Volume 31, Issue 4 Aug/September 2021

Studios and Gulfport Casino are now holding except for Largo Community Ctr, Rhapsody Ballroom. Wed Tea begins August 4th at Dancers Co-op 2-4pm Here we are in Hurricane again, hoping that no hurricane The St Petersburg Coliseum will re- will threaten any of our monthly open Wed, October 6th, and our USA Dances at Suncoast Suncoast Chapter will hold a late Ballroom. celebration of National Ballroom

Dance Week on Wed, October 20th Our Suncoast Chapter is 30 with $5 admission for USA Dance years old this year! In spite of members with their card. losing ballroom dancers every year to death and disability, I Memorial Dance for Wayne Meier hope we can keep going. will be held at Suncoast Ballroom

nd 2-4pm Wed, September 1st. At our November 22 Dance we will elect a Board of Directors for Now that vaccinated dancers are a two-year term. Telephone getting mild symptoms of COVID, Tree Chair Lorraine Ostrowski Marjorie Reynolds, Lois Rotella Bayou Dance Club will require a will run for office so she can Lois Rotella loved ballroom dancing reservation and take your temp at attend Board meetings and help at local studios, the VFW, Gulfport the door. make decisions for the good of Casino for several years, and was our members. good friends with Marge Meigs, Volunteers Mary and Ed Zuranski

Marjorie Reynolds, Trish Johnston. who assist me with this Tempo Everyone is welcome to run for designed a new format so that office at this election, so let me She is pictured here with Marjorie Mary can make changes more know as soon as possible if you who told me that Lois had died in easily. Thank you, Mary and Ed! would like to do that. May after a fall, hip surgery, then pneumonia. Many thanks to Wendell Wood, Our Board will meet for the 1st who has volunteered to be the time this year on August 9th. We Lois will be missed by her daughter Deejay at our monthly dances will make plans for a Volunteer Holly, her friends, and her grandson when Sam Moses can no longer do on Wed, November 10th. will miss dancing with her. this. 2 STUDIO CONTACT Alphabetic order as USA DANCE SUNCOAST INDEPENDENT DANCE INFORMATION CHAPTER does not endorse any particular INSTRUCTORS studio or Instructor

CALL STUDIO or view their web site to Arthur Murray Studio Arleene Norman-Bowles confirm a dance or class 25032 US 19 N [email protected]

Clearwater, FL 33763 Gulfport Casino Tel: 727-786-2224 Lania Carol Baker 5500 Shore Blvd S. 727-798-3660 th Gulfport, FL 33707 Ballroom on 66 [email protected] th Tel: 727-893-1070 10001 66 St. http://mygulfport.us/recreation/casino Pinellas Park, FL 33782 Carol Rivera Tel: 727-549-2222 [email protected] Bogdan & Gosia Largo Community Center 400 Alternate Keene Road Corinne Rungo Bayou Dance Club Largo, FL 33771 727-741-3337 nd 6541 - 102 Ave N. Tel: 727-518-3131 [email protected] Pinellas Park, FL 33782 Tel: 727-548-6511 Mario Magic Dance Club Danielle Blouin www.bayoudanceclub.com 2100 E. Bay Dr. 813-390-2556 Largo, FL 33771 http://www.dbdance.net Cabaret Dance Club Tel: 727-549-2222 Bogdan & Gosia 35235 US Highway 19 http://www.magicdanceclub.com Dan Douglas Palm Harbor, FL 34684 727-455-2005 Tel: 727-459-3201 Rose & Eva District Dance Academy http://cabaretdanceclub.com 14100 US Hwy 19 N, #139 Denise Rivera, British Champion Largo, FL 33764 and Adjudicator 941-504-7198 Coliseum Ballroom Tel: 727-306-8101 Hugo & Stacy th 534 – 4 Ave N. http://www.districtdanceacademy.com Judy Davy St. Petersburg, FL 33701 727-433-2779 Tel: 727-892-5202 Robin Rhapsody Ballroom www.starlightdanceclub.net www.stpete.org/coliseum 12101 N. 56th St. Temple Terrace, FL 33617 Renee & Tommy Dance Forever Tel: 813-985-6570 Richard & Laurie 727-698-0171 34990 US 19 N, Fountains Plaza http://www.rhapsodyballroom.com [email protected] Palm Harbor, FL 33684 Tel: 727-723-3269 Cathy & Troy Suncoast Ballroom Richard Roberts www.danceforeverflorida.com 7500 Ulmerton Road 727-459-4800 Largo, FL 33771 Dancers Co-op Tel: 727-535-1893 Joe & Elissa Sergey & Yulia Clearwater Garden Club www.suncoastballroom.com 813-919-8539 405 Seminole St. [email protected] Clearwater, FL 33756 Vicki’s Ballroom Tel: 727-953-7830 Shelley 8980 Seminole Blvd Swingin Sam Seminole, FL 33772 www.Swingtime.info DW Dance Tel: 727-394-1194 Vicki & Todd 2221 N Hercules Ave http://www.vickisballroom.com Tim Allen 727-777-2934 Clearwater, FL 33763 Tel: 727-888-4405 Hans

VOLUME 31, ISSUE 4 Aug/Sept 2021

3 MAY DANCE by Nancy Welch – Photos by Teresa Zeoli

Joe Taylor at Suncoast Ballroom helped out once again, making announcements for me as I did not want to stay at the dance and give my cold germs to anyone attending.

Teresa Zeoli and Lee Ferreira did a great job with the Snack Table, and Teresa snapped these great photos.

Corinne Rungo, who teaches group and private lessons at Dancers Co-op, taught a group class in , and brought her students to entertain us in the show.

Bob Waller was first, dancing a Rumba with Corinne. After a Corinne with Bob Waller costume change, Mike Hogan Corinne with Mike Hogan

and Corinne performed a Swing.

Another costume change, and then the Rungo Stars performed “The First Rumba”.

Many thanks to all the performers and volunteers!

Dancers Co-op is enjoying their new home at the Clearwater Garden Club, 405 Seminole St, Clearwater.

Playing the show music from Corinne’s phone caused delays as the phone kept shutting off. We will ask that show music be brought on a flash drive or CD rather than a phone in the future. Sue Payne, Corinne, Marianella Visuetti, Rose Stone, Tonya Hicks

VOLUME 31, ISSUE 4 Aug/Sept 2021

4 ACTIVITIES CALENDAR FOR CLASSES & DANCES BALLROOM ON 66TH THURSDAY with Denise & Martin 8:30-10:00 pm $15

BAYOU DANCE CLUB MONDAY Advanced Class 7:30-8:15 pm $5 MONDAY West Coast Swing Classes/Dance Renee & Tommy 6:30-8:30pm $10 TUESDAY Beginner & Advanced Classes, Dance 7:30-10:00 pm $15* WEDNESDAY Beginner & Advanced Classes 7:30-8:15 pm $7 WEDNESDAY Level 1 West Coast Swing Class with Danielle 6:30-7:30 pm $10 WEDNESDAY Level 2 West Coast Swing Class with Danielle 7:30-8:15 pm $10 WEDNESDAY West Coast Swing Dance with Danielle 8:15-9:00 pm THURSDAY Beginner & Advanced Classes 7:30-8:15 pm $7 3rd THURSDAY Westie night on the town with Danielle 7:30-10:30pm tip FRIDAY Class and Dance 7:30-10 pm $15* 1ST SATURDAY Milonga with Kathleen & Steve 8:30 pm – 1:30 am 2ND SATURDAY WCS & Country Classes & Dance with Danielle 7:30pm--12am $15 4TH SATURDAY West Coast Swing Class & Dance with Danielle 7:30 pm – 12:00 am $15 *Tuesdays and Fridays, $7 Class, $10 Dance, or $15 for both! Bayou now requires a reservation

CABARET DANCE CLUB TUESDAY Class & Dance with Sergey & Yulia 8:00-10:00 pm * WEDNESDAY Country Western & Party 7:00 – 9:00 pm $9 THURSDAY Ballroom Class/Dance 7:15 – 10:00 pm $15 FRIDAY Singles Dance 7:00 – 10:00 $15 SATURDAY Ballroom Dance 7:00 – 10:00 $15 4TH SATURDAY All Latin Dinner Dance 7:30 Dinner, 8 Dance $20* *Tuesday $15 Class, $15 Dance, $22 for both! Contact Sergey & Yulia at 813-919-8539 4th Saturday – Reserve your Table for the Dinner Dance in advance by calling 727-459-3201

DW DANCE CLUB TUESDAY Salsa Group Class 7:00 pm WEDNESDAY Swing Jive Class 6:00 pm LAST WEDNESDAY Tango Practica 8:00 pm $15* THURSDAY Tango class 8:00pm FRIDAY Ballroom & Latin Dance Party 8:00 pm $15* *Wednesday Tango limited to 18 people, $15/person or $25/couple, call Hans at 727-888-4405 Friday Party $15/person or $25/couple

DANCE FOREVER MONDAY Group Classes 6:30 and 7:15 pm TUESDAY West Coast Swing Class 7:15 pm – 8:00 pm WEDNESDAY Newcomers class 6:30 pm WEDNESDAY Ladies Styling class 7:15 pm THURSDAY Class and Dance 7:15 pm – 9:30 pm *

VOLUME 31, ISSUE 4 Aug/Sept 2021

5 DISTRICT DANCE ACADEMY 2nd SUNDAY Tea Time Tango John Rodriguez & Gina Santamaria 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm 3rd SUNDAY Milonga Michael & Eunkyung Voris 4:00 pm- 7:00pm MONDAY Line Dance classes & party with Cody Flowers 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm $10 MONDAY Shuffle with Stacy Kay 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm MONDAY Lindy Hop Class, Swing Practica with Forrest & Andrea 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm TUESDAY Two West Coast Swing Classes & Dance 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm TUESDAY Brazilian ZOUK Classes 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm TUESDAY ZOUK Dance Party with Bruno 9:30 pm – 11:00 pm WEDNESDAY Hip Hop Class with Hugo Minguez 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm WEDNESDAY Beginner Line Dance with Todd Robishaw 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm THURSDAY Solo Argentine Tango Class 7:00 pm – 7:55 pm THURSDAY Salsa/Bachata Class and Dance 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm SATURDAY Solo Adult International Latin Class with Olga 10:00 am – 11:00 am

GULFPORT CASINO BALLROOM TUESDAY Ballroom Classes and Dance Carol Baker 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm $10 TUESDAY Argentine Tango Class/Dance Kathleen & Steve 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm WEDNESDAY Swing Class and Dance Swingin Sam 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm $10 THURSDAY Salsa Class and Dance Carol Rivera 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm $10

MAGIC DANCE CLUB MONDAY Ladies Latin Solo Class 7:30-8:15 pm $15 THURSDAY Salsa/Bachata/Cha Cha Class 7:30 pm $15 FRIDAY Class/Pizza Dance 7:30-10:00pm $15 Call the studio for info on private lessons, group adult and children classes: 727-549-2222

SUNCOAST BALLROOM MONDAY Group Class with Joe Taylor 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm $10* TUESDAY Class/Lite Dinner/Dance 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm $15* THURSDAY Group Class with Joe Taylor 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm $10* FRIDAY Tea Dance 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm $10 SATURDAY Group Class, Lite Dinner/Dance 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm $15 3RD SATURDAY Dinner Dance & Mini Show 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm $25 SUNDAY Class with Pizza & Wine Dance 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm $15* Monday, Thursday Classes available for $28 for 4 weeks.

DANCERS CO-OP WEDNESDAY TEA DANCE 2-4PM Begins August 4th $7 admission USA Dance members

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS LOPEZ HALL SUNDAY NIGHT SWING DANCE 7177 58TH ST N, PINELLAS PARK Torpedo Room, 3810 W Kennedy Blvd,Tampa LIVE BAND TEA DANCE 6-7pm Free Lindy class, 7-8 Swing class MONDAY, 1-3 PM $10 Dance 9-11pm $10

VOLUME 31, ISSUE 4 Aug/Sept 2021

6 AUGUST SPECIAL EVENTS SEPTEMBER SPECIAL EVENTS

Sunday, August 15 Dance to The Impacs Monday, September 6 Cabaret Dance Club 7-10pm $15 Reserve! Suncoast Ballroom Labor Day Party 8-10om $15

Saturday, August 21 7-11pm $25 Saturday, September 18 Suncoast Ballroom Hawaiian Luau Dinner Dance Suncoast Ballroom Mardi Gras Dinner Dance 7-11pm $25 Reserve! Monday, August 23 7-10pm Suncoast Chapter Dance, Suncoast Ballroom $7-10 Sunday, September 26 Tampa Bay Classic Call 954-753-5598 for info WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Suncoast Ballroom WAYNE MEIER MEMORIAL DANCE Monday, September 27 7-10pm Free admission, great food 2-4pm Suncoast Chapter Dance, Suncoast Ballroom $7-10

DEEJAY SAM’S 90TH BIRTHDAY PARTY by Nancy Welch

Deejay Sam had a great time playing his music, dancing, and socializing at his 90th Birthday Party held at Suncoast Ballroom on June 4th. He thanks the 48 who attended to enjoy his traditional music, and for all the cards and gifts he received. It was so good to see several of the dancers for the 1st time in 15 months! Suncoast Chapter member David Snyder read a poem he created for this occasion, and I am happy to share it with all of you. Ninety years and still going strong. What is the secret of living so long? Might it have to do with a song? Or many songs and I am not wrong You have brought joy to many of us who danced to your music with no fuss Your music is always sweet and lush. We are ready to hit the floor with a rush Today we celebrate a Deejay of fame; well known in Pinellas by just one name Without your presence it wouldn’t be the same. You have made the effort and perfected your game So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you on this special day. It is time for us to acknowledge and say Live long and prosper as long as you may. We are rooting for you on this your birthday.

VOLUME 31, ISSUE 4 Aug/Sept 2021

7 JUNE DANCE by Nancy Welch

Many thanks to Frank Sliwa and student Aki for returning to our USA Dance once again to perform Foxtrot in the show. We all loved Frank’s !

We were delighted to have Pro Hosts Marcelle Chichorowicz and Michael Castellana perform for the first time, dancing a .

Many thanks to Joe Taylor for the group class in Cha Cha. We held both a Waltz and a Foxtrot mixer to help the ladies get enough dances.

Thanks to Teresa Zeoli and Lee Ferreira for help setting up, and for Michaela Smith for help with cleanup. Thanks to Lee for donating homemade brownies.

Foxtrot with Frank Sliwa and student Aki

Cha Cha class with Joe Taylor Waltz with Pro Hosts Michael and Marcelle

VOLUME 31, ISSUE 4 Aug/Sept 2021

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VOLUME 31, ISSUE 4 Aug/Sept 2021

9 Memories of Janice Merluzzo by Nancy Welch

Janis Merluzzo, who performed several times with Daniel Fugazotto at our monthly dances died on June 5th from inoperable brain cancer. When Janis retired from teaching physical education, health, and psychology in 2003, and moved to Sarasota, she took ballroom dance lessons.

She met multi-talented musician Daniel in 2004 and within six months they began competing. For seven years they won National USA Dance championships.

In recent years, they performed exhibitions, at many of which Daniel also supplied musical entertainment. I so loved watching Janis & Daniel perform, as well as the Formation Team that they coached. I will miss them greatly as will everyone who knew Janis.

Her competitive involvement soon led Janis into taking the reins of the Sarasota White Sands chapter as its President and driving force. She was on the Board for close to 20 years, filling every role except Secretary or Treasurer. Janis encouraged other amateur couples to try competing, and many of them danced in shows at our monthly dances, also.

VOLUME 31, ISSUE 4 Aug/Sept 2021

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Many thanks to all who renewed their membership

MARY ALLEN VICTORIA BAKER TINA BARAQUE ANN BEAMAN DAVID BORN SHEILA BUSTAMONTE JOHN BUTLER MARY CHRISTIE ROSELLO BARRY CROOK RUDY & JOYCE CROCE LEE DAIGLE MARK & MARILOU DESHAIS ROSALEE FERREIRA IAN FORESTIER PATRICK GATES ROBERT GOULETTE AMY GRABOWSKI MARY HAUSMAN DAVID JELASO BILL KATZARAS BOB KOMPINSKI LAURIE KOZBELT ERNIE KREIDER LARRY LESTER LINDA MACEDONIO JIMMY & CAROL MAKRIS PAUL & MARIE MORRIS SARA MULLINS LORRAINE OSTROWSKI CARMINE PACILIO ARNOLD & CONNIE PAGANO JUDY POLK JEAN REYBUCK CARL & LANONA ROBINSON SHARON SANCHEZ GEORGE & BETTY JO SCHERER FRANK & KAY SEXTON KAREN SINGER DAVID SNYDER GAIL SPEAR JOANNA STAFFIELD CHARLES STOEHR DIANE TINDELL BERNADINE VEHRS SHEILA WEINGARTNER TERESA ZEOLI ED & MARY ZURANSKI Thanks to new members MARGARET PARKER SARA SHIU

PAID ADVERTISING

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TELEPHONE TREE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS? SUNCOAST CHAPTER Lorraine Ostrowski, Chair BOARD OF DIRECTORS 727-418-9213 Click on Update Subscription Nancy Welch, President Preference at the bottom of our 727-576-1206, [email protected] Sara Frederick emails to change your email Dana Fitzpatrick address. The Update Subscription Gail Spear, Vice President Preference link is in really small print 727-359-2817 SUBSCRIPTIONS but we have no control over its print The latest Tempo is available at: size. Judy Polk, Secretary http://dancesuncoast.com 210-639-8419 Members may arrange to receive a QUESTIONS? printed copy of the Tempo at the Can’t print your new card? monthly dance. Yineth Zuniga, Treasurer Email [email protected] Non-members printed copy 818-903-8295 subscriptions is $15.00 per year. Lost your membership card? Mail check payable to USA Dance to Members at Large Call Tina Baraque or Nancy Welch Editor Nancy Welch Tina Baraque 917-446-1271

Lee Ferreira 727-548-4110 Looking for a Volunteer Ian Forestier 727-823-0922 TEMPO STAFF Bob Kompinski 727-237-9548 Editor, Nancy Welch Opportunity? LaNona Robinson 727-578-9966 Assistant, Mary Zuranski Call Nancy Welch! Kay Sexton, 440-354-8600

COMMITTEES AD RATES LINKS Membership - Tina Baraque USA DANCE Suncoast Chapter Web Site - Ed Zuranski 1 Issue 6 Issues http://dancesuncoast.com Publicity – LaNona Robinson Full Page Half $40 $200 Outreach Coordinator and DeeJay – Page $20 $100 OPEN ¼ Page $10 $50 District 9 Website Facebook, Gail Spear Business Card $5 $25 http://district9.usadance.org Mail Chimp, Judy Polk Ad deadline is the 5th of the month. National USA Dance Web site Ads must be camera-ready and sized http://usadance.org correctly. For other details, call Nancy MONTHLY DANCE VOLUNTEERS Not a member? PUBLISHING SCHEDULE Join us at Entertainment Nancy Welch TEMPO is published bimonthly. Ad http://usadanceorg/membership Music Sam Moses, Nancy Welch deadlines are as follows: Pro Hosts Nancy Welch New phone number? Amateur Hosts Open Feb/Mar issue due 5 Jan New address? Refreshments Nancy Welch, Need renewal form? Apr/May issue due 5 Mar Teresa Zeoli, Lee Ferreira Cannot get into your USA Dance Paper Supplies Lee Daigle June/July issue due 5 May account online? Photographer Teresa Zeoli Aug/Sept issue due 5 July General membership questions? Set up Teresa Zeoli, Nancy Welch, Oct/Nov issue due 5 Sept Lee Ferreira Dec/Jan issue due 5 Nov Call Membership Chair Tina Cleanup Michaela Smith Baraque at 917-446-1271

VOLUME 31, ISSUE 4 Aug/Sept 2021

12 SUNCOAST CHAPTER DANCES Monday, AUGUST 23 Monday, SEPTEMBER 27

7:00-10:00PM 7:00-10:00PM Lesson: 7:15-7:45 Mark Weisenburger Lesson: 7:15-7:45 Frank Sliwa

Show: 8:30 Mark & Cheryl, Joe Taylor & Tina Show: 8:30 Frank & Aki, Joe Taylor & Nancy

Admission: $7 Members, $10 Non-members MONTHLY DANCES held at Suncoast Ballroom 7500 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL through September 2021 Starting October 2021 Monthly Dances return to GULFPORT CASINO

Directions TO GULFPORT CASINO IGNORE

From the north on I-275, take exit for 22nd South. Right at end of exit ramp to drive west on 22nd Avenue South, then left at 58th Street traffic light. At the end of 58th Street, turn left on Shore Blvd. to the Casino. Park on the street or in parking lot next to playground.

From the South on I-275, take exit for 26th Ave. South. Turn LEFT at end of exit ramp, cross 34th Street, then take 1st right to 22nd Ave. South where you will turn left. Turn left again at 58th Street traffic light and then left on Shore Blvd. to the Casino.

USA DANCE SUNCOAST C HAPTER 6004

Nancy Welch 8703 40th Way Pinellas Park FL 33782 Volume 31, Issue 4 Aug/Sept 21

VOLUME 31, ISSUE 4 Aug/Sept 2021