The Assignment – Plan a 2-week vacation in Sicily around my birthday date in June.

Our Priorities – Spend the vacation money on food, wine and sightseeing; save on air travel and hotels. No rental car – public transportation only between cities. Sleep late whenever possible. Include vacation days from the vacation. Find places to go swing dancing anywhere in Sicily.

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Ballroom Dance Camp announces it’s 18th annual camp. Daily lessons with review sessions in foxtrot, waltz, swing, rumba, tango, cha-cha, samba and mambo. Guest artists, Nazar Norov and Irina Kudryashova, top U.S. Rhythm champions, provide workshops and exclusive performance. Private lessons available. All levels welcome! Beginner to Advanced First time couples-save $400.00 Unattached women-we’ve got the men! Sign up before July 7th, 2016 and save$175.00 (applies to first time attendees) Now Located at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, RI! Warwick is a beautiful city itself, with 39 miles of coastline and bountiful  shopping. There are also other nearby towns including East Greenwich, Providence and Newport that can be explored by your and/or your loved ones who come to camp with you. This new convenient location features a FREE 5 minute shuttle ride from Providence, T.F. Green airport which is available 24/7 and a huge variety of attractions in the area. We believe this new venue will make your experience with Ballroom Vermont even more enjoyable. What airlines fly into T.F. Green? AirCanada, Cape  Air, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines/United Airlines Express, US Airways/US Airways Express, JetBlue. Dates: July 31st-August 5th 2016 For more information, contact: Byron Siegal, President, 800 242-8785, jazzvermont@comcast.net, www.ballroomdancecamp.com.

James Marchignoli is proud to announce the combining of La Rivista Ristorante and Broadway Joe Steakhouse, serving authentic Italian cuisine as well as classic steakhouse fare. Our extensive wine list features a selection of  Italian and California wines.
Both restaurants have been a “go-to” destination before and after a Broadway show, the choice of offering both “dinning styles” appeals to theater goers and New York visitors alike.

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May 18, 2016 — Five nights of Latin music, including the U.S. debut of Cuba’s Septeto Santiaguero, will thrill dancers at Midsummer Night Swing, New York’s premier summer dance party, when it returns for its 28th season, June 21–July 9. Single tickets and multi-evening passes are now on sale.

Ismael Miranda, recognized as one of the best salsa music soneros of all time, will have dancers’ hips swiveling on June 22. Latin Grammy Award–winners Septeto Santiaguero will perform their son cubano interpretations on June 28. Bronx-based Charanga America, recognized as one of the premier charanga groups in New York City during the 1970s and ‘80s, perform their take on this cherished form of Cuban dance music made popular in the 1940s on July 1. Gregorio Uribe, on the accordion, leads the Gregorio Uribe Big Band for an evening of cumbia on July 5. The Astoria Tango Orchestra, led by Argentina-born bandoneon virtuoso Daniel Binelli, brings the traditions of golden era big Tango bands from Buenos Aires to New York on July 7.

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Joe Battaglia and the New York Big Band Headline the Edison Ballroom

On Friday June 3rd, 2016 the Edison Ballroom will once again host its special, “DINING, DANCING AND ROMANCING” event, featuring the legendary big band leader, Joe Battaglia and the New York Big Band. Joe’s brilliant big band sound is considered among the best ever. He has performed for such dignitaries as Hilary Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, and Barbara Walters. For over 15 years, Joe and his orchestra have performed regularly at The Rainbow Room, Tavern on the Green, Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing, and most recently, right here at the Edison Ballroom. Joe’s New York Big Band is composed of a 16- piece orchestra as well as accompanying vocalists. Also featured at this event will be the romantic Latin sounds of Direct Latin Influence, also known as DLI.

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New York’s premier summer dance party, Midsummer Night Swing, returns for its 28th season, June 21–July 9. Midsummer Night Swing brings together people of all ages, at every skill level, and from diverse backgrounds for 15 evenings of social dance. Acclaimed bands will play as dancers Lindy hop, salsa, hustle, Charleston, tango, and more in a gorgeous, open-air ballroom in Damrosch Park (West 62nd Street, between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues). This season opens on June 21 with the Catherine Russell Septet led by Grammy Award–winning vocalist Catherine Russell. Highlights for the season include a celebration of the life and music of legendary artist, writer, and producer Allen Toussaint on June 25. The Allen Toussaint Band, with guest vocalists Irma Thomas, Cyril Neville, and Deacon John, will bring the sounds of New Orleans to New York. Latin Grammy Award winners Septeto Santiaguero travel from Cuba to make their U.S. debut on June 28. They have earned international acclaim for their powerful son cubano interpretations. Ismael Miranda, one of salsa’s best soneros and a one-time member of the legendary Fania All Stars performs on June 22. Giving their final performance as leaders of the Bronx-based Charanga America, George and Margie Maysonet will say goodbye to fans on July 1 as they hand the leadership of the band over to sons George Jr. and Elliot during that evening’s performance. The Black Rock Coalition Get-Down Revue, featuring members of the Black Rock Coalition who are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, debuts at Midsummer Night Swing on July 2. Teen idol turned consummate entertainer Bobby Rydell, featuring City Rhythm Orchestra, will bring the sounds of swinging Philadelphia to Damrosch Park on July 6. For the first time, NewYork-Presbyterian will be the presenting sponsor of Midsummer Night Swing. Tickets and multi-evening passes go on sale on May 18. For more information, visit http://midsummernightswing.org/.

NYC Dance Week offers free dance classes throughout the city and invites every community in New York to join together in celebration of movement through dance

New York, NY – April 18, 2016- Now in its fifth year, NYC Dance Week is an annual festival that provides FREE dance, fitness and wellness classes throughout all five boroughs of New York. This year, NYC Dance Week will occur on June 16^th through June 25^th, and features a wide and diverse offering of classes for participants to enjoy.

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Following critical acclaim and a highly visible world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival (Panorama section) where hundreds of fans came out in full force to the red carpet and Q+A, STRIKE A POSE, directed by Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan, comes to Tribeca for its North American premiere. In 1990, seven young male dancers  – six gay, one straight – joined Madonna on her most controversial tour. On stage and in the iconic film Truth or Dare they showed the world how to express yourself. Now, 25 years later, they reveal the truth about life during and after the tour. Strike a Pose is a dramatic documentary about overcoming shame and finding the courage to be who you are. Wild, talented and barely twenty, the dancers set out on the trip of a lifetime. Their journey was captured in TRUTH OR DARE, one of the highest-grossing documentaries ever. As a self-proclaimed mother to her dancers Madonna used the film to take a stand on gay rights, freedom of expression and the fight against AIDS. Madonna’s flamboyant dancers became icons of sexual freedom. Although they were pivotal to Madonna’s message, the dancers weren’t living it. In fact, Gabriel wasn’t proud of being gay at all. After failing to persuade Madonna to cut out the kissing scene that would ‘out’ him to his family and friends, he filed a lawsuit against her. And Gabriel wasn’t the only one: Carlton – big, bold and the only dancer who was trusted to lift up the pop icon – was HIV-positive and almost collapsed under the secret that he was carrying on tour. A third dancer is still hiding an important part of himself and now finally wants to open up. For the first time they tell us how hard it has been to live the liberated life they were promoting on stage. Public Screenings: Fri Apr 15, 9:00pm at SVA1-Silas, 333 W 23^rd Street,  8-9 Ave, Sat Apr 16, 3:15pm at BTC-04, Bowtie Cinemas Chelsea, 260 W 23^rd St, 7-8 Ave, Mon Apr 18, 3:15pm at BTC-04, Sun Apr 24, 6:00pm at BTC-07.

RESET

Directed By: Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai

Cast: Benjamin Millepied, Nico Muhly, Aurélie Dupont, Iris van Herpen

Synopsis:Stunningly gorgeous and delicate in both subject and treatment, Reset depicts renowned choreographer and dancer Benjamin Millepied (perhaps best known for choreographing the dance sequences in Black Swan) as he attempts to rejuvenate the Paris Opera Ballet in his new position as  director. With appearances by composer Nico Muhly, Opera alumna Aurélie Dupont, and designer Iris van Herpen, Reset is a delightfully aesthetic affair.

“RESET”  screening at Tribeca Film Festival:

Wednesday, April 20^th at 8:00PM

Thursday, April 21^st at 9:00PM

Friday, April 22^nd at 9:00PM

Saturday, April 23^rd at 2:30PM