Disco America is the place to be!

This weekend is it - Disco America ! This is the 10th Anniversary of Disco America, the longest running Hustle event in the entire world! Go on, Donna girl! (and you too Joyce!)…

Did you catch Donna Boyle promoting on Fox TV with Ron Bess and Joanne Piazza dancing Hustle? If not, go here.

Everyone is buzzing about the Happy Feet Dinner Show extravaganza choreographed by Arte Phillips, see our last post with the playbill here.

Arte is emphatic about his inclusive attitude as a teacher and as a steward of Hustle here is a very short Q&A with Arte and a few photos from past shows that Arte has choreographed following.

Asia - Arte, for the many social level dancers out there who know about you, but don’t know you, yet may feel intimidated to contact you for privates, what do you have to say?

Arte - I care not what level you are at , if you want to learn from me, my one prerequisite is that you want to move. People have said to me ‘I know you don’t work with beginners…’ and I go wait a minute, I do teach people all levels, it has to be their desire to want to move that I look at.

Asia - How do you feel about some of these teachers who are so rigid and sortof… I guess possessive and territorial with students, yet at the same time they are so exclusive in their own way. You know, not allowing them to dance with other teachers or studios, at the same time, they aren’t friendly and open in spirit.

Arte - I am not possessive like that, as you know I am all about being open, two of my favorite words are ‘Include Everyone’; I don’t want to be elitist either, my attitude is also; feel free to study with anyone, study other dances; it’s good to study with others.

Asia - Arte, what is your position about purists, who only want Hustle to be a certain way or the old way, without evolving?

Arte - Well first off, let me say, I must be true to be me; and Hustle is just one sliver of my life, whether it’s Swing or Broadway, for me it’s about the Art of Movement. I love Hustle, but Hustle is one means of expression. I just want to dance and to create great Art through Movement; Dance has to evolve.

Asia - Arte, what sign are you?

Arte - I am Aquarius

Asia - Arte, thank you for your time, we have to do an in depth Q&A at some point too; and I am so sad I won’t be seeing the Happy Feet Dinner Extravaganza show. Congratulations on 10 years!

Arte - Oh we’ll definitely do another interview, and thank you.

To register for the event or for more information about event details, go here.