Happy Birthday wishes to John Crescione ,Tom Roberts, Jason Richman and Sheri Barnes.   

Good samaritan Roberto Pagan suffered a knee injury in the course of breaking up a fight. We wish this dance champion a speedy recovery.

This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by Hooked On Hustle.  http://www.gethookedonhustle.com   The spring dance party takes place on May 15th and is packed full of excitement. Hooked On Hustle is pleased to welcome the sounds of DJ Johnny "O." This will be Johnny's Philadelphia debut.  Read all about it below.

Come to the debut of Dance America Seattle Dance Convention & Competition. This new event takes place January 21-23, 2005 at Seattle’s Sea-Tac Hilton Hotel Convention Center. With over 30 workshops to be taught by top professionals for all levels of dancers in Salsa, WCS, Hustle & Cha-Cha. Competitions include Professional, Amateur, Pro-Am, Advanced (Open to all) and Amateur Novice Jack & Jill, Hustle, Salsa, West Coast Swing, Pro/Am Showcase (Solo routines) and Salsa Team competition.  Visit their  website, www.danceamericaseattle.com stay tuned for more details to come.

Take note, coming May 29th, a new website, NY Hustle   http://nyhustle.com/
Check this out for upcoming events in the world of dance and music. 

Special Leg Night at Michael's Cafe Tuesday, April 27th. Come out as the judges: Wingo Hom, Joey Cammatuci and Jaime Serna pick the best legs. Contest starts at 10:30PM. Prizes and fun for everyone. Located in Bensalem on Street Rd Penna.  

Please note the new date for Ovations, it has changed to May 7th. Visit www.renehewitt.com   That night guest DJ Wil Milton (Wave Music – Westend Records), Eddie Cruz and Rene Hewitt will spin Classics and House music. There will be a freestyle dance contest with the first prize being a bottle of Moet.

Below your find a listing of power house DJs that focus on "back in the day" classic dance music as well as tunes of today. Save this list. These DJs are available for large and small dance venues.

Make it a great week,
Ron

Happy Birthday wishes to Shari (Kahn) Miller ,Sonya Saamova and Carolyn Grimaldi .

The organizers of Hustle USA Dance Championships regretfully have announced that this years event has been postponed. David Sarul and Maria Torres plan to hold their event next year. Unforeseen circumstances have forced them to make this decision. David hopes to have new information soon.  Stay tuned for details for 2005. 

Ovation, located in downtown Brooklyn will feature DJ Rene Hewitt starting April 30th. For more information visit his website www.HouseandClassicsTV.com  
Couple dancing is back, starting April 27th at Edgewater, Community Center in NJ, Presents Lincoln's Center's Crowned "King of the Hustle" Carl Charles & Partner Regina Tirado... see details below.  

Dance Darling Diane Taccetta has lost her sister Patricia Taccetta to cancer. The dance community sends our heart felt condolences to Diane and her family.  Sympathy cards can be sent to Diane Taccetta, 121 West Hanover Ave
Morris Plaines, NJ 07850 or E-mail address  DianesDanz@aol.com

The e mail address Diane@dkndance.com and the website   www.dkndance.com   are up and running again. You can register now for the early discounts for the World Hustle Dance Championships at www.hustledanceworld.com.
This years festivities are enriched as Derrick Allen  joins the staff. 

Week number 7 rocked at Zachary's dance contest this past Saturday in Long Island, NY. The guest judges were: Debbie Ferro, Donna DeSimone, Roberto Pagan and Nancy Thomas. This weeks winners: 1st place Lori Brizzi & Ron Rosario, 2nd Walter Levy & Raluca Georgio, 3rd Robert Lawrence & Teri, 4th Eric and Nana.

KTU's Disco Ball at the Trump Taj Mahal takes place on Saturday, May 15th in Atlantic City, NJ. AN all star line up of performers will be on board. See details below. 

Carol Feldman and Dreams Come True Travel have just teamed up to raise money for the Lupus Foundation.  They are sponsoring a 7 day fund raising cruise to Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Jamaica and Cozumel Mexico on December 5 - 12, 2004.  Their minimum goal is to raise $7,000 for the foundation.  You can get more information on the cruise by visiting www.traveldreams.tv or by e-mailing dctken@myexcel.com .  You are invited to come along and support this worthy foundation.

We wish the best to Celeste Pfefferle as she joins the professional ranks this summer at Discoamerica and WHDC.

http://www.gethookedonhustle.com Check out the new site for Hooked On Hustle

The May issue of New Jersey Monthly will feature an article on New Jersey's own, Gloria Gaynor.

This issue of DanceTalk is sponsored by the World Hustle Dance Championships.
Visit their website www.hustledanceworld.com or write organizer Diane Nardone at  dkndance@netcommail.com.

Make it a great week,
Ron

DanceTalk * 4-6-04

Wishing all of our readers a Happy and safe Easter and Passover. 

Happy birthday wishes to Tom Banner,  Disco Dave Sarul,  Dino Georgio and Judy Churchray.

Check out Dino's Georgio's new website, www.stronghealinghands.com

The dance community sends their condolences to Melody Cochran on the loss of her father.

The spring weather brings out the dancers and the passion of love. We are excited to announce the engagement of fellow dancers. Congratulations to Carolyn Grimaldi and Armando Sanchez on their recent wedding engagement. There was another proposal this past weekend. Read all about it, below in the IHSC Review below.

Check out the new website for Hooked On Hustle. Don't miss this great event in the City Of Brotherly Love on Saturday, May 15th.
http://www.geocities.com/shannoninpa/HookedOnHustle.html


Radio station WKTU in New York brings back the KTU Disco Ball at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ this summer. Stay tuned for more details.

The Zachary's contest continues every Saturday evening. This past weeks winners were: first place Hrant & Fern, second place Jack & Audrey and third place was Eric & Nana. Come out every Saturday night for the best night in Long Island.

Coming soon to DanceTalk, a listing of the best Disc Jockeys spinning the hottest classic and new dance music. 

DanceTalk will be back in 2 weeks. Off to Las Vegas for some R&R.

Make it  a great 2 weeks,
Ron

      IHSC Review and Highlights

The weekend kicked off with a "Moon Over Miami" Party with 400 dancers pool side on Thursday evening dancing under the stars and the action never stopped from that point on. 
Congratulations to all the winners at this past weekends International Hustle Salsa Championships in Miami. The organizers put together another wonderful weekend in a great setting. Hats off to Billy, Katie and Randy.
Many awards were presented including the John Luchesse Award which was given to Eddie Torres. The Olgie and Margo Life Time achievement award went to
Billy Fajardo and Katie Marlow.
A special award was given by DJ Bobby Morales to Jami Josephson as he presented her with a plaque asking her for her hand in marriage... in front of 2000 dancers. The ladies in the house were brought to tears. Congratulations to Bobby and Jami.             
The winning recipients of the Van McCoy dance contest were presented by
Mrs. Taylor, the sister of the late great Van McCoy. She was so moved by the showing of love that she announced that the Van McCoy dance contest will become an annual event.
The weekend attracted over 2,500 dancers from all over the dance Community.
IHSC will return next April 2005 with a new location. Stay tuned for more details.   
Here are some of the results.

The Van McCoy Professional
1) Brian & Silvana Gallagher
2) Tybaldt Ulrich & Hazel Mede
3) Kelvin Roche & Loriann Greenhouse
4) Robert Finocchio & Tiffany Brown
5) Keith Gussoni & Simone Assboeck
6) Danny McGee & Elizabeth Darchi  


The Van McCoy  Amateur
1 Theo Stafford & Celeste Pfefferie
2 Raye Avery & Irene Griffin
3 Joey Cammatuci & Ettie Kurtz

Classic Hustle Pro Am
1 Joe Kerner & Gina Madera
2 Judy Sparacio & Murray Phillips
3 Keith Gussoni & Pumpkin Habet

Pro Am Ladies Int Hustle
1 Daniel McGee & Ginny Carey
2 Brian Gallagher & Nina Rosado
3 Christopher Bates & Patricia Caballero

Pro Just Hustle
1 Brian & Silvana Gallagher
2 Danny McGee & Elizabeth Darchi
3 Keith Gussoni & Simone Assboeck

Amateur Just Hustle
1 Wingo Hom & Angela McCabe
2 Stanley Smalanowicz & Patricia McConnell
3 Wajih & Wendy Dalal

For all the results and scores visit
Winners at http://users.erols.com/crhutch/vs2/ihs04wi.html


Scores at http://users.erols.com/crhutch/vs2/ihs04sc.html

Achievements In Radio Awards 

The New York Metro A.I.R. Awards are the prestigious radio industry acknowledgment of the best of the best. This year they created an award for the DJ who provided the best mixing skills.  A wonderful award dinner was held at the B.B. King Theater in NYC and was attended by the honorable Governor Pataki as well as many industry stars including P. Diddy AKA Puff Daddy.  The highly coveted award for "mix show on the air" was given to WKTU superstar Jenny Costa. She is the first recipient of this award. To view all the nominee and details visit  WWW.NYAIRAWARDS.COM
Jenny continues to mix on the air for WKTU and Sirius Satellite radio. She appears at the Mirage in Long Island every Thursday from 8PM till 11PM, Fridays at Mirage from 6 to 11PM. Jenny does various guest spots thru out the tri state area including out of town events like LA, Chicago, Seattle.
On behalf of DanceTalk we send our congratulations to Jenny Costa, the "First Lady of Dance." Look for her monthly record picks, right here, exclusively in DanceTalk.

DanceTalk * 3-30-04

Happy Birthday wishes to Judy Secoda ,Bill Poulter and Nino Torre .

We send our prayers out for Dee Murrey, a swing dancer friend from Wichita, that  is under going bypass surgery.

Over 125 dancers were on hand at the Paladium in Margate, Florida for the preliminary Van McCoy contest. Michael Neil and Trish Berlanga won the regional championship. Runner ups were Frank Mazzarella and Gloria Kennedy. Michael & Trish move on to the finals this coming Saturday night. This will bring together all the regional champions for the finals. The Dance world is descending on Miami for the IHSC this weekend. Good luck to all the participants, if your planning on going check out the website for all the details. http://www.hustleandsalsa.com

The Hustle birthday party for Disco Dave Sarul has been changed from Fishers to Universal Dance Center in Collingswood, NJ on April 10th. See all the details below. 

Six more weeks to go till the finals at Zachary's in Long Island. This past weeks winners were Keith Harrison and Nina Rosado. Second place honors went to Peter Altman & Denise and third place winners were Louie and Silvia Piccininni. The judges were Judith Van Dyke, Yvette Rivera and Kasey from Bogart Studios. The contest continues this Saturday night.

Roe Petrizzi (Ro Ro) is a single mother of 2 teens.  She has been hustle dancing for over 30 years. She is a hard working, thoughtful and fun loving gal with a zest for life and an undying sense of humor. She now faces the biggest challenge of her life... a spinal operation on 4/12/04.  We can all help, by coming out and dancing on April 10th.  Roe's only concerns as she weighs possible paralysis, is her two children's fate and whether she will ever dance again. Please join us at the fund raiser.  See all the details below. 

Make it a great week,
Ron

  
    "Jenny's Dance Picks" 

Your reading them here first, Mixmaster Jenny Costa gives DanceTalk readers her top picks that are rocking the dance clubs.  "The first lady" of dance is on 103.5 FM, the number one dance station in the nation, WKTU in New York. But did you know that Jenny is one of the original hustle dancers from back in the day. Way before Saturday Night Fever, she was rated one of the top dancers in NY.  Jenny currently spins Thursday evenings at the Mirage in Westbury Long Island from 9PM on... and on Friday's at Mirage from 4 to 9PM.

Here are Jenny's top 10 for March

1. Yeah - by Usher
2. Here for you - by Angela De No
3. As The Rush Comes - by Motorcycle
4. Girlfriend - by Robbie Rivera
5. White Flag Dance Mix - by Dido
6. Just a Little More Love - by David Guetta
7. Deja Vu - by Roc Project
8. Deepest Blue - by Deepest Blue
9. Just A Little White Dance Mix - by Janet Jackson
10. Dip It Low - by Christina Milian

Mad Jam Review & Highlights

Congratulations to organizer Dave Moldover on his wonderful dance event, Mad Jam 2. The weekend was full of exciting competitions, workshops and social dancing. Dave was able to bring together 3 forms of dance (Hustle, WCS, Hand Dance) under one roof. The weekend gave rise to triple crown winners Tybaldt Ulrich and Hazel Mede. They took first place in the all three of their professional categories. The Top Teacher award went to Fred Price. The audience was also treated to an impromptu exhibition of a three way dance executed by Silvana Gallagher, Rick Barney & Shawn Brenan. Many professionals were on hand to teach workshops, private lessons, compete and dance up a storm: Donna Boyle, John Lindo, Debbie Tuttle, Keith Gussoni, Fred & Tina Price, Silvana Gallagher, Debbie Ramsey, Joyce Szilli, Bobby Morales, John Festa, Tybaldt Ulrich, Brian Gallagher, Dean Garrish, Danny McGee, Erik Novoa, Laura Cozik, Bill Cameron, Donna Roesel, ........
The event introduced many to the funky Hand Dancing, the official dance of DC. It takes WCS to another level with intricate hand turns and moves. Here are some of the highlights. (For a complete list of all the results please visit the website.) http://www.AtlanticDanceJam.com   

Open Show Case
1) Tybaldt Ulrich & Hazel Mede
2) Dori & Summer
3) Steve Neeren & Lyng Fish

Classic Hustle
1) Tybaldt Ulrich & Hazel Mede
2) Erik Novoa & Laura Cozik

Pro Am Spot Light
1) Ed Malone & Dawn Garrish
2) Pumpkin Habit & Keith Gussoni
3) Jim Call & Tina Price

Just Hustle Open
1) Fred & Tina Price
2) Barry Douglas & Judy Burke
3) Brian & Sophie

Just Dance
1) Joel Hasband & Lana May
2) Shawn Brenan & Kelly
3) John Rajchel  & Wendy Lippincott

DanceTalk * 3-23-04

Happy Spring,

Wishing Mike Tuttle and Ron Morrison a happy Birthday. 

Congratulations to Jenn & Jeff Gessner on the birth of their baby girl Grace. She was born on Monday the 22nd. Everyone is doing great.

Hustle Dance Cruise 2005, will take place January 27 thru Jan. 31st, 2005
on Royal Caribbean's 5-Star "Enchantment of the Seas." It will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Key West to Cozumel, Mexico and back. Pre-cruise party on Fort Lauderdale Beach. Special discounts on flights and oceanfront hotels available. Plan now to escape the frigid cold next winter! Upgraded cabin reservations being taken now, call Norm or Silvia of Sunburst Travel at 954-431-7771 for more details.

Fellow hustle dancer, Steve Holmes, has just released his biography. Available on line, "Up From Welfare" shares and inspires one to never give up. Steve holds a masters degree, coaches kids football & basketball and is the executive director of a drug & alcohol rehabilitation program. Congratulations to Steve on all his accomplishments and for giving "so much" back to the community...and the guy loves to dance.  Visit the website for a preview on his book and ordering information.
http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/16926

Hooked On Hustle returns to Philadelphia on Saturday, May 15th. Mark your calendar for this one night party extravaganza. Shannon Johnson hosts this special night at Dancesport 101.  Shannon always has a few extra surprises up her sleeve... you don't want to miss this event.

Hustle dancers, check out the new website for the IHDA . The deadline for this years listing is March 22nd. Studios, students, competitors and organizers are encouraged to get involved.  http://www.i-h-d-a.com

There are still 7 more weeks to put your skills to the test at Zachary's Saturday night Dance Contest. This weeks winners were: first place winners Joe Alexander and Lisa Paternoster, 2nd place Neil Shell and Diane Hakak and third place was Pete and Angelina.  The judges were Diane Nardone, Derrick Allen and Norma Rivera-Varrichio (Mrs New York/Mrs Puerto Rico)

Don't miss this weeks "Letter to the editor." It is right on target.

This Tuesday, March 23rd, John Festa hosts a weekly dance party at 99 Hudson, at the corner of Franklin in NYC. The party starts at 9PM with a $10 cover.

I hope to see you this coming weekend at Mad Jam.  It's not to late to join the party.
http://www.AtlanticDanceJam.com   

Make it a great week,
Ron

                 Spot Light
"DJ Rene Hewitt & The Inferno"

Back in the day, the exciting dancers went to the clubs where the best Disc Jockeys performed their craft. When Disco and hustle dancing were at a national peak, clubs like: Starship, 1018, Studio 54, Paradise Garage and The Loft were the places to be seen. But then, one of the most exciting night clubs of all times emerged.
The Inferno
At the helm, in the DJ booth was Rene Hewitt. He was responsible for keeping the 1,500 dancers moving and coming back each week for more. I did say 1,500 dancers on the floor, at one time. We are talking about a huge club. What an enormous responsibility for any DJ.  On Friday and Saturday evenings the club opened at 11:00PM and didn't close until 8:00AM. The clubs success grew by word of mouth. There were no visible signs out side, no paid promotions, you literally needed a map to find the place.
Rene was featured on WBLS-FM radio in New York. "Street Parties," was their late night dance show run by Eddie Rivera’s (President of International Disco Record Center), in conjunction with WKTU-FM.  "This was a great way for free advertisement and people would show up at the club." Rene remembers how people would wonder how he was able to play at the club and be on the radio at the same time. "We use to laugh, because it was pre-taped," recalls Rene. Initially, he was spinning on Friday's but as his reputation grew and the owner, Angelo, saw Rene's success building the Friday night party, he was rewarded with Saturday's.
"The fire and police departments use to come to the club and close us down, claiming it was a fire hazard. There would be about 1200 people in the club and four to five hundred waiting outside to get in."
The music literally made the dance crowd scream with joy. The sound was incredible and the choice of music was moving. Some of Rene's top picks included "Devil's Gun" and "Another One Bites the Dust."
As a kid growing up in NY, Rene always dreamed of being a DJ. He began collecting records at an early age. Prior to spinning at the Inferno, Rene was the Disc jockey at  “The Chase”.  Located on 27th street in Manhattan, on the second floor, The Chase was a very small club.  The club use to get so crowded that the dance floor use to sink and "we were so afraid it would fall in." "I would play from 10PM until about 9am and would pass out when I got home". During the day he was the editor for the music industries premier dance magazine, "Discoteckin." Later on Rene started his own DJ record pool, "Associated Promotions."  Stella Winston, the notable talk show host, featured Rene's life story on her New York show, "Straight Up." She noticed that Rene had some wonderful talents and suggested that he have his own TV show. Rene jumped on the opportunity and created a new format for television, www.HouseandClassicsTV.com As producer and director of the show, he has pulled together a staff of 10 people from all sides of the music and film industry to create the show. It features mixed house or classic music by DJ's from all over the globe.  The show will feature silhouettes of dancers, visuals, and a video segment called "A Classic Moment." Over his career Rene has spun at many legendary Clubs: Starship, Illusions, Bubbles, Club X, and Ice Palace 57, Studio 54, One Hot Spot, Side Street, Club Exodus and The Warehouse.
Today, Rene keeps  busy multitasking  in the music industry. " I'm still spinning records and recently was a guest DJ at E-Man’s parties, “Bang The Party”.  I also appear on Mike Stone’s roster of DJ’s and play occasionally at his club, “The Warehouse”.  I've become the Public Relations Director for Maestro – The Documentary (www.maestro-documentary.com)  and co-produced the movies theme song “Oasis” with producer Aaron Carl. Rene also writes a record review column for NBC TV’s affiliate station KCBD.com. Two years ago, Rene was one of the finalists in the Classic DJ Competition hosted by Nino Torre.
Rene's music  can be heard on two websites, www.rogie.net   and www.globalsoul.com .  "I would like to reach out to those of you who visited or remember the Inferno.  If it wasn't for the support of Angelo (rip) the owner of the Inferno and Kenny Carpenter, I probably wouldn't have made it as a DJ.  It is friends like these that I cherish". 
Rene brings back great memories of the Inferno. The music mesmerized us and gave dancers the energy to move all night.
(the film MAESTRO has opened in New York, and it is playing at the QUAD CINEMA, W 13th St.)

Letter to the editor

To The Viewers of VH1's "When Disco Ruled the World"
I've reviewed VH1's "When Disco Ruled the World" documentary numerous times
and keep coming up with the same conclusion:  "I was told one thing ...
while VH1 did another" .... they hooked me in  believing this was going to be a different documentary.  When they didn't use any of my interview in the first half of the show I really knew they were up to their own agenda.  I contradicted just about every negative point they dwelled on.  So it is no wonder my three hour interview got reduced to a few seconds. VH1 got 75% of their contacts for that show from me ... but they never followed up on some of the ones that really should have been in it.  Who really cares about the Studio 54 doorman?  and Steve Rubell's driver?  and
Carmen D'Alessio - co-founder of, Studio 54???
I mean ... "come on... give me a break" ....  They had Studio 54 on their
minds from jump street.  They should have done a Studio 54 documentary and
gotten it over with. But they assured me Studio 54 would only get a mention
... about one minute .. at the most!!!!  I've been had!!!  There were so many other clubs which should have been included.  Studio 54 was a zoo... and not a true example of a '70s disco club.  It was an exclusive show business disco nightmare which most disco aficionados hated.  It only deserved a mere mention in this documentary... which .. again .. I was assured of by the VH1 producers... was going to happen. VH1 should have talked to many of the other contacts I gave them, like: Ron Bess, Lisa N., and numerous other dancers, djs, artists, producers, .. some
of which have never been interviewed ... which would have added some real class to the program... but they did what they did ... and kept me in the dark about their interviewee list until a couple of days prior to the airing.  I had to complain to the president of Viacom (owner of VH1 television) about their lack of communication and promotion. The first half of the show was half-way decent... but the second half was
all down hill.  They could have done without the 54 fiasco and the disco
demolition (which really was not the death of disco .. cause disco ...never really died ... VH1 just contributed to the scam.... willingly or unwillingly.)   It just did not have to happen the way they did it.  There was no reason for it ... and they out and out  lied to me... plain and simple.   They produced a "National Enquirer" mentality disco
documentary... not even concerned about painting a negative one-sided picture.
I should have charged VH1 a fortune like I wanted to in the beginning ... but they assured me ... this one would be different .. so I donated my time, contacts, and video clips of my show ... free of charge because they were going to "do the right thing" ... and "right thing" ... it is not!  Sorry.
Word on the street has it:  "VH1 will be 'off the air' by the end of the
year."  Good riddance.

Marty Angelo
http://www.discostepbystep.com  

DanceTalk * 3-15-04

Happy Birthday wishes to Scott Michielli, Alex Skutza, Caren Casper and Lauren Bess.

Round two of the Zachary's dance contest took place this past weekend. That leaves 8 more weeks to strut your stuff. Congratulations to organizers Charlie Pace, Michael Froumeni, Bobby O and DJ Steve for making this happen.  This weeks judges were Judith Van Dyke, Mrs. NY Galaxy 2004 - Norma Rivera and Yvette Rivera. First place went to Michael Flores & Mimi Saliba, second place Leo & Jacqueline Vargas and third place Hrant Antreasyan and Fern.

The hot new show, for anyone dreaming of becoming a star is Gimme The Mike!  KTVU Fox 2 is bringing it to you. If you think you've got what it takes then ...auditions will take place on Tuesday, March 23rd and Wednesday, March 24th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Paramount's Great America. Call back auditions take place on April 3rd at the KTVU Fox 2 Studios in Oakland California's Jack London Square. Show taping will take place on May 8th & 9th. Five contestants will be selected for each of five shows. The winner of each advancing to the July 2nd finals which will be broadcast LIVE.  Click here for Official Rules

DJ Mike Brooks from Oldies 98.3FM is now spinning on Thursdays (8PM) at Pistol Pete's saloon, 1000 Black Horse Pike in Pleasantville, NJ and at The Temple Bar at Caesar's Casino In Atlantic City on Fri & Sat  (11:30pm til 3am) Hardwood floor and elegant with no cover -- 609-441-2345.  Mike was the former DJ at Cherry's and HB's back in the day.

New York Salsa Open: Grand prize: Roundtrip Tickets for two including travel & accommodations to San Juan, Puerto Rico to compete in the Puerto Rico Salsa Open July 2004 with chance to win a first prize of $10,000. All registrants will qualify to compete in Puerto Rico Salsa Open Competitions which take place on July 25 & 26 just before the PR Salsa Congress which takes place from July 27-31 @ Wyndham El San Juan Hotel To register-email: simplysalsa@worldsalsadj.com

Don't miss next weeks DanceTalk when we Spot Light legendary DJ Rene Hewitt, the mixmaster at the historic Inferno in New York.

Make it a great week,
Ron

  Mad Jam Preview

The Mid Atlantic Dance Jam (MAD JAM) takes place March 26 to the 28th.
The weekend will be a West Coast Swing, Hustle & Hand Dance Spectacular! This years event takes place at the Grand Hotel Ballroom in the Ramada Inn, New Carrollton, MD. The location is Less than 3 hours from Philly and Southern New Jersey.  Hundreds of dancers have already registered with an expectation of over 800  attending this year.
Make your reservations before March 19th. (Earlybird pricing end March 19th).
New sponsor's contributions have helped put the prize purse at over $10,000.00
Mad Jam 2004 has added additional contests to the roster: Teams, 3 levels of Hustle Jack & Jills, Just Dance, Classic & Showcase categories.  There will be a special all night Hustle party with New York DJ Bobby Morales. Bobby will bring his magical  touch of dance classics along with the entire DJ Staff from Mad Jam. Your registration includes a free Saturday midnight buffet plus 8 Free dance workshops. 
Lots of vendors will be represented including: Dance Shoes, Men's & Women's dance wear, Custom Orthotics, Dance gifts & Thumbs up video.
It's not to late to register, see all the details below including the all star staff.
Congratulations to Dave Moldover for bringing this exciting event to Maryland.  
www.atlanticdancejam.com
 
$89 weekend pass includes all events and 8 free workshops
$40 Saturday night pass includes 2 free workshops, Saturday competitions, show & midnight buffet.
$79 hotel guest rooms, make reservations by March 19th 
Stars of Swing, Who's Who of Hustle, Hot Shots of Hand Dance & all your friends.... Barry Douglas, Bill Cameron,  Brian Gallagher, Bobby Morales, Christopher & Lisa Joe, Cheryl Clark, Craig Hutchinson, Dahlia Hirsh, Dave Moldover, Daniel McGee, Darlene Long Cree & Robin Smith, Dean & Dawn Garrish, Debbie Ramsey & Wesley Boz, Debbie Tuttle, Denise Fortune, Donna Boyle, Donna Roesel, Erik Novoa & Laura Cozik, Figgy Jones, Frank G, Fred & Tina Price, Heidi Groskreutz, Jennifer Lyons, Jim & Peggy Keisel, John Festa, John Lindo, Joyce Szili, Keith Gussoni, Kevin Fitzhugh, Kim Frazier, Ligaya Fish, Phil Lamothe, Priscilla Wiley, Rob Baen & Sheila Purkey, Ron Bess, Shawn Martin, Silvana Gallagher, Steve Neeren, Steven Matthews & Carolyn Patterson, Tami Harris, Tammy Brown, Tybaldt Ulrich & Hazel Mede.

Dance Trivia

Donna Summer has three daughters. Her oldest is a successful young actress currently appearing on the television show "My Wife and Kids." Donna turned 55 this past New Year's Eve.

Gloria Gaynor was the first Disco/dance artist to have a Platinum dance recording which was the classic.. "I Will Survive."

Studio 54 opened in a former Movie studio in May of 1977.

The first commercial 12" inch record was the song "Ten Percent" by Double Exposure on Salsoul records produced by Tom Moulton.

The late, Gene Siskel, best known as half of the famous movie critics "Siskel and Ebert," sold John Travolta's white suit from "Saturday Night Fever" at a Christie's Auction in NY for $145,500.

Alec R. Constindinos, best known for his orchestral disco hits like "Romeo & Julliet"...continues to write music and produce movies in Hollywood.  

And, Their real names are:
Cher - Cherilyn Sarkisian
Fred Astair - Fredrick Austeritz
David Bowie - David Robert Jones
Joel Gray - Joe Katz
Madonna - Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone
Rita Moreno - Rosita Alverio
Ginger Rodgers - Virginia McMath
Stevie Wonder - Stevland Morris
Donna Summer - La Donna Gaines

DanceTalk * 3-8-04

Happy Birthday wishes to Silvana Gallagher.

Love Saves The Day, by Tim Lawrence. A new book which includes over 300 interviews with the scenes most influential players, Nicky Siano, Tom Moulton, Loleatta Holloway, Giorgio Moroder, Frankie Knuckles, Earl Young... It also includes 20 special DJ discographies -listing their favorite records of the disco decade. Just released go to http://www.theloftnyc.com

The revival of the legendary Zachary's Dance Contest got off to an overwhelming success. The first weeks winners were Luis Rosa & Mary Poma. Second place went to Ricky Quintana & Lisa Paternoster while Peter & Angolina took third. Judged by Susan Marolda, Judith Van Dyke and Carl "Mr. C" Charles with host, Bobby O. The competition continues for 9 more weeks. See more details below.

Don't miss the Big Apple Dance convention this coming week. An all star list of teachers and competitions to attend. See the details below.

Radio Station WKTU in NY is the recipient of the 2004 Best Dance Radio Station award in the nation. It was presented at the Winter Music Awards being held in Miami. 

Please note the date change on the next Atrium Dance Party. The original date of March 12th has been changed to March 19th. See all the details below.

The Grand Re-opening of Swing Shift , every Sunday at Club 56, The 56th Fighter Group Restaurant in East Farmingdale from  6:00PM - 9:30PM

DanceTalk is accessible at many websites including http://www.Discoamerica.com
For the entire list, please scroll down.  

Make It a great week,
Ron

Hustle Dance Directory (part 3)

Here is the third part of our comprehensive list of the top dance teachers for hustle thru out the USA. These instructors are all professionals with extensive backgrounds in dance.  Although they may not be from your town, when visiting or attending a dance convention / competition, contact them in advance to arrange to attend their group classes and/or private lessons

Mr. C. AKA  Carl G. Charles
Affiliated studios: Fazil's Dance/Reversals Studio (New York City) and Dance Club International (Middle Village) Queens
carlgcharles@mrcdance.com
www.mrcdance.com
Phone: (917) 776-2796

Lisa Nunziella and Deano Georgio
Los Angeles, California
Future Fit  10610 Culver Blvd.
Lisa@dancewithlisa.com       deangeorgio@aol.com
 www.dancewithlisa.com
Phone number    310-628-9265 or 323-365-6553

Tony Pace
Houston, Texas
Tony Pace Learn-to-Dance
Chayns Nightclub, 3920 FM 1960 West, Houston, TX 
Prime Time Steak House, 9271 FM 1960 West, Houston, TX
Champions Ballroom 4610 FM 1960 West, Houston, TX
rcrankel@wt.net
281-353-3817

Roberto Pagan / Roberto's Dance Studio
operating out of:  The Pioneer Club 209 Jefferson Street
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ  07604
(201) 288-1422 phone (201) 288-8740 fax
nyex@optonline.net  webmaster@robertosdancestudio.com
Website: http://www.robertosdancestudio.com

Dara Patrusky
Philadelphia / NJ
e-mail darapatrusky@aol.com. 
dancers extrordianire affilliation.  Specializing in hustle salsa and WCS privates. 
267-259-1206

Arte Phillips
NY, Pa, NJ, DC,
artephillipsdance.com or arte_phillips@yahoo.com
347-432-3177 mobile  718-779-7937 home

Luis Rosa & Mary Poma
Queens, New York
Hollywood Entertainment and Mambo Unico
latindanceconnectin@yahoo.com
www.latindanceconnection.com
718 352-0578  347 683-3724

Gail Rundlett , Director/ owner/ Hustle instructor,
Massachusetts
Tempo Dance Center, 380 Washington St., Brighton MA  02135
617-783-5467, www.havetodance.com/tempodancecenter
Email.......GNRundlett@rcn.com

Joyce Szili
Silver Spring, Maryland and Merrifield, Virginia
Virginia Ballroom and K2 Dance Studio
E mail address - Joycedancr@aol.com
Web site - www.justhustle.com
Phone number - 301 598-2215

DANCE WITH DEBBIE"  
Debbie Tuttle  
Home Studio: 10908 Brookwood Avenue
Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772
 Virginia Ballroom: 8442 Lee Highway
Merrifield, Virginia
 dancewithdebbie@comcast.net
 http://dcdancenet.com/dancingtuttles/
 301.877.9379

Kim Vanaman , Hustle Instructor,
Massachusetts
Tempo Dance Center,
380 Washington St., Brighton, MA 02135,
617-783-5467, www.havetodance.com/tempodancecenter
Email.......jskg-vanaman@worldnet.att.com

  Letters To The Editor

Hey Ron,
I watched the VH-1 program “When Disco Ruled the World” and thought it
basically came off contrary to our hope of it NOT focusing on the excesses of a few. The picture they painted is not what the music and dancing scene of the disco club era was generally like. Studio 54 was NOT a representative example. It was a freak show! There are many, many more shining examples of the good, clean, safe and fun dancing times had by all at discotheques nationwide both recently and in the past....
The disco phenomenon contributed many positive results overlooked by this VH1 program.... For instance in disco’s heyday: “disco brought all types of people together to party late night for stress relief", "disco gave class to the music scene after the burn-out sloppy hippie image of hard rockers left over from the 60's generation,"..... "disco induced everyone to dress chic again for the nightlife and lent renewed class to dancing again" and disco "totally revived partner dancing as a hobby in the United States." Still to this day "hustle dancing is alive at many major dance competitions and dance studios across the country with a very strong following" and "disco music hits are the preferred general dance music at special events and weddings -appealing to a very broad cross-section of society… NOT a bunch of drugged out sex fiends and mindless partiers as depicted by this documentary, “When Disco Ruled the World.” A neutral documentary should reflect on both the positive and negative history....VH1 did NOT do there homework.  I am sure that the VH1 interviewers managed to over-look many of the positive commentary given in their interviews by editing out the more positive stuff. Alas, disco music and hustle dancing deserved better coverage.
From Fort Lauderdale,
Drew Axelrod

DanceTalk *3-2-04

Happy Birthday wishes to Billy Fajardo, Sara Jones, Yvette Rivera and Randy Atlas. 

Look for Australian singing sensation Delta Goodren to hit the US market soon. She is the queen of pop music abroad. 

Dance Mania The Ultimate Dance Contest is going strong every Sunday night at 10:00 PM at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel and Casino. The finals take place April 25th.
Its not to late for you to compete. 
Here are the current weekly winners that are eligible for the finals. 
Week 1 Geramy Morrison and Lisa Rayes - Free Style
Week 2 Henry Bulgarin and Miracle Vail - Hustle
Week 3 News and Rabbit - Poppin and Lockin
Week 4 Mellisa Cohen and Thaddeus Decerantes - Argentine Tango/disco

Mark your calendars, Hooked On Hustle returns to Philadelphia. Shannon Johnson brings her hott dance party back on May 15th, Saturday night. More details to come.

George Velazquez co-wrote a book about his life as an amputee. The Amputee Coalition of America has made the book available by calling 1-888-AMP-KNOW . The proceeds go to helping Children with missing limbs. 

The Latin Music Awards take place on April 29th live from Miami.

The Van McCoy dance contest made a stop in New Orleans this past weekend for the last regional competition prior to the finals in Miami at the IHSC. Congratulations to 1st place winners in the hustle, Theo Stafford & Celeste Pfefferle while Chino & MaryAnn took 1st place in the Salsa. 

New York Dances for Rosa Collantes, March 7th at "Stepping Out" in NY. Rosa is going thru a serious health Crisis and needs our support. See all the details below. 

Zacharys Dance Contest, every Saturday night for 10 weeks. Weekly and grand prize winners. Minimum 3 couples per week, no solos or groups. This historical night club is located in the East Meadow shopping plaza in East Meadow NY 516-794-9770 

Make it a great week.
Ron

Retro 

Twenty-nine years ago, some of the hottest dance songs were climbing to the top of the charts. The year was 1975. DJ record pools were gaining memberships as new clubs started to pop up. A brand new night club opened in the NY Hilton Hotel called The Roman Pubs Metamorphosis. Record executives reported that they feel the night clubs/Discos are becoming the new way to expose the public to new music. 

The discotheques were becoming the laboratory (I guess that made us the guinea pigs). The impact of the music went from being a club / underground sound to the air waves across the country. 
Here are the songs that were climbing the charts back then. Some of these ditties are still dance gems today.

"Sexy" by MFSB Orchestra
"Brazil" by the Ritchie Family 
"Dreaming A Dream" by Crown Heights Affair
"Fight The Power" by the Isley Brothers
"Blow Your Whistle" by Gary Toms Empire
"Bad Luck" by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
"Fame" by David Bowie
"Do It Anyway You Wanna" by Peoples Choice
(and the number one spot was a song called)
"The Hustle" by Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony 

Disco: A decade of Saturday Nights

Henry Ford Museum Catches Boogie Fever With "Disco: A Decade of Saturday Nights" starting June 15th and runs till Sept 15th 2004.

Disco: A Decade of Saturday Nights captures this funky and sometimes freaky musical phenomenon in a major exhibition. And it dances into Henry Ford Museum June 15, 2004. Timed tickets at $7 (general museum admission also required) go on sale April 15, 2004, and can be purchased at www.TheHenryFord.org or by calling (313-982-6001. Disco: A Decade of Saturday Nights follows this highly influential musical trend from its beginnings in the clubs of New York to the fad generated by the film, Saturday Night Fever, to discos backlash and to its ultimate resurgence.
This eclectic display features more than 200 artifacts from the disco era including one of the infamous white suits John Travolta wore in Saturday Night Fever, outfits that donned divas such as Donna Summer and Gloria Gaynor, and rare photographs of Studio 54 taken by Andy Warhol. The Spot Light also settles on legendary nightspots such as the Loft and the Paradise Garage and on artists including Grace Jones, Nile Rodgers of Chic, the Bee Gees, Sylvester, A Taste of Honey and more.

Beyond the artifacts, Disco also features a fully operational dance floor complete with light show; interactive DJ booth and of course the unmistakable sounds blasting through listening stations and kiosks along the exhibit route. Courtesy of http://www.discostepbystep.com/empdiscoexhibit24.htm

DanceTalk * 2-24-04

Happy birthday wishes to Kathleen Harbison, Jeannie DeVos, Beryl Zarlie ,Bernadette Currie, Donna DiSommone, and DJ Rene Hewitt. 

Raluca Georgiana , 2002 Open World Hustle champion, has choreographed the off-Broadway musical, "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris," playing at the West Bank Cafe, the Laurie Beechman Theater, 407 West 42nd St. @ 9th Ave. Wed. 2/25 at 7pm, Fri. 2/27, at 7pm, Sat. 2/28 at 2pm, Sun. 2/29 at 6pm. Tickets can be bought on the spot for $20! 

If you haven't qualified yet for the Van McCoy Contest here is your chance. The 10th and final regional competition takes place this coming weekend in New Orleans. See details below or visit http://www.hustleneworleans.com

Every Tuesday and Thursday there are dance socials and lessons at the Virginia Ballroom, 8442 Lee Hightway Merrifield. For WCS and Hustle check out these hot nights with Debbie Tuttle. For details visit    http://dcdancenet.com/dancingtuttles/
 dancewithdebbie@comcast.net

Entertainment Weekly says Dirty Dancing 2 "Havana Nights," "... is not a sequel, It's a companion piece,'' explains producer Lawrence Bender. As a salsa-dancing waiter, ''Diego Luna flashes his hungry eyes at newcomer Romola Garai (''Nobody puts Romola in a corner!'') in prerevolutionary 1950s Cuba. Promises the producer, ''There will be plenty of hot stuff going on.''

Mad Jam is coming.. mark your calendars to attend March 26-28th, visit the website http://www.AtlanticDanceJam.com   and look for more details below. Digital Dave Moldover is your host and will be making a guest DJ appearance this week at The Atrium Dance Center this Friday in NJ. 

The New York Premiere of "Maestro" the documentary film 4 years in the making, which contains legendary footage and interviews with DJ's like Francis Grasso and Rene Hewlett. For info on MAESTRO go to http://maestro-documentary.com/   It opens march 12th at the Quad Cinema on 13th St. It will play 5 shows a day, only for as long as people attend. 

Please find below, part 2 out of 3, listing the finest hustle dance teachers in the USA. Print it out for future use.

Make it a great week,
Ron

Letters To The Editor

Ron, I have one more dance etiquette for you to add to your great list.
If you turn someone down for a dance, don't turn around and dance with someone else during that same song.
Robin

Hi Ron,
I really enjoyed your feature on Nelly Cotto. I still to this day remember her dancing on television. It is amazing that she is still a super performer....... I only wish I still lived in NY and could attend some of the big dance partys. I have become a dancetalk junkie. My kids think I'm nuts when i jump up every tuesday morning and flip on my PC to read the news. Keep up the great work. BTW, ever hear from Philippine Paulie? Where is he living now?
thanks,
Debbie Costello

(DT Response) I bumped into Paulie last year at the Paladium in Florida. I believe he still lives and dances in that area. Best regards Debbie, Ron

Hustle Dance Directory (part 2)

Here is a comprehensive list (the second of three parts) listing the top dance teachers for hustle thru out the USA. These instructors are all professionals with extensive backgrounds in dance.  Although they may not be from your town, when visiting or attending a dance convention / competition, contact them in advance to arrange to attend their group classes and/or private lessons


Keith Gussoni
City, State: New Orleans, LA
Studio(s) affiliation: HustleNewOrleans, Club Silhouette Dance Studio, Starlight Dance Studio
E mail address: hustleneworleans@aol.com
Website: www.hustleneworleans.com
Phone number:  504-220-5560

Gregory Harrison
Pleasanton, Ca  94566
gregory@hustledance.com
www.hustledance.com
(925) 846-8942 (510) 593-9800 cellular 
Ashkenaz Dance Center, 1317 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley, Ca

Mark James
Long Island & New York City
specializing in Adagio, Hustle, NY "2", WCS
dannsirs@aol.com
http://www.mjames.org/
516.835.9996

Phil LaMothe
Boonton & Rhythm In Shoes studio
Lamothe@prodigy.net ,  philiptl@optonline.net
www.rhythminshoes.com
(973) 335-9920

Karen Lupo
Long Island, NY
Specializing in Hustle & Latin
http://www.mjames.org/markkaren.html
631.696.3098

Jennifer Lynn
 Hackensack, New Jersey
 Battista Dance Studio
 http://www.battistadancestudio.com
 1-201-525-0102

Billy Marti
Dancesport, Manhattan New York
1-212-307-1111, 1-917-496-3667
Moralesmarti@aol.com
Theatre Arts, Jazz, Hip Hop,  Hustle

Julia St. Marie
Las Vegas, NV
Studio(s) affiliation---Dance Fitness and Sport and LV Dance Sport
E mail-- Stjulia001@yahoo.com and hustlexplosion@yahoo.com
Web site---www.Hustlexplosion.com   (being built at this time)
Phone number 702-355-4663 and 702-791-1094

Daniel McGee
Philadelphia, PA
Top Hat Dance Studio
dmhustle@yahoo.com
www.tophatdancestudio.com
215-676-3100

Diane K Nardone 
Washington Township, NJ  
DKN Dance Studio & World Hustle Dance Championships 
E mail address    Diane@dkndance.com  
Web site  www.dkndance.com  
Phone number   201 666 6224

Look for part 3, of our Hustle Directory, in two weeks.

DanceTalk * 2-17-04

Happy Birthday wishes to Kathy Kritsky, Drew Axelrod, Tony Thompson and David Seneca.
The first 50 ladies attending Michael's Cafe (Tuesday Feb 17th) will receive a post Valentine's Day Rose, courtesy of a fellow dancer, that appreciates and admires them for their passion of The Love of Dance.

This week marks the third anniversary of "Ginger's Wish," which was held in 2001 at the Stardust Ballroom in Pennsauken, NJ. Hundreds of dancers came out to support our dear friend, the late Virginia DiMaio. She is sadly missed.

Dance Mania returns to the Las Vegas Hilton every Sunday leading up to the finals on April 28th. Over $5,000 awarded in cash and prizes including weekly $250.00 for 1st, $100.00 for 2nd, and $50.00 for 3rd place. Visit the website and see more details below. http://www.discostepbystep.com/lv_hilton.htm

Wishing a quick recovery to Elisabeth "Betty Ann" Craner. Hope to see you on the dance floor soon.

This Thursday morning, Feb 19th, Gloria Gaynor will guest on the “Fox News Channel?to talk about the key role she will play in this years 2004 World Peace Awards which will be held in Viet Nam’s capitol city of Hanoi-recently named a UNESCO “City Of Peace.?Gloria was the recipient in 2003 of a “World Peace Music Award.?

Every Saturday starting in March, Zachary's, in East Meadow, NY will be holding a 10 week dance contest for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. More details coming next week in DanceTalk.

Good bye to "Jack Rose," Manhattans leading Swing venue. It has been sold to the Bennigan’s Restaurant chain and is closing its doors. Unfortunately, the “Special Night of Swing?on Sunday, Feb. 22nd has been canceled.

Work is also underway on a new movie release, “Felix The Cat Saves Christmas,?a multimillion dollar production of Good Times Entertainment and producer Don Oriolo, who runs the Felix empire for his cartoon client. The film will feature the voices of actors Tom Bosley and Dave Coullier, along with new music by multi-platinum diva, Gloria Gaynor, an admitted Felix fan.

Make it a great week,
Ron

"Jenny's Dance Picks" "The first lady" of dance is on 103.5 FM, the number one dance station in the nation WKTU in New York. Mixmaster DJ Jenny Costa sets the tone. Jenny keeps a close pulse on the music by staying active in the night club scene. She currently spins on Thursday evenings at the Mirage in Westbury Long Island from 9PM on... and on Friday's at Mirage from 4 to 9PM. Saturdays is Zachary's in East Meadow Long Island. A major dance competition begins at Zachary's this March. Stay tuned.

Here are her top 10 picks for February 2004,

1. THE WAY YOU MOVE - OUTCAST
2. ALL THINGS - WILDLIFE
3. AS THE RUSH COMES - MOTORCYCLE
4. TOXIC - BRITNEY SPEARS
5. JUST A LITTLE MORE LOVE - DAVID GUETTA
6. FREE - SARAH BRIGHTMAN
7. GIA - DESPINA VANDI
8. GIRLFRIEND - ROBBI RIVERA
9. IF I WERE YOU - CANDEE JAY
10.YOU PROMISED ME - INGRID

Dance Etiquette and Beyond.
A dance guide to sharing space, avoiding accidents and having fun. Many dancers love to showcase their skills by taking center stage on a crowded dance floor. Naturally this can lead to injuries and a chiropractic visit the next day if your partner wasn't expecting to be dipped, lifted or thrown across the dance floor.

Here are some tips to make the dance experience enjoyable for everyone.

* Don't over extend your bounds on a crowded dance floor. Respect the space of those around you. Don't over project with your arms or over use the dance floor at the expense of colliding with another couple.

* Refrain from bringing bottles or drinks onto the dance floor. This can lead to a slippery dance floor, broken glass which could cause an injury.

* Respect others feelings -- birthday dances, special events etc.. give the dancer their just do's. Wait till their "15 seconds" of fame are over.

* Dance attire, dance shoes are always best for balance and movement. Shoes and or dance sneakers designed for dancing will give you ample toe flexibility and comfort. Avoid baggy clothing, strappy outfits that can swing and hit your partner.

* Dips and lifts are best executed in shows and competitions. Avoid these type of movements in a club or social setting unless you're par taking in a competition. Injuries can occur when positioned in correctly on a crowded dance floor.

* Social dancing includes patterns and leads that bring dancers very CLOSE to one another. Good hygiene is a must. Be cognizant, carry a pack of mints, cologne, etc...check it out before an embarrassing situation takes place.

* Respect others privacy to video taping or snapping pictures, unless, given consent. Nobody minds being taped but to zoom in on someone for an extended period of time can be perceived as offensive.

* Keep the dance area clear of smoke. Avoid smoking near the dance floor.

* Cutting in is considered socially acceptable as long as both parties are in agreement. Make sure you get a nod or a verbal agreement that cutting in is okay.

* Take the time to dance with someone new. Get into the habit of making new friends and giving everyone the opportunity to dance.

* A well executed lead/follow comes from a good hand connection with your partner. Avoid wearing to many rings that may interfere with a comfortable grip.

* Slips and falls can happen. Be attentive by giving your partner support should they lose their step or balance.

* Dance to the level of your partner. Dancing takes two, adjust to the skill level of your partner.

* If you have the misfortune of bumping into someone, step on a toe etc... take a moment to make sure they are okay by extending an apology. It goes along way.

DanceTalk * 2-10-04

Happy Valentine's Day.

Birthday wishes to Vince Montana Jr,  Zulma Rodriquez, Yvette Rivera,  Frank Zarlie and  Arte Phillips

Head over to the "new" Copacobana , in NY this Tuesday Feb. 10th. The party starts at 6:00PM with free admission. Come out and celebrate Zulma's birthday.  The Copa is now located on 34th Street and 11th Avenue. 

Due to circumstances beyond their control, The World Hustle Dance Championships, WHDC, has changed their original dates of July 29 - Aug.1 to July 15 - 18, 2004.  The Hilton in Parsippany, NJ will be hosting the event this year instead of the Crowne Plaza in Secaucus, NJ.  Please make a note of this. More information coming next week in DanceTalk.

Joel Schumacher brings to the silver screen his adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Weber's "The Phantom of the Opera" this coming December at movie theaters everywhere.

Grand opening of a new night club, The Loft Bar , on Feb 20th above Top Dog in Cherry Hill NJ, (856) 486 - 1001 http://www.loftbar.net

The long a waited " Dirty Dancing 2" hits movie screens Feb. 27th, the new CD will be released on Feb 17th featuring the music of  Mya, Black Eyed Peas, Santana, Monica, Heather Headley....  http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hp&cf=prev&id= 1808403732

"When Disco Ruled the World" will air on VH1 this month, Feb 28th.
Dancer, promoter, Billy Fajardo is interviewed as part of this TV documentary.

Bon Voyage to our friends heading out on the Hustle Cruise this weekend on the Royal Caribbean. www.hustlecruise.com  

Twice a month, Brian Gallagher is hosting a Friday night hustle party at The Atrium located in NJ. See details below.

I hope you enjoy the inspiring Spot Light feature on George Velazquez .
Hustle dancing since 1971, George has left his stamp on the dance.

Make it a great week,
Ron

Spot Light
George Velazquez

His spins were so quick he earned the nick name "White Lightning." But this dynamic dancer would experience a turn in his dance career that wasn't choreographed. George Velazquez was the victim of a horrific automobile accident that took him in a new direction. His will power and determination never diminished as he continues to be a dance inspiration to others.   
As a young boy growing up in the heart of New York, George was always dancing.
"At home there was always dancing and, being Hispanic, salsa, which is what they call it today, was in the house hold so I always remember dancing and how easy it came to me." In 1971 just out of high school, George hung out at clubs like the Rum Bottom and Habitat in Long Island. After seeing a dance contest he developed the competitive dance bug. "There was a tall couple Ritchie and Stephanie and Craig Yee and Cindy Wafsi. Cindy could spin like a top.. the girls started to teach me the basic steps. I caught on very quick and Craig and I became well known and popular in the dance clubs. An agent spotted the guys and they were hired to perform and tour for the next two years with singing star "Andre True Connection." George was only 18 years old. Initially the dance team consisted of Craig, Hillary, Mia and George. But during the second year the troop reformed and two new dancers were recruited        (Linda Rodriquez and Barbara Percopio) the new girls "knocked everybody's socks off." 
When the tour was complete it was back to the clubs and competitions. "My first contest was at Habitat on Hempsted Turnpike. Thats where I met Chuck Fetta, Tony Genova, Billy and Sandra, Angel Figueroa, David Elkin, Ralph and Lucille Lew, Ray and Loraina, Holly and Linda, Danny and Javiar,  Maria Torres,  John Allisino" From there he moved onto some big contests held at Penrods, Chaz, Decamerons, Rum Bottoms, Cherries, Uncle Sams, Feathers, Poor Peters..... George took first place at 3 major competitions in Long Island ..Chaz, Decamerons, and Penrods. His boat had arrived.  With an out going personality and big smile... the opportunities kept coming.
  From 1975 to 1981, George joined the Ralph Lew Dance Company. " I had a dance partner named Ann Boccino, she and I brought the entire crowd at Madison Square Gardens to their feet in a standing ovation when we finished our segment of the show. This was for the Harvest Moon Ball."
Together with partner Gail Bloom, they performed at many of the major hotels thru out the Catskills and won a competition to perform on the syndicated TV show "Dance Fever."  George was grateful for the national television exposure although they didn't win.   After taking dance lessons in technical ballroom and theater dance, George landed a spot in the touring company for "A Choirs Line."  This was one of his biggest dance highlights. 
But a freak accident would occur after leaving a night club and his car stalled. After pushing his car to safety he lost his finger when the car hood came crashing down.
But the show went on, he had developed an incredible following and agents ran to him for his male burlesque review. From 1980 to 1990, "George White Lightning" had a 10 year booking in the Catskills. Along with dance partner Gail, he became the opening act for some of the top entertainers in the country. George was at the top of his game when tragedy struck again.  In 1994 he was the victim of a hit and run accident. George would go thru multiple operations but the doctors were unable to save his full leg. He lost his knee on down.  "After I lost my leg, I did a competition in Texas to see how far I could go.  Well,  without any one knowing (I was missing a leg),  I came in 3rd.  Then at the very end when we were asked to do our honor dance,  I took my leg off and silence came upon the room... then a loud thunder took my breath away as people jumped to there feet and my dance partner Lady Farris was there with me.  She was my therapy back to dancing."  George continued to compete but he literally trashed his leg. "Fast turns, 12 hours a day dancing and swelling caused additional problems."  Additional surgery would require virtually the whole leg to be removed due to infection. He had come so far. George performed on Don Kirshner's Rock concert with The Andrea True Connection, "Dance Fever," The Phil Donahue Show with Chuck Fetta,  Gail Bloom and Marie, "Star Search" where he performed a solo tap dance. In 1996, he was asked to do the shows for all the Paralimpians that came into the US from all over the world.  "I had a running show for close to 7 months." 
Today, George judges competitions (he took his judges exam) and teaches Latin, coaches and also does Choreography for the able bodied as well as for dancers in wheelchairs. "I work with the disable or anyone who has lost a limb... the idea is to let them know that life goes on after amputation. I belong to the largest amputee group in the US, the ACA, ( Amputee coalition of America )."
  "My dance goal is to dance with all my old buddies from way back when.  I have done most of what I wanted to do on 2 legs now with one leg all I want to do is let everyone know life is not all that easy, But I am OK and one day soon we need to all get together and dance the night away" expresses George. 
Saying he is great, would be an understatement. George continues to inspire others and make his visions a reality. 

DanceTalk * 2-3-04

Happy Birthday wishes to DJ Nelson "Paradise" Roman, Bernard Martinez and Bob Scott.

Congratulations to Jonathan Laub on his recent marriage. Jonathan is a former Harvest Moonball champion. We wish Jonathan and Fern only the best.

Wishing a quick recovery and well wishes to DJ Nelson Roman's mother, who underwent quadruple bypass surgery and to Jami Josephson's step-dad, who is recuperating from cancer surgery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Nominations for 2004 induction into the “Dance Music Hall Of Fame,” were announced at the MIDEM Conference in Cannes, France. The nominees are legendary artists Gloria Gaynor, the late Barry White, the BeeGees, Donna Summer, James Brown, Chic, The Trammps, KC & The Sunshine Band, and MFSB.

The new Musical "Bombay Dreams" from producer Andrew Lloyd Webber opens in NY City on April 29th

Valentine's Day is around the corner, now is the time to place that special order. Contact the dancing florists Bruce & Jannette Axelrod, or visit their website
http://www.axelrodflowers.com (800) 468-3530. E mail Jaxelrod1@hotmail.com

The long awaited new CD from Janet Jackson hits record stores on Feb 24th. What a send off she gave at the Super bowl!!!!

Each Thursday, during the month of February, Diane K Nardone will be teaching at the Colorado Cafe in Watchung NJ, 7:40 Lesson http://www.dkndance.com

Below is the first, of three parts, of our 2004 Hustle Teacher Directory. Please print this out and save it for future reference. These are the top instructors thru out the USA.

Make It a Great Week,
Ron

Regional Van McCoy Contest

This past weekend, Washington, DC was the place to be for the regional Van McCoy Dance Competition. Joyce Szili hosted the evening along with Billy Fajardo from IHSC. Each first place team moves on to the finals in Miami April 1 - 4th, 2004. http://www.hustleandsalsa.com
Congratulations to all the dancers.

Amateur Division
First Place - Sam and Punkin Habet
Second Place - Joel Halsband and Alison Taylor
Third Place - Paul Brundage and Lillie Sudler

Professional Division
First Place - Brian and Silvana Gallagher
Second Place - Mal and Linda Zerden

Dance Teacher Directory
Here is a comprehensive list (the first of three parts) listing the top dance teachers for hustle thru out the USA. These instructors are all professionals with extensive backgrounds in dance. Although they may not be from your town, when visiting or attending a dance convention / competition, contact them in advance to arrange to attend their group classes and/or private lessons.

Raul Ante
Brisbane, CA
415-467-8830
Studios: Buddy Party Dance Studio in San Jose, CA: Club Xennon Ballroom in
Daly City, CA: Starlite Ballroom in Sunnyvale, CA: Rhythm Street Dance
Studio in Dublin, CA
e-mail: bigdaddy_ante @hotmail.com or bigdaddy-ante@excite.com

Donna J. Boyle
10 Gordon Lane, Erdenheim Pa 19038
Universal Dance Center, Collingswood NJ
donnaboyledisco@aol.com
http://discoamerica.com
215- 233- 5507 - home, 215-740 -disco -cell
Top Hat Dance studio, northeast Philly, north penn YMCA, north wayles pa

Tiffany Brown
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York City, NY
Studio(s) affiliation: Top Hat Dance Studio
E mail address: Love2Hustle@Yahoo.com
Phone number: 410-303-2828<

Melody Cochran
(818) 609-9012
5221 Bothwell Road
Tarzana, California 91356
Underground Dance Studio
adancindiva@aol.com
MelodyCochran.com

Laura Cozik & Erik Novoa
NYC, NY
Empire Dance Studio
www.empiredance.com
212-645-2441
Laura: hustledancer718@aol.com / 917-748-4494
Erik: swingshoes@aol.com / 917-414-3105
Website: www.swingshoes.net

Elizabeth Darchi
NEW YORK
Independent Teacher
E mail address darchibeth@yahoo.com
Phone number 718-256-6473

Robert Finocchio
New York City, NY and Philadelphia, PA
Studio(s) affiliation: Top Hat Dance Studio
E mail address: Robert@Finocchio.name
Phone number: 917-747-5395

Susan Fritz
New York City, NY
No studio affiliation
susankayfritz@nyc.rr.com
917.447.6414

Silvana Gallagher
Philadelphia, PA
Studio 101 DanceSport, Philadelphia
La Luna Dance Studio, Bensalem
http://www.Ladyhustle.com
215.815.1219

Deano Georgio
Los Angeles CA.
Teaches independently and at Hollywood Dance Studio
Specializing in Adagio, Acrobatics, Styling and Routines Deangeorgio@aol.com
323 656 2298 323 365 6553

(Part 2 in three weeks)

Dance Favorites for 2003 (Courtesy of Sheila Purkey)
Here they are!! The results BY YOU. (Readers choice awards). As always with our group - there were the Westies and the Shaggers! So I'll share with you who the favorites were in each group
Favorite DJ - WCS - John Lindo; Shag - Butch Metcalf
Favorite Female Dancer - WCS - Tatiana Mollman; Shag - Nikki Kontoulous
Favorite Male Dancer - WCS Robert Royston; Shag Joey Sogulizzo
Favorite Dance Couple - WCS Angel & Debbie; Shag Michael & Leann
Favorite Female Instructor - WCS Sharlott Bott; Shag Jackie McGee
Favorite Male Instructor - WCS Robert Royston; Shag Sam West
Dance Person of the Year - WCS Brian Faust; Shag Sam West

DanceTalk * 1-27-04

Happy Birthday wishes to Mimi Doi and Yana Brin.

Congratulations to Steven Mitchell and Karen Hill on the birth of their baby son Anthony Vincent. Mommy and son are doing great.

Condolences to Frank and Beryl Zarlie on the recent loss of their father. Are prayers are with you.

The Saturday night parties continue at Samba, with DJ Nino Torre in Brooklyn - 9604 Third Ave. at 96th St. Bay Ridge, Call Nino (718) 926-3704

One of the most talked about events returns March 11th to the 14th, "The Big Apple"
Click here to visit the site. The Big Apple Country Dance Festival

Houston born, Ann Miller has died, at the age of 81, from Lung Cancer. A child prodigy she tapped her way to success in films like "On the Town," "Easter Parade " and "Kiss Me Kate." She was a true "triple threat."

Check out some of the best house music mixed by DJ Rene Hewitt at www.renehewitt.com

Coming soon, more dance Etiquette tips in DanceTalk.

Make it A great week,
Ron

Memorial

We are sadden by the death of Marie Angelo. This past Saturday evening, Mrs.Angelo passed away in Florida at the age of 85. Our dear friend Marty Angelo has devoted the last few years of his life caring for his mother. Marty has enriched so many of our lives with his wonderful website and his personal insight on the dance phenomenon. Clearly, this is something no one can prepare or plan for. His mother had battled many health obstacles but she didn't give up. Marty was always there for her. Our heart felt condolences go out to Joanne, Louis, Marty, Denise, Rose and Cathy. For those who would like to send a memorial in her name, Marie was very concerned for her nephew Joe's wife, Karen, who is fighting cancer. Marie would be so pleased if you would like to send a check to Karen LaManto, 6240 SW 3rd St., Margate, FL 33068 . She was so fond of Karen and always wanted to help her out with her expenses.

Van McCoy Dance Contest Results

Gail Rundlett, from Tempo Dance center, hosted the Boston regional Van McCoy dance contest. Dancers traveled from Maine, Portland and Rhode Island to attend and par take. The winners move onto Miami at the IHSC April 1 - 4th, 2004. http://www.hustleandsalsa.com
Congratulations to Joanne Coro & Steven Borth the first place winners in the amateur hustle division and Eileen Depakakibo & Tony Cifizzan the first place winners in the Salsa division.
We wish them all the best of luck in Miami.

From The Mail Bag (letters to the editor)
Thanks to Scott Michielli for identifying an important topic (DanceTalk 1-19-04), in the dance community. I have been flooded with response letters. Here are a few that I think your enjoy.
RB

Ron,
I agree the hustle crowd can be clickish, and this is coming from a dancer who is experience and good. The best of the best will only dance with their own, and it bothers me, because yes I love to dance, however, I like meeting new
people, and I really love the compliments, and the smiles I get from newcomers. I study other dances, and this is helpful to me, because I remember how it feels to be a novice, and I am grateful for the people who dance with me. I really do not think we as hustle dancers have the luxury of being so stuck up, before we know it the hustle will die if we continue to shun newcomers.
Zulma

I KNOW OF THESE MEN WHO TARNISH US ALL. THEY JUST DO NOT REMEMBER THE DAYS OF BEING TURNED DOWN FROM THE MORE "EXPERIENCED" DANCERS. THE NIGHTS OF GOING TO A CLUB AND NOT DANCE 'NAY ONCE. GOING HOME WONDERING IF IT WAS SOMETHING THEY SAID OR DID. MAYBE THEY NEED A REMAINDER OF THOSE WASTED NITES OF WANTING TO DANCE AND GOING HOME STILL "DRY" FROM NOT DANCING AT ALL. WELL, I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS, AND THAT WAS MANY YEARS AGO BUT I REMEMBER. BOY, DO I REMEMBER...... AND SCOTT, YOU ARE RIGHT .... THERE IS NOTHING MORE ENJOYABLE THAN WATCHING A BEGINNER OR MIDDLE LEVEL DANCER .... JUST DANCE AND REALLY TRY TO DO THIS THING OF OURS... THIS IS WHAT MAKES THIS DANCE REALLY ENJOYABLE. SO, GUYS, PLEASE GET OFF THE HIGH HORSE AND START SHARING WITH EVERYONE... IT WILL MAKE YOU INTO A BETTER DANCER, IF NOT MORE HUMBLE. WE CAN ALL REALLY ENJOY AND TEACH EACH OTHER AND DO NOT LET THE DANCE FADE AWAY, LIKE IT DID ONCE BEFORE... THIS I REMEMBER, TOO!!!....
MICHAEL. A/K/A/ DANCERMAF

Hey ron, i'd like to respond to scotts message on the men w/ the bad manners,yes we all seen this before,i know some of the women who were put down, however let me flip the coin, some of the higher level-and mid level female have done the same thing to men, i was one of them, many other men were put down also,there are teachers in the community who have done this too.this happens in the salsa world in phila too.the (only) dance crowd that i've (never) seen do this is the swing crowd,east coast swing-and there numbers are still big.i'll leave it at that,anyone one who knows me ,knows i can hit a lot harder.
Kenny

Hi, am replying to Scott Michielli's letter in this week's issue regarding the men who won't dance with women of a lesser skill level. I am an adequate hustle dancer, have been taking my own private lessons and lord knows I have been out dancing for years now..and it's true, there are what I call "hustle snobs" out there who think they are the best and anyone who is out there having "fun" with it is not taken seriously by these snobs. The "hustle snobs" infiltrate the singles dance world, where I am from, looking for a piece of ass and looking to make fun of those of us who like to have fun. Like ....., he won't give anyone the time of day who he THINKS is beneath him. People like him don't even take the time to show the person the right way, they just like to criticize. They ruin it for everyone because there are alot of people like me who would like to attend the hustle events, to gain experience, to observe oh, and excuse me, to have FUN. But we won't come because of these "hustle snobs". But there are great dance people like Carter, Lou, Guy and Dennis who come to singles dances and hustle events and they will dance with everyone...regardless of skill level. You know why? They know how to have FUN!! So, lighten up you hustle snobs...life is too short, and remember, there's ALWAYS someone better than you out...
Jessica

In response to Scott's letter... THANK YOU, SCOTT! And it was equally convicting to the women, speaking for myself, alone.... I have just recently gotten to a level where the male beginners are complimenting me... saying, "I didn't think someone at your level would dance with someone at my level..." This is truly a compliment to me... but even more so convicting because obviously I might seem unapproachable... and if I seem unapproachable... well, ladies... hmm... do you think I am the only one who might seem unapproachable? I know there are some women who are known for their approachability -- as they will dance with anyone who asks... and they know who they are... and they are not beginners by any means... they reap the benefit later when the men that they said "yes" to... finally advance to a higher level. Nice going! I was talking to a friend the other day... about how Salsa has really grown in its popularity and Hustle has remained on the back burner... Hate to say it... but if you listen to the top 40 list for the past 25 years... there are more Hustle songs than Salsa, by far. The average Joe on the street couldn't recognize a popular Salsa song but everyone knows the old school Hustle and the modern day tunes as well. So, if the famous performing artists are doing their job and putting out the Hustle beat... then obviously there is a market. Harnessing that market should be easier than ever. Especially now -- there is no "down with Hustle" campaign going on and there probably never will be again... as was the case back in the day with the Bee Gees.
So, we are all part of this Hustle business... either you can be a recruiter or a repeller... I love that comment, Scott, about how it damages the Ego to turn down opportunity. If someone has the courage to go up and ask the guy to dance -- give the girl a break... that takes guts. Let me just say this... that it isn't the result of all the big name promoters and big name professionals that keep this dance alive -- it was never any one person's responsibility. It is a group effort. Everyone has a piece of the action. Everyone is to blame for the success or failure of a good night .... I say again, "thank you, Scott" for taking the time to see the need to encourage and uplift. It is with equal gratitude for anyone and everyone who has given "encouragement" no matter how great or small to any fellow Hustle lover.
Shannon

DanceTalk * 1-20-04

Happy birthday wishes to Debbie Tuttle, Maura Charles and Wingo Hom.
Belated wishes to Irena Griffin.

Entertainment Superstar, Donna Summer opens "Driven By The Music," a one -women exhibition of her paintings, in Los Angeles.

Bonnie Rowe & DKN Dance (Diane K. Nardone) join forces with a Swing/Hustle &
More California Mix on Feb 29th. See details below.

The Broadway show "Taboo" Closes Feb 8th. It appears the changes made by Rosie O'Donnell to the Boy George creation didn't connect with the audience.

View photos from this years Winter Blues Blaster hosted in DC by Ken Roesel.
Check out the website http://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=RayBowersPhoto&p=guest&AID=1281974

Make it a great week.
Ron

"Jenny's Dance Picks"

The number one dance station in the nation is WKTU in New York. Mixmaster DJ Jenny Costa continues to be a major force, "The first lady" of dance on 103.5 FM. Jenny has always kept a close pulse on the music by staying active in the night club scene. She currently spins on Thursday evenings at the Mirage in Westbury Long Island from 9PM on... and on Friday's at Mirage from 4 to 9PM. Saturdays is Zachary's in East Meadow Long Island.
Here are her top 10 picks for January 2004,

1. APPRECIATE ME- AMUKA
2. REI Y LLORA- CELIA CRUZ
3. GIA- DESPINA VANDI
4. ME AGAINST THE MUSIC- BRITNEY SPEARS FEATURING MADONNA
5. I BEGIN TO WONDER- DANII MINOGUE
6. WAITING FOR YOU- SEAL
7. SOMETHING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO HEAVEN- DEBORAH COX
8. YOU PROMISED ME- INGRID
9. AS THE RUSH COMES IN- MOTORCYCLE
10. SLOW- KYLIE MINOGUE

Van McCoy Dance Contest
Dancesport, in Manhattan, hosted the New York regional Van McCoy dance contest. Studio owner Paul Pellicoro judged along with Debbie Ferro, Diane Nardone, Arte Phillips and Disco Dave Sarul. The first place winners move onto Miami for the finals at the 2004 IHSC (April 1-4)

In the amateur division:
1st Rafael & McKato
2nd Robert & Rosata
3rd Timothy & Yvonne

In the Professional division:
1st Kelvin Roche & Loriann Greenhouse
2nd Rob Finocchio & Tiffany Brown
3rd Bobby "O" Ossias & Lisa Paternoster

Letters to The Editor

In recent weeks it has been brought to my attention that on several occasions some men in our dance community pointed out to some of our ladies that they weren't good enough to dance with them. There's nothing new here, however, I would like to point out that these events only serve to bring negativity to our community and prevent new dancers from joining us instead of offering them an invitation. Perhaps it's not always enjoyable from a "dancing" perspective to dance with a new dancer because of her skill level, however, it can always be enjoyable from a human one. Men, have you ever noticed the way that a woman lights up on the dance floor during those few short minutes? Have you ever noticed the smile? You have a wonderful opportunity to offer encouragement, courtesy, respect and pleasure to others. This is rewarding in and of itself. Is it too much to give something back to the dance that has given you so much? Where would any of us be if the more experienced women had chosen not to dance with us because we didn't measure up? How many of we men would have been able to withstand that deadly blow to our egos? In that respect it would serve us well to learn the lesson of accommodation that the women have so eloquently taught us. As I'm sure that each of us can recall from our early experience of learning the dance, it's quite intimidating to enter into this Hustle arena especially where there are those who lack sensitivity. There will always be plenty of opportunities to dance with the seasoned ladies and derive the pure pleasure of the dance on that level, but for now the time has come to correct our shorted sighted vision and open our eyes to the bigger picture. Take a good look around ..... I believe that you may notice that our community is growing. Ask yourself this question, "Do I want to be a person who plays a vital role in causing this dance to flourish or do I just want to do what makes me feel good?" Men, we have a choice to make and I'm asking you to step up to the plate. It's time to remove the focus from us and place it on the community at large. In my third hustle lesson I learned what has turned out to be the most important thing that I could have learned about this dance, namely, that it's the man's responsibility to make the woman look and feel good. If you keep this in mind every time that you step onto the dance floor, you may actually derive a pleasure of a different kind. Now, I'm not asking you to dance with beginners all night long but rather seek out perhaps one or two new dancers each week with whom you dance, offer friendly advice and encouragement, preferably, with someone who you don't know. Be inviting. In doing so you will be increasing your own circle of friends and allowing yourself to be open to new possibilities and experiences. If you're still not willing to be accommodating, at the very least, have the courtesy to choose your words wisely and consider the feelings of others because every time that you speak harshly you have a negative impact on everyone. I welcome anyone who would like to share his thoughts on this topic.
Sincerely, Scott Michielli

DanceTalk * 1-13-04

Happy Birthday wishes to Ralph Ferro.

Congratulations to Angela and Joe McCabe on the birth of their daughter - Molly. Mommy and baby are doing great. Angela won the Van McCoy Regional Dance Contest in Philadelphia, just three weeks ago.

Joe Kerner is sporting a new pair of crutches as he recovers from ankle surgery.
We wish him a speedy recovery as he moves on to physical therapy next week.

Our condolences go out to Lisa Sands on the loss of her father this past week. He was her first dance teacher. He will be sadly missed.

Over 200 people attended Buzz nightclub this past weekend in Chicago for The Van McCoy Dance Contest and benefit. Over $2500 was raised to benefit the Special Olympics. The first place winners head to Miami for the IHSC.
Open Salsa: 1st: Maricza Valentin & Jorge Alvarez
Pro Hustle: 1st: Ryan Dobbins & Jill Popovich
Am Hustle: 1st: Paul & Angie Cameron

DJ Jenny Costa , from WKTU New York, spins Every Thursday & Friday nights at Mirage in Westbury Long Island and at Zachary's in East Meadow Long Island on Saturday's. Hear the best dance music with 3 decades of Dance.
Next week, DanceTalk will feature "Jenny's Dance Picks."

Make It A Great Week,
Ron

National Events

Each week DanceTalk posts local and regional dance socials, competitions and more. Here is a listing of some of the big national events coming your way in 2004. Take the time to mark them down, register and start planning. Hey, the earlier you plan the more you can attend?

Feb 13-16 Hustle Dance Cruise 2004, Royal Caribbean's "Majesty of the Sea." Rates start at $299.p/p all inclusive cruise For Reservations Call Rita Anderson at 1 800-503-9600 or Drew at 1 754-246-2874 visit our website http://www.hustlecruise.com

March 12 - 14 Motor City Jam, West Coast Swing
Call: 800-647-9464 or 313-790-2311
Email: info@artspectrum.org for info

March 26 - 28 MAD JAM http://www.AtlanticDanceJam.com
Weekend Dance competition in Baltimore, MD. The MAD JAM team is planning an even better 3 day event for 2004

April 1 - 4, International Hustle and Salsa Competition, (IHSC) Radisson Deauville Hotel Miami Beach, FL on the Ocean. Hosting the Van McCoy Dance Contest. http://www.hustleandsalsa.com ratlas@ix.netcom.com Katie 954-927-9010

April 15 - 18, North American Dance Championships Bill Cameron's dance championships Competitions, social dancing and workshops! At the Westin Hotel Stamford, CT. Rooms only $89 203-967-2222. Three Ballrooms featuring WCS, Lindy Hop, Shag, Hand Dance, and Hustle Party's all weekend. www.dancepros.net

April 16 - 18, Philadelphia Festival Dancesport Championships,
Philadelphia Airport Marriott Hotel, call (856) 546 - 5077 visit Http://www.phillyfestival.info

May 7 - 8, 6Th Annual Cinco de Mayo Dance Festival, hosted by TONY PACE of Houston Texas. For more information contact: Tony Pace at 281 353-3817 or Cathy Rankel 281 353-3817 or Email rcrankel@wt.net

May 27 - 31, USA Grand Nationals Dance Championships 10th Anniversary Celebration! Charlie & Jackie's awesome WCS AND Shag weekend. Hotel Waverly reservations 888-559-5671. Order tickets via phone 843-249-1301 or online at www.usagrandnationals.com

June 11 - 13, Discoamerica, at the Clarion Hotel in Cherry Hill, NJ,
Donna Boyle hosts her annual dance championships. For details visit
www.discoamerica.com "Where the World Hustle Dancers meet"

June 25 - 27, Liberty Swing Dance Championships at the HYATT REGENCY, JERSEY CITY, NJ -- WCS event hosted by John Festa and John Lindo To purchase your ticket(s) mail your $100 check payable to "Gotham Swing Club" to: Judith O'Connell, 405 E. 72 Street, Apt. 4C New York, NY 10021

July 15 - 18, The World Hustle Dance Championships, at the
The Hilton in Parsippany, NJ, featuring the World Open.
Diane Nardone organizer, http://www.dkndance.com/WorldHustle.ivnu

Billboard Magazine's 2003 Best Dance Songs

1 Into the Sun - Weekend Players
2 Get It Together - Seal
3 Some Lovin' - Murk Vs Kristine W
4 Dark Beat (Addicted To Drums) - Oscar G
5 Head - Thunderpuss
6 The Wreckoning - Boomkat
7 Send Your Love - Sting
8 Rock Your body - Justin Timberlake
9 Surrender - Laura Pausini
10 Cry Me A River - Justin Timberlake

Letter To The Editor


Hello Ron:
I got a kick out of the best "dance classics floor starters" from the DJs listed in the most recent Dance Talk. Just in case you are interested in a couple more from an earlier age, from a disco dinosaur who used to work at Penrods (now Zachary's), Uncle Sam's and Club G among others (since 1972).
1) Soul Makossa... Manu Dibango
2) Honeybee... Gloria Gaynor
3) The Bottle... Gil Scott Heron
4) La La Peace Song... O.C. Smith
5) Think... Lyn Collins

Regards,
Jackie McCloy
Director
Long Island Record Pool

DanceTalk * 1-6-04

Happy New Years

Welcome, to our old and new readers. DanceTalk goes out weekly, every Monday evening. My objective is to share dance information from the past along with the current news of the day. Although the primary focus is on the Hustle we do include a touch of WCS and Latin. Behind every dance is the music and the personalities so we cover the sounds that drive us and their composers. To keep you on the cutting edge we share information with you on current dance music and the tunes that started it all. Naturally it's important to let everyone know what's on the horizon. Since so many of those involved in the world of dance are constantly on the move, we list the great events and socials thru out the country. DanceTalk is now reaching thousands of dancers, like you, all over the world. To better serve you DanceTalk is obtainable on many websites: http://www.mjames.org/ronbess.html
http://www.discostepbystep.com/dancetalk.htm
We encourage your input and feedback. Thank you for your friendship and continued support.
Ron

Birthday wishes go out to Madeline Ossias, Mimi Litz and Fran Richman.
They will be celebrating Madeline's birthday at Club IBBG, in Garden City, NY. Come out on Tuesday night to "Mrs. Bobby O's" party with super DJ Johnny V.

January 17th, Saturday, Star Search returns to CBS television.

Get well wishes to Natalie Petosa, we look forward to seeing her out on the dance floor soon.

The 2004 Hustle Cruise made this past weeks edition of the New York Times. Check it out, http://discostepbystep.com/hustlecruise.htm

To view the pictures from Shana's holiday party held at Society Hill Dance Academy in Philadelphia go to http://www.ecomexpress.biz

Make it a great New Year,
Ron

2003 Dance Highlights

* Danny Llaurado passed away in March. This gifted dancer was at the head of the class. He performed on Dance Fever and Star Search. This young dynamo was a true pioneer in the hustle we all enjoy today.

* A new dance competition "Mad Jam," took place in Maryland and returns in 2004 for a full weekend event.

* She does it again, congratulations to Norma Rivera the new Mrs. Puerto Rico USA, she continues to dance up a storm in Long Island, NY.

* "Dance Fever," the TV show returned to mixed reviews but Erik Novoa and Laura Cozik, from New York, made us proud performing a hustle on national TV.

* Barry White dies at the young age of 58 on July 4th. He was best known for his wonderful dance songs and ballads. But, he was also a producer, arranger and the conductor of the "Love Unlimited Orchestra."

* The first Hustle Cruise set sail and made a big splash. 2004 they board a larger ship and expect double the attendance.

* An out pouring of love and prayers for the quick recovery for our Texan, Gladys Torres.

* The WHDC 2003 Open champions were Brian and Silvana Gallagher.

* Van McCoy Dance Contests kick off 10 regional dance competitions. Finals to be held in Miami at the IHSC. The event honors a 25 year legacy for the man that wrote "Do The Hustle."

* We said good bye to many music artists including: Edwin Starr (War, Happy Radio), Maurice Gibb, from the fabulous BeeGees and Robert Palmer who was "Addicted To Love."

* Holiday Spectacular in Philly, - The snow could not stop the party. Winners of the regional Van McCoy contest were Georgie Azpura and Dara Putrusky (professionals) Open Salsa, Joey Cammatuci and Patty McConnell, and amateur Hustle went to Angela McCabe and Wingo Hom.

* Singing sensation Luther Vandross continues to make strides towards a comeback as he had suffered a stroke earlier in the year.

DanceTalk 2003 Readers choice awards- best of the best.
*Favorite DJ - Bobby Morales
*Favorite Female Dancer - Silvana Gallagher
*Favorite Male Dancer - Keith Gussoni
*Favorite Dance Couple - Erik Novoa and Laura Cozik
*Favorite Dance Couple (not hustle) - Luis Rosa and Mary Poma
*Favorite Female Instructor - Diane Nardone
*Favorite Male Instructor - Artie Philips
*Person of the Year - Gladys Torres

Letter to the Editor

Keith Harrison's 40th birthday was awesome. Bobby O and Ron Bess shared the MC duties. Keith was touched with a huge turnout at this hustle reunion Fest in Long Island at the Rockaway Cafe. DJ Johnny V played a variety of music ranging from old school to contemporary/imports etc.. We did the electric slide, Macarena, Soul Train line and free style. Cuddos to Ed and Maureen & Barry for their performances.
Ron and Lauren Bess brought the house down with screams that gave us a flashback of what Eddie Vega used to do back in the day. The general dancing was super, just like a dance event although tight quarters. We did a tribute to Michael Varricchio respecting his short 20 year life. "Joey", Tommy Matollo recording artist, was great, Odyssey Productions featuring Donna DeSimone and James was spectacular as well as all the other small cameo performances (Luis & Mary, Ralph & Debbie, Carl & Susan, Bobby O & Yvette and Georgie & Zulma), capped off with Keith's birthday dance.
On behalf of Keith, "Do It Up" and the entire Harrison family, thanking everyone who attended.
Bobby O

New Music

Here is a new list of hott new dance music to start off the new year. **Keep in mind, many of these songs have been remixed for the ultimate dance beat. The song version on the album will differ in tempo from the remix. Check to make sure which rendition your listening too.

Despina Vandi - "Gia"
Mya - "Fallen"
Seal - "Get it together"
Victor Calderon - "The Drive"
ATB - "I Don't Want To Stop"
Four Strings - "Take Me Away"
Lucy Woodward - "Blindsided"
Kaskade - "It's you It's me" (128 BPM)
K-Klass - "Talk To Me" ( fast tempo)
Kylie Minogue - "Slow" (120 BPM)
Malyssa - "Here with You"
Laava -"Where Ever You Are (I feel Love)"
Enrique Iglesias - "Addicted"

TO RON

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