HUSTLE DANCE CLUB NEWS LETTER Oct. 1996 Step by Step .... By Ava Apple "Heaven, I'm in heaven... " is what you'll be singing if you get a chance to dance with Angel Figueroa, Co-owner of Stepping Out Dance Studio in New York. A fabulous dancer and teacher, Angel and his partner Maria Torres, were in the Bay Area recently to teach a series of workshops and to compete at the Sapphire Ball where they came in first place in the Rising Star Rhythm category. Besides teaching dance he has worked for the IRS, The Social Security Administration & even waited tables. I had the pleasure of talking with Angel and found that we have similar ideas about teaching. Here are some excerpts from our interview. Ava Apple: What is your nationality? Angel Figueroa: I'm Puerto Rican, born and raised in N.Y.C., in Spanish Harlem. My parents are originally from Puerto Rico. AA: How long have you been teaching at "Stepping Out"? AF: Nine years. AA: Did you teach dance before that? AF: "No. My background in dance has been ballet, jazz, and modern since I was 14. I've always done partner dancing. My sister taught me all my latin dancing. She used to sneak me into nightclubs - she and her girl friends knew the guys at the door and they would let us in. She used to just throw me at her girlfriends and say, "Here, teach him something." There were no numbers or rhythms or whatever, you just knew it. There were no names of steps or anything like that. I went to State University in Binghampton, N.Y., where I took up sociology and theatre with a dance emphasis. Then I got a scholarship to the Alvin Ailey Dance School and I went there for about a year. After a while I pretty much gave up on dance as a career - I used to go to auditions and either I wasn't tall enough, black enough, white enough, or short enough, and "West Side Story" only comes around every 12 years or so. AA: How did you meet your wife Diane (co-owner of Stepping Out"?) AF: I was waiting tables at the time. She had opened up her studio in 1985 and periodically she had been telling me, "You should really do this (teach partner dancing). It's a lot of fun." At first I said no but then I started having problems at work so I took her up on the offer. AA: And now you're co-owner of the studio. AF: I've been one of the owners for a year and a half now. AA: You had previously told me you dance (salsa) quick, quick, slow, but you break on the count of two. AF: If you break on the one or the two it's still quick, quick, slow. Usually if you break on the three you're doing slow, quick, quick. Yes, I can dance on the one, yes, I can dance on the two or the three. Sometimes a particular song, for example, feels better dancing on the one instead of the two or the three and vice versa. AA: That's what I tell my students - listen to the music and decide what count you want to break on. What do you say when people ask "What's the difference between Salsa and Mambo?" AF: Salsa is what you eat with chips and Mambo is what you dance. Salsa is a terminology that was given to latin music in the early 70's. Mambo is the dance, Salsa is the music. I think a lot of people are trying to make it (Salsa) a dance term, and it's not. One of the things that I preach when I teach - is that "Salsa" doesn't mean anything - it's not a dance, that's it. AA: Some teachers teach all flash and no technique, so many students have come to expect a new "Pattern" every week, even when they should still be working on their basics. AF: The thing that kills me are pattern freaks - not so much how many (patterns) they do - but let's say if you're dancing on the one, then I expect you to dance on the one for the whole song. They get so caught up in the "pattern, pattern, pattern" thing that when the pattern doesn't work ... they drift to the next beat. Now a lot of people consider that to be okay and as far as I'm concerned that's not okay. That means you do not know the pattern well enough to stay on the beat. I don't see why there's a need to do all the patterns you know within one song. Eventually people are going to understand that without your basics you just can't do it, it doesn't work. I don't care who you are. Angel will be back in the bay Area in early December for a workshop and privates stay tune for more information. BITS and PIECES Two dates to remember, Saturday, Oct. 19th and Friday, Nov. 15th, Jack-N-Jill Hustle contests. (See future events) We had a special guest appearance by Barry Douglas, who, along with his dance partner, Joyce Stoughton, was the 1995 Classic Hustle Division Champion, plus five time Michigan State Swing Champion, and they have performed in seven countries. Their floor dance exhibitions include Latin, Adazio Jazz and Street Hustle. Their combined 35 years of dance training has led to regional and United States Championships in Latin, Swing and Hustle. Barry was in the Bay Area September 24th through the 30th teaching workshops and private lessons, thanks to Ylva Wintzell. We look forward to Barry and Joyce competing in the 1996 Hustle USA Championships in New York City. Well, my sources from back east, namely Nan Bohrar, Maria Torres and David Sarul, tell me that the August 8, Lincoln Center Hustle Event was a smashing success, with over 6000 people attending. The New York Hustle crowd came out in force and treated the crowd to some great Hustle Dancing. The Winners of the Hustle Dance contests were all from the East coast and I've some how miss placed the names but no matter, we're off to New York to attend The Hustle U.S.A. Dance Championships and will probably see many of the dancers compete plus many more. I promise to get all the names of the winners in the next issue. Until our return, keep dancing and prancing! And I'll' see you on the dance floor. Regards, Raul Ante President HUSTLE DANCING: TUESDAYS Grand Palace Restaurant, 711 Town & Country Village, Sunnyvale, CA 408-733-7466, D.J. John Schlicht (Sir Dancealot), LESSONS 8-9PM W/Raul Ante & Bobby Concepcion, (Beg/Int/Adv Dancers), DANCING 9-12 $5.00 Cover Charge, MUSIC MIX: (HUSTLE, Swing, Salsa, 2 Step) 2ND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH Oct. 11th, Nov. 8th, Dec. 13th Metronome Ballroom, 1830 17th St @ DeHaro, S.F., CA 415-252-9000, LESSONS 7:30-9PM (HUSTLE), $10.00 Lesson & Party, DANCING 9-12, $8.00 Party only, HDC MEMBERS $1.00 off Admission MUST SHOW CARD!!! MUSIC MIX: (HUSTLE, Swing, Salsa) FRIDAYS: Pavilion (Cubberley Community Ctr), 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 415-856-9930, LESSONS 8:00-9PM (call for schedule of dances), DANCING: 9-12AM $5.00 Cover Charge, HOST: Robin Rebello, MUSIC MIX: (BALLROOM, Swing, Hustle, Latin) November 15th, 1996, Hustle Jack-N-Jill contest!! Hustle Exhibition with Raul Ante, Bobby Concepcion & ???? Come join us Friday Night, Nov. 16th for a Hot Jack-N-Jill Hustle Contest! MUSIC MIX: (Hustle, Ballroom, Latin, Swing) SATURDAYS: Starlite Ballroom (Rhythm Street Ballroom), 1160 N. Fair Oaks, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 PH# 408-745-7827, LESSON 8-9:15PM Beg/Inter HUSTLE with Bill Carr, DANCING 9:15-12AM General Admission $7.00, HUSTLE CLUB MEMBERS $6.00 (SHOW CARD), (Discount only applies to Saturday night dance), MUSIC MIX: (HUSTLE, Latin & Requests) The Funhouse, off highway 101 on the corner of 5th & Davis St., Santa Rosa, CA., Info hotline: 707-545-5483 or 1-800-964-5392, Dancing 8-11pm, $7.00 admission, Entertainment: World Class All Star Band "QUEST", MUSIC MIX: (WCS, Hustle, NC2 Step, Freestyle), 2ND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Imperial Dance Studio, 822 Cassia St., Redwood City, 415-585-6282, DANCING 6-10PM $7.00 Cover Charge, HOST: Michelle Kinkaid, MUSIC MIX: (WEST COAST SWING, 2 Step, Hustle) DANCING IN LOS ANGELES: WEDNESDAYS, at Twelve oo Four Restaurant, 2300 Beverley Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. Lessons with Jessie Infante, 7:30-9:00pm (Hustle), Dancing 9-1am, MUSIC MIX: (HUSTLE, Cha Cha, Mambo, Tango) THURSDAYS (Los Angeles) Press Box (inside Westminster Lanes), 6471 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CA., For info concerning lessons call Patricia Reeves @ 714-842-9646, LESSONS: 7-8pm Beg N.Y. Style Hustle, 8-9pm Int N.Y. Style Hustle with Patricia and Ceaser, $7.00 per class includes dance party, DANCING 9-1am, $5.00 for dance only, D.J. Ceaser (A.K.A Mr. Hustle), MUSIC MIX : (HUSTLE, N.C. 2 Step, WC Swing) DANCING IN SAN DIEGO: EVERY 2ND SATURDAY at Starlight Dance Studio, 6506 El Cajon Blvd Suite "H", San Diego, CA., Info call 619-287-9036, MUSIC MIX: (WEST COAST SWING, Hustle), Friday Night Group Classes, Rising Stars Dance Club, Starlight Dance Studio, 6506 El Cajon Blvd Suite "H", San Diego, CA., Lessons 6-7pm Beginning Hustle, 7-8pm Int/Adv Hustle, $10.00 per class DANCING IN NEW YORK: WEDNESDAYS at Stepping Out Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio, 1780 Broadway @ 57th St., New York, 212-245-5200, LESSONS W/Maria Torres 9-9:30PM, DANCING 9:30 to 12:15, $5.00 Cover (except for special events), D.J.: Bobby Morales and Nelson Roman, MUSIC MIX: (HUSTLE, Latin) DANCING IN NEW JERSEY: FRIDAYS at Universal Dance Center, Rt. 130 & Haddon Ave. near the Cooper River, Collinswood, N.J (609-869-0010) Classes start 8:30, with Donna Boyle, practice party 9:30, also every First Friday of the Month "Hustle Party" MUSIC MIX: HUSTLE, Latin, Wcs. For more info on upcoming events Call "DISCO AMERICA" @ 215-934-6644 DANCING IN THE WASHINGTON DC METRO AREA: TUESDAYS @ The Ascot, 1708 L St. N.W., Washington D.C. (202-296-7640) Hot Hustle dancing from 9-12:30am $8.00 cover includes 2 cocktails and open food buffet. D.J.'s Joyce & Annette. MUSIC MIX: (HUSTLE, Latin, Swing) SATURDAYS @ The Junction, 1330 E. Gude Dr. Rockville, M.D. (301-217-5820), Group hustle lessons 7-8pm Int level $6.00, 8-9pm Beg level FREE! Dancing 9pm-1am. $5.00, D.J.'s Joyce & Annette. MUSIC MIX: (HUSTLE, W.C. Swing) DANCING IN PHOENIX, AZ.: WEDNESDAYS @ Empire Lounge, South West corner of 24th St. & Camel Back, Phoenix, Az., 7-9pm MUSIC MIX: D.J.'s choice Please Note: Dances that are listed first, under MUSIC MIX, are the Primary dance music being played. All other dances will be secondary. Dances listed third or fourth may not be played at all, so beware! GROUP CLASSES: California Dance Club, 938 The Alameda, San Jose, CA. Call 408-297-9772, for info and schedule of group classes. Classes $6.00 ea. Series classes $6.00 X # of classes, drop in class $8.00. Metronome Ballroom, 1830 17th St @ DeHaro, S.F. Call 415-252-9000 for info. Thursdays, 9-10, Pre Int Hustle W/ Paul Overton @ Monte Cristo Club, Oct. 3, 10, 17 & 24th Moonlight Ballroom (Powerhouse Gym), 950 King Dr., Daly City, CA, Wednesday, Thursday (Hustle), Friday Group Classes, Saturday Workshops. For info regarding group classes and workshops call: Cruz Sumera @ 415-469-0610 pager 415-923-8787 or Lisa Grefaldia @ 415-695-1368, Hustle classes are all levels (beg/int/adv). Premier Ballroom, 4181 Cushing Parkway, Fremont, CA 94539, Sunday, Oct. 20th 8-9pm Beg/Int Hustle, Saturday, Oct. 26th 8-9pm Beg/Int Hustle plus Halloween Party. For more info call 510-770-1178 regarding other group classes. Group classes in HUSTLE are beg/int level Starlite Ballroom, 1160 N. Fair Oaks, Sunnyvale, CA call 408-745-7827 for info. Group classes are held Monday through Thursday evenings @ 6:15, 7:15, 8:15, 9:15pm in one hour sessions for 4 consecutive weeks. Please call for their schedules. We will list only Hustle Dance information when available. Club Xenon Ballroom, 2055 Gellert Blvd Suite #2 Daly City, CA 94015, Beg/Int/Adv Hustle and Latin Dances, Jam Session parties Fridays and Sundays, Workshops and Floor rent available for teachers. Call Mario @ 415-754-1744 for info. Wednesdays, Hustle group class 8:30-9:30pm with either Raul Ante, Bobby Concepcion or Ylva Wintzell. Cowboy Country Club, 3550 Bernal Ave (Vintage Hill Shopping Center), Pleasanton, CA. Beg/Int Hustle with Robert Royston and Laureen Baldovi, Call 510-417-0881 for schedule or 510-417-1117 for more info on Hustle group classes. In August a new series of Hustle classes begin. WORKSHOPS: Saturday Oct. 19, @ Moonlight Ballroom (Powerhouse Gym) 950 King Drive, Daly City, 1-4pm Int/Adv Hustle with Raul Ante, $20.00 per person. Call Cruz Sumera @ 415-469-0610 or pager 415-923-8787 or Lisa Grefaldia @ 415-695-1368 for more info. Saturdays Oct. 26th & Nov. 16th @ Club Xenon Ballroom, 2055 Gellert Blvd. suite 2, Daly City, 1-4pm Int/Adv Hustle with Raul Ante & Bobby Concepcion, $20.00 per person. Call 415-754-1744 for more information. PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS: (Bay Area) Ava Apple 415-681-8140, Arthur Calandrelli. 415-567-3421, Marge Gabbert 415-334-9914, Michelle Kinkaid 415-585-6282, Adele Poenisch 408-293-0679, Robin Rebello 415-856-9930, Les Robinson 408-381-5083, Robert Royston 510-417-1117, Ylva Wintzell 415-583-6507 OUT OF TOWN? NEED A LESSON? Donna Boyle 215-934-6644 (Philadelphia), Debra Hampton 213-653-7088 (Los Angeles), Dave Sarul 213-653-7088 (Los Angeles), Ceasar Ricaurte 714-837-0440 (Los Angeles), Michael Kiehm 619-287-9036 (San Diego), Mari Kiehm 619-287-9036 (San Diego), Maria Torres 718-802-1999 (New York), Kenny Gonzales 718-518-0210 (New York), (Aerials only), Angel Figueroa 212-245-5200 (New York), Barry Douglas 810-457-3110 (Michigan), Maggie Tennessen 602-973-6134 (Phoenix, AZ), Atlas Griffith 602-413-1517 (Tempe, AZ), Randy Atlas 305-756-5027 (Miami, FL), Bill Washabough 407-393-0741 (Boca Raton, FL), Joyce Szili, 301-949-6669, (Washington D.C. Metro Area) DANCE SUPPLIES: (Dance Shoes, Dance Wear and Accessories) Ballroom Dance Supplies (BDS), 372 Bird Ave (Off Hwy 280), San Jose, CA 95126, Tel/Fax 408-293-1727 Bill Rowe, Internet: http://bdsweb.ballroom.com A Keen Dance Shoe Supplier, Metronome Ballroom, 1830-17th St @ DeHaro, S.F., CA 94103, 415-547-8483 pager 510-355-4443, Ann Keen Jodee Adair Design Emporium. Specializing in practice & social dancewear, P.O. Box 10440, Santa Ana, CA 92711, 1-800-70-JODEE Specializing in "Evenin' Star" Dance Boots call Rosemary McNally @ 510-769-1845 McKinney Custom Designs, P.O. Box 262, Fairview Village, PA 19406, Call 610-631-5369 or 215-934-6644 for brochures. Ballroom Jewelry, featuring "Smooth Silhouettes" for, Latin, Swing, Hustle, and Country. 70'S DISCO D.J. (Mobile D.J. parties & weddings), PLUS Hustle Dance Music tapes. (1) tape for $20.00, (2) tapes for $30.00 (3) tapes $40.00. John Schlicht 408-249-3123 (Sir Dancealot), (Tapes are available at the Tuesday Night dance @ Grand Palace) HUSTLE DANCE VIDEO TAPES: $45.00 EACH, $120 FOR THE SET, Tape#1: Beginning/Basic Hustle, Tape#2: Intermediate Hustle, Tape#3: Advanced Hustle. Instructors: Michael & Mari Kiehm, For info and to order call 619-287-9036 $29.95 EACH PLUS $2.00 for shipping & handling. Four videos available from Barry Douglas & Joyce Stoughton, 1995 Hustle USA Classic Champions. Beginner 1, Intermediate 1, Advanced 1, Wraps and Turns. Visa, MC or Checks, order from: Michigan Swing Dance, 6543 Meadowwood, Grand Blanc, MI 48439, call 1-810-694-7625 or E-mail: beverly @ sun.tir.com also order from A.R.B.S.P., 1220 Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, call 1-888-272-7772 for catalog. $34.95 Int/Adv Hustle, with Robert Royston & Laureen Baldovi, order from, A.R.B.S.P., 1220 Mission Canyon, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, or call 1-888-272-7772 for catalog. FUTURE EVENTS: Saturday October 19, 1996 @ California Dance Club, 938 The Alameda, San Jose, CA. SWING MEETS HUSTLE Dance. Jack-N-Jill Swing and Hustle Contests, 8-9pm Lessons Beg/Int Hustle & Int. W.C. Swing, with Raul Ante, Bobby Concepcion and Holly Leporte, Dancing 9-12am. with D.J. Beth Bellamy. MUSIC MIX: (lots of Hustle, lots of SWING, w/latin) Regional Dance Classic 96, November 8, 9, & 10, 1996 at The Holiday Inn Centre Plaza, 2233 Ventura St. Fresno, CA 93721, a $1000.00 purse in The "Open Hustle Division". Plus a Just Dance Division in Country Two Step, West Coast Swing, Hustle and Cha Cha for Novice, Intermediate and Advanced Divisions. Jack-N-Jill contest in Country Two Step & West Coast Swing, they will be giving away more than $2000.00 in CASH to contestant winners in Novice, Intermediate and Advance Divisions. For more info contact Steve Zener @ 209-486-1556 or write to Steve Zener, P.O. Box 4274, Fresno, CA 93744. Reservation can be made, call Alexis M-F, 9-5pm, 209-268-1000, room rate: $76.00 (1-4 persons). Friday, November 15th, 1996 Jack-N-Jill Hustle Contest! @ The Pavilion (Cubberley Community Center) 4000 Middlefield Rd. Palo Alto, Lessons 8-9pm Dancing 9pm-12am. Hustle Exhibition by Raul Ante, Bobby Concepcion and Audrianna Correa. NON-HUSTLE NOTES: Jeff Chandler and THE TOP HAT DANCERS, present a nostalgic look back to the 1930's night club scene. With dazzling floor shows that feature some of the Bay Area's top professional dancers. For a great evening of fun and entertainment and for those of you looking for a change of pace This IS The Place! "TOP HAT CLUB", FOR INFO CALL 415-436-0433, $25.00 Admission, S.F. Press Club, 555 Post St., S.F., CA., RESERVATIONS: TOP HAT CLUB, 1388 Haight suite 209, S.F.,CA 94117, (Include your name and phone number) NEXT SHOW: HUSTLE USA "T" SHIRTS (black w/ white lettering) @ $15.00 plus shipping. (Large & X-large sizes only), Write or call: Hustle USA @ 1-800-92-HUSTLE, 724-1/2 N. Croft Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90069. Back issues of Hustle news can be accessed on the Hustle Dance WEB server: INTERNET ACCESS: http://www.rahul.net/dhesi/hustle/ For Internet services contact Rahul Dhesi 408-293-8078 HUSTLE DANCE CLUB WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS: #220, John Dempsey, Mt. View, CA #221, Bob Kaye, Van Nuys, CA #222, Ursula Ferrara, Redwood City, CA PRESIDENT: Raul Ante, SEC/TRES: Aldena Duval, NEWS LETTER: Raul Ante, Ava Apple, Carolyn Jones, Les Robinson, MINISTER OF INFORMATION: Michael Cohen, INTERNET: Rahul Dhesi, Michael Cohen, GUEST SERVICES: Bobby Concepcion, EVENT COORDINATORS: Jay Larrick, Robin Rebello, EVENT VOLUNTEERS: Stefanie Elkin, Dennis McAffee, Jay Larrick, Marc McGovern, SOUND EQUIPMENT: Robin Rebello, PHOTOGRAPHY: Jay Larrick For new memberships send check or money order to: HUSTLE DANCE CLUB, P.O. Box 945, Brisbane, CA 94005-0945, or call, 415-467-8830, MEMBERSHIP FEES: $15.00 PER YEAR, $20.00 PER COUPLE.