Patsy Swayze: Every Day, A Chance to Dance

by Sue Tabashnik

Overview

THIS IS THE STORY OF THE MOTHER AND MENTOR OF MEGASTAR PATRICK SWAYZE! The book honors and celebrates Patsy Swayze. There are twenty-nine fascinating interviews of students, colleagues, and friends; including Broadway, ballet, television, movie, and dance performers. Their stories showcase her role as a trailblazer and the extent of her influence on the interviewees and on the world. Many of her students continue to carry forward her legacy by following in her giant dance footsteps. There are approximately sixty-four photos (most in color and rarely-seen) that help tell this story. Patsy continues to touch the lives of multitudes of people, including the author's life.

Patsy was an icon in the dance and performing arts world for decades as a dancer, teacher, mentor, and choreographer. Her work includes founding the Houston Jazz Ballet, teaching at the University of Houston, running her own dance studios, and choreographing for Theatre, Incorporated, Playhouse Theatre, and Hollywood movies. She inspired thousands of dance students, many of whom went on to become professionals in the performing arts, and instilled in all students a strong work ethic and set of values. With that said, she was most proud of her family and thought her greatest achievement was being the mother of five children.

Of course, Patsy had one very famous student, her beloved son Patrick, known as "Buddy" to family and friends. The book will touch on the relationship between Patsy and Buddy, and Buddy's life. Another renowned student is Jaclyn Smith, who kindly granted an interview about her experiences with Patsy.

Patsy was a pioneer in opening her dance classes and her heart to all students, regardless of race, economic, or cultural background, and this was no small feat in the fifties and sixties in Houston. In addition, Patsy was known to be extremely philanthropic.

Enjoy the exclusive stories and rarely-seen photos of Patsy and Patrick. Read the amazing interviews. Be inspired by someone who was a hero, someone who gave so much to others and has left such a profound legacy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780989408660
Publisher:	Passion Spirit Dreams Press
Publication date:	07/15/2022
Pages:	282
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.77(d)

About the Author

Sue Tabashnik published her newest book Patsy Swayze: Every Day, A Chance to Dance in July 2022. PATRICK SWAYZE The Dreamer was released by Tabashnik in September 2017. This book presents how Swayze's focus on dreams for himself and others sustained him and guided him to live a zest-filled and hopeful life even while dealing with great adversity. Her earlier two unique Dirty Dancing tribute books are The Fans' Love Story: How the Movie DIRTY DANCING Captured the Hearts of Millions! (July 2010) and The Fans' Love Story ENCORE: How the Movie DIRTY DANCING Captured the Hearts of Millions!(December 2013).She became a fan of Patrick Swayze in 1988. She was an active member of the Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club from 2000−2010, which included writing numerous articles for the club magazine. She had the good fortune to meet Patrick Swayze several times at movie screenings and benefit events from 2002−2004, which led her to become an even bigger fan. She also had the pleasure of meeting Patsy Swayze at a film event in 2003. Sue has worked as a master's level social worker since 1977. Sue has lived most of her life in the Detroit area. Author website: https://www.likedirtydancing.com

Editorial Reviews

…traces the experiences of the talented artists who were milestones in Patsy's life and therefore in Patrick's life. Above all…trace[s] the rise of Patrick's career and his love for dance and acting and how it was impacted by his mother and mentor, Patsy. This is seen through the hearts and minds of those who loved Patsy and Buddy. And how that love fostered his own greatness. We are all products of those who have loved and respected us throughout our lives, and [the] book highlights the extraordinary men and women who were fortunate enough to share the spotlight with Buddy.

These interviews are a lasting testament to the influence Patsy Swayze had on so many elements in the performing arts, giving life and passion to the men and women who revolutionized the stage, film and television industries, inspiring so many to be "the best they could be." As is quoted from Jaclyn Smith about Patsy: "Thank you for pushing me. Thank you for making me understand the discipline of what a career is, in that: It isn't just performing, it's the homework you do and the everyday carry-through."

My favorite phrase is: "Pasty gave love. In Abundance." That was Patrick! By understanding her—as she is revealed to us so masterfully in these interviews—we understand Patrick! How also the most talented people of his generation saw him, his untiring passion making him comparable to Gene Kelly.

I have been fortunate enough to work with many wonderful filmmakers in my career thus far. Some you may have heard of, others not. But they are all exceptional and timeless in their art. Vittorio De Sica, Sofia Loren, Roberto Rossellini and young Isabella, Richard Burton, Romy Schneider, Richard Harris, Trevor Howard, Kim Novak, Marlene Dietrich, David Bowie, Sean Penn, Martin Sheen, Karen Allen, Grace Jones, and even Tony Curtis at the end of his Billy Wilder heyday. And I am not just name-dropping unless it is to drop this one name: Patrick Swayze. Patrick is Truth. The cowboy's need to survive at its purest. There is always palpable truth in his emotions even against the backdrop of Hollywood's lies, deceptions, hypocrisy and false myths. Patrick is and has been for quite some time a genuine myth because he represents the humanity inherent in show business distilled to its essence.

In all my career, I have never met such a dedicated and passionate human being on and off the set. And that is refreshing to say the least. Patrick Swayze is that miracle that comes along only once or twice in any given generation. It's my privilege to love him. Oscar Wilde once said: "We are all in the sewer but some of us are looking at the stars." Patrick was always looking at the stars, no matter what cards life had dealt him. Thank you Patrick for your inspiration, for being a hymn to life.
—Joshua Sinclair, Friend and Colleague of Buddy Swayze, Director, Writer, Producer, Physician

In so many ways, Patsy was an icon and trailblazer; yet her influence is barely known outside the world of dance. Thus, the need for this book, which should be included in any definitive library collection of performing arts personalities.

Patsy Swayze's famous son Patrick was one of her students, and many readers will harbor at least a rudimentary knowledge of his skills. Sue Tabashnik's book outlines the wellsprings of these abilities as it surveys Patsy's life, her influences on her son, and their relationship as well as their strengths and place in performing arts history.

Houston, Texas in the 1950s and '60s was not known as a bastion of social acceptance; yet Patsy, early on, made her dance lessons available to people of color and people from all walks of life. She was a philanthropist and a teacher whose directions proved revolutionary at a time when so many doors were closed to those from different economic, racial and ethnic levels of American society.

Because of all these facets (including the fact that her many achievements have never been fully assembled in one place and celebrated before), Patsy Swayze: Every Day, A Chance to Dance represents a key piece of literature that goes beyond following one woman's career.

Patsy made a name for herself in many ways. It's a legacy that deserves to be profiled, and to live on to influence future generations. Her biographer achieves this goal by interviewing other dancers and artists whose memories of and associations with Patsy catapulted their own careers and endeavors to unprecedented heights.

Student commentaries about their teacher's lessons offer additional insights into her focus and modus operandi: "She was all about technique...She also always stressed about being a triple-threat: to learn to sing, to learn to do acrobatics, to learn to do jazz, to learn to do tap, to learn to do ballet. She said to learn as much as you can so when you are called upon in a show or a movie—'Can you do this?'—you can say yes. She told us to be a triple-threat—actor, singer, dancer—and try to excel at them all."

As a host of interviews from professional dancers, choreographers, actors and industry leaders bring forth various facets of Patsy's life, readers gain the full flavor of her personality, her son's world, and her life.

Liberally laced with color photos of contributors, performance literature, and vintage photos, Patsy Swayze: Every Day, A Chance to Dance is a vibrant account of a notable teacher's world. It should become a mainstay in any performing arts or memoir collection interested in lively performing arts industry discussions and insights.
—Diane Donovan, Editor, Donovan's Literary Services, Bookwatch

Inspired is the feeling I take away from Sue Tabashnik's tribute paid to the brilliant teacher of dance and all things having to do with the art of performing. I am just one of those lucky and blessed people to have walked through the doors of Patsy Swayze's dance studio in Houston, Texas, way back when. It is my honor to be among the many wonderful interviewees of this terrific book! My entire childhood was spent knowing and loving Patsy and her entire family. And being trained as a triple threat performer infused with Patsy's passion for theater. Again, I am just one of the countless people whose life's dreams were molded and shaped by Patsy's selfless spirit! You will be in awe of what you learn of such unique character in a great, great lady who just happened to be the Mother of the gifted Patrick Swayze.
—Nikki D'Amico, Student and Lifelong Friend

This book is a loving tribute to perhaps one of the greatest dance teachers of all time, told through remembrances and interviews with the people who knew her best. A must-read for anyone who loves dance and admires those talented individuals who know how to inspire others through education.
—Dee Long, Editor, Gotta Love It"

From the Publisher