Ultimate Dance Zone

Happy birthday wishes to Brandon Bess, Danielle Odhner, Amy Tuarez, Diane Weinberg, Rosalee Bucci, Shelly Cutler, Eddie Marks, Laura Bartolini Mendelsohn, Fred Price, Erica Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Dr. Joe Vanore, Jacques Squillace and Ron Bess.

He passed away this week in 1989, the man who changed the face of night clubbing. Steve Rubell was the brains behind glam discotheque “Studio 54.” He was only 46 years old.

From 1978, The Ernie Flatt dancers perform on the Carol Burnett Show to the music of the Salsoul Orchestra. What wonderful choreography. http://www.youtube.com/user/MontanaPSW#p/u/8/HrkWz132LVU

Don’t miss Michael’s Cafe this Wednesday night with special guest teacher Angela McCabe. Don’t miss the free hustle lesson at 8:30PM followed by DJ Mark spinning hustle, Swing and Latin music till 12:45AM.
Celebrating Ron Bess’s birthday. Come out for all the fun. Located on Street Road in Bensalem, Pa. Next weeks guest teacher is Andre’ Phelps. Spread the word.

Its your last chance to take advantage of the reduced rate on packages for this year’s 6th Annual New York Hustle Congress. You can register this week (JULY 24th) at the 92 St Y dance social. See all the details at the website. www.nyhustlecongress.com

More updates from Disco America Championships, Top Hustle Teachers awards were presented to Ginny Carey and to Brian Gallagher.

Get ready to Jitterbug at the Stardust ballroom. The first annual Gloucester County Jitterbug Contest will be held on Thursday, July 29th at 7PM. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place prizes. Located on Browning Road in Bellmawr, New Jersey. For details call 503 – 459 – 8132

Starting this Thursday, July 22nd and every Thursday afterward, Bobby Morales, HouseMasons.com and Water Taxi Beach SSSP present NYC’s only weekly outdoor Classics party. “Throwback Thursdays” an evening of the best Classic Disco, Salsa & House music at the South Street Seaport, Downtown Manhattan. Music goes from 8pm-1am. See more details below.

If you missed Disco America this year, you missed a lot. The hustle dancers are full of fun and energy. Check out the funniest and high energy photos of the BOOKENDS on late Saturday night. If you are not a hustle dancer, its time to join the HUSTLERS NOW. Also, do not forget to glance through the spectacular Dinner Show photos. Here is the link http://www.SamsSnapshots.com click on “DANCE”, click on “VIEW ALL EVENTS,” the Disco America photos are on the top.

Auditions for La Luna’s Semi-Pro All Ladies Salsa Team, LAS ESTRELLAS, are being held Thursday, July 28th at 8:30 pm-10:00 pm at La Luna Dance Studio 4610 Bensalem Blvd Bensalem PA 19020
Auditions will be conducted by the team directors, Jessica Rodriguez and Amber Rawls. Requirements: you must have some Salsa experience, fast learner, great physical shape, able to do splits, team player

This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by Giant Gene and the July 31st dance reunion of “d’Reunion”. Read all the details below.

Make it a Great week,
Ron

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d’Scene Reunion

Giant Gene’s d’Scene Reunion stirs up excitement July 31st at JT’s Philadelphia House. Now legendary after years of radio, TV, film, and stage-shows, Philly radio and TV personality Gene Arnold began “Giant Gene’s DiscoScene” in 1966. He started out by doing record hops and dances at rec centers like Jar-Del, in
Northeast Philadelphia. His first guests at Jar-Del were a group with a big hit record called “The Blue’s Magoos.” From there, he became popular at Church and school dances, doing St Martin’s,St Anselms, Christ The King, Archbishop Ryan, Archbishop, Woods….He had a “special way” with the kids, always knowing just what song would get everybody “up and dancing” and bending down (at 6’3) to hear their requests. His “magic” with teens was proven when he began on radio and created the “rapline” for his listeners to call in and talk about their lives, their problems, and their favorite songs. He MC’d rock shows at The Electric Factory, Spectrum, Arena, Temple Stadium….Gene’s popularity spread across the Delaware Valley with dance-concerts, ‘Be-In’s” and close contact with teens at all times. He created “Giant Gene’s Electric Scene” for the City Of Philadelphia and held his dances for them at the huge Carousel that was at
9th and Roosevelt Blvd. Hundreds came (for free) each week, and saw Gene’s guest stars like Dionne
Warwick, Tom Jones, American Dream, The Delphonics, and The Sillouhettes with “Get A Job”.
Gene also did many South Philly dances as well, and popular TV dances on “RJ and Co” on TV 29
Gene also hosted summer dances at The Stardust in Wildwood, with huge rock-star guests.
While on WIBG, a dance center on Roosevelt Boulevard at Harbison Avenue was being born, and
Gene would become a major part of it’s success, attracting thousands of dancers a night to the
new, “totally electric” place called “d’Scene”. With multi-levels and 100 foot long color-changing dance floor,
“moving” walls and ceilings, and attractive young bar-staff, d’Scene was always packed. Eventually,
Gene hosted “teen-scene” dances on Sunday’s as well, and even broadcast live from there with his
radio partner RJ (Ron Joseph) on WIFI-92FM. His closing theme was “I Want To Take You Higher”, and Gene was only pleased when EVERYBODY left happy and sweaty.
Plenty of surprises are in store for those who make d’Scene reunion on Saturday, July 31st at the great JT’s Philadelphia House, Castor and Cottman in Northeast Philadelphia. Free Parking for hundreds of cars, contests, and surprise guests will make the evening even more exciting. “Giant Gene was inducted into the “Disco Hall Of Fame” and The DJ Hall Of Fame” and wants to see ALL of his friends, fans and dancers back on the floor at JT’s, where a large dance floor will be waiting for you, along with 2 huge bars and table seating. The everpopular George Manney will play drums with the records, (as was a d’Scene trademark), and a flashing wall slide-show and videos of the 70’s Philly scene from the film “Philly Pop Music” will be shown. OOT is proud to sponsor this historic “Philly-Summer-Scene 2010” event. Visit Gene at www.giantgene.com for his “Sounds Of Philly” radio shows.

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New Dance Music
These are the top club songs heard in the dance clubs through out the USA for the week ending July 10th, according to Billboard Magazine.

Dirty Talk – Wynter Gordon
Dancing On My Own – Robyn
Rockstar 101 – Rihanna
Your Love Is My Drug – Ke$ha
All The Lovers – Kylie Minogue
California Gurls – Katy Perry Featuring Snoop Dogg
Feels Like A Prayer – Meck Featuring Dino
Commander – Kelly Rowland Featuring David Guetta
Alejandro – Lady Gaga
Happiness – Alexis Jordan
Strobelight – Kimberley Locke
Fire With Fire – Scissor Sisters
I Believe In You – Hannah
OMG – Usher Featuring will.i.am
Diary – Tino Coury
I Told You So – Solange
Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
Kelis – Flesh Tone
V V Brown – Shark in the Water

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“Classic – Showcase & Strictly Swing” Standings as of July

Top Points Male and Female WCS
BENJI SCHWIMMER 40 KELLESE KEY 40
GARY MCINTYRE 36 SUSAN KIRKLIN 36
KYLE REDD 30 PATTY VO 27
MYLES MUNROE 27 TESSA CUNNINGHAM 27
BEN MORRIS 26 MELINA RAMIREZ 26
SEAN MCKEEVER 21 SARAH VANN DRAKE 25
GREGORY SCOTT 19 TARA TRAFZER 20
LUIS CRESPO 16 TATIANA MOLLMANN 20
ROBERT ROYSTON 16 LEMERY ROLLINS 19
JAKE HANING 15 NICOLA ROYSTON 16
JASON MARKER 15 DEBORAH SZEKELY 15.5
JASON BARNES 15 TALETHA JOUZDANI 15
CODY MELIN 14 ANNMARIE MARKER 15
EDWIN LI 13 ERICA BERG 15
JORDAN FRISBEE 12.5 COURTNEY ADAIR 13
ARJAY CENTENO 11 MELISSA RUTZ 13
EDDIE VALDEZ 11 ELISE VALDEZ 11
SCOTT STUART 11 KATRINA OSTRENSKI 11
RONNIE DEBENEDETTA 10 BRANDI TOBIAS 10
PARKER DEARBORN 9.5 JENNIFER DELUCA 9.5
BARRY JONES 9 DAWN BLOXHAM 9
DAN BLOXHAM 9 JESSICA COX 9
JOSH CLARK 8 KATHERINE EASTVOLD 8
MARK BLUME 8 KIM BLUME 8
JASON MIKLIC 8 SHARLOT BOTT 7.5
MICHAEL KIELBASA 7 TRACEY MELIN 7
AUSTIN MURREY 6 TRUDY MELIN 7
JODY MOSCARITOLO 6 CHELSEA RODGERS 6
SEBASTEN CADET 5 YENNI SETIAWAN 6
PAUL WARDEN 4 CONNIE GAUTHIER 6
MARIO ROBAU 4 BLANDINE ICHE 5
OSCAR HAMPTON 4 TAMRA HOOD 4
JAMES HOOD 4 CATRIONA WILES 4
JOHN LINDO 3.5 SAMANTHA RAMIREZ 4
MARK SCHEUFFELE 3.5 PATTI JOBST 3
RYAN CRUTCHER 3 MALIA SAN NICOLAS 3
AURAUM JOHNSON 3 LACEY SCHWIMMER 3
NICK JAY 2 NERA JOHNSON 3
CHUCK BROWN 1.5 YVONNE WAYNE 2
MAXENCE MARTIN 1.5
PETE GREENE 1.5
BRENNAR GOREE 1

Happy birthday wishes to Kim Marie Pauline, Al Schmidt, Judy Smith, Jose Solano, Roberto Pagan, Anthony Lee, Karen Pomager, Driton ‘Tony’ Dovolani, Mary Lasurdo, Anita Cummo and Carl Tiser.

She was born this week and graced the dance floor like no other. Ginger Rogers was the queen of the ballroom. Born July 16th, 1911 in Missouri.

With so much to report, here are some additional highlights from Disco America 2010. In the exciting Team match, the New York Hustle Congress “Banga Langa”, took first place honors. The Top Studio award was given to “Top Hat”. The Top Male Teacher for the weekend was Wingo Hom and the Top Female award went to Christy Kam.

The family dance movie of the summer opens in theaters on July 16th, Standing Ovation. Riding the coat tails of High School Musical fame, this musical has young artists competing for a part in a music video contest.

Just back from throwing an incredible event, Disco America, Donna Boyle will be teaching the complimentary lesson this Wednesday night, 8:35PM at Michael’s Cafe. Also, some additional Disco America awards will be presented that night. DJ Mark then spins new & classic dance music till 12:45AM. Located on Street Road in Bensalem Pa. Next week, dance champion Stephanie Risser is the guest teacher. Spread the word.

Keep your eyes open for legendary DJ Mike Brooks in the motion pictures “Tenure” and “The Lovely Bones”. DJ Mike was the original DJ at memorable clubs like Cherry’s and HB’s in Philadelphia, Pa.

At Louis Del Prete’s June Dance, the special night featured the professional dance team of Mark James & Karen Lupo. They performed their new dance routines receiving two standing ovations. Check out some of the photos at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=243883&id=532725549&l=35e4840483

Check out all the action photos from this years Disco America. Sam Habet has captured all those exciting moments. Visit www.samsnapshots.com

This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by the Hustle Room taking place at the Salsa Congress.
Read all the details below. www.nycsalsacongress.com

Make it a great week,
Ron

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‘Spot Light’
Beth Darchi

As a young ballerina majoring in dance at the Performing Arts High School, she would experience a seismic shift as she gravitated towards social dancing and the hustle. She became the envy of dancers young and old, Beth Darchi was innovation.
From her early up bringing in Newark, New Jersey, Beth began studying ballet at the age of eight. “My mother loved going to the theater and just loved dance mainly as a spectator and student,” explains Beth. “She was my true influence in taking dance classes in Ballet,” she shares. Once the family moved to Brooklyn, New York, Beth settled in and hasn’t moved since. Focused on the talents of dance legends Leslie Browne, of the NY City Ballet, and movie icons like Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse, Beth wanted to expand her range of dance. Along with some friends they explored the hustle phenomena by attending a social at the legendary Darien’s Dance Studio. Although she had witnessed the dance prior, it wasn’t until she stepped into the studio and experienced first hand the talents of many of the hustle legends. “As the story goes, I was completely blown away when I saw Arte, Eddie, Maria, Lisa Nuz, Butchie, Melvin, plus many others”, shares Beth. From that point on, she immersed herself in the dance. By breaking away from the pack, she built on her skills putting her own style and signature on the dance. With unlimited creativity, Beth was becoming one of the premier dancers. Inspired by many of the divas of the day: Maria Torres, Lisa Nunziella, Lourdes Jones and Nellie Cotto, Beth had her sights on multiple levels of dancing. She began partnering with the late Dante and would team up with super star Franc. “Perico” Reyes to learn and study lifts and tricks. These experiences helped expand her own tool box of knowledge. As her resume grew so did her skill sets and confidence. She began partnering with popular competitor Lucas Jaime. Together they would compete in many contests including Zachary’s, Dancesport Studios, Joey’s and then began performing with Roberto Pagan’s New York Express Dance Company.
On a typical night at one of the classic discotheques of the era, Inferno, an atypical thing happened. Still developing her craft, Beth was asked to dance by a hustle pioneer. Louis Orlando and Beth just clicked. There was instantaneous chemistry. They would feed off of one another’s energy creating and driving the dance. From that point on they remained close confidants and dance partners. In 1995 prior to the launch of the first ‘Hustle USA’, organizer Maria Torres encouraged them to compete in the Professional Classic division. This competition introduced this duo to the hustle world. The response was magical and the demand for their skills has not let up. “I truly thank Maria for pushing us” explains Beth. Together, they continue to travel and teach workshops at most the top Hustle/Swing events. “She is one of my all time favorite dance partners,” explains Louis Orlando. “Beth has great rhythm and flow. We are very close friends on and off the dance floor. We share many hobbies, interests and past times outside of dance,” shares Louis. With their success came more opportunities as Beth would hone an incredible friendship with dance superstar Arte Phillips. “Arte was my mentor and dearest friend. He had taken me under his wing to learn more than just dance and expand it into the world of Production”, explains Beth. “He had introduced me to theater and how to work with it behind the scenes.” Beth would travel with Arte and the production company to assist in hosting hustle workshops for the theater production of “Saturday Night Fever” in Santo Domingo, National Theater. The symbiotic relationship forged by the two would land Beth in performances and showcases in Arte’s productions for ‘Disco America’ and the ‘International Hustle & Salsa Competitions’. “I will never forget him for taking me beyond and for being such an understanding and loyal friend. It was wonderful to work with him,” shares Beth. Each year Beth was front and center of the Disco America dinner shows. She along with the troop would have the audience applauding for more, it was only fitting that she was recognized with the very first “Arte Philips Life Time Achievement Award” last year. “Beth Darchi has always been one of my Hustle idols, from the first time I saw her dance I wanted to dance just like her,” shares fellow dancer Stephanie Risser. “She has so much class and grace on and off the dance floor. Beth has given so much of her time to helping the community-doing websites for events, dinner shows, and most of all giving a lot of time and energy to the IHDA. Beth has been an integral part of the Hustle community and continues to inspire with her classic style and grace,” explains Stephanie.
Beth has been the recipient of numerous awards and experienced many highlights over the years but some stand out including being a principal dancer along with Louie in the Movie production of “Carlitos Way” starring Al Pacino. Learning about movie lighting, production and directing has added to her all around knowledge of dance and choreography. Another notable experience on television was working and demonstrating for “Good Day New York” along with Bobby Morales.
This past month Beth choreographed multiple pieces for the Saturday night dinner show at the 2010 Disco America Championships. She has broadened her horizons and utilizes her years of experience of hard knocks in production and choreography. She wants to continue to expand and is inclined to implement other concepts and ideas into her performances. “I had choreographed for a singing group and now I’m in the process of putting together a dance production” she shares. As a webmaster, when she is not dancing, Beth loves to unwind from all those spins by taking walks, bike riding and being outdoors. She is intrigued by how some folks don’t understand or relate to “the hustle.” When questioned ‘where could this dance lead you’, it’s very easy. “Without this dance I would not be the person I am today. I have done so much as a dancer in my life than anyone would dream. Starting from performing, traveling, TV and movies, recognition, teaching, expanding my teaching to Ballroom for 6 years, choreography, meeting different people and just plain fun.” The creative talent and artistry continues to pour out and we look for more exciting work from this hustle innovator.

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The Hustle Room – News Flash

We have exciting dance contests for EVERY ONE of ALL LEVELS and ALL AGES! Have you ever wanted to do a dance competition like “Dancing with the Stars”? Now’s your chance! An event within an event dedicated to Hustle Music and Dance, featuring DJ Bobby Morales. We are very excited to announce our amazing instructors. Joining us are; Billy Fajardo and Katie Marlow, Kelvin Roche and Lorianne Greenhouse, Katia Morales & Victor Alexis (Our new world champions), Danny McGee and Jameson Kilburn, Erik Novoa and Anna, Derrick Allen, Maria Torres, Stracy Diaz, Raul and Yesenia Santiago, and Nelson Flores and our loved Emcee Debra Hampton. Judging our events are Maria Torres, Derrick Allan, Billy Fajardo, Nelson Flores, Rodney Harris, Lorianne Greenhouse, Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin (Choreographers of “So you think you can dance!), Jose Decamps (Undefeated World Mambo Champion), Talia Castro-Pozo (Professional Choreographer and Coach, Owner of Stepping Out Studios)
The divisions you can enter in Salsa and Hustle are; Amateur Just Dance Hustle – All Levels, Amateur Just Dance Salsa – All Levels, Pro-Am Just Dance Hustle Female – All Levels, Pro-Am Just Dance Hustle Male – All Levels, Pro-Am Just Dance Salsa Female – All Levels, Pro-Am Just Dance Salsa Male – All Levels, Pro-Am Classic Hustle, Pro-Am Theater Arts Hustle, Pro-Am Open Showcase, Amateur Jack and Jill Hustle and Salsa, Professional Salsa Championship “Anything Goes” and “Strictly On2″, Professional Just Dance Hustle & Theater Arts Hustle, Team Division (6 or more people), 2 Kids Divisions in Salsa and Hustle (juvenile division 4-12, junior division 13-17), AND “Who Can Do The Best Salsa Shine Contest” Male and Female Divisions and the top 4 get to have a battle of the sexes!!!!
Professional Classic Hustle Championship Winners receive $300 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place, and $100 for 3rd place Professional Theater Arts Hustle Championships Winners of this event will receive 2 passes and entry fee to compete in the “World Hustle Championships” in Miami at the International Hustle and Salsa Competition in May 2011 & $300 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place, and $100 for 3rd place Salsa and Hustle Jack and Jill Competitions (Open Level)… Winners will receive Free Passes for the NYISC 2011!
Registration Deadline for all Competitions is August 28th, 2010! Don’t wait to get your passes as the price goes up again on July 17th, 2010 and the Hotel will sell out! Now you can enjoy Hustle and Salsa under one roof with One Pass! “The Hustle Room” at the 10th Annual New York International Salsa Congress September 1-5th, 2010 @ the Hilton New York Hotel is 4 day, 5 nights Dance & Music Festival! Full VIP Pass includes entry to all the Pre-Parties starting on the 27th of August, and exclusive VIP Meet and Greet Party, VIP entrance to all the shows, 3 days of 60+ workshops, 5 nights of Showcases, Entry into the Hustle Room and the Bachata Room, Live Concert Series from Thurs to Sun., and an Official Drawstring Goody Bag plus so much more! (Click here for more info… http://nycsalsacongress.com/2010FullPass ) Check out www.nycsalsacongress.com for details!
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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)

Ron, Thank you for the Birthday Wish! It was a very pleasant surprise to be remembered. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Disco America…look forward to hearing more. I am also in agreement with you regarding the lack of “stardom” for dancers. Your piece was intriguing. I spent Fourth of July night working with Lady GaGa’s wardrobe crew behind the scenes of the show. All of the performers for every performance are putting their hardest efforts out on that stage primarily as an ensemble…no primadonnas or dons….just a well oiled machine of talent and energy providing a background electric with tension and movement. They are not the “headliner”. They do not get the acclaim. They really are unrecognizeable as individuals, and certainly are not of celebrity status as is the singing Star. But, those dancers do have what so many people do not have…. a job that they truely L*O*V*E! Dancing gives us all “J*O*Y”. Have a wonderful day! Paige
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Hi Ron,
Thanks for posting my birthday. I have been stressed out for weeks thinkin of turning the big 50. I was literally having night mares. It is a scary thing. On Monday, I recieved so many text messages and e mails wishing me a happy b day after they read it in dancetalk. It actually helped calm my rattled nerves.
Thanks again,
Brian Cassel
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Dear Ron,
Donna and Joyce gave us yet another fabulous Disco America! What a wonderful weekend of great workshops, talent-filled shows, top notch music, and lots of general dancing to boot! And all of this was presented right on schedule by the excellent DA staff.
Kudos to the entire Disco America 2010 staff for a first-class dance event!
Susan Riley
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Good moring Ron,
Please post this letter for me. I love, simply love your section Letters To the Editor. I look forward to hearing the different points of views of fellow dancers across the states. I am aware that there are some negative thougths and politics going on but overal its good to be kept up on the news and gossip. Thanks for keeping me infomred.
Rebecca Channing Queens NY baby
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Ron,
I saw something on the beach today (Wildwood NJ) i haven’t seen since 1979 . Young kids were practicing the hustle , they couldn’t have been more than 17 or 18. The boy was pretty good. He reminded me of a young Stevie (Mitchell). He even did the famous Stevie solo spin. He had 3 girls with him, they were having a blast.
Maybe there is a comeback about to happen.
Bob
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I am a former artistic roller skater and judge (there are a lot of former/current roller skaters in the dance world). As the first prerequisite for consideration as an Olympic event, in ~1969, the two governing bodies of artistic roller skating in the U.S. merged. The next step on that path was becoming an event at the Pan Am Games. In Atlanta, roller hockey was presented as an exhibition sport — but this is a far cry from artistic roller skating AND the Atlanta Olympics were many years ago. “We” are still waiting (but not holding our breaths) for the unlikely eventuality of Olympic recognition. Artistic ice skating AND speed [ice] skating (yes, there is speed skating on roller skates, too) have long been Olympic events, with televised national and world championships, as well as numerous exhibitions and professional competitions. Professional ice skaters enjoy careers in performing (Stars on Ice, etc.) and some gain considerable notariety, with some ice skaters (including “amateurs”) even becoming models, actors and winners/finalists on “Dancing with the Stars.” How many DanceTalk readers have ever seen artistic roller skating on TV? Is it fair that roller skating is invisible when ice skating (BTW, referred to as “figure skating,” as if this is the ONLY skating) is so much in the public eye and so lucrative for top ice skaters, while the only possible next step for roller skating champions is to teach? No, it’s certainly not at all fair that dancers work so hard and don’t reap the rewards that singers do, but there are many, many other comparable inequities.
Diane J. Weinberg

Happy birthday wishes to Tiffany Brown, Richard Ortiz, Linda Jack, Lisa Nunziella, Melissa Walker, Nancy Merle, Punkin Habet, Jeff Gessner, Nina Rosado, Paige Shoyer, Loriann Greenhouse, George Azpura, Roma Moon, Gregory Harrison, Manny “Gizmo” Alvarez, Paula Bove/Edgar, Giant Gene, Rosemarie Petrizzi, Fran Precipuo, Louie Roman and Diana Gonzales.

Seven years ago this week, one of the premier orchestrial composers of the last century passed away. Bebu Silvetti gave us wonderful music including “Spring Rain”. He was an Argentine pianist that wrote some of the biggest hits of the disco era.

His name is synonymous with hustle dancing. At the peak of his young career, he wrote the disco anthem “The Hustle.” He left us much too soon. Van McCoy passed away on July 6th in 1979.

Great photo images from Kimberly O’Donnel’s 50th birthday bash held at Michael’s Cafe, courtesy of Fred.
Enjoy, http://fredf.fotki.com/kim10

We are just days away from the Big Apple Dance Festival featuring Swing and Hustle dancing. This years event is presented by Anthony Lee and Roberto Pagan. Featuring country, hustle and swing dancing. Check out all the details at http://www.bigapplecountrydance.com/

If you love new music then don’t delay and order your copy of DJ Fancy’s newest dance hits. These songs have the beat for hustle dancing & WCS. If you want to have all the new hits on just one CD, this is the one for you. The Spring Mix release also includes hits by Lady Antebellum remixed and Taio Cruz’s hot single “Break Your Heart.” Cascada’s mega hit – “Evacuate the Dance Floor” and the newest release from Lady Gaga “Alejandro.” Don’t miss out on this hot new CD. With over 15 songs in all. To order send $15 to: Edward Archie, 333 Evergreen Avenue Apt#2, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 . For details write to sparda3636@yahoo.com The price includes shipping/handling

Next week, the spotlight is focused on one of the top dancers of the day. Read all about this creative dancer in next weeks edition of DanceTalk.

Make it a great week,
Ron
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“Disco America” rocked
Congratulation to Donna Boyle and Joyce Szili for creating a wonderful dance event. The fire works exploded all weekend long. There was plenty of great music, wonderful dancing, competitions and one of the largest turnouts in Disco America history. There were so many highlights including the presentation of the Artie Phillips Life Time Achievement award, the funniest Bookends competition – EVER, the on-line dating skit performed in the Saturday night dinner show and the intense competition in the hustle divisions. The stars were shining in doors with Carlo DeJesus, Joyce Szili, Alex Kim, Donna Boyle, Wingo Hom, Stephanie Risser, Brian Gallagher, Angela McCabe, Steve Neeren, Lori Brizzi, Jamie Serna, Silvana Gallagher, Joey Commentucci, Ginny Carey, Billy Marti, DJ Mark, Katie Marlow, Billy Fajardo, Louie Orlando, Elizabeth Darchi, Dave Sarul, Dara Patrusky, Slinky, Shawn Nguyen, Danny McGee, Tony Nguyen, Jami Josephson, Jameson Kilburn, Anna Novoa, Chris Schaupp, Erica Smith, Jose Gonzales, Rosa Parades, Erik Novoa, Lisa Schaupp, Barry Durand, Sabrina Paxman, Ken Roesel, Mark Big Daddy, Christy Kam, Andre’ Phelps, Smitty, Chris Bates, John Merisier, Rob Finocchio, Joanne Piazza, Caesar, Bill Poulter , DJ Dennis, Roberto Pagan,,,,,. This years winners of the Philly Freeze were Ginny Carey & Erica Smith and in the Book ends, the ballroom rocked as Erik Novoa & Brian Gallagher brought down the house in the male division. The first Disco America Best Dance Crew was won by Elizabeth Darchi and her crew: Stephanie Risser, Carolina Almont, Ginny Carey, Joe Kerner, Smitty, Erik Novoa, Anna Novoa….. Special awards were bequeathed to the newest members of the Disco America Hall Of Fame. Inducted this year were Roberto Pagan and Diane Nardone. The Artie Phillips Life Time Achievement Award was presented to Dave Sarul for the many years of love and teaching he has brought to the dance. Here are some of the highlights of the weekends competition. For the complete list, please refer to the website later in the week.

Just Hustle Professional
1) Danny McGee & Ginny Carey
2) James Kilburn & Erica Smith
3) Roberto Pagan & Rosa Parades
Invitational Jack and Jill Professional
1) Danny McGee & Silvana Gallagher
2) Billy Marti & Erica Smith
3) Joe Kerner & Ginny Carey
Three Dance Pro/Am
1) Philip Spinka & Angela McCabe
2) Ken Roesel & Lura Johnson
3) Shawn Brennan & Stephanie Risser
Professional Dance Off
1) Danny McGee & Ginny Carey
2) Roberto Pagan & Rosa Parades
3) Erik & Anna Novoa
Professional Three Dance
1) Jameson Kilburn & Erica Smith
2) Danny McGee & Ginny Carey
3) Roberto Pagan & Rosa Parades
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Letter from the Editor

I wanted to address a recent article published in ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine. The title of the write up was called “The Crying Game” and focused on the drama linked with the contenders on the ever popular TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance.” It was a very positive write up acknowledging the talent, the skilled judges and the overwhelming success of the show. However, it closed with an interesting paragraph that shouldn’t be a surprise to any seasoned dance professional but it is rarely written about. This is the quote, verbatim.

“The weirdest thing is that So You think You Can Dance offers the contenders zero chance at becoming a star. At least (American) Idol can make the dubious promise to turn you into the next Kelly Clarkson. But your jackpot in the contest is what, exactly? A backup -dancer job on Rihanna’s tour? The donkey costume in the local Shrek on Ice? For the dancers, there’s no fame and fortune waiting, and they know it. All they want is an audience to watch them as the judges cradle their heads in their hands during yet another Viennese waltz to “I Want To Know What Love Is”. Now that’s entertainment.

We all know, on the pecking board of monetary success, singers squash dancers with opportunities for contracts, tours, recording deals and endless choices for those with talent. But, to paint a picture of the limited opportunities for dancers is tasteless. Dancers invest just as much time, commitment and talent as their counterparts in the world of singing……yet the dancer of today still doesn’t get the same recognition for their endless commitment and tireless work applied. Yes, America’s favorite pass time maybe be Baseball but dancing continues to have a front row seat by the viewership on television but that still doesn’t translate into the same caliber of success and opportunities enjoyed by other forms of entertainment. Will dancers ever break thru that glass ceiling. When we refer to national and international successful dancers that became house hold names, we still have to reflect back to those from years gone by (Astaire, Kelly, Rogers). When will the superstars of dance get their rightful props.
I invite your feed back.
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Auditions, Competitions, Socials, Cruises & More….

July 5, Mon – NY – Dancesport – Paul Pellicoro’s Legendary Hustle Mondays at DanceSport, featuring Nelson “Paradise” Roman spinning every Monday night, the best dance music from 9:30PM – $10, DS registered students free. 22 West 34th St. East Entrance 4th Fl between 5th & 6th ave. www.dancesport.com
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July 6, Tues – NY I’ll Go Where the Music Takes Me ….. to The “Original Tuesday Night Dance” Party at Viva Loco in Bellmore. Beautiful “Airy” Room with a big wood dance floor, comfortable seating and a separate bar area. Complimentary appetizers served. DJ Donnie playing the music we LOVE…. Hustle, Latin & WCS. Dancing from 8:30-Midnight $8 Admission. Viva Loco, 2381 Merrick Rd Bellmore, NY 11710(516) 679-5900 For more info Doreen (516) 318-5305
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July 7, Wed – NY – “HUSTLEJAM” @ Stepping Out Studios, 37 W. 26th St.: John Mercier, the incredible Hustle dancer, loves to come to Wednesday’s HustleJam because “the music is great and we are where Nelson plays”. So join our Hostess Simone Assboeck for a WEEKLY Hustle & Latin party, 9:30pm til 12:45am, DJ Nelson “Paradise” Roman spinning the best in Hustle & Latin $9/PP; $5 for SO Students – Tonight’s Special is “Lucky Draw: Everyone wins perx!” hustlejam@hotmail.com or 917-459-3990
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July 7, Wed – Pa – Michael’s Cafe for the Disco America after party. Come out and unwind and dance with DJ Mark. Joey C gives a complementary hustle lesson at 8:30PM then dance the night away to hustle, swing and Latin music. Located on Street Road in Bensalem, near the Parx Race track/Casino. Next week the guest teacher is Donna Boyle. Never a cover charge and free parking. Spread the word.
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Big Apple Country Dance Festival July 8 – 11, East Brunswick NJ, 17th annual celebration at the East Brunswick Hilton Hotel. Anthony Lee presents a weekend of country, swing and hustle dancing. Workshops, Saturday night dinner show, competitions & more. The staff includes: Sam Arvidson, Brian Barakauskas, Jeff Bartholomew, Christine Clifton, Marc Davidson & Sylvie Raymond, Randy Deats, Barry Durand, Lisa Fay, Kathy St. Jean, Jake Haning & Taletha Jouzdani, John Lindo, Cody & Tracy Melin, Gary McIntyre & Susan Kirklin, Richard McMurrich & Suzanne Mosley, Jennifer Lyons, Diane K. Nardone, Roberto Pagan & Rosa Guillana, Robert & Nicola Royston, Solomon Singer & Neil Mooney, JP Oster, Clive Stevens, John & Dee Soares, Dale & Anita Strawser, Mike Wagner, John Whipple, Sam & Christine Wetzel, and Dave & Zoë Paris. Make your reservations now at 732 – 828 – 2000 visit the website for all the details. http://www.bigapplecountrydance.com/
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July 8 , Thurs – NY – LATIN, HUSTLE, WCS @ MIRELLE’S!! 170 Post Ave, Westbury, Long Island, 11590. Presented by LOUIS DEL PRETE, 7:30PM to 11:30PM! Great Hot Buffet, 45 Min. WEST COAST SWING Dance Lesson ~~FEATURING ANTHONY DEROSA~~ starting at 7:30pm. State of the art sound system, Air Conditioned, Door Prizes, Cash Bar Available, Admission $14, $10 After 9:30pm. Call Louis (516) 819 – 9016.
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July 9, Fri – NJ – Free outdoor Salsa Sensation Dancesey Dance Society 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. featuring DJ Carlos Xiloj at the Hinds off Witherspoon Street next to the Princeton Library. Bring your friends for a night of dancing under the stars. Please bring your own water and dance shoes that can hold up to regular cement/sidewalk surface.
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July 9, Fri – NY – BALLROOM, LATIN, HUSTLE, WCS, Featuring DONNA DESIMONE & HER HUSTLE DANCE TEAM!! Located at DEER PARK V.F.W. 588 Long Island Ave. Deer Park, LI, 11729. 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, $13, for info (516) 819 – 9016.
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July 10, Sat – NY – Millennium Dance Parties @ Club 412 presented by Lori Brizzi. 3 different rooms for dancing, 3 great DJs. DJ JOHNNY O in the Hustle room, DJ FRANKLYN AYALA in the Salsa room and DJ PETER in the Ballroom. Dancing from 9pm-1am, choice of free class from 8-9pm. 412 8th Ave bet. W30/31, 4th Fl. Only $15 Admission. www.loribrizzi.com ; call 516 728-6101 Email loribrizzi@aol.com
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July 10, Sat – NJ – Ballroom Blitz with Fox Trot Workshop with Del Camden. Beg. Fox Trot 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Int. Fox Trot 7:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Open dancing to DJ Michelle & Bob 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. playing Ballroom, Latin, Swing & Smooth. Universalist Unitarian Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Rd, Princeton. Free parking. $12 admission, student with ID $8. www.centraljerseydance.org
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July 13, Tues – NY – CLUB SAMBUCA “AFTER WORK DANCE PARTY” DOORS OPEN 7:30-12-30 HAPPY HOUR 7:30-8:30 FREE BUFFET 7:30-8:30. DJ EDDIE 007 MIXING THE BEST IN DISCO CLASSICS,SALSA, FREESTYLE.HOST BY MIRIAM. 272 POST AVE WESTBURY N.Y 11590. 10$ BEFORE 9PM 12$ AFTER,ALSO CELEBRATING HER B-DAY “FRAN PRECIPUO” OTHER B-DAYS TO BE ANNOUNCE.
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July 14, Wed – NY – “HUSTLEJAM” @ Stepping Out Studios, 37 W. 26th St.: John Mercier, the incredible Hustle dancer, loves to come to Wednesday’s HustleJam because “the music is great and we are where Nelson plays”. So join our Hostess Simone Assboeck for a WEEKLY Hustle & Latin party, 9:30pm til 12:45am, DJ Nelson “Paradise” Roman spinning the best in Hustle & Latin $9/PP; $5 for SO Students – Tonight’s Special is “Munchie Night!” hustlejam@hotmail.com or 917-459-3990
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July 16, Fri – NJ – Stardust Ballroom, California Mix Dance Party (Hustle, Swing, Latin, Ballroom).363 West Browning Rd. Bellmawr, NJ (856-931-4000); Huge and eloquent dance floor. WCS Basics Lesson with Alan Saperstein at 7:30 pm; Hustle Lesson (spinning) with Camille Kravets at 8:15 pm. Complimentary Buffet at 7:00 pm. General Dancing with DJ MARK (from Michael’s Cafe) at 9:00 pm. to 1:00 am. Celebrate the hot summer nights with the THE ALL WHITE PARTY – wear a majority of white and receive a raffle ticket for dinner for two and a movie in Philadelphia. Admission $12. http://www.stardustbellmawr.com/
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July 16, Fri – NJ – Jersey Jumpers Swing Dance with Beginner/Intermediate East Coast Swing lesson 7:30 p.m.to 8:30 p.m. with Mike Davis. Open dancing featuring DJ Mike Davis at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, 50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, 8:30 p.m.to 11:30 p.m. Everyone welcome. No partner needed. $12 admission, $8 students with ID. For additional information visit www.centraljerseydance.org, or visit swing@jerseyjumpers.org or call 609-945-1883.
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July 16, Fri – Pa – GRAND OPENING of Starry Ferrari third Friday Salsa socials in Pottstown. Ballroom on High, 310 E. High St. 2nd floor. Switching to Fridays means extended hours, guest performances, more food, fun…..Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Salsa lesson at 8 p.m. Dancing to salsa, bachata, merengue, cha cha, reggaeton…till 12 a.m.! Pro-Am Salsa Performance by Remi & Marisa! BYOB Admission: $12. For more info call Star at 215-920-4511. I will be looking for performers, and would like to perform, give me a shout!
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July 17, Sat – NY – BALLROOM, LATIN, HUSTLE, WCS, at TEMPLE B’NAI TORAH, 2900 Jerusalem Ave. Wantagh, LI, 11793. GREAT SHOW!! Presented by LOUIS DEL PRETE, 8:30PM to 12:30AM, Coffee, Tea, Cake, Bagels & Veg.Platter! 30 Min. CHA CHA Dance Lesson featuring SHIRLEY & MARTY at 8:30pm. State of the art sound system, Air Conditioned, Door Prizes, 50/50 Raffle, $15 for info (516) 819 – 9016.
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July 17, Sat – NY – Millennium Dance Parties @ Club 412 presented by Lori Brizzi. 3 different rooms for dancing, 3 great DJs. DJ NELSON “Paradise’ ROMAN in the Hustle room, DJ JEFF STENNETT in the Salsa room and DJ MARK in the Ballroom. Dancing from 9pm-1am, choice of free class from 8-9pm. 412 8th Ave bet. W30/31, 4th Fl. Only $15 Admission. www.loribrizzi.com ; call 516 728-6101 Email loribrizzi@aol.com
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July 18, Sun – NY – BALLROOM, LATIN, HUSTLE, WCS, at DEER PARK V.F.W. 588 Long Island Ave. Deer Park, LI, 11729. Presented by LOUIS DEL PRETE, 7:00PM to 11:00PM, (New Summer Hours) Coffee, Tea, Cake, Fruit & Veg.Platter! 40 Min. Dance Lesson at 7:00w/Louis. State of the art sound system, Air Conditioned, Door Prizes, 50/50 Raffle, Cash Bar Available, $13, for info (516) 819 – 9016.
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July 20, Tues – NY I’ll Go Where the Music Takes Me ….. to The “Original Tuesday Night Dance” Party at Viva Loco in Bellmore. Beautiful “Airy” Room with a big wood dance floor, comfortable seating and a separate bar area. Complimentary appetizers served. DJ Donnie playing the music we LOVE…. Hustle, Latin & WCS. Dancing from 8:30-Midnight $8 Admission. Viva Loco, 2381 Merrick Rd Bellmore, NY 11710 (516) 679-5900 For more info Doreen (516) 318-5305
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July 22 – 25, US Salsa open And the Colombian independence Festival Featuring Jose Alberto EL Canario, Grupo Niche, Johnny Polanco, Conjunto Rovira, Pepe y Su Orquesta, Fuerza Vallenata de Colombia… And the best World Salsa Dancers July 22-25 www.ussalsaopen.com or 408-218-4088
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July 24, SAT – NY – MILLENNIUM DANCE PARTIES at the 92nd Street Y presented by Lori Brizzi. Free Beg Hustle class from 8pm-9pm. Classic Hustle and Latin/Swing Mix with NELSON ‘Paradise ROMAN from 9-2am. Special Dance Performance. Admission is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. www.loribrizzi.com For more info call Lori Brizzi at 516 728-6101 or email loribrizzi@aol.com
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July 25 , Sun – NY – Hustle Work Shop – Farmingdale. NY – Mark James & Karen Lupo Present ” Hustle Workshop ” – 320 Smith St – Farmingdale – $ 20 for 2 hours – Best Deal – 1 – 4:45 pm – Singles & Couples are Welcome – http://www.mjames.org/hustleworkshop.html
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July 31, Sat – NY – BLACK AND WHITE THEME PARTY!!!!! BALLROOM, LATIN, HUSTLE, WCS, at DEER PARK V.F.W. 588 Long Island Ave. Deer Park, LI, 11729. 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, $14, info (516) 819 – 9016.
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Aug 7 , Sat – NY – The Dance Zone – DANCE – 9th Year anniversary – Year 10 STARTS NOW – Be There : – ) Come on in – RED. WHITE & BLUE – Enjoy an evening of Latin Ballroom – Hustle – WCS Dance music – with Mark James & Karen Lupo – New Look – Larger Floor + Fruit & Veggie Platters – Beautiful Wantagh Jewish Center – 8:30 – 12:30 am – 3710 Woodbine Ave Long Island – (516) 835-9996 for directions – $15p/p – Dance Zone Page Dance Zone – Click Here
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August 5-8 – Swing Fling , Herndon VA, 19th annual Swing & Hustle event at the Hilton Washington Dulles, longest running swing/hustle event in DC. This event features more social dancing than most other events with extra dance floors for Swing and Hustle. NASDE competition – Classic and Showcase, WSDC Jack and Jill competition, All American Jack and Jill, Golden Ticke Tour Jack & Jill, over $12,000 in prizes, famous Lobby dance floor and so much more. Confirmed Professional Staff includes: Gary McIntyre & Susan Kirklin (TX), Robert & Nicola Royston (NY), Jake Haning & Taletha Jouzdani (TX), Jameson Kilburn (PA), Brian Gallagher (PA), Joyce Szili (MD), Tybalt & Hazel Ulrich (NY), Billy Marti (NY), David Paris & Zoe Klein (NY) Barry Jones (TX) & Patty Vo(CA), Barry Durand (MD) & Lisa Fay (CA) and way too many more to list…Register before July 7th for extra savings. Reserve your room at 1800-Hiltons ask for the unbelievable $92 Swing Fling rate. http://www.SwingFling.com
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September 2-5 – NEW YORK HUSTLE CONGRESSNYC, 6th annual presented by Lori Brizzi every Labor Day weekend. New location with an incredible staff: Tony Marolda, Billy Marti, Bobbi Petri, Brian Gallagher, Kim Vanamen, Diane Nardone, Louis Del Prete, Donna Boyle, Donna Desimone, Elizabeth Darchi, Louie Orlando, Lisa Nunziella, Mark James, Joe Kerner, Paul Pellicoro, Robert Vance, Karen Lupo, Nino Digiulio, Roberto Pagan, Rosa Paredes, Silvana Gallagher, Simone Assboeck, Stephanie Risser, Ron Bess, Smitty – the Dance Police, DJS – Johnny O, Nelson “Paradise” Roman, Steve Neeren. All levels of competitions, workshops & hours of social dancing. 2 beautiful Ballrooms for 4 days of non stop dancing. Popular Team Match & Circle of Love where you dance with the Pros & raise money for charity. Fabulous NYC group rate of $159 plus tax at the newly renovated famous New Yorker Hotel. 1 800-764-4680 to secure this rate. www.nyhustlecongress.com , www.loribrizzi.com or call Lori at 516 728-6101
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September 1-5th, 2010 – 10th Anniversary of the NY International Salsa Congress @ the Hilton New York Hotel is 4 day, 5 night Dance & Music Festival that’s mixed with Dance Workshops, Performance Showcases, Concert Series and lots of Dancing Excitement! We are very excited to announce a “Bachata Room” and a “Hustle Room” this year as well as a Professional Salsa and Hustle Championship, Pro-Am’s, Amateur and Jack and Jill Contests! DJ’s include Ray Colon, David Sala, Bobby Morales, Check out www.nycsalsacongress.com for details!
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Oct 16 & 17, 2010 -Dance for Hospice Suffern NY – 90,000 sq feet Rockland Community College field house, (just on the NY/ NJ border) 25 north of NYC. All Styles of open Dancing Ball Room and Club. Demo’s and competitions. Johnny “O” is the music director along with Anthony Lee (Dance Director) and MC Ron Bess. Face Book Page “Dance for Hospice 2010″ please become a fan. See all the details at www.danceforhospice2010.com
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November 18-21 – Virginia State Open Swing Dance Championships 2010 in the Washington DC area. This event has been going for over 20 years and this year gets a fresh new look. Gone are the competitions that take away from social dance time. The emphasis on this event is to make “You the Star”. VSO this year will feature competitions only for Pro Am and WSDC Jack & Jill. That’s it. The rest of the time you can take workshops or just dance, dance, dance. What’s not to like? VSO will feature West Coast Swing, Hustle, and Salsa. Don’t forget that the DC area is widely known as the hottest social dance community in the east so lots of dancers will be there to party! For information go to www.VSOswing.com Event Director: Barry Durand.
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Jan. 23 – 31, 2011 – Hustle & Salsa Cruise , 11th annual tropical dance vacation-at-sea. WORLD’S LARGEST and NEWEST MEGA SHIP, Allure of the Seas. Join Drew, Nino and Caren for this 7-night exotic Caribbean winter getaway. Rates start as low as $699.00 per person. You’ll travel from Ft. Lauderdale to St. Thomas to St. Maarten and back to Florida. Fabulous meals, buffets, 25 hours of dance workshops, 12 social dance sessions, pools, spas, broadway shows, Jack n Jill contests, central park, dance hosts plus more. The first, original hustle dance cruise! For more details, call: 754-246-2874, e-mail: hustlecruise@hotmail.com, website: www.HustleCruise.com

Happy birthday wishes to Lacey Schwimmer, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Joe Reggi, Lisa “Sparkles” Paternoster, Susan Hiser, Tina Price, David Padilla and Debbie Ballaster.

Nineteen years ago we lost a wonderful French music producer who’s collection of songs are still pop hits today. Jacques Morali was the brains behind the Ritchie Family and the ever popular Village People.

Congratulations to Lauren Bess, she graduated from the 8th grade and will now enter high school. She received three awards including maintaining a 3.5 grade point average for the last two years.

The July 4th holidays are explosive. Keep dancing at the top of your list. The hustle event of the summer is finally here. Its not too late to dance, dance, dance. Disco America, the premier, longest running hustle competition takes place from July 2nd to the 4th. Its’ the home of Liberty, the birth place of freedom, make it your summer get away at Disco America as we ring the bell of dance. For all the details visit www.discoamerica.com

Its the preparty for Disco America at Michael’s Cafe this Wednesday night. Come out as we celebrate Joe Reggi’s birthday. Cake and fun. Get there early for the free hustle lesson with Joey C followed by dance music till 12:45AM with DJ Mark. The entire night is free, no cover, free hustle lesson and complimentary parking. Located on Street Road in Bensalem Pa, near the Parx Casino. Spread the word.

This months top ten songs from Itunes Includes Katy Perry “California Gurls,” Usher “OMG,” Lady Gaga “Alejandro,” The Black Eyed Peas “Rock That Body” and B.O.B. “Airplanes.

Coming soon, the Spotlight focuses on a dancer that continues to drive the hustle and has been a staff member on all the national hustle/swing events from Hustle USA to the top events today. Stay tuned.

It’s the run away show of the summer, “So You Think You Can Dance”. America’s most watched television show appears on the Fox channel every Wednesday night at 8PM and Thursdays at 9PM. This season there are more great dancers, routines and tears, then ever before.

This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by the Big Apple Dance Festival. See all the details below. http://www.bigapplecountrydance.com/

Make it a great week,
Ron

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A Letter From Lori Brizzi (NY Hustle Congress)

Hello Fellow Dancers.

Many of you have been reading my name over the internet for months now when it became evident that there was a conflict of interest over the status of the original New York Hustle Congress.
That said, they say there is no such thing as bad publicity which gives me a chuckle because I still find myself saying OUCH!
To all my dancing friends, I would like to send my heartfelt thanks to you as well as to a tremendous staff (you can check the listing below to see who they are) who have stuck by me, always, especially for these last 5 years. Also, thank you to the many people who have been writing letters, calling me and sending me emails to express their support, I do feel the love.
When asked after starting my hustle parties over 9 years ago, ‘which side are you on?”, I didn’t know what people were referring to or had any knowledge of ‘the hustle wars’ that had been going on. I just knew I wanted to dance hustle because it made me feel joy and since one can’t dance hustle alone, I wanted to make other people feel happy too!
I responded with “I am Switzerland’ keeping neutral ground, just doing my own thing and ignoring all the negative talk. I was not aware of any previous event in Florida (Fort Lauderdale) running over 10 years ago where people were having similar conflicts running simultaneous dance events on the same weekend. History repeats itself. I have tried to remain neutral all these years. Now it is my turn. Many of you, like myself, are upset over these reoccurring threads of negativity that seems to be at the foundation of our dance community. I’d like to address these issues and state some facts.
Let there be no confusion, from day one, this NY hustle event has always been, Lori Brizzi presents The New York Hustle Congress, in association with Mr. David Melendez. That was the way Mr. Melendez wanted it. He encouraged me to make all the decisions. I decided to sanction the event with the IHDA and to run competitions because a considerable number of hustle dancers enjoyed doing so, in spite of the fact that competitions went against Mr. Melendez’s belief system. We both just wanted to have a big dance party. It was my idea to have all attendees be able to go to both events. When he sold the NYC Salsa Congress, Mr. Melendez told me to move the NY Hustle Congress to another venue. The new owner/event director asked me to stay and continue to run it with him at the Hilton as I had previously done with David to help with the financial burden of running an event in NYC. I agreed. I loved the fact that all attendees could participate at both events. By the end of that first year, sadly, we came to realize that we had different belief systems in how the hustle should be promoted and preserved which resulted in the NY Hustle Congress and the NY Salsa Congress going their separate ways.
After continuing business with the Hilton and 2 contracts later, I called to reserve my ballrooms for this year’s 2010 event and was informed that the Salsa Congress had already reserved all those rooms and had implemented a “No Compete Clause”. Simply stated, that means that no other dance events could be held at the hotel that same weekend. With the NY Salsa Congress hovering in the background trying to sanction their new ‘Hustle Room’ on the same weekend as my annual event, I was informed by the IHDA I had a deadline of 150 days to submit a new venue for the NY Hustle Congress or I would lose my sanctioning to those trying to take over my time slot for a NY based Hustle event. Then the phone calls started coming in from concerned staff who were with me from the previous 5 years saying they were offered jobs to work at this new competing event. Needless to say, I was very upset. I decided that the hustle community deserved an event that had the original intentions of myself and Mr. Melendez so I decided to look for a new venue for the NY Hustle Congress.
There is no school to teach you how to run a dance event other than the school of hard knocks. Every year one hopes to do better and learn from their mistakes. I have found through all of this that there are many people like myself who do not like to be bullied so I have taken action to move forward. I have heard from so many of you that you are going to be here at the New Yorker Hotel on Labor Day weekend. My staff and I are committed to make sure that you have a wonderful time. Come and dance with all your friends, old and new. I look forward to seeing you all there.
In closing, I can only hope that the IHDA will take full responsibility for their actions of rejecting the sanctioning of my event after meeting their deadline with a new location, accepting payment and going to contract. This decision has fueled the fire of an already divided hustle community.
Please be assured that I will be continuing to produce dance events in the future including the continuation of the original NY Hustle Congress with the understanding, belief system and integrity that I and our now guardian angel in heaven, Mr. David Melendez, first envisioned. Thank you all for your time and years of support.
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Respectfully submitted,

Lori Brizzi/Event Director
Millennium Dance Parties
The 6th Annual NY Hustle Congress

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The Big Apple Swing and Hustle Championships

The Big Apple Country Dance Festival returns to East Brunswick, New Jersey from July 8th to the 11th. This year marks the 17th anniversary of one of the most exciting events going strong. Organizer Anthony Lee presents a weekend of country, swing and hustle dancing. Get ready to dance, learn and sit back and enjoy the best of the best. There will be plenty of workshops, social dancing, competitions and a spectacular Saturday night dinner show. Make your reservations now for the East Brunswick Hilton Hotel at 732 – 828 – 2000 visit the website for all the details. http://www.bigapplecountrydance.com/
This years instructors, judges and performers include: Sam Arvidson, Brian Barakauskas, Jeff Bartholomew, Christine Clifton, Marc Davidson & Sylvie Raymond, Randy Deats, Barry Durand, Lisa Fay, Kathy St. Jean, Jake Haning & Taletha Jouzdani, John Lindo, Cody & Tracy Melin, Gary McIntyre & Susan Kirklin, Richard McMurrich & Suzanne Mosley, Jennifer Lyons, Diane K. Nardone, Roberto Pagan & Rosa Guillana, Robert & Nicola Royston, Solomon Singer & Neil Mooney, JP Oster, Clive Stevens, John & Dee Soares, Dale & Anita Strawser, Mike Wagner, John Whipple, Sam & Christine Wetzel, and Dave & Zoë Paris. If your looking for a partner, register now for the Big Apple Swing Championship on Friday evening. Starting at 9:30 PM, divisions include: Strictly Swing & Hustle: Novice, Open Routine: Open Swing, Open Hustle
The Strictly Swing/Hustle does not require costumes or choreographed routines. Simply find a partner and come out and dance. Registrations will be taken until 6:00PM on Friday. Each couple will dance for approximately 2 minutes. The music selection will be made by the DJ. The Open Swing/Hustle gives dancers the opportunity to demonstrate their skills with a choreographed routine to their own selection of music that doesn’t exceed 3 minutes. This division permits costumes, lifts, drops and over head aerials.
In addition are the The Big Apple ProAm Swing and Hustle divisions. Swing and Hustle students … bring your Teachers. On Sunday, the Big Apple ProAm includes these divisions: Levels: Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Spotlight Age Categories: Youth (1-12). Teen (13-17), Open (18+), Sophisticated (35+), Silver (50+)
The Big Apple Swing Championships are sanctioned by the World Swing Dance Council. They offer Jack & Jill competitions – with WSDC Points – in Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced starting at 11:30 pm Saturday. Make your summer extra special by attending this years event. But don’t wait, register now at
http://www.bigapplecountrydance.com/

Happy birthday wishes to Billy Marti, John Festa, Franklin Ayala, Carol Feldman, Louise Symington, Spinning Cindy, Jaime Serna, Caesar Rivera, Angela McCabe, Lynette Allen, Lori Brizzi and Frank Badolato.

Wishing all the dancing Dad’s a Happy Father’s Day

Even by today’s standards he is recognized as one of the finest dancers of all times. Fred Astaire passed away this week, twenty-three years ago. His dancing, style and creativity will live on forever.

Due to new hotel ownership and management, the World Hustle Dance Championships will not be held this year. Event director Diane K Nardone is very sorry for any inconvenience. WHDC will be returning in 2011, back to the month of July, where this wonderful event all started in Las Vegas. “Thank you for all the support that you have given us and we look forward to new and exciting things in 2011.”

The great one, Nick Siano returns to NYC on Friday, June 25, to DJ at Santos for his only New York appearance this year. The party starts at 6PM and goes till 11pm. Tickets online or more at the door. For online tickets go to www.discoparty.ticketleap.com This is a fund raiser for the Saxon Foundation and a celebration for the long awaited movie TURN THE BEAT AROUND: A Night at the Gallery. 10 tickets to the MOVIE preview in August will be auctioned off for the charity.

If you like to be entertained, hows this sound: Dave and Zoë, Gary McIntyre & Susan Kirklin,
Barry Durand & Lisa Fay, Cody & Tracey Melin, Jake Haning & Taletha Jouzdani, Dale & Anita Strawser, Roberto Pagan & Rosa, Sam & Chris Wetzel, John Lindo & Robert Royston…its the Saturday Night Dinner show at the The Big Apple Country Dance Festival. Reserve your tickets now.
http://www.bigapplecountrydance.com/

Michael’s Cafe turns up the heat but cools off inside this Wednesday night as Joe Kerner teaches the free hustle lesson at 8:30PM. DJ Mark takes over until 12:45AM spinning the best dance music of the day. No cover charge and free parking on Street Road in Bensalem Pa. (near the Parx Race track Casino). Next week the special guest teacher is Joey C. Spread the word.

US Salsa Open And the Colombian independence Festival takes place July 22 – 25 in Oakland California. Featuring Jose Alberto EL Canario, Grupo Niche, Johnny Polanco, Conjunto Rovira, Pepe y Su Orquesta, Fuerza Vallenata de Colombia, plus all the best World Salsa Dancers. www.ussalsaopen.com

Make it a great week,
Ron

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DJ Directory part 2

Valerie Hunt (aka DJ Girl Wonder)
Phoenix, AZ
Hustle, WCS, Lindy Hop, Ballroom, Salsa, Zydeco and mobile DJ services
(480) 829-6272
email: djGirlWonder@gmail.com
web: www.djGirlWonder.blogspot.com

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

Bobby Morales
NYC
Hustle, Rare Classics and House Music
Program Director – Housemasons Internet Radio
Housemasons.com (Bobby’s shows – Classic Mondays, House Fridays – 8pm EST showtimes)
Djbobbymo187@yahoo.com

David A. Muzii
NY, NYC, LI, NJ
Swing, Hustle, Country, Ballroom, Latin
(908) 232-1228

Erik Novoa
CT & NYC
WCS, Hustle & NC2
917-414-3105
SwingShoes@aol.com www.SwingShoes.net

Johnny “O”
New Jersey and New York
Night Clubs, Social Events (Hustle, Swing, Salsa), Private Parties and Occasions.
(201) 679-0888
e mail – djjohnnyo21@gmail.com

Frank Pellicci
Hackensack, NJ
Hustle, Salsa, Latin Music, Ballroom
Parties, Wedding
201-343-6781 H//////201-370-5941 C

Cesar Ricaurte
Los Angelos, CA
The Hacienda, house, disco, classics and club
cesar.ricaurte@thehustlelounge.com,
949-837-0440

Nelson “Paradise” Roman
New York/New Jersey
Hustle, Latin, classics
socials, competitions
917-301-9816

Mark Routzahn “DJ Mark”
Philadelphia and the surrounding areas
over 20 years of experience for nightclubs and private affairs; currently at Michael’s Café for “Hustle Night”.
The “Hustle Night” provides contemporary and classic hustle, Latin, swing, and ballroom. Private affairs provides Oldies, Motown, Classic Rock, Modern Rock, Top 40, 70s and 80s, Country, Big Band/Standards, Hip Hop, Funk/R&B.
DJMARK@comcast.net
215-579-8771

Philip C. Spinka
Submarine Productions
Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York
West Coast, Hustle, Ballroom, Weddings, Parties
570-466-1000
philip@spinka.com
www.submarineproductions.com

Jimmy Yu
Jupiter, FL
Early 70’s – Current
Hustle, Dance Classics & South Beach Underground
561-310-0030
houseofu@msn.com

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A letter from the IHDA (International Hustle Dance Association)

To our membership and Hustle dance enthusiasts, we, the IHDA board of directors, would like to submit the following response concerning the conflict between the NY Hustle Congress and the NY Salsas Congress being hosted in the same weekend. Firstly, we are deeply saddened and disheartened to see another rift in our community causing resentment and division. IHDA was created on, and stands by, its original purpose of bringing all Hustle Dancers together for the betterment and expansion of this dance that we all love dearly. Secondly, we apologize deeply for any mis-information, or perceived wrong doing on the part of IHDA concerning this situation. This was never our intent, and we hope to state our position and reaction to the current debate within this letter. We believe that the disagreement that is currently happening is a disagreement between event directors and the result of a business relationship that has collapsed and turned negative. For reasons that shall not be made public by IHDA, the original event known as the “NY Salsa Congress” was no longer willing to work with Lori Brizzi and therefore the portion of the event known as the “NY Hustle Congress” was to be run by a new person. Out of respect for the time, energy, and financial resources contributed to the “NY Hustle Congress”, Lori Brizzi was given the rights to take the portion of the “NY Salsa Congress” known as the “NY Hustle Congress” and create her own separate event. At this point both events, the “NY Salsa Congress” (hosting the renamed Hustle portion of their event) and the newly independent “NY Hustle Congress” both approached IHDA for sanctioning. Again out of respect for her contributions to the IHDA and her tireless efforts promoting Hustle in the New York area, IHDA voted and decided to sanction the “NY Hustle Congress” as a newly independent event hosted by Lori Brizzi. Because of this decision we were therefore forced to deny the request for sanctioning from the “Hustle Room” at the “NY Salsa Congress” based on the sanctioning bylaws as stated in IHDA’s charter and constitution. Thirdly, and may we be very clear about this portion of this response, the IHDA has not and does not involve itself in the hiring practices of any event, be they sanctioned or not. We feel this is a direct conflict of interest with the mission of the organization and that using the platform of the organization of IHDA to dictate the hiring practices of any event is not what IHDA stands for. We, therefore, also believe that we as an organization have no right to dictate where any of our membership professionals, teachers, or board members accept contracts to teach, judge, or perform. It is our goal, and our sincere hope, that all sanctioned events and event directors will find benefit and quality in hiring professionals from our membership, however, the IHDA has never and will never be used as a vehicle to encourage cronyism and/or nepotism in our community. Many of the complaints against IHDA currently are being directed towards many of our board members and our current President for accepting a contract for employment other than with the competing sanctioned event. IHDA believes strongly that ALL members of the organization are free to work where they choose and will not begin to dictate where our VOLUNTEER board members are, or are not, permitted to teach, judge, or perform. It is unfortunate that the “NY Hustle Congress” decided against hiring any of the board members in question, and by doing so the “NY Hustle Congress” presented these pros with the following options… 1) Attend the NY Hustle Congress at their own expense (travel, hotel room, etc.) to support the sanctioned event; 2) Accept the offer of employment with the “NY Salsa Congress” and receive compensation for services rendered at a non-sanctioned event; or 3) Stay home and avoid the entire scenario. Each of us has an opinion as to which of the three of these choices should have been made by the professionals in question, however, IHDA CAN NOT and WILL NOT make these decisions for any of our professionals. Again it goes against our mission and the founding principles of the organization. In conclusion, as a result of the negative backlash IHDA has suffered due to the break down of the working relationship between John (Choco) Knight, Jami Josephson, and Lori Brizzi, we feel that we are no longer able to provide the quality representation of sanctioning to ANY of the parties in question and we are therefore refunding the sanctioning fees that have been paid by the “NY Hustle Congress” and we are removing IHDA’s sanctioning from this event. We feel that our greatest mistake as an organization was to involve ourselves in an internal struggle and taking sides in a business situation based on past personal relationships. Again, IHDA apologizes profusely for any and all involvement that we may have had throughout this entire situation. We wish both events the best of weekends and huge successes. We are also excited that 10 short years ago there were only 1 or 2 Hustle events in the entire calendar year and now we are at a place where we are having to deal with scheduling conflicts between events because of the increased involvement in our dance. Contrary to some “nay sayers” the proof of Hustle’s growth can be seen in the number of events that are continuing to be created and run around the country. Without people and dancers there to support them, they would surely go out of business. This is a sign of definite growth in our dance from 10 years ago and for that we are truly grateful! We humbly request that for the success of both events involved in this uncomfortable situation that we keep the public bickering and mud-slinging to a minimum because it does nothing but drive new dancers away from our dance and that is something that NONE of us wants to see happen. Thank you for your time and your consideration on this matter.
Respectfully submitted,
The IHDA Board of Directors

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New Dance Music
Here are the Billboard top ten new dance songs being played in all the clubs thru out the USA.

1) Pretty Mess – Erika Jayne
2) Alejandro – Lady Gaga
3) OMG – Usher
4) Commander – Kelly Rowland
5) Rock that Body – Black Eyed Peas
6) Happiness – Alexis Jordan
7) Not Myself Tonight – Christina Aguilera
Dirty Talk – Wynter Gordon
9) Beauty in the World – Macy Gray
10) Gettin Over You – David Guetta & Chris Willis

Happy birthday wishes to John Merisier, Robert Lawrence, Margaret Tuttle, Rick Barney, Shawn Brennan, Karen Lupo, Mark Rappa, Jimmie Billups, Millie Starnes, Brian Cassel, Bu Domenech and Susan Pieper

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our dear friend Carole Phelps. We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her on the dance floor soon. Please read her letter below.

Two years ago, this week, the incomparable Cyd Charisse passed away. She graced the silver screen with the best of them including Fred Astaire in “Band Wagon” and Gene Kelly in “Singing In The Rain” She was truly fantastic.

She just performed to a standing ovation at Louis Del Prete’s Long Island’s Dancing Stars, now watch vintage Karina Smirnoff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BweBT75rtY

A message from Diane Nardone, concerning the World Hustle Dance Championships.
“I am very sorry that it has taken me this long to get back to all those who have requested an update on World Hustle Dance Championships. The Hilton Hotel has changed management and subsequently changed some rules in their contracts. Unfortunately, the changes are not permitting us to host the same time frame and days at the hotel. We have been trying desperately to find another hotel to accommodate dates and venue. Please bear with us a little longer and we will let you know soon about an October event. Thank you” Diane K Nardone

DJ Fancy has released his hot new collection of remixes of fresh new music. Known for his keen mixing skills and musical talent, DJ Fancy once again has picked nothing but hits. Get ready for the sounds that are rocking the dance clubs including new releases from Timbaland collaborating with Katy Perry. These songs have the beat for hustle dancing & WCS. If you want to have all the new hits on just one CD, this is the one for you. The Spring Mix release also includes hits by Lady Antebellum remixed and Taio Cruz’s hot single “Break Your Heart.” Cascada’s mega hit – “Evacuate the Dance Floor” and the newest release from Lady Gaga “Alejandro.” Don’t miss out on this hot new CD. With over 15 songs in all. To order send $15 to: Edward Archie, 333 Evergreen Avenue Apt#2, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 . For details write to sparda3636@yahoo.com The price includes shipping/handling

Liberty Swing Dance Championships, June 17-20, 2010, at the Hyatt hotel in New Brunswick, NJ, will offer Strictly Swing & Strictly Hustle Pro-Ams. The Pro-Ams will be held on Saturday, June 19, starting at 10:00 a.m. They will offer Novice, Intermediate and Advance levels in both Swing and Hustle divisions. www.libertyswing.com

Don’t miss Michael’s Cafe this Wednesday as Wingo Hom teaches the complimentary hustle lesson at 8:30PM. Then dance the night away to DJ Mark with the best of hustle, swing and Latin dancing till 12:45AM. Never a cover charge and free parking. Located on Street Road in Bensalem Pa, near the Parx casino/race track. Next weeks guest teacher is champion Joe Kerner. Spread the word.

Did you miss an issue of DanceTalk. For all the news and up coming events, and more, go to the website for DanceTalk every week at http://www.mjames.org/blog/

Early Bird Prices are available for this year’s NY Hustle Congress until Tuesday, June 14th. Take advantage of our online registration before Tuesday or print the online form and have it postmarked before June 14th to take advantage of the discounted prices. The 6th Annual New York Hustle Congress at our new location…the historic New Yorker Hotel http://www.nyhustlecongress.com/registration.htm

Dance Teachers Summit NYC takes place Aug 2 -4, with Tony & Melanie, Mandy Moore, Travis Wall and a dozen of the finest teachers across the US. Classes in jazz, ballet, hip hop, ballroom, lyrical…..
212-767 – 0744 Danceteachersummit.com

Make it a great week,
Ron
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DJ Directory 2010 (part 1)
This is our annual directory of the “back in the day” DJs’ that specialize in social dance music of all kinds. This comprehensive listing includes some of the biggest name in the game from all over the country. Many of them are on staff at the national competitions as well as on air jocks, night clubs, mixologists and available for social events, weddings and more. Feel free to contact these professionals for their schedules, availability etc… Next week we will post part two.

Jim Alexander
Houston, Texas
Top 40, Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, Adult Contemporary, R & B, Country, Club, Salsa, Disco, New Wave, Motown, Merenge, Classic Rock
www.djjimmobiles.com jimalexander@djjimmobiles.com
832-620-5764

Giovanni Arditi
Philadelphia,New jersey, Delaware
Private partys,Weddings, I do all dance styles
Calif mix, Latin,Ballroom,Hustle
484-716-5607 E mail kenarditi@aol.com

Randy Atlas – A Sound Trek
Miami Florida
Swing, Hustle and Salsa and Latin Music
305-756-5037
ratlas@ix.netcom.com

Donna J Boyle
Philadelphia & New Jersey
215- 740- 3472
www.donnaboyle.com
www.discoamerica.com
donnaboyledisco @aol.com

Anthony Bradley
NJ, PA, NY
All types of music 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s Disco, Hustle, 80’s Old School, Hip Hop,..
(609) -396- 9076 EMail: ABDJ1@Optonline.net.

Mike Brooks
Phila, New Jersey & New York
Radio , Nightclubs, Corporates, Affairs & Weddings
70’s & 80s Disco, Hustle & Dance
215-289-1066
E-mail: MBrooks1037@hotmail.com
Web: www.mikebrooks.net

DJ Noel Colon
South Florida DJ Service
Hustle, Salsa, Swing, Ballroom, Freestyle, House and Top40 Dance
Night club, Weddings, Birthday’s and Special Events
http://www.sfldj.com
noel_colon@yahoo.com
(954) 868-7505

Jenny Costa
City Long Island, NY
Dance Music, WKTU Mixologist
E mail address- djjenny@optonline.net
website http://www.ktu.com/pages/jennycosta.html

Louis Del Prete
Long Island, NY
Ballroom, Latin, Hustle, WCS
516-819-9016
louisdelprete@yahoo.com

David Flynn
Works anything Within 200 miles of Maryland
Weddings, major events up to 1500 people, plus music for younger folks.
(301) 367-5201
swingandhustle@gmail.com
www.salsaandhustle.com

Bobby Gerard
South Florida
Classic Dance
Djbobgerard1327@aol.com
954-255-8149

Christopher Hemmer – MR DANCE PRO
Lake Worth Florida, Emcee, Dj, sound man, primary events are Dance Parties;Ballroom,HustleDisco,SwinginBlues, Westcoast,Eastcoast,Choreography,DanceShows,Weddings
special events, rooms up to 1000 people dancinchefchris@yahoo.com (561) 966-2397 or 876-1099
from: Miami to Jupiter & beyond

Rene Hewitt
Jersey City, NJ
DJ, Producer, Label Owner
201-714-4852
Email: djrene@optonline.net
iMusic Underground Records
http://www.renehewittrecords.com

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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)

To My Beloved Dance Family,
For all of the phone calls, emails, FB messages, and ecards, I am truly thankful and humbled. Andre, my husband and my rock, has been by my side every step of the way, spending hours of his new retirement driving me to doctor’s appointments, going through tests with me, keeping me company for hours a day during my recent hospitalization, and listening to doctors’ explanations like we were in an EF Hutton commercial. On Wednesday, after a month of tests and examinations, we were given the diagnosis of Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. I am being taken care of by the best doctors in the area, and they are acting immediately and aggressively. I received my first chemotherapy today (Friday, June 11), and I am feeling very good. My doctors are optimistic that I will respond very well to their plan of chemotherapy, followed by major surgery, followed by more chemotherapy. There are many factors in my favor: I’m young (hahaha!), and I am in overall excellent health otherwise. I will probably get very thin (a definite change for this corn-fed farmer’s daughter), and I will definitely lose all of my hair, so please don’t be embarrassed if you do not recognize me as a redhead, brunette, etc. And if my false eyelashes go askew because of dancing, please be kind and let me know. Everyone is asking what they can do to help. In addition to all the well wishes and prayers, I would encourage all the ladies to ask their doctors for the following blood screening tests: BRCA1, BRCA2 and CA125. I look forward to seeing you all on the dance floor very soon! With love, Carole Phelps
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In regards to the 2 hustle events on same weekend, I am writing this letter as hustle dancers are continuing to write to you to voice their opinions. I truly believe that there are a lot of facts that most of us are unaware of. I have been attending the Congress for the past 4 years and we know that the last couple of years it was poorly attended maybe because it was not smoothly ran or poor economy. What we know is that the salsa side has been well attended where they were making so much money that they gave the hustle floor for a very good deal when Dave was alive. I really don’t think the salsa side need to do hustle to make money as they are already making a lot of money with salsa alone.
I am looking at the staffed pros for the Hustle room especially the IHDA officers, it appears that most of them were never staffed by the hustle congress. They are professional dancers who make a lliving thru dancing, if the hustle congress offered to staff them and they turned it down to go work for the hustle room then we can point fingers or whatever but we don’t know that, only the handful of people who were involved knows those facts. I have been a supporter of this dance since the early 70’s and I try to go to as many events as possible to support the event directors but I am very disappointed with the people who are responsible for creating this situation failing to work it out and misleading most of us who has no clue of what really happened in the beginning to come to this mess. I think Elizabeth Darchi’s comment last week was very well put.
Alex Kim
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Hi Ron,
I just wanted to let you know that the DWTS show went great! Karina Smirnoff & Dmitry Chaplin gave us a magnificant show! We had a packed out house again & everyone enjoyed themselves tremendously.
Picture will be posted shortly on my website @ www.louisdelprete.com
Thanks Ron to you and your DanceTalk readers.Due to the incredible support, we look forward to bringing more national stars to Long Island in the near furutre.
Louis
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Ron,
I have been following your editorials on the Labor Day dual Hustle events for several weeks. As you recall, I ran for IHDA president on a platform to reform the IHDA back to concern for promotion of hustle as a FIRST priority, and lost the election in April. The “2 events at once” problem on Labor Day is just one symptom of the many things needing reform in the IHDA, which is currently the only governing organization for Hustle competition. If the IHDA is indeed the international organization they aspire to be, then policy should come from their board of directors that prevents this sort of problem in the future. At the very least, and explanation letter from the new president might reduce people’s concerns. But at this time, that international leadership is questionable. Lack of policy leadership aside, the IHDA has 27 percent of it’s membership in the presidents home state of PA, and over 50 percent is within a 3 hour drive of their two studio locations. Some believe the IHDA looks a lot more like a one studio club, than a hustle centric twin of the NDCA.
Since this spring we have internally debated this very matter on the IHDA chat at length, and my membership has been suspended (one month after the election) for attempting to get the IHDA to act in a constructive manner on this Labor Day dual event matter. Frankly, my side would have accepted ANY constructive change other than doing nothing other than wishing Lori good luck, as the secretary’s letter did last editorial. After all, what will prevent this same problem next year, or in another city this year?
Critics of Lori and other sanctioned events:
I have seen a disappointing trend by highly placed IHDA leader/promoter/organizers of savaging Loris past events as an excuse for this problem we have in September. By seeking sponsorship, Lori was coming to these SAME people for help, only to get dual events and a poison pen from them after the fact. My advice to readers here, don’t support these critics or their events. Because they may well turn their poison pens on you! What future event promoter could read this negative stuff from them and even consider adding his event to the IHDAs roster? The problem:
It is also worth observing that we hustle dancers actually have three problems here. First, we have two events on one day only one mile apart down seventh street in NY on Labor Day. Secondly, the far bigger problem is that we have shrinking attendance at events, and a missing youth problem that is now beyond critical. If THAT problem were solved, it wouldn’t matter if we had THREE events on one weekend, because we’d have the sheer numbers. Folks in the IHDA believe that a connection with Salsa might cause an increase in hustle interest in the future, but despite numerous IHDA efforts and events in Puerto Rico, they have not one member there in 2010! The third and final problem is a lack of leadership and corrective policy from the IHDA to address and prevent this sort of dual events thing in the future.
Since the IHDA board appears to have a dearth of concise leadership on these matters, I propose some additions for their BOD to consider adding to the event sanctioning criteria.
Sponsorship Quality of Support initiatives:
1.) IHDA officers will not accept jobs from promoters that interfere with their ability to support any legacy IHDA sponsored event in the coming year – w/o a board decision regarding the impact on planned commitments.
2.) No event will be sanctioned if 40% of the IHDA officer corps has already signed with a competing event on the same time in the same market. [The same markets are everything within a 2 hour drive].
3.) The IHDA officer Corps will hold regular (at least Quarterly) planning sessions for the construction of the sanctioned event calendar. These meetings shall include:
a. Review of legacy (previous) sanctioned events that will repeat this calendar year.
b. Events who seek to be added to this year’s calendar for sanction
c. Promoters we seek to pursue a relationship with for future sanction.
4.) Sanction fees shall be waived for any event that adds youth specific programming that has 3 of the 4 following criteria:
a. Workshops: At least 2 held at club speeds (128 BPM average).
b. DJ: At least 4 hours (after 8 PM) of mixed format DJ’ed dance programming that is not more than 50% 108 BPM and not less than 50% 128 BPM music (average).
c. Competitions: At least 25% of hustle competition (not counting showcase) should have a 128 BPM (minimum) rounds applying of 2 speeds. The slower speed could be any number under 120 BPM.
d. Entry fees – Competitors under 31 years of age who are only competing in hustle events (with no salsa or WC swing registrations) enter the event at ½ price on ANY ticket.
David Flynn
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Hello Ron,
As a hustle dancer from New York in the 70’s, I have been around for quite some time. I recently became a member of IHDA because I heard of the good they were doing for the community. No one and I mean no one has had the courage to stand up and do what IHDA is doing. Are there issues and challenges, sure. But that is true with all growing organizations. Especially those that are trying to make a difference.
This letter is in response to all of the discussion regarding the issue with Labor Day. I attended New York Hustle Congress for the first 4 years. I absolutely refuse to go back. There is a reason that so many people are not supporting that event. Organization is extremely poor, the event runs 4 hours late and the list goes on and on. It is simply a poorly run event. If you are not going to sell a good product, then people are not going to buy. That is the real root of the problem. I don’t know why IHDA continues to sanction this event in the first place. I think the problem is with the management of the event and not with IHDA.
Brandon
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Hi Ron
Choco (NYISC) and Lori (NYHC) will not ever work things out as they both somewhat don’t like each other at this point, I’ve tried to get them to speak in the past and to work this thing out BUT, just does not even look closely possible (Very sad!)(especially for Lori as she did have many chances)
AND SO….. some facts…. The dance community has been complaining to the organizers about how poor this NY Hustle Congress has operated since David’s passing… do people realize that by having done this, it has created a separation of both parties. If people knew how many times they would complain to the staff and owners at the Salsa Congress… what do you think they would do? And all this sad commentary about all the top Hustle Instructors and how shameful we are for working at the Salsa Congress… they were all hired before Lori made up her mind to run the event at the same time… and many of us were never even invited to teach at her event EVER… so where do you think we will go?Someone hit it on the head when they mentioned that a lot of us do this as our living… instructing, coaching, judging… I was hired to run this event at the Hustle Room, and gladly, and for several very good reasons. I have supported Lori for a long time, by teaching for her, judging, bringing my students (who will no longer compete there due to poor organization) and even became a liaison between her and John (Choco) Knight at times (due to their many disagreements that I did my best to smooth over) … I took the job to run the Hustle Room for 3 reasons… First, was I was tired of watching the salsa dancers come into the room, watch, and then leave over the last few years… why they left? Mainly due to either a long waiting of something to happen or a quite room…. Second, I have a chance to really expose Hustle to Salsa Dancers as about 20,000 people attend from all over the world and are now loving this dance once exposed…. And Third, … I get paid well, and on time! and we’ll have a very ON TIME, ORGANIZED running event like David always DID! I have worked with David since the beginning, we were very close, I know he would not want to see this happen. And I did my best to try and have the organizers work this out, but to no avail… This non-compete clause was put into effect way over a year ago due to the congress expanding and wasn’t done out of spite but only as a smart business move to not allow another dance congress at the same time. Which makes perfect sense to me. I begged Lori to run the event at a different time when she wasn’t sure of what to do… we even offered to help her with advertisement and such. We really hoped she would not split the community by running it on the same weekend and I did try to talk with her as many of us instructors did. Personally, I think this might have been the best thing for Lori and the NY Hustle Congress. Maybe now the community will come out and support her and MAYBE she’ll be organized and people won’t complain and MAYBE have finally made some money for her hard work. We wish her the best of luck!
Jami Josephson
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Happy birthday wishes to George Dudley, Nellie Cotto, Cindy Lehning, Mona Walker, Ginny Carey and Arthur Beck.

Former Temptations lead singer Ali Woodson passed away last week. Ali “Ollie” Woodson died after a long battle with leukemia, the Detroit News reported. He led the legendary Motown quintet in the 1980s and ’90s and helped restore them to their hit-making glory with songs including “Treat Her Like A Lady,” He was 58.

We send our heartfelt condolences to Cathy Ricci and her family and friends. Her mother, Eleanor Facchino passed away. Please keep Cathy and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Condolences to Chris Bates and his family on the loss of his brother. The viewing is on Tuesday, June 8th from 2:00 to 4:00 and from 7:00 to 9:00. The Funeral service is on Wednesday, June 9th at 11:00am. In lieu of Flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Gevena Jeffries – his mother. Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Ave, Somerville, NJ, 08876 Tel # 908-725-4100

We extend our condolences to Stephanie and Angela Risser on the loss of their grandmother. Please keep their family in your thoughts and prayers.

A must see, Dance Professional Angela McCabe on PBS television doing a commercial for the Sprout station with her two beautiful daughters, Molly & Maggie
Sprout Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIlCgug-KvA.

Liberty Swing Dance Championships is only 2 weeks away, June 17-20, the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick, NJ is sold out. The Heldrich Hotel is the overflow hotel (only 2 walking blocks away). Please call 866-609-4700 and ask for Attendee Code 113641 to request your rooms. Or go to TheHeldrich.com and select the “BOOK NOW”" link, then select “Group Reservation” located along the top of the screen. Input your Attendee Code 113641 and then click the “Attendee Login” Button. Room rate is good till June 11

There are only 30 tickets left for the disco concert of the season. CLASSIC DISCO NIGHTCLUB REUNION, Melville (Huntington) Marriott on Friday – July 2nd at 6:00 pm – 1:00 am, MC’ ed By WKTU’s Goumba Johnny, with 7 DJ’s – 9 Bands and dance performances. Visit Classic Disco Nightclub Reunion

This Thursday get ready for Hustle 2.0, dancing to today’s hottest music – with the best of the classics mixed in. Get a jump on the weekend at this summer’s hottest after work party at Nikki Beach
151 E. 50th Street – btwn Lex & 3rd in NYC, 6 – 11pm. Beg. hustle lesson at 7:30pm by Lori Brizzi
Free admission, special Hustle performance by Franklin Ayala & Maranda Folmer, dress to impress.

South Jersey magazine has recognized its “people to watch” the movers and shakers for 2010. Congratulation to Sandra Fortuna from Universal Dance Studio in Collingswood New Jersey.

Cool off at Michael’s Cafe, every Wednesday night for the best in hustle, swing and Latin dancing. This week a free hustle lesson at 8:30PM with Andre’ Phelps then DJ Mark spins the best music till 12:45AM. Never a cover charge and free parking. Located on Street Road in Bensalem, Pa. Next week the guest teacher is New York’s own, Wingo Hom. Spread the word.

Early bird prices for the New York Hustle Congress have been extended until June 12th. You can also register at any of the Club 412 Millennium Hustle Parties to take advantage of the discounted prices. You can print out pdf on registration page and mail it in as long as it is post marked by June 12. Visit the website for all the details and savings. www.nyhustlecongress.com

Don’t miss next weeks edition of DanceTalk as we feature the 2010 DJ Directory. A comprehensive listing of all the top dance DJs across the USA. Stay tuned.

This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by Disco America, the longest running hustle event in the USA. Read all the details below. www.discoamerica.com

Make it a great week,
Ron

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Disco America

Make your July 4th holiday extra special by attending the longest running hustle event, Disco America 2010. Start your holidays off with a bang. Donna Boyle & Joyce Szili welcome you back to the Crowne Plaza Hotel located in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania from July 2 to the 4th extravaganza. Relive the fun and excitement of the hustle, the music, the people and the dance. Meet dancers from all over the country for this dance festival. Conveniently located with easy access from NY, NJ, DE, VA, MD, CT….but don’t delay, online registration is now open at www.discoamerica.com
This year features a special Saturday Dinner Show which will take place with a new twist. Get ready for an “interactive event.” Never a shortage of dance fun, the Disco America Dance Championships continues to lead with plenty of hours of social dancing, competitions and workshops for all dance levels in hustle, swing and Latin dancing. What makes this event so special is the people, the staff and the community. You’ll dance, your laugh, your be mesmerized. Disco America features the unique “Bookends” Competition, dance scholarships, the Philly Freeze and competitions for amateurs, professionals and Pro/ams.
With an over the top staff of talent this year the line up includes dance champions & DJs from all over the country: Roberto Pagan, Stephanie Risser, Chris & Lisa Schaupp, Billy Fajardo & Katie Marlow,
Ginny Carey, Wingo Hom, DJ Mark Routzahn, Elizabeth Darchi & Louis Orlando, Smitty, Carlos DeJesus,
Brian Gallagher, Tony & Shawn Nguyen, Joseph Kerner, James Kilburn, Diane Nardone, Billy Marti,
Lori Brizzi, Daniel McGee, Silvana Gallagher, Steve Neeren, Erik & Anna Novoa, Erica Smith, Ron Bess,
DJ Mark Sakowski, Disco Dave Sarul…..
The reigning 2009 Disco America Dance Off Champions are Roberto Pagan & Rosa Parades, will they do it again? Come out and cheer them all on.
This event is IHDA Sanctioned. Located at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge, 260 Mall Boulevard, King of Prussia, PA 19406 , Phone: 610-265-7500 ,
Special Rate: $109 per night – Please be sure to mention Disco America in order to receive the discount.
Start booking your reservations for this fun event. We are all going, ARE YOU.
www.discoamerica.com

Happy birthday wishes to Jenae’ Rubin, Jenn Gessner, Mike LoCicero, Erik Novoa, Michelle Russamano, Lisa Berger, Collette Antonelli and Sandra Rivera.

Eight years ago, a shining star dimmed. Wanda Soto tragically passed away this week in 2002. She left behind her young children, loving friends and family and so much to look forward too.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nations service. To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed in December 2000 which asks that, at 3:00 p.m. local time, all Americans “voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps.”

Casino Lounge Show is looking for female dancers for ongoing show to perform every Friday & Saturday nights. ( 3 shows per night) Jazz training is required and all ladies must be in great physical shape. Auditions will be held Thursday, June 3rd @ DUSK nightclub inside Caesars Hotel & Casino. Sign in at 10:30am and auditions will start at 11am sharp. Have headshot stapled/clipped to resume when you sign in. Any questions please contact Linda at the info below. Linda Voermans, moxie Entertainment, www.moxieEntertainment.com, Linda@moxieEnterainment.com 609.576.9149

No surprise as Nicole Scherzinger (lead singer for the Pussy Cat Dolls) wins the mirror ball trophy on Dancing With the Stars. She received help from her partner, now three time champion, Derek Hough.

The place to be every week, every Wednesday, Michael’s Cafe located on Street Road in Bensalem Pa,
the home of the Hustle. This week celebrating Robert Moss’s birthday. Come out for the free hustle lesson at 8:30 with hustle champion Brian Gallagher. DJ Mark spins the best dance music all night long.

“Dancing Under the Stars” outdoor dance events this summer at Hinds Plaza, next to the Princeton Library. Lou Becerra, President of CJDS said, “As a non-profit society we run dances and provide lessons to spread the joy of social dancing with the community. The dances will feature a mix of swing, salsa, ballroom & tango music. Come by for a fun and relaxing evening on the following dates: Sunday May 23, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Argentine Tango “Tangazo”, Friday June 4, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Mix dance, Friday June 11, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Swing, Friday July 9, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Salsa, Friday July 23, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – California Mix, Friday July 30, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Tangazo, Friday August 13, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – California Mix, Sunday Sept. 12, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Salsa, Friday Sept. 24, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Mix, Friday Oct. 1, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Tangazo, The dances are free and open to the public. www.centraljerseydance.org,

Dancer/singer Sunny Leigh releases her newest single with a twist. Check out her new video, enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3Rd4kdbW44

June 18th starts the 3rd Fridays Cali Mix with DJ Mark from Michael’s Cafe. Hustle and West Coast Swing Competition. Register free to compete at www.stardustbellmawr.com, plus West Coast Swing lesson by Alan Saperstein, Hustle Basic Lesson by Cedric, Hustle Intermediate lesson by Christy at the Stardust Ballroom in Bellmawr New Jersey.

This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by the Hustle Room, coming to the Salsa Congress.
See all the details below. www.nycsalsacongress.com

Make it a great week,
Ron

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The Hustle Room
at the Salsa Congress

“The Hustle Room” at the 10th Annual New York International Salsa Congress September 1-5th, 2010 @ the Hilton New York Hotel is 4 day, 5 night Dance & Music Festival that’s mixed with Dance Workshops, Performance Showcases, Concert Series and lots of Dancing Excitement! We are very excited to announce a Professional Salsa and Hustle Championship, Pro-Am’s, Amateur and Jack and Jill Contests. An event within an event dedicated to Hustle Music and Dance, featuring DJ Bobby Morales. Now you can enjoy Hustle and Salsa under one roof with One Pass! Instructors are; Billy Fajardo and Katie Marlow, Kelvin Roche and Lorianne Greenhouse, Katia Morales & Victor Alexis (Our new world champions), Danny McGee and Jameson Kilburn, Erik Novoa and Anna, Derrick Allen, Maria Torres, Stracy Diaz, and Nelson Flores and our loved Emcee Debra Hampton. Don’t wait to get your passes as the price goes up as time goes by and the Hotel will SELL OUT!…. Full VIP Pass includes entry to all the Pre-Parties starting on the 27th of August, and exclusive VIP Meet and Greet Party, VIP entrance to all the shows, 3 days of 60+ workshops, 5 nights of Showcases, Entry into the Hustle Room and the Bachata Room, Live Concert Series from Thurs to Sun., and an Official Drawstring Goody Bag plus so much more! (Click here for more info… http://nycsalsacongress.com/2010FullPass ) Check out www.nycsalsacongress.com for details!

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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)

Hello to all the Hustle Community,
I been reading these articles on your Newsletter about Lori’s Event, NY Hustle Congress & the Hustle Room. I agree on being disappointed on having both competitions on the same weekend. I have been doing the hustle over 25 years and I know from my experience that this could only have happened by people that hold a lot of power in the dance world. And speaking of the IHDA president, I’m very proud of what he’s done for himself and his studio. I just hope as the president of the IHDA, he does the right “thing” for all the Hustle lovers. As much as we want the Hustle to grow, he should know that 2 Hustle events can’t happen on the same weekend. Lori has competed and organized events and competitions all her life and she is one woman that has never turned her back to anyone in the dance world! I will definitely attend the New York Hustle Congress, it is just the right thing to do as a Hustle lover. I performed with David M. (RIP) many years ago in a Ralph Lew event. And If David was alive, he would have never let this happen. The organizer of the Hustle Room should contact Lori and do the “right” thing for the hustle community.
Thank you.
Roberto Pagan
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Dear Dancers,
It is unfortunate that we have to go back and forth with this issue of NY Hustle Congress. I find it funny how easy it is to point the finger and place blame. I recall last years event for the NY Hustle Congress being poorly attended. Where was the support then? There were many complaining about the event for the past 2 years, about the hotel, about the competitions, etc (it seems to go with the territory). Keep in mind that just paying for late night parties is not going to support this event or any dance event. Buying weekend passes and/or divisions for competing, is where an event will succeed. In my eyes, I truly see no competition between NY Hustle Congress and NY Hustle Room. If everyone comes and purchases a hotel room and packages for the NY Hustle Congress then it will fully succeed. It is truly up to you, the attendees, to make this event work. So I ask not to blame an instructor, organization or another event. There is always two sides to every story. Let’s all support Lori not with negativity towards others but by a positive approach.
Thank you all for hearing me out.
Elizabeth Darchi
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Hey Ron,
I’m troubled with the economy and job loses. You may wonder why I bring this up. I’m not writing to preach about Wall Street (although I’m in wealth management) I’m writing to shed a concern for others to think about. I’m in the private sector, as many dance teachers are as well. I am concerned for Lori Brizzi. If the hustle dancers don’t rise up to support her and others, faced with the challenges of the times, then this will continue to reduce the likelihood of the hustle living a long life span. Dance teachers and event producers earn their living through dance. This is their livelihood. I have read for years Ron the concerns about getting new dancers and kids to learn the hustle, but if we abanden Lori at this critical time then we are surely going to see a mass decline in attendance. The hustle dancers are becoming a dying breed. therefore, they must stick together. Support Lori, support all the socials and events that you can. The last two years have had a major impact on me, my out look on work and my life style. The good days of investing are shattered. I now focus more on my social life and the friendships I have made in dancing. I love swing and hustle and due to the decline in hustle interest in the Groton, CT area we do more swing but I felt it was important for me to speak up about supporting the hustle and Lori in this conflicted event schedule coming up. I hope others agree with me.
Thank you, Shawn
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Dear Ron:
I just read your latest issue of Dance Talk and it makes my blood boil to see what the new owners of the Salsa Congress are doing to steal Lori Brizzi’s hustle event for their own financial gain. It is downright disgusting, and I believe the hustle community needs to rally around Lori and boycott the Salsa event. Everyone who has been dancing hustle knows that Lori has successfully run the Hustle Congress on Labor Day weekend for the past five years in a row. David Melendez is turning in his grave to see how the new owner of the Salsa Congress, who bought the Salsa Congress from David on his deathbed, is attempting to pirate and commandeer Lori’s hustle event for his own financial gain. David always nurtured and supported Lori and her hustle event and loved working with her to rebuild the hustle dance in New York City, especially by introducing it to Salsa dancers. In contrast, as one of your readers pointed out, the new owner of the Salsa Congress has thrown Lori out of the Hilton by insisting that the hotel sign a non-compete clause effectively evicting her from the hotel. Moreover, I understand that the new owner has poached some of Lori’s staff and stole her business practices in order to start his own competing hustle event on the same weekend as Lori’s event. What is even worse, is that this new competing hustle event is being supported by renegade officers of the IHDA who have stabbed Lori in the back by withdrawing their support from her event—even though the IHDA sanctioned Lori’s event—and are now plotting with the Salsa Congress to steal Lori’s event. This conduct is atrocious, and anyone who truly loves the hustle dance and wants to support the dance community, will boycott the Salsa Congress and attend Lori’s Hustle Congress. Although, in your last issue, one naieve and well-intentioned individual suggested that this is merely a political squabble that can be worked out between the parties, most of the hustle community knows that something far more sinister is going on. It is nothing less than a vicious attempt by the Salsa Congress and a disloyal faction of the IHDA to unlawfully misappropriate Lori’s successful Hustle Congress. Further, the IHDA has blood on its hands, as quite a few of its principals are participating in bad faith in the Salsa Congress hustle event, even thought this is a direct violation of the IHDA’s own sanctioning of Lori’s Hustle Congress as the sole authorized event for this date in New York City. Even worse, I believe that some of these disloyal IHDA officers have actively plotted with the Salsa Congress on how to hijack Lori’s event away from her. Accordingly, this is to call on all members of the hustle community that truly care about this dance and the ethics of its organizers, to boycott the Salsa Congress and the IHDA. In anger and disgust,
David M. Slater
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Happy birthday wishes to Mark Ballas, Patti Cottone, Frank Santan, Sal Riccio, DJ Johnny Vicino, Jackie Norrito, Debi Cacace, Steve Tusiom, Magique and Raluca Georgio.

The Grand Finale of Dancing With The Stars takes place this Monday evening. Who will dance away with the mirror ball? This past week’s elimination wasn’t a surprise. Chad took the floor for the last time. It’s down to Nicole (Pussycat Doll), Evan (Olympic Gold Skater) and Erin (Sports Castor).

He would have celebrated his 46th birthday this week. Considered by many to be the poster boy for the hustle, Eddie Vega waved the flag during his incredible dance career. He is a member of the very first class of the ‘Life Time Achievement’ division, of the Hustle Hall Of Fame. He has been a great inspiration to us all and greatly missed. RIP – Eddie Vega – Hustle / Disco WCS + Salsa

DJ Fancy has just released his new collection of remixes and fresh new music. Known for his keen mixing skills and musical talent, DJ Fancy once again has picked nothing but hits. Get ready for the sounds that are rocking the dance clubs including the new release from Timbaland collaborating with Katy Perry. These songs have the beat for hustle dancing and West Coast Swing. If you want to have all the new hits on just one CD, this is the one for you. The Spring Mix release also includes hits by Lady Antebellum remixed and Taio Cruz’s hot single “Break Your Heart.” Cascada’s mega hit – Evacuate the Dance Floor and the newest release from Lady Gaga “Alejandro” and Selana Gomez’s “Naturally”. Don’t miss out on this hot new CD. To order send a check for $15 to Eddie Archie, 333 Evergreen Avenue Apt#2, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

Dancer Cathy Rankel dancers into retirement. After a 36 year career as an elementary school teacher, Cathy will now move on to great challenges and enjoy herself. Congratulations and thank you for her years of service teaching our kids.

May 27th, this Thursday night, the first episode of the new season of “So You Think You Can Dance” will be aired on the Fox network. Tuesday, June 1st, “America’s Got Talent” returns to television. Last year Dave Paris and Zoe went to the semi finals, who will excel this season.

DJ Mike Brooks continues to put his acting skills on the big screen. Be on the look out for Mike in the upcoming movie “Tenure” with Luke Wilson. He plays a faculty member. Another role he plays is in “The Lovely Bones” as one of the suspected child abductors. Mike is also preparing for another movie with Robert DeNiro & Bradley Cooper.

Every Wednesday night, Michael’s Cafe rocks with DJ Mark spinning the hot new music along with the classics for hustle, swing and Latin. This week, Joey C is the special guest teacher of the free hustle lesson at 8:30PM. Located on Street Road in Bensalem, near the Parx Race Track Casino.

Wanted: American Music Theatre (Lancaster, PA), a 1,600-seat celebrity concert venue is casting its 2010 season including: Nashville City Limits, California Soul, The AMT Band Plays Abbey Road, and the 2010 Christmas Show. Season runs April-Dec., $600 min./wk., plus lodging provided. Seeking Dancers: male & female, athletic, partnering & acrobatics a plus, also specialty couples..Email video links & résumés to amccormick@amtshows.com, or send to American Music Theatre, PO Box 10757, Lancaster, PA 17605.

This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by Liberty Swing Dance Championships taking place June 17 – 20th. Read all the details below. www.LibertySwing.com

Make it a great week,
Ron
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Liberty Swing Dance Championships

We are only one month away from the Sixth Annual Liberty Swing Dance Championships held at the beautiful Hyatt Regency New Brunswick, June 17-20, 2010
Online registration is ready to take your ticket and contest registrations. Register right now
View the Event Schedule available now and posted on the website. Workshop Schedule is coming very soon. Don’t forget: NEW IN 2010: Liberty will offer Pro-Am Strictly Swing and Strictly Hustle on Saturday morning. Pros will only be permitted to dance with three students in each division. (Divisions: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced). So if you haven’t booked your favorite Pro, contact them now before their openings are filled. The three-day Event Ticket is $145.00 thru June 6, 2010. On June 7, it will be $165.00. If you haven’t already purchased your ticket, buy it before the price increase!
Our Host Hotel: Hyatt Regency New Brunswick, Two Albany Street, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA 08901, (732)-873-1234 or (800) 233-1234
The Hotel is almost sold out! Remember: The room rate of $125.00 is guaranteed only thru June 10.
so book your room right now at the Hyatt. Fabulous Opening Ceremony, Free Workshops, Free Breakfast Buffets, Free Pizza Party and Free Ice Cream Social! Free Early Bird Dance & Free Hotel Parking! And many international friends with sexy accents from France, the UK, Ireland, Hungary, Finland, Australia, and Staten Island joining us at Liberty this year! LSDC features a talent-laden cast of champion dancers, teachers, judges and djs from all over the country. Check out the website at www.LibertySwing.com for the Schedule of Events, Entry Forms, Competition Rules and to order tickets. Online tickets available right now.
Join John Lindo and his amazing staff for a weekend of exhilarating fun and dance.

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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)

Hi Ron,
I just wanted to let everyone know what a great event Swing Dance America was a couple of weeks ago. Besides the resort being gorgeous, they renovated their rooms which are now even better than before! I was so lucky to be on staff with such accomplished and friendly people. It’s also one of the friendliest events that I go to all year! The Midwest crowd really knows how to make you feel welcomed. Not that they don’t have a competitive streak – they always want to win the team trophy, which the Chicago group did this year. There was a great showing of Hustle competitors again this year and the event grew in attendance and size over last year. It was nice to see a lot of the crossover dancers doing both West Coast Swing and Hustle comps! Glen Miller has definitely found a way to make the event fun for both Swing and Hustle dancers alike, and he’s even been able to get some great Shag dancers at the event adding another great dance to the list. The Hustle Team Match Challenge was added this year, which was added excitement, and fun for both the participants and the audience. If anyone is looking for a fun, friendly, exciting event with some great pros to take classes from and great social dancing, this is definitely one to consider!!
Stephanie Risser
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Dear Ron
I just read the article in the latest Dance Talk about the Hustle Room at the Salsa Congress and I must say that I am extremely disheartened to see that politics has once again reared its ugly head in the dance world.
Not surprisingly, they don’t answer the question, “Why are there two hustle events on the same weekend?” Lori Brizzi has been running the NY Hustle Congress alongside the Salsa Congress and now, suddenly, after 5 years, she’s edged out and forced to find a new venue. With 20,000 attendees, the mighty Salsa Congress now seeks to expand further and include hustle as part of their event and then they refer to the Hustle Congress as a second event? While they try to sound so noble, their motives are questionable.
They say that they can now offer one pass to all their guests which they “could not do before.” As I recall, for the first 2 or 3 years that the hustle congress was held alongside the salsa congress while David was still alive; attendees COULD pay one price and attend both events. When David passed away, this new regime shut the hustle dancers out by refusing to let them attend their salsa event unless they paid for that event separately. (So much for David’s “dream” of having salsa and hustle together.) And now, all of a sudden, they’re trying to make it seem like they want to embrace the hustle community? It’s duplicitous and underhanded, and it is clearly an attempt by one faction to gain control of everything in order to make more money. Though their efforts may be perceived as noble by some, they are actually deceitful, greedy and most importantly, divisive and therefore serve no one. This mess has already begun to cause dissension and disharmony in the hustle community. The last time I went to a combined Salsa/”Hustle” event, I paid for airfare, hotel and an expensive dance package, only to find that the hustle dancers were treated like second-class citizens, having to wait until midnight for the salsa band to be finished before the hustle DJ could start. Many got so tired of waiting around they retired to their rooms for the night; and to add insult to injury, some of the hustle dancers who remained were asked to cater to the salseros because they wanted to learn hustle, leaving even fewer people to dance with. Complaints were ignored, people were insulted, lessons were learned. I never returned to that event. And now some of these same people who are involved in this Salsa Congress have already admitted in their article that they want to “expose this dance (hustle) to their large salsa community”. I still have a bad taste in my mouth and now this is shaping up to be “deja vu all over again!” It seems clear that this faction is trying to use their might to undermine and overpower Lori Brizzi, (who was voted by your readers as “Person of the Year” for her efforts to keep hustle alive all these years) for their own political and monetary gain, using their own self-serving interpretation of “David Melendez’ dream” to further their cause. In the process, they are dividing the ever-diminishing hustle community by forcing them to make a choice. This situation is an absolute disgrace and those involved should be ashamed for causing all this discord. It’s dancing…not war! I hope that this David & Goliath story ends like the real one and Lori triumphs over the “giant.” I personally think that the NY Hustle Congress will be an even better event this year, now that we have our own venue.
Sandra J.
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In response to last week’s…
Special Note to all Dancetalk Readers: Some of you ask why are there two events of hustle on the same weekend? Due to circumstances out of our control, the Hustle has always been under the umbrella of the Salsa Congress created by David Melendez (May he RIP!) It was his dream to always have the hustle and salsa together and we are dedicating our 10th year to have his dream come true. Those of you who knew David will know that! Due to our overflow of 20,000 attendee’s we needed to not only expand but offer Hustle and Salsa and Bachata all under one roof and one pass to all our guests of which we could not do before. We felt it important to help Hustle dancing grow, and to expose this dance to our large salsa community and our large international audience. What a load of pretense, duplicity, misinformation, rationalization, and above all, crap! (All the highlighted items are absolute fiction.) When David Melendez ran the Salsa congresses, he was certainly aware of many of the top Hustle professionals, dancers and promoters, and he hand-picked Lori Brizzi to co-host a New York Hustle event. Only Lori and David know the discussions that were involved in choosing a venue, but at some point the decision was made to run the events conjointly. Where better to hold the premier NY Hustle event, than the NY Hilton, and why not use the power of TWO events to negotiate the best hotel room/ballroom/conference room rates? Hence, the NY Hustle Congress. And why not (while they were at it) include both communities in the price of a single evening’s admission, making both “Congresses” available to attendees who do both Salsa AND Hustle, and possibly introduce another dance style to dancers who may only be familiar with one. His illness necessitated David, in year 2, turning full control and ownership of the “NY Hustle Congress” completely to Lori, and after one more year of running the 2 events with mutual “bargaining power,” Lori was forced, in years 4 and 5, to negotiate her own contract with the Hilton. She tried her best for 2 years to keep the event on the same weekend, in the same venue that was familiar to everyone. However, after year 3, no one, except full-weekend VIP package holders, could move from congress to congress, without purchasing a nightly pass for each event — a Salsa Congress decision. Now, she can no longer run her event in the Hilton, because a clause, newly enforced, in the Salsa Congress’ contract, prohibits competing dance events on the same weekend. Sadly, since David’s unfortunate and untimely passing, the powers that be, both in the Salsa Congress community as well as the Hustle community, have attempted to wrest the control of the NY Hustle congress from Lori. Whether or not it was David’s “dream” to bring the two communities together, the current organizer of the NY Salsa congress has consistently undermined Lori’s attempt to share the event space under the same “umbrella.” She has been FORCED to find a new space where it is economical to serve the Hustle community with the best she and the NY Hustle community has to offer. Like a landlord who has forced a tenant to vacate their premises, the organizer of the NY Salsa Congress, and others, NOW see fit to use Lori’s attempt to run a profitable Hustle event at a new location, to completely eradicate the NY Hustle Congress by offering a “Hustle Room” at the NY Salsa Congress. Run by new organizers, attended by “big name” Hustle professionals, and all under the auspices of the IHDA (again, see last week’s post in DanceTalk and note the participation of the NEWLY ELECTED IHDA president as well as other past and present officers). Lori’s event IS (and according to IHDA by-laws, can be) the ONLY IHDA sanctioned event that weekend in NY. However, the IHDA president, former president, and numerous officers are being PAID to make their presence felt at the Salsa Congress’ “Hustle Room,” supporting a venue that has FORCED the NY Hustle congress from it’s original location. Shame on the IHDA, shame on the organizers, shame on all the participating professionals. How does it look to the Hustle community, when the governing body of that community sanctions one event, and receives compensation for participating in and supporting a conflicting event? People SHOULD be allowed to make money — that’s capitalism. If the professional dancers and instructors who choose to throw their support to a non-sanctioned, competing Hustle event, for a few extra bucks, let them. However, a governing body, and its officers, while in office, elected or emeritus, MUST set a standard of behavior and support, particularly when the competing event organizer has gone out of his/her way to undermine an IHDA sanctioned event. There’s an expression, “Caesar’s wife must be above reproach,” meaning there should be NO perception of impropriety from someone viewed to set the “moral standard.” There should be NO conflict of interest when it comes to the question of officers of the IHDA supporting a Hustle event, unsanctioned by the IHDA, and on the very weekend that a sanctioned event is occurring, IN THE SAME CITY.
Doug Hagwood
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Hi Ron,
I read Dancetalk every week. It has been a common discussion among dancers about the conflict of dance events taking place this fall (Hustle Congress Vs Hustle Room). I can only wish that it is not to late for the organizers to meet and discuss a way of changing one of the events weekends so both can take place without conflicting with one another. I sense a lot of discomfort about this topic when at dance socials. It is becoming the lead topic. It doesn’t make sense to hold two common events on the same weekend in the same town. I would encourage both groups to meet. I would recommend to bring in a group of organizes (John Lindo, John Festa, Anthony Lee, Diane Nardone) to help moderate. I would ask you Ron to take part as well…….. Any leaders in the hustle business should speak up in the best interests of the hustle and the hustle community. I wish Arte Phillips was still with us because I truly believe if he was still with us, this would have never happened. He would have put his foot down. I wish the leadership with the IHDA would take a position. Isn’t that what an association is suppose to do? I hope you’ll post this plea because I hate to see these type of situations occur.
Thank you Ron,
Julie Walsh-Brown
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Hi Ron,
During Miami and since Miami I have been hearing a lot of talk concerning the 2 events that will unfortunately be taking place during the same time, that being Labor Day weekend. Normally I try to stay as neutral as possible but as a fan and friend of Lori Brizzi, my loyalty compels me to share my opinion publicly if you will allow me to do so on Dancetalk. As we all know Lori Brizzi has provided the tri-state community of hustle dancers with consistent social parties for almost a decade. She was voted “person of the year” twice and has recently received a lifetime achievement award. As a past event director myself I am aware of what must go into any event, small or large, and at the end of the day, not much comes back in return. It is the passion and dedication you feel that gives you the strength and courage to continue and I think we can all agree on one thing, having hustle socials and events is not a lucritive business. Our community is a very small one. Having said that I would like to address the “reasons” I have been given as to why a second “hustle” event has been scheduled. In a nutshell I was told that the person who now is in charge of the Salsa Congress since David Melendez’s death felt Lori was not fulfilling her responsibilites as an event director and as a whole, is very unorganized and therefore caused a negative effect on his event. I have faithfully attended most of Lori’s events over the years and I have never seen any evidence of that. I will be the first to say that Lori does have her way of doing things that may not be acceptable or agreeable to others but the bottom line is, she gets the job done. Her parties have always been very successful and she is forever trying to come up fresh and new ideas to keep the community satisifed, hence the reason she was voted “person of the year” two years in a row which brings me to the point of this letter. Regardless of the reasons for the event director of the Salsa Congress to have his own hustle portion of his congress rather then Lori’s, I find it utterly selfish of him and his staff to put their own personal agendas first and therefore split our community in half. The confusion and backbiting this has caused is very unfair to the very people that these events are “supposedly” created for in the first place and the negative effect it has had on our community far outways any negative effect Lori’s methods of operations could ever have on us! Therefore, as always I will remain loyal to Lori Brizzi and support her Hustle Congress Event Labor Day weekend. I hope many others will follow my lead if for nothing else then to make a clear and concise statement that we will not be divided as a community but stick together with the same purpose which is to keep the dance that we love so much alive!
For the Love of the Dance,
JoJo Jack