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| Ethel Watson (Philadelphia) dancing with Deborah Szekely |
John Festa said:
"The Prodigal Daughter returned. It was a great night, for sure."
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| Marysia Chang & Jun Ogata, Hudson Valley |
It was the February 2016 monthly Gotham Swing Club dance and people came out of the woodwork for this event!!!
They came from Manhattan, took the train in from Long Island & New Jersey and drove from Hudson Valley, Allentown and Philadelphia. Some took the bus in from Connecticut and Boston.
The nite was EPIC!
The TRUE westie voice of New York City.
Wilson (right) made a special trip from Boston.
He said:
"she's so completely New York City ... so real ... it feels good just to hear her talk."
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| Leslie VanArsdale Segebade dancing with Justin Bozinta (New Jersey) |
This is one gal who never needed a microphone!
You can take the girl outta the city but you can't take the city outta the girl.
No amount of living in California, Boston and Texas ...
can dilute that New York City accent!
When she speaks, that VOICE commands another level of attention.
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| Kim Hayden (New Jersey) |
There were three workshops and ... they they were mobbed!!!The consummate pro, Deborah took basics and made them into interesting variations. Several delicious styling ideas were offered. Everything was immediately do-a-ble.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSv8nWdkhQ0
LOTS of people went to dinner.
A regular favorite with this group is the East Pacific Pan Asian Bistro on 34th Street near 3rd Avenue.
http://www.34eastpacific.com/
Currently, the City is challenged for affordable space for venues and lessons. There are "Cabaret laws" dating back to Prohibition which outlaw dancing in bars and restaurants.
She started out right here back in the day of Denim & Diamonds, the start of Dance Manhattan, Stepping Out and was a regular at John Festa's valorous North River Bar.
Truthfully, we don't know what might happen to Gotham without BIG JOHN and Board Members Brian King and Barbara Jackson.
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| Keith Chow (Rochester, NY) |
There was lots of technique in the lessons ... but the best thing Deborah offered was a clean up of the sugar push (she explained the origin was from Lindy Hop).
Proper basics is the most important part of learning this dance.
THANK YOU!
After the lessons were finished, some people stayed to enjoy the full bar. This is a bonus for having our club dances at Dancesport!
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LOTS of people went to dinner.
There are numerous options nearby ... after all, it's SATURDAY NITE in mid-town MANHATTAN!!!
A regular favorite with this group is the East Pacific Pan Asian Bistro on 34th Street near 3rd Avenue.
http://www.34eastpacific.com/
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| Kenny Riggins (New Jersey) |
The dance started at 8:30pm and ...
we couldn't wait to hit the dance floor!
we couldn't wait to hit the dance floor!
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Check it out, that's Donna Vitello dancing with National DJ, Dave Muzzi (above).
She won 1st place in the Masters Division Jack & Jill at Freedom Swing 2016.
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| Jeanette & Jen Diener |
The DJ on staff was one of my favorites in the whole world, Jeanette Holmes.
She outdid herself.
It's worth the trip to NYC just to check out this chick when she's on FIRE at the local venues!
West coast swing might be a little lite in NYC just right now ...
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| Tristan Tariao and Heik Perez (New Jersey) |
But Gotham Swing Club holds down the fort during all kinds of times.
http://gothamswingclub.org/
This is a nasty law.
Historian Michael A. Lerner said this was "really a response to interracial mixing."
It was created to prevent white women from dancing with black men.
It was created to prevent white women from dancing with black men.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/brooklyn-bar-owner-challenges-new-yorks-cabaret-law-1412023210
Even Mayor Bloomberg tried to get the law changed but to date, attempts by several challengers have been unsuccessful.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/dance-til-drop-bloomberg-repeals-bizarre-cabaret-law-article-1.347274
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| Really? Looks like Expression to me! |
The Supreme Court decided dance does not constitute speech or expression and is not eligible for protection under the 1st Amendment of Free Speech.
While Mayor Bloomberg was lenient with the Cabaret law, new Mayor DeBasio is a throwback.
Therefore, the political climate is not currently amenable to dance in public places.
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| Brian King with Deborah |
Despite these issues, it sure would be a big HELP if Deborah Szekely could visit more often.
Deborah went out into the world and set new standards. These home town peeps respect her.
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| John Lindo with Gotham Board Members: Barbara Jackson & Brian King |
John Lindo continues to be a big influence despite his world travels and move to California.
Thankfully, the guy always maintains a foothold in the NY/NJ dance scene.
I really appreciate these magical nites when all our dance friends in the Tri-State can get together and share our love of dance.
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| Gary, Alena & Baby |
That dinner photo was taken a couple of years ago.
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