Welcome to my life on the ballroom D - list



























Thursday, February 20, 2020

When I was a kid, the retired city firefighters had  garage shop downtown, always working on an old Pierce Arrow. One of the old men said that Greta Garbo left it outside the Totem pole ballroom, not sure if the story was true but I always enjoyed hearing it. I loved hearing stories about the Totem Pole, my grandparents went dancing there when they were dating. Must have been the top of the world. 


Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Charles Augins and the labyrinth

Have known dancer/choreographer Charles Augins for 16 years.... and he’s kept this secret from me, until today, when I was delighted with his stories from working as choreographer on the Labyrinth. Not only was he choreographer, he also took his hand at voice work and puppeteering, all mentioned  in this new documentary book about the film. And what a book it is! Can’t wait to find a copy. ❤️








Wednesday, October 9, 2019

On our latest trip to NYC

 Our most recent trip to New York City involved the usual routine. We took the train from Union station in DC to Penn station New York.  As our train pulled up in Penn station, what was normal routine  suddenly changed, the train pulled up to a newly renovated track. The train  let us out in the post office across the street.  I have been following the Penn station renovations in the news for sometime now, but I didn’t realize that this is already a reality.  Here’s a photo of the newly renovated track that we arrived on in September.

 We exited the new entry point to the train station from the post office. I don’t think these new renovations will match the former glory of old Penn station, but it’s nice to see some progress .


 Upon arrival we headed over to the new Manhattan ballroom for coaching with Eddie Simon.


 It was my first time to the studio, New York dance studios are always intimidating.


 Going to New York for training is one of my favorite parts of dance life. After coaching that day we went to Macy’s for lunch at Stella 34,  which is our normal  tradition during these trips.  The hardest part is finding the restaurant, which is accessed by the little known express elevator that goes only to the sixth  floor :  We had a beautiful table overlooking Herald Square.  After lunch we went shopping on the Christmas floor.