Gratefulness

When I woke up this morning, I was only too happy to get the turkey in the oven, with all of the trimmings - in record time. My Mother still makes the best turkey and dressing on planet earth, but I think that I do okay. I say that to say to you, no matter what you are doing today - whether it is celebrating Thanksgiving with the people that you love, or not, just take a moment and look at what is is that you have and not dwell on the things that you do not.  You'd be surprised at how fortunate you are!
Why don't you sit down - here, at Villa Blanca, and make a list.  Go ahead, get out a pen and paper and make a list - I dare you!  Enjoy your day, with gratitude...Love & light, Carla

Dancing With The Stars ~ Meet Urban Ballroom Dancing!

ABCs Dancing With The Stars is in it's 13th Season, and they have narrowed it down to 3 couples.
Whew! What, with 3 couples having to do so many routines in one evening -
The Tango, Cha-Cha, The Waltz - and I enjoy watching every minute of it!

Motown Ballroom Dancers

~ But hold up!
Wait a minute ~ Stop the show!
 Someone needs to tell the Execs. over at
ABCs "Dancing With The Stars" about the Brothers in
Inglewood, CA who are considered the BEST in Urban Contemporary Ballroom Dancing.
Who might that be? To answer that question, I went to the man that educated me -
Roy (Bro.Roy) Dennis, Roy will tell you it's all about the history of Urban Contemporary Ballroom Dance and how this style of dance came to be called Urban Contemporary Ballroom Dancing.

Roy (Bro. Roy) Dennis

It got its start in Detroit, Michigan. There were three dancers - Capers Tyus, Tyrone Bradley and Linda Harris friends that grew up watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies, and they developed their own techniques and methods of teaching ballroom dancing.

Capers Tyus taught his brother Michael and his sisters, Dorothy and Gwen - you see, as you might know, it takes two partners, executing the steps derived from the cha-cha. Well, Capers Tyus took the style of dance cross country, always dressed to the "Nines" and taught so many others throughout the United States the techniques.  This style of dance  - "A three count movement derived from the Cha-Cha, an International ballroom dance with a soulful beat!" - became known as,
the "Detroit Ballroom" and or "Motown Ballroom".

During the early 80s, Capers and Michael that have successfully competed all around the USA.
This dance has a soulful flavor and is an extract of International Ballroom.  They moved to Southern California, and continued to compete in the United States and Canada. In 1996, Capers Tyus(R.I.P) opened a dance studio in Leimert Park called "Dance in Motion", where thousands of people came to learn and dance this Urban flavored ballroom dance in night clubs throughout Detroit and LA.

Now, to fast forward, there is a group of gentlemen that Roy(Bro.Roy)Dennis and my friend
Lena Cole-Dennis introduced me to last weekend ~ I introduce you to, "The Gents".

 "The Gents" are a group of well dressed, intelligent Black men who are Masters of
Urban Contemporary Ballroom Dancing. These professional men(career professionals) have found a way to work within the community to do several things;

1) Carry on the Art of Soulful Dance with style

2) Get women to want to exercise on a regular basis, because the movement that is required to do the variety of dances that they do, keeps one on the move! These Gentlemen - "The Gents", make women feel  as if they are treasured and beautiful, no matter what size, shape, height, etc. Not judging or condeming the ones that are Full-Figured. Instead they welcome all, showing women that they can eat, socialize, look pretty and get their exercise in all within the same evening! Oh yes, these men go to work on the dance floor and the women follow - with a smile and grace.

It's a lovely thing, Urban Ballroom Dancing. It's a wonderful to actually see people of all ages and nationalities glide across the dance floor, having fun and exercising!

Hats off to Roy (Bro. Roy) Dennis and his entire team of people, from the reception area, Food Servers and Security ~ They are all professional and kind. Thank you all for your hospitality!

I would recccomend that everyone widen their horizons and take a course with friends and family. Practice for Wedding Dance Lessons, an office party with a twist, -  just try something new!
Contact: Roy (Bro. Roy)Dennis @royyah@juno.com or Facebook or call 909.373.3954

All photos are the sole property of Urban Contemporary Ballroom Dancing, and Roy (Bro.Roy) Dennis,

Taste and Style Just Aren't Enough* - Hammer Museum

Curator Frank Sirmans and  Art historian Karin Higa, joins Gallerist Alonzo Davis, Vaughn Payne and Joy Simmons as they sit and discuss the climate that helped to create

 such fantastic artistic expressions during the 1960s and 1970s in Southern California, specifically,
Los Angeles. Taste and Style Just Aren't Enough* - Hammer Museum