The Heartbeat Of The Dance Floor Podcast by Marsha Stern The Heartbeat Of The Dance Floor

A Lighting Panel with Special Guests Ken Billington, Paul Gregory Jason Kantrowitz and Anne Militello - interviewed by Marsha Stern The Heartbeat Of The Dance Floor® # 012

I’m honored to be joined by Ken Billington, Paul Gregory, Jason Kantrowitz and Anne Militello, ALL award winning lighting designers, as we discuss how lighting, while not necessarily thought of as music typically is, is both an integral and highly influential part of the overall experience. We talk about their numerous projects across a variety of disciplines including Broadway, Concert Touring and Architectural Installations with the common denominator between us being we all have had at least one toe, if not an entire foot in the Disco/NYC Club scene late 70’s-early 80’s. Along with tales and back-stories from their various you’ll learn how they’ve influenced so much of today’s culture and our visual experiences with their creativity and contributions over the years and how the basic premise of the ‘Heartbeat’ remains consistent in the creative process.

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Please join me as I share behind the scene stories that led to the creation of the Pines Pavilion. Opening in May of 1980, it has been continuously operating ever since albeit under a variety of owners over the years. My story begins about a year before that opening night when the seeds were sown by me and my freinds, innocent fantasies during the summer of 1979 that resulted in a new venue at the harbor in the Spring, welcoming the Pines residents. Over the years there have been many changes to the building including a complete rebuild due to a fire in 2011. Through it all The (Pines) Pavilion remains a beloved part of the Fire Island Pines Harbor and community.

Remembering Roy Thode with Special Guests Scott Bromley, John Ceglia, Martin Dow, Bob Howard, Robbie Leslie & Bobby Viteriti interviewed by Marsha Stern The Heartbeat Of The Dance Floor® # 010

I am joined by Scott Bromley, John Ceglia, Martin Dow, Bob Howard, Robbie Leslie & Bobby Viteriti as we gather together to tell stories and remember the genius of Roy Thode, who was an iconic ground-breaking DJ during the heyday of Disco. From his debut in the early-70’s until his untimely passing in 1982, Roy left an indelible mark that endures today. Those techniques he employed in his craft of creating a musical journey have translated through time as today’s dance music audience enjoys a great many effects that are now made possible through technology that just didn’t exist in the analog world of Disco. However more than his technological prowess, Roy Thode is remembered as someone who touched the lives of so many, bringing fond memories to those that were a part of his culture at the time and also bringing a smile to a fresh, new audience of listeners who can experience his unique musical style through the internet. I know that is something that he would be very proud of.

Bill Bernstein interviewed by Marsha Stern Heartbeat Of The Dance Floor® # 009

Internationally celebrated portrait and documentary photographer Bill Bernstein views photography as anthropology. Since beginning his career at the Village Voice in the 1970s, his methodology has been one of researching and representing contemporary cultures and sub-cultures through photography. The breadth of Bernstein’s career has been spent peeking into contemporary "tribes"—including New York City’s late 1970's notorious night scene and a 15 year span touring at Paul McCartney’s side as his personal photographer—and apprehending their unseen dynamics, as well as the subtleties of his individual subjects’ lives.

Bill has just released his latest book: Last Dance which chronicles NYC 1970’s club culture with all its style, fashion, fun and fantasy!!
He is also the author of three previously released books: Night Dancin’ (Ballantine Books, 1980), Each One Believing: Paul McCartney On Stage, Off Stage, and Backstage (Chronicle Books, 2004) and DISCO: The Bill Bernstein Photographs (Reel Art Press, 2015). Additionally his work is exhibited globally. He also currently services an international advertising and editorial clientele including National Geographic TV, Time Magazine, Elle, New York Philharmonic, Warner Brothers and HBO.

BACKLIT PRODUCTIONS, LLC - The Heartbeat Of The Dance Floor®. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A music business veteran for over 40 years, Ray has worked in marketing, promotion and A&R for various labels like London Records, TK Records, Atlantic Records and Warner Brothers Records where he was the head of their Dance Music Division. He then founded and presided over RFC Records, an imprint label of Warner Brothers Records. Through the years Ray has worked with many talented artists such as Al Green, The Rolling Stones, KC and the Sunshine Band, Grace Jones, Anita Ward, George McCrae, George Benson, B 52s, Devo, Peter Brown, Voyage, Boris Midney, Gino SOCCIO, Change, Chaka Khan, Rod Stewart , Ashford and Simpson. Ray signed Luther Vandross to his RFC label with the Gold album the GLOW of LOVE by CHANGE . Currently Ray is President of RFC Fresh RECORDS with artists Christopher Williams, Melissa Morgan, D train and new releases by Petawane, Ty Juan and Sons of Funk.

A bona fide legend in the Music Industry, DJ/Remixer/Producer Robbie Leslie has been performing on the international circuit for over 40 years. 
One of the last of the First-Generation DJs, he began his nightlife career on Fire Island in 1975. From there he moved to New York City, where the list of clubs at which he regularly performed reads like a ‘Who's Who’ of Big Apple nightspots: The Saint (and the Saint-At-Large), Studio 54, Underground, Private Eyes, Palladium, the Red Parrot, 12West and the Ice Palace. 
Recent gigs include clubs in London, Dubai, Budapest, Berlin, Moscow, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Toronto, St. Maarten, Punta Cana, and San Juan. After moving to South Florida, notable residencies include the Copa of Fort Lauderdale and Key West, Score and Twist in South Beach.
You can hear Robbie coast-to-coast in North America on his weekly SiriusXM Studio 54 Radio broadcasts of "Robbie Leslie Presents…" - Fridays at 9PM Eastern, 6PM Pacific, and on “Andy Cohen’s KiKi Lounge” - Thursdays 9PM Eastern, 6PM Pacific. robb