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  • Alison Bert

    • I'm a writer who used to make my living as a musician. And somewhere along the way, I developed a passion for photography.

    Whatever I do, I try to make it meaningful. The best training I ever had was as a reporter The Journal News, covering everything from 9-11 to education and business. Now, as an editor for Elsevier, I try to bring the same journalistic integrity to corporate communications.

    In the previous century, I was a classical guitarist and music professor. I will always be grateful for the opportunities it gave me. While working on a doctorate at the University of Arizona, I was a Fulbright Scholar in Spain and studied with Andrés Segovia in a master class. I performed with wonderful musicians in places I will never forget, like Berlin, Krakow, Jerusalem and Caracas. And was able to share what I learned with with some incredible students.

    But ultimately I decided to return to my roots as a writer. When I was on the music faculty of Syracuse University, the Newhouse School was right across the street. I signed up for a few courses, but a professor there convinced me to get a master's in journalism and make it my living.

    Many people ask me why I changed careers, but I don't see it that way. For me, art in any form is about finding what is fascinating and building a technique to express it to others. Which is what I hope to do here. I hope you will join me.

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    Arte Phillips leaves legacy of joy

    Alison Bert on November 13th, 2008 | Filed under Dancing, Theater

    dsc03529.jpg Arte Phillips died last night. He was an extraordinary dancer, choreographer and teacher — one of the best in the world social dance and theater. But more important, he was a gentleman and an inspiration whose joy for dancing was contageous.

    Here is his Web site. And here are some pictures I took of him dancing with my friend Marilynn on the Gotham Swing Club 10th Anniversary Cruise last year.

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    I had a few opportunities to dance with Arte and take his hustle workshops. I enjoy hustle, but I’ve never been much of a hustle dancer. This could put off some dancers, who prefer partners with more advanced skills. But it didn’t matter to Arte. He made me feel like a superstar and somehow got me doing moves I didn’t know I could do. And all the while, he seemed to be having the time of his life. I know it wasn’t just me. I’ve seen him dance with other gals, like my friend Marilynn, and they had a similar experience.

    dsc03510.jpgThat to me is the mark of a great dancer. Not their fancy moves or how fast they can spin but the joy they bring to dance and how they make their partners feel.

    Arte was way too young to die, in age and in spirit. He will be missed.

    Please feel free to talk about your experiences with Arte here, and also check out these wonderful tributes to him on The Hustle Lounge and Strictly Westie.

    9 Comments »


    9 Responses to “Arte Phillips leaves legacy of joy”

    1. Paula Says:
      November 13th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

      I’m dominican, Arte came to my country to choreograph the musical “Saturday Night Fever” where i danced ten years ago. Arte taught me that the stronger muscle of a dancer is her or his heart. I was an amateur dancer then, but because of all the passion I put into it, he told me the last day of the show “thanks”.. that have been always in me… my God I will never forget that moment, I’ve never forgotten him and I never will.

    2. Marilynn Says:
      November 14th, 2008 at 6:38 am

      I was so upset to hear about Arte’s passing–and surprised at how much it’s affected me, because other than the few dances and a couple of workshops, I had little one-on-one contact with Arte. But what I did have was so much–a sharing of joy, in the moment, that nonetheless endured. He was an icon–but with no egotistical attitude. I miss him already.

    3. NURYN SANLLEY Says:
      November 14th, 2008 at 7:05 pm

      ARTE, Oh God, my friend, my dear friend. I am a producer, actress and singer from Santo Domingo. I brought ARTE to my country together with BETH DARCHI, in order to coreograph SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. I learned so much with him. His heart stayed here, he kept on comming to my country for the past 10 years, because he loved Santo Domingo, the beach, the dancers, my family, the country, the people, and the PRESIDENTE BEER. I still cannot believe Arte is gone. I was supposed to be with him next weekend, we were gonna get together in New York, once more. Arte, was special, I have never met someone like him. His love for friendship and dancing was extraordinary. My family will miss him, my kids, myself. I had so many plans with him for my productions. Oh God, rest in peace Arte. I will always love you, honor you, and remember you. NO ONE IS LIKE YOU. You were out of this world. WE WILL DANCE TOGETHER SOME DAY IN HEAVEN. I love you. Always. NURYN

    4. Alison Bert Says:
      November 14th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

      To Nuryn and Paula, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with Arte in Santo Domingo. Many of us here know him from hustle and swing dancing, but we are learning that his dance world was much bigger than that. It’s heartening to hear about how Arte touched your lives, and I can’t begin to imagine the loss you must feel.

      I, like Marilynn, knew him from workshops and social dancing. But as Marilynn expressed so well, there is still much that can be shared that goes beyond conversation.

    5. luis Says:
      November 16th, 2008 at 2:12 pm

      What can I say when I knew him way back to the Soap Factory, Inferno and all of the great clubs that we sneaked in together as we danced our nights away?
      Here is the one I truly respected in this great community of dancers that keep on pulling another night as all of live’s moments are put on hold for the sake of dancing yet another song. Here is a legend, and not so uch for fame, but just for a simple good time, perhaps he was taken from us very young, but than again, our journeyy is that which will some unknown day will come to a higher level for having accomplished that which we are to fullfil. Arte’s legacy is simple, he showed us all to dance making us better dancers with a smile on his face, and without measuring our step, but rather our well being. His personality never changed from the time we were teenagers till the very last time I saw him, he was a dear friend and a gentleman. Now he still dances forever mre plus one day, when we all meet again in the space of the universe which holds him awaiting our next dance.
      I will miss you dear friend, but know we will meet again for another dance moments we’ve embraced. RIP

    6. Alexis Says:
      November 17th, 2008 at 9:45 am

      I was shocked and saddened to hear of Arte Phillips passing. Back in the 70′s there was Darian’s Dance Studio in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn where Arte would dance and I would just watch. His energy and smile were infectious and he was always nice. I got to dance with him sometime last year at a club where we looked at each other and said “I know you…” May he forever dance in that place where we all shall meet someday.

    7. Larry P Says:
      February 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 am

      I remember Arte from back in 1982-84 at the Alexis Dance Studio on Monday nights. I also used to see him all over Manhattan around that time. Always a nice guy. He, along with Eddie Vega were the “stars” hustle dancers (male). May they both RIP.

    8. Greg Logan Says:
      August 16th, 2009 at 11:01 pm

      Alison,

      Your comments concerning how Arte made you feel and what he brought to your life experience in dance are, I believe, as profound as we can achieve in dancing – akin to meeting God so to speak. Thank you for your words – I want to fully integrate them as I dance with so many newbies and, admittedly, it does get to be a bit of a challenge (not that I am a great dancer but I have at least the basics down after 10+ years of hard work…).

      Best to each of us both leads and follows to live up to this great example that Arte gave,

      Thanks again,
      Greg

    9. Alison Bert Says:
      February 25th, 2011 at 6:45 pm

      Rhona, please forgive the delay in my reply. I was redeveloping this website and ran into some delays. I really appreciate your comment. I recently decided to revive this blog, and it’s great to hear that you enjoy visiting.

      All the best,
      Alison

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