Happy birthday wishes to Susan Riccio, Larry Pudelek, JoAnn Regina, Miriam Flynn, Bonnie Castle and Cat Tito
We sadly report the loss of a fine dancer, that has left us much too soon – Elizabeth McGee. Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.
The 2009 Holiday Spectacular will take place on Saturday, December 12th. Hold the date. Its the 17th annual Holiday dance hosted by Donna Boyle and Ron Bess. This year we present a spectacular “Tea Dance” from 2PM till 8PM, at the wonderful Stardust Ballroom. All the details coming soon.
The Zachary’s dance contest has been canceled. Charlie Paci wants everyone to know, due to circumstances beyond his and Alfred Pena’s control. They are very sorry that the club has canceled the dance contest but are working with the management to move the contest else where. Stay tuned for more details.
Looking for the best new dance songs? Look no more. DJ Fancy has them all on one CD. 17 of today’s best new dance songs for hustle, swing and free style. The Summer Mix Includes dance mixes by Jordan Sparks (Battlefield), Black Eyed Peas (Tonight’s gonna Be..), Madonna (Celebration), Shakira (She Wolf) ….17 dance songs in all. To order your copy, send a check for $15 to: Edward Archie, 6034 Magnolia Ave. Pennsauken, NJ 08109. The price including handling & shipping.
This Wednesday at Michael’s Cafe, free weekly hustle lesson with Joey Commentucci at 8:30PM, and the “Carlo Challenge” – name that song. The winner gets a free drink from the bar. The dancing goes till 12:45AM with DJ Mark spinning the best hustle, swing and Latin. Next week the guest teacher is Donna “Discoamerica” Boyle. Located on Street Road, in Bensalem Pa. Spread the word.
A sequel to the Phantom of The Opera? Andrew Lloyd Weber announced the show “Love Never Dies” to open in London next year. Part two of the journey. http://www.loveneverdies.com/october8th/
The history of the hustle can be found via the “Hustle Hall Of Fame”. Retro pictures, biographies and video’s of the greatest dance couples & teams from the 70′s to date. http://www.mjames.org/hustlehall.html
Joey C. mini boot camp takes place on Sunday Nov 1, from 1 – 4:30 PM. A hustle beginners bootcamp is being held at the Bucks County Dance Center, instructed by Joey C. on, Sunday. Learn technique, movement, partnering, lead & follow etc.. located at 2292 Street Road in Bensalem. For details call Joey at (215) 317-7675
This weekend, at the World Hustle Dance Championships, the first open forum discussions on the “Growth of the hustle” took place. It was an informative exchange of ideas. We will roll up all the suggestions and share them over the next few weeks. Congratulation to all the winners and competitors that participated at the event. Your involvement is what helps to grow and keep the hustle alive. I would like to personally thank Diane K. Nardone and the committee for inducting me into the Hall of Fame. I am very touched by this recognition and will continue to do my part to inspire others to participate in our dance.
This weeks edition of DanceTalk is sponsored by Mickey B’s Saturday Night Disco Fever. Read all about the extravaganza below.
Make it a great week,
Ron
World Hustle Dance Championships – Results/Highlights
This has been a year of change, for dancing too. The World Hustle Dance Championships has broken down walls to deliver an incredible weekend of dance. For 2009, Diane K. Nardone introduced new divisions to her event as well as building her largest, most talented staff, ever. She graciously hosted the first open forum on the “Growth of the Hustle”. The dinner show, ‘Dance Explosion’ displayed the skills of those who are limited to wheel chairs, international dance stars and a tidbit of comedy in between. The American Dance Wheels, performed and displayed their abilities to express their love for dance. The exhibitions featured disabled dancers performing in wheel chairs with a standing partner. They all received standing ovations from an appreciative audience of true dance enthusiasts. International Dance champions Rene Ostarek & Brona Vistaslona performed three dazzling routines: Cha Cha, Jive and Rumba. Dance champions Roberto Pagan & Rosa Paredes also performed a wonderful artistic number. World Swing dance champion Robert Cordoba showed us his winning skills performing with Silvana Gallagher and Diane Nardone and…the WHDC Village People made their debut. A 50/50 fund raiser was held to benefit the American Dance Wheels. Donna DeSimone was the grand winner but generously gave back her winnings providing the association $940.00 The evening also included a surprise birthday cake to celebrate the birthday of organizer Diane K. Nardone and music director Dave Muzzi, whom share the same birth date. The stars of hustle were out all weekend and included: Stephanie Risser, Roberto Pagan, Donna DeSimone, Lisa Nunziella, Johnny “O” Ortiz, Rosa Paredes, DJ Mark, Donna Boyle, Tony Pace, Elizabeth Darchi, Drew Axelrod, Trisha Caballero, Gary Ulaner, Wingo Hom, Joe Kerner, Silvana Gallagher, Louie Orlando, Tybaldt, Dara Patrusky, Alan Rocoff, Lisa Schaupp, DJ Dennis, Christopher Schaupp, Raye Avery, Irena Griffin, Chris Bates, Susan Fritz, Erica Smith, Jameson Kilburn, Dave Muzzi, Danny McGee, Celeste Pfefferle, Billy Marti, Lori Brizzi, Frank Pellicci, Robert Cordoba, Andre’ Phelps, John Merisia, Bobby Gerard, Joyce Szilli, Anthony Lee, Diane K Nardone, Leo Madina Jr, Brian Gallagher, Damon D’Amico, Miquel Marrero, Susan Marolda, Jaime Serna, Debbie Ferro, Robert Lawrence, Jose Gonzales, Sabrina Paxman…Many thanks to Diane and her talented staff for making this a tremendous weekend from start to finish.
These are some of the results from the weekends competitions. For the compete list, please visit the World Hustle Championships website, later this week.
Battle Of the DJ’s – DJ Mark Routzahn
Christopher Nardone Spirit Award – Dan Miele
Recognition Award – Chris LeFebvre
Gladys Torres Spirit Award – Frank Pellicci
Lynn Ferguson Humanitarian Award – Arte Phillips
Hustle Hall Of Fame – Lisa Nunziella
Hustle Hall Of Fame – Ron Bess
Life Time Achievement Award – Roberto Pagan
Pro – Am Hustle Advance – Female
1) Rosetta Varuola and Wingo Hom
2) Bianca Disimino and Roberto Pagan
3) Sammy Shecter and Tybaldt Ulrich
Pro – Am Hustle Advance – Male
1) Jesse Castaneda and Lisa Nunziella
2) Jack Ciecka and Stephanie Risser
3) Steve Salerno and Donna DeSimone
Professional Just Hustle
1) Joe Kerner and Stephanie Risser
2) Roberto Pagan and Rosa Paredes
3) Tybaldt Ulrich and Lisa Schaupp
Team Match
1) Banga Langa – Roberto Pagan, Rosa Paredes, Frankie Paredes, Bianca Disimino, Jerise Masion, Jamie Serna, Gene Rombolo, Lori Brizzi
Jack & Jill Hustle Invitational Professionals
1) Brian Gallagher & Lisa Nunziella
2) Louie Orlando & Stephanie Risser
3) Christopher & Lisa Schaupp
World Open
1) Roberto Pagan & Rosa Paredes
2) Brian Gallagher & Danielle Odhner
3) Wingo Hom & Susan Fritz
4) Jose Gonzales & Donna Boyle
5) Ray Avery & Irena Griffin
Saturday Night Disco Fever
It’s only one month away. The Disco Party of the Year, hosted by Mickey B, the man bringing Disco Back.
With over 45 years in the entertainment business Mickey B is on a mission. He is ready to re-light the disco inferno. He has done it all, from radio to television and everything in between. He was given the name “Prince of Rock & Roll” because of the numerous contributions he has made over the years. He grew up as the King of the Catskills, MCing at an early age and making a name for himself. For 18 consecutive years he hosted the New Year Eve Gala at the Hyatt Cerromar Beach Hotel. Mickey B. has fond memories of his Catskill days and the dozens of hotels with the non-stop dancing and entertainment. These cherished memories have lit a fire of encouragement for
Mickey B. to launch a new wave of dancing. “It’s time for couple to get close and start dancing cheek to cheek again”. That being said, on November 7th, the “Saturday Night Disco Fever”, will take place. You’ll experience some of the biggest names from the Disco Era performing, witness a head to head dance contest (the winners of the preliminaries) and you’ll dance the night away.
Mickey B’s illustrious career includes recording 10 records with “Tico and the Triumphs”. Super Star Paul Simon was a member of the group. Mickey B. produced and sung many songs released in the USA and France. He has appeared as a guest on many of the top rated television shows. His great love for music has made him a leader in the industry. As the host of several of his own shows on cable TV, he now produces concerts and music festivals. In addition to writing a monthly column for the “50+ LifeStyles” newspaper, he also supports many senior promotions and events. Mickey B. can also be seen and heard on many radio and TV commercials. Every Friday night you can hear Mickey B. doing his thing via his weekly radio show. Just tune in to 1240 AM, from 7-10, for WGBB as he plays all the oldies and takes your requests. Mickey B. loves the sounds of the 70′s and 80′s and is anxious to help re-create the era when kids, of all ages, would touch dance. The planets are in the right places to make all this happen again and Mickey B. is kicking off one heck of a tribute with multiple preliminary dance contests. The top names in hustle dancing are all getting involved too. Lou Del Prete, Mark James, Donna DeSimone, Lori Brizzi,….The winners from the preliminary contests will move on to the finals, on stage, November 7, at “Saturday Night Disco Fever” held at The Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts. The performances will include: Karen Lynn Gorney (Special Appearance), The Trammps, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, France Joli, Sweetwater Orchestra and Phil Francavilla. For all the details visit www.MickeyB.com
Pass the word, Mickey B. is bringing Disco back.
Letters to the Editor
(our goal is to post readers letters twice a month, unfortunately due to space limitations we can not publish them all)
Hi Ron:
Reading your website brought back many memories from the original disco days of the seventies.
Unfortunately, I cannot remember the disco where I learned how to dance the hustle, maybe you can help me. During 1974 – 1978 the hottest disco around was on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow. Would you happen to know the name? It was downstairs in a shopping center. I use to see Joe Namath there. The dancing was great and everyone would dress up. It was a little older than most night clubs.
I would appreciate if you can remember this place and tell me the name. I live in Phoenix, Arizona and have no way to go back physically. .
Thanks,
Robert
(“Penrods”, now knows as Zachary’s)
Ron,
I was shocked and saddened to read of the passing of Viola Wills. She is one of my all time favorites, just a fantastic voice. It is a shame she didn’t become a bigger star hear, she really deserved it. I was really pissed when they used Amber and the other two girls to re-do “If You Could Read My Mind” for the movie “54″. Why didn’t they just use the original by Viola, it is a classic, maybe my fav disco song of all time. I think I have all her recordings.
Thanks for passing the news along, I would have never known. I googled her about a year ago and found a fan site with a lot of good info. http://www.violawills.com/
#
Bob S
Hey Ron,
I read in your Dancetalk that Franc Reyes has a new movie coming out. What I am trying to figure out or even get a picture of him is?????? Is this the same Perico that use to dance in Manhattan back in 1979, 1980???
I knew a Perico that was a great dancer that would go to the studios and then danced on the Dance Fever tv show. Is this one in the same????
Thank you for all that you do,
Grace Delprato – NYC
(Yes, Perico danced with the Disco Dance Dimensions, wrote multiple number one selling songs ( top of the charts) and now directs and writes Hollywood motion pictures).
Hey Ron, how are you….
Just got back from LA & had a wonderful time at the show. (DWTS) I was able to meet & take pics with everyone after the show. I also had gone to two after parties and got a chance to meet and hang out with some of the celebrities & pros all from the show. My thanks goes out to Karina Smirnoff for being such a nice friend!
Louis Del Prete
