Although my child hasn't participated in "Mad Hot Ballroom," his school takes part and from what I've heard in the hallways and PTO meetings, the kids and their parents love the event.
And I can see why. "Mad Hot" gets kids excited, gives them a change in routine for a while, gets them exercise, gives them a goal to work toward, teaches them to dance and shows them the value of practice and hard work. All those lessons can help them get a leg up in other subjects, too.
"Mad Hot Ballroom and Tap Competition," an annual scholastic dance contest organized by Danceworks, takes place Saturday, May 15 at the Bradley Center.
More than 2,000 kids from 42 area schools compete in the fourth annual event, which kicks off at 9 a.m. and is free and open to the public.
The Milwaukee event is a take-off on the successful New York City schools program that was featured in the popular documentary film, "Mad Hot Ballroom."
Danceworks sends instructors to the schools for 12 weeks to help the kids learn and prepare the steps. And in an era when public schools are saddled with sagging budgets and arts education is wanting, these classes bring excitement and skills to local kids.
"Arts education -- as well as physical education classes -- are being eliminated in schools at an alarming rate," said Danceworks Executive Director Deborah Farris. "We recognize how powerful the creative arts experience can be, and how important physical activity is, in the lives of young people.
"Danceworks MHBT is not meant to substitute, but to supplement existing school programs. Unfortunately, for some of our students it's the only arts experience and athletic activity that they are receiving."
Farris said that participating teaches the kids more than dance steps, too.
"MHBT provides students with an opportunity to succeed at something they didn't know they'd like or be good at. This success transfers to other classoom subjects and into their lives beyond school. We are so proud and thrilled when we see these students walk out onto the Bradley Center floor with such poise."
The kids learn ballroom, tango, salsa, swing, tap and other dance styles in the competition. The final round takes place around 5:30 p.m.
Here are the schools participating in this year's "Mad Hot Ballroom and Tap" competition:
- Academy of Learning and Leadership
- O.W. Holmes Elementary School
- Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes (ALBA)
- HOPE Middle School
- Allen Field Elementary
- Keefe Avenue Elementary School
- Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
- Lincoln Center of the Arts Middle School
- Browning Elementary School
- Lowell Elementary School
- Bruce Guadalupe
- MacDowell Montessori School
- Cass Street School
- Maple Tree Elementary School
- Clarke Street School
- Maryland Avenue Montessori School
- Clement Avenue School
- Messmer
- Preparatory Catholic School
- Cooper Elementary School
- Nativity Jesuit Middle School
- Craig Montessori Elementary School
- Notre Dame Middle School
- Doerfler Elementary School
- Pierce Elementary School
- Elm Creative Arts School
- Roosevelt Elementary School
- Elm Dale Elementary School
- Siefert Elementary School
- Fletcher School
- St. Rafael School
- La Escuela Fratney
- St. Rose/St. Leo Catholic Urban Academies
- Fritsche Middle School
- Tippecanoe School for the Arts and Humanities
- Golda Meir School
- Trowbridge School of Discovery and Technology
- Greenfield Bilingual School
- Escuela Vieau School
- Hartford Avenue University School
- Wedgewood Park International School
- Hmong-American Peace Academy
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
