HUSTLE DANCE CLUB NEWS
Ava Apple's Dance Etiquette:
10 STEPS TO SOCIAL SAVVY ON THE DANCE FLOOR
Take a glimpse into a local dance club on any night and you'll see
many confident people moving in perfect time with their partners. A
beginner might feel intimidated asking someone to dance-what if I look
clumsy? What if my partner gets bored dancing with me? But newcomers
should realize that seasoned regulars also experience doubt
occasionally. Jan S. looks self-assured on the floor, but she admits to
feeling nervous when paired with a more advanced dancer. She said I'm
embarrassed if my partner is much better than I am and wants to do all
these hard moves. I feel I should get out of his way.
Other people become unnerved by partners who forget their
deodorant, or by aggressive types who seem to sprout extra hands that
are a little too exploratory. After talking to a variety of dancers, one
realizes that certain awkward situations are universal for beginners,
advanced dancers, and people in-between. What do you do with a partner
who is completely off the beat? Or with one who seems unaware that
you're bumping off other couples like a pinball?
Professional dancer and instructor Ava Apple is sympathetic to
these complaints. She has taught dance in the Bay Area for 10 years, Has
competed in Hustle competitions and currently competes in Latin dance
competitions, and keeps up with the local dance scene at the clubs. She
believes that tension caused by awkward situations could be eased with
the help of some guidelines. She said , "Sometimes a person is unaware
that he or she is making the other person uncomfortable. The other
person doesn't know what to do and just suffers silently until the song
is over.
After constantly being asked the same questions by students and
friends, Ava has compiled a list of tips to help people enjoy their
evenings with a minimum of stress. She cautioned that these guidelines
are not set in stone: "The important idea is to always use your best
judgment and have fun."
(1). Always carry breath mints. When Ava takes her students out dancing,
she earns everyone's appreciation by talking along extra mints. "People
forget how close they actually get to their partners ".
(2). Don't feel self-conscious about people watching you. Remember: It's
fairly dark at clubs, and people may not even be looking at you. They
may just be scanning the rest of the club for a dance partner.
(3). Don't try lifts or fancy dips, save these for performances,
contests, etc. Copying the professionals will only get you in trouble.
Ava recalls the time a dance partner attempted a fancy move at a night
club: "He suddenly swooped me off the ground, spun me around, and I
kicked another girl on the side of her head. " To avoid future
concussions, keep your partner's feet on the floor.
(4). Take extra care to watch for "traffic." Ava noted, "Some men don't
watch where they're leading. I've stepped on a lot of feet and bumped
into people because my partner wasn't paying attention. Try to tone down
your dance style when the floor gets crowded. And ladies, if you feel
your shelf about to step on someone's feet, try to lighten your step to
soften the blow."
(5). My partner is all hands. How can I stop him from groping me? Stop
dancing and walk off the dance floor.
(6). Don't try to teach your partner on the dance floor unless he or she
asks for directions. If your partner doesn't follow a particular
pattern, try it again. But don't stop and give her directions without
her consent!! Followers, only correct a partner if they ask. Leading
well, is hard to do, be patient.
(7). Don't act irritated if your partner is at a lower skill level. The
point is to enjoy dancing, not make your partner feel inadequate.
(8). Say "no" gracefully. If you don't want to dance when someone asks,
say "No, thank you" politely. If you like, add "maybe later." But don't
refuse so you can play hard-to-get. Men, don't be pushy. If they seem
friendly, ask again later.
(9). The best dancers don't drink alcohol. Some dance steps are
difficult enough to perform when you're sober. Don't complicate matters
by filling up on daiquiris before stepping onto the floor.
(10). Thank your partner after dancing. Unless the experience was very
unpleasant, i.e., he or she was drunk or aggressive, show some courtesy.
(Submitted by: Ava Apple)
Thank You Ava for your contribution. I must admit, I still see a
number of people who do not quite get it. Social dancing should be fun
and therapeutic, a time to enjoy your friends and new acquaintances.
HUSTLE DANCING:
TUESDAY NIGHTS at Grand Palace Restaurant
711 Town & Country Village
Sunnyvale, CA 408-733-7466
D.J.: John Schlicht (Hustle, WCS, Two Step, Salsa)
lessons: 8-9pm w/ Bobby Concepcion & Raul Ante
Dancing: 9-midnight
$3.00 cover charge
THURSDAY NIGHT at Caribbean Gardens Restaurant (Hyatt Cinema)
1306 Old Bayshore Hwy.
Burlingame, CA 415-347-9007
Music: Hustle, Cha-Cha, Salsa, Merengue
Lessons: 8:00-9:15pm w/ Ylva Wintzell
Dancing: 9:15-1am
$4.00 cover, $3.00 for Hustle Dance Club Members
( show membership card for discount )
FRIDAY NIGHTS (2ND AND 4TH FRIDAYS OF THE MONTH) at:
Metronome Ballroom
1830 17th st. at De Haro
S.F., CA 415-252-9000
Lessons: David Weise, Sherri Paregian 7:30-9pm
Dancing 9-12 midnight Hustle, Swing, Salsa
$10.00 lesson & party, $8.00 party only
SUNDAY EVENINGS (EVERY 2ND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH) at:
University YWCA
2600 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA info 415-681-8140
Dancing: 5pm-8pm Salsa, Merengue and Hustle
Host: Ava Apple
SUNDAY EVENINGS at:
Avenue Ballroom
Taravell & 16th Ave
S.F., CA info 415-681-2882
Night Club Two Step, Swing, Salsa, Hustle
Instructor: Phil Seyer
HUSTLE WORKSHOPS:
Sunday, Sept. 10th with Michele Kinkaid
Imperial Dance Studio
822 Cassia St.
Redwood City, Ca info 415-585-6282
Workshop 4-5:30pm ( Hustle )
Dance: 6-11pm West Coast Swing
Saturday, Nov. 11th with Debra Hampton, Dave Sarul
HUSTLE DANCE CLUB
Pavilion
4000 Middlefield Rd
Mt. View, CA info 415-467-8830
intermediate 1-2:30pm, int/adv 3-4:30pm
Sunday, Dec. 3rd with Michael Keihm
Santa Cruz Swing Club
info 408-475-6515 Beth Bellamy
PROFESSIONAL HUSTLE DANCE INSTRUCTORS:
Ava Apple 415-681-8140 S.F. & East Bay
Marge Gabbert 415-334-9914 S.F. Area
Robin Rebello 415-856-9930 Mid Peninsula & S.J.
Les Robinson 408-371-5083 San Jose Area
Ylva Wintzell 415-583-6507 S.F.& Peninsula
Debra Hampton 213-653-7088 L.A. Area (Hustle USA)
Dave Sarul 213-653-7088 L.A. Area (Hustle USA)
Ceasar Ricaurte 714-837-0440 L.A. Area
Maria Torres 718-802-1999 New York
Kenny Gonzalez 718-518-0210 New York Aerials Only
DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP:
Oct. 14th & 15th, 1995
Hustle USA Dance Championships at:
Inn on 57th St., 440 W. 57th ST., New York, N.Y.
info 1-800-924-8785 or 415-467-8830
DANCE SUPPLIES:
Ballroom Dance Supply
372 Bird Ave ( exit Bird Ave. off 280 )
San Jose, Ca 95126
408-293-1727 Bill Rowe
A Keen Dance Shoe Supplier
Metronome Ballroom
1830-17th St. @ De Haro
S. F., Ca 94103
510-547-8483 Ann Keen
510-355-4443 (pager)
70's DISCO D.J. HUSTLE MUSIC:
Steve D. Ward (rated #4 by L.A. Times)
408-366-1733
Club Members: (117)
Bonnie Adams, Virgina Adams, Steve Ahl, Amy Aldrich, Gary Anderson,
Karen Anderson, Earl Ante, Raul Ante, Ava Apple, Rita Arbour,
Toni Barajas, Lee Beer, Beth Bellamy, Michael Beniston, Janada
Berghouse, Sixto Bernal, Jerry Biefeldt, James Bower, Wayne Burdett,
Kris Carlsen,
Cynthia Chaddick, Leticia Chand, Larry Chao, Wing Cheng, Myoung Choi,
Michael Cohen, Sheri Cook, Bobby Concepcion, Linda Curry, Aldena Duval,
Cathy Econom, Ted Eisenstadt, Stefanie Elkin, Michael Everest, Ann
Felldin, Esther Feuerstein, John Frazer, Sarah French, Marge Gabbert,
Steve Gavazza, Peter Giricz, Jonathan & Elenita Goco, Carl Hage,
Gayle Hand, Richard Hanson, Gregory Harrison, Patricia Hastings,
Diane Hayes, Gary Helfort, Edward Herman, Judy Hogan, Samuel Howard,
Tulsa Jarvis, Pamela Jawish, Carolyn Jones, Ed Johnson, Nancy Kattner,
Ann Keen, Deepak Khiani, Michelle Kinkaid, Hayes Kolb, Patricia Kopache,
Jay Larrick, Rick Lasslo, Theresa Ledet, Donna Lee, Vincent Lefferts,
Susan Lin, Valerie Lisiewicz, Janet Littlefield, George & Vera
Loskutoff, Michael Marangio, Tess Martillano, Lilianna Martinez, Dennis
Mc Affee, Marc Mc Govern, Robert Mirolo, Bill Mitchell, Erich Mitsch,
Barbara Morris, Steve Nguyen, Laurie Nielsen, Mickey Pawlick, Eric
Pearson, Alex Pepple, Adele Poenisch, Lawrence Profant, Kathleen
Quinlan, Alain Quinto, Eric Raeber, Alex Rawls, Robin Rebello, Peggy &
James Religa, Ginny & Les Robinson, Bill Rowe, Mario Rulloda, Lilly
Santos, Philip Seyer, Philip Sienna, Deborah Simon, Gail Stevens, Cruz
Summera, Gary Tom, Lin Ure, Hue Vu, Carlos Waleski, Douglas Wardian,
Ylva Wintzell, Carol Wlock, Talma Wong-Stein, Jianpo Xie, Jeffery Yee,
Virgina Ynegas.
Special Notes: Some of our club members have decided to move to
different parts of the country, Bonnie Adams wanted a better tan so she
moved to Hawaii, Richard Hanson now resides in the mile high state of
Colorado, Nancy Kattner loves the sound of Ducks and move to Oregon,
Theresa Ledet has moved to the land of gumbo and Dixie land jazz,
Louisiana, we wish them well in their new surroundings. We have another
member who has moved to another part of the state, Amy Aldrich, I hope
you are doing well also. I would also like to welcome one of our newest
members also from Hawaii Judy Hogan. As most of you know our memberships
cover a wide area from Sacramento to Santa Cruz-Salinas area. We are
also receiving inquires from the Los Angles Area and other States,
Washington and Oregon. Hustle Dancing is getting bigger and better
thanks to all of your efforts. Keep Dancing!! (If you have moved or are
planning to move please let us know so we may update our records)
HUSTLE DANCE CLUB:
President............. Raul Ante
Vice President........ Ginny Robinson
Treasurer/ Secretary.. Aldena Duval
News Letter........... Raul Ante, Ava Apple, Carolyn Jones,
Ginny Robinson, Les Robinson
Internet.............. Michael Cohen, Ginny Robinson
Guest Services........ Bobby Concepcion
Event Coordinator..... Jay Larrick, Robin Rebello, Cathy Econom
Event Volunteers...... Stefanie Elkin, Dennis Mc Affee
Sound Equipment....... Robin Rebello ( Friday Night Dancers )
Exhibition Dancing.... Ylva Wintzell, Bobby Concepcion, Raul Ante
Ginny & Les Robinson, Cruz Summera, Ava Apple
Mailing & Phone....... Hustle Dance Club, P.O. Box 945, Brisbane, 94005
415-467-8830