Why I Love Estilo Dance Studio in Philadelphia

Last week, I volunteered to work at Estilo Dance Studio's Spring Performance. It quietly marked a sort of anniversary for me. Last year, just around this time was when I first committed to a performance class at Estilo and starting learning there every week.


Originally, I was signed-up to dance in last week's performance; a pro-am, On2, performance with Big George. Because of my financial issues (a temporary assignment ending as just the wrong time and I became jobless), I had to cancel. (Of course, just last week a got a new assignment so I can start working with George again! Woooo hoooo!) Since I felt left out, I asked Mike Andino if I could help at the performance. He got me in touch with Sherry Berger, Estilo's business manager and I showed up to work the door. It was almost as fun as dancing in the show! And it gave me a little more perspective because I wasn't strictly an audience member, but I was not performing either. So, I decided to observe, take photos, learn, and have fun.

Here is a little overview of my experience, with photos of a more behind-the-scenes perspective on last week's performance:

Learning To Be Bouncer

Working at the door was trickier that I thought it would be. Lucky for me, Sheldon worked the door with me. He is experienced. After I exhibited some naivete about this job  - and I bought into some lame sob stories, Sheldon slapped me around a little and by the end of the night, I was a tough bouncer. Basically, it comes down to your face. For example, here is Sheldon, with his usual kind and cute face:

Here is how he taught me I MUST LOOK when addressing a goofball who is trying to get in without paying:

This is necessary. Really. You would not believe what people try to avoid paying the cover. I also recorded all the others working really hard to make the performance go well for the students. Sherry Berger was very hard at work, and still looking beautiful as usual:

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And I was able to get pictures of the people who have made my last year at Estilo such a great experience (except I never got any pics of Mike Andino and Kat Eccleston, but I'll get them next fall when I perform!).I was really impressed with the beautiful costumes designed and made by the students. Here are some pics:



Wow, what a beautiful lady...This was the costume for the Ladies' Styling performance class. Designed by Kat Eccleston, I understand.

Some other costumes I really liked were:

 I made sure to take a a pic of the Beginner Performance Class men, in my opinion the most handsome men of the night. I always have so much fun in Mike Andino's Saturday class with these guys!

They are so cute I just wanna give them all a big kiss! And, just for fun here are some random pics from the performance and the social dancing after. I hope you enjoy. See you at next fall's Estilo Performance!