Fred Astaire Tampa Bay Dancing with The Stars

The Tampa Bay edition of the Gulf Coast Business Review recently ran a story on president and CEO of Ambassor Limousine, Ken Lucci and his involvement in this year's Tampa Bay's Dancing with the Stars. The event is a dance competition featuring local celebrities and raises money for area charity organizations including, Hands Across the Bay, Kids Charity of Tampa Bay and Pepin Academies.

Lucci was given dance lessons and paired with Fred Astaire Dance Studio instructor, Tiana Ramirez in preparation for the evening. On October 1st, Ken and Tiana took to the dance floor and wowed the judges with his choice, a tango:



And so how did he do, you might be wondering? Ken Lucci can now add the title of Best Male Dancer to his resume. In an open letter to Fred Astaire Dance Studios, he had this to say about his performance:

"This was very rewarding, the judges were professional dancers and dance coaches and to win that vote was quite a testament to my dancing teacher and partner, Tiana Ramirez. She deserves all the credit because she could swing around stage with a dead body (which I may have felt like at times) and make them look great.

Hats off to Fred Astaire Dance Studios for supporting this event and teaching uncoordinated guys like me to look good on the dance floor. They are the best."

Hats off to you, Ken, for making a difference in your community!

Fred Astaire Durham Dancing with the Docs

Ever wonder if doctors’ heed their own advice for living a more healthy and fit lifestyle? Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Durham, North Carolina can attest to it. Duke anesthesiologist, Jennifer Fortney reluctantly attended a ballroom guest party and was instantly “hooked”. This past September she competed in the United States Dance Championships and placed second in the bronze level of the nine-dance championship. Read the full story in The Herald Sun here.

I Could Have Danced All Night

Why not host a movie marathon that will inspire your guests to get up and dance? Here's a list of our top ballroom dance movies:

5. Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School (2005) - This charming, star-studded movie (including Marisa Tomei, John Goodman, Mary Steenburgen and Danny Devito) unfolds when grieving widow Frank, fulfills a dying man's wish and attends a ballroom dance class where he was supposed to reunite with an old long, lost love.



4. Mad Hot Ballroom (2005) - Mad Hot Ballroom is an inspiring documentary about a ballroom dance program for fifth graders in the New York City Public School system. Told from the students' perspective, this enlightening film culminates with the children participating at the statewide competition.



3. Shall We Dance (1996) - A successful but unhappy Japanese business man finds passion and a meaningful existence through ballroom dance.



2. Strictly Ballroom (1992) - This wonderfully colorful Australian romantic comedy beckons you to follow your heart and be true to yourself.



1. The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939) - This American biographical musical comedy follows the lives of Vernon and Irene Castle who rose to the heights of ballroom dance stardom during the pre-world war one days and stars none other than Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.



What are your favorite dance-themed movies? Post them here. We'd love to hear from you.