From silive.com:
By CAROL ANN BENANTI
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The main ballroom at the Sheraton Convention Center in Atlantic City provided an ideal backdrop for the Fred Dance Sport Championships, where students from 16 Fred Astaire Dance Studios in New York and New Jersey competed in a host of American and International Ballroom Dance categories. And since contestants included Staten Islanders, we thought we'd give you a look at the results.
Topping the list of male amateur dancers was Al Slipstein, former president of A & B Glass, Concord, who exhibited great style as he danced with instructor Marisa Calabrese. Al took a total of 14 First Place Awards in the Intermediate Bronze Division, with foxtrot, waltz, tango, rhumba, salsa, merengue and East Coast swing -- and was a second-place winner in the Advanced Bronze foxtrot and rhumba competitions.
Other local competitors included Stephan Mazzone and Gary Burkhardt.
Stephan, a 9-year-old pupil at Staten Island Academy, Dongan Hills, nabbed a first-place award in the Young Men's Juvenile Age category as he danced with teacher Marisa Calabrese for first-place rankings in the foxtrot, waltz, tango, rhumba, merengue, cha-cha, salsa and East Coast Swing. However, Stephan's amateur dancing partner was 12-year old Francesca Costanza, a seventh-grade student at Holy Rosary School, South Beach. The pre-teen couple no doubt wowed a panel of judges -- members of the Fred Astaire National Dance Board -- since they garnered first-place awards in American-style cha-cha, merengue, salsa and East Coast swing. Francesca also showcased her dance skills in the Professional/Amateur Dance Category with teacher Oscar Salazar -- taking first placements in cha-cha, merengue, salsa and East Coast swing.
Meanwhile, Ana Patricia Cosentino and Gary Burkhardt -- who study with Marisa and Jeff Shelley -- both delivered fine performances for their inaugural ballroom dance competition. The couple received a First Place Award with an exceptional ranking of 93.3 in the Showcase Exhibition Category -- performing as part of the Fox Trot quartet with Marisa and Jeff to Nat King Cole's rendition of "More," an ensemble number choreographed by Jeff. Ana and Gary were presented with awards in both the Beginners and Social Bronze Rhythm Dance category. What's more, partnering with Jeff, Ana received a First Place Award in the Bronze Proficiency division for rhumba, merengue, East Coast swing and salsa. Gary and Marisa took first-place awards in merengue, rhumba and East Coast swing in the same dance division.
As if that wasn't enough to write home about, Dr. Baruch Kodsi and his wife, Murielle, won first place awards in the International Quickstep and Cha-Cha division for the amateur category. Students of Jeff Shelley, the couple also danced American-style rhumba, foxtrot, merengue and bolero -- again taking all first-place awards. Murielle and Jeff strutted their stuff in American Smooth foxtrot, waltz and tango and in the rhythm division, cha-cha, salsa and rhumba.
During the gala and awards banquet, Dr. and Mrs. Kodsi were presented with the Over-All Top Amateur Couple Trophy -- and Marisa was distinguished with an award as one of the top female teachers in the Over-All competition by organizers Armando Martin and Charles Panatello.
An impressed Kelly Gilmore, director of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Grasmere, shouted praises for the superb performances by students and teachers.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Wedding Dance Lessons
From weddingdancelessons.org:
May 6, 2009
I live in Riverside County CA Where can my fiance and I take ballroom dance classes for our Wedding?
Where can we take ballroom dance lessons for our first dance, and possible regular dancing? Fred Astaire offers wedding packages. You get a dance (of your choice) to you choice of song, choreographed for your first dance. They also have private lessons and group classes for couples as well. It's a blast!
May 6, 2009
I live in Riverside County CA Where can my fiance and I take ballroom dance classes for our Wedding?
Where can we take ballroom dance lessons for our first dance, and possible regular dancing? Fred Astaire offers wedding packages. You get a dance (of your choice) to you choice of song, choreographed for your first dance. They also have private lessons and group classes for couples as well. It's a blast!
Dancing With The Stars Shocker
A Teacher's Perspective on Last Night's Elimination
By Debra Stroiney
I know that I said I would be happy if Lil' Kim left but I didn't think it would happen! Ty must have gotten so many viewers to vote him. He is a likable guy; apparently America enjoys seeing how hard he is trying and how he has taken on so many things about ballroom dancing that you would never think a bull rider would do! This is what makes the show interesting because the viewers are involved. Now if Ty makes it to the final that will be an even greater shock. It will be fun to see Ty come back for one more week and know that there is someone out there who America wants instead of it only coming down to dancing. But now that it's the semi-finals, it has to come back to the dancing.
By Debra Stroiney
I know that I said I would be happy if Lil' Kim left but I didn't think it would happen! Ty must have gotten so many viewers to vote him. He is a likable guy; apparently America enjoys seeing how hard he is trying and how he has taken on so many things about ballroom dancing that you would never think a bull rider would do! This is what makes the show interesting because the viewers are involved. Now if Ty makes it to the final that will be an even greater shock. It will be fun to see Ty come back for one more week and know that there is someone out there who America wants instead of it only coming down to dancing. But now that it's the semi-finals, it has to come back to the dancing.
Dancing With The Stars - Week 7
A Teacher's PerspectiveBy Debra Stroiney
Shawn:
It is too bad that she was marked down for her Quickstep; otherwise I think Melissa and she would have been tied for 1st this week. Her Quickstep was excellent, and everything fell into place. I liked her Paso Doble, and I think what it was lacking was a good song. She really has a skill with learning technique and body mechanics, which we have seen with many of the athletes on the show.
Ty:
Ty has such a great attitude about this competition. He could have been horrified by some of things in the ballroom world but he has taken it in stride and has tried to improve each week. He is definitely the most improved. He encompasses what a ballroom student would look like at any studio in the U.S. who comes in with no dance experience. His determination to learn has gotten him this far. This also gives more evidence to what Fred Astaire once said which is: anyone can learn to dance with the right method. I could be completely wrong but he will probably be eliminated this week. Since this may happen, I am really glad he did his sexy walk up to Jewel and gave her a kiss! She has been there every week watching and supporting him. Although he won’t be a match for the others in dance ability, I would rather see him in the semi-final than Lil Kim.
Lil Kim:
She has done some good performances throughout the show. She has had solid dances and added her own flavor to it, which made them stand out. But I do not think she is as good as some of the others on the show. There was something lacking this week. I was watching her feet and technique in the Waltz. Her dance hold look uncomfortable and she never did a heel lead. The true essence of ballroom dancing was not there but again she performed well, making up for what was lacking. I felt her Salsa was also lacking. It wasn’t a great choreography; she was using too much of her ability to shake it, and some of her Salsa combinations didn’t have the technique it should have. She will probably make it to the semi-final but I don’t think she belongs in the final.
Gilles:
I feel that he has not performed as well as he had in the first half of the season. I think the dances that he has to perform are harder for him and therefore we are not seeing the same success. He has a natural talent for the Latin dances. He has not had enough time to perfect his Ballroom dances and spend the time on them that he needs. If you don’t connect with Ballroom dancing at first, it does take a while to make it click. You really are good at one or the other in the beginning, and it doesn’t always mean that is the one you continue to have success with. I liked his Foxtrot. It was not an exciting song so he really had to be a lot smoother with it, and that is why Len commented on his technique. His Rumba was very good but, as they said, you could see he was trying too hard. Still, it was probably one of the best Rumbas by a non-professional because he actually used his hips correctly!
Melissa:
Although her Viennese Waltz was very light and fluid, I found it slightly boring; again, I feel this was because of the song. The music really does dictate the dance. I agreed with Carrie Ann when she said it was lacking, not only because of the music. The body and arm extensions were also not there. Again, she is similar to Gilles; there hasn’t been enough time for her to learn some of the things that would make even a boring song look great. Her Samba was great; it had a lot of the elements it needed to have. I believe she is the first non-professional who did Samba rolls that didn't make me cringe!! I still felt there was something lacking to this performance, just not bouncy enough or something. But it was similar to Shawn’s the week before who also received 10s.
I already said I think Ty will be eliminated this week; regardless of who makes it to the semi-finals, I think the finals in 2 weeks will be what it comes down to. I would really like to see Melissa, Gilles, and Shawn. They have been solid through the whole season. They are the 3 best dancers on the show. And it will be a very exciting finale!
Shawn:
It is too bad that she was marked down for her Quickstep; otherwise I think Melissa and she would have been tied for 1st this week. Her Quickstep was excellent, and everything fell into place. I liked her Paso Doble, and I think what it was lacking was a good song. She really has a skill with learning technique and body mechanics, which we have seen with many of the athletes on the show.
Ty:
Ty has such a great attitude about this competition. He could have been horrified by some of things in the ballroom world but he has taken it in stride and has tried to improve each week. He is definitely the most improved. He encompasses what a ballroom student would look like at any studio in the U.S. who comes in with no dance experience. His determination to learn has gotten him this far. This also gives more evidence to what Fred Astaire once said which is: anyone can learn to dance with the right method. I could be completely wrong but he will probably be eliminated this week. Since this may happen, I am really glad he did his sexy walk up to Jewel and gave her a kiss! She has been there every week watching and supporting him. Although he won’t be a match for the others in dance ability, I would rather see him in the semi-final than Lil Kim.
Lil Kim:
She has done some good performances throughout the show. She has had solid dances and added her own flavor to it, which made them stand out. But I do not think she is as good as some of the others on the show. There was something lacking this week. I was watching her feet and technique in the Waltz. Her dance hold look uncomfortable and she never did a heel lead. The true essence of ballroom dancing was not there but again she performed well, making up for what was lacking. I felt her Salsa was also lacking. It wasn’t a great choreography; she was using too much of her ability to shake it, and some of her Salsa combinations didn’t have the technique it should have. She will probably make it to the semi-final but I don’t think she belongs in the final.
Gilles:
I feel that he has not performed as well as he had in the first half of the season. I think the dances that he has to perform are harder for him and therefore we are not seeing the same success. He has a natural talent for the Latin dances. He has not had enough time to perfect his Ballroom dances and spend the time on them that he needs. If you don’t connect with Ballroom dancing at first, it does take a while to make it click. You really are good at one or the other in the beginning, and it doesn’t always mean that is the one you continue to have success with. I liked his Foxtrot. It was not an exciting song so he really had to be a lot smoother with it, and that is why Len commented on his technique. His Rumba was very good but, as they said, you could see he was trying too hard. Still, it was probably one of the best Rumbas by a non-professional because he actually used his hips correctly!
Melissa:
Although her Viennese Waltz was very light and fluid, I found it slightly boring; again, I feel this was because of the song. The music really does dictate the dance. I agreed with Carrie Ann when she said it was lacking, not only because of the music. The body and arm extensions were also not there. Again, she is similar to Gilles; there hasn’t been enough time for her to learn some of the things that would make even a boring song look great. Her Samba was great; it had a lot of the elements it needed to have. I believe she is the first non-professional who did Samba rolls that didn't make me cringe!! I still felt there was something lacking to this performance, just not bouncy enough or something. But it was similar to Shawn’s the week before who also received 10s.
I already said I think Ty will be eliminated this week; regardless of who makes it to the semi-finals, I think the finals in 2 weeks will be what it comes down to. I would really like to see Melissa, Gilles, and Shawn. They have been solid through the whole season. They are the 3 best dancers on the show. And it will be a very exciting finale!
Monday, May 04, 2009
Minnelli, Rush & Cumming Announce 2009 Astaire Award Nominations
From broadwayworld.com:
Patricia Watt and Ron Glucksman, Producers of the 2009 Astaire Awards, have announced that this year's Nominating Committee will announce this year's nominees for the best of Broadway and film performances and choreography this season on Monday, May 4 at 7:00pm at Elaine's Restaurant (1703 2nd Avenue at 88th Street). The Astaire Awards recognize excellence in dance on stage and in film.
The 2009 Astaire Awards Ceremony, hosted by Alan Cumming, is scheduled for June 1 at The Haft Auditorium at Fashion Institute of Technology (7th Avenue at West 27th Street). In addition to the Awards Ceremony, the night will include performances of some of the best Broadway and Hollywood dance numbers, alongside stars of the stage and screen. Liza Minnelli will present American film director and choreographer, hailed as "the King of the Hollywood musicals," Stanley Donen (Singin' In The Rain, On the Town) with the 2009 Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award. Other scheduled presenters include Tony Danza, Bebe Neuwirth and Geoffrey Rush.
The Astaire Awards, established 26 years ago by the Anglo-American Contemporary Dance Foundation, recognize outstanding achievement in dance on Broadway each season. The awards were established with the cooperation of Fred Astaire to honor him and his sister, Adele, who starred with her brother in 10 Broadway musicals between 1917 and 1931. In 2008 the Awards were expanded to include dance in choreography for film as this was the métier that brought Fred Astaire to international fame and a permanent slot on every list of the top movie stars of the century.
During their years together, the brother & sister duo delighted Broadway audiences in Over the Top, The Passing Show of 1918, Apple Blossoms, Love Letter, For Goodness Sake, The Bunch & Judy, Lady Be Good, Funny Face, Smiles and The Band Wagon. Fred Astaire starred on Broadway without sister Adele in one more show, The Gay Divorcee.
After Adele retired to marry in 1932, Astaire headed to the West Coast. Signed to RKO, he was loaned to MGM to appear in Dancing Lady before starting work on RKO's Flying Down to Rio. In the latter film, he began his highly successful partnership with Ginger Rogers with whom he danced in 10 motion pictures. Their 17 year collaboration resulted in such classics as The Barkleys of Broadway, Carefree, Follow the Fleet, The Gay Divorcee, Roberta, Shall We Dance, The Story of Vern and Irene Castle, Swing Time and the quintessentially elegant Top Hat.
During these years, he was also active in recording and radio. On film, Astaire later appeared opposite a number of partners through various studios. After a temporary retirement in 1945-7, during which he opened Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Astaire returned to film to star in more musicals. He subsequently performed a number of straight dramatic roles in film and TV. In addition to starring in the film Funny Face in 1957, he also starred in the original 1927 Broadway version of the George & Ira Gershwin musical Funny Face.
Always one of the most glamorous and eagerly anticipated events on the theatrical calendar, the Awards have paid homage to the brightest lights in the world of dance. Previous winners of awards for dance performance include: Debbie Allen, Hinton Battle, Charlotte D'Amboise, Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, Natalia Makarova, Donna McKechnie, Ann Miller, Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking and Chita Rivera.
Previous winners of awards for choreography are such legends as George Balanchine, Michael Bennett, Patricia Birch, Wayne Cilento, Graciela Daniele, Bob Fosse, Peter Martins, Ann Reinking, Jerome Robbins, Susan Stroman, and Tommy Tune.
Last year's honorees included Spencer Liff - Best Male Dancer on Broadway for his dancing in Cry-Baby; Karen Olivo - Best Female Dancer on Broadway for her dancing in In The Heights; Rob Ashford - Best Choreography on Broadway for his work in Cry-Baby; and Dave Scott - Best Choreography in Film for his work in the film Step up 2: The Streets as well as presenting nine-time Tony Award & two-time Astaire Award-winner Tommy Tune with the first Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award.
All proceeds from the event benefit The Auditory Oral School of New York, a non-profit organization which specializes in teaching deaf and hard of hearing children to listen, talk, think and socialize in a full and barrier free environment.
The Awards for the 2009 Astaire Awards will be designed by Donna Distefano.
For more information, or to inquire about tickets or sponsorships, please contact Patricia Watt at 212-595-0924 or patricia_watt@msn.com
Dancing With The Stars - Week 6
A Teacher's Perspective
By Debra Stroiney
This was such an interesting week on the show. I love how everyone did a different dance we had not seen them perform yet. It shows even those who have a bad couple of weeks still have dances they can dance well.
The next few weeks of this show are going to be tough. Everyone is improving so much and this week all of the scores were within points of each other. It will be interesting to see how things play out from here. I suspect it will come down to luck and which dances they perform. For instance, we know Ty is much better at the Ballroom/Smooth dances; if he has to dance more Rhythm/Latin dances, his scores will be lower. The same with Chuck and Lawrence; they also have dances that are better than others. Since there are so many great dancers on the show this season, I think the judges may start being a little harder on the celebrities. They are looking for the celebrities to bring everything out onto the dance floor. This week, I thought Lil' Kim performed a solid Rumba yet the judges told her to bring back her spunk that makes her who she is. o basically the message is: make sure the dance is technically perfect and also wow the judges with the entertainment.
I was watching Gilles this week trying to figure out why he has come out every week and has done so well. I saw it this week: CONFIDENCE. Gentleman dancers out there… that is the key. His body completely says confidence. The way he held his head in frame, the arm movements, even when he was not so sure of them, he made us think he was! Confidence is a very important factor when you first start competing. If you go out onto that dance floor and you are scared of people watching you, and of judges scoring you then it shows. It doesn’t matter how technically perfect you are because the lack of confidence will affect your posture, how far you extend your arm, smiling and connecting with your partner. This is what Gilles has and this what we need to teach to ballroom students.
The group dance was great! Why? The whole group was in sync with each other. Again, these stars do have talent out there and it shows while performing a group dance such as this. If you remember last season there were some dancers that struggled through the group dance, weren’t on time, and just looked out of place on the floor. This group dance was completely different and was fun to watch.
Hmm…. I have been so good at predicting whose been getting the boot these past few weeks. I have to say
Thursday, April 30, 2009
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: The Benefits of Ballroom Dancing
From the Groton Times (CT):
To the Editor:
To the Editor:
I started dancing a little over a year ago, and honestly I don’t know where I would be today without it. It changed my life in many different ways—my posture has improved, my breathing is deeper, my gait is more graceful, and my general outlook is brighter.
I’ve danced many other styles of dance, and I would have to say out of all the different types of dancing, ballroom would have to be my favorite. Dancing works every single part of your body, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. Ballroom dancing also combines many different styles of dancing. It’s critical, strict, on point. You have to be on time, with the music and with your partner.
Within ballroom dancing there are many different genres, so there are many opportunities to try a variety of dance styles. I can almost guarantee that if you try it, you will find at least one that you will like. I wish that more people, especially younger kids like me, would just give it a chance. It may look boring, but you will be very surprised how ballroom challenges you and keeps you coming back for more.
Timing is especially important when it comes to dancing, because the slightest bit that you are off from the music makes a huge difference. Being in sync with your partner and the rhythm is definitely one of the most challenging aspects of ballroom dancing. I take pride in being a ballroom dancer because it is so uncommon, especially for teenager, and it’s so beneficial in all aspect of my life.
Competing is also very thrilling. Last November I entered my first dance competition, the Tri Regional Ballroom Dance Competition. There are contestants from various different dance schools and more than 300 entries. My partner and I danced in 16 heats in the rhythm division dancing to the cha-cha and swing. We placed first in all 16 heats. I was completely shocked and had no idea that this good news was coming our way. I was not expecting to hear our names be called time after time.
If it wasn’t for my supportive family and my wonderful instructor Olga Golubko at the Fred Astaire dance studio in Mystic, I would not be the person that I am today. I am going to dance for the rest of my life.
Olivia Pentell
Groton
Astaire Awards Championships
Combine great dancing with a great opportunity to see the sights of a classic American city this summer!
It’s time to start making plans for AAC 2009, held in Chicago, Illinois on July 9-12. The AAC is being held at the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel. Each guest room and suite has all the comfort and amenities you need. There is also a fitness center and indoor pool for those who are looking for a good workout along with their dancing. There are also many nearby attractions to enjoy in the area, such as gardens, high-end retail shopping, amusement parks, and racing tracks. Don’t miss out on the great city of Chicago, only a short drive away, where you can shop, visit world-renowned museums, sightsee, catch a professional baseball game, and sample the best deep dish pizza in the country! Hope to see you there.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: MAY 7. See your local Fred Astaire Dance Studios instructor for more information.
It’s time to start making plans for AAC 2009, held in Chicago, Illinois on July 9-12. The AAC is being held at the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel. Each guest room and suite has all the comfort and amenities you need. There is also a fitness center and indoor pool for those who are looking for a good workout along with their dancing. There are also many nearby attractions to enjoy in the area, such as gardens, high-end retail shopping, amusement parks, and racing tracks. Don’t miss out on the great city of Chicago, only a short drive away, where you can shop, visit world-renowned museums, sightsee, catch a professional baseball game, and sample the best deep dish pizza in the country! Hope to see you there.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: MAY 7. See your local Fred Astaire Dance Studios instructor for more information.
The Power of Dance
By Karen Green, Assistant Director, Fred Astaire Dance Studios New England RegionRecently, the Fred Astaire Dance Studios New England Regional Office received a heartwarming reminder of just how important our role can be. Rogelio Garcia, co-owner of the Mystic, Connecticut Fred Astaire Studio forwarded this e-mail to our office:
Dear Fred Astaire Friends,
On Friday, February 6, 2009, we had yet another wonderful experience at Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Our son, Sam (who has said he might be interested in dance lessons), accompanied us to our lesson with the wonderful Olga. After that we returned for the dance party and Sam danced with not only his mother, but also with Olga and Pam (another student).
As usual, everyone was so warm and welcoming. Sam has had a tough couple of years dealing with epilepsy and cerebral palsy and he has been very sad. Thanks to a new karate program and his interest in Fred Astaire, we are seeing a different young man right now who is full of enthusiasm.
Don will be coming in sometime this week to talk about signing Sam up for lessons. I just wanted to let you know how walking into Fred Astaire Studios last April (for the first time) has changed our lives in so many wonderful ways.
Sincerely, Mary Maranell
After reading the e-mail, I emailed Mary to let her know how touched and grateful we were for her kind words. Then, at the beginning of March, I had the pleasure of meeting Mary, her husband, Don and 16 year-old Sam himself at our New England Regional Competition. The fact that Sam was even there was a big deal his mom told me. He had attended a comp last year with them, but the music made him very uncomfortable due to his sensitivity to loud noises. As a result, he spent the remainder of that competition in his hotel room.
This year was a different story and while we were at the comp I had a few minutes to talk with Sam. I expected a conversation with a shy, withdrawn young man where I had to do most of the talking. Instead, Sam seemed confident, sociable and more than willing to talk about his dancing. He did start the conversation by coming right out and asking why I thought he was so interesting. “Well, your mom told me that dancing has made some positive changes in your life,” I told him. “We’d like to share that with other people if that’s OK with you.” Sam agreed that he is stronger and experiences less depression now that he is dancing. Sam, who also has a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Karate, talked about the similarities between his dancing and his karate lessons. Although, as Sam pointed out, there is one major difference. “Some people think dancing is for wimps,” he said. “I challenge anyone in my karate class to get out on the floor and waltz for a while and then tell me how their legs are feeling!” He’s even considering giving up some Karate time to spend more time dancing.
Sam’s newfound enthusiasm for dancing not only had him cheering in the ballroom with the rest of the spectators at this competition, but now he is enrolled in dance lessons with Olga at the Mystic studio. Even better, his mother noticed that he is definitely happier and more outgoing than before he started dancing. “Even his seizures seem more in control,” she reported. “We think the dancing has given him more endurance so he doesn’t get so fatigued.”
We stood on the edge of the dance floor as Sam did the Rumba with Olga during a general dance at the comp. “It’s like I’m looking at a different kid,” she said, smiling as she watched him. “He talks about goals for the future,” she continued, “and about wanting to be a physical therapist. He didn’t talk about that kind of stuff before dancing.”
Happy Dancing Sam! Thanks for sharing your story and for reminding us all of why we do what we do!
FRED ASTAIRE COUPLE WOWS NEW ENGLAND CROWD
In Quincy, Massachusetts on Saturday, March 7th, over 300 people gathered at the New England Dancesport Championships with over 3500 entries. The crowd was on their feet for Radostina Gerova and Plamen Danailov as they performed a six–dance show based on Broadway hits. Their final number, “You Can’t Stop The Beat,” from the show Hairspray was a blur of energy and enthusiasm that left the crowd inspired and cheering for more.
Plamen and Tina started dancing together in 2000. They have been the reigning Fred Astaire National Latin American Champions for two consecutive years. They are four times undefeated as the Bulgarian Latin American Champions. Plamen and Tina were Rising Star Latin American Finalists at Blackpool and are regular finalists at almost every national Dancesport Championship. Tina is an instructor at the New York Eastside Fred Astaire Dance Studio owned by Marina and Taliat Tarsinov.
“Tina and Plamen were terrific to work with,” said Karen Green, the competition organizer. “In addition, they were so friendly and personable with the crowd.” They even took time after the show to chat with several members of the audience including a young man who had been a student of Tina’s in the past.
“Our compliments to Marina and Taliat Tarsinov for developing another top-quality, professional, and gracious couple,” added Kim Haidinger, the New England Area Director. “Tina and Plamen were another fine example of the wonderful couples associated with the Fred Astaire organization.”
Cross Country Dance Championships 2009 Results
Congratulations to all the participants of this year's Cross Country Dance Championships!
TOP TEACHER
Gentlemen:
1. Ben Seifert, Houston Woodlands
2. Aaron DeSoto, Chicago North
3. Genadi Lulchev, Scottsdale
4. Chris Germain, Chicago North
5. Michael Housel, St. Petersburg
Ladies:
1. Irina Gareyeva, Hanover
2. Jessica Nail, Houston Memorial
3. Suzanna Vogel, Ft. Myers
4. Yelena Babyuk, Scottsdale North
5. Kelsey Koehler, Palm Harbor
TOP YOUTH
1. Larry Collins, Ft. Myers
2. Chloe Hart, Ft. Myers
3. Krystal Espinor, Sugarland
4. Nisha Balsara, Houston Woodlands
5. Jessica Barrier, St. Petersburg
TOP STUDIO
1. Milwaukee Central, WI
2. Chicago North, IL
3. Houston Woodlands, TX
4. St. Petersburg, FL
5. Ft. Myers, FL
AMATEUR COUPLES
1. Paul Ammeen & Sondra Ammenn, Hilton Head Island
2. Larry Collins & Chloe Hart, Ft. Myers
3. Wayne Lee & Colleen Lee, San Diego
4. Jim David & Maria David, Washington, DC
5. John Bittner & Judy Bittner, Burr Ridge
TOP STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Andy Serio, Milwaukee Central
2. Thomas Payne, Houston Memorial
3. Don Jaffee, Hanover
4. Larry Collins, Ft. Myers
5. Jack Clifford, Scottsdale North
Ladies:
1. Bette Anne Duffy, Chicago North
2. Chloe Hart, Ft. Myers
3. Lois Springer, Scottsdale
4. Kim Adamle, Chicago North
5. Linda Varcoe, West Hartford
TOP NEWCOMER
Gentlemen:
1. Eric Miller, Albany
2. Thomas Payne, Houston Memorial
3. Nicholas Rangel, Columbus East
4. Theo Talma, Albany
5. Gary Adams, Indianapolis
Ladies:
1. Gwen Davis, West Palm Beach
2. Anna Ilko, Columbus East
3. Margaret Cherpurko, Jupiter
4. Bette Anne Duffy, Chicago North
5. Darcy Ehrlich, Chicago North
TOP BRONZE STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Andy Serio, Milwaukee Central
2. Thomas Payne, Houston Memorial
3. Jack Clifford, Scottsdale North
4. Larry Collins, Ft. Myers
5. Stan Bloomenthal, Belmont
Ladies:
1. Kim Adamle, Chicago North
2. Krystal Espinor, Sugarland
3. Linda Moore, Scottsdale
4. Nisha Balsara, Houston Woodlands
5. Yu-Lan Lin, Belmont
TOP SILVER STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Don Jaffee, Hanover
2. Carmine Cecchini, Palm Harbor
3. Larry Collins, Ft. Myers
4. Tim Duffy, Chicago North
5. Thomas Payne, Houston Memorial
Ladies:
1. Chloe Hart, Ft. Myers
2. Bette Anne Duffy, Chicago North
3. Margaret Mateeff, St. Petersburg
4. Mary Mitchem, Houston Katy
5. Minnie Freeman, St. Petersburg
TOP GOLD STUDENT
Ladies:
1. Sarah Haworth, Milwaukee Central
2. Jessica Haims, Morristown
3. Randi Zedeck, St. Petersburg
AMERICAN OPEN SMOOTH 4-DANCE
1. Ricky Betzen & Albina Habrle, Milwaukee Central
2. Ken Hansen & Jackie Josephs, Milwaukee North/Chicago North
3. Andrei Abrashin & Morgan Jaunzemis, Buffalo
4. Ilya Velednitsky & Mandy Velednitsky, Milwaukee Central
5. Ivan Dishliev & Marieta Nedialkova, Phoenix
6. Aaron DeSoto & Jaana Lillemagi, Chicago North
AMERICAN OPEN RHYTHM 5-DANCE
1. Ricky Bentzen & Albina Habrle, Milwaukee Central
2. Ken Hansen & Jackie Josephs, Milwaukee North/Chicago North
3. Andrei Abrashin & Morgan Jaunzemis, Buffalo
4. Ilya Velednitsky & Mandy Velednitsky, Milwaukee Central
5. Ivan Dishliev & Marieta Nedialkova, Phoenix
6. Aaron DeSoto & Jaana Lillemagi, Chicago North
INTERNATIONAL OPEN STANDARD 5-DANCE
1. Greg Fidurski & Gabriela Jileva, Morristown
2. Ruslan Meshokov & Alexandra Nema, Albany
3. Anatoli Gorolevici & Irina Gareyeva, Hanover
4. Andreas Luetzner & Doreen Scheinpflug, West Palm Beach
5. Brad Adcock & Mira Cherkezova, Norwood/Gastonbury
AMERICAN CLOSED NOVICE/MIXED
1. Kevin Prothro & Carla Coulson, Houston Woodlands
2. Josh Tilford & Jennifer Barnes, Columbus East
3. Kevin Camarata & Jessica Nail, Houston Kingwood/Houston Memorial
4. James Fierro & Vera Kosarev, Buffalo
5. Adam Maynard & Rachel Nace, Columbus East
6. Topher Woods & Jennifer Cepeda, Milwaukee Wales
AMERICAN CLOSED BRONZE/SILVER SMOOTH
1. Valdimir Kosarev & Vera Kosarev, Buffalo
2. Misha Zadyraka & Hanna Kryvyk, Tarrytown
3. Sergey Smolin & Robyn Zmudznski, Milwaukee Central
4. Andreas Luetzner & Doreen Scheinpflug, West Palm Beach
5. Ben Seifert & Michelle Jones, Houston Woodlands
6. Josh Tilford & Jennifer Barnes, Columbus East
AMERICAN RISING STAR RHYTHM
1. Aaron DeSoto & Jaana Lillemagi, Chicago North
2. Ivan Dishliev & Marieta Nedialkova, Phoenix
3. Nikolay Karchev & Robyn Zmudznski, Milwaukee Central
4. Aleks Nashev & Brittney Bartler, Chicago North
5. Slash Sharan & Ria Valenzuela, Milwaukee Central
6. Dan Skyler & Kimberly Schneider, Milwaukee
AMERICAN RISING STAR SMOOTH
1. Misha Zadyraka & Hanna Kryvyk, Tarrytown
2. Nikolay Kralev & Gergana Slavova, Chandler
3. Chris Germain & Simona Polmova, Chicago North
4. Nathan Garibay & Julie Garibay, San Diego
5. Jesse Benedetti & Kimalee Piedad, Ft. Walton Beach
6. Ben Seifert & Michelle Jones, Houston Woodlands
AMERICAN CLOSED BRONZE/SILVER RHYTHM
1. Dan Skyler & Kimberly Schneider, Milwaukee
2. Eugene Yeremenko & Marisa Yatsenko, Tarrytown
3. Kevin Prothro & Carla Coulson, Houston Woodlands
4. Jesse Benedetti & Kimalee Piedad, Ft. Walton Beach
5. Ronald Guillen & Katie Guillen, Ft. Walton Beach
6. Joseph Hasson & Rozalynn May, Pinehurst
7. Kevin Camarata & Jessica Nail, Houston Kingwood/Houston Memorial
OPEN CABARET
1. Jesse Benedetti & Kimalee Piedad, Ft. Walton Beach
2. Vicente Martinez & Megan Murphy, Chicago Downtown
3. Christopher Kane & April Knight, West Springfield
4. Anatoli Gorolevici & Irina Gareyeva, Hanover
5. Tim Edgar & Heather Skuczynski, Denver North/Denver
TOP TEACHER
Gentlemen:
1. Ben Seifert, Houston Woodlands
2. Aaron DeSoto, Chicago North
3. Genadi Lulchev, Scottsdale
4. Chris Germain, Chicago North
5. Michael Housel, St. Petersburg
Ladies:
1. Irina Gareyeva, Hanover
2. Jessica Nail, Houston Memorial
3. Suzanna Vogel, Ft. Myers
4. Yelena Babyuk, Scottsdale North
5. Kelsey Koehler, Palm Harbor
TOP YOUTH
1. Larry Collins, Ft. Myers
2. Chloe Hart, Ft. Myers
3. Krystal Espinor, Sugarland
4. Nisha Balsara, Houston Woodlands
5. Jessica Barrier, St. Petersburg
TOP STUDIO
1. Milwaukee Central, WI
2. Chicago North, IL
3. Houston Woodlands, TX
4. St. Petersburg, FL
5. Ft. Myers, FL
AMATEUR COUPLES
1. Paul Ammeen & Sondra Ammenn, Hilton Head Island
2. Larry Collins & Chloe Hart, Ft. Myers
3. Wayne Lee & Colleen Lee, San Diego
4. Jim David & Maria David, Washington, DC
5. John Bittner & Judy Bittner, Burr Ridge
TOP STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Andy Serio, Milwaukee Central
2. Thomas Payne, Houston Memorial
3. Don Jaffee, Hanover
4. Larry Collins, Ft. Myers
5. Jack Clifford, Scottsdale North
Ladies:
1. Bette Anne Duffy, Chicago North
2. Chloe Hart, Ft. Myers
3. Lois Springer, Scottsdale
4. Kim Adamle, Chicago North
5. Linda Varcoe, West Hartford
TOP NEWCOMER
Gentlemen:
1. Eric Miller, Albany
2. Thomas Payne, Houston Memorial
3. Nicholas Rangel, Columbus East
4. Theo Talma, Albany
5. Gary Adams, Indianapolis
Ladies:
1. Gwen Davis, West Palm Beach
2. Anna Ilko, Columbus East
3. Margaret Cherpurko, Jupiter
4. Bette Anne Duffy, Chicago North
5. Darcy Ehrlich, Chicago North
TOP BRONZE STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Andy Serio, Milwaukee Central
2. Thomas Payne, Houston Memorial
3. Jack Clifford, Scottsdale North
4. Larry Collins, Ft. Myers
5. Stan Bloomenthal, Belmont
Ladies:
1. Kim Adamle, Chicago North
2. Krystal Espinor, Sugarland
3. Linda Moore, Scottsdale
4. Nisha Balsara, Houston Woodlands
5. Yu-Lan Lin, Belmont
TOP SILVER STUDENT
Gentlemen:
1. Don Jaffee, Hanover
2. Carmine Cecchini, Palm Harbor
3. Larry Collins, Ft. Myers
4. Tim Duffy, Chicago North
5. Thomas Payne, Houston Memorial
Ladies:
1. Chloe Hart, Ft. Myers
2. Bette Anne Duffy, Chicago North
3. Margaret Mateeff, St. Petersburg
4. Mary Mitchem, Houston Katy
5. Minnie Freeman, St. Petersburg
TOP GOLD STUDENT
Ladies:
1. Sarah Haworth, Milwaukee Central
2. Jessica Haims, Morristown
3. Randi Zedeck, St. Petersburg
AMERICAN OPEN SMOOTH 4-DANCE
1. Ricky Betzen & Albina Habrle, Milwaukee Central
2. Ken Hansen & Jackie Josephs, Milwaukee North/Chicago North
3. Andrei Abrashin & Morgan Jaunzemis, Buffalo
4. Ilya Velednitsky & Mandy Velednitsky, Milwaukee Central
5. Ivan Dishliev & Marieta Nedialkova, Phoenix
6. Aaron DeSoto & Jaana Lillemagi, Chicago North
AMERICAN OPEN RHYTHM 5-DANCE
1. Ricky Bentzen & Albina Habrle, Milwaukee Central
2. Ken Hansen & Jackie Josephs, Milwaukee North/Chicago North
3. Andrei Abrashin & Morgan Jaunzemis, Buffalo
4. Ilya Velednitsky & Mandy Velednitsky, Milwaukee Central
5. Ivan Dishliev & Marieta Nedialkova, Phoenix
6. Aaron DeSoto & Jaana Lillemagi, Chicago North
INTERNATIONAL OPEN STANDARD 5-DANCE
1. Greg Fidurski & Gabriela Jileva, Morristown
2. Ruslan Meshokov & Alexandra Nema, Albany
3. Anatoli Gorolevici & Irina Gareyeva, Hanover
4. Andreas Luetzner & Doreen Scheinpflug, West Palm Beach
5. Brad Adcock & Mira Cherkezova, Norwood/Gastonbury
AMERICAN CLOSED NOVICE/MIXED
1. Kevin Prothro & Carla Coulson, Houston Woodlands
2. Josh Tilford & Jennifer Barnes, Columbus East
3. Kevin Camarata & Jessica Nail, Houston Kingwood/Houston Memorial
4. James Fierro & Vera Kosarev, Buffalo
5. Adam Maynard & Rachel Nace, Columbus East
6. Topher Woods & Jennifer Cepeda, Milwaukee Wales
AMERICAN CLOSED BRONZE/SILVER SMOOTH
1. Valdimir Kosarev & Vera Kosarev, Buffalo
2. Misha Zadyraka & Hanna Kryvyk, Tarrytown
3. Sergey Smolin & Robyn Zmudznski, Milwaukee Central
4. Andreas Luetzner & Doreen Scheinpflug, West Palm Beach
5. Ben Seifert & Michelle Jones, Houston Woodlands
6. Josh Tilford & Jennifer Barnes, Columbus East
AMERICAN RISING STAR RHYTHM
1. Aaron DeSoto & Jaana Lillemagi, Chicago North
2. Ivan Dishliev & Marieta Nedialkova, Phoenix
3. Nikolay Karchev & Robyn Zmudznski, Milwaukee Central
4. Aleks Nashev & Brittney Bartler, Chicago North
5. Slash Sharan & Ria Valenzuela, Milwaukee Central
6. Dan Skyler & Kimberly Schneider, Milwaukee
AMERICAN RISING STAR SMOOTH
1. Misha Zadyraka & Hanna Kryvyk, Tarrytown
2. Nikolay Kralev & Gergana Slavova, Chandler
3. Chris Germain & Simona Polmova, Chicago North
4. Nathan Garibay & Julie Garibay, San Diego
5. Jesse Benedetti & Kimalee Piedad, Ft. Walton Beach
6. Ben Seifert & Michelle Jones, Houston Woodlands
AMERICAN CLOSED BRONZE/SILVER RHYTHM
1. Dan Skyler & Kimberly Schneider, Milwaukee
2. Eugene Yeremenko & Marisa Yatsenko, Tarrytown
3. Kevin Prothro & Carla Coulson, Houston Woodlands
4. Jesse Benedetti & Kimalee Piedad, Ft. Walton Beach
5. Ronald Guillen & Katie Guillen, Ft. Walton Beach
6. Joseph Hasson & Rozalynn May, Pinehurst
7. Kevin Camarata & Jessica Nail, Houston Kingwood/Houston Memorial
OPEN CABARET
1. Jesse Benedetti & Kimalee Piedad, Ft. Walton Beach
2. Vicente Martinez & Megan Murphy, Chicago Downtown
3. Christopher Kane & April Knight, West Springfield
4. Anatoli Gorolevici & Irina Gareyeva, Hanover
5. Tim Edgar & Heather Skuczynski, Denver North/Denver
United States Dance Championship 2009
SAVE THE DATE for the most prestigious national dance championship in the United States:
United States Dance Championship
September 8-12, 2009
Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando in Florida
United States Dance Championship
September 8-12, 2009
Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando in Florida
Dancing Is Not Only Fun...But Healthy Too!
From examiner.com:
By Debbie Gisonni
I thought I would honor National Dance Day with a reminder that dancing is not only loads of fun, but extremely healthy. Did you know you can burn as many calories dancing as you can swimming, running or riding a bike? Depending on the dance and the intensity—200 to 600 calories per hour.
By Debbie Gisonni
I thought I would honor National Dance Day with a reminder that dancing is not only loads of fun, but extremely healthy. Did you know you can burn as many calories dancing as you can swimming, running or riding a bike? Depending on the dance and the intensity—200 to 600 calories per hour.
Dancing improves flexibility, strength, balance, endurance and coordination. It reduces stress, heart disease, blood pressure and weight. Because it’s often a social activity, it helps elevate your mood. It’s also one of the few exercises you can do that is both weight bearing and aerobic. Just watch a few episodes of “Dancing with the Stars”, and you’ll see how difficult and exhausting dancing really is. The pros make it look so easy, but dancing uses muscles you never knew you had.
You don’t need to rush out and sign up for ballroom dance classes—especially if that’s not your thing. You know what kind of music and moves you like. It doesn’t matter what style dancing you prefer—ballroom, jazz, tap, salsa, belly dancing, hip hop, disco, square dancing or just dancing around your house alone (which I often do to change up my work-out)—any dancing will be fun and healthy. Just turn on the music and start moving to the beat!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
How Well Do You Know Dancing With The Stars?
Take this quiz and find out: http://www.parade.com/celebrity/quiz/tv/dancing-with-the-stars.html
Monday, April 27, 2009
My Golden Dancers
Poetry of the Foot and a Lyric to our SoulBy Elita Sohmer Clayman
Last year, as I was waiting for my husband to pick me up at the hair salon where I go every Saturday to get beautiful once again, I saw someone that I knew and had not seen for twenty years. She was my husband’s first cousin’s former wife. They divorced and quite bitterly, so the family never saw her after that event.
At first as I saw her approaching the salon’s door, I thought I will just ignore her unless she says hi first. We had not been close when she was married and in the family, only saw her maybe ten times in ten years. However, I thought, I will say hi and how are you and I did and she looked at me quizzically as if she did not know for sure who I was. She always had bad eyesight and wore very thick eyeglasses. I said how are you and she replied fine and proceeded in the salon, walking with her cane.
So I thought to myself, next time I will not say hi because you did not care enough to ask me how I felt. The following week I saw a death notice in the paper with her name. The hairstylist told me that on that Saturday when I had said hi, she had her hair done and then went with her friends to see the French circus that was in town. At the conclusion, she dropped to the ground having had a major stroke and died a few days later.
When I heard this, I was shocked. I thought back and said to myself that I was glad I had said hi because of course, it was for the final time. I thought a silly thought. If I had known ( how could we ever) that she would be having a stroke and it was her final day on earth with all her faculties, could I, a mere mortal have warned her to go to a doctor and maybe she would be alive.
This is all nonsense on my part, but it is kind of a neat thought. If we could warn folks of bad things that might be happening to them so soon after seeing them, then we could save them. Also, if we could approach folks and tell them that something good was going to happen, would not that be splendid too?
When my mom was dying almost twenty-five years ago, we all sat in the hospital by her side and talked and watched over her, not really knowing if she could hear us or not.
Last year, as I was waiting for my husband to pick me up at the hair salon where I go every Saturday to get beautiful once again, I saw someone that I knew and had not seen for twenty years. She was my husband’s first cousin’s former wife. They divorced and quite bitterly, so the family never saw her after that event.
At first as I saw her approaching the salon’s door, I thought I will just ignore her unless she says hi first. We had not been close when she was married and in the family, only saw her maybe ten times in ten years. However, I thought, I will say hi and how are you and I did and she looked at me quizzically as if she did not know for sure who I was. She always had bad eyesight and wore very thick eyeglasses. I said how are you and she replied fine and proceeded in the salon, walking with her cane.
So I thought to myself, next time I will not say hi because you did not care enough to ask me how I felt. The following week I saw a death notice in the paper with her name. The hairstylist told me that on that Saturday when I had said hi, she had her hair done and then went with her friends to see the French circus that was in town. At the conclusion, she dropped to the ground having had a major stroke and died a few days later.
When I heard this, I was shocked. I thought back and said to myself that I was glad I had said hi because of course, it was for the final time. I thought a silly thought. If I had known ( how could we ever) that she would be having a stroke and it was her final day on earth with all her faculties, could I, a mere mortal have warned her to go to a doctor and maybe she would be alive.
This is all nonsense on my part, but it is kind of a neat thought. If we could warn folks of bad things that might be happening to them so soon after seeing them, then we could save them. Also, if we could approach folks and tell them that something good was going to happen, would not that be splendid too?
When my mom was dying almost twenty-five years ago, we all sat in the hospital by her side and talked and watched over her, not really knowing if she could hear us or not.
Actually, she could because I mentioned to my brother and daughter who were there that Mom disliked a man in her office. He called her and constantly said Hi a Leah. Her name being Leah and the race track in Florida was Hialeah. It irritated her very much.
As we sat by her side, I told this Hialeah story to my brother and daughter and out of this quiet and dying woman, she opened up her mouth and said
“Yes and his name was Mr. Trimble.” So she heard my story and recalled his name from her memory and it had been probably twenty or thirty years since she had heard him call her that. Which proves in a way, that we often remember the not so good things as much as we remember the great things or happenings even at a time like this.
When I told this Mr. Trimble story to mom’s youngest brother he made an interesting comment that my brother, daughter and I thought quite unusual. He said that he was in a restaurant at the moment that mom died and he not knowing she had passed away received a phone call at the reservation desk of the establishment. They knew his name because he frequented it often and called him for this phone call. In those days, there were no cell phones and so Uncle Louie came to the phone and as he said hello, the person hung up. In his mind he said that must have been Mom to whom he was devoted to all his life, her being the older sibling and him the youngest of seven children. He said this was her way of saying goodbye to him. We all thought him a little egotistic thinking that Mom took time out to say goodbye to him when we had been sitting there for days in the hospital by her side. When I thought about it after the mourning period was over, I realized that he was not being pretentious; he was feeling wounded in not being there at the moment it happened and it made him experience peace in thinking him special that she ‘stopped’ and phoned him. That was ok with me because he had been a good and caring brother in her golden years. If that made him more comfortable, then it was fine with me. He was not an aggravating type person; he was an excellent sibling to her. It is better to be an Uncle Louie than a Mr. Trimble.
If we can help someone while we are here on this earth to improve their life in any way, then we should. Ballroom dancing and any sport is a way of enticing our heart to be active and our brain to be working. The orthopedic doctor told me to keep on moving my right arm because if it hurts and I let it sit idle, then it will never improve because of a lack of a workout. In the old days, when one had arthritis, they just sat and rested. Now, we are told to move on and exercise and get those muscles and body parts working because if we do not, they will atrophy. We will be the worse for it.
Our brains have to be stimulated and in a sense massaged by our using them to think, to read, to be active and certainly ballroom dancing makes us think with our brain first and our feet and arms second. When I first learned to dance, I was always looking down at my feet to see if they were moving well. I could not understand when the coach said “do not look at your feet.” I wondered how you dance and not see what you are doing. Of course, we all go through that thought and we all stop looking down.
Mr. Trimble annoyed my mom each and every day at work for years saying Hi a Leah and he knew he did and continued like a child to say it constantly. Actually, my mom did not call herself Leah; she shortened it to be modern to Lee. So he calling her Leah was really not referring to her, as she had dropped the “H” and I used to kid her that she was a modern woman way before women exerted themselves and changed things in their lives.
Sometimes I think it so marvelous of her to do that and I think about my own name which is constantly mispronounced. It seems that the more educated the person; my doctor especially constantly mispronounces my name. It is unusual, true and now that I am older I love being able to call up on the phone and say to a receptionist at a doctor or dentist office or salon or whatever, this is Elita. I am like Ann-Margaret, Madonna etc.
My name is pronounced E-Lee-Ta. The Ta is pronounced Ta and not Da like these educated souls say. My three grandsons could pronounce it right when they just learned to talk. I get annoyed like Mom did when it is pronounced incorrectly, especially when I have already corrected them many times. People who knowingly irritate other people should really step back and think how they would like to be agitated often when they have been corrected many times. It is a small thing but still an unnecessary irritant.
Mom was ahead of her time in dropping the “h.” I am ahead of my time by trying to correct someone and then saying to myself “forget it; it is not worth the effort.” Mr. Trimble should have been referred to as Mr.Dimble. That would have stopped him for sure. It is certainly more to one’s credit to be a soothing source to someone else rather than an aggravating person.
We should not annoy others and we can enhance their lives by actually saying hi to them, what’s new and let’s go ballroom dancing real soon. We can bring them to a social dance so they can see what fun they can have and how their brains will react to the music and the great atmosphere of a dance setting. We need not fear that this is the last time we will see them, so we are glad we talked because when they go out and ballroom dance, they will prolong their activities and approach their lives with great anticipation of doing something so worthwhile. The delightful time they have interacting with other people at the dance will certainly stimulate their lives and their daily living.
A friend of mine said that after reading my next article about angels on this earth, she always knew I was an angel. I do not know why she said that because we rarely see each other any longer, but we do email several times a week. So if in her mind, I am an angel, so be it and I will continue to steer people to go out and dance, even if they sit most of the dances out, just being there is beneficial.
I am glad I said hi that day to my husband’s former cousin, I am glad Mom could hear us talking and that we can say “her mind was there all the way to the last few moments.” She passed away about five minutes later after saying the Mr. Trimble line. She may not have been able to be active or walk, but the mind was still remarkably alert and that is what we are desire in our later and senior years. We can help our minds and our body parts to be vigorous and should try to ballroom dance when we have the opportunity,
Angels and good people do not annoy, do not mispronounce, do not ignore others, and do not sit around. We stay active, and we help where we can. This splendid thing called life deserves to be used in the right way and we shall do that and start now if we are not already practicing it as part of our lives. So to Mr. Trimble, wherever you may be, you are remembered for being quite naughty, we prefer to be remembered for being helpful endearing folks If in our lifetime, we point one person in the direction of ballroom dancing and that person enjoys it and prospers in doing this lovely action; then we will have been as the saying goes “an angel here on this earth.” The reason being is that if we assist someone even a stranger to us to achieve an ego boost from dancing, then we ourselves can rejoice and be proud of what we have attained. Angels do not dance, us living folks can dance, can enhance others’ existences. Thomas Carlyle said “existence is a little gleam of time between two eternities.” In this eternity, let us be productive and help someone new to dancing to gain that gleam that comes from poetry of the foot as John Dryden called it.
Poetry of the foot is surely a lyric to our soul.
Keep on Dancing
You can email me at elitajerrydancing@verizon.net
When I told this Mr. Trimble story to mom’s youngest brother he made an interesting comment that my brother, daughter and I thought quite unusual. He said that he was in a restaurant at the moment that mom died and he not knowing she had passed away received a phone call at the reservation desk of the establishment. They knew his name because he frequented it often and called him for this phone call. In those days, there were no cell phones and so Uncle Louie came to the phone and as he said hello, the person hung up. In his mind he said that must have been Mom to whom he was devoted to all his life, her being the older sibling and him the youngest of seven children. He said this was her way of saying goodbye to him. We all thought him a little egotistic thinking that Mom took time out to say goodbye to him when we had been sitting there for days in the hospital by her side. When I thought about it after the mourning period was over, I realized that he was not being pretentious; he was feeling wounded in not being there at the moment it happened and it made him experience peace in thinking him special that she ‘stopped’ and phoned him. That was ok with me because he had been a good and caring brother in her golden years. If that made him more comfortable, then it was fine with me. He was not an aggravating type person; he was an excellent sibling to her. It is better to be an Uncle Louie than a Mr. Trimble.
If we can help someone while we are here on this earth to improve their life in any way, then we should. Ballroom dancing and any sport is a way of enticing our heart to be active and our brain to be working. The orthopedic doctor told me to keep on moving my right arm because if it hurts and I let it sit idle, then it will never improve because of a lack of a workout. In the old days, when one had arthritis, they just sat and rested. Now, we are told to move on and exercise and get those muscles and body parts working because if we do not, they will atrophy. We will be the worse for it.
Our brains have to be stimulated and in a sense massaged by our using them to think, to read, to be active and certainly ballroom dancing makes us think with our brain first and our feet and arms second. When I first learned to dance, I was always looking down at my feet to see if they were moving well. I could not understand when the coach said “do not look at your feet.” I wondered how you dance and not see what you are doing. Of course, we all go through that thought and we all stop looking down.
Mr. Trimble annoyed my mom each and every day at work for years saying Hi a Leah and he knew he did and continued like a child to say it constantly. Actually, my mom did not call herself Leah; she shortened it to be modern to Lee. So he calling her Leah was really not referring to her, as she had dropped the “H” and I used to kid her that she was a modern woman way before women exerted themselves and changed things in their lives.
Sometimes I think it so marvelous of her to do that and I think about my own name which is constantly mispronounced. It seems that the more educated the person; my doctor especially constantly mispronounces my name. It is unusual, true and now that I am older I love being able to call up on the phone and say to a receptionist at a doctor or dentist office or salon or whatever, this is Elita. I am like Ann-Margaret, Madonna etc.
My name is pronounced E-Lee-Ta. The Ta is pronounced Ta and not Da like these educated souls say. My three grandsons could pronounce it right when they just learned to talk. I get annoyed like Mom did when it is pronounced incorrectly, especially when I have already corrected them many times. People who knowingly irritate other people should really step back and think how they would like to be agitated often when they have been corrected many times. It is a small thing but still an unnecessary irritant.
Mom was ahead of her time in dropping the “h.” I am ahead of my time by trying to correct someone and then saying to myself “forget it; it is not worth the effort.” Mr. Trimble should have been referred to as Mr.Dimble. That would have stopped him for sure. It is certainly more to one’s credit to be a soothing source to someone else rather than an aggravating person.
We should not annoy others and we can enhance their lives by actually saying hi to them, what’s new and let’s go ballroom dancing real soon. We can bring them to a social dance so they can see what fun they can have and how their brains will react to the music and the great atmosphere of a dance setting. We need not fear that this is the last time we will see them, so we are glad we talked because when they go out and ballroom dance, they will prolong their activities and approach their lives with great anticipation of doing something so worthwhile. The delightful time they have interacting with other people at the dance will certainly stimulate their lives and their daily living.
A friend of mine said that after reading my next article about angels on this earth, she always knew I was an angel. I do not know why she said that because we rarely see each other any longer, but we do email several times a week. So if in her mind, I am an angel, so be it and I will continue to steer people to go out and dance, even if they sit most of the dances out, just being there is beneficial.
I am glad I said hi that day to my husband’s former cousin, I am glad Mom could hear us talking and that we can say “her mind was there all the way to the last few moments.” She passed away about five minutes later after saying the Mr. Trimble line. She may not have been able to be active or walk, but the mind was still remarkably alert and that is what we are desire in our later and senior years. We can help our minds and our body parts to be vigorous and should try to ballroom dance when we have the opportunity,
Angels and good people do not annoy, do not mispronounce, do not ignore others, and do not sit around. We stay active, and we help where we can. This splendid thing called life deserves to be used in the right way and we shall do that and start now if we are not already practicing it as part of our lives. So to Mr. Trimble, wherever you may be, you are remembered for being quite naughty, we prefer to be remembered for being helpful endearing folks If in our lifetime, we point one person in the direction of ballroom dancing and that person enjoys it and prospers in doing this lovely action; then we will have been as the saying goes “an angel here on this earth.” The reason being is that if we assist someone even a stranger to us to achieve an ego boost from dancing, then we ourselves can rejoice and be proud of what we have attained. Angels do not dance, us living folks can dance, can enhance others’ existences. Thomas Carlyle said “existence is a little gleam of time between two eternities.” In this eternity, let us be productive and help someone new to dancing to gain that gleam that comes from poetry of the foot as John Dryden called it.
Poetry of the foot is surely a lyric to our soul.
Keep on Dancing
You can email me at elitajerrydancing@verizon.net
Fun Fred Astaire Web Site!
Check out this fun web site dedicated to Fred Astaire:
http://themave.com/Astaire/
http://themave.com/Astaire/
Dancing Camp for Kids in North Carolina
From capefearfamily.com:
Sandhills Ballroom Dance & Fred Astaire Studio
300 Kelly Rd.
Pinehurst, NC 28374
Tel: 910-295-1106
Cell: 910-585-2572
Website: sanfordballroomdance.com
Why Learn to Dance?
From Fox Trot to disco, dancing is good for the body and brain! There are many reasons people take dance lessons: it is a mild, fun form of exercise and helps reduce stress. It is a great social outlet or to meet a new people or can provide the opportunity for you to have fun doing something with that special someone!
Why Learn to Dance with Sanford Ballroom Dance & Fred Astaire Studio?
Our goal is to introduce and teach you the basic fundamentals of social dancing. During the six-week introduction to Ballroom Dance, you will find that dancing is a very enjoyable form of exercise. As you improve you may advance to our intermediate level of ballroom instruction. Both Private and group lessons are available, and our curriculum consists of several basic dances that will allow you to dance anywhere, with anyone, on any occasion! The most common dances are Fox Trot, Waltz, Tango, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Swing, Mambo, Meringue, Samba, Hustle, and by request Viennese Waltz, Bolero and the Paso Doble, just like on Dancing with the Stars!
So You Think You CAN’T Dance?
Most people believe that they have two left feet, but we believe that anyone can learn to be comfortable and have fun on the dance floor! It will take time to learn the various dances and a repertoire of steps. However, the learning is easy and fun. A steady approach with periodic practice will produce visible results in a short period of time!
Even Kids Can Dance!
Sandhills Ballroom Dance & Fred Astaire Studios is the largest ballroom dance studio in NC to welcome children ages 5 to 17. Many studios don’t accept dancers under age 18. However, we believe that children who would like to experience the joy of movement and even improve their manners should be allowed to learn! If your child would enjoy the chance to do what the celebrities do on Dancing with the Stars, our doors are open! We have produced youth couples that have won competitions…so start your child on the road to confidence and glamour today! Saturday classes set to start soon!
Boys Are Always Welcome!
Ladies’ man and movie star Patrick Swayze, hardcore NFL pro football Player Emmett Smith (of the Dallas Cowboys) and macho man Hulk Hogan (world champion wrestler and star of the TV reality show “Hogan Knows Best”) have one thing in common: they are all accomplished ballroom dancers. When a well-trained male dancer walks onto a dance floor, all women gravitate towards him. Want to become a ladies man? The fastest way is to train to become a handsome, elegant male ballroom dancer! Begin your journey today!
An Evening of Romance
Looking for a romantic and elegant evening away from the kids? How about taking your special someone dancing? Imagine the fun and excitement of learning the world’s most romantic dances, THEN imagine taking your partner out on the town. Couples can take group lessons or individual lessons.
Our well-trained, certified and capable instructors, who have worked with the instructors on Dancing with the Stars, are ready to help you begin a great new adventure, so call us today at 910-295-1106! We are open Mondays thru Saturdays to accomodate almost every busy schedule!
You are never too busy to DANCE!
Sandhills Ballroom Dance & Fred Astaire Studio
300 Kelly Rd.
Pinehurst, NC 28374
Tel: 910-295-1106
Cell: 910-585-2572
Website: sanfordballroomdance.com
Why Learn to Dance?
From Fox Trot to disco, dancing is good for the body and brain! There are many reasons people take dance lessons: it is a mild, fun form of exercise and helps reduce stress. It is a great social outlet or to meet a new people or can provide the opportunity for you to have fun doing something with that special someone!
Why Learn to Dance with Sanford Ballroom Dance & Fred Astaire Studio?
Our goal is to introduce and teach you the basic fundamentals of social dancing. During the six-week introduction to Ballroom Dance, you will find that dancing is a very enjoyable form of exercise. As you improve you may advance to our intermediate level of ballroom instruction. Both Private and group lessons are available, and our curriculum consists of several basic dances that will allow you to dance anywhere, with anyone, on any occasion! The most common dances are Fox Trot, Waltz, Tango, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Swing, Mambo, Meringue, Samba, Hustle, and by request Viennese Waltz, Bolero and the Paso Doble, just like on Dancing with the Stars!
So You Think You CAN’T Dance?
Most people believe that they have two left feet, but we believe that anyone can learn to be comfortable and have fun on the dance floor! It will take time to learn the various dances and a repertoire of steps. However, the learning is easy and fun. A steady approach with periodic practice will produce visible results in a short period of time!
Even Kids Can Dance!
Sandhills Ballroom Dance & Fred Astaire Studios is the largest ballroom dance studio in NC to welcome children ages 5 to 17. Many studios don’t accept dancers under age 18. However, we believe that children who would like to experience the joy of movement and even improve their manners should be allowed to learn! If your child would enjoy the chance to do what the celebrities do on Dancing with the Stars, our doors are open! We have produced youth couples that have won competitions…so start your child on the road to confidence and glamour today! Saturday classes set to start soon!
Boys Are Always Welcome!
Ladies’ man and movie star Patrick Swayze, hardcore NFL pro football Player Emmett Smith (of the Dallas Cowboys) and macho man Hulk Hogan (world champion wrestler and star of the TV reality show “Hogan Knows Best”) have one thing in common: they are all accomplished ballroom dancers. When a well-trained male dancer walks onto a dance floor, all women gravitate towards him. Want to become a ladies man? The fastest way is to train to become a handsome, elegant male ballroom dancer! Begin your journey today!
An Evening of Romance
Looking for a romantic and elegant evening away from the kids? How about taking your special someone dancing? Imagine the fun and excitement of learning the world’s most romantic dances, THEN imagine taking your partner out on the town. Couples can take group lessons or individual lessons.
Our well-trained, certified and capable instructors, who have worked with the instructors on Dancing with the Stars, are ready to help you begin a great new adventure, so call us today at 910-295-1106! We are open Mondays thru Saturdays to accomodate almost every busy schedule!
You are never too busy to DANCE!
DWTS Fabian Sanchez Dancing during Alabama's Hoover Day
From shelbycountyreporter.com:
By Amy Jones (Contact) Shelby County Reporter
Published Thursday, April 23, 2009
HOOVER — Families looking for low-cost fun should head to Veterans Park in Hoover on May 3 for the third-annual Hoover Day. The festivities will last from 1-5:30 p.m.
Events Coordinator Erin Colbaugh said the day would have plenty to choose from for entertainment.
The free event will include a car show; an exhibition tent with more than 100 Hoover businesses and organizations, ranging from cosmetic companies to hospitals and insurance companies; a kids’ zone with inflatables; and animals from the Birmingham Zoo, among other attractions.
Cintas Document Management will be at the event to shred any confidential or personal records attendees may want to bring.
There will be a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. to honor the veterans that have been memorialized in the brick plaza at the park. The Fred Astaire Dance Studio, with Fabian Sanchez of TV’s “Dancing with the Stars,” will have an exhibition at 2 p.m. A magician will perform at 2:30 p.m., and then the Alabama Blues Brothers will perform at 3 p.m.
Colbaugh said parking will be free at Spain Park High School, and shuttles will be provided to take attendees to the festival.
Colbaugh said event organizers were hoping to see at least 8,000 people come.
“Last year’s attendance was 7,600, so we’re hoping to see 8,000 to 10,000, or maybe even more than that,” she said.
Hoover Day is a way for Hoover families to enjoy a low-stress day with the community, Colbaugh said.
“It’s just a fun day at the park, and especially with the economy the way it is, people still want to participate in different activities throughout the year, and this is a great way to come out and do a lot of fun things at no cost,” she said.
By Amy Jones (Contact) Shelby County Reporter
Published Thursday, April 23, 2009
HOOVER — Families looking for low-cost fun should head to Veterans Park in Hoover on May 3 for the third-annual Hoover Day. The festivities will last from 1-5:30 p.m.
Events Coordinator Erin Colbaugh said the day would have plenty to choose from for entertainment.
The free event will include a car show; an exhibition tent with more than 100 Hoover businesses and organizations, ranging from cosmetic companies to hospitals and insurance companies; a kids’ zone with inflatables; and animals from the Birmingham Zoo, among other attractions.
Cintas Document Management will be at the event to shred any confidential or personal records attendees may want to bring.
There will be a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. to honor the veterans that have been memorialized in the brick plaza at the park. The Fred Astaire Dance Studio, with Fabian Sanchez of TV’s “Dancing with the Stars,” will have an exhibition at 2 p.m. A magician will perform at 2:30 p.m., and then the Alabama Blues Brothers will perform at 3 p.m.
Colbaugh said parking will be free at Spain Park High School, and shuttles will be provided to take attendees to the festival.
Colbaugh said event organizers were hoping to see at least 8,000 people come.
“Last year’s attendance was 7,600, so we’re hoping to see 8,000 to 10,000, or maybe even more than that,” she said.
Hoover Day is a way for Hoover families to enjoy a low-stress day with the community, Colbaugh said.
“It’s just a fun day at the park, and especially with the economy the way it is, people still want to participate in different activities throughout the year, and this is a great way to come out and do a lot of fun things at no cost,” she said.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Ballas Hough Band's New Video
In this new video for the hit single "Do You Love Me," you'll see a lot of familiar faces:
Spring Bridal Fair - April 26th in Marshfield, MA
From wickedlocal.com:
Marshfield - A historic wedding begins with a visit to the Daniel Webster Estate Bridal Faire, 238 Webster St., Marshfield, Sunday, April 26, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Future brides will have the opportunity to meet the South Shore caterers, floral designers, photographers, confectioners, skin care experts and more.
Bridal fashions will be shown by Country Weddings Bridal Boutique with bridal flowers by Kennedy’s Country Gardens. Many other florists will create charming bouquets and floral arrangements, and dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Hanover will be on hand to show the latest and hottest dances.
Konditor Meister Bakery and Veronica’s Sweetcakes will display confections and offer cake tastings, and prizes will be given away including the Webster Estate Mansion as the setting for your wedding shower and a resort trip by Brides Boston Magazine.
Sip a glass of champagne and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and desserts, while professionals show how to plan what every bride dreams of…a beautiful and carefree wedding day.
Tickets are $5 per person. For further details, photos, a listing of vendors and contact information, visit www.DanielWebsterEstate.org or call 781-837-7579 or 781-837-2403.
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