Dancing on Halloween (2016)

Ellen was in town last night, so we decided to get some dinner and then go dancing.  Dinner was at Ciao!, an excellent Italian restaurant located at Monroe Street and US 23.  I had scallops and Ellen had white fish; both were outstanding.

Matt Miller had a Halloween costume party at his studio, which was excellent fun.  Here's the evening in a dozen photos or less.

The Dance Clinic

The Dance Clinic on Facebook

10 South Holland Sylvania Rd

Toledo, Ohio 43615

(Hill Ave in the Martin School Bld, Top Floor)

(419) 654-8650

Email: TheDanceClinic@gmail.com

Matt Miller, owner/operator

Our Host, Matt Miller

As you can see, Matt is having an identity crises combined with a bad hair day.

Here's a nice couple we met at the party.  I happened to have my camera, and they wanted a souvenir photo.  Here you go, guys!  Regretfully, I didn't get their names, for which I apologize.

My Ellen, Looking Quite Ravishing

Ellen and I

No Caption

We had a great time and we're looking forward to Matt's next party.

The End of the Ballroom Matter

As some of you know, I attended the grand opening of Toledo Ballroom in Sylvania, OH on Saturday, which resulted in the owner/operator Kent Lautzenheiser sending me an email Sunday, stating that I think that it's in the best interest of our students, our staff, and the studio that you no longer attend our events and parties at Toledo Ballroom. I wrote about it here, Thrown Out of the Bar - Or Ballroom.  I've been out of town for the past few days, and haven't had time to deliver a considered response.

Since then I've had a lot of support from my friends, expressing their surprise, shock and outrage at Kent's unwarranted action. I'm also given to understand that I'm not the only one Kent has treated this way, which in hindsight is not really surprising.

First of all, I thank all my friends for their support. Their opinions, advice, and kind words mean a great deal, and are a real blessing to me. Thank all of you very much for your support.

As for the insufferable Kent Lautzenheiser, I refuse to allow him to rent space in my head. The man could have come to me in person, but instead he sent me an email message. That labels him a coward. Then there's the fact that he invited me to his grand opening, welcomed me in person, and thanked me for coming. That makes him duplicitous, to put it politely.

I suppose I could continue this diatribe, but instead I'll be satisfied to give him the same treatment a dog gives a fire hydrant. Kent Lautzenheiser is his own worst enemy. His aberrant behavior will eventually catch up to him, and he'll go bankrupt and quietly fade away.

My only real concern is that Kent will treat others the same way he treated me. When that happens, I hope the victim will know that he (or she) is in good company, and won't waste time or energy feeling rejected.  Instead, give Kent the same treatment I'm giving him.

My other concern is that I wouldn't want anyone to think that I'm the sort of person who would just stop showing up at a regular venue without so much as a see-you-later. I'm not, and I shall miss seeing all of you very much. I'm in the process of moving to Columbus, Ohio, where I've been assured I'll be made welcome at the studios and dance clubs there.

Naturally, I don't recommend Toledo Ballroom to my friends or family. There are several alternatives which offer quality dance instruction and a more congenial atmosphere:

The Dance Clinic
The Dance Clinic on Facebook
10 South Holland Sylvania Rd
Toledo, Ohio 43615
(Hill Ave in the Martin School Bld, Top Floor)
(419) 654-8650
Email: TheDanceClinic@gmail.com
Matt Miller, owner/operator

Paulette's Studio of Dance
Paulette's Studio of Dance on Facebook
4853 Monroe Street, Building B
Toledo, OH 43623
(419) 654-3262
Email: info@dancetoledo.com
Paulette, owner/operator

The Ballroom Company
The Ballroom Company on Facebook
2319 Detroit Ave
Maumee, Ohio
(419) 893-1850
Email: TheBallroomCo@sbcglobal.net
Gil Aromas, owner/operator


Alfredo's Studio of Dance
Alfredo's Studio of Dance on Facebook
5224 Renwyck Dr
Toledo, Ohio
(419) 536-3243
Email: dance4me_alfredo@yahoo.com
Alfredo Horna, owner/operator

I've know all these people for years, some for more years than either of us care to remember, and all offer good quality instruction at a reasonable price.

Thrown Out of the Bar - Or Ballroom

Getting right to the point, this post is about:

Toledo Ballroom

6365 Monroe Street

Sylvania, OH 43560

(419) 690-3897

(Located in the same shopping plaza as Little Caesars)

Owned and operated by Kent Lautzenheiser (Nash)

I worked at Toledo Ballroom from January 1, 2016 through June 19, 2016. I taught group classes, and generally enjoyed it.  The students all said they enjoyed it, and they seemed to learn.  Then on June 23, 2016, I received an email from Kent (the owner) that stated, in part:

I feel that it's time for you to "hang up you hat" as far a being a dance instructor at Toledo Ballroom. You need to be able to enjoy yourself and not over do it. And I need to have a staff who can work a whole dance social or group class, on a consistent basis, without physically having a hard time making it through the event.

Fine. I'm relocating to Columbus anyway, and I have good days and better days health-wise. Besides, it's his studio, and if he doesn't want me to work for him, that's his decision.

In the intervening months, Kent moved his studio from Reynolds Rd to its current location on Monroe St., about ten minutes away from me.  I attended a few Wednesday night practice parties there, and was always made welcome.

Last Saturday (10/15/16) was Kent's grand opening, which was open to the public. I attended, danced with everyone, and both Kent and his mother Judy welcomed me when I arrived and thanked me for coming when I left at the end of the evening.  Everyone was quite congenial.

This morning I found this little gem in my email, as sent at 11:49 PM Sunday night:

Hello Bill. After much consideration, I think that it's in the best interest of our students, our staff, and the studio that you no longer attend our events and parties at Toledo Ballroom. We thank you for your help in teaching for us in the past, but we feel that with you attending our events now, there is a definite conflict of interest. We would appreciate [it] if [you would] respect our decision and enjoy your dancing at the many other venues in the Toledo area. Thank You, and we wish you the best.
Kent Lautzenheiser-Nash

Perhaps I've offended someone, certainly unintentionally.  If so, I apologize for whatever offense I might have given.  As far as any conflict of interest, if there is a conflict it exists solely in Kent Lautzenheiser's somewhat neurotic imagination.

Toledo Ballroom belongs to Kent Lautzenheiser, and he's made it very clear that I'm not welcome there.  Believe me when I say that I never show up where I'm not welcome.