Fred Astaire National Dance Competition Results

Results from Fred Astaire's Cross Country Dancesport Championships held in April 2008 include:

AMATEUR COUPLES
1. Andy Sage & Sara Sage
2. Cliff McCullough & Cathy McCullough
3. Michael Lahue & Robin Lahue
4. Tim Duffy & Bette Anne Duffy
5. Bruce Kennedy & Sharon Kennedy
6. Jim David & Maria David
7. Eric Nielsen & Jennifer Courtney
8. Ron Snyder & Sharon Snyder

TOP STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Kent Savage, Houston Kingwood
2. Andy Sage, Lake Park
3. Eric Nielsen, Belmont
4. Claude Carnahan, Norwalk
5. Andy Serio, Milwaukee Central
6. Tim Duffy, Chicago North
7. Jess Armitage, Scottsdale North
8. Sean Orr, Tarrytown

9. Steve Jamerson, Chicago North
10. Ken Euge, Phoenix North
11. Larry McNary, Daytona Beach
12. Fred Doeing, Albany
13. Andy Dopuch, Milwaukee Downtown
14. James Weathers, Chandler
15. Mike Urban, Milwaukee Downtown
16. Lou Dixey, St. Petersburg
17. John Scheuren, Ft. Walton Beach
18. Ed Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
19. Poxie Xumsai, Chicago North
20. Robert McComsey, Tarrytown
Ladies:
1. Patricia Becker, Jupiter
2. Gracelynn Tuoti, Buffalo
3. Sara Sage, Lake Park
4. Dawn Greenleaf, Norwood
5. Savanna Michael, Jupiter
6. Debbie Bates, Houston Woodlands
7. Sherry Ramsey, Mesa
8. Joyce Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
9. Marilyn Bailey, Phoenix North
10. Pam Swerdlick, New York East
11. Laura Ganley, Buffalo
12. Marilyn Derrick, Phoenix
13. Bette Anne Duffy, Chicago North
14. Louisa Jornayvaz, Denver
15. Ashley Coles, Phoenix
16. Joan Hayner, Albany
17. Lois Springer, Scottsdale
18. Mary Mitchem, Houston Katy
19. Cheryl Anderson, Mesa
20. Lauren Bushman, Scottsdale

TOP NEWCOMER
Gentlemen:
1. Andy Sage, Lake Park
2. Steve Jamerson, Chicago North
3. Michael Lahue, Montville
4. Gary Adams, Indianapolis
5. Joe Gorman, Upper Montclair
6. Ed Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
7. Poxie Xumsai, Chicago North
8. Larry McNary, Daytona Beach
9. Jerry Roland, Westwood
10. Cliff McCullough, Mystic
11. Peter Couto, Chandler
12. Brian Hamilton, Chandler
13. Mike Urban, Milwaukee Downtown
14. Kevin Roland, Westwood
Ladies:
1. Sara Sage, Lake Park
2. Ashley Coles, Phoenix
3. Susan Padgham, Scottsdale North
4. Alyssa Patmos, Chandler
5. Dawn Morehead, Durham
6. Lauren Bushman, Scottsdale
7. Marian Swoboda, Madison
8. Patricia Becker, Jupiter
9. Alana Chester, Warren
10. Dyana Fonda, Mystic
11. Robin Lahue, Montville
12. Kristen Atienza, Red Bank
13. Barbara Barbarite, Mamaroneck
14. Debbie Gillis, San Antonio
15. Laura Ganley, Buffalo
16. Norma Hickey, Red Bank
17. Jasmine Fourquet, Red Bank
18. Joyce Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
19. Judi Duchossois, Chicago North
20. Mimi Dickerson, Norwalk

TOP BRONZE STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Andy Sage, Lake Park
2. Kent Savage, Houston Kingwood
3. Claude Carnahan, Norwalk
4. Tim Duffy, Chicago North
5. Andy Serio, Milwaukee Central
6. Fred Doeing, Albany
7. Larry McNary, Daytona Beach
8. Ken Euge, Phoenix, North
9. Jess Armitage, Scottsdale North
10. Andy Dopuch, Milwaukee Downtown
11. Jack Clifford, Scottsdale North
12. Lou Dixey, St. Petersburg
13. Joe Tafuri, Mamaroneck
14. Jim David, Washington,DC
15. Richard Bell, Mamaroneck
16. Mike Urban, Milwaukee Downtown
17. Ed Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
18. Steve Jamerson, Chicago North
19. John Scheuren, Ft. Walton Beach
20. Dr. Jim Murphy, Westerville
Ladies:
1. Gracelynn Tuoti, Buffalo
2. Patricia Becker, Jupiter
3. Dawn Greenleaf, Norwood
4. Sara Sage, Lake Park
5. Sherry Ramsey, Mesa
6. Debbie Bates, Houston Woodlands
7. Bette Anne Duffy, Chicago North
8. Marilyn Bailey, Phoenix North
9. Marilyn Derrick, Phoenix
10.Chloe Hart, Ft. Myers
11. Laura Ganley, Buffalo
12. Pam Swerdlick, New York East
13. Joan Hayner, Albany
14. Joyce Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
15. Cathy Wheeler, Houston Kingwood
16. Dr. Roslyn Fretwell, Houston Katy
17. Connie Eskelson, Phoenix North
18. Kathy Kish, Tinley Park
19. Donna Gescheidler, Schererville
20. Jennifer Barbarite, Mamaroneck

TOP SILVER STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Kent Savage, Houston Kingwood
2. Eric Nielsen, Belmont
3. Ed Hammond, Durham
4. James Weathers, Chandler
5. Carl Gottlieb, Westwood
6. Andy Serio, Milwaukee Central
7. John Rogers, West Springfield
8. Lou Dixey, St. Petersburg
9. Michael Lahue, Montville
10. Harold Pfitzner, Westwood
11. Bob Rauch, Winston Salem
12. Ed Rampacek, Milwaukee Central
13. Richard Bell, Mamaroneck
Ladies:
1. Mary Mitchem, Houston Katy
2. Louisa Jornayvaz, Denver
3. Sarah Gillespie, Tarrytown
4. Kay Hammond, Durham
5. Janet Bruttell, Boca Raton
6. Susan Tringas, Ft. Walton Beach
7. Ellenor Shephard, Greensboro North
8. Savanna Michael, Jupiter
9. Margaret Mateeff, St. Petersburg
10. Margaret Norton, Greensboro North
11. Ann Sossamon, Greenville
12. Jan Polak, Nashville
13. Sharon Wells, Greenville
14. Suzanne Boivin, Milwaukee Wales
15. Elizabeth Aldridge, Greensboro North
16. Diane Howard, Columbus East
17. Lindsey Willis, Tarrytown
18. Deborah Johnston, Canton
19. Linda Faulkner, Hamden
20. Linda Hansen, Milwaukee Central

TOP GOLD STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Sean Orr, Tarrytown
2. Robert McComsey, Tarrytown
3. James Weathers, Chandler
Ladies:
1. Lindsey Willis, Tarrytown
2. Natasha Konon, Tarrytown
3. Randi Zedeck, St. Petersburg
4. Betsy Bell, Norwalk
5. Tina Broccole, Norwalk
6. Alaina French, Mesa
7. Alaina French, Mesa
8. Savanna Michael, Jupiter
9. Kay Hammond, Durham
10. Diane Howard, Columbus East
11. Josephine Howser, Memphis
12. Carol Koth, Denver North
13. Pam Swerdlick, New York East

Dancing In Canton, Ohio with Tony Dovolani

Dancing With The Stars professional dancer Tony Dovolani will oversee Latin dance workshops at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Canton, Ohio on Saturday, June 4th, 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tony was teamed with Marissa Jaret Winokur on this past season of Dancing With The Stars. He has also partnered with Stacey Keibler, Sara Evans, Leeza Gibbons, and Jane Seymour in past seasons of the show. Recently retired from competing, Tony is the current undefeated United States Professional Rhythm Champion and World Professional Rhythm Champion.

Click here or call 330-453-4028 for more information.

More Blackpool Winners!

Congratulations to Fred Astaire professionals Eric Luna and Georgia Ambarian for placing 3rd in the Exhibition division at Blackpool! Eric and Georgia are members of the Fred Astaire National Council of Dance and teach at the Fred Astaire Ft. Walton Beach studio.

Ricardo Cocchi Comes In 2nd At Blackpool!

We are pleased to announce that the newest member of the Fred Astaire National Dance Board, acclaimed dancer Ricardo Cocchi, placed 2nd at this year’s Blackpool Dance Festival, the most prestigious and largest dance competition in the world. With partner Yulia Zagoruychenko, Ricardo came in 2nd across the board in the International Professional Latin division. We are proud to have someone like Ricardo in our organization.

Dancing With The Stars Tony Dovolani Coming To Fred Astaire DC!

Save the date! Dancing With The Stars professional Tony Dovolani is coming to Fred Astaire DC on July 23-24, 2008 for private coachings and group classes. Reserve your space now! Signups will be on a first come, first serve basis! Click here for more information.

Fred Astaire Dance Instructor Sets New Record

By Caitlin Doldan

Thomas Radon, from the Buffalo, NY studio, finished his last lesson at 8:00 a.m. after teaching through the night. That was the end of a week-long marathon to raise money for Kids Create Hope, a pediatric cancer research fund. When Tommy’s student, Sari Zugermayr, heard that he wanted his marathon efforts to be for charity, she suggested one that she was personally involved with, and Tommy was eager to help. Kids Create Hope was founded by her sister in memory of Sari’s brother-in-law who passed away last year from cancer. When the last lesson ended, Tommy was tired but still smiling. “I’m a little sad that it’s over. I don’t know what to do with myself today,” he said, as he left the studio to take his one day off.

Tommy accomplished an amazing feat by teaching 212 lessons in one week! He was the previous record holder for lessons taught, with a total of 146 in 7 days. Last year, his record was broken by a gentleman who taught 150 lessons in 5 days. Tommy wanted to be the record holder once more, and this time, he decided to do it for charity. He allowed himself one 45 minute break within a 24 hour period when his schedule allowed, and taught with no sleep at all on Thursday and Friday in order to reach his goal. By the fifth day, he had broken the previous record by teaching 151 lessons, and continued his efforts for 2 more days to reach 212. Tommy’s schedule was booked from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. the next morning, and he had students coming in the middle of the night, giving him a tremendous amount of support and incredible amounts of food. All of his ladies were providing him with a constant supply of vitamin water and snacks to keep him going. “I wanted to beat the record for myself, but I wanted it to mean more this time. Raising money for charity made it a more worthy cause, and it kept me motivated.”

The most amazing part of the week was when he donated a portion of his paycheck to Kids Create Hope. In addition to the money from Tommy, the Buffalo Studio held a fundraiser that offered free group classes for children, face painting, and an array of desserts provided by one of Tommy’s students, Ann Lentsch. Many students also came to help with the children. It was an incredibly moving event when Tommy presented his check, and although he was exhausted, there was a tremendous amount of joy and satisfaction in his face. “The staff at the studio was really awesome. They encouraged their students to participate, and were constantly checking on how I was doing. I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with.”

At the end of the week, the Buffalo Studio had a champagne toast and many of the ladies came to the studio on their way to work just to congratulate him. The owners of the studio, Andrei and Anastasia Abrashin, were very excited for Tommy when it was all over. “When Tommy told us about how many lessons he wanted to teach, we thought he was crazy, but we knew he would do it. We are thrilled that he reached his goal, and so proud to have him in our studio. We love him.”

It was an incredible physical and emotional accomplishment for Tommy to dedicate so much effort to raise money for pediatric cancer, and the Buffalo studio is proud to work with him. One of the other teachers, Jessica, said, “As a new teacher at the studio, it was inspiring to see Tommy work so hard. He always gave 100 percent to all of his students, no matter how tired he felt, and that’s why they love him so much.”

After taking only one day off, Tommy is back to his regular schedule of 70 to 80 lessons per week, and looks forward to doing more charity work to raise money. “It was so rewarding during the fundraiser to see the staff of Kids Create Hope so appreciative of the event. I would love to do more.” In addition to teaching his busy schedule, he also does a summer program at the African American Culture Society, the YMCA, and several local schools. It is clear that Tommy’s ambitions are endless when it involves sharing the joy of dance. He is a talented and passionate man that has a rewarding future in the Fred Astaire Company, and we can’t wait to see what he does next.

Baby Boomers Hit The Dance Floor

Even though baby boomers are now entering their 60s, they show no signs of slowing down! Chris Cloud, owner of a Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Lancaster, Ohio, has recently noticed how baby boomers are getting out and taking to the dance floor. In his studio, he offers dance classes specifically for the Baby Boomer group. "They are getting to the point where they've worked hard and need some relief and some fun," Cloud said in a recent article about this dancing trend.

Dancing With Desire 2008

Fred Astaire Dance Studios is proud to present Dancing with Desire ‘08, a show featuring internationally acclaimed dance champions and guest celebrity performers, on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Conference Center in Okaloosa Island, FL.


This unique "star-studded" night will feature dance performances by:

• Tony Dovolani & Elena Grinenko
  Professional Ballroom Dancers and Dancing with the Stars Celebrities


• Danny Wuerffel
  Former NFL Player and Heisman Trophy Winner


• Maksim Chmerkovskiy
  Former World Finalist and Dancing with the Stars Celebrity


• Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Valeriya Kozharinova
  World Youth Latin Champions


• Julianne Hough
  World Youth Latin Champion and Dancing with the Stars Celebrity


• Mark Ballas
  World Youth Latin Champion and Dancing with the Stars Celebrity


• Derek Hough
  World Youth Latin Champion and Dancing with the Stars Celebrity


• Fabian Sanchez
  World Mambo Champion and Dancing with the Stars Celebrity


• Ilya Iframov & Nadia Gulina
  World Rising Star Latin Champions

Special guest performances include World Cabaret Dance Champions Eric Luna and Georgia Ambarian, and U.S. Dance Champions Joe and Tommie Trovato. Also performing are U.S. Cabaret Finalists Jesse Benedetti and Kimalee Piedad, and a special performance by the Desire Street Students.

Dancing with Desire ‘08 proceeds go to support the Desire Street Ministries (now located in Baton Rouge, LA) and also to support the local YMCA program. For more information, click here.

Hats Off To Tony Dovolani and Fabian Sanchez!

Congratulations to both Tony Dovolani and Fabian Sanchez for their star performances on this spring’s Dancing With The Stars! Tony Dovolani has been associated with the Fred Astaire organization for many years and Fabian owns a Fred Astaire Studio in Birmingham, AL.


Both Tony and Fabian remained on season 6 of Dancing With The Stars for many weeks. Fabian, with partner Marlee Matlin, made it to the quarterfinals and Tony, with Broadway actress Marissa Jaret Winokur, got all the way to the semifinals this season. We are proud to have such great dancers represent our organization!

Dancers Shine At Fred Astaire National Competition

By Armando Martin, Fred Astaire National Dance Director

With 11,000 entries and over 70 studios attending, the 2008 Cross Country Dancesport Championships on April 16-20 was the biggest, most exciting competition we have ever had as a company, and I think it's only the beginning. CCDC was also - to my knowledge - the second biggest competition in the US this year, second only to Ohio.

I have been with Fred Astaire Dance Studios for 27 years, and I don't remember a time when there was so much growth, camaraderie and excitement at every event we have. All the programs that the corporate office is putting together - from the business manuals to the dance manuals and new curriculum videos - are all culminating into the National goals that our President and Stockholders set out to meet just a couple of years ago.

CCDC was a complete success. The Pro-Am competition was so well attended that there were hundreds of heats that required first rounds (first heats must be run when there are more than 30 couples entered in one category). The Friday night professional competition was not only huge but it featured some of the best couples in the United States, making the overall standard of dancing extremely high.

Friday night also featured a professional show by one of the world's best Latin couples, Ricardo Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruychenko. Their dancing dazzled the audience, who gave them a standing ovation after every dance. I’m happy to say that Ricardo, who is with no doubt on his way to becoming the World Champion with his beautiful partner, has joined the Fred Astaire Council of Dance.

If Friday night was not enough, all of our students and staff were treated to “An Evening On The Nile,” one of the best Saturday night shows we have ever had. Steven Knight, our Assistant National Dance Director, outdid himself with a very well thought-out and choreographed show that brought the house down; the entire show was done to Arabian music that must have taken him tens of hours to find and pick. I would like to thank him and all the professionals that took part in the show for a fantastic evening.

The Luxor Hotel could not have been more cooperative and the food and overall service was excellent. We will be back there next year when the entire hotel will have completed a $50 million renovation. To those of you who attended, I would like to extend my thanks again for your incredible support; to those who could not make it this year, we look forward to seeing you in 2009!

If You Know 10 Steps, You Can Create 1000 Dances!

When Casey Baird wanted to open a new Fred Astaire Dance Studio, she knew who to ask to manage it - former coworker Forrest Burke-Moran. This young couple's shared passion for dance was recently highlighted in a local Plymouth newspaper.


Their new studio in Plymouth, MA opened on April 7th, and offers lessons to everyone - beginner to advanced students, singles as well as couples. Baird wants to make sure her students know that dancing is not just about steps. As she stated in this recent news article, "Steps are merely a foundation to learn how to dance. If you know 10 steps, you should be able to create thousands of dances." Burke-Moran enjoys seeing the confidence emerge in his students as they learn how to dance.

Don't Miss The Season Premiere of So You Think You Can Dance

Season 4 of the hit dance show So You Think You Can Dance premieres on May 22 at 8 p.m. ET. The two hour premiere will feature footage from open auditions held in Dallas, Charleston, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, Milwaukee and Washington, DC earlier this year. To be named America's best dancer, dancers perform a variety of styles, including jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, and ballroom.

Nigel Lythgoe and ballroom dancer Mary Murphy will continue to serve as judges again along with weekly guest judges, including Hairspray director Adam Shankman; choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon D'Umo; and Mia Michaels.

South Windsor Studio Participates In Relay For Life

Staff members of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in South Windsor, CT will participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life on June 13-14. This fun-filled overnight event runs for 24 hours straight where teams take turns walking or running laps with the goal of keeping at least one person on the track at all times. Cancer never sleeps so neither does the search for a cure! Thank you to the South Windsor studio for taking part in such a worthy cause.

Fred Astaire Dance Studio Shines In Local Version of Dancing With The Stars

Syracuse, New York had their own version of "Dancing With Our Stars" in April with local community leaders paired up with professional partners from dance studios around the area, including the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Fayetteville. Competing in the Grand Ballroom at the Hotel Syracuse, the competitors danced to a full house and kicked off the George & Rebecca Barnes Foundation's capital campaign to raise funds for the restoration of the Barnes Mansion. The evening netted more than $25,000. This event was not only a worthwhile cause but also introduced local "stars" to the exciting world of dance!

Congratulations to George Kilpatrick, of WCNY Connected, and Fred Astaire Dance Instructor Karina Ivanov for taking 2nd place in the event. They also took 2nd place in the individual dance category. Peggy Ogden, of the CNY Community Foundation and Fred Astaire Dance Instructor Roman Manolachi took third place in the swing competition.

Click here to access a slideshow of the event.

West Springfield Studio Dances For American Cancer Society

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio in West Springfield, MA used their dancing shoes to help the American Cancer Society fight cancer on May 17th. An eight member Dancing for Dollars relay team offered ten 30-minute private lessons during a six-hour window to raise funds during the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event.

Dancing With The Stars Pro Helps Young Student

Fabian Sanchez, US Mambo Champion, Fred Astaire studio owner, and a professional dancer on this season's Dancing With The Stars with actress Marlee Matlin, took time out of his busy schedule to help a fifth-grader with a school project. Read more here.

"Sole" Mates: On and Off the Dance Floor

Warren and Babette Brown, Scottish Professional Dance Champions and co-owners of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Jupiter, FL, are partners on and off the dance floor. Competing, managing a dance studio, teaching, and living together might seem like too much but this devoted couple have made it work! Click here to read more.

Birmingham FADS Hearing Impaired Student Inspired by “DWTS” Matlin

BY JULIE HINDS • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • April 21, 2008
Stepping confidently in her strappy black high-heeled sandals, Pamela Dangovian practices the quick moves of the cha-cha.

The 48-year-old mom and community volunteer from Birmingham keeps her eyes on the face of her instructor, Leonid Sidorenko, as they move around the roomy floor of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Bloomfield Hills.

She's reading his lips to follow his coaching, because, like current "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Marlee Matlin, she is deaf.

After seeing Matlin compete on ABC's ballroom dancing competition, she got in touch with the studio through the Michigan Relay Center, which helps hearing-impaired people, among others, communicate by phone.

She was inspired by watching Matlin do the cha-cha, waltz and quickstep. Now she's gliding smoothly along in her footsteps.

"I've seen her movies, her TV shows," says Dangovian. "When I saw her on the dance floor, I thought if she can do it, I can do it."

Click here to read the full text of this article.

Area Celebrities Prepare to Step Lively For Charity

Montgomery, AL. Fred Astaire studio partners with locals for good cause
Don't even try to tear Sherry Nath away from the TV during ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."
Just ask her husband, Chuck, who's not even supposed to talk to her unless there's a commercial break.

On Saturday, Nath will have a front-row view of the cha-cha, the tango, the hustle and more at Dancing with Celebrities, a fundraiser she organized to benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. With help from Christa DeButts of the Capital City Club and others in the community, Nath convinced Montgomery area celebs to step in, learn new dances -- and perform in a competition.

"When my husband suggested it, I wasn't sure we could really pull it off," said Nath, a cancer survivor who is serving as the chairwoman of this year's Relay for Life. "But everybody has been so supportive, and it has been a lot of fun."
For weeks now, Fred Astaire Dance Studio instructors have worked with dancing celebs Charlie Colvin, Sieu Tang Wood, Nancy Shinbaum, Homer Horton, Richard Coats and Leslie Bailey, who will compete that evening, with José Barraza serving as DJ and Susan Woody as mistress of ceremonies.

During the event, which includes dinner, guests will vote on their favorite couples by making a donation. The celebrity with the most money wins.
Click here to read the full text of this article.

Dancing with the Stars Links

Last night’s premiere of “Dancing With The Stars” has already sparked a flurry of media coverage. Check out the links below to read some of the more compelling commentary.

“Dancing With The Stars”: The Men on the Los Angeles Times ‘Show Tracker’ blog.

'Dancing With the Stars': The Gute, the Bad, and the Ugly on EW.com.

'Dancing with the Stars' recap: Rating last night's male performances on Freep.com, the online version of Detroit Free Press.

‘Dancing:’ The parade of sequins begins on Boston.com’s ‘Viewer Discretion’ blog.

“Dancing With The Stars:” Guys on Newsday.com.

Week 1 'Dancing With The Stars' Pre-Show Interview With Jason Taylor on Starpulse.com’s ‘Entertainment News Blog.’

And be sure to visit the official Dancing With The Stars site for all the latest information on your favorite performers!

Tune in tonight for the second half of the season six premier3 to watch FADS’ own Fabian Sanchez and Tony Dovolani show off their moves on the dance floor.

Who Will Win "Dancing With The Stars"?

Don’t miss the Season 6 premiere of “Dancing With The Stars”, tonight at 8 pm EST/PST on ABC.

Who Will Win "Dancing With The Stars"?

See How This Season's Competitors Stack Up

(CBS) When the current crop of "Dancing With The Stars" competitors kicks off the show's sixth season Monday night, it won't just be a battle over who has the best moves.

Contestant ranking in this show is based on a combination of the judges' scores and the fan votes, so popularity counts just as much as skill.

That's what makes it tricky to predict which of the stars will make it to the finals and on to the ultimate prize: a tacky disco ball trophy.

This season's stars include several actors, an R&B singer, a few sports champions, and even an illusionist/comedian. Some of them have experience dancing, others benefit from the discipline of athletics, and all have performed in front of a crowd.

Click here to read the full text of this article.

Marlee Matlin Ready for `Dancing' Debut

Marlee Matlin had never danced before — well, other than at weddings and bar mitzvahs — but for the past two weeks, she's been cha-cha-ing and quickstepping for seven hours a day in preparation for her "Dancing With the Stars" debut.

Despite the unforgiving schedule and complaints of constant soreness from past contestants, Matlin, 42, says she's remained pain-free.

"Everyone asks if I'm sore," she said after a recent rehearsal at a nondescript dance studio northeast of Los Angeles. "Am I supposed to be sore?"

Perhaps not. She is, however, supposed to step, twirl, dip, smile, clap, spin, plant and jump — all imaginable types of body and facial movements, really — in time with the music. Never mind that the Academy Award-winning actress can't hear a single note, beat, or tempo change.

While none of this year's crop of "Dancing" hopefuls have ever danced professionally, Matlin has the additional challenge of being deaf. And that's not a problem, she said through her longtime interpreter, Jack Jason. Matlin relies on her professional partner, show newcomer Fabian Sanchez, to lead the way.

"He's my music," she said.

Click here to read the full text of this article.

Tony winner fought for her spot on 'Dancing with the Stars'

Like ships passing in the night two "Dancing With the Stars" competitors seemed to be on alternate planes of existence.

Marissa Jaret Winokur, 5 feet tall, was walking past the 6-foot-6 Penn Jillette.

"I said Hi' and he didn't say anything," Winokur recalls. "Then I realized: I was completely below his radar. Penn didn't even see me."

There might be a metaphor there; or maybe just a daydreamer. "I'm frequently lost in my thoughts," Jillette says.

But mostly, her story illustrates something basic: "Dancing With the Stars" - which has its first two eliminations Tuesday (March 18) - has extreme contrasts in:

- Age. Mario, a rhythm-and-blues singer, is 21; Priscilla Presley is 62.

- Size. Jillette, a magician, and Jason Taylor, a pro football star, are each 6-6; Winokur (a Tony winner) is 5-foot, Kristi Yamaguchi (an Olympic skating champion) is 5-1.

- Native country. Cristian de la Fuente, an actor, is from Chile; Monica Seles, a tennis great, is from Yugoslavia.

- And intangibles. For some, this will seem easy. They look athletic (Adam Carolla, Shannon Elizabeth, Steve Guttenberg); they really are athletes (Taylor, Yamaguchi, Seles). Others face major obstacles - particularly actress Marlee Matlin, who is hearing-impaired.

For an extreme contrast, however, meet Jillette and Winokur.

Click here to read the full text of this article.

Students find fun, inspiration at California’s only Fred Astaire Dance Studio

Friday Night series: Getting in step at Fred Astaire Dance Studio

POPULAR TV SHOWS MOVE MANY TO ASTAIRE STUDIO

The small sign tucked in the front window of California's only Fred Astaire Dance Studio quietly beckons: "Learn to Dance. Walk in, Dance out."

The handmade sign is just one of the homey touches that keep people coming to the unlikely dance studio in the far end of Mervyns Plaza Shopping Center on El Camino Real in Santa Clara, just down from a Baskin-Robbins ice cream parlor.

The "club night" parties hosted by owners Bill and Floy Ranells every Friday night make all the lessons worthwhile. They turn the lights down low, signal the band it's time and away they go. The samba, the fox trot, the cha-cha-cha.

"Dancing is coming back," said Bill Ranells, a fast-talking former saxophone player and "a pretty good tango dancer," who bought the franchise 20 years ago.

In another era, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers light-stepping on the big screen inspired would-be dancers to take lessons. These days, it's dance shows on TV.

Click here to read the full text of this article, and to see streaming video and photos of students kicking up their heels on a recent Friday night at FADS in Santa Clara, CA.

Mitchell, Berkley, Paterson and O'Meara Set for Bravo's "Step It Up & Dance"

Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell will mentor young dancers in the forthcoming Bravo Television reality program "Step It Up & Dance," which is set to premiere April 3.

The new series will be hosted by actress and dancer Elizabeth Berkley (Sly Fox, "Showgirls") and boasts judges Vincent Paterson, who has choreographed Broadway's Kiss of the Spider Woman, Madonna's "Blond Ambition" tour and Michael Jackson's "Bad" tour; and Nancy O'Meara, currently enjoying success with 'tween sensations "Hannah Montana" and the High School Musical tours.

"Step It Up & Dance" brings together dancers from around the country, challenging them to master dance styles from ballet and ballroom, to Broadway and burlesque. Press notes state, "Whether it's a music video one week or a Vegas spectacular the next, Bravo's new dance series will feature challenges in which the dancers audition for a range of parts, designed to showcase their versatility and moves. As the competition gets fierce and contestants are eliminated, only one person will get the final 'call back' and the chance to perform, with the ultimate dancer winning a cash prize."

Click here to read the full text of this article.

Fred Astaire’s Belmont, Mass. Studio Makes Headlines

At Fred Astaire Dance Studio, they are dancing to the stars

Belmont, Mass. - Sometimes all it takes to get a prospective ballroom dancer into a gown and onto her feet is a little taste of what’s to come.

On Friday night, the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Cushing Square did just that, with a dress rehearsal for the upcoming regional competition.

“The dress rehearsal gives the competitors a chance to feel comfortable moving in their dresses,” said instructor Michelle Montanez. “It also gives the new students a chance to see what a competition is like.”

The students of the studio gathered that night to dance in mock heats, or about one and a half minutes of a specialized dance, to perfect their moves and shake off some nerves before the 37th annual DanceSport Competition to be held later this month in Quincy.

Click here to read the full text of this article.

Tiger Electronics to Release U-DANCE Video Game

Unique System Lets Players Actually Step in to the Game

Interactive video games have always been a hit with kids of all ages, and it’s no surprise that the recent dance-craze permeating popular culture has inspired the gaming industry to add another dancing game to its repertoire (some of you may remember Dance Dance Revolution).

In fall 2008, Tiger Electronics (a Hasbro, Inc. brand) is set to launch U-DANCE, a completely wireless and dance-mat free game system that features motion sensing technology which allows players full range of movement and the ability to using their body to control game play. The U-DANCE system will feature popular dance music including Run It by Grammy-nominated pop artist Chris Brown.

Pop artist Chris Brown shows off his dance moves at the introduction of the U-DANCE gaming system at the Hasbro showroom at the American International Toy Fair in New York. by Ray Stubblebine, Hasbro

Glorious Debbie Reynolds, Stepping Out Again

A star in her own right, and currently the host of the hit stage show “Simply Ballroom”, actor and dancer Debbie Reynolds, reminisced about her career with a reporter from the Hartford Courant this month.

Debbie Reynolds knows what it's like to be a regular gal thrown into a situation where she is expected to dance like a dream — as well as a dynamo.

At 18 she was cast in the 1952 MGM movie musical "Singin' in the Rain," where she famously hoofed it up between such seasoned dancers as Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor.

As a plucky teenager starting out in the film business 60 years ago, she can identify with the anyone-can-do-it-if-they-work-hard spirit of such popular TV shows as "So You Think You Can Dance?" and "Dancing With the Stars."

Reynolds is in Hartford to rehearse the launch of the U.S. tour of the popular British show, "Strictly Ballroom," which she hosts. The show premieres tonight at 7 at Hartford's Mortensen Hall at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. It features more than a dozen professional ballroom dancers as well as a pair of "American Idol" singers: Anthony Federov and Vonzell Solomon.

Reynolds, who turns 76 next month, was perfectly coiffed, elegantly dressed (a stylish Technicolor jacket) and prepared to tell tales of old Hollywood last week at the Bushnell. With a career that goes back to the late '40s, the petite, poised, blue-eyed star is the queen mother of MGM's golden age of film, keeping movie memories alive with sharp-eyed, behind-the-scenes detail.

Click here to read the full text of this article.

The Hartford performance took place on March 2, 2008, but the show has U.S. tour dates booked through 2008. Click here to locate a “Simply Ballroom” performance near you.

Sox players shake their moneymakers, raise funds for charity

Jonathan Papelbon, of the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, looked like he was trying out for a weekend gig at Club Cafe when he chose a black, see-through lace bodysuit to compete in World Series MVP Mike Lowell’s “Dancing with the Stars” benefit in Florida last weekend.
Pap, who merengued with professional dancer Teresa Kasler, didn’t win the competition, but he did take home the “Bringing Sexy Back” award.
The contest was judged by a number of Red Sox playes, including Javier Lopez, Jason Varitek, Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield, Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz and Sean Casey.

Word from spring training is that Papelbon's unwashed lacy black number is headed for the charity auction block. At least Papelbon kept his shirt on. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia was showing off his merengue moves when he suddenly ripped his shirt off to reveal “Daddy” painted in glitter on his chest.

“Pedroia is a moron. You can write that - he is a moron,” manager Terry Francona told the
Herald’s Michael Silverman after the event. “He was dancing, he looked like a puppet on a string. It’s funny because he’s such a little gamer but he’s looking over at us knowing we’re just crushing him. He’s drinking Red Bull, he’s exhausted, he’s trying to do these things with this girl, which he’s not strong enough to do. It was hilarious. I’m glad I went.”

Alex Cora, who has some major league moves, showed them off with the lovely Latasha. But it was Lowell - the host of the evening - who took home the “Golden Shoes” trophy for dancing a spicy salsa with dance queen Christine Lopez.

The “Stars” event was a private affair for Lowell's charity that assists low-income families in Miami and Boston struggling with cancer. The foundation also funds baseball programs for inner city kids.

For the full text of the article, click on http://news.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1077304.

ABC reveals 'Dancing with the Stars' sixth-season cast

ABC has revealed the identities of the 12 celebrities and professional dancers who will be waltzing their way into primetime when “Dancing with the Stars'” sixth season premieres with a 90-minute performance episode on Monday, March 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The sixth-season celebrity cast announcement was made by a trio of former “Dancing with the Stars” second-season contestants, including tenth-place finisher Kenny Mayne, fourth-place finisher Lisa Rinna and runner-up Jerry Rice - during Monday night’s live “Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann” finale broadcast on ABC. The names of the professionals they would be paired with were released on Tuesday morning.

They are:
Fabian Sanchez with Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin
Louis Van Amstel with Elvis’ former wife, actress Priscilla Presley
Edyta Sliwinska with NFL all-star Jason Taylor
Derek Hough with actress Shannon Elizabeth
Julianne Hough with comedian Adam Carolla
Mark Ballas with Olympic gold medalist figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi
Johnathan Roberts with tennis pro Monica Seles
Karina Smirnoff with hip-hop artist Mario
Anna Trebunskaya with actor Steve Guttenberg
Cheryl Burke with Latin heartthrob Christian De La Fuente
Kym Johnson with comedian Penn Jillette
Tony Dovolani with Tony award-winning actress Marissa Jaret Winokur

Both Sanchez and Dovolani are members of the Fred Astaire Dance Studios family. This is Sanchez’s first time on the show; Dovolani has participated many times before, being paired last season with actress Jane Seymour."Talk about diversity," “Dancing with the Stars” judge and “Dance War” coach Bruno Tonioli said following the cast announcement. "Well that makes it more interesting," agreed fellow “Dancing” judge and “Dance War” coach Carrie Ann Inaba. "Because you never know what's going to happen. It's unpredictable that way." There was one popular professional dancer whose name was demonstrably absent from the list - Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Chmerkovskiy reportedly “needs a break” and is skipping “Dancing with the Stars'” spring 2008 installment.

Following” Dancing with the Stars'” March 17 premiere in its regular Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT time slot, ABC will air” Dancing with the Stars'” first sixth-season results show broadcast on March 25 at its regular Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT time.

Sean Hayes won't be 'Dancing with the Stars'

Former “Will & Grace” star Sean Hayes apparently won't be lacing up his ballroom shoes for “Dancing with the Stars'” upcoming sixth season.

Hayes' representative has refuted a recent report that the actor would likely be competing as a Dancing with the Stars' sixth-season celebrity participant, Entertainment Tonight reported recently.

A friend of the 37-year-old previously told In Touch Weekly that Hayes had been approached to appear as a “Dancing with the Stars'” sixth-season celebrity participant.

"He's probably going to do it," the friend told In Touch. "Sean can bust a move with the best of them."

Hayes received a 2000 Emmy award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series thanks to his Jack McFarland character on “Will & Grace,” which ran on NBC from fall 1998 to spring 2006. Hayes most recently co-starred in “The Bucket List” with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.

“Dancing with the Stars 6” will debut with a 90-minute performance episode broadcast on Monday, March 17 in its regular Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT time period. ABC will then air “Dancing with the Stars'” first sixth-season results show broadcast on March 25 in its regular Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT time slot.

”Dancing with the Stars'” sixth-season cast will be revealed during ABC's live two-hour finale broadcast of “Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann” on Monday, February 18 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Maples, Hayes going 'Dancing?’

Marla Maples, the 44-year-old former Mrs. Donald Trump, has reportedly been cast as a “Dancing with the Stars” sixth-season celebrity participant, In Touch Weekly reported Friday.

"She's landed a spot on the hottest show," a friend of Marla's" told In Touch. "She's in great shape, so dancing is only going to make her look even better."

In addition, the friend told In Touch that “Dancing with the Stars'” producers are hoping “The Apprentice” star will appear as a member of the show's studio audience to watch his ex dance - a scenario that seems highly unlikely. Last summer, Maples appeared in ABC's “Ex-Wives Club,” a reality series that helped recent divorcees rid themselves of everything reminiscent of their former significant other in an effort to move forward with their lives. She appeared in the short-lived show with Angie Everhart - the secret saboteur of ABC's “Celebrity Mole Yucatan” - and the former Mrs. Kevin Federline, Shar Jackson. According to a December In Touch report, former “Will & Grace” actor Sean Hayes may also be a part of “Dancing with the Stars'” sixth season cast.

In addition, E! Online gossip columnist Mark Malkin reported last week that Elvis Presley's ex, Priscilla Presley, has "signed on, or is close to signing on" to the show's sixth-season cast. “Dancing with the Stars 6” will premiere Monday, March 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. As in previous seasons, the network is not commenting on sixth-season casting reports. ABC is expected to formally announce the season's cast later this month.

Dancers prepare for Las Vegas competition

A Web site dedicated to the 2008 Cross Country DanceSport Championships (CCDC) is now available to the general public.

Log on to http://www.ccdcfredastaire.com/ to learn more about this prestigious competition, which will be held April 16 to 20 in Las Vegas. Dancers from around the world will gather in Sin City this year to compete at the world-renowned Luxor resort and casino, a visually stunning hotel that is contemporarily appointed with modern amenities.

From American Smooth to Open Cabaret, International Latin to Country Western, the ballroom will be filled with amateur and professional dancers all vying for top honors. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to be part of this exciting event!

“America’s Ballroom Challenge” takes the floor

Starting Wednesday, Jan. 30, PBS began airing “America’s Ballroom Challenge,” an exciting series that brings together top dancers from around the world who compete across dance styles for the title of “America’s Best.” Dancers from within the Fred Astaire family are participating in the competition.

The series is returning for a third season with five one-hour episodes. Shot in high definition at the world’s largest ballroom dancing competition in Columbus, Ohio, “America’s Ballroom Challenge” airs Wednesday nights through Feb. 27 from 8 to 9 p.m. ET.

Hosted by actress and dancer Jasmine Guy and seven-time U.S. National Latin Dance Champion Ron Montez, the first installment of “America’s Ballroom Challenge” will feature the American Smooth competition. In coming weeks, the show will focus on American Rhythm, International Standard and International Latin.

The six finalists in each style will first compete as a group, performing the five standard dances in the category, with expert judges scoring their performances. Then the dancers will have an opportunity to shine, performing a show dance solo. Each program will end with the crowning of one couple, named champions in that style.

In the fifth and final program, the four champions will compete across dance styles for the coveted title, with each couple performing two pull-out-all-the-stops solos.

Charles Durning honored during SAG Awards

During its annual awards show on Sunday night, the Screen Actors Guild of America honored legendary actor Charles During, who spent several years early in his career working as an instructor in a Fred Astaire Dance Studio in New York City.

"When someone asked the great character actor Sir Ralph Richardson how he did what he did at age 83, he replied, 'I don't know, I'm just getting the hang of it.' And that's how I feel. I'm just getting the hang of it." — Charles Durning, accepting the Screen Actors Guild's lifetime achievement award.

"It's been a dream come true. A dream that began when I watched the movies of the great character actors of my time. Actors like Claude Raines, Lee J. Cobb, Frank Morgan and King Kong,” he said while reflecting on his long acting career.

According to an article on http://www.reuters.com/, Durning, 84, has spent the past 50 years portraying numerous roles on stage, television and in movies, from his turn as a corrupt cop in "The Sting" to the owner of a restaurant specializing in frogs’ legs in "The Muppet Movie."

The actor was nominated for two supporting actor Oscars for 1983's "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and one year later for "To Be or Not To Be." He also earned eight Emmy nominations, U.S. television's top honors.

"He is, above all things, a great actor with the talent to which we all aspire: the power to create indelible characters," said SAG President Alan Rosenberg.

Durning was born and raised in upstate New York. He got his start in show business as a teenager, singing and dancing in burlesque stage shows. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, suffered serious wounds and was captured and held as a prisoner-of-war.

Durning returned to the U.S. and by the 1960s had become a prolific star on Broadway and in touring companies. He made his film debut in 1965 in "Harvey Middleman, Fireman."

This year, Durning was named a "Legend" of acting by the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

And while Mr. Durning’s accomplishments took center stage, one other award recipient on Sunday night mentioned the venerable Fred Astaire and his legacy:

"If you've seen me on the show with Alec Baldwin, then you know it's sort of like watching Fred Astaire dance with a hat rack and after a while you're like, 'Oh, that hat rack is pretty good too.' And you've given an award to the hat rack and I thank you." — Tina Fey, accepting the award for female actor in a comedy series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday night.

It’s Never Too Late to Dance

An 88-year-old man is set to star in his first ballet show after taking up dance at the age of 79.

Grandfather to 11, John Lowe, of Witchford, Cambridgeshire, England, took up dancing having watched his daughter Alison become a professional dancer. The retired teacher said, "It's a wonderful thing to do and I can't understand why more men don't do it."

"I went to a dance school in the high street in Ely and asked if I could do tap and ballet and they said 'well of course you can' and I've been doing it ever since," Mr. Lowe said.

"I've got a rope at home that I use to pull my leg up higher. I'm lucky that I don't have any problem with the routines but that's because I exercise.
"There's nothing effeminate about it - you have to be incredibly fit to dance.
"I see these people crawling around , hunched over smoking a cigarette - they should be doing ballet."

Mr. Lowe was due to appear with the Lantern Dance Theatre Company, in Ely, on Sunday, Jan. 13 for a performance of Prokofiev's “The Stone Flower.” For the full text of the article, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cambridgeshire/7185908.stm.

Mario Lopez to host 'America's Best Dance Crew'

MTV has announced that “Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew,” a new “So You Think You Can Dance”-like reality competition series that will pit dance crews against one another for the chance to win a cash prize and touring contract, will premiere on Thursday, Feb. 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Hosted by former “Dancing with the Stars” second-season celebrity participant Mario Lopez, “Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew” will begin with eight dance teams consisting of five to seven members.

During each episode, the teams will rehearse themed choreography for that week's showdown before competing against one another. Each crew's performance will be critiqued by two judges - former ‘N Sync member JC Chasez and “So You Think You Can Dance” choreographer Shane Sparks.

Immediately following each broadcast, home viewers will be able to vote for their favorite crew via text messaging, the Internet or by phone. The two teams that receive the lowest number of viewer votes will then battle head-to-head for the judges and the chance to advance to the next round.

One team will be eliminated each week, and the crew left standing at the end will be crowned "the nation's best dance crew" and awarded a cash prize and touring contract.

Prior to its premiere, MTV will air a two-hour "live casting showdown" on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. ET (PT tape-delayed), in which the “American Idol” judge will reveal the eight dance crews participating in the show. Twelve dance crews were initially selected following auditions in Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

For the full text of the article, log on to http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/mtv-debut-randy-jackson-america-best-dance-crew-on-feb-7-6421.php.

The Evolution of Ballroom, From Minuet to Maksim

The beauty of ballroom is that it’s accessible to all walks of life and all technique levels. But that was not always the case.

In the seventeenth century, the courtly Minuet set the standard. Known as the “walking dance,” it was slow and stately, snaking around the enormous ballroom in a giant S shape. First performed by King Louis XIV, subsequent aristocracy would often take up to three months to perfect the Minuet’s footwork and patterns. Although Minuet may mean “little steps,” a misstep could spell social disaster.

Ballroom has always been viewed as a social dance, one in which the tempos and styles changed through the years according to the culture. For instance, the emancipation of women gave us the Charleston and the flappers. Ragtime music inspired the Foxtrot and Shimmy and swing music gave us the Jitterbug. And, of course, where would dance movies be without Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers?

As the dances developed, so did the idea that anyone could learn them. However, with the advent of the computer age, ballroom faded into the background. Too many people found themselves stuck in front of a computer screen and the sociability of dance seemed too daunting.

Although “Dancing With the Stars” has helped restore eye-to-eye contact and ballroom’s popularity, most ballroom dance students are normal people, not stars. They sign up for classes wondering what dancing can do for them.

Well, if you’re Maksim Chmerkovskiy, of “Dancing With the Stars,” it can bring notoriety and boundless opportunity. Born Jan. 17, 1980, in Odessa, Ukraine, Chmerkovskiy’s parents put him in dance classes at a young age.

He much preferred sports – any sport – but he stuck with ballroom dancing anyway. Then, as a teenager, he suffered a serious skiing accident that required several surgeries and the insertion of a metal rod from his hip to his knee. Dance became his physical therapy and within a matter of months, he worked his way back into the world of competitive dance.

By the time his family moved to America, he was waltzing off with dance titles – U.S. Open Finalist, Professional World Cup Finalist, and World Masters Finalist. He’s been ranked second in the United States and seventh in the world. He relishes the competitions and believes they’ve helped raise the bar for good ballroom technique. He says, “There’s no ballroom dancing here or there was none until we came…We’re talking about Russia having hundreds of thousands of kids dancing. I don’t think we have over 500 competitive couples in this country.”

For the full text of this article, and more from Maks, log on to http://www.danceruniverse.com/stories/issues/200801/minuet-murray-maksim-and-beyond/index.html.

New Studio Prepares For Grand Opening

According to an article that ran in the Wisconsin State Journal, the new Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Madison, Wis., aspires to refine awkward movements and clumsy manners into elegant strides set to the rhythm of dance.

Local owners Peter and Linda Goethche emigrated from Europe with the express purpose of sharing their love of dance.

"Dancing was always a big passion of mine and my husband," Linda Goethche said. "It was always our dream to have our own studio."

The Goethches have studied dance since they were very young. After completing extensive training in Germany they began looking for opportunities in the U.S. to run a business of dance instruction.
"We figured out that the best two studios of Fred Astaire in the whole United States are actually in Milwaukee," Linda Goethche said. "We started there."

They spent about three years in Milwaukee learning the "Fred Astaire way," a strict curriculum of styles created by some of the best dancers in the world. Although they had danced professionally in Europe, the Goethches also had to learn the practical skills of operating a business. Now with meticulously trained dance professionals the new Madison franchise will offer personal instruction in a variety of dances both modern and classical.
"Let's say someone is going to a wedding where there will be a DJ. We'll teach them to dance to the songs that a DJ would play," Linda Goethche said. "Or if they're going to a black-tie affair then we'll teach them dances like waltz or foxtrot."

With popular television programs like "Dancing With The Stars," Goethche said dancing is coming back into style.

"What I would like to do is give the same feeling I have from dancing to other people," she said. "They don't realize what kind of feeling they can have just to dance, to be able to move, to be able to hold your wife and dance with her and make her feel like Cinderella and you're her Prince Charming."

The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Madison celebrates its grand opening Jan. 18.

For the full text of the article, click on http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/market/266441.

Day of Dance

Fred Astaire Dance Studios from across the country are participating in the Day of Dance this February, sponsored by the Spirit of Women Hospital Network.

During this event, women and their families are invited to join in for a day of dancing, heart health activities, education, music, health screenings and refreshments.

Day of Dance affiliates include Fred Astaire studios in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Ariz., Westminster, Colo., Rochester, Minn., Mamaroneck, N.Y., Charlotte, N.C., Columbus, Ohio, and Memphis, Tenn.

For more information on the Day of Dance, log on to http://www.dayofdance.org/.

The Gift Of Independence

Seven-year-old Elliot suffers from seizures that make riding a normal bike a dangerous activity. Dravet syndrome has resulted in severe neurodevelopment consequences for Elliot, including mental retardation and an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements. As a result, riding a bike required the constant attention of his parents, and he was only able to ride for limited periods of time.

Upon hearing his story, Variety of Illinois agreed to pay for a special bike for Elliot using funds raised through a partnership with Fred Astaire Dance Studios. The family was presented with the bike at the Astaire Awards Championships (AAC) in Illinois in July 2007. With his new adaptive bicycle, Elliot can ride as often as he likes with far less risk than riding a normal bike, which can frequently spark seizures.

Although Elliot is generally resistant to the ongoing physical therapy he receives for his seizures, he truly enjoys riding his new bike, which is one of the best possible sources of physical therapy. Being able to ride to his heart's content is not only a source of joy for Elliot, but for his parents as well.

"Because of the built-in safety features and the wide wheelbase, we no longer have to worry about him hurting himself in the event of a seizure,” says Elliot's mother, Mary Anne. “This gift has offered him such a sense of freedom and independence. That is so important for him since we have had to place so many restrictions on him during his day-to-day life because of his disabilities."

Variety – The Children’s Charity thanks Fred Astaire Dance Studios for its support and especially the opportunity to broaden Elliot’s horizons.

DWTS wins People’s Choice Award

The two-month-old writers’ strike meant that producers were forced to scale back the 34th annual People’s Choice Awards on Tuesday night. However, as they say in Hollywood, the show must go on, and by the end of the night, “Dancing With the Stars” waltzed away a winner.
The top rated show, which just wrapped up its’ fifth season, was nominated in the Favorite Competition/Reality Show category, facing off against last year’s winner – “American Idol” - and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

CBS scrapped its usual live broadcast of the show in favor of a strike-friendly, pre-taped program. The People's Choice Awards announced last month that it would replace its traditional live show with "a new format" that had its crews deliver trophies to music, film and television stars on location.

Robin Williams accepted his award for favorite funny male while on tour with the United Service Organizations in Kabul, Afghanistan. Members of Rascal Flatts picked up their prize for favorite group at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, and Patrick Dempsey found out he was the favorite male TV star while at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The show couldn't be canceled entirely, host Queen Latifah said Monday.

"The thing about the People's Choice Awards that's different from everybody else is it's the people's choice," she said. "So as much as we actors and writers and everyone are dealing with the writers strike and supporting the Writers Guild, you can't disrespect the people who keep us working, and that's the people. Ten million people logged on and voted for everyone, so out of respect for them, we have to" present the awards.

Other winners in categories that spanned from movies to television to music included Johnny Depp of "Pirates" as favorite male movie star, Katherine Heigl of "Grey's" as favorite female TV star, Ellen DeGeneres as favorite talk show host and Justin Timberlake as favorite male singer.

From Ballet to Ballroom

From Ballet to Ballroom
An Interview with Marisa Noelle

By Theodore Bale
http://www.danceruniverse.com/

What sort of dance training prepared you for a career in ballroom?

I started at Boston Ballet, where I studied for over 12 years, and where I did "The Nutcracker" every year for a decade. It was a wonderful program. I also did modern, jazz, character, flamenco - all at Boston Ballet. That was at a time when the intensive program was very much intensive. There was also pointe work, variationsand partnering. When I was 17 I went to Butler University in Indiana, where I majored in dance performance with a concentration in teaching. Michelle Jarvis, Rochelle Zied-Boothand Marek Cholewa were my main teachers there. In my third year I was also accepted as an apprentice at Milwaukee Ballet, and after that I returned to Butler to finish my degree. Milwaukee Ballet is an amazing company; we did "Swan Lake" there and they liked me, since I learned the whole thing in a week. It's a trademark of mine, to learn things quickly and adapt myself.

You haven't mentioned any training in ballroom, when did that come in?

Well, I spent the next few years after college dancing and teaching in a variety of different companies. At the end of 2004, I slipped on the ice, just a simple accident, but I hurt my ankle. Doctors found a small fracture, and it impeded my pointe work. I was in a boot for about four months. I was looking at my options then with European companies, but since my foot was unstable, I was in flux. I had lost the pivot in my ankle, and in spring of 2005 I started doing salsa at Fred Astaire (Dance Studios). It was mostly for rehabilitation, but also for social reasons. I quickly fell in love with ballroom and made that my focus, not only as dance, but also to learn and teach professionally as well. Just this past year I became a professional.

What does "professional" mean in the context of ballroom?

As a performer, you can dance any time, at competitions and showcases and so forth. But you are considered professional only when you start teaching. Since I already had a degree in dance, I had learned all the syllabi, both International and American styles, and I'll be doing the exams soon.

Do you ever miss the ballet world?

I tried to get back to ballet, but after 30 minutes at the barre, my foot would cramp and ache. I knew it wasn't possible, but I wouldn't allow myself not to dance. I have to dance! I had never taught ballroom, but I knew that it involved a lot of pivoting and rotation in the foot, and after only six months I looked for a good partner. Eventually, I found Peter Kornel.

How did you fare as a couple at your first competitions?

Right away, we had success, winning silver, gold, and open gold divisions. We came in second in open gold in Ohio Star Ball of 2006. The first time I went there was in 2005, and that first year I competed in bronze and pre-silver, taking first in all five dances in pre-silver. To prepare, I had private lessons five times a week and six group classes each week. It's very expensive, time-consuming and not easy. People ask me how it was done, and I say by sheer will and determination. I was committed to my goal of becoming a professional ballroom dancer, and I was ready to do the work. I competed in Ohio, Nevada, Connecticut and Florida. Almost every day of the week I was in the studio taking private lessons with Peter. I made notes on all my sessions, and even videotaped myself. We learned three styles back-to-back: Rhythm, Latin and Smooth. I competed in all three, which is 15 routines to learn, by the way. I wanted to stay with the one I am best at, which is International Latin.


For the full text of the interview, log on to http://www.danceruniverse.com/stories/issues/200801/from-ballet-to-ballroom/index.html

Still Stepping Up

“Step Up 2 the Streets,” the follow-up to 2006’s popular “Step Up,” is scheduled to be released on Valentine’s Day 2008.

When rebellious street dancer Andie (Briana Evigan) lands at the elite Maryland School of the Arts, she finds herself fighting to fit in while also trying to hold onto her old life. When she joins forces with the school’s hottest dancer, Chase (Robert Hoffman), to form a crew of classmate outcasts that will compete in Baltimore’s underground dance battle The Streets, she ultimately finds a way to live her dream while building a bridge between her two separate worlds.

Featuring the directorial debut of award-winning up-and-comer Jon M. Chu, “Step Up 2 the Streets” reunites much of the production team behind the original film including “Step Up’s” cutting-edge hip-hop choreographer Jamal Sims, who is joined this time by choreographers Hi-Hat (Bring It On) and Dave Scott (Stomp the Yard). Patrick Wachsberger and Erik Feig of Summit Entertainment produce with Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot of Offspring Entertainment.

There is a special guest appearance by Channing Tatum, who starred in the first “Step Up” movie as Tyler Gage, the brother of Andie.

“Fame” still flying

The studio is backing a remake of the 1980s musical “Fame” with “300” producer Mark Canton and Lakeshore Entertainment.

The $25 million redo is slated to hit theaters on Christmas Day, 2008 and will be based on the Alan Parker film set at the New York Academy of Performing Arts, which starred Irene Cara and Debbie Allen and launched a generation of wannabe performers.

MGM plans to retain many of the musical elements of the original movie that also launched a global television hit and international stage show.

Fred Astaire dancers kick up their heels

Evan Mountain and his wife, Lada Reschikova, danced the salsa, swing and merengue on Christmas morning without leaving their living room.

The owners of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., performed their fancy footwork on a network television special that aired on Christmas morning, but was taped last month at Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

They planned to be at home watching along with the estimated 40 million other viewers who were expected to tune into the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade Show on the ABC television network.

"I'm going to TIVO it," said Mountain, who took four of the studio's dancers to Florida last month for the performance. "It was a blast. We had a ball. I kept telling my teachers they may never get a chance to do anything like it again.

"On Christmas morning when we see it, I bet it lasts five minutes. It took hours and hours (to tape). It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun."

Tony Dovolani, a professional dancer on ABC's Dancing with the Stars, invited Mountain, his wife and their dance instructors to be among 150 couples that would dance his choreographed routine during the show.

"Tony is a Fred Astaire Dance Studio teacher and a friend of ours," Mountain said.

The ballroom dancers, with women in red and green and men dressed in black, performed on a stage at Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom. Several cast members, including some celebrities from “Dancing with the Stars,” kicked up their heels along with them.

"It was kind of surreal," Mountain said of the experience.

Dancers rehearsed from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. their first day at the park. Their second day began at 5 a.m. with more rehearsal, then cameras started rolling.

"It was quite an experience," he said. "They would tape us going through the dance and then the dance and the music and then the dance and music and pyrotechnics. They shot off fireworks around the castle. They probably had 10 cameras around, up in the air, moving around us while we were dancing."

Mountain, who began ballroom dancing five years ago, said the choreography was easy, but the dance surface – cobblestone - was hard on the feet.

"We're used to dancing on wood floors," he said.

He and his wife opened their Fred Astaire Dance Studio two years ago. Running a food brokerage company is his full-time job. He also helps his wife, who runs the dance studio.

Although most of their students are adults, Mountain and Reschikova offer a junior dance program and they plan to start teaching an enrichment program at the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills next month.

"She was hoping to get 20 kids to sign up. By the second week (of registration) 97 kids had signed up for it," he said, crediting “Dancing with the Stars” for ballroom dancing's increased popularity.

Mountain, Reschikova and teachers from their studio - Karla Pinet, Joe Coombs, Olga Agafonova and Leonid Sidorenko - all participated in the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade Show, hosted by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, which started at 10 a.m. on Dec. 25, according to ABC's Web site.

This article, written by Sharon Dargay, was found on www.hometownlife.com.

Dancers get a ‘kick’ out of Rockette experience

Megan Bryant is giddy. She's just learned that Pilates can add an inch to your height.

"I'm 5 foot even, but I'm only 16, so maybe I'll grow more. But if Pilates helps, I'm totally doing that."

Bryant needs to be 5 feet 6 inches by her 18th birthday to have a shot at the goal she's been dancing toward since she was three years old: to become a Radio City Rockette.

Bryant and 18 other students from Covington, Va. spent all night on a bus to New York City Dec. 14 to attend the Rockette Experience at Radio City Music Hall, an intensive course in the company's technique as the Rockettes' 75th Christmas Spectacular unfolded on the famed stage downstairs.

Over three hours, participants learn tap and jazz routines from the show, including those eye-high kicks (dancers do about 400 per show).

They also learn the tricky "hook up." Rockettes appear to link arms to form a tight-knit kick line, but they're not actually allowed to touch -- leaning on a neighbor could send the dancers crashing to the stage.

Finally, they undergo a mock audition, where they receive grades and feedback.
It may sound like Rockette-for-a-day fantasy camp, but the $108 class (offered throughout the year) is not for newbies - you'll need at least intermediate dance skills to participate. While most attendees are teens, older professional dancers sometimes sign up as training for the official Rockette auditions in April.

For those even more serious about a Rockette career, there's a weeklong boot camp each summer, where dancers learn the moves and get a chance to shine for Radio City talent scouts. Since the Experience started six years ago, about 30 Rockettes have been plucked from the 2,000 dancers who attend the courses each year.

To these small-town dancers, class instructor Cheryl Cutlip's road to Rockettedom is inspiring: She left High Point, N.C. - a town with one dance studio - carrying two suitcases, bound for New York. She's now in her 15th season at Radio City.

Cutlip offers some sobering facts about Rockette life: Rehearsals for the holiday show start in September, running seven hours a day for four weeks. During the 10-week season, Rockettes kick their way through 16 performances a week, doing as many as four 90-minute shows in a day. And that's not including one-offs like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the "Today" show, presidential inaugurations and private appearances.

And they do it all in costume, sometimes with each dancer sparkling with 3,000 Swarovksi crystals.

"It's pretty hardcore," says Covington dancer Kelly Drummond, 16.

Click here to read more.

‘How She Move’ set for Jan. 25 release

Dance is ready to once again take center stage on the big screen.

The new film “How She Move,” directed by Ian Iqbal Rashid, is slated for release on Jan. 25.

The story focuses on an aspiring medical student whose drug addicted sister recently died and who may be forced to relocate from her posh private school to the crime-infested neighborhood in which she was raised.

Unable to afford the tuition needed to fund her private-school education, ambitious teen Raya returns to her family home in the city while reluctantly forced to reevaluate her future. Upon learning that the top prize for an upcoming step-dancing competition is $50,000, Raya uses her impressive moves to earn a coveted slot in her good friend Bishop's predominately male JSJ crew.

Isolated from the local females due to jealousy and separated from her fellow dancers by gender, the ambitious dancer is subsequently kicked off the team for showing off during a preliminary competition. Now, if Raya has any hope of realizing her medical school dreams, she will have to either earn back Bishop's trust or organize her own dance crew and start over from scratch.

The movie stars Rutina Wesley, Tracey 'Tre' Armstrong, Brennan Gademans, Clé Bennett and Kevin Duhaney.

Serious About Salsa

ATLANTA, Ga. - The lights are dim, the music is pulsing and couples are circling the dance floor in elaborate, revealing costumes.

It's not "Dancing with the Stars," but rather the grand finale performance of the Atlanta Salsa Congress at the Waverly Renaissance Hotel ballroom. On a recent weekend, the events included everything from beginner salsa lessons to choreographed group recitals.

Carolyn Parera, 40, is at the center of the action, twisting and twirling around the room.

"Dancing is my passion," Parera declares. "I will dance until the day I die."

In addition to the emotional lift, Parera has found surprising health benefits from the regular activity. A single parent from Atlanta, Parera may not appear to be a typical dancer. During the day, she helps run a pediatrician's office, but in her free time she works on improving her moves.

She became interested in salsa five years ago when her teenage daughter was taking dance lessons. Instead of waiting in the car, Parera decided to join them.

"I started enjoying it," says Parera. "As time went along I started losing weight."

In fact she has dropped 100 pounds since she began. She also lowered her cholesterol and blood pressure and reduced her reliance on an asthma inhaler.

"I feel wonderful," she says. "My health is much, much better, so that gives me more energy, more motivation, more self-esteem."

Parera reports she's now spending more time with her 17-year old daughter. The two moved side-by-side while taking a group lesson together during the dance weekend. As the instructor counted out loud, the students swayed and stepped to the music.

"The more you hear it, the more you want it," Parera says. "It's like an addiction. You start and you keep going, but in this case you feel healthier."

For the full text of the article, click on http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/12/24/hm.salsa/index.html.

Cheryl Burke is ready to Rumba

Cheryl Burke, the two-time Dancing with the Stars champion, is not suffering from appendicitis and can rejoin the DWTS tour as soon as Friday, E! Online has confirmed.

A tour spokeswoman said in a statement that Burke met with her personal physician and, after undergoing some tests, received a clean bill of health.

"Burke will be performing alongside the all-star cast in her hometown of San Jose, California, and at all remaining shows on the tour," the rep said.

The 23-year-old Latin-dance specialist who helped Drew Lachey and Emmitt Smith win the prestigious disco-ball trophy was forced to miss the tour's opening night Tuesday in Seattle after she suffered severe cramps during rehearsal.

At the hospital, doctors suspected appendicitis, but she flew home to get a second opinion.

Her return to the tour has to be good news for choreographer and DWTS veteran Louis van Amstel, who called Burke's absence Tuesday a scheduling "disaster."

"Cheryl can't be gone for more than a week. I won't let her!" the panicking pro exclaimed, probably only half-joking.

Karina Smirnoff stepped in to dance with Lachey, a change of plans that, she admitted later to tvguide.com, didn't go off without a hitch.

"We had a couple of moments when we ran onto the floor at the wrong time, in the wrong place, in the wrong direction," Smirnoff said Wednesday. "But that won't happen tonight."

The show will go on without Burke again Thursday in Sacramento, but she'll be back in Lachey's arms by tomorrow.

Sabrina Bryan, Joey Lawrence and Wayne Newton (singing, not dancing) are also in the lineup for this leg of the 37-city tour.