Mateo Magazine: What is Dance Sweat Live?
Benjamin Allen: The class itself is called GROOV3™. The 3 stands for Dance Sweat Live which
is our motto. Not only is it what you will get when taking a GROOV3™ class, it is also a way of life.
What projects are you currently working on?
I recently just released 2 dance instructional's that are available for download on DancePlug.com. I had the opportunity to work on a music video directed by Drew Barrymore and to give choreography to Mark Steines and Nancy O’ Dell of Entertainment Tonight for an upcoming project. GROOV3™ continues to grow and give back with our fundraisers and community outreach. We just launched our 6th location in Torrance at BoogieZone Utopia, and now have classes at The Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood. We are about to host a GROOV3™ instructor certification course, finalize some new designs for our GROOV3GEAR, and continue to further our mission to inspire change and build communities through the power of dance.
Ever since I was a kid, I guess I had a strange fascination with The Rock. I've been to San Francisco on many occasions, but I never really had the chance to do what I wanted to do. Between visiting the relatives and eating at the local Fisherman's Wharf, nobody else really wanted to go to Alcatraz like I did. But this time, I decided to make it a point to go. And I’m sure glad that I did.
There were different tour times to choose from, but of course I chose the evening ferry ride to the island. The crisp air from the bay put a little a chill in my bones, adding to the effect of what would prove to be an exciting and eerie experience at one of the most notorious prisons in history...
There comes a moment in everyone’s life that defines them. When thinking of Jerry Yang, one would assume his winning the main event at the 2007 World Series of Poker would be the moment Jerry most cherished. However, the moment that changed his life—the one moment that he holds most dear to his heart—is the moment his family was allowed to leave the refugee camps in Thailand. Knowing the promise of opportunity in United States, Jerry Yang took full advantage.
Jerry overcame all the obstacles in his way and beat all the odds—from life as a young boy in Laos, to later obtaining a Master’s degree in psychology, all the way to the final table in Las Vegas. He truly exemplifies what a person can do when following a dre...
Hotel Adagio is classical in design, with a new-world, modern feel. It is located in the heart of Union Square, where shopping, dining, and entertainment are just a few steps away. Just the name Adagio, not to mention the breathtaking views of San Francisco, seems enticing enough to lure in guests. As I entered the Caruso Penthouse Suite, I felt at home with the mood established by its warm colors, comfortable sofas, and fireplace. I couldn't help but kick off my shoes and relax in these surroundings. The bedroom was equally welco...
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Knowing that I had to drop by Fisherman's Wharf, I chose to have lunch at Scoma’s the next day. And once there for the very first time, I was taken aback by the dishes prepared for me. When they say they are known for their amazing crab cakes, I have to tell you that it's true. From crab cakes, to clam chowder, to salmon, to more crab, there was not a dish that was put in front of me that didn’t have me salivating and wanting more. And who would have thought that Zinfandel sorbet would taste so rich and sweet? The perfect ending to a perfec...
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Combining style, charisma, and a sharp sense of humor, Kevin Maher is one of the most sought-after choreographers and teachers in the industry. Not only is he a huge inspiration to a new generation of dancers, but he also brings a fresh approach to everything he touches.
“I wasn’t a natural-born dancer; I had to work really hard at it,” Kevin tell us. “I’m living proof that even if you weren’t born with it, you can still be anything you want to be.”
This story is not your typical “I knew I was going to dance the day I was born” tale. Kevin decided after years of contemplation that he was going to pursue a career in dance, a decision that in turn would lead to a successful career as a top choreographer. In between rehearsing with the New Kids On The Block and Britney Spears, Kevin had the time to talk one-on-one and convey what it took to get him to wh...
While many of us still struggle trying to discover our true calling in life, Chris Payne Dupre knew at a young age exactly what he wanted to do. He wanted to work in entertainment, and nothing would stray him from this destiny. “I believe that the script has already been written for me, and all I have to do is show up. In the times that I didn’t show up, the opportunity passed me by.”
This Los Angeles native has shared the stage with a range of stars, including Diana Ross, Janet Jackson, Prince, Brian McKnight, Sean “P Diddy” Combs, and Kylie Minogue, and he has performed as part of the original cast of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida. In touring the world and teaching various levels of dance workshops for all ages, he has trained an impressive number of dancers (close to 1,002!), including winners of So You Think You Can Dance. His latest role is as Sup...
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You don’t know what to feel. You’re looking down at the seat that
matches the number on your ticket in your hand, and you cop a squat on that bad boy as the lights start
to go down. The air is warm with excitement. You don’t know what you’re going to see, you
just know its gonna be good…
Wouldn’t just be great if you could get that kinda vibe every time you go out? It’s no wonder
Mystère by Cirque du Soleil set its stage in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas.
Its visual orgasm of exploding excitement just tantalizes your mind. The show is jam packed with explosive
acrobatics and acts to entice your eyes and keep you on the edge of your seat. I can’t even begin
to explain the feeling that takes over your body as you intently witness these feats that seem inhumanly
possible or that just blatantly defy the laws of
The state of Michigan has given birth to, or raised, many notable household names ranging from filmmakers, to actors, to personalities in both TV and radio. And Michigan is no stranger to music, having produced some of America's finest artists with names such as Aaliyah (raised in Detroit), Kid Rock (born in Romeo), Alice Cooper (born in Detroit), Madonna (born in Bay City), and Eminem (raised in Warren). There is something to be said about a city suffering from such evident urban decay having the ability to foster such potential and bona fide celebrity. A quote lends itself to the perfect explanation: "Necessity is the mother of invention."
Rapper B-Smoove, who currently resides in the city of Sacramento, California, has humble beginnings in Michigan. After moving to California in 1988, he took a job barbering to financially support his musical aspirations. His clients inclu...
Huibert Sabelis Wybenga was born in Wageningen, The Netherlands in 1942 from Dutch and Indonesian heritage. He spent his childhood years in Medan, Indonesia and returned to The Netherlands to study under an art teacher, Mr. Bloothooft. At the age of 21, he immigrated to Canada, where he began to mix the two distinct cultures of his parental homelands into his artwork. With a blend of Dutch, Indonesian, and Canadian culture, he developed a very distinct style of his own.
Sabelis had his first solo exhibition at the Shute Institute in London, Ontario in 1967 and soon after connected with the Patmos Artist Group, with which he did Lino printing with the Dutch master artist Henk Krijger (Sengig) in Toronto. Five years after his first solo exhibition...
I was first introduced to Kim and Alex McClay, better known as the Naven sisters, while in Vegas
at my very first Magic experience. Even though it was a quick meet and greet, it was nothing short
of refreshing.
It is not very often that you meet two designers who are sisters and also identical twins. Not
only do they share an extreme love for fashion, they have had a great hand in designing some of the
most celeb-worthy dresses. Their style can be summed up as trendy, fun, and colorful. Kim and Alex
are reintroducing what it means to be California cool, with a twist of European chic. And to add to
the excitement, they will soon be introducing a lower price-point line that will have consumers draped
in silks, jerseys, and cotton blends. While the Naven sisters are effortlessly chic themselves, it
is their clothes and ambition that will continue to speak volumes...
Every summer, the Toronto Fringe Festival takes place giving the opportunity for artists to showcase their creative work, no holds barred. 140+ productions are featured at 125+ venues across the west end of Toronto drawing in a massive audience to everything from musicals, comedies, drama, dance, family programming, improvisation and anything else you can imagine.
Deciding to give it a try for the first time, Catalyst Dance Company submitted their self-produced show “The 5th Element” that was created after working internationally in the commercial industry and returning back home to Toronto. With beginner’s luck on their side, their show was successfully selected. Re-mounting their show, they have recruited new dancers, revamped key pieces in the show, and as amateurs to the largest Theatre Festival, are continuing to wrap their heads around the whole Fringe experience. Although supported by the Festival, all companies are left to their own...
Rabbitville. Flea Town. These are just a couple of the names the Downtown San Diego area now known as Gaslamp Quarter was called since founded in 1850. After decades of being overrun by gambling halls, bordellos, and saloons (three of which were run by Wyatt Earp), the city finally pledged in 1974 to turn the district around. Now, the Gaslamp Quarter thrives as one of San Diego’s primary tourist destinations, touting boutiques, rooftop bars, high-end restaurants, and trendy basement nightclubs.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the bustle of San Diego’s former red light district is on par with the flurry of people that congregate in Gastown, Vancouver or on Main Street in Santa Monica, California. The crowd is a mix of families, couples, and groups of guys and girls looking to get...
It’s amazing what a new baseball stadium can do. Since the opening of PETCO Park in 2004, the 130 blocks that make up Downtown San Diego’s East Village has reawakened. Restaurateurs, barkeeps, and artists have moved in, transforming the once derelict warehouse district into a hip, urban neighborhood.
One such restaurateur is San Diego’s own Arsalun Tafazoli. After visits to China and Japan during college, he returned to San Diego wanting something different from the city’s bar culture. He wanted to set up a restaurant/bar that people could go to when craving quality libations, good food, and good conversation without the burden of dress codes and reservations...
Being ‘Free’ has its costs especially when becoming a choreographer in the entertainment industry. Choreographer, Free Crawford, has achieved an impressive array of credits choreographing Justin Bieber’s tour and music videos for Omarion, Marques Houston, The New Boyz, Justin Bieber & Tyrese. These accomplishments did not come easy and to this day others question his creative integrity.
As a teenager, Free stumbled upon his hidden talent at a house party. With no intentions of becoming a professional choreographer, he discovered his vocation when performing on stage for the first time. “I started mimicking dance at house parties...
The anticipation of having the chance to spend a day at ARIA Spa in Las Vegas was more exciting than my actual arrival into the city. The spa is located in one of the most visually appealing and sexy architectural structures that I have seen. Positioned in the City Centre, it is also surrounded by some of the most luxurious stores. As I entered ARIA, I was instantly amazed by its brightness, beautiful design, and pleasant staff. I quickly shopped at the boutique—strategically located at the front entrance of the 80,000-square-foot structure—available to spa and salon visitors.
After registering my name at the front desk, I was then asked to proceed to the elevator across from the concierge. As I passed the...
Upon my arrival at The Toronto Fashion incubator in downtown Toronto, I anxiously awaited my meeting with designer Paris Li. Our weekly conversations were starting to become a pattern of cat and mouse, and this time I was ready to see what Paris had in store for spring 2011. As I entered a hidden building, I was buzzed in very quickly. “We finally meet” Paris said as she greeted me with open arms. At that moment I knew that this meeting was going to be one of many. She greeted me with the same excitement and energy that I had received over our phone conversations where we always discussed fashion, clothes and her collection. Promptly making our way to her design studio, she had prepared her spring collection for a full viewing. The collection was everything I expected; vibrant and colourful, just in time for spring!
I sifted through clothes and envisioned Sunday brunches, late evening drinks with friends, casual strolls throughout the busy Toronto streets and beyond. The colourful collection seemed endless. Carefully designed and made for the fashion forward business woman with an edge...
With an adventurous travelling gene in her blood and a generous heart that gives more than it has to offer, Reina Hildalgo is making movements far and wide. To her, it’s simply being open to the energy that the universe offers her. To others, she is a rare miracle that - quite honestly - the dance world needs more of.
Entering the world on a boat travelling from Cuba to Miami during the Castro movement in 1980, Reina’s parents knew they created something special and worked hard to support their talented, no-fear spirited performer. Knowing at a young age that she wanted to dance professionally, she has turned her dreams into a reality and now shares the stage with superstars such as Rihanna, Pink, Missy Elliot, Miley Cirus, and Paula Abdul, just to name a few.
In the sneaker culture, what's always stood out is the ability to think forward and not stay conformed to what's already being heralded as successful. The Jordan XI. Before its time in terms of style and material, has left an undying legacy and no sneaker head's collection is complete without it. With clothing, it would seem easy to not only make a mark, but to also stay relevant throughout the culture. Wait til' a release and create a shirt playing off the colors and message of the shoe. Instant success, but if the idea is to leave a legacy, while also giving the owner a sense of individualism, you have to go beyond that. In 2002, Sneaker Fiend was created and finally launched in 2007. The idea pushed fashion in the sneaker culture to the forefront. Instead of clothing to match your sneakers, CEO, Darrick Carruth envisioned a product fresh enough where heads would by their footwear based on his shirts. Going off his his own sense of style and having many influences that drive and motivate him, DC has been able to turn his dream into reality simply by...
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As I entered the SAXE Theatre to a sold-out, mixed crowd of young and mature viewers, I was unsure what “Vegas! The Show” would have in store for me for the remainder of the night. But to my pleasant surprise, I was instantly captivated and amused by the group of dancers, entertainers, magicians, and showgirls—outfitted in beautiful attire adorned with Swarovski crystals—who all wowed the audience. “Vegas! The Show” can be viewed as a tribute to some of the most talented and well-known artists who helped to put Las Vegas on the map—from the Rat Pack to Elton John.
I was especially impressed by the performance of two identical-twin male tap dancers as they easily captivated the audience. Their choreographed tap-dance number performed with such skill and ease had me daydreaming of the 50s. And the talented performers...