For several years the Hustle Dancers have been in a feverish anguish over the pathetically incorrect way that Hustle has been portrayed in Network Dance shows (SYTYCD, Dancing With the Stars etc); check this one out from SYTYCD Canada, choreographed by the legendary Ms. Maria Torres. What do you think?

If you live in the San Diego/Southern California area, make sure to check out Project Swing’s 1 Year Anniversary.

Project Swing is Parker Dearborn‘s brainchild:

Project Swing is a West Coast swing dance group designed to promote and spread West Coast Swing in San Diego!!!

Here’s the link to the Facebook invite here.

Parker Dearborn & partner Earl Pingel‘s event Swing Diego is a must do WCS event in Southern California.

Be patient, video takes a few moments to load. Check out this video of our young future dancers. More vids to come, stay tuned.

Showcase (Routines)
1. Benji Schwimmer
Kellese Key
2. Myles Munroe Vancouver, Canada
Tessa Cunningham
3. Robert Royston Nyack, NY
Nicola Royston
4. Cody Melin
5. Gregory Scott
Lemery Rollins Columbia, MD

Classic (Routines)
1. Gary McIntyre
Susan Kirkland
2. Kyle Redd
Sarah Vann Drake
3. Ben Morris
Melina Ramirez
4. Scott Stuart Melbourne, Austrailia
Katrina Ostrenski
5. Jason Barnes Asheville, NC
Erica Berg Minneapolis, MN

Young Amercia (Routines)
1. Chase Thomas Prescott, AZ
Anika Larson Prescott, AZ
2. Ruben Caiafa France
Oceane Garcia

Young Adult (Routines)
1. Trey Ellington Houston, TX
Tori Ellington
2. Rome Slater Los Gatos, CA
Chevy Slater Los Gatos, CA
3. Justin Spencer
Tiara McCoy Washington, DC
4. Christopher Dumond Redlands, CA
Nicole Clonch
5. Micahel O’Connor Paso Robles, CA
Brianne Cline

Novice Jack & Jill
1. David Tune San Rafael, CA
Virginie Coquard Lyon, France
2. Diego Borges Fortaleza, Brazil
Marina Motronenko Moscow, Russia
3. Hrainkell (Alan) Palsson Reykkjavik, Iceland
Deanna Niland Sydney, Australia
4. Christophe Caiafa France
Monica Garcia Houston, TX
5. Adam Balasy Budapest, Hungary
Virginie Perga Lyon, France

Intermediate Jack & Jill
1. Arnaud Perga Lyon, France
Katia Avlasevich Moscow, Russia
2. Julien Vallier Lyon, France
Beverly Brunerie Lyon, France
3. Charles Gil Sydney, Australia
Josie Reed Lubbock, TX
4. Joshua Sturgeon Seattle, WA
Deron Hayes Seattle, WA
5. Jeff Smith Las Vegas, NV
Aimy Tran Kansas City, Mo

Masters Jack & Jill
1. Genieboy Collins Washington DC
Peggy Allen Phoenix, AZ
2. Chips Hough Fountain Valley, CA
Michelle Dittfach Tempe, AZ
3. Phil Bradfield Rockville, MD
Glenda Smith Rancho Cordova, CA
4. Don Welch Santa Ana, CA
Janice Salmon Fountain Valley, CA
5. Mike Glasgow Gaithersburg, MD
Sue Fries Simi Valley, CA

Advanced Jack & Jill
1. Robert Jackson Washington DC
Katrina Ostrenski Gold Coast, Austrailia
2. David Simpson Irving, TX
Kat Carstensen Denver, CO
3. JB Brodie Houston, TX
Yenni Setiawan Novato, CA
4. Kyle Patel Kansas City, MO
Tori Ellington Houston, TX
5. Trey Ellington Houston, TX
Taylor Harrell San Diego, CA

Champions Jack & Jill
1. Benji Schwimmer Redlands, CA
Mary Ann Nunez Garden Grove, CA
2. Mark Schueffele Huntington Beach, CA
Melina Ramirez
3. Robert Royston New York City, NY
Katrina Branson Tampa, FL
4. Jordan Frisbee Long Beach, CA
Tessa Cunningham Vancouver, Canada
5. Ben Morris Orange, CA
Melissa Rutz San Francisco, CA

Open Strictly Swing
1. Alfred Lee
Courtney Adair
2. Robert Jackson
Trendlyn Veal
3. Orion Hall
Anna Lumsden
4. Ben McHenry
Yenni Setiawan
5. Oscar Hampton
Taylor Harrell

Champions Strictly Swing
1. Kyle Redd
Tatiana Mollmann
2. Paul Warden London, UK
Sarah Vann Drake
3. Ben Morris
Melissa Rutz
4. Mark Scheuffele
Sharlot Bott
5. Benji Schwimmer
Lacey Schwimmer

It’s true we haven’t been posting as much as usual, but when we do, it’s meaningful. Like today’s post – on the lovely, ebullient Kellese Key. Learn about Kellese, one of the dance community’s most gracious women, below:

RLTV: What sign are you?
Kellese:100% VIRGO!

RLTV: How did you get started dancing?

Kellese:I have been dancing since the age of 2, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Clogging and Broadway. My Mother, Cher Peadon (ACC), has always fully supported my love for the dance. At the age of 19, my Mother again, invited me into Texas Push lessons… and with the exception of thinking “NO WAY, IT’S ALL OLD PEOPLE”, I have been hooked since… smiles!! She had to show me Barry Jones to keep me in the game.. hahaha…

RLTV: What dances do you do?

Kellese: ANY and ALL!!! I have been trained in the above… but, literally love all dancing and feel like I can do any of them! (I’m still 18 in MY MIND.. hahaha)

RLTV: You are a charismatic person and you have a lot of fans, what is the best part of being a Pro?

Kellese: Just that. I am SUPER BLESSED for people to love my dancing. That is such a blessing… People have the freedom of choice… How LUCKY am I that they love MY DANCING!! Amazing! Thank you God! Thank you Mother! Another huge part for me is the teaching side of it.. I SUPER LOVE teaching this dance and SUPER LOVE the responses I get from it. Nothing feels as good as your student/friend coming to you and thanking you for the best gift ever… the gift of having that feeling on the dance floor! So AMAZING!

RLTV: What is the tough part of being a Pro?

Kellese: The expectations… so hard…

RLTV: Which other Swing Pros or Swing Pro couple do you admire in the Community and why?

Kellese: Barry Jones, for everything he taught me about this dance and for his positive, wonderful attitude! Mario Robau, Jr., for everything he also taught me about this dance and for 7 years of choreography (which played a strong role in our success). Sharlot Bott for being my idol and inspiration for 18 years now along with Annie Hirsch! Kyle Redd and Sarah Vann Drake for their help in creating who I am today through their influence and friendship. I would go to Kyle and Sarah when I needed to know what “I” was doing and they would help me break “me” down.. smiles… so I could be a better teacher! My husband, Brent Key, for teaching me how to move my feet… smiles… Benji Schwimmer for teaching me to reach for the STARS! and honestly many more… I am inspired and influenced everyday by peoples talents!!

RLTV: There are quite a number of amateur competitors whose goal is to become a Professional; what are some tips you can give someone who is trying to go Pro?

Kellese: #1 – Learn everything you can about the dance! #2 – Be YOU, that is the only way YOU will stand out! #3 – Be humble and appreciative! #4 – Dance with the Pros so you can get the true feel of the dance. Introduce yourself. #5 – Always remember where you came from! … with those things, good things will come…

RLTV: Competing can be nerve racking, what is the best way for an Amateur competitor to prepare for comps?

Kellese: GOOD LUCK!! hahahahaha kidding.. but I am THE WORST! I get SO NERVOUS… it stinks!! Remember this… if it’s not fun.. why are you doing it? That’s helps me sometimes… smiles!! Make sure and take care of yourself so your body can produce!

RLTV: Who are some of the younger dancers that you see in your region who you believe are the future of Swing?

Kellese: Trey and Torry Ellington along with several other juniors under Damon and Lisa D’Amico! I am starting to work with a few students but, just struggle so much with lack of time! poop!

RLTV: That being said, how would you like to see the Swing Community grow?

Kellese: We need to get more children involved from Texas! Hopefully, if time ever allows, I would love to contribute to that cause!! In the meantime, I am counting on Damon and Lisa… smiles!!

RLTV: Thanks so much for giving the us the tiniest glimpse of your big heart, and for sharing your warm and generous personality, it certainly shines through even in an interview and we look forward to sharing more about you with the Dance Community! Thanks Kellese!

Kellese: Thank you Asia for caring to have my opinions! That means so much to me! I love this dance so much and would do anything to give back!! Love, Kellese

Kellese Key Titles & Awards
US OPEN Championships
1994 with Barry Jones (showcase)
1998 with Brent Key (classic)
2000 with Brent Key (classic)
2003 with Brent Key (classic)
2007 with Michael Norris (classic)
2008 with Benji Schwimmer (showcase)
2009 with Benji Schwimmer (showcase)

USA Grand Nationals Championships
1996 with Barry Jones (showcase)
1997 with Brent Key (classic)
1998 with Brent Key (classic)
2000 with Brent Key (classic)
2003 with Brent Key (classic)
2007 with Michael Norris (classic)
2008 with Benji Schwimmer (showcase)

Special Awards and Accomplishments
1996 Dancer’s Choice “Feather Award”
1998 First person to win Classic and Showcase titles at the US OPEN
2003 Only Daughter & Mother dancers to win individual US OPEN Titles in the same year
2006 Induction into Dallas Dance Hall of Fame
2007 USA Swing Net “Impact Dancer of the Year”

To read more about Kellese on USA Swingnet go here.

From April 22 – 25, 2010 at the gorgeous Grand Geneva Resort in Wisconsin it’s Swing Dance America. Check out the videos below for a taste of 2009

Hosted at the beautiful 4-diamond Grand Geneva Resort & Spa by Event Director Glen Miller; 2010 is gonna be another record breaker! Enjoy golf, scenic trails, horseback riding, indoor water park, full spa! Dance on Three (3) separate ballroom floors! Enjoy the ambiance of professional stage backdrops and lighting and see some of the best dancers in America in our Classic and Showcase Divisions, and in the Saturday Evening Show, while you’re entertained by Emcee Robert Royston. Don’t forget you can compete in one or more of 25 Dance Divisions and enjoy over 25 Dance Workshops.

Swing into Spring at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Join the LARGEST Swing & Hustle Dance Event in the Midwest!

For more info check out the website http://swingdanceamerica.com/

Yes, it’s entirely too early to call it Spring as far as the weather is concerned, but it’s not too early to call it Spring as far as attitude. And with such sweeping cold across the country this Winter, it’s time to fantasize about Spring looks for the ladies.

I love these Body-Con (body conscious) looks for the gals, yes I know…some of us can’t, or don’t want to pull off these sexy-sexy looks exactly; but they’re great basics to pair with other pieces to make them your own look.

Video and quotes from attendees at America’s Classic Championship 2010. Part II coming soon…

ACC totally rocked this year! All the choreographed routine divisions were well executed. The Open Showcase and Open Classic, and Master’s Classic were especially hot! The energy was great throughout the weekend, and the DJ’s did an awesome job with the music for both social dancing, and the comps.
Glen Miller – Swing and Hustle Dance America

“Dance Like No Ones Watching”. My favorite part of ACC was the Showcase & Classic division, because that’s where I hope to be soon! Also, the social dancing was great as well. Meeting new people and enjoying the Dance. I also, loved that they are starting Truman’s Dream for the Juniors. I have a 9 year old that West coast swing as well and he wants to compete. We’ve competed before and he needs a partner. All and All it was Great at ACC!!
Angie Jones – Swing Professional

It was huge! It was so much fun! Social Dancing was great and someone told me they have been to other events, but they said they would never miss ACC ever again!
Debbie Figueroa – Swing Professional

Americas’ Classic was one of the best events I have ever attended. Mario & Cher put on a first-class event that ran smoothly and efficiently. The competitions ran mostly on time, which is especially impressive considering that many of the competitions had a large number of competitors. I think the competitions ran so well in large part due to the use of the electronic scoring system provided by Event Express Pro. This system allowed competitors to be called back for semifinal and final rounds hours sooner than if the scoring had been done on paper. This was the first event I had been to that employed this system, and I definitely noticed a difference. I am already looking forward to attending this event next year!
Angela Risser, Managing Editor The Rhythm Lounge

Part II, more pics and video coming soon…

It’s time for the America’s Classic Championships and it’s gonna be great! Event Directors Cher Peadon & Mario Robau Jr. have kept it going and it’s now in it’s 19th year!!! Congrats to you both!

Thought of as a warm and hospitable place, Houston is the home town to this event, and you know in Texas everything is big, so expect a big party! Check out the vid below from 2009 Pro Strictly Swing Comps:

Full event passes are only $119 at the door! For more information America’s Classic Championships.

Just to get everyone inspired to inspire other thru dance…

Although this is an advert (from last year no less), it clearly conveys the joy that dance brings to people. It’s a new decade and a new year; get someone open to dance, put some spontaneous dance joy into someone’s life.