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.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
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.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, January 18, 2008
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.
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.
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/.
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/.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
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.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
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
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
Monday, December 31, 2007
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.
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 $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.
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.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
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.
"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.
Monday, December 24, 2007
‘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.
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.
Friday, December 21, 2007
‘I Believe In Dancing’
Looking for a little inspiration this holiday season? Read how world-renowned author Robert Fulgham feels about dance – and how it’s part of his everyday life.Dancing All the Dances as Long as I Can
By Robert Fulghum
I believe in dancing.
I believe it is in my nature to dance by virtue of the beat of my heart, the pulse of my blood and the music in my mind. So I dance daily.
The seldom-used dining room of my house is now an often-used ballroom — an open space with a hardwood floor, stereo and a disco ball. The CD-changer has six discs at the ready: waltz, swing, country, rock 'n' roll, salsa and tango.
Each morning when I walk through the house on the way to make coffee, I turn on the music, hit the "shuffle" button and it's Dance Time! I dance alone to whatever is playing. It's a form of existential aerobics, a moving meditation.
Tango is a recent enthusiasm. It's a complex and difficult dance, so I'm up to three lessons a week, three nights out dancing, and I'm off to Buenos Aires for three months of immersion in tango culture.
The first time I went tango dancing I was too intimidated to get out on the floor. I remembered another time I had stayed on the sidelines, when the dancing began after a village wedding on the Greek island of Crete. The fancy footwork confused me. "Don't make a fool of yourself," I thought. "Just watch."
Reading my mind, an older woman dropped out of the dance, sat down beside me, and said, "If you join the dancing, you will feel foolish. If you do not, you will also feel foolish. So, why not dance?"
And, she said she had a secret for me. She whispered, "If you do not dance, we will know you are a fool. But if you dance, we will think well of you for trying."
Recalling her wise words, I took up the challenge of tango.
A friend asked me if my tango-mania wasn't a little ambitious. "Tango? At your age? You must be out of your mind!"
On the contrary: It's a deeply pondered decision. My passion for tango disguises a fearfulness. I fear the shrinking of life that goes with aging. I fear the boredom that comes with not learning and not taking chances. I fear the dying that goes on inside you when you leave the game of life to wait in the final checkout line.
I seek the sharp, scary pleasure that comes from beginning something new — that calls on all my resources and challenges my mind, my body and my spirit, all at once.
My goal now is to dance all the dances as long as I can, and then to sit down contented after the last elegant tango some sweet night and pass on because there wasn't another dance left in me.
So, when people say, "Tango? At your age? Have lost your mind?" I answer,
"No, and I don't intend to."
Independently produced for NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman with John Gregory and Viki Merrick.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
‘Dancing With the Stars’ returns March 17
ABC has announced “Dancing with the Stars'” sixth season will premiere on Monday, March 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
“Dancing with the Stars” will debut with a 90-minute performance episode broadcast on March 17 in its regular Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT time slot. ABC will then air “Dancing with the Stars'” first sixth-season results show on March 25 in its regular time on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
“Dancing with the Stars” spring 2008 sixth season will use the same Monday/Tuesday broadcast schedule that ABC first implemented in order to keep last spring's fourth installment of the show out of direct competition with Fox's Tuesday/Wednesday American Idol broadcast schedule. Idol's first seventh-season results show broadcast will air Wednesday, March 12 at 9PM ET/PT on Fox.
“Dancing with the Stars” will debut with a 90-minute performance episode broadcast on March 17 in its regular Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT time slot. ABC will then air “Dancing with the Stars'” first sixth-season results show on March 25 in its regular time on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
“Dancing with the Stars” spring 2008 sixth season will use the same Monday/Tuesday broadcast schedule that ABC first implemented in order to keep last spring's fourth installment of the show out of direct competition with Fox's Tuesday/Wednesday American Idol broadcast schedule. Idol's first seventh-season results show broadcast will air Wednesday, March 12 at 9PM ET/PT on Fox.
Friday, December 14, 2007
“So You Think You Can Dance” audition dates
Do you think you can dance?
Auditions for the popular Fox show “So You Think You Can Dance” have been scheduled in cities across the country. Auditions for season four will be held:
Jan. 17, 2008 - Dallas, Texas
McFarlin Memorial Auditorium at Southern Methodist University
6405 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75275
Jan. 31, 2008 - Charleston, S.C.
Charleston Music Hall
37 John Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Feb. 21, 2008 - Washington, D.C.
Location TBD
March 6, 2008 - Los Angeles, Calif.
The Orpheum Theatre
842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014
March 20, 2008 - Milwaukee, Wisc.
Milwaukee Theatre
400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203
April 3, 2008 - Salt Lake City, Utah
Location TBD
More information on the show, and the audition process, can be obtained on www.fox.com/dance.
Auditions for the popular Fox show “So You Think You Can Dance” have been scheduled in cities across the country. Auditions for season four will be held:
Jan. 17, 2008 - Dallas, Texas
McFarlin Memorial Auditorium at Southern Methodist University
6405 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75275
Jan. 31, 2008 - Charleston, S.C.
Charleston Music Hall
37 John Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Feb. 21, 2008 - Washington, D.C.
Location TBD
March 6, 2008 - Los Angeles, Calif.
The Orpheum Theatre
842 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014
March 20, 2008 - Milwaukee, Wisc.
Milwaukee Theatre
400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203
April 3, 2008 - Salt Lake City, Utah
Location TBD
More information on the show, and the audition process, can be obtained on www.fox.com/dance.
Tango Teaches Valuable Lessons
On the edge of a makeshift dance floor in the cafeteria of the Miami (Fla.) Lighthouse for Blind, 18-year-old Heriberto Puig and 16-year-old Patricia Alvarez join hands and practice their steps together as music from another time and culture fill the room.
In an age of hip-hop, rock and salsa, they and about two dozen other blind or visually-impaired teens were learning the intricate art of Argentine Tango, and in the process found they had gained a whole lot more in terms of physical stamina, social skills and confidence in themselves.
"This class has helped me mature a lot," said Alvarez. "I'm not a big ice-breaker. To start to ask somebody to dance is not my thing, but I can do it now that I've gotten more involved in this class."
The idea for a dance class for blind and visually-impaired teens came from two South Florida women who love tango passionately. Dianne Basha Castro, an interior designer, and Carol Durbin, who specializes in making facilities accessible to the disabled, wanted to share their love of this historic dance with others.
"One day I woke up and it just was like lightning, I knew," said Castro. "I said, I know what I have to do, I have to start a non-profit, and that's a way of giving back to the community.”
Castro called her friend, Durbin, and together they excitedly hatched a plan to secure funding to form The Shimmy Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching tango to the blind and visually-impaired.
The after-school tango classes began in June, and at first many of the teenagers who signed up were a bit shy and hesitant, especially about dancing with a partner. Gradually, the students warmed to the idea, and began to engage themselves in the dance lessons, finding that, indeed, tango was tailor made for them.
"It levels the playing field for them. No one's blind in the class. They're just a bunch of teenagers all working together to dance tango," said Durbin.
Castro and Durbin are convinced their Shimmy Club program for teaching tango to blind and visually impaired teens could easily work in other cities - provided they can get the requisite funding.
They have discussed their ideas with officials in New York City, Philadelphia and elsewhere in Florida.
"I couldn't be more confident that we will hopefully be able to reach other people's lives in the same manner," said Castro.
For the full text of this article, written by Mark Potter of NBC News, click on http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22147757/.
In an age of hip-hop, rock and salsa, they and about two dozen other blind or visually-impaired teens were learning the intricate art of Argentine Tango, and in the process found they had gained a whole lot more in terms of physical stamina, social skills and confidence in themselves.
"This class has helped me mature a lot," said Alvarez. "I'm not a big ice-breaker. To start to ask somebody to dance is not my thing, but I can do it now that I've gotten more involved in this class."
The idea for a dance class for blind and visually-impaired teens came from two South Florida women who love tango passionately. Dianne Basha Castro, an interior designer, and Carol Durbin, who specializes in making facilities accessible to the disabled, wanted to share their love of this historic dance with others.
"One day I woke up and it just was like lightning, I knew," said Castro. "I said, I know what I have to do, I have to start a non-profit, and that's a way of giving back to the community.”
Castro called her friend, Durbin, and together they excitedly hatched a plan to secure funding to form The Shimmy Club, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching tango to the blind and visually-impaired.
The after-school tango classes began in June, and at first many of the teenagers who signed up were a bit shy and hesitant, especially about dancing with a partner. Gradually, the students warmed to the idea, and began to engage themselves in the dance lessons, finding that, indeed, tango was tailor made for them.
"It levels the playing field for them. No one's blind in the class. They're just a bunch of teenagers all working together to dance tango," said Durbin.
Castro and Durbin are convinced their Shimmy Club program for teaching tango to blind and visually impaired teens could easily work in other cities - provided they can get the requisite funding.
They have discussed their ideas with officials in New York City, Philadelphia and elsewhere in Florida.
"I couldn't be more confident that we will hopefully be able to reach other people's lives in the same manner," said Castro.
For the full text of this article, written by Mark Potter of NBC News, click on http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22147757/.
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