin
jl@johnlindo.com
website – 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 - 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 and lots in between depending on the situation.
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 - www.djkenm.com

Dave Moldover
Washington, DC
Variety Dance Music & More
dave@dancejamproductions.com
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: www.LIDance.org & 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

Auditions, Competitions, Socials, Cruises & More…

May 5, Mon - NY - Dancesport - Legendary Hustle Mondays at Paul Pellicoro’s DanceSport, with DJ Donnie Sheilds, 9:30PM -$10 admission; DS registered students free. 22 West 34th St East Entrance 4th Fl between 5th & 6th avenues. www.dancesport.com for more information.

May 6, Tues - NY - IBBG, “The Original Tuesday Night Hustle Party”, celebrating Marina Peredo’s Birthday. Alex will be bringing cake. Spacious Dance Floor, DJ Chris playing the best of old & new Hustle with a dash of Latin & WCS hosted by Doreen. 50/50 Raffle & door prizes. 1100 Stewart Ave. Garden City, Exit M3W off Meadowbrook 9 PM. Only $8

May 6, Tues - NY - HOT LATIN, WCS & HUSTLE TUESDAYS at CLUB 56 (56th Fighter Group Restaurant/Lounge, Rt. 110 at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, 7:00 to 11:00 PM, $14 includes Hot & Cold Buffet Dinner, free water, Salsa Lesson by Kelly Ficarra, prizes & dancing to a Latin, WC Swing & Hustle Dance Mix by DJ Cody. (631) 744-7777 www.LIDance.org

May 6, Tues - Pa - Michael’s Cafe for the hottest dancing night in the tri state area. The party continues on Tuesday night on Street Road in Bensalm. No cover charge and free parking. DJ Mark spins classic dance to red hot contemporty dance music from 8:30PM to 12:30AM. Hustle, Swing and Latin in between. The Party continues every Tuesday night!

May 7, Wed - NE - “Make That Move” , Hustle Disco Dance Explosion & WCS practice party. 1 hour class each week (7:00 - 8:00pm) teaching the fundamentals, followed by a dance party (8:00pm-12:30pm) Every Wednesday night. Dance World 1950 Rainbow (bet Sahara & Oakey), Suite 104 (Right behind Panda Express) $10 for class $6 for Dance Practice. studio (702) 241-1477 Dance class & dance party hosted by Julia St. Marie 702-355-4663

The Easterns May 8 -11, 2008, Washington, DC Area
Premier Dance Event - Washington Dance Challenge, Hilton Washington Dulles - 1-800-Hiltons, Special $90 rate (mention Easterns) Featuring Hustle Pro Am and Hustle Jack and Jill’s, Early Bird Rates, Full UCWDC Country Competition, Swing Competition - Strictly & Jack & Jills, World Swing Dance Council Points Added ProAm & Amateur Ballroom ON SUNDAY DURING THE DAY! www.barrydurand.com

May 8, Thurs - NY - LATIN, HUSTLE, WCS at MIRELLE’S,!! 170 Post Ave, Westbury, Long Island, Presented by LOUIS DEL PRETE, 7:30PM to 11:30PM, Great Hot Buffet, 45 Min. SALSA Dance Lesson starting at 7:30w/Louis. State of the art sound system, Air Conditioned, Door Prizes, Cash Bar Available, Admission $14, call Louis (516) 819 - 9016. THIS EVENT RUNS EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT!

May 9, Fri - NY - BALLROOM, LATIN, HUSTLE, WCS, at DEER PARK V.F.W. 588 Long Island Ave. Deer Park, LI, Presented by LOUIS DEL PRETE, 8:00PM to 12:00AM, Coffee, Tea, Cake, Fruit & Veg.Platter! 40 Min. Dance Lesson at 8:00w/Louis. State of the art sound system, Air Conditioned, Door Prizes, 50/50 Raffle,Cash Bar Available, $13, call Louis for info (516) 819 - 9016

May 9 Fri - FL - Swing Dance Fri’d Blindy that’s what happens when you mix Lindy with hot Blues on a Friday night. Dance Lindy Hop, Blues with Cindy. Dance Lesson at 8:00 to 9:00 PM. Dance includes a mix of Swing, Blues, Hustle, Ballroom & Latin Music at 9:00 to late night. $10 , lesson included. SHALL WE DANCE, 600 South Federal Hwy, Suite 219, Deerfield Beach, 954-254-3221 or 561-495-7571

May 10, Sat - IL - Red Carpet Dance, Dinner, Fashion Show of the stars, Champion Showcase, recording artists, Special Guest Bob Powers, Mix & Match Pro Dance Challenge, Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake, Silvana Gallagher & Billy Marti, Marcia Barrett & Steeve Jean Louis, Christopher Hussey & Katrina Branson, Ben Morris & Melina Ramirez.5PM at 10255 West Irving Park Rd, Schiller Park, Illinois.Procedes go to the Rahab House, www.jozsefparragh.com/red_carpet_details

May 11, Sun – VA – Hustle/Disco Party every Sunday with Nino Torre at Club Q. Free Hustle lesson by native NY instructor, David Louie. Beg.class at 6:00pm. Music 6:45PM to 10PM - FREE admission before 7:00pm. $5 after 7:00. Hustle & club classics by Hustle dancer/DJ Nino Torre. Club Quisqueya, 6346 Midlothian Turnpike Richmond, (804) 675-9213. Nino (718) 926-3704 http://nitemix.ws/DiscoSunday

May 16, Fri - NJ - Central Jersey Dance Society presents a Jersey Jumpers
Swing Dance at Princeton High School, 151 Moore St., Princeton, ECS Lessons with Mike Davis & Donna Sy - Beg, 7:30pm, Inter. 8pm; Open Dancing with DJ Mike Davis 8:30pm-11:30pm. Open Dance with Lessons $11regular/$8 students with ID. www.centraljerseydance.org 609-945-1883 or swing@jerseyjumpers.org.

May 17, Sat - NY - Disco Classic Dance Benefit, 6th Annual Ed Ryan Memorial Award at the City Nightclub in the Radisson Hotlel, One Radisson Plaza, New Rochelle. Live performance by First Choice (Doctor Love) With DJ’s Johnny Rocks and Bobby Morales, $40 donation P/P, 8:30PM, call 914-725-0011, email fevermusic@aol.com visit www.feverrecords.com

May 17, Sat - PA - “California Mix @ Vai Dance Studio, 801 West Chester Pike, Havertown: DJ JR mixes Hustle & WC Swing w/ a splash of Salsa, Country 2 Step, Waltz, Night Club 2 & more Hustle & WCS: 7:30 free lesson in WC Swing: level 1&2 and an 8:30 PM dance party w/refreshments. $12.00 at the door. Newsletter subscribers look in the newsletter for a $2.00 discount coupon

May 18, Sun - NJ - Dancing With The Cherry Hill Stars, fund raiser for Cherry Hill public schools at 7PM. Pro dancers include: Shannon Anderson, Ron Bess, Alex Husiak, Melissa Mercuri, Adam Noar, Dara Patrusky, Amdre’ Phelps…16 couples, tickets $10, at Cherry Hill East High School, for more info contact Eleanor Stofman, 856-874-9696. www.cherryhilleducationfoundation.com

May 18, Sun - NJ - 100% Pure Hustle with Johnny O 8 PM - 12 am, or whenever Johnny stops spinning - Great music, great company on a great floor. $12 or $10 with pass or print out - Starlight Dance Center 7 High Street, Nutley, NJ 07110
973-235-9835 www.starlightdanceusa.com

WCSwing / Hustle / Salsa Fest 2008 - May 30 - 31 - Stamford, CT 3 Dances, 2 Day Dance Event, No Competitions
www.swingshoes.net/WCS-Hustle-Salsa-Fest08.html

MILLENNIUM DANCE CRUISE JUNE 1- JUNE 8,
1st Millennium Dance Cruise out of New York on the fabulous Norwegian Dawn, Hosted by Lori “Hustle Congress” Brizzi. The ship leaves NY on Sunday, June 1st to Bermuda and returns the following Sunday, June 8th. DJs Nelson “Paradise” Roman and Franklin Ayala, Jose Solano, Bobbi Petri, Doug Hagwood, Kelvin Roche & Lori Ann Greenhouse, Contact Joan Werner at Valerie Wilson Travel, 475 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016 Fax 212 779-7073 Attn: Joan Werner or email Joanw@vwti.com or phone 212 592-1208 or call Lori @ 516 728-6101 or email loribrizzi@aol.com

Great American Jack & Jill O’rama June 12 - 15th Santa Maria, CA
Hyatt Regency Orange County, Jack & Jill contests, 5 day Skippy Blair mini intensive, workshops & tons of open dancing. Music by David Koppelman, Mike Pyle, Jack Smith. Costs: $115 p/p by May 29, $135 at door. Hyatt Regency $99. room rate call (714) 750-1234 visit www.centralcoastswingdance.com ccsd@thegrid.net

Stardust Dance Weekend June 27- 29th Upstate New York
at the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa Kerhonkson, New York, Vegas caliber shows and food. Rates starting at $285 Includes dance workshops for all levels! (plus tax and gratuities) www.stardustdance.com

Disco America July 4-6, 2008 Crown Plaza Valley Forge
260- Mall Blvd., King of Prussia, PA Hosted by Donna J. Boyle & Joyce Szili. This is the 10th Anniversary of DiscoAmerica: Dance Workshops, Social Dancing, after Dinner Show, Exhibitions & Championships, contact Donna J. Boyle - Donnaboyledisco@aol.com, Joyce Szili - JoyceDancr@aol.com www.discoamerica.com

Miami Dance Magic July 17 - 20, Miami Hyatt Regency
Hosted by Debbie Lynn, first annual event. West Coast Swing, Hustle and Salsa. Triple- Threat competition, Showtime Contest, WCS & Hustle Strictly, Pro/Am and Jack & Jill’s. Skippy Blair Summer Intensive. Workshops and continual social dancing. Two ballrooms. Debra Lynn (954) 270 - 0232 e mail - MiamiDanceMagic@aol.com www.CoastalDanceConnection.com

World Hustle Dance Championships July 24 - 27
The 8th Annual hustle competition returns to East Brunswick New Jersey. Host Diane Nardone brings hustle, Swing, Salsa and country to the Hilton East Brunswick, Three Tower Center Boulevard, East Brunswick. Lots of great workshops, competitions, a FABULOUS dinner/show and much more! Vendors will be available throughout the entire event! Visit www.hustledanceworld.com

New York Hustle Congress August 28 - September 1, 2008
The 4th Annual hustle event in New York City. Hosted by Lori Brizzi This is a Hustle weekend with more social dance time then any other event. Featuring Jack & jill competitions and more. More details coming soon. (516) 728 - 6101 Loribrizzi@aol.com www.nyhustlecongress.com

Hudson Swing Affair August 29 - Sept 1, 2008
Hyatt Regency, Jersey City on the Hudson, presented by John Festa. West Coast Swing Social Dance Event with instructors Ramiro Gonzalez, John Lindo, Mary Ann Nunez, Sylvia Sykes, Charlie Womble & Jackie McGee www.HudsonSwingAffair.com or call 212 779 - 2700

Swing City Chicago Oct 31 - Nov 2nd, 2008
At the Westin Lombard Hotel in Chicago. The perfect spot for a Halloween weekend. Jack & Jill, Strictly Swing and DJ Challenge, plus a pro-show/Exhibition, Friday night Pizza Party and Saturday, late night buffet. Come join Maren, Jason Barnes, Erica Berg, Bill Cameron, Jason Miklic, Fred & Tina Price, Mario Robau Jr, Mike Topel for an incredible fun weekend of dancing. For more details and registration information visit: www.Swingcitychicago.com

Mediterranean Dance Cruise, November 17th - 29th 2008,
A once in a life time event, on the Queen Victoria for 12 wonderful days starting in Athens and stops in Volos, Greece – Dikili, Istanbul, & Kusadasi Turkey, Port Said & Alexandria Egypt - Valetta in Malta - Messina Naples and ending in Rome, Italy. From about $2200 for the cruise, prior Cunard guests may get better rates. Call for lowest rates. This cruise is selling out fast. 25% of cruise fare due at cabin assignment & final payment due Aug.12, 2008. All prices per person based on double occupancy & include special dance events open to our group only. Call 215-855-2711 or info@blsdc.com for more information and a brochure.

Stardust Dance Cruise III January 25 - February 1, 2009
7 nights on Costa Cruise Line’s 5-Star Costa Fortuna, now accepting reservations, Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sunday: Fort Lauderdale, Mon. - Key West, Tues.- Cozumel, Mexico, Wed. - at Sea, Thurs. - Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Fri. - Grand Cayman Island, Saturday - At Sea, Sunday - back to Fort Lauderdale www.stardustdancecruises.com

Ron Bess
DanceTalk®