A DAILY Dance blog

Wayne's Dance Commentary 2/3/2012

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 17:52:03 -0500

About 200 dancers attended Dance Manhattan's Guest Night held last Friday. The event featured swing and salsa lessons, several performances and light snacks. To the best of my knowledge, Dance Manhattan is now the only large social dance school in Manhattan hosting free monthly guest nights.

Approximately thirty five dancers attended Just Dance's mixed ballroom event last Saturday. The event featured two free lessons, a generous selection of light food and wine and many familiar faces :-)

Dance Food for Thought:
Don Cornelius, the originator of Soul Train, passed away this week ay 75 years old. For approximately thirty five years - especially in the early years - Soul Train had an enormous impact on the dance community - including yours truly who was glued to the TV set whenever the show came on.... For those of you who missed the scene - or just want to relive a few memories - see:
www.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/arts/music/don-cornelius-soul-train-creator-is-dead-at-75.html?_r=1
www.abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/02/don-cornelius-suicide-reveals-troubled-life-of-soul-train-founder/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_Train
www.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/arts/music/don-cornelius-soul-train-creator-is-dead-at-75.html?_r=1
Manhattan Social Dance Events:
Current Discounts for Commentary Readers:
- $2 discount with a copy of this Commentary at Millennium Hustle events at Manhattan Ballroom Dance (usually first Fridays)
- $2 discount with a copy of this Commentary at Millennium Hustle events at Club 412 (2nd & 3rd Saturdays)
- $3 discount with a copy of this Commentary at the Friday Fiesta Ballroom events (2nd Fridays)
- $5 discount with a copy of this Commentary for non-students at Just Dance's monthly socials

Upcoming Dance Events
- 2/4, Swing Remix, JCC, 334 Amsterdam, 6:20 - 12:30 AM, 3 lessons, live band, $14/26/36/56, swingremix.com
- 2/9, Annual Valentine's Soiree, DanceSport, 22 W. 34th St., rhumba lesson, performance, rhumba contest, $25/40, dancesport.com
- 2/10, 3/9 & 4/13, mixed ballroom, 9:30 - 12:30 AM, light snacks, $7/10, dancemanhattan.com
- 2/10, Valentine´s Day Dance, Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd St., 6:30 - 11:00 PM, big band, rhumba lesson, performance, refreshments, roses for the ladies, cash bar, $20, bstichova@gmail.com
- 2/11, west coast, Alvin Ailey Extension, 405 W.55th St., 5:00/6:00 PM beginner lessons, 7 - 9:00 PM dancing, $10/25/35, swingshoes.net
- 2/24, 3/23, 4/27, Dance Manhattan Guest Night, 39 W. 19th St., 8:00 PM lesson, performances, dancing to 12:30 AM, free, dancemanhattan.com
- 2/24, Stepping Out Open House, 37 W. 26th St., 9:30 - 12:30 AM, refreshments, performance, $5/10, steppingoutstudios.com

Monday Events:
- Hustle, DanceSport, 9:30 - 11:30, 22 W. 34th St., $10, dancesport.com
- Uptown Swing, Gospel, 2110 Seventh Ave., George Gee Big Band, 8 - 11 PM, $15, http://gospeluptown.com
- Tango Fix, Basic Ballroom, 335 W. 35th St., 8:30 - 1:00 AM, $10, thetangofix.com
- Swing, Cotton Club, 8:30 to 12:00 AM, live music, $15, 212-663-7980
- Meat Market Milonga, Triangulo, 9:30 - 1:00 AM, 212-633-6445
- Luna Tango, Dance Manhattan, 9:30 - 12:30 AM, guided practica, snacks, $8/10, dancemanhattan.com
- Latin, TAJ, 48 W. 21st St., 6:30 PM class, performance, bar/restaurant, $6 before 7:00 PM, $12, talia@taliacastro-pozo.com
- Salsa Con Mambo, Session 73, 1359 First Avenue, 8:00 - 1:00 AM, $7 - $12, session73.com

Tuesday Events:
- West Coast Swing, Connelly's, 121 W. 45th St., 6:45/7:30 WC lessons, dancing to 12:30 AM, $10/12, strictlywestie.com
- Cochabamba La Milonga. Manhattan Ballroom Dance, 29 W. 36th St., 9;30 - 12:30, $12, tango-art.org
- Sabor Tuesdays, salsa, Iguana, 240 W. 54th /St., 8 - 1:00 AM, $5/10, 917-776-1172
- Salsa, DanceSport, 22 W. 34th St., 9:30 - 12:30, $20, dancesport.com
- Latin Tinge Tuesdays, 3534 Broadway, buffet @ 6:00, $5/$10

Wednesday Events:
- West Coast, Dance Manhattan, 39 W. 19th St., 9:15 - 12:00 PM, free/$7, dancemanhattan.com
- Hustle Jam, Stepping Out, 37 W. 26th St., 9:30 - 12:45 AM, $9, steppingoutstudios.com
- Baila Wednesdays, Solas, 232 East 9th St., 8:30 - 1:00 AM, $5, 917-533-8903
- Salsa, La Mela Ristorante, 167 Mulberry, 7:00 PM lesson, $8, pielcaneladancers.com
- Salsa, Amber Bistro, 432 6th Ave., 6:30 - 12:00 AM, $6 (free b47), www.NYSalsababy.com
- Piel Canela Club Night, salsa, Cafe Nunez, 240 West 35th St., 8:00 PM - 1:00 AM, free, pielcaneladancers.com
- Travesura Wednesdays, Napa Lounge, 240 W.35th St., DJ music 7:30 to 1:00 AM, free, alebouza@gmail.com
- After Work Wednesdays, Retreat, 37 West 17th St., 6 - 11 PM, lesson, buffet, $5 after 7:00 PM, salsaunitedny.com
- Salsa, Diva, 341 West Broadway, 8:00 - 12:00 AM, free, 212-941-9024

Thursday Events:
- Frim Fram Swing, Club 412, 9 - 1:00 AM, $8, yehoodi.com
- Zouk/Salsa, Sparks, salsa/zouk classes @ 8:00/9:00 PM, dancing to 12:00 AM, $10/18/25, every 2nd Thursday, www.ZoukNY.com
- Cuban Salsa, Iguana, 240 W. 54th St., 8:30 PM class, 3rd Thursdays, $10, thursdays@larumba.net
Milonga Para Dodo, 29 W. 36th St., 8:30 basic/int. lessons, DJs to 1:30 AM, $10/14, basicballroomdanceny.com
- Salsa After Work Thursdays, BB King, 237 W. 42nd St., live/DJ music, free, albertentertainment.com/oltbbkinginvite.htm
- Casa de Tango, Ukranian East Village Restaurant, 9 - 1:00 AM, 212-614-3283
- Havana Rumba, Drom, live Cuban music, 212-777-1157
- Salsa, Club Cache, 10:00 PM lesson, $11, 347-385-6745
- La Nacional Milonga, 239 West 14th St., 917-691-6399
- Dance Times Square mixed ballroom social, 156 W. 44th St., 9:00 - 11:00 PM, $10, last Thursdays, dancetimessquare.com
- Salsa, Club Iguana, $5/10, 212-765-6565

Friday Events:
- Latin Hustle Fridays, DanceSport, 22 W. 34th St., 9:30 - 2:00 AM, bar/cafe, $12/7, dancesport.com
- Millennium Hustle, Manhattan Ballroom Dance, 29 W. 36th St., 8:30 PM class, till 1:00 PM, $10/12, some first Fridays (next event 2/3), loribrizzi.com
- Friday Fiesta Ballroom, American Ballroom Theater, 25 W. 31st St., 7:00 PM lesson, DJ to 10:00 PM, wine, snacks, $15 (2/$25) ($3 discount with this E-mail), 2nd Fridays, ballroom@nonstopplaynyc.com
- Manhattan Ballroom Society, mixed ballroom, St. Jean Baptiste Church, 76th St./Lexington Ave., 6:30/7:30 PM lesson(s), $20/30, DJ music to 11:00 PM, manhattanballroom.net
- Full Swing & Salsa Fridays, lessons 8:00 PM, DJ music to 12:30 AM, $7/10, most first Fridays (next 2/3, 3/2 & 4/5), dancemanhattan.com
- Tango Practica, Dardo Galetto Studios, 151 W. 46th St., 7:30 - 12:00, free/$10, http://newgenerationdc.com/dardogallettostudios
- Tango Practica, Piel Canela, 7:30 - 10:30 PM, third Fridays, $5, pielcaneladancers.com
- Sabroso Salsa, Columbus 72, 246 Columbus, buffet, lesson, free with pass, albentertainment.com/C72freeadminpass.htm
- Salsa, Twenty 20, 20 Warren St., 5:00 - 1:30 AM, free, 2020latinclub.com
- Salsa for Beginners, Pearl Studios, 500 Eighth Ave., 7:00 - 10:30 PM, $5/10, pielcaneladancers.com
- Mixed ballroom, 320 W. 37th St., 7:30 PM lesson, DJ music to 11:00 PM, $15, 1st/3rd Fridays, theredbeanstudios.com
- Afterwork Salsa Fridays, El Morocco, 3534 Bway, 6:00 PM, buffet, performance, live music, $10, elmorocconyc.com
- Salsa, Providence, 311 W. 57th St., Happy Hour 5 to 7:00 PM, $7/$10 after 7:00 PM, 347-452-1767
- Milonga, Murano Restaurant, 8:00 PM class, dancing till 1:00 AM, $13, first Fridays, 212-695-5220
- Mambo Fateegz Salsa Fridays, Ballroom Off Fifth, 37 W. 37th St., 9 - 2:00 AM, $10/12, 1st/3rd/5th Fridays, mambofateegz.com
- Fuego Fridays, Salsa, Roomservice, 35 East 21st Street, 5 PM - 4:00 AM, 917-701-0811
- Dance Tango, Ukranian East Village Restaurant, 9 - 2:30 AM, 212-614-3283
- Tango Lounge, DanceSport, DJ music, wine bar/tapas, 9:30 - 2:30 AM, $12/10, newyorktangolounge.com
- Salsa Fridays, Dance Manhattan, 8:00 PM lesson, 9:30 - 12:30 AM, $7/10, most 1st/3rd Fridays, dancemanhattan.com
- Afternoon Milonga, Triangulo, 4:30 to 8:30 PM, $10, 212-633-6445
- Latin, Club 412, 9 - 1:00 AM, $10, 2nd & 4th Fridays, $10, youshouldbedancing.net
- West Coast swing/hustle, Club 412, lesson @ 9:00 PM, third Fridays, $10/15, http://swingshoes.net/start-dancing/dance-events/platinum-party
- Kizomba/Zouk, Piel Canela, 500 8th Ave., 7 - 10 PM, $5/10, first Fridays, pielcaneladancers.com
Saturday Events:
- Millennium Hustle, 2nd/3rd Saturdays @ Club 412, 412 Eighth Avenue, free classes, hustle/latin/ballroom dance floors, cash bar, 9 - 2:00 AM, $11/13/15 ($2 discount with this e-mail), loribrizzi.com
- Just Dance Monthly Socials (usually last Saturday), 500 8th Ave., 12th floor, 8:00 PM class, dancing to 11:00 PM, $10/15, ($5 discount with this E-mail for non-students), justdancellc.com
- DancXchange Lounge, hustle & salsa, 22 W. 34th St., 9:00/9:30 PM free basic/intermediate lessons, $15, last Saturdays, dancesport.com
- Mixed Ballroom, 29 W. 36th St., 7:30 lesson, snacks, many excellent dancers, $15, manhattanballroomdance.com
- Gotham West Coast Swing, Basic Ballroom, 335 W. 35th St., 8:00/8:30 PM basic/intermediate lessons, DJ 9:00 - 12:30, $15/12/10, first Saturdays, gothamswingclub.org
- All Night Milonga, Stepping Out, 9:00 PM lessons, performance, dancing to 4:00 AM, $10/15, 2nd/5th Saturdays, Steppingoutstudios.com
- Bachata Social, Pearl Studios, 500 Eighth Ave., $5/10, 1st/3rd Saturdays, pielcaneladancers.com
- Piel Canela After Party, latin, Cafe Nunez, 240 W. 35th St., 10:00 - 1:00 AM, $5/free, pielcaneladancers.com
- Tango Cafe, Club 412, 412 Eighth Avenue, 10:00 PM - 2:00 AM, two rooms, $12, youshouldbedancing.net
- JookJoint Blues, location varies, 9:30 PM lesson, usually 2nd/4th Saturdays, DJ to 2:30 AM, $10/12, jookjointshimmyblues.com
- Toda La Noche Salsa,Stepping Out, 10:00 PM - 3:00 AM, 1st Saturdays, $12, steppingoutstudios.com
- Salsa On 1 Practica, Ral'eau Salsa Dance Company, 300 W. 43rd St. Suite 600, 9pm til, $5, info@rsalsa.net
- Milonga De Barrio, 29 W. 36th St., 9:00 basic/int. lessons, DJs to 4:00 AM, $12/15, 2nd Saturdays, basicballroomdanceny.com
- La Vieja Guardia Salsa Social, Basic Ballroom, 335 W. 35th St., 10 - 2 AM, 3rd Saturdays, joelsalsa.com
- Milonga Elegante, Dance With Me Soho, last Saturdays, dancewithmesoho.com
- Salsa Practica, Mambo D Dance Center, 315 W. 36th St., 6:30 - 9:30, $10, www.mambod.com
- Latin Social, Pearl Studios, 500 Eighth Ave., 7 - 11:00 PM, $5/10, 2nd & 4th Saturdays, pielcaneladancers.com
- Jazz/swing, Wit's End/Dorothy Parker Society, last Saturdays, various venues, dress code, clubwitsend.com
- Swing, salsa & west coast, Club 412, 7:00 PM lessons, $15/18, last Saturdays, youshouldbedancing.net
- Salsa, Harlem YMCA, DJ music, performance, 9 - 2:00, third Saturdays, 914-837-2072
- Argentine Tango Party, 92nd Street Y, 8:00 - 2:00, 8:00 PM class, performance, jackets for men, $15, some first Saturdays (next 2/4 & 5/5), 646-342-9910
- Latin, Havana Central Times Square, live music, small dance floor, free, 212-398-7440

Sunday Events:
- Mixed ballroom, The Marc, 37 W. 19th St., 7 - 12:00 AM, good hot/cold buffet, 2nd/4th Sundays, $15, 212-396-2813
- The Spot, mixed ballroom, Ballroom Off Fifth, 37 W. 37th St., 7:30 to 11:30 PM, nice buffet, $13, 1st/3rd/5th Sundays, 212-396-2813
- Sunday Tea Dance, mixed ballroom, 29 West 36th St., 3:00 - 7:00 PM, snacks, $15, manhattanballroomdance.com
- Jimmy Anton's Salsa, Dance Manhattan, many excellent dancers, 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays, $11/14, dancemanhattan.com
- Tango Y Te, Stepping Out, 37 W. 26th St., 3:00 - 6:00 PM, $8/11, steppingoutstudios.com
- Tango, Bazar Bistro, 4 W. 19th st., 5 - 9:00 PM, $10, tango.secreto4jc@gmail.com
- Rock & Roll/Motown/Soul/Doo Wop, Iguana, 7- 11:30 PM, usually third Sundays, $15, 212-486-9517
- Cuban, Thom Bar @ 60 Thomson Street, 9 - 1:00 AM, live music, free, 212-431-0400
- Latin, Sheraton Hotel, 160 W. 25th St., 8:30 - 2:00 AM, free, thevipevents.com
- Blues Dancing, Terra Blues, 149 Bleeker, 7:15 - 11;30 PM, live music, free/$5, http://tinyurl.com/NYCSundayBluesDance
- La Milonguita Ideal, American Ballroom Dance Studio, 8 - 12 PM, 212-244-8400
- Mojito Sundays, The Imperial, 19 West 19th St., salsa, 9 - 2:00, $5/$10, 212-352-2001
- Salsa, Room 55, 210 West 55th St., 6 - 12:00 AM, On 2 class, free, 212-246-2211
- Salsa, Ripley-Grier Studios, 520 Eighth Ave., 5:30 - 9:30 PM, $10, 2nd and 4th Sundays, http://carloskonig.com/Social.asp

Other Events:
- Swing, St Jean Baptiste Church, 184 E 76th Street 7 PM lesson, live band/DJ to 12:00, monthly on some Saturdays or Sundays (next 1/21 & 2/26), $18/14, nysds.org
- Jazz/swing, Sofia's, Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks, 8:00 PM, $15 cover/$15 minimum, Mondays/Tuesdays, 212-719-5799
- Salsa, Copacabana, 268 W. 47th St., Tuesdays, Friday and Saturdays, supper club, 212-239-2672
- Tango, Lafayette Grill, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 212-732-5600
- Swing, most nights, 346 W. 46th St., supper club, $12/15, swing46.com

Hope to See You on the Dance Floor!
Wayne

*This commentary is authored by an avid social dancer focusing on the Manhattan dance scene. Due to time & space constraints, the event listing generally includes social dance events - but not classes, workshops and performances nor most regularly scheduled events at commercial venues. New event information is indicated in italics. Last minute changes occur frequently, so please confirm details with the organizers & advise me of changes. This commentary is e-mailed to over 500 dancers with links to several other newsletters and websites potentially reaching approximately 3,000 readers. Event promoters are encouraged to offer discounts to readers of this commentary. To receive/cancel, please forward your name & E-mail address. This commentary may not be redistributed without written authorization.

NY USA Dance News 12/28/2011

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:23:25 -0500

Dance into 2012 with NY USA Dance

NY USA Dance will be hosting its annual New Year’s Eve Party on December 31 at Manhattan Ballroom Dance Studio. That's right: in just four days. You can buy tickets in advance on-line before December 31 for just $55 per person, which includes food, refreshments, champagne toast at midnight and dancing into the first hour of 2012. If you're in the vicinity of MBD, you can buy tickets in advance in person, before December 31. Prices go up at the door on New Year’s Eve to $60 for USA Dance members and $65 for general public. Buy now on-line in advance and save. Hope to see you there!
Register Now for MAC 2012

MAC 2012 is a little more than two weeks away but for those of you competing, you have only four days to register: Saturday, December 31 is the final deadline. On-line is the quickest way to do it. Please do not wait until the last minute -- register on-line now to avoid the last minute rush.
If you were planning on registering off-line by mailing in your entries, you can do that too, but we need to receive your entries by Saturday, December 31. To avoid postal delays, do not wait until the last minute; complete the forms now and drop them in the mail immediately.
Once again, MAC is a National Qualifying Event. Register now so that you can qualify for USA Dance Nationals in three months in Baltimore.
Donate to the MAC
Only four more days until we bid farewell to 2011, and for those who wish to include MAC in your year-end giving -- we thank you -- and we send this gentle reminder that if you have not yet donated to the MAC, we hope you will do so before 2011 comes to a close.
As a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization the Greater New York Chapter of USA Dance relies on the support of fellow dancers and friends of dance to help make MAC happen each year and to help fund the scholarships that are given out to the hard-working and talented dancers who compete at all levels at the MAC. Help us keep this tradition alive.
To find out more about how you can help go to http://bit.ly/mac11_donate. Your donations to the Greater New York Chapter of USA Dance made by December 31 are deductible as charitable contributions in 2011, to the extent allowed by law.
MAC Deadlines: Hotel, Lodging, Tickets
For those traveling from afar to attend MAC -- we thank you -- and send this gentle reminder that we have secured a special rate of $149 per night at the New Yorker Hotel, right around the corner from the Manhattan Center, where MAC will be held, and to get that rate, you must register by Wednesday, December 28. Check http://bit.ly/mac2012hotel for the code and additional lodging options.
College teams: Contact the Housing Coordinator at mac_housing@nyusadance.org with the number of competitors for which housing is required. Please do so now; space fills up quickly!
For those looking to buy spectator tickets for the MAC, advanced sales of tickets to all sessions is now open. We strongly suggest that you buy tickets for the highly popular Friday night and Saturday night championships now. VIP seating on the stage and Reserved Seating are also available; advanced purchase for those options is also recommended. On-line payment will close on January 10. Mail-in payments must be received by January 6.
Last Dance of the Year

The Bohemian National Hall on the Upper East Side of Manhattan has played host to regular social dances this year, and the last one for 2011 will take place on Wednesday, December 28. Although not strictly a ballroom dance event, you will find music that you can dance ballroom, swing and ballroom to. The party starts at 7 pm and admission includes a free dance lesson, snacks, wine and refreshments. For more information go to http://on.fb.me/ldoy_bnh. (Please direct all questions to the organizers -- not us.)
Holiday Extravaganza at Ballroom on Sunset

On Saturday, December 17, I had the privilege and pleasure to serve as both DJ and MC at a Holiday Extravaganza at Ballroom on Sunset in Latham, New York. It was great to visit with Paul and Louise Giuliano, the organizers of the event, and our friends from the Capital District Chapter of USA Dance, including Chapter President Gary Burgess and Vice-President Barbara Ritschel.
More than 120 dancers gathered to share some holiday cheer, with a catered dinner, a cha cha lesson from USA Dance National 10-dance champion Pasha Pashkov and plenty of dancing throughout the night. Among the many strokes of genius that made the event special was the naming of each table by dance (waltz, swing, tango, etc.) and then playing a song that matched the dance as the way to invite that table to get up and line up for the buffet.
The evening also included wonderful performances by Pasha and his partner Daniella Karagach. In between their costume changes, their students Andrew Sims and Emily Cobb-Hines performed their latin routines. Even though it was their first time doing a show, these youth dancers demonstrated their abundant energy and talent.
Many kudos and accolades are due Paul and Louise for organizing such a great party. Indeed, it fully lived up to its name as a Holiday Extravaganza. What a terrific way to usher in the holiday season with social dancing. I was glad to be a part of it. Thanks, Paul and Louise!
Report from the Big Apple DanceSport Challenge
Earlier this month, on December 3 and 4, I had the privilege and pleasure to be the Master of Ceremonies at the Fifth Annual Big Apple DanceSport Challenge, the collegiate competition organized by Columbia University's Ballroom Dance Team.

Nearly 800 dancers from some 60 schools registered to compete, including some from us far as California (UC Berkeley and UC San Diego). The showcase on Saturday night was presented by World Professional Latin Finalists Andrej Skufca and Melinda Torokgyorgy.
Results can be found here: http://bit.ly/badc11_results. Some spectacular photos from official photographer Ryan Kenner can be found here: http://bit.ly/badc11_rkp.
My shots from the podium can be found here: Smooth/Standard; Rhythm; Open; Showcase; Open Finals; and Latin. Enjoy!
Congrats to the Columbia ballroom team for putting on another great event!
NYT: Swing Dance Revival (Again)

Last week, the December 22 edition of the New York Times ran a story about the once-again burgeoning swing scene in New York City. The article recount the resurgence of swing dancing from a time a few years ago when clubs that regularly featured live orchestras playing for swing dancers were closing down to present day in which generations of swingers from their 20s to their 70s can get their swing on seven nights a week. The reporter does not delve much into why swing is back (again) but does provide a list of places to go every night of the week to dance some swing. To read the article go to http://nyti.ms/vZK6gY.
Reminders of Upcoming Events
USA Dance National DanceSport Championships takes place on March 30 through April 1, 2012, at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. On-line registration closes on March 6.
“Dance Legends” is coming to the Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center next April. It will be a two-day event set to take place on April 13 and 14, 2012, and it will feature past and present champions in ballroom and latin, performing in multiple showcases. Tickets are now on sale. To learn more, visit the website or follow Dance Legends on Facebook or Twitter.
Looking to Improve Your Dancing?
Here are some ideas for classes and practice spaces:
At Brooklyn DanceSport Club, Maria and Eugene will be teaching Open Junior/Youth Seminars on Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, and Open Adult Seminars on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. They will also hold regular run-through Latin rounds on Tuesdays from 8:30 to 10:00 pm and Thursdays from 8:00 to 9:30 pm. Blackpool Professional Rising Star Ballroom Champions Marat Gimaev and Alina Basyuk have now joined the studio as Directors of the Ballroom Department and they will be teaching the Open Standard Seminar on Wednesdays at 7 PM, starting July 6th. They will also run regular Standard Run-through Practices on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM and on Fridays at 7 PM. The studio is easily accessible by subway, via the N train, 18 Avenue stop. From there, it’s a short walk to the studio.
Stepping Out holds an International Standard and American Smooth Practice session on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 pm, and the cost is just $3 per person or $5 per couple. On Saturdays, they hold a Standard pratice session from 5 pm to 6 pm, at the same cost. Just show the front desk your USA Dance membership card to take advantage of these great rates, and ask them what other USA Dance discounts are available for their other programs and events.
Become the best ballroom dancer you can be for your partner by working on yourself first. ISTD Fellow Michael Choi shows you how with his Ballroom Barre, at Chelsea Studios, every Wednesday, starting at 8:30 pm. Just $25 per person for USA Dance members. The classes are non-sequential so drop in any time; no partner required, all levels welcome. For more information, contact Michael at michael@dancemchoi.com.
Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio runs Standard rounds on Thursdays, from 8:30 pm and Latin Rounds on Friday nights from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. The latter information is from the website, the former from Facebook. Call the studio if you would like to confirm dates and times.
Basic Ballroom holds a Competition Run-through Class supervised by former World Professional Latin finalists Paul and Olga Richardson on Friday nights from 8 pm to 9:30 pm. Just $20 for USA Dance members.
Check out the special rates for USA Dance members at Basic Ballroom: just $79 for a 10 session card and $90 for their unlimited monthly card.
DanceSport offers a $100 monthly floor fee card for amateur dancers: Unlimited practice space Monday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm, and Sundays 11 am to 7 pm for 30 days.
Dance with Me Soho can no longer host practice sessions on weekdays due to space constraints. Dancers are welcome to practice on weekends for $15 per hour per couple. Also, you may want to try their practice parties on Wednesdays at 9:20 to 10:10 pm (salsa theme) and Thursdays same time that covers all styles.
Looking to Social Dance?
Here are some suggestions:
Thursday, Dec. 29, Thursday Night Dance Club at Mirelle's, in Westbury, featuring Latin, Hustle and West Coast Swing. Lesson at 7:30 pm, dancing starts at 8:15 pm. Admission just $10 per person for USA Dance members (present your card at the entrance to get the discount).
Friday, Dec. 30, Hot Salsa Friday at the VIP Lounge at the Iguana. Doors open at 6 pm.
Saturday, Dec. 31, NY USA Dance New Year's Eve Party at Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio, doors open at 7:30 pm.
Monday, January 3, Salsa at Taj, with live band and special performances. Arrive before 7 pm and get in for $6 (admission price doubles after 7 pm).
Tuesday, Jan. 3, mixed ballroom dancing at the Saloon, on York Ave., between 83rd and 84th street, from 8 pm (free lesson at 7:30 pm).
Tuesday, Jan. 3, Hot Club 56 in Farmingdale with DJ Cody. Doors open and dancing starts at 7 pm, lessons begin at 7:30 pm. Just $10 for USA Dance members (present your card)!
Because of holiday schedules, please call ahead to find out if the event is actually going forward. For more ideas, check Wayne's Dance Commentary or bailamosdance.com.
Looking for a Partner?
We have an intermediate follower seeking a leader for practice and possibly competition. If you'd like to post your own ad, go here:bit.ly/partnerseekers. If your post has expired and you're still looking for a partner, feel free to re-post. It’s free, it’s easy. Do it today!

That does it for this week. Hope to see you at our New Year's Eve Party!

Yang Chen
President
Greater NY
USA Dance
(NY USA Dance)

General disclaimer: Please note that, other than events organized by NY USA Dance, the listing of events in this newsletter is purely for informational purposes and does not carry with it any endorsement, sanction or seal of approval, express or implied. If you have any questions about an event other than one organized by NY USA Dance, you should direct them to the organizer of that event. NY USA Dance has no control over any of the events listed herein, other than those events which NY USA Dance itself organizes. NY USA Dance bears no responsibility for the content, conduct, quality, management or operation of any of the events listed in this newsletter, other than those events organized directly by NY USA Dance.

Memorizing New Choreography

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 16:48:36 -0500

Professionals in the dance industry often have very little time to learn new choreography. Jobs come up suddenly, or people need to be moved to new roles when another dancer suffers an injury. In addition, the process of endless auditions and callbacks that professional dancers endure often requires that people learn new choreography in a matter of hours, rather than days. People who want to pursue dance as a living need to develop a reliable technique for accurately absorbing choreography on an accelerated schedule.

Read more: How to Learn Choreography Fast | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_10035310_learn-choreography-fast.html#ixzz1ft7r0qK8

Practice like a pro, dance like a pro

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:46:25 -0400

Morgan Heller’s excellent dance blog is the source of this thoughtful piece; it is written about Argentine Tango but is relevant to all other forms of dance.

So much has been written about the etiquette of the milonga and yet there seems to be nothing out there about the classroom etiquette and the best approach to learning how to become an accomplished dancer. With over 35 years experience dancing in a wide variety of venues I would like to pass along my experience and the unwritten rules of the professional level dance class, rehearsal & performance.

The first and most astounding thing I notice about most attendees at an Argentine tango class is that very few people are actually prepared physically or mentally when the class begins. People arrive at the last minute, or late, and then start dancing. I hate to state the obvious, but the Argentine tango is a very physical dance. The back is twisting, the feet are pivoting, knees and legs are undergoing stresses that are not experienced in normal life, and yet, very few people actually do even the most perfunctory warm up! The professional dancer always has a ritual to prepare for class or performance, to get the blood moving and the mind prepared. Go to any golf course, tennis court or sport of your choice and even the most beginning person will know to do a little stretching and warm up. Failure to be prepared increases the likelihood of injury and wastes your time and the teacher's time because you are not ready for movement. If a class is an hour long, why do you want to spend the first 20 or 30 minutes waking up your body? Not only does a warm up help you physically, but it also gets your mind on what you are going to be doing, and you are maximizing your time in class. I will not even start dancing at a social event without a bit of stretching in the corner before getting on the floor. So do yourself a favor, arrive 15 or 20 minutes early and be prepared.
So now we are in class and ready to dance, and from my perspective, I see more bad behavior that would never be tolerated in a professional setting.

Why do you take class or milongas? To learn something new? All dancers are students, at least the good ones, and all should always be seeking to learn and expand their dance experience. And yet, the things I have heard make me shake my head in bewilderment. "I have danced in fourteen cities and have never heard of that step", was said to me by a "teacher" in a milonga, the intimation being that it must not be a step because she had not encountered it before. "I have been declared a master by Nito because their was nothing left that he could teach me" was another quote I heard from a so called teacher. Both of these "teachers" are representative of a mindset that is anathema to the artist and dancer. How can anyone think that they have learned all there is to know about a dance? For those who do not know Nito and Elba, let me tell you about them. They are icons in the world of the Argentine tango and probably have over a hundred years of dancing between them, and yet they are still students. At a tango convention in Las Vegas in 2002 a young couple who were friends of mine danced in the show put on by the teachers, which is pretty standard at tango conventions. Afterward, Nito came up to my friend, Gabriel, and asked him how he danced one of the combinations in their number, and Nito worked on it with him until he got it. Nito, the eternal student! And he told someone that they had learned everything and had no need of class? I don't think so. Learn from Nito, tangueros. You do not know everything about tango and never will. Keep an open mind and learn what you can from every teacher or partner. It may be different from what you have learned before but you might like it if you try it.

Accept corrections happily! I cannot tell you the number of times I have received attitude or arguments about some point. Class is not the place for disagreement. Maybe it is contrary to what you have learned, but you might just discover something you had never thought of before. In a professional setting I have seen dancers extremely upset after class because they had not received any corrections. Corrections from a teacher are an indication that they care about you and your dancing and want to help you get better. Even if you are in a bad mood or not having a good dance day, accept the correction with an open mind and a good attitude, or you might not get any further corrections, and you will find it hard to improve on your own.

So now we are in class, a milonga or show, physically ready with an open mind and ready to dance, learn and have a great time which is guaranteed; I think not. A word on good and bad dance days. You will have both, and if you expect to always have a wonderful class and a great time at a milonga, you are going to be very disappointed. Having spent years of my life dancing in class and on stage six or seven days a week, I realized a long time ago that usually I would have one great class or show a week, one lousy one a week, and the rest would fall somewhere in between. Have realistic expectations and work through the bad days with a good attitude and an open mind and you will be on your way to dancing like a professional.

There is one other element that I find lacking in many students. PRACTICE! Do you really think you are going improve by attending one class a week?? Ask any music teacher, thirty minutes a day is more productive than two hours one day a week. You are trying to learn new movements in one session a week? Basically, all you are doing is relearning the same thing every week. I am amazed at the number of people who have been taking lessons for years and still have not become proficient at the most basic moves. I have heard "my balance is not good", or "I can do it if I have a partner", meaning someone to hold onto. Unless one has a physical issue, their balance issues are generally because they do not practice. You do not need a dance studio to practice walking, ochos or even molinetes. To this day, I still practice walking when pushing a cart through the grocery store, and I have danced many hours in my little space while avoiding my dogs. Everyone can improve their balance with repetition and practice.

So to sum up: Warm up, keep an open mind and good attitude, and practice. Do these things and you will be on your way to becoming an accomplished dancer who will always be popular in the milonga.

Real Samba vs. Latin Samba

Tue, 9 Aug 2011 13:38:03 -0400

by Bob Blank

What is ‘authentic’ Samba? Or ‘authentic Samba action’?

As a Latin dancer, the question is not as easy as it appears. The Samba look is noted in the technique, and Samba action is defined through Samba movements like voltas etc, but what I mean is... what do they do in Brazil?

Latin Samba as danced by Bryan Watson and Carmen would be a good example of competitive Samba. Lots of choreographic elements, to be sure, but the basics (hips, footwork, etc) are all there - after all, this is what Championship Samba is all about:

Here, for comparison, is a clip from Carnival 2007 in Brazil:

Dance Video of the Day / The Heart of Ballroom

Tue, 9 Aug 2011 08:07:05 -0400

Beautiful and inspiring....

Sunday Prom Social: A review

Thu, 4 Aug 2011 06:34:39 -0400

Held for years at Dance New York Westchester, Rich Barnett’s ‘Sunday Prom’ has moved to Smiths Dancing School in Hawthorne, along with Dance New York Westchester (who now do business out of Smiths). Held one Sunday afternoon a month, the social features table seating, an impressive snack table, and the excellent music of DJ Rich Barnett.

Attracting an older crowd but welcoming to all, the social provides good opportunities to dance; the music is the usual mix of ballroom and latin with the occasional obligatory-for-the-’burbs West Coast Swing and Argentine Tango. Rich is also very gracious with requests.

Being one of a few dances on Sunday afternoons, it is popular and the once-a-month schedule makes it a destination event.

NY USA Dance News 7/21/2011

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 07:22:08 -0400

So You Think You Wanna Be on DWTS?

Any latin dancers out there between the ages of 15 and 22 want a shot to appear on national tv on Dancing with the Stars? If so, Alex Samusevich, General Manager at Dance with Me Soho, sends us this message:
This Saturday Tony Dovolani and I will be hosting auditions for amateur dancers to be featured on Dancing With the Stars. Everyone who attends the audition will be featured at least on the audition segment of the show. The top couples will be selected to perform on the show. We're looking for youth latin dancers between the ages of 15 and 22. If one of the partners falls into that age range but the other doesn't, it’s ok for them to come anyway. The auditions will start at 9:00 AM at Dance With Me Soho, located at 466 Broome Street (corner of Greene St).
How do you sign up? Call Alex at 212-840-3262. It’s that easy. What are you waiting for?
Midsummer Night Swing Ends for the Season

It seemed like only yesterday that Midsummer Night Swing began its 2011 season at Lincoln Center, but three weeks have elapsed in the blink of an eye, and the twenty-third season of this perennial favorite drew to a close on Saturday, July 16. I thought I’d get to attend at least one of the nights of dancing, but it was not to be this year. I had to content myself with coverage on NY1 of the closing night which, in keeping with tradition, is a night of swing, with a live band, the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra, paying tribute to Illinois Jacquet.
Watching the NY1 report on Midsummer Night Swing, I caught a glimpse of Laurie Scherer and Brian Lawton, both of whom have danced with the NYU Ballroom Dance Club and Team. Those of you who remembered the NY USA Dance New Year’s Eve Party may recall their wonderful lindy performance. Brian and Laurie danced in the swing contest held in memory of the legendary Frankie Manning, and they placed third. “It was a great night,” said Laurie. “Great music and dancing -- always a perfect way to spend a summer night.”
To watch the NY1 report, click here. Congrats to Brian and Laurie!

NDCA Suspends USA Dance
USA Dance members received in their e-mail inboxes last week on July 13 a message from USA Dance President Lydia Scardina about the recent actions taken by NDCA (National Dance Council of America) suspending USA Dance because it planned to hold a World DanceSport Federation (WDSF, formerly IDSF) Adjudicators’ Congress in November 2011, after the Ohio Star Ball. In that detailed message, President Scardina announced that, in light of the NDCA’s actions, USA Dance has decided not to hold the WDSF Adjudicators’ Congress in November 2011 as initially planned. The annoucement also pointed out that the suspension was in derogation of the NDCA’s own rules and did not provide USA Dance with due process or an opportunity to be heard.
Now that the reason for USA Dance’s suspension has been removed, we sincerely hope that NDCA will rescind its suspension as called for in President Scardina’s e-mail.

DVIDA Certification Class for Hustle Starts July 20
Jami Josephson sends us the news that she will be teaching a DVIDA professional dance instructor certification course at Basic Ballroom starting on Wednesday, July 20. The dance is hustle and the course will run for six weeks. For more details about the program, click here.
Millennium Dance Parties Celebrate a Decade
A regular fixture in the Looking to Social Dance? section of this e-news is the listing for the Saturday night dance parties, also know as the Millennium Dance Parties, typically held at You Should Be Dancing/Club 412 and organized by Lori Brizzi. Lori has shared with us the news that her Millennium Dance Parties are celebrating their 10-year anniversary this Saturday, July 23, at the 92nd Street Y. She will have two DJs, and the first one, DJ Johnny O, will be playing ballroom from 8 to 10 pm, and after that, he will be joined by DJ Nelson Roman, playing a club mix of hustle (classic and new), salsa and West Coast swing, until 2 am. The cost is $20 at the door, $15 in advance. For more info, check this page.
Evening for Julia at Rogers DanceSport on July 30
Rogers DanceSport Center in Fairfield, NJ, announces that on Saturday night, July 30, it will hold a special evening of dancing, shows, wine and cheese to raise money to help Julia Ivleva in her fight against lung cancer. A stellar cast of world-class dancers, including Maxim Kozhevnikov and Anastasia Grigoreva, Mayo Alanen and Michelle Officer, Gherman Mustuc and Iveta Lukosiute, Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine and Liana Churilova and many others, will be performing. Tickets are available for a minimum donation of $50 per person. Click here for more information.
Dance Legends Coming to New York in April 2012

Speaking of an all-star cast of world-class dancers, you may want to include on your calendar an event called “Dance Legends” coming to the Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center next April. It will be a two-day event set to take place on April 13 and 14, 2012, and it will feature past and present champions in ballroom and latin, performing in multiple showcases. Currently expected to perform are the following dance superstars:
Arunas Bizokas & Katusha Demidova
Mirko Gozzoli & Edita Daniute
Victor Fung & Anastasia Muravyeva
Michael Malitowski & Joanna Leunis
Riccardo Cocchi & Yulia Zagoruychenko
Sergey Surkov & Melia
Tickets are due to go on sale in six weeks, on September 1. To learn more, visit the website or follow Dance Legends on Facebook or Twitter.
Reminders of Upcoming Events
Karina Smirnoff and Jonathan Roberts of DWTS will be coming to Temple B’Nai Torah in Wantagh, Long Island on August 27. To reserve your spot, act now, before the August 20 deadline. This event has sold out in the past; don’t delay if you don’t want to miss out. More details here.
If you missed the first USA Dance National Dance Cruise last year, now’s your chance to take part in the second annual USA Dance National Dance Cruise, taking place from December 4 through 11, 2011. Here’s more from the National Ballroom Dance Cruise website.
Looking to Improve Your Dancing?
Here are some ideas for classes and practice spaces:
At Brooklyn DanceSport Club, Maria and Eugene will be teaching Open Junior/Youth Seminars on Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, and Open Adult Seminars on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. They will also hold regular run-through Latin rounds on Tuesdays from 8:30 to 10:00 pm and Thursdays from 8:00 to 9:30 pm. Blackpool Professional Rising Star Ballroom Champions Marat Gimaev and Alina Basyuk have now joined the studio as Directors of the Ballroom Department and they will be teaching the Open Standard Seminar on Wednesdays at 7 PM, starting July 6th. They will also run regular Standard Run-through Practices on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM and on Fridays at 7 PM. The studio is easily accessible by subway, via the N train, 18 Avenue stop. From there, it’s a short walk to the studio.
Stepping Out holds an International Standard and American Smooth Practice session on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 pm, and the cost is just $3 per person or $5 per couple. On Saturdays, they hold a Standard pratice session from 5 pm to 6 pm, at the same cost. Just show the front desk your USA Dance membership card to take advantage of these great rates, and ask them what other USA Dance discounts are available for their other programs and events.
Become the best ballroom dancer you can be for your partner by working on yourself first. ISTD Fellow Michael Choi shows you how with his Ballroom Barre, at Chelsea Studios, every Wednesday, starting at 8:30 pm. Just $25 per person for USA Dance members. The classes are non-sequential so drop in any time; no partner required, all levels welcome. For more information, contact Michael at michael@dancemchoi.com.
Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio runs Standard rounds on Thursday , from 9:30 to 10:30 pm and Latin Rounds on Friday nights from 8:30 to 9:30 pm.
Basic Ballroom holds a Competition Run-through Class supervised by former World Professional Latin finalists Paul and Olga Richardson on Friday nights from 8 pm to 9:30 pm. Just $20 for USA Dance members.
Check out the special rates for USA Dance members at Basic Ballroom: just $79 for a 10 session card and $90 for their unlimited monthly card.
DanceSport offers a $100 monthly floor fee card for amateur dancers: Unlimited practice space Monday to Friday 10 am to 5 pm, Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm, and Sundays 11 am to 7 pm for 30 days.
Dance with Me Soho can no longer host practice sessions on weekdays due to space constraints. Dancers are welcome to practice on weekends for $15 per hour per couple. Also, you may want to try their practice parties on Wednesdays at 9:20 to 10:10 pm (salsa theme) and Thursdays same time that covers all styles.
Blackpool Bronze Finalists and USA National DanceSport Latin Champions Val Chmerkovskiy and Dasha Chesnokova are teaching group classes at Dance with Me studios in New Jersey, Soho and Long Island in July and August. For schedule and rate, click here.
Looking to Social Dance?
Besides the Millennium Dance 10-year anniversary at the 92nd Street Y, here are some other suggestions:
NOTE: Hot Salsa, West Coast Swing and Hustle Tuesdays at Club 56, in Farmingdale, LI, is off for the summer. See you back at Club 56 on September 20.
Tuesday, July 19, mixed ballroom dancing at the Saloon, on York Ave., between 83rd and 84th street, from 8 pm (free lesson at 7:30 pm).
Thursday, July 21, Sunset Salsa at the Chelsea Triangle, 14th Street and 9th Avenue. Lessons at 6:30 pm, dancing from 7:30 pm. FREE!
Thursday, July 21, Thursday Night Dance Club at Mirelle's, in Westbury, featuring Latin, Hustle and West Coast Swing. Lesson at 7:30 pm, dancing starts at 8:15 pm. Admission just $10 per person for USA Dance members (present your card at the entrance to get the discount).

Friday, July 22, Hot Salsa Friday at the VIP Lounge at the Iguana. Doors open at 6 pm.
Friday, July 22, Friday Night with Abakuá at YSBD/Club 412, hosted by Frankie Martinez and Manny Blackett, featuring salsa/mambo and cha cha, starting at 9:00 pm.
Saturday, July 23, mixed ballroom dancing at Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio, starting at 7:30 pm with a free lesson, dancing from 8:00 pm to midnight.
Sunday, July 24, Sunday Tea Party at Manhattan Ballroom Dance, mixed ballroom dancing starting at 3 pm.
Sunday, July 24, MoonDance at Pier 84 on West 44th Street, Argentine Tango with Octavio Brunetti's Apeadero sur Tango Orchestra, with lesson at 6:30 pm, music starting at 7 pm. FREE!
Monday, July 25, Salsa at Taj, with live band and special performances. Arrive before 7 pm and get in for $6 (admission price doubles after 7 pm).
For more ideas, check Wayne's Dance Commentary or bailamosdance.com.
Looking for a Partner?
We have a follower looking for a Gold level or higher leader to practice and compete in standard and latin. To see this post or to post your own, take a look here. If your post has expired and you're still looking for a partner, feel free to re-post. It’s free, it’s easy. Do it today!

That does it for this week. For those trying out for DWTS at DWMSoho on Saturday, break a leg!

Yang Chen
President
Greater NY
USA Dance
(NY USA Dance)

General disclaimer: Please note that, other than events organized by NY USA Dance, the listing of events in this newsletter is purely for informational purposes and does not carry with it any endorsement, sanction or seal of approval, express or implied. If you have any questions about an event other than one organized by NY USA Dance, you should direct them to the organizer of that event. NY USA Dance has no control over any of the events listed herein, other than those events which NY USA Dance itself organizes. NY USA Dance bears no responsibility for the content, conduct, quality, management or operation of any of the events listed in this newsletter, other than those events organized directly by NY USA Dance.

Dance Video of the Day / Rumba

Wed, 6 Jul 2011 08:22:21 -0400

Youth Amateurs Yuliya Kiperberg and Michael Shaponick dance Rumba at the Manhattan Dancesport Championships, 2011