To all my Supporters, Staff, Friends and Family This past weekend I again discovered how many supporters, friends and terrific people are in my life! I am very appreciative that all of you came out to support the 9th Annual World Hustle Dance Championships. This event is one which I truly enjoy putting together . . . seeing and spending time with all of you as you danced, competed, took classes, made new friends and simply had fun - made all the effort worthwhile! There were many new faces and these dancers were eager to participate in workshops and competitions! This gives proof that the dance will continue to grow and this event will grow hand-in-hand. And again this year, those amateurs who pre-registered for their competitions by the September deadline received a beautiful plaque engraved with their name and all of the dances they competed in! The response to this was, once again, positively overwhelming! The weekend event began on Thursday with a Welcome Party which many felt was the best one yet! There were also 2 dance lessons given by Diane K Nardone and Anthony Lee on Thursday evening which were very well attended. The high-energy dance party was full of the excitement which began there and didn't stop all weekend! We received so many compliments about the wonderful music that was being played which kept you on the dance floor until 3:30 in the morning. Friday began with our brand new Ballroom competitions in smooth and rhythm which were a big hit. Friday's workshops were well attended with 2 workshop rooms and a general dancing room which started at 3:00 in the afternoon. Every room was filled with smiling dancers having an amazing time. The competitions on Friday night included the fantastic performances of the Advanced level for Open Pro-Am Hustle, the awesome Amateur Just Hustle Division, and our Team Match Challenge Competition which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The ever popular Professional Just Hustle and Swing heats ended the Friday competitions. The Battle of the DJ’s started at midnight and as we tallied up the votes, Mark Routzahn was chosen as top DJ with Johnny O not too far behind. Dancers in the main ballroom were treated for hours and hours to the best hustle music as our DJ's played their hearts out until the wee hours!
On Saturday more competitions began, including our new Pro/Am Triple Threat which had an overwhelming number of entries. Of course more fabulous workshops were offered and competitions continued throughout the day. Thank you again for continuing to generate energy by dressing your best, cheering the competitors on and spreading positivity throughout. On Saturday evening the ambiance reflected our energetic & decorative Explosion theme with beautiful decorations in the Grand Ballroom and beautifully dressed guests who were in attendance for our dinner show. This year's spectacular marked the 9th Annual World Hustle event and event director, Diane K. Nardone opened the evening, once again showing her dedication and unselfish support to keeping this fabulous and well-attended event alive and growing!
The dinner show this year was superb with an outstanding opening piano solo by one of our very own talented dancers Steve Salerno, followed by a variety of dance routines featuring special performances by American Dance Wheels, this year’s benefit a 50/50 raffle was held to benefit those dancers restricted to wheel chairs. A presentation from Young Adult Erica Bellaby with Robert Hansberry, Young Adult Christopher Brown with Melinda Kremer, Adult Diane Murphy with Randy Herbein. Melinda Kremer is the Executive Director of American Dancewheels and can be emailed at info@americandancewheels.org. We also had Roberto Pagan & Rosa Paredes, Robert Cordoba and his girls Silvana & Diane and the fabulous latin team Rene Ostarek and Brona Vrtslova who was outstanging intheir 23 performances and their outrageous costumes. And who can not forget the YMCA boys with Lisa and Diane. The Saturday evening Professional competitions opened with the popular and entertaining Jack-n-Jill Swing & our new Invitational Jack-n-Jill Hustle competitions and concluded with the 9th Annual World Open Hustle Dance Championship! Competition winners are posted on the website - click on the link for Competitions and Awards! The weekend closed on Sunday with the final competitions including the Just Dance Swing and the ever popular amateur Swing and Hustle Jack-n-Jill's. Concluding the Sunday competitions was our Jill-n-Jack Swing and Hustle competitions where female leaders partnered with male followers which had everyone standing on their chairs!!! Awards followed during a fantastic Farewell Party for the dancers and spectators from 23 states. To my staff, instructors, judges, volunteers and family who treated this event as if it were their own, giving so much of themselves and lending a hand whenever needed, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm honored to have worked among such professionals as we became part of this wonderful experience together. An extra thank you to those who were behind the scenes Linda Wei/ pre WHD-C at home, Connie MacDougall, Carol Feldman, Trudy Cherubino Chris Lefebrve and Dan Miele who welcomed you in our registration room. Aunt Cathy/hospitality suite, Cathy Ricci/volunteers and all those who volunteered, Carole Phelps/Program Book, My sister Donna & Brother-in law George who helped with many things especially decorating the ballroom, Cousin Roy/ Security, Sari Levine/competitions, and of course to the staff of the Hilton Hotel who helped make all my wishes come true. My vision of what this event was to be was completely fulfilled thanks to all of you. I know that my son Christopher was very happy to see that we continue to join together as a melting pot becoming one dance family. I encourage your feedback and recommendations for next year. Our goal is to constantly improve and deliver a fun event for all. Thank you for your support and friendship
Diane K. Nardone | 
