---

Perhaps more surprising than who is the first "star" off season 10 of DWTS is who is NOT off. For those who have DVRed the results show and still have not watched it, stop reading here. Now, for the rest of you . . .

Yes, as hard as it is to swallow, the first "star" off the show is NOT Kate Gosselin. After week one, despite her dreadful Viennese Waltz, I thought she would be safe because of all the fans of "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" who would be voting. Then, during week two, with her diva turn during rehearsals leading Tony Dovolani to say, "I quit," I started to think that maybe Kate's fans will stay away. And after her dismal jive in which Kate's total lack of dance talent was painfully evident, I thought that would provide even more reason for Kate's fans to bow their heads in shame and disgust and (more importantly) keep their fingers far away from their phones and keyboards so that no votes could be registered for Kate G.

But Tuesday night came, and my hopes were dashed. Kate Gosselin did not even land in the bottom two. Now, it was outrageous enough that on Monday night, Kate's awful jive got higher scores than Buzz Aldrin's sad rendition of a foxtrot, but to find Kate G. safe in week two? Abominable!

OK, I admit that Buzz's foxtrot, danced to "Fly Me to the Moon" with the dance floor bathed in lighting effects to give it the look of moon craters, was terrible, but I have a soft spot in my heart for an 80-year-old national hero who actually flew to the moon, walked on it and landed safely back to the Earth more than four decades ago. So I was happy and relieved that Buzz was the first star deemed safe. (No ironic quotes here around the word "star" because Buzz truly is one, for having flown to the stars.)

Monday night's performance show boasted a first: not just one but two 10s in week 2, for Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger. I will gladly concede that she's a gorgeous woman who is also a terrific dancer, and her Viennese Waltz in week 1 deserved 9s. Did her jive really merit 10s? I say no. I watched it again during Tuesday night's show in which Nicole and Derek Hough's jive was the command performance. No question that it was well danced, and Nicole and Derek each looked great when they were dancing side-by-side. But once they went into partner position, the dance stalled and the fantastic movement and energy abundant in their individual dancing vanished when they took each other's hands and tried to dance as partners. Separately they moved marvelously but joined together, they were less than marvelous. For that, I agree with Len Goodman that 8 was the right score. Still, Nicole maintains her dominant position as the best dancer so far, and I fully expect her to be in the final in two months.

I was pleasantly surprised that Niecy Nash didn't get knocked off, and she deserved to stay on because her foxtrot with Louis van Amstel on Monday night was fun and easy to watch. I still don't think that she has the fan base to keep her on the show for the long haul but would like to see her stay on for several more weeks.

After week 2, it was good-bye to Shannen Doherty. I would have thought that her fans from "Beverly Hills 90210" and "The Craft" would have kept her on for a few weeks, but it was not to be. If we could have traded Kate G. for Shannen, I would have gladly taken that deal.

Week 3 takes place on April 5. We'll catch it at ACME at 8 pm. Join us in the back, at the bar. See you there, dance fans.

---

Dancers, now that the weather has turned mild and pleasant, maybe you're thinking of a weekend getaway? How about a dance weekend in the Poconos? Next weekend, Friday, April 9 through Sunday, April 11th, 2010, Dance Magic Spa at Pocono Manor in Pennsylvania offers dance lessons with personalized instruction and dance presentations. Organized by leading dance instructor Jerry Parris, Dance Magic Weekends offer couples and singles the opportunity to meet, mingle and dance. The price for accommodations, meals and dance participation is $332 per person for 3 days/nights, double occupancy, $295 triple occupancy, and $395 single occupancy, plus hotel taxes and service charges. New members receive a 10% discount, and returning dancers receive discounts for bringing new friends. Special offer to USA Dance members: $50 discount when you present your USA Dance membership card. For more information, please visit the Dance Magic website.

---

Looking for practice space? Dance Chelsea is offering as a special promotion for this month only an $85 unlimited practice card to be used during off-peak hours. Take advantage of this great deal while the month is still young. For more details, contact the studio or log on to their Facebook page.

---

The Rutgers DanceSport Alumni Club goes "Earthfullicious" on Saturday April 10, at the College Avenue Gym on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus. It will be an evening of ballroom and latin dancing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. The Rutgers DanceSport Alumni Club will be selling CFL lights to help save the planet and to raise funds for their dance programming. For more details, click here. If you're interested in volunteering at the event, please e-mail rudancealumni@gmail.com. In particular, they are looking for an open level smooth or standard couple to perform a waltz. If that's up your alley contact the organizers at the e-mail address just provided.

Earlier the same day, the Rutgers DanceSport Alumni Club will be presenting a workshop by former world champion Beata Onefater. The workshop takes place from 6 pm to 7:30 pm, also at the College Avenue Gym. For more details, click here.

---

Speaking of Rutgers, the 11th Annual Rutgers DanceSport Competition takes place on Saturday, April 17, at the College Avenue Gym on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus (either there's an echo in here or that place is getting heavy use from some ballroom dancers). Registration is now open and will close on April 9, next Friday. The cost is just $40 per competitor, so if you're in town that weekend and want to compete, sign up! For more details, visit the competition website.

---

Reminders:

• Our Spring Social is next Saturday, April 10, at Dance with Me Soho. Come dance into spring with us! For more details, click here.
• Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio has Standard rounds on Thursdays, from 9:30 to 10:30 pm. The floor is huge, with plenty of space to swing out, so if you're looking for a good place to run your standard routines, visit Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio on Thursday nights.
• Anyone needing practice space for any upcoming competitions, including USA Dance Nationals, should check out the special rates for USA Dance members at Basic Ballroom on West 35th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.
• Dance with Me Soho will be hosting Practice Sessions, and they are offering both an unlimited option and a 10 practice session card. For the unlimited option, the cost is $100 per person, with a 15% discount to USA Dance members, so our members can get unlimited practice time at Dance with Me Soho for just $85 per person per month. If you would prefer to go for the 10 practice session card, the cost for that will be $100 per couple, with a 25% discount for USA Dance members, or $75 per couple. Questions? Please call the studio at (212) 840-Dance (3262).

---

Looking to social dance? Here are some suggestions:

• Tonight, April 3: mixed ballroom dancing at Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio, starting at 7:30 pm with a free lesson. Just $10 for USA Dance members.
• Sunday, April 4, Sunday Tea Party at Manhattan Ballroom Dance studio, mixed ballroom dancing starting at 3 pm.
• Monday, April 5, Salsa at Taj, with live band and special performances. Arrive before 7 pm and get in for $6 (admission price doubles after 7 pm).
• Tuesday, April 6, Hot Salsa, Hustle and West Coast Swing at Club 56 in Farmingdale, LI. Lesson in club style cha cha. Doors open at 7 pm.
• Thursday, April 7, Thursday Night Dance Club at Mirelle's, in Westbury, featuring Latin, Hustle and West Coast Swing. Lesson at 7:30 pm, dancing starts at 8:15 pm.

For more ideas, check Wayne's Dance Commentary, NJoy Dancing News & Notes or bailamosdance.com.

---

Partner seekers: We have an advanced follower seeking "an International Latin/American Rhythm leader at Prechamp or Champ level (Adult/Senior I/Senior II)." If that sounds like you, visit the Partner Search page and answer the ad. Or feel free to post your own. It's free, it's easy, it's quick. Do it today!

---

That does it for this week. Happy Easter! Enjoy the sunshine!

---

Yang Chen
President
Greater NY
USA Dance
(NY USA Dance)