Avant Garde Anniversary Ball

 Last night I attended the 7th anniversary celebration for Avant Garde Dance studio.  I have been working for the studio for over a year now, but I was also there at the beginning when they first opened.  I had been involved with the studio for several years as an independent dance instructor, before finally joining the permanent residency staff in 2018.

 The Washington area is a saturated market for dance studios,  it is a struggle for many of them to stay open. Avant Garde has been able to excel in this market, by operating as a boutique style studio, accommodating a diversity of ages and styles, and giving everything a personalized touch. Twice a year the studio hosts a formal dinner dance, with many professionals attending from the area with their students, friends and family. This year‘s theme dance was “black and white “.

Phyllis McGuire’s Las Vegas home

 I have been reading that Phyllis McGuire’s Las Vegas home was for sale.  I wonder if anyone  has bought it yet. It was listed in 2017, at 6.5 million.  I remember watching her Barbara Walters interview back in the 80s, I watched that interview with my grandmother, and she explained to me who the Mcguire Sisters were . I remember watching that interview, thinking that her house was so bizarre. Her home had a replica base of the Eiffel Tower, a soda shop, and collection of swans.  I remember reading somewhere that  the windows were bulletproof.  It’s kind of sad that her home is for sale,  it signifies the passing of her generation.  I guess she needed to downsize.

West Newton Cinema

After participating in the New England Open Dancesport competition, I got to have a fun day in Boston, exploring Quincy Market during the daytime, and sorely missing Durgan Park, which I had hoped to visit during my stay. My grandparents had their honeymoon dinner at Durgan Park and I was saddened to hear that they closed in January.

As a great way to end my trip to the New England Open this year, I visited the West Newton Cinema to see the new Downton Abbey Movie. The Cinema was built in 1937. Although it was in a sad state of adapted use as a multiplex, the theater was still had some cool Art Deco details showing, along with a silent movie vending projector in the lobby.

2019 New England Dancesport

Group photo from the 2019 New England Open.

For this event we took the train in from Washington, DC, and arrived in Boston South Station 

Our first stop was South Street Diner in Boston

At the South Street Diner, I enjoyed hearing The Andrews Sisters on the juke box

The event was held at Needham Town Hall and was organized by Kalin Mitov. The event was inclusive of all different types of leaders and followers, and allowed for mixed and same gender partnerships. After the event, we went for a celebration meal at the Knotty Pine Diner, which happened to be filled with Massachusetts themed sports memorabilia.

Al Jolson’s home in DC

Photos of a recent visit. To the location of Al Jolson’s home in DC.

Dardanella Gatsby Picnic

 I am so disappointed that there wasn’t a Dardanella Gatsby picnic this year .  Here are some photos from past  picnics held on the National Cathedral lawn.

Vintage photos of Nick Short at Dushor Dance Studio in MD/DC

Photos from 1977

NDCA Rule change for same gender, gender neutral couples

This is long over due. I’m surprised by how many people are objecting to it.