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Welcome to www.DanceDirt.com
(www.DanceGossip.com)
the web site for DanceSport Gossip... and more... maintained
by:
Terry Chasteen's 
"International DanceSPORT
& Entertainment"
Terry Chasteen's
"International DanceSPORT & Entertainment"
(Providing
entertainment plus easy and fun instruction that anyone can afford in every
style of social dance from around the globe)
TerryChasteen@yahoo.com
202-462-0870
www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
www.DanceSportOfAmerica.com
www.InternationalDanceSPORT.net
www.InterNationalDanceSPORTcompany.com
www.TangoDanceSPORT.com
www.DanceAtYourWeddingWorkshops.com
www.TheDancingKidsNetwork.com
www.MichaelJackonsThriller.com
www.Learn-to-Dance-athon.org
www.DancingWithTheDCStars.info
www.DCDanceSportNews.com
www.DanceDirt.com
www.OutOnTheDanceFloor.org
The
web site for the annual 1st Saturday in June "Out
on The
Dance Floor
Charity Ball"
plus monthly "So
You Think You
Can Dance DC"
and "Dancing
with the DC
Stars"
mini-dance competitions (plus "Dancing
With The AC/DC
Stars"
mini-competitions for same-gender couples on occasion...any
orientation, but competing partners must be of the same gender)...in all styles
open to anyone .....
so join us "Out
on The
Dance Floor".
1. Nobody asked for my opinion...BUT...
As one who has always had an opinion on most topics and likewise has never
felt comfortable keeping them to myself, I have decided to include one of my
favorite ("and most opinionated") sections of the "DC DanceSport
News" as a separate page on this website entitled "Nobody
asked for my opinion...BUT..." and so express my sometimes twisted
opinions around the world. I can do that in America...the land of the free.
The first few articles are out and I'd LLOOOVVVE to have YOUR opinion...I might
even post it on the following section that I call ....Nobody asked for
their opinions either...BUT...
A.
The world-wide war
on drugs...as much as we hate to admit the real truth, the fault and the
problem belongs to no one but "US" (U.S.)....
B. To Teach Well or Not To Teach well...That is the Question...A three-part article by Terry "Shakespeare" Chasteen and published in the bi-monthly American Ballroom Dancers' Association Magazine in 2002.
C. The reasons why I look forward to and just LLOOOVVE teaching my beginner wedding couples..
D. "Out and About in Washington DC"
- links to valuable information about our Nation's Capitol,
including sight-seeing, entertainment, museums, transportation, media, sports,
schools, hotels, etc.
E. Regarding religion and government
F.
A tribute to Steve
Irwin:
H. 
Black History Month - February 2007 featuring the Nicholas
Brothers and Frankie Manning.
I. The discriminatory remarks by the Chairman of the joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace are not only unquestionably inappropriate but also damaging to the morale and productivity of the thousands of gay and lesbian service members who are both presently in or are planning to join the armed forces....
J. A Sharp Drop in Gays Discharged From
Military Tied to War Need
By Ann Scott Tyson, Washington Post Staff Writer
The number of homosexuals discharged
from the U.S. military under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy dropped
significantly in 2006, according to Pentagon figures released yesterday -- leading
critics to charge that the military is retaining gay men and lesbians because
it needs them in a time of war.
K. MY PICKS for the ®Oscars,
2007 ...
L. 
A Congressional Gold Medal salute to the Tuskegee
Air Men...even though it just happens
to be almost 6 decades too late....
M. 
July 4th, 2007...WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE...FOR ALL?...
N. Re: An email from Mein.
O. A complement from my brother (well one of my brothers...I have 3...and yes the 4 of us baby boomers were only 5 years apart...poor "Mom" in those days!)
P. 
The Reverend Ted Haggard...don't forgive him - accept him for what he is.....
Q. Loyalty:
Those who have a real concern for you would never abandon you in the first place...
2. Also,...Nobody
asked for their opinions either...BUT...
A. Quotes regarding discrimination by John F. Kennedy
C. A complement from the Miss Adams Morgan Pageant...
D. 
An observation by Christopher Reeve about some of us who
are able-bodied shortly before his untimely death...
E. 
A MIRAMAX synopsis of "Shall We Dance?".
F. Homosexuals -- Are they REALLY destroying the institution of marriage?
G. My favorite quotes from Oprah's Mission Calendar Inspiration.
Click
here
for a one-page flyer of
Terry's complete dance class schedule
Click
here
to print, send or give to a friend a dance class discount
"2-for-the-price-of-1 pass"
good toward any of Terry Chasteen's dance classes
when one of those attending is for their first time...
Click
here
for a one-page flyer of Terry's complete list of
Ballroom & Swing classes
Click
here
for a one-page flyer of Terry's complete list of
Salsa classes
Following are some great practice opportunities in your dancing...
Click
here
to print or send a one-page flyer on the Friday or Saturday evening
Salsa, Ballroom, Hustle, C/W & Swing
"Dance-&-Learn Parties"
including mini-classes and dancing at the Chevy Chase Ballroom
Click here
to download a Dance-&-Learn Party
"2-for-the-price-of-1 pass"
when one of those attending is for their first time...
Click
here
to print or send a one-page flyer on the Sunday afternoon beginner and intermediate
"Salsa on both 1 and 2 and Rueda classes & dancing"
with Marc Alberstadt, Barbara Bernstein and Terry at the Chevy Chase Ballroom
Click
here
to print or send a one-page flyer on the early Sunday evening
"Hustle & West Coast Swing classes & dancing"
with Terry & GQ Bowers at the Chevy Chase Ballroom
Click
here
to print or send a one-page flyer on the early Sunday evening
"Sunday Salsa Social classes & dancing"
with Terry & Abdul Al-Ali at the Chevy Chase Ballroom
Click
here
to download a Sunday Salsa Social
"2-for-the-price-of-1 pass"
when one of those attending is for their first time...
Click
here
to print or send a one-page flyer for the next
"Chevy Chase Ballroom Showcase"
including professional & amateur performances, refreshments,
plenty of general dancing, plus a free beginner mini-lesson in Salsa & Swing.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend any of the classes and dance events, including both singles and couples, as well as same-gender couples and the seeing and hearing impaired. You need not come with a partner...But you NEED to COME!! Absolutely no previous dance experience necessary for most of the classes, unless indicated as a Beginner + or intermediate level class)
Nobody asked for my opinion...BUT...
A. The world-wide war on drugs...as much as we hate to admit the real truth, the fault and the problem belongs to no one but "US" (U.S.)....
Benjamin Arellano Felix, Mexico’s most ruthless of drug king pins claims after being incarcerated that the drug war is the problem of US (U.S.)......"Helllloooo, America!!....How long is it going to take for us (U.S.) to acknowledge the obvious?!!!
Do we really need the ruthless leader of a drug cartel to tell us something that we have known for years, but that we refuse to admit?
As my good friend, Dr Phil McGraw would say, "You cannot solve a problem if you refuse to acknowledge it". That is exactly why we have failed miserably and will continue to fail in this drug war, because WE (U.S.) refuse to acknowledge that the drug problem is OURS; Not Columbia’s or Mexico’s or Chili’s or the problems of any of the other poor little 3rd world countries that we try to justify running around blaming for this debilitating problem. “WE” (U.S.) are solely responsible for the drug problem, as is England, France, Germany and every other so- called "DEVELOPED" country on earth. Every country whose residents continue to dump billions and billions of dollars into the drug trade while we do little more than slap the purchasers, who are the real violators, on the wrist.
Do we think that the endless lines of automobiles attempting to bring drugs into this country every single day would bother to do so at the high risk of being caught if we weren't buying them for a LOT of money? And do we think that Americans would continue to spend the billions upon billions of dollars on drugs if we had laws that have some real teeth in them? If we would fine drug-users of “ALL” types; not just those who are penniless addicts on the street, who are using street quality "crack" cocaine and not just the "non-white-collar" users but instead “ALL” users and dealers, and especially those in high places with the high-paying jobs, Mercedes and million-dollar homes. And we need to penalize them so heavily that they would quickly be out on the street and at the bottom of the financial barrel years before they have a chance to squander everything they own to the foreign drug industry? These are the people who are supporting the drug trade in a big, big way and these are the ones who more often than not getting away with it. I'm confident that if the approach was changed, the end of the story would be a whole lot different.
As it is, after our American users have re-enforced the drug producers by giving them everything they own, WE (U.S.) have to spend our tax dollars to feed and house and support them and their rehabilitation for decades later. This is truly Bass Ackwards (at least in my opinion). I personally am tired of everyone running around feeling sorry for the Robert Downey, Jrs, the Winona Ryders, the Adam Rich’s, the Whitney Houstons and the Bobby Browns for their drug problems as they and thousands of Americans like them all over this country continue to pour billions and billions of dollars into the pockets of those who we're supposedly trying to combat, while at the same time, very little is done in this country to stop the users years in advance of their final plummet into submission. Submission which comes only after they’ve finally reached the bottom of the barrel in their individual lives. And that bottom of the barrel is usually highly associated with reaching the bottom of the financial barrel. With more money available where that came from there's little reason to bite the bullet and make any kind of change.
It's a known fact that addicts have to individually WANT to kick the habit before any proposed treatment is ever going to be effective. And what more often than not makes them WANT to kick the habit is being at the bottom of their existence before that desire ever kicks in. I can't think of anything that would speed that process up more than their being made dirt poor, nearly out on the streets years before it would happen naturally under today’s laws and circumstances.
If the possession laws were made to be serious and if the courts would take a major portion of everything a drug-user owns every time they're caught (except for maybe the first-time offenders) we might have something left over after all is said and done to support and rehabilitate them once they hit rock bottom. Instead we let them send most of the money from everything they've ever owned; from selling their swimming pools and Mercedes and million dollar homes right into the hands of the drug dealers after which we (the tax payers) have to come up with more money to fight those same drug lords. This all happens as we eventually spend still even MORE money for the users' rehabilitation and care. Is it any wonder why we haven't made and never will make any progress concerning this problem?
I guarantee there would be a lot of us (U.S.) who would think twice about our actions if we might be stripped of much of what we own upon conviction of drug possession and use. And if we didn't change our ways, at least the government could use what used to be our belongings to pay for the ultimate drug treatment and room & board down the road before they have a chance to dump it into the hands of the drug lords.
But then that would be politically incorrect and much more demanding of us (U.S.) than the present practice of standing by and watching millions of dollars being spent and millions of pounds of drugs being brought into this country every year while we blame those who produce them instead of those are really responsible. Namely us (U.S.) who buy and use them. It's easier to spend billions and billions of dollars running around fighting the Columbians and Brazilians and Mexicans as opposed to leaving that money right here in this country and using it to crack down on the real culprits, namely us (U.S.), for our involvement in what could easily someday destroy this wonderful country of ours. For politicians to get serious in this dilemma, for instance, they may have to confront the possibility that many of those drug users vote....in which case it may be better to think of someone else to blame than to possibly alienate part of their own voting constituency.
Another problem in America is that too many of us (in the U.S.) would be determining the fate of too many of us (in the U.S.) whom we know to be drug-users and who we don't have the intestinal fortitude (in other words, the guts) to address the problem to. It's so much easier to just keep spending the tax money and keeping the drug wars "Over there" so we won't have to face the real problem head-on. We'll supply the money and let the Columbian drug squads get shot and killed over the problem. That way our little once-in-awhile use of drugs or those of our cocaine-sniffing friends can go unnoticed and we (U.S.) can live happily-ever-after. Regardless of the fact that every ounce purchased by us (U.S.) and our drug-using friends continues to fill the coffers of "those who are supposedly to blame"...Which is certainly not US (U.S.)!
To be honest, we really don't have to be users to be susceptible to blame. We're just as guilty when we sit on our hands and know friends and relatives who openly use drugs in front of us as we look the other way, instead of doing what SHOULD be done. Namely, making it instantly known that we either expect such actions to stop and they will get help or the authorities will be involved much sooner than anyone ever thought possible. That is referred to as "Tough Love", and sometimes it has to be shown, regardless of how difficult it might be. How many of us have sat and heard people bragging about how high they got on cocaine the other night, only to look the other way and ignore the remark. Or worse yet, laugh at their actions as though it was cool and totally acceptable even when we feel undoubtedly that it is wrong? I guarantee you...none of those who really know me personally and my feelings on this matter ever gloats about drug use in my presence. And if they ever do, it only happens once. I'm not bragging about that, it's just a fact. I have never been shy about offering my opinion on such matters. Especially when I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my opinion is right, fair and just. And that such actions will eventually be devastating to the well-being of all of us in this country. I wish more people in America, including and especially our politicians, would accept such a responsibility on a much more regular basis.
I know what you're thinking..."It's really none of your business. We don't have the right to depict to other people what they can and cannot do".......wrong!... We "DO" have the right "AND" the responsibility to show our disapproval. Especially when it involves people breaking the laws and doing what we know will accomplish the eventual demise of this magnificent country that we are so fortunate to live in. A demise which is imminent if such a this problem continues at the rate that it now is. If someone is committing pedophilia or extortion or domestic abuse, we DO have the responsibility to do something about it. If not, we're just as guilty as the perpetrators. Drug use is no different.
Sooner or later each one of us is going to have to take more responsibility and demonstrate some effort in the rampant problem of drug use in this country before it's too late. But if we aren't going to accept that responsibility then we need to at least quit sending all of the money that we send to other countries and quit pretending like it's ever going to do anyone but the hard-core drug world any good. Because it isn't going to do anyone else any good until we get our heads out of......the sand.
The sad truth is that too much of that anti-drug money ends up in the hands of corrupt politicians in the receiving countries who play the anti-drug role, but who are just as involved in the incredibly lucrative drug trade as those on the street. (Again...incredibly lucrative only because of us [U.S.]).
In her book "Until Death do us Part" Once Columbian Senator and Presidential candidate, Ingrid Betancourt was living in fear and constant danger because she persisted in revealing that too many in the Columbian government were also involved in the drug trade; thus making it impossible to prevent much of the American assistance from going right into the coffers of the enemy. In an interview with Matt Lauer much earlier this year, Mrs Betancourt openly pleaded with the U.S. to continue sending financial assistance to curtail the drug industry in Columbia. I couldn't help thinking as I sat there watching the interview how she must've been fighting within herself not to make the politically incorrect, but obvious plea "And just as importantly, could you please take some responsibility in this country to stop the damned selfish American drug use that is destroying many of the less fortunate countries on this earth?". That would have truly alienated those whose assistance she was begging for, but at the same time would have hit the nail of reality right on the head.
Let's face it; there's so much money in this (thanks to who?...U.S., no less) that in these countries, you're either going to be involved "or else". Contracts are easy to take out on people in Columbia and Brazil and Mexico when you have that much money and power. Contracts which they often did take out on Ingrid Betancourt quite often. The courageous woman actually sent her children to New Zealand with her husband’s family to prevent their possible assassination over 6 years ago because of her constantly exposing the corrupt Columbian government in it's involvement in the drug trade. And once again, so that we don't forget, whose fault is that?...The real fault that they have all of that money and power belongs to no one but the ones who buy the drugs in the first place. Not those who produce the drugs, but the ones who buy them....us (U.S.).
All of those poppy fields in Columbia and Brazil used to be family farms once upon a time; raising grain and chickens and pigs and milk for family use. No longer...thanks to us (U.S.). Family farmers can no longer afford to keep such property even if they did want to farm it because the drug cartels can make so much more money in the drug trade. And once again, whose fault is that? Not the once-upon-a-time family farmers whose land was stripped from them; not the general population of Columbia, many of whom are all but destitute and couldn't afford to buy drugs even if they wanted to. No the blame for all of this belongs to no one but us (U.S.). But those in control in this country continue to point the finger to everyone else in other countries all over the world while we continue to completely shirk our responsibilities in dealing with the matter right here at home the way we should.
If we stopped pretending that everyone else is to blame for this problem and if we decided to put some teeth in our American drug laws by stripping those who are abusers until they do something about it, and keep that money here in the United States to fight the problem at its core, we would not only save enough money to be able to pay for aggressive actions against drug use in this country (once we have the guts to pass the necessary laws), as well as rehabilitation of abusers, but we could also save enough money to pay for the much needed prescription drug relief for senior citizens, social security for the next ten generations, education in ALL of our public schools, health care for the poor and any number of other programs with the incredible amount of money we throw away on the drug wars elsewhere.
I cannot help bringing up a classic statement made by retiring Senator Fred Thompson (R-Tenn) as he played the character of Arthur Branch on a "Law and Order" episode. In response to the suggestion of ending the drug wars Senator Thompson stated "Without a war on something, people wouldn't get elected". How true that is. But still we continue to fall for that same tactic by our politicians generation after generation, instead of demanding that they do what is necessary to eliminate some of these obvious problems. Which in this case are to admit that the drug war is here at home and that this is where we need to address it. Instead, however, of addressing the one real issue that may very well cause the demise of this whole country, we're too busy fighting over who can and can't get married to each other, what sexual practices they're allowed and whether the cultivation and use of amoeba-like stem cells (which are no closer to ever being human beings than the man-in-the-moon in the first place) are more important than the hundreds and thousands of people who might be ultimately be cured of their debilitating diseases from stem cell research. These are the rediculous things that we spend our time on in the courts, in spite of the fact that they're all no-brainers in the first place. This country needs to get away from the problem of certain groups and individuals trying to control everybody else and what they do in their own lives and start dealing with the real issues that we're too conveniently ignoring. Issues that require nothing less than good common sense to resolve. Those are the practices that will affect us all, over time. And they're ignoring them because it's easier to ignore them and not have to point the finger and risk making enemies of those right here at home who are often the very wealthy abusers who fill our re-election coffers (another major problem in this country which I don't even have the time to address) and give us power and keep us in office.
Again, addressing the situation is not an easy task. WE (U.S.) would have to make an honest effort to step on certain people's toes and do the things that must be done right here on our own turf to put an end to this incredible problem. Not just insisting on spending a bunch of money for what is nothing more than a front for avoiding the real situation in this country. WE (US) are the problem and WE (US) know it...and someday if it ever going to be brought under control, WE (US) will need to face the facts and deal with them. In the meantime, we refuse to even acknowledge ourselves as the actual cause of the problem...and under such circumstances I am convinced that it will NEVER change.
...But then that's just my opinion...
Return to menu
***********************************************
B. To
Teach Well or Not To Teach Well...That is the question...By Terry Shakespeare
Chasteen.
(The following is a three-part article in it's entirety, written by Terry Chasteen
and published in the Amateur Ballroom Dancers Magazine, The official publication
of the Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association, in 2002).
Terry Chasteen, Washington DC
TerryChasteen@hotmail.com
202-462-0870
www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
Part I of III: Finding a Compatible Teacher
As we travel throughout this "Wonderful World of Dance", that we have all gotten ourselves so deeply involved in, one commonality that we all realize very early in the process is that we all need and require training. Training that ultimately will enable us to do the many fun and wonderful things that we have made up our minds that we want to do. This brings up the complication right from the beginning of where and from whom should we get that training.
Choosing the right teacher, for most of us who are really serious about this magnificent sport, is initially an important dilemma, just as choosing the right doctors or dentists or other professionals who affect our lives. It involves a whole lot more than just reading a list of accomplishments in an ad or seeing someone perform in a competition or exhibition. The doctor who may have graduated summa cum laude may not necessarily be the compassionate, empathetic person who is going to take the necessary measures to listen to and understand our medical needs. Likewise, the accomplished performers may know how to perform, but may not have the knowledge or ability to project that ability to their students. You want an individual who will take the time and make the effort to really click with your individual needs. The choice of a dance coach requires that same level of attention if one really wants to continue to be inspired and motivated to continue the often hard work that dancing really is.
The positive motivations that a person has to teach dance (or to teach anything for that matter) is often an important consideration in how good a coach really is. These motivations can be very important in choosing a teacher and likewise, such motivations can be as varied as the types of subjects that are available to be taught.
For some people, teaching is an art. These people are not much different than the artists who take a rough, insignificant lump of clay or a piece of canvas and with time and concentration are able to gradually take that rough, unbalanced, insignificant and not so extraordinary piece of dirt or canvas and mold or transform them into masterpieces with balance and timing and animation and an over-all beauty that could hardly in the slightest degree be seen in the original product. Much of this motivation is that of successful mutual achievement.
These transformations take time and concentration in relaying minute technique and styling procedures again and again. Many good teachers take great pleasure in taking brand new students who are originally very insecure and unsure of why they are even attempting this intimidating dance thing in the first place and transforming them into highly confident and passionate beings. Beings who are particularly passionate when it comes to their newly discovered talent for interpreting and responding in a brand new way to the music that they have loved for so many years.
This, in addition to witnessing the incredible increase in enjoyment of life
in general for those students who have taken the dance plunge, is in itself
quite a pay-back for whatever time such teachers have spent in the process.
It's quite a determining factor regardless of the financial return in all cases,
of whether one is a true professional in this field or one who merely teaches
for the money. There are many motivations in most occupations other than instant
financial gratification, which by itself is a pretty shallow means of judging
someone's success or personal satisfaction in any profession.
--------------------------------------
Next issue, Part II of III, "Other Motivations to Teach."
To Teach Well or Not To Teach Well...That is the question....by Terry
Shakespeare Chasteen (A three-part article published in the bi-monthly Amateur
Ballroom Dancers' Association Magazine in 2002. For issue #141 of The Amateur
Ballroom Association Magazine).
Terry Chasteen, Washington DC
TerryChasteen@hotmail.com
202-462-0870
www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
Part II of III: "Other Motivations to Teach."
In the last issue, the benefits and some of the positive motivations of an attentive, professionally competent teacher were discussed. However, there are other motivations for wanting to teach.
Some people just like the idea of the personal control that goes along with teaching. It's an ego trip and it gives the one in charge the opportunity to demand everyone's attention, even if for only a short period of time. For some people, they just need that boost to their personal sense of well-being. We've all had them at one time or another in classes. They speak way above the necessary volume needed for anyone to hear, they talk down to everyone like they're a bunch of rowdy kids or misbehaving pets and they remind you of an out-of-control drill sergeant who has just finished 3 months of boot camp. You usually don't find such a motivation to teach in small classes, however, because small classes don't provide the sense of power and controlling people that such a motivation for bothering to teach requires.
Another all-too-common motivation for becoming a dance teacher is that it gives one a chance to "Grand-stand" and show off in a personally controlled environment at least once or twice a week. Again we've seen this phenomenon in certain dance classes. It's most obvious when you hear the statement "look at me", "look at me", "watch me" far too often during the short span of the class period. Or the teacher who not only demonstrates the material being taught (which can definitely be effective in getting the amalgamation across), but who goes way overboard demonstrating drops, aerials, lifts and other figures that are much more difficult than the present group of students are ever going to attempt for at least the next decade. Such activities may provide a short-term feeling of amazement, but they also make the brand new beginners want to run in the other direction at full speed for fear that someone will expect them to attempt such a thing if they stick around. Or worse yet, condemn them for rightfully "not" attempting it.
The above two examples are obviously not indications of a true professional in the field of teaching, but rather of someone who really has controlling, egocentric and attention-getting ulterior motives for taking on this endeavor in the first place. Consequently when we run across individuals who display such characteristics, it is probably best to keep looking.
Lastly we need to discuss one of the most important aspects of teaching and that is whether teaching is a profession or a hobby.
Far too often those who claim to have all the answers in this world of dance
are not at all professional in the field, but rather have their 9 to 5 jobs
elsewhere. Their car payments and living expenses are covered whether they insult
or disenfranchise or offend or scare half to death those who attend their classes
or not. They are often only out for the big once-a-week events that take advantage
of the dance community that's already out there. They have little interest in
going beyond the call of duty to make some of the less lucrative, but necessary
efforts to help "create" a dance community. Such "teachers"
don't realize (or care) that some students don't always want a larger more social
event. They are not concerned that many brand new students are often intimidated
by such an environment for awhile and need the smaller, more intimate studio
environment before they would ever get involved in dancing to begin with.
---------------------------------------
Next issue, Part III of III, "Part-time or Hobby Teachers."
To Teach Well or Not To Teach Well...That is the question....by Terry Shakespeare Chasteen (for issue #142 of The Amateur Ballroom Association Magazine).
Terry Chasteen, Washington DC
TerryChasteen@hotmail.com
202-462-0870
www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
Part III of III: "Part-time or Hobby Teachers."
In the last issue, we considered several different motivations for anyone wanting to become a teacher in the first place, as well as some problems concerned with teaching on a part-time, non-professional basis.
Students definitely have a need for both an intimate studio environment as well as a more lively social environment, ultimately. Those teachers who have never really taught professionally, however, have a more difficult time understanding this. Again, they're all-too-often more concerned about milking the larger crowd that's already there and picking up and moving on to "greener pastures" (my farm background is beginning to show) once the original crowd becomes tired of their tactics and disappears back down to nothing.
Of those students who want the extra attention of a small class and not necessarily the larger, louder, less intimate night club environment; for many of them the objectives in all of this (believe it or not) is to actually LEARN as much as they can about their new sport before actually going out and using it in public. Such learning does not necessarily require a large number of others in the class. In fact, the smaller, more intimate classes afford those present a lot more individual attention. Individual attention which for brand new beginners can mean the difference between night and day as to whether the first experience is a positive one.
Too many of the "once-a-week wonders", however, have a hard time understanding this. Their objective, once again, is to cash in on the big social events and not necessarily to provide the optimal learning experience that is often needed to truly promote the dance industry.
Let me interject one thing, however, before I give the wrong impression. And that is that there are also a number of very good teachers out there who do make the bulk of their living outside of the teaching industry and may only teach on a part-time basis. That in itself is not necessarily an indication of the professionalism of the person involved. I, myself have been teaching since I began with the Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Columbus, Ohio back in 1974 (before many of you were born, I might add) and have taught for a major part of that 28 years on a part-time basis. I feel that I have conducted myself in as much of a professional manner as I was trained for during that time.
Likewise I have also known numerous other part-time instructors who continually show a tremendous amount of professionalism and passion about this art of teaching. For this reason I don't mean to indicate that those who teach part-time necessarily conduct themselves in an unprofessional manner. Regrettably, however, some of them do (as do some of the full-timers).
Knowing and realizing the many different reasons that people teach in the first place, as well as understanding that the best "Dancers" don't necessarily make the best "Teachers" can possibly make this process of who to train with a little easier. My suggestion, more than anything else is to keep your eyes open and be aware of whose students are continually motivated and challenged in their progress. Choose the teacher who really puts out a consistently superior product.
And don't necessarily be influenced to stick to only one. Sometimes we have to try several, just as we try several doctors, to determine which one (or ones) might be right for us.
...But then that's just my opinion....
Terry Chasteen, Washington DC
TerryChasteen@hotmail.com
202-462-0870
www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com
Return to menu
***********************************************
C. I just LLOOOVVE
teaching my wedding couples..and here's why....
Some of those who have been teaching for three decades or more as I have, only
enjoy working with our more advanced students who after years of training and
drilling are now ready for the big time. Not quite Broadway, yet, but close.
They often get somewhat bored with starting over and teaching brand new beginners
from scratch. Naturally it is fun to take students that you've worked so hard
with over the years and now go on to showcase all of that hard work and put
it on stage. But I have to say that I also LOVE teaching beginners and especially
the unending line-up of wedding couples who come through the door each month
(most of whom are almost always brand, brand new beginners and who have rarely,
if at all, danced in a structured manner with their partners before).
It’s great to see the young couples drag each other through the door for
that first meeting, kicking and screaming (usually it’s the guys who are
doing most of the kicking and screaming) wondering why they have to go through
this torture as part of the marriage process. But they reluctantly agree to
do so, knowing full well that having no advanced preparation at all could result
in a major disaster right there in front of God And Everyone! Since the grooms-to-be
have often not had the ballet, jazz, modern or tap training that most of the
brides-to-be have had growing up, this to them is just another example of having
to face head-on one of those both horrifying and frightening journeys into the
unknown. The fun part begins when the bride-grooms discover that with just a
little preparation, this could possibly not only be much easier than they ever
thought, but they also realize that it can actually be FUN! And in no time at
all it becomes apparent that for the first time since the relationship began,
they are now all-of-a-sudden completely “in control”! A phenomenon
that they had never before (and probably never will again) experienced where
their future bride is concerned!
And once this process begins, everyone soon gets eagerly into the excitement
of making what was feared as being another one of those frightfully boring performances
of “The Sway” into an extremely fun and entertaining little exhibition
that is personalized to the T for those choosing the music and dancing to it.
A performance that each couple soon realizes that all of their guests will not
only appreciate, but will probably remember for years and years to come. With
just a little professional experience and guidance and some ideas to fit their
chosen music, the most dreaded part of this whole wedding process, The "Honor
Dance", has now become one of the most fun and often ultimately the most
memorable.
I’ve always said that after the wedding, most of the guests will never
remember the decorations, or the color of the bride’s maids’ gowns
or what was served for dinner, but they will “always” remember the
“First Dance”. (And if they don’t, there are plenty of photographs
and videos to remind us of how fun [or not-so-fun] it was).
This is also what makes these little projects so much fun for me. For some of
us, teaching is an art. And the art of a teacher is not much different than
the art of those who take a rough, insignificant lump of clay or a piece of
canvas and with time and concentration and a little professional experience
and input are able to gradually take that rough, unbalanced, insignificant and
not so extraordinary natural resource and transform it into something with balance
and timing and animation and an over-all beauty that could hardly in the slightest
degree be recognized in the original. Which is why I look forward to and LOVE
working with all of the brand new beginner wedding couples. Especially when
they take on this task early enough so that we don't have to rush through it
within a week or less in time.
Almost every single weekend out of the year, I and my associate teachers (who
sometimes cover for me when I get behind in being able to schedule everyone
in) have wedding couples who spread out all across the US and often around the
globe to perform their "First Dance" together and to demonstrate what
they've worked so hard at in preparation for this incredibly important celebration
in their lives. The biggest reward for me comes after the event is over and
I receive an Email or message on my voice mail of how much fun their guests
had watching them and how much everyone really appreciated their performance.
How it was almost like a gift to them from the bride and groom. A response that
always makes me laugh and one that I've received time and time again and will
never tire of.
Click here for a one-page flyer of
Terry's
complete dance class schedule
Click here for a one-page flyer of
Terry's complete list
of Ballroom & Swing classes
Click here for a one-page flyer of
Terry's complete
list of Salsa classes
For some great practice opportunities in your dancing:
Click here to print or send a
one-page flyer on the Friday or Saturday evening
Salsa, Ballroom, Tango, Hustle
& Swing "Dance-&-Learn Parties"
to include mini-classes and dancing at the Chevy Chase Ballroom
Click here to print or send a
one-page flyer on the
Early Sunday evening Salsa on
2 "Sunday Salsa Social" classes & dancing
with Terry & Abdul Al-Ali at the Chevy Chase Ballroom
Click here to print or send a
one-page flyer for the next
Chevy Chase Ballroom Showcase
including professional & amateur performances, refreshments, plenty of general
dancing and a free beginner mini-lesson in Salsa & Swing.
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"Out and About in
Washington DC"
with links to valuable information about our Nation's
Capitol,
including sight-seeing, entertainment, museums, transportation, media, etc
If you are a U.S. citizen and want to contact your Congressional Representatives or Senators here's how to find their email addresses:
For the Senate:
www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
For the House:
www.house.gov/writerep/
Select any of the following links for information about Metropolitan Washington DC:
Attractions and Sight-seeing
Colleges and Universities
Theatres and Entertainment
Restaurants and Dining
Federal and DC Government
Hotels
Museums and Galleries
Local Media (Newspapers and Magazines plus Radio
and TV Stations)
Schools
Sports
Transportation
The above links are for the convenience of visiters to www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com. This web site and Terry Chasteen Dance Instruction do not guarantee any of the information or services provided by those sites associated with the above links.
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E. Keeping religion out of government
...Nobody asked for my opinion...BUT...
I believe it's a misunderstanding that those who insist that religion be kept
out of government in this country do so because these people are against religion
and/or God as many of the religious right try to portray. What they're against
is all of those who insist that THEIR religion and beleifs, whatever that religion
is, should be forced down the throats of everyone else just because this is
America and America was founded by Christians. I'm sorry, but government is
no place for such a concept when there are many more than just Christians in
this country (and I was born and raised and still am a Christian, though the
way some of us Christians act I am often reluctant to be included in the same
category).
When a brand new Muslom congressman was being told that he must be sworn in
on the Bible and not on his own Coran (or torra, or whatever book one believes)
as certain religious zealots insisted in the near past, that is nothing more
than out and out bigotry. And the right wing in this country is NOTORIOUS for
out and out bigotry; most of which is for no other purpose than the centuries
old "Divide and Conquer" tactics to scare people to reach deeper into
their pockets to overcome such fabricated threats. It's a typical power and
money tactic and too many in this country regretably just don't get it.
Look at the way the Republican party used the religious gay marraige ban as
an example to put this corrupt administration back into office...and everyone
bought into it, hook, line and sinker. And now look at the mess we're in. I'm
sorry, America, I am not now and never will be a good politician as I'm not
in the habit of beating around the bush (no pun intended) but rather calling
a spade a spade in spite of who I may offend. And you all chose your bed during
the 2004 elections and now all of us have to sleep in it. As if disallowing
gays to enter into a loving and committed legal relationsip is more important
than a total lack of health care for most people, a deplorable and failing educational
system and spending more and more money on this unbelievable war that was strictly
for the purpose of giving this administration "oil power" and bragging
rights in the first place. Bragging rights and "oil power" which never
came to pass after the whole mess blew up in their faces. I can still see this
President on that Navy ship bragging about "Victory in Iraque". Congratulations,
Mr President....and congratulations to the American voters for buying into it
by turning right around and voting him and his band of thieves back into power
for fear of nothing more than "Gay Marraige". If all Gods and Bibles
and Corans and Torrahs and all religious beliefs are going to be incorporated
in this government, then they ALL need to be included equally. Not just the
one religion of Christianity that some in this country wish to cram down everyone's
throats. If the powers that be want to just use govermment as a means of forcing
their own particular religions onto people, then I for one agree that we need
to keep it out completely. And I am not one of those who are against religion
and/or God as I'm sure some would like to portray me.
"Separation of Church and State" was passed for a reason. How many
wars and deaths on this earth over the centuries of it's complete history took
place for no other reason than religion and greed? Look at the middle East right
now. What are they fighting about? Religion! Which is why the forefathers passed
"Separation of Church and State" in the first place, though many continue
to either ignore it or sidestep it and continue to attempt their self-promoting
antics.
Until every church and religion on earth is included equally regardless of how
small or large, I'm all for forcing it out of American government completely
until everyone in this country, learns to focus on the similarities of all of
us, instead of our religious differences.
....But then that's just my opinion...
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We
are sadened at the incredible loss and will always miss this irreplacable icon
of wildlife conservation and compassion.
We should all be so passionate about life and love...
Terri, Robert, Steve and Bindi Sue
1962 - 2006
"Many things will catch your eye,
few will catch your heart; pursue those."
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a
life by what we give."
Sir Winston Churchill
Harry the Koala and Rosie 2 the green sea turtle
The endangered tiger
Purchase the Steve Irwin Memorial Tribute DVD and
"He Changed our World"
to benefit wildlife conservation at
1-800-358-8600
Also available on the web site of Steve Irwin's "Wildlife
Warriors Worldwide" at
www.WildlifeWarriors.org.au
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Terry Chasteen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science in his
home state from the Ohio State University in 1972, where he took his first Ballroom
class in '69. He has been teaching nearly every form of social dance known to
man since his early training at the Columbus, Ohio Fred Astaire Dance studio
beginning in 1974.
Terry Chasteen is the founder of metropolitan Washington DC's International
DanceSPORT and Entertainment Productions and has been teaching the
many different forms of social dance (International and American style Ballroom
and Latin, Argentine Tango, Salsa, Salsa Rueda, Swing, Hustle and Country/Western)
since 1974. Mr. Chasteen teaches both competitive dancing as well as the most
basic level social dances, including children's classes.
He is a firm believer that everyone can (and should!) dance. He also believes
that emphasis on proper technique and styling are paramount for all levels,
including the most beginner level dancers, to achieve maximum and long-lasting
results.
Through his decades-long affiliation with Washington area "Dance Guru",
Ron Bennett and the many talented coaches who continually come through the Chevy
Chase Ballroom & DanceSport Center each year, Terry has had and continues
to have the opportunity to train with many of the top competitors, coaches and
trainers from across the continent and around the world, many of which are seen
routunely on some of the major DanceSport events in the media. He has been published
and quoted on numerous occasions in local and national magazines and newspapers,
including The United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association's "Amateur
Dancers Magazine" (including a 2002 three-part article, "To
Teach Well or Not To Teach Well...That is the Question"), The Washington
Post, The Washington Blade, Woman's Monthly, Washingtonian Magazine and 5-6-7-8
Dance magazine. Terry has also taught dance to audiences on live television
on numerous occasions for Fox-5 TV and he recently received a credited cameo
dance role in the major motion picture, "Head
of State", starring, written by and directed by the former "Funniest
Person in America", comedian Chris Rock. That
assignment in "Head Of State" not only paid SAG (Screen Actors' Guild)
wages, which were totally unexpected after merely volunteering as a movie extra
and which turned out to be pretty incredible pay for a day and a half of work!
In addition to several spotlight performances in the movie, it provided him
with a spotlight in the promotional movie trailer that will probably be available
on the internet from now until eternity (visit www.Mooviees.com
and www.Movies.Yahoo.com
plus www.imbd.com
for some great movie photographs of the principle actors from "Head Of
State"). As well, Terry was included in almost all of the movie advertisements
with either one or both partners from "Head
of State" that were shown extensively on every TV and movie screen
across the United States through February, March and early April of 2003. After
his two brief "front-and-center" performances in the movie with both
partners, Terry not only received movie credits, but also movie ROYALTIES! (so
watch for "Head of State" on pay TV
and when it comes to HBO and buy your friends, relatives and neighbors the DVD...and
he'll get even MORE!!...).
In addition to teaching at The Chevy Chase Ballroom
& DanceSport Center, 5207 Wisconsin Ave., NW (at Harrison & Wisconsin
Ave, Friendship Heights), Terry also teaches at The YMCA,
National Capitol at 1711 Rhode Island Ave., NW (Farragut North & Dupont
Circle red line Metro) on Mondays and in Falls Church, Va during specified Fridays
where he enjoys as much as anything getting the kids
to enjoy Ballroom, Latin, Swing & Hustle dancing as well as ettiquette and
training for social situations during the Falls Church Promenade
Dancing and Ettiquette Class.
Besides teaching classes in all of the social dances, Terry is also available
for private coaching, teaching at private social events to get people up and
dancing, providing music and mini-classes for dance or corporate events and
teaching wedding couples (find out why Terry LLoooves
teaching his first-time wedding couples...)
or those preparing to attend weddings or Bar/Bat Mitzvah's. He can be reached
at 202-462-0870 or TerryChasteen@hotmail.com or you may visit his web site at
www.InternationalDanceSPORTcompany.com (www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com).
In Terry's previous life he spent 26 years during and after high school raising,
breeding, training, showing and selling some of the top show horses in the country
in the Quarter Horse, Appaloosa and American Paint Horse breeds (yes, as in
dancing his obsessive/compulsive disorder refused to allow him to choose one
breed or dance style over the other. He had a passion for all 3 of them and
bred and raised National level champions in each). Along with his parents and
former wife, he raised numerous state and National Champions in all 3 breed
associations. His ability to analyze and combine the strengths and weaknesses
of breeding animals to come up with progeny which were much superior than either
of their parents accomplished early on what some breeders would spend a lifetime
attempting to accomplish (his very first appaloosa foal raised with his former
wife and out of her not-so-incredible 4-H mare won the Appaloosa Nationals as
a baby and the same happened with the second foal of one of his parents brood
mares whose daughter went on to become the highest point-earner over all sexes
in the American Paint Horse Association). Terry earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Animal Science at the Ohio State University in 1972 where he took
his first Ballroom dance class with a fellow organic chemistry class student
in 1969.
------------------------------------
EDITED VERSION:
Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the Ohio State University in 1972. Terry spent 26 years raising, breeding, training, marketing and showing some of the top registered show horses in the Appaloosa, American Paint Horse and American Quarter Horse breed associations, including numerous Ohio state Champions and several National Champion performance and conformation halter Champions in all 3 breeds. Terry has an innate ability to match complementing conformational traits in the parent animals to produce top show progeny that are superior in their conformation quality to both parents. He also spent several decades judging horse shows in addition to competing in them both under saddle and in halter horse conformation classes.
Accomplished teacher and choreographer from beginner through advanced levels of International and American style Ballroom and Latin, Swing, Disco/Hustle, Salsa and Casino Rueda and Argentine Tango with beginner to intermediate level experience in Middle Eastern dance (belly dance), Flamenco, tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and more. Terry has been teaching nearly every form of social dance known to man since his early training at the Columbus, Ohio Fred Astaire Dance studio in 1974. Mr. Chasteen teaches both competitive dancing as well as the most basic level social dances, including children's Ballroom, Latin & Swing classes through his "Dancing Kids Network" which often performs for charitable fundraising events. Terry is a firm believer that everyone should be encouraged to dance together, including disabled wheelchair dancers, mixed-gender & same-gender couples as well as the seeing and hearing impaired. Terry's experience as a judge includes numerous local amateur events as well as several years judging the annual Cornell University DanceSport Championships.
Terry is also a performer having taught dance to audiences on live television
on numerous occasions for Fox 5 TV. He also received a credited cameo dance
role in the 2003 major motion picture written and directed by Chris Rock and
also starring Chris Rock, along with Bernie Mack, "Head
of State". In the movie, Terry danced as a WASP’y, "more
sophisticated" (they meant OLDER but to be politically correct called us
"more sophisticated") black-tie fundraiser type Hip Hop dancer, doing
his infamous "Crypt Walks" and "Harlem Shrugs" performances
in the movie arranged by the reknowned "DreamGirls" choreographer,
Fatima Robinson to the sound of Nelly’s "Hot In Here". He not
only received SAG (Screen Actor's Guild) wages during this endeavor, but also
movie credits as well as being included on national television across the country
on a daily basis for over a month and a half in February and March, 2003. He
appeared in almost all of the TV and movie theatre ads plus in the promotional
trailer (which will be available from now until eternity online at numerous
movie web sites, including www.Moovees.com). In addition, Terry received and
continues to receive, movie royalties from Paramount Pictures for DVD sales,
pay TV and Home Box Office.
Terry is the founder, organizer and event planner of metropolitan Washington
DC's "International DanceSPORT and Entertainment Productions" at www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com.
Along with associate teachers, Terry hosts monthly "Dance-&-Learn Parties"
and weekly “Sunday Salsa, Ballroom & Swing and Argentine Tango Socials”
at the Chevy Chase Ballroom & DanceSport Center in Friendship Heights, DC.
He also teaches all of the social dances on a daily basis both there and at
the YMCA, National Capitol at Dupont Circle. In addition he organizes and produces
numerous corporate events throughout the year in addition to community productions
such as the 2007 "Dance DC Festival" which is a product of the DC
Commission of the Arts and Humanities (the first YouTube segment of which was
composed and edited by Mein of SonMas.com and can be found on YouTube by searching
DC "Thriller" routine) .
Terry is one of the local organizers (along with the Washington DC "Zombie
Lurch") and trainer for the Oct 27 Washington DC contributions to the "Thrill
The World" Guinness attempt to break the record for the greatest number
of people dancing a single syncronized dance, "Michael Jackson's Thriller"
at the same time around the globe. The "Thrill
The World" event has already been approved for consideration as a new
world record by "Record
Holders Republic 'Registry of Official World Records from England www.alternativerecords.co.uk).
You may visit his web sites at www.PleaseDanceWithMe.com,
www.TheDancingKidsNetwork.com,
www.MichaelJacksonsThriller.com
and www.TerryChasteen.com.
"We're not here for a long time, we're here for a GOOD time!
So let's get started...and DANCE!!!"...TLChasteen
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H.
Black
History Month - February 2007
...Nobody asked for my opinion...BUT...
Though the great performers of yester-year were considered
to be such dance icons as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Danny Kaye, none of them
(...in MY opinion...) compared to two of the really great artists that so many
Americans often never even heard of. And why? Because they were black.
To this day after 58 years of watching more dance performances and movies than
Carter has little liver pills (some of you may be too young to understand that
comparison), not a one of them can come close to the performances of the unbelievable
black brother duo, The
Nicholas Brothers, Harold and Fayard. There's too much incredible material
available to even begin including it all here, but please do yourself a favor
and visit www.NicholasBrothers.com
for their incredible story. Believe it or not but the photos don't come close
to their actual performances. If you get a chance, be sure to actually see their
movies.
Fayard Nicholson with President and First Lady Clinton.
The Nicholas Brothers have headlined shows all over the
world. They have appeared in every major television show, nightclub and theater
in America and performed for the troops in Viet Nam in 1965.
They've received many tributes and awards, which include: A star on the Hollywood
Walk of Fame, The Kennedy Center Honors, and an honorary doctorate degree from
Harvard University. They are also proud of the some of students they have taught,
including Debbie Allen, Janet Jackson, and Michael Jackson. Had they been born
much later when discrimination wasn't nearly as prevalent as back then (thank
God for that, though we still have a LONG way to go to eliminate discrimination
completely in this country...), their talents would have been even more recognized
as actual headlining stars of the Silver Screen as opposed to back-up performers.
They are true pioneers in black entertainment and remain second to none in the
world of show business.
...But then that's just my opinion....
PLUS...
Frankie
Manning
The Ambassador of Lindy Hop
Mr. Manning was born in 1914 in Jacksonville, Fla. At age 3, he moved to Harlem with his mother, who was a dancer. He grew up in the Swing Era and became part of its history by dancing to the music of the 1930s and 1940s.
The name Lindy Hop emerged shortly after Charles Lindbergh completed his trans-Atlantic flight in 1927. Shorty Snowden, a dancer at the time, coined the phrase during a dance marathon in Manhattan. It was later at the Savoy Ballroom's weekly dance contests that Snowden's style of Lindy Hop, in which the body is held upright as the dancer executes intricate footwork, was soon overshadowed by Mr. Manning's more acrobatic style.
In 1934 Mr. Manning was a dancer and the chief choreographer for the original "Whitey's Lindy Hoppers," the professional troupe organized by Herbert "Whitey" White, a bouncer at the Savoy Ballroom. Mr. Manning also performed in several films, including the Marx Brothers' "A Day at the Races" in 1937 and "Hellzapoppin'," before touring the world with jazz artists Ethel Waters, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and Cab Calloway.
While dancing in London in 1937, Mr. Manning gave a command performance for King George VI. By 1943 a Life magazine cover story proclaimed the Lindy Hop as "America's national dance" and "this country's only native and original dance form" except for tap dancing.
Whitey's Lindy Hoppers disbanded during World War II, and Mr. Manning joined the U.S. Army. But upon his release in 1947, Mr. Manning formed his own dance troupe, "The Congaroos Dancers." They appeared on the "Milton Berle Show," and toured with Nat "King" Cole, Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, Martha Raye and Sammy Davis Jr.
As popular taste turned to rock 'n' roll in the 1950s, Mr. Manning settled down to family life. A revival of swing dancing in the mid- 1980s sparked a renewed interest, which has sent Mr. Manning throughout the world once again, leading workshops and lectures and developing choreography for groups such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Rhythm Hot Shot of Sweden.
Among national recognitions he has received, Mr. Manning was profiled on the ABC prime-time news program, "20/20"; he received a Tony Award for best choreography in the Broadway hit musical "Black and Blue"; and choreographed "Stompin' at the Savoy," an NBC made-for-television movie directed by Debbie Allen. Recently, he was involved in the two- part TV film on American social dancing called "Gotta Dance!"
(1914 - ) Dancer and Choreographer
No one has contributed more to the Lindy Hop than Frankie Manning. As a dancer, innovator, and choreographer, he has been an unofficial "Ambassador of Lindy Hop," spreading its popularity through three continents while touring with Whitey's Lindy Hoppers in the 1930s and 40s, and again teaching, choreographing, and performing in the Lindy Hop revival of the 1980s and '90s.
Manning started dancing in his early teens at a Sunday afternoon dance at the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem to the music of Vernon Andrade. From there he moved to the Rennaissance Ballroom, which had an early evening dance for older teens with the live swing music of the Claude Hopkins Orchestra. Finally, Manning "graduated" to the Savoy Ballroom, which was known for its great dancers and bands. Manning, competitive and gifted, became a star in the informal jams in the "Kat's Korner" of the Savoy and frequently won the Saturday night contests. He was invited to join the elite 400 Club, whose members could come to the Savoy Ballroom during daytime hours to practice alongside the bands that were booked there.
Manning was inspired by first-generation Lindy Hoppers George "Shorty" Snowden and Leroy "Stretch" Jones. However, in order to beat these two great dancers in the intense competitions held at the Savoy Ballroom, he developed his own unique style, and his dancing stood out for its unerring musicality. Fast on his feet and with a keen ear, Manning gave physical expression to the beat, the feel, and the excitement of the swing sound played by the great big bands. He is responsible for many innovations of Lindy Hop step and style, including dancing at a sharp angle to the ground like a track-runner, instead of in the upright, stiff ballroom position of his predecessors. In a famous competition, Manning astonished the crowd of 2000 with the first Lindy aerial step ever done.
In 1935, when Herbert White brought together the top Savoy Ballroom Dancers into a professional performance group to be called Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, Manning created the first ensemble Lindy Hop routines. This gave him an opportunity to expand upon his gift for transforming the swing music into exciting dance-movement patterns. When Whitey's Lindy Hoppers were in their heyday, Manning was the chief choreographer, serving as what we today would call artistic director, while Whitey was business manager.
He has toured with jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and others. He performed in several films, including Everybody Sings with Judy Garland and Hellzapoppin'. More recently, he was the dance consultant for and danced in Spike Lee's film Malcolm X. Frankie's fabulous dancing and radiant smile have inspired generations of Lindy Hop enthusiasts, but he modestly claims, "I'm not interested in fame and glory. It's just that I would like others to know what a happy dance this is."
...But then that's just my opinion....
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Nobody asked for my opinion...BUT...
I. The discriminatory remarks by the Chairman of the joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace were are not only inappropriate but also damaging to the morale and productivity of the thousands of gay and lesbian service members who are both presently in and planning to join the United States Armed Forces... .
This week many in this country were blown away after hearing the
infamous condescending and inappropriate remarks by our Chairman of the US Joint
Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace about his personal belief in the "imorality"
of homoexuality and his resulting belief in "Don't ask, Don't tell"
for the thousands of LGBT personnel who continually put their lives on the line
right along with everyone else in the US Armed Forces.
General Pace is going to take (and actually already has taken) considerable
flack from this, including from his superiors by the announcement on the news
before days end for this blatant discriminatoty remark. Defense Secretary Robert
M. Gates suggested that Pace's remarks regarding his judgement of "the
immorality regarding homosexuality" was inappropriate. "Personal judgement
really doesn't have a place here" remarked Defense Secretary Gates even
though he conceded that a law is a law and is to be upheld as long as it is
a law (another important topic within itself "to-be-conidered...").
The media really gave the remarks a TON of attention and I can't imagine being
one of the thousands of LGBT military personnel now on active duty and having
to tolerate such a blatant, insensitive opinion from your superior officer whom
you are supposed to depend upon for support.
Though I am not in the habit of bringing down the gavel on anyone for any single
mistake (God only knows we all make them), in this situation my honest opinion
is that there is no place for such obvious discrimination and bigotry where
the most influential and powerful position of the United States Armed forces
is concerned. This isn't like simple gossip in the local barber shop or town
diner. This is about a worldwide expression of disgust (and one can call the
General's remarks whatever they wish, but the obvious reaction by the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff toward lesbian and gay people, service members
or not, is inconsideration and disgust) toward approximately 65,000 lesbian
and gay US Service Members that he felt comfortable speaking against openly
for a publication; making all of those people who are working for him and and
for the safety of all Americans that much more susceptable to redicule and copy-cat
disdain from others within and outside of the military.
I'm sure General Pace regrets making these inappropriate comments publicly by
now (you might compare them to the regrets of former Enron CEO's Kenneth Lay
and Jeffrey Skilling after their indictments, but only because they were caught),
if for no other reason than the overwhelming negative backlash from the media
country-wide. Nonetheless he is still unwilling to apologize or express any
regret for making them in spite of the displeasure toward his inappropriate
remarks by so many. For the sake of those who are in and must remain loyal to
the armed forces that need to be devoted to the government and military hierarchy
to fulfill their duties and who must feel confident that support in their profession
will go in both directions, I would personally like to see the man removed from
this position. It's hard to reprove him and still leave him in charge as it
would impact his effectiveness in such a high position, but his effectiveness
after all of this in my opinion has been compromised anyway. I wonder how he
and the powers-that-be would feel if the approximately 65,000 lesbian and gay
service members just decided to throw in the towel over the "Don't Ask,
Don't Tell" policy and resign after such blatant chastizing.
For me personally it's difficult to once again show respect for people like
Sienfeld's Kramer, Michael Richards after his infamous bigoted remarks in public
or Isaiah Washington of Grey's Anatomy, neither of whom I would ever again be
compelled to go out of my way to watch or show any interest in their characters
or opinions after witnessing such disclosing remarks about their personal feelings
toward members of society who are different than they are. I would never go
out of my way or even avoid turning the channel on Michael Richards after his
recent bigoted outburst and I find myself subconsciously indifferent toward
the character of Isaiah Washington on Grey's Anatomy as much as I still very
much enjoy the show. I feel totally apathetic toward anyting that is character
does on set because all I can subconsciously picture in my mind is someone who
is in real life a bigot. I can always turn off the TV in those situations, but
having that mentality as a major part of our military creates a more difficult
problem.
It doesn't matter what community such bigotry is expressed toward. Most of us
would be just as disdainful toward those who express such condescending remarks
against Jewish, Hispanic, African American, Asian; it's bigotry, nonetheless.
And it affects how people treat and show fairness toward others and it should
not be a part of the make-up of one of the most influential and powerful individuals
in the US Armed Forces whose decisions may impact so many people. There are
serious considerations for future promotions and demotions and assignments involved
and one who is ready, willing and able to openly criticize and judge those involved
by whoever they show their affections toward is in my opinion unfit for such
a high-profile position. Regardless of how General Pace's religious beliefs
continue to be his right, and they are, the Separation of Church and State when
expressing them as part of our government was introduced by our forefathers
for a purpose. And interpretations of "The Bible" or "The Torah"
or "The Coran" or any other books of religion are not an appropriate
excuse for discriminating against any segment of society. In spite of the interpretations
of immorality of the Bible toward homosexuality that General Pace believes in,
that's a religious evaluation and not sared by all should by law have no place
in his position as a servant of "everyone" in the US Government, not
just his chosen few.
So in spite of the fact that no one else is calling for it to date, my opinion
is that too much is at stake for fairness and equality in such a high profile
position and my vote is to send him down the same road as so many of those in
the government are already going. Like the rest of the self-serving individuals
that are finally being exposed in this God-awful administration, right along
with Rumsfeld and hopefully soon Rove and Gonzales and even the rediculous "Don't
Ask, Don't Tell" policy which is simply another wedge isue to "Divide
and Conquer" and by labeling another segment of our society as second class
citizens.
...But then that's just my opinion....
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J. A Sharp Drop in Gays Discharged From Military
Tied to War Need
By Ann Scott Tyson, Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 14, 2007; Page A03
The number of homosexuals discharged from the U.S. military under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy dropped significantly in 2006, according to Pentagon figures released yesterday -- continuing a sharp decline since the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts began and leading critics to charge that the military is retaining gay men and lesbians because it needs them in a time of war.
According to preliminary Pentagon data, 612 homosexuals were discharged in fiscal 2006, fewer than half the 1,227 discharged in 2001. On average, more than 1,000 service members were discharged each year from 1997 to 2001 -- but in the past five years the average has fallen below 730. The data were provided to The Washington Post in response to a request.
"It is hypocritical that the Pentagon seems to retain gay and lesbian service members when they need them most, and fires them when it believes they are expendable," said Steve E. Ralls, a spokesman for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a nonprofit that opposes the policy.
Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sparked an outcry among gay-advocacy groups on Monday when he said he considers homosexual acts "immoral" and therefore opposes lifting the "don't ask, don't tell" rule and allowing homosexuals to serve openly. "We should not condone immoral acts," Pace told the Chicago Tribune in an interview.
Yesterday, Pace said it would have been better to refrain from offering opinions. "I should have focused more on my support of the policy and less on my personal moral views," he said in a statement, noting that the policy itself "does not make a judgment about the morality of individual acts."
President Bush "thought it was appropriate" for Pace to qualify his remarks, presidential counselor Dan Bartlett said yesterday. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates also suggested yesterday that Pace's "immoral" remark was inappropriate. "Personal opinion really doesn't have a place here. What's important is that we have a law, a statute that governs 'don't ask, don't tell,' " Gates said when asked about his own views on the policy during an interview with the Pentagon Channel.
Pace drew fire yesterday from congressional Democrats, who have recently renewed a push to repeal the policy, as well as from some Republicans and gay-advocacy groups.
"General Pace's statements aren't in line with either the majority of the public or the military," said Rep. Martin T. Meehan (D-Mass.), who last month reintroduced legislation that would repeal the policy on grounds that it is unfair, expensive and harmful to military readiness. "We are turning away good troops to enforce a costly policy of discrimination," he said in a statement. Meehan's legislation has more than 100 co-sponsors and is supported by several prominent retired generals, including a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired Army Gen. John M. Shalikashvili. Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) said in a statement yesterday: "I respectfully, but strongly, disagree with the Chairman's view that homosexuality is immoral."
More than 10,870 military personnel have been discharged under the policy since President Bill Clinton signed it into law in 1993. The law requires that gay service members keep their sexual orientation private and do not engage in homosexual acts, and it prohibits commanders from asking about sexual orientation.
The dismissed have included Arabic speakers and other linguists, intelligence experts and medical personnel -- all of whom are in short supply. In 2005, for example, 49 medical workers were discharged.
"The military can't afford to lose these people, dozens and dozens of well-trained men and women who would ordinarily be doing their job," Ralls said. He said the reduction in discharges since 2001 indicates that the military is applying its policy selectively now because the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have lowered support for joining the military among youths and their parents.
There are an estimated 65,000 gay men and lesbians serving in the military today, according to census-based research by the Williams Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles, Ralls said.
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K. MY PICKS for the Oscars®,
2007...
Make plans now to attend our Feb 25th, 2007 Chevy Chase Ballroom classes, dance
and "OSCAR® PARTY"
MY PICKS: Jennifer Hudson "Best Supporting Actress"
(Dreamgirls), Eddie Murphy "Best Supporting Actor"
