Back in the late 70's and early 80's Wanzie worked as a multi-award-winning Ballroom Dance Instructor and Competition Choreographer for Arthur Murray Dance Studios. Over a period of 17-years thereafter, Wanzie taught over 1,200 Disney Cast Members how to dance Ballroom styles socially, through the Disney University/Cast Activities programs. He also taught Ballroom dance for the adult continuing education program at UCF, and choreographed Ballroom dance sequences for shows such as MY FAIR LADY and MAME at the Civic Theaters of Central Florida, as well as in KISS ME KATE for the Gold Coast Opera Company. While his passions turned from dance to theater, over the years Wanzie has taught the occasional group classes at various dance studios around Central Florida, and spent one summer teaching Ballroom at the famed DANCE COMPANY in Stratford, Connecticut.
 
In an effort to get moving again after spending most of his time sitting at a computer as of late, and at the behest of many friends and colleagues, Wanzie is once again offering his mini crash courses in Ballroom Dance.
 
The first course offered will meet for one hour sessions on 6 consecutive Thursday evenings: July 15, 22, & 29 and August 5, 12 & 19, 2010.
 
Crash Course #1 will focus on dance variations which all include and are built around the box step. The three dances students will absolutely learn to dance in a social (not competition) setting within the 6 week-long course are
 
●     Rumba
●     Fox Trot
●     Waltz
 
This provides a great beginners foundation for other dances, and the dances listed are taught in what is known as "Night Club Style," meaning steps and techniques the participants learn will be danceable on smallish and sometimes crowed dance floors, at weddings, on cruise ships, and at corporate functions.
 
Students need not have a partner to attend the class
 
Switching partners is required of those who sign up as couples. (This is essential in learning proper lead and follow technique)
 
Same-gender couples are most welcome to attend
 
Class venue is yet to be determined, but will definitely be in the Downtown Orlando or Loch Haven area of town. (Several locations are currently under consideration, awaiting certain particulars, one of the variables being the number of persons who register.)
 
Obviously the number of persons who may participate will be limited, so we encourage you to please register NOW if interested.
 
The starting time for the one-hour sessions will be 7:30 PM.
 
The fee is only $49 per single student for the entire 6-week course, or just
$90 per couple.
 
A second course to be offered later in the year will include instruction in -
 
●     CHA -CHA
●     SWING
●     MAMBO
●     DISCO HUSTLE
 
An advanced class, which may ONLY be attended by students who took part in both the first and second courses listed above, will include instruction in
 
●     SAMBA
●     TANGO

 

WANZIE'S BALLROOM DANCE CRASH COURSE #1
Fox Trot / Rumba / Waltz
1-Hour Group Sessions
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
6 Consecutive weeks / July 15 - August 19, 2010
Downtown Orlando Area Venue
 
Total Course Fee:
$49 single student
 $90 per couple
 
Full payment due upon registration
exclusively through the WANZIE.com online boxoffice
 
Class size limited
 
Students will be accepted in the order in which
registration/payments are received
 
Don't be a wallflower!
 
Register Now 

 

Can you identify this disarmingly handsome, thoroughly accomplished A-list Maestro?
 
Our secret correspondent never names names, but The New York Pops may prove to be the reason Mr. Right is holding the baton.
 
Now can you guess which one of our many WANZeGRAM subscribers who is currently in NYC is purported to always be the last to leave the adorable conductor's late night in-home sing-a-long piano parties?
 
Might there be an organ involved?
 
We at the WANZeGRAM do not pretend to know the answers to such questions. Certain sources may prove unreliable, but rather than go through the hassle of verifying facts and vetting informants, we instead opt to go with guarded implications and innuendo. We simply pose questions for your consideration and entertainment, and to add just a touch of salaciousness sizzle to what could too easily become just another humid and abhorrently mundane summer.
 
Suffice it to say, "Maestro, if you please" can take on a whole new meaning outside the concert hall.
 

 

"Orlando's First Lady of Jazz," known for her voice, wit, and showmanship, will take to the Footlight Theatre stage with her band on Saturday evening, June 19, 2010, at 8 PM at The Parliament House Resort.

 

Jacqueline has performed across the country and abroad, and she remains a wildly popular favorite in her adopted hometown of Orlando. Her spirited blend of jazz, rhythm and blues, and contemporary music consistently delights her audiences whether she is performing in an intimate club or on the concert stage.

 

By the age of 19, Jackie already had 15 years to her credit as a professional gospel singer. Without missing a beat, the Gary, Indiana native pursued her singing career in Chicago nightclubs after earning a degree in nursing from Purdue University.

 

Although best known as a singer, she is no stranger to the dramatic stage, having appeared in productions of The King and I, South Pacific, For Color'd Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, Ain't Misbehavin', The Tragic Life and Death of Dr. Faustus, Godspell, Tintypes, and Tommy and  A Little Moonlight ... Jacqueline Jones Celebrates Billie Holiday, a theatrical piece created especially for her.

 

Our own hometown Orlando Jazz Diva, Jacqueline Jones, was appointed Official United States Cultural Ambassador to the USSR nearing the end of the cold war. Miss Jones was one of the very first American entertainers to be permitted to perform in Soviet Russia.

 

The irrepressible "Jackie" suffered an aneurism just a few years ago. She endured emergency brain surgery, a prolonged rehabilitation, and against all odds, returned to the stage just as vivacious and vocally gifted as ever.

 

For a time, the post-operation Jackie wore wigs on and off the stage. She has now basically said to hell with it " I am who I am."  We at WANZIE PRESENTS are pleased to report that the poster for her engagement at the Parliament house utilizes the first-ever published new head shot of Jackie with her adorable peach fuzz 'do with which nature and the brain surgery left her. Jackie has proclaimed, "No more wigs!"

 

The vivacious, raspy-voiced MISS JONES has put together a song list specifically for her "One Night Only" appearance at the Parliament House Resort.

 

In this show Miss Jones mixes all sorts of style elements, and makes them work!  There's a little vamp, a touch of class, a bit of trash, and a lot of love in this Wanzie Presents concert which Miss Jones herself has dubbed, "HELLO, DARLINGS!"

 

Reserved seating tickets ($12) are available exclusively through the online box office at  www.WANZIE.com

 

 

 

 

Saturdays, July 17 & 24

Industry Night: Monday, July 26

8 PM

$12

(Includes complimentary club cover for the remainder of the evening)

Select-A-Seat Now

 

 

 

We at the WANZeGRAM are always just as pleased as punch to receive, post, and answer our mail in this public forum. But it takes two to play!  Send your email to WANZIE! email michael@wanzie.com

 

 

"I don't make many special WANZeGRAM requests (except when shamefully plugging theatrical endeavors), but please give JIMMY DEAN the honor he is due in this weeks Gram! There never will be anything quite like a JD sausage patty accidently (or purposefully) running into some dribbly drops of Mrs. Butterworth's golden syrup! I might just have to cook breakfast for dinner tonight and cry me a river!" - Professor/Actor/Singer/Director/Pez Collector/Playwright/Seasonal Mohawk Sporter/Short Order Cook

 

 

"Just wanted to let our fellow subscriber friends know our son Howard will be in Orlando, Friday, June 18th where he will be pouring Wines That Rock at ABC Fine Wines & Spirits from 4:00-8:00 PM.  Wines that Rock is his new company.  Stop by to visit, say hello, and sample his three new, award-winning, critically acclaimed wines. My husband Syd and I will be there from 7 PM-8 PM.  Hope to see you there." - Author / Therapist / Mother / Wino 

 

Submit YOUR Short Take directly to WANZIE at michael@wanzie.com.Be sure to type "Short Take" in the subject line. Short Takes submissions must be received no later than midnight on each Tuesday, for inclusion in the following Friday GRAM.  A strict limit of 30 words maximum is imposed. You must provide your first and last name, which will be printed following your submission. Your name will not figure into your word count. All postings will be at the sole discretion of the management team at the lovely WANZIE.com World Headquarters, with offices inconveniently located in Melbourne, and Lake Mary, Florida.

 

 

 

 

AUDITIONS - Wanzie Presents FUDDY MEERS
Open call auditions for hilarious contemporary dark comedy FUDDY MEERS will take place on Monday at the Parliament House. Some roles have been pre-cast. Available roles include:
 
CLARIE - About 40, a generally sunny woman with amnesia
RICHARD - About 40, a chatty, friendly, sometimes nervous man
KENNY - 17, a troubled pot smoking teen
MILLET - 30's - 40's, a very odd man whose best friend is his sock puppet
GERTIE - 60's, a clear-headed lady who's had a stroke and can't speak properly
 
Already cast are Monique Byrnes as Heidi, and Joe Swanberg as Limping Man.
 
The show dates will be Saturdays, August 7, 14, and 21, 2010. Also Monday, August 23. All performances will be at the Footlight Theatre at the PH. Show time will be 7:30 PM on Saturdays, 8 PM on Monday.
 
Non Equity - paid positions

 

FUDDY MEEERS AUDITIONS
Monday, June 21, 2010
 
Footlight Theatre
The Parliament House Resort
410 N. Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, Fl   32805
 
No appointments
 
Sign-ins are accepted between 6 PM & 8 PM
 
Auditions will begin at 6:30 PM
 
Actors will be seen in the order in which they arrive.
 
Please prepare a 1 to 2 minute comic monologue, and be prepared to read from side opposite other actors