Holly Kirby - a Beautiful Dance Teacher Opens a Cool, New Dance Center!

            Pittsburgh has a new dance center - a beautifully rehabbed, large ballroom - Pittsburgh Dance Center in Bloomfield - 4765 Liberty Ave - Pittsburgh, Pa 15224.
         In a nutshell - Holly Kirby - herself an accomplished Salsa dancer and teacher - arranged for every night - a different kind of dancing with the professional instructions pre-ceding the dance.  The dance teachers in the studio - are all top notch. I - myself - love Argentine Tango, Swing and Ballroom variety - so I have a choice of three great nights in Holly's studio.
       The dances sessions which include the instructions are reasonably priced and you get some delicious, healthy snacks all included in an entrance fee - which is no more than $10.00 - most nights - unless there are some other events scheduled.
       Last  Friday's - Dec. 23 - 2011 - Lindy Hop (variation of Swing) dance was well attended and well organized with the instructor - enthusiastic if not overly knowledgeable - offering super good lesson with the new dance moves - to either - either for the beginning dancers or the more advanced ones - like yours truly.
    
      Important update: Holly Kirby's Dance Studio closed - but if you google "ballroom dancing in Pittsburgh, Pa. 15217" you will get an info re: the good ballroom dance events in Pittsburgh's - nice part - Squirrel Hill - that take place in Wightman Community Center which has a super good, large - dance floor. 

 Copyright@L.Hadley 2022

     

Meredith Mileti - promotes her first, charming/sensational "foodie" novel.

           On Sat. Dec. 3 - 2011 - at the main branch of Carnegie Library - in Pittsburgh, Pa - by the University of Pittsburgh - Pitt's - Campus - Ms. Meredith Mileti - gave out her healthy and tasty little cookies - as she gave an animated, humorous lecture about her new "foodie" novel  - titled "Aftertaste: A Novel in Five Courses" - published in Sept. 2010 - available in Barnes and Noble Bookstores.
          All the "foodies" and "non-foodies" who like to read a good story - should click immediately on the following website - verbatim - http://meredithmileti.com  where you will find all the interesting "tidbits" - literally and in general.
        Ms. Mileti - talked animatedly and not too long about her novel which sounds intriguing and fun. Her presentation was short enough - so she did not to bore the listeners but long enough - so people participating in her presentation - were enticed to buy her book - very nicely designed by her publisher. 
       Quite a few people present - purchased her book which is great - since nowadays - the first-time author - has to vigorously promote their first work - which means - at times - a lot of hard, grueling labor.
      Ms. Mileti promotional presentation was a lot of fun - so now - go and purchase her book for a "foodie" on your holiday gift list.

      Copyright@L.Hadley and Associates 2024

Community and Recreation Center - Boyce mayview Park Center - hosted a dynamite Tea Dance Event for the Seniors and everybody else.

         Last Saturday Nov. 5 - 2011 - Pittsburgh's chapter of USA Dance - Ballroom Dancers Association - in cooperation with the Upper Saint Clair Community and Recreation Center - 1551 Mayview Rd - Upper Saint Clair, Pa 15241 - Phone 412-221-1099 - which features a super nice, big ballroom - hosted a totally fabulous Tea Dancing Event - for seniors and other dancers.
      The big sound system with the DJ Jiving Johnny - enjoying himself as a skillful Master of Ceremony - played a lot of Tangoes, Waltzes, Swings and some Hustle and Polka - for those wanting a more strenuous work out.  Long story short - the event went very well, and tons of special thanks go to the Ladies Volunteers who provided the dancers with - most exquisite (delicious) tea sandwiches and tiny, mouthwatering pastries accented by fresh fruits - accompanied by magnificently presented coffee, tea and punch.
     The Art and Style Dance studio located in the Pittsburgh's, Pa - picturesque - suburb - you can google them since they recently moved to a new location - performed an impressive showcase of some hot Latin performances by the studio's outstanding youthful talents.
     Everybody had loads of fun at this super event which started promptly at 2 pm and ended at 5:30 pm.  Ballroom dancing/social dancing is the most terrific way to socialize, exercise and have an easy, good time with all kinds of people.

     Copyright@L.Hadley and Associates - 2024

Shannon Cain - delivers a super dynamite lecture at the Main Carnegie Library - Oakland - Pittsburgh, Pa 15213 - branch!

         On Thurs. Oct 6 - 2011 - Ms Shannon Cain delivered a vibrant session/lecture - which she illustrated with some sunny slides of her native town of Tucson, Arizona.  Ms Cain's commentary had a lot of humor in it - skillfully blended into her lively speech - which sparkled with some humorous, honest observations re: the impulsive but fun actions - which are costly to us, humans - in terms of being criticized and ridiculed. 
      Her lecture at the main library branch of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - University of Pittsburgh's (Pitt's) Oakland campus - was introduced by - way - too many Library and University of Pittsburgh' officials and faculty.  The Main Library deputy director's introduction would be quite sufficient. 

      The University of Pittsburgh's Poetry Department' faculty rep's intro could easily be skipped - thus giving a bit more time to Ms. Cain - whose public speaking skills are considerable - as well as her ability to engage the public.
     Over all - it was an excellent event - nothing was forced or boring about it.  The public attending Ms. Cain's presentation  learned a lot about the city of Tucson's city council and about Ms. Cain's future literary projects.

    Copyright@L.Hadley - 2023

The Jazz Quarter of Joe Negri - Pittsburgh's Accoustic Guitar - superstar - sounds great at Pitt's Campus.

     Joe Negri has some awesome musicians performing with his Jazz Quartet - which showcased some Jazz classics on a beautiful, Fall afternoon - on Sun. Sept 25 - 2011.
    Paul Williams did some excellent jazz moves on a huge base - while Max Leake piano/keyboard mastery - definitely stands out.
    The youthful drums player did a good job - to keep up with his experienced band mates - but of course - Joe Negri does a lot of fabulous moves on his accoustic gitar.
    The quartet did a short tribute to the legendary Django Reinhart - the piece was a tad long - they could pick a more effarvescent short from Django's varied repertoire.
    The guest soloist - Jay Ashby - played a spectacular Brasillian Bossa Nova tune on his trumpet which was the only number he performed before "his son's baseball game".
     Maureen Budway - a well known, local vocalist - belted out a lot of excellent tunes in her low, controlled alto.  She expecially well demonstrated her scooting ability in a melodic standard called "Lullybies of the Leaves".
    The two sound technicians who needed to be recognized by the band leader - did an outstanding job - which could be hard and tricky.  The jazz sounds penetrated the open park area very well without being too loud.
Copyright@L.Hadley - 2012

July's 13th - 2011 - Tango concert/dance by the Tango band "Cuidado" - at the Fairmont Hotel - downtown Pittsburgh, Pa

     The lobby of downtown Pittsburgh's premier hotel Fairmont - resembled a fine cafe evening in Buenos Aires - as the numerous Pittsburgh's Tango dancers took to the magnificent, marble looking floors of the lobby.
    The Pittsburgh's Tango band - "Cuidado" has some fine musicians and their classic Tango tunes evolved into a more professional sounding mode since January of this year.
    Julia Zukov - the main viola player of the band is also a well-known Argentine Tango teacher.  Her partner - Koichiro Suzuki or Chewy - for short is also an Argentine Tango teacher in addition to being a main tuba player and a director of the band.
   They demonstrated an Argentine Tango - Vals - similar to a regular Waltz.  Their dance moves appear effortless, smooth, coordinated and polished.
   Overall - the classic Piazzola tunes sounded flawlessly with a lot of maturity.  "The Kiss of Fire" - on the other hand - Angel Villoldo's immortal classic - left some to be desired.  The band needs to work on it some more.  Also - a couple of pieces the band played - were entirely too long - close to ten minutes per piece.
   In a nutshell - however - the band milongas - among them - the immortal classic - "Betty La Fea" - sounded lively with the beat kept well for the dancers.
   On July 24 - 2011 - Sat. 8:30 pm - the band will play at Wightman Community Center - Squirrel Hill which has a magnificent dance floor and good acoustics.
   See you there!

   Copyright@L. Hadley and Associates 2024

Brian Lee - a "hidden" Pittsburgh gem - a versatile dance teacher and a DJ - gives extraodinarily easy and useful dance lesson followed by the social dance!!!

     Updated  on March 18 - 2021
       
           Attention all the Tango Maniacs - Brian Lee - shows some super fun and easy Tango steps - usually during the first Thursday of the month - for example - last night - on Thurs. July 7 - 2011 - Brian showed several Tango steps like the Tango rocks, the Tango Corte (hesitation), the Opening to the Promenade - all of those steps are fairly easy but they look attractive.    
       The Thursday - June 23 - 2011 - ballroom session at Wightman School - Squirrel Hill - was super good. Brian taught five excellent, universal Foxtrot - steps - which could - also be used in a Tango.

             Pittsburgh has some good Ballroom dance events which include a number of good dance instructions that are easy and relatively inexpensive.
      If you live near Pittsburgh's - Squirrel Hill -  - once per month  - on Fridays - Wightman Community Center in Squirrel Hill - Pittsburgh, 15217 - offers a dynamite Ballroom Dance. All this for only ten dollars. Check their schedule before you make the trip.
   
     Moment from the past - During the second week of April - 2011 - Brian taught some good moves for Swing - followed by the "oldies" general dancing.  As a DJ - he has a good sound system and fabulous selection of music - while the dance floor at Wightman is big and terrific.
    You need to check out Friday evenings at Wightman Community Center - if you like good dance instructions and good sounding - music.  The people who come there are - generally - friendly - at times - some superb dancers from whom you can learn - will show you some extra dance moves.
     Don't forget that "life is a dance of sorts - so the better you dance on the dance floor - the better you live your life."

Copyright@L.Hadley - 2023

Friday night - Jan. 28 - 2011 - Argentine Tango Heats up - a Winter night in Pittsburgh!!!

     All the lovers of Argentine Tango - take notice immediately:  A multi-talented, energetic and good looking dancer, musician, Argentine Tango Teacher - named Koichiro Suzuki or Chewy - to his numerous students and friends - in addition to teaching a lot of good Argentine Tango classes - also leads a super fun, fun, fun Argentine Tango band called Cuidado.
     On Fri. January 29-2011 - at the very heart of Pittsburgh's downtown Cultural District - Chewy and his equally talented dance partner - Julia - demonstrated a lot of polished and intriguing Argentine Tango moves while the Cuidado band performed tons of awesome Tango classics like "La Cumparsita" as well as some Astor Piazzolla Tango masterpieces like "Onda Nueva".
    The event happened on the fourth floor of a new loft structure - downtown Pittsburgh, Pa. and each floor presented a different cultural event.  During the same evening the second floor had a rap performance with a demonstration of some sort - so several youthful rap afficionados came upstairs to try their hands or feet at Argentine Tango which they preferred for that evening.
    Some people who accidentally walked in - to examine the art pieces on the fourth floor of that loft - immediatley got drown into the Argentine Tango sounds and couldn't take their eyes off the star dancers/teachers - Chewy and Julia.
    Long story short - the band sounded good, Chewy and his partner - danced Argentine Tango very well and announced the places where they teach - beginning, intermediate and advanced classes.  Overall - it was a fun evening, but we would like to make a small suggestion re: the distribution of the informational flyers - which appeared well designed but not widely distributed.  The promotional materials need to be on the seats so when the public sits - they quickly put those in their pockets.  That's how we do effective publicity campaigns in Chicago and in New York City.

Copyright@L.Hadley - 2023