THOUSANDS CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF ARTHUR MURRAY

Thousands of dance enthusiasts gathered at special events worldwide on April 4 to celebrate 100 years since dance icon Arthur Murray began his ballroom teaching career. One of the three largest celebrations in the U.S. — and the biggest in the East — was held at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville. Celebrants there included hundreds of students and teachers from Arthur Murray Dance Studios throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York. Featured during the eight-hour event at Mohegan Sun were dance demonstrations, group dance lessons in waltz, salsa, rumba, tango, hustle, fox trot and swing, and a fashion show of dance apparel. Pictured, from left, are Rachel Frank, Fox CT meteorologist and event co-emcee; West Hartford’s Jonathan Stangel, event coordinator and Arthur Murray Dance Studios assistant area chairman for the northeast; Chester’s Phyllis Murray McDowell, Arthur Murray’s daughter; Hartford’s Duby McDowell (Duby McDowell Communications), Meg Smith, and Essex’s Kathryn Magown, Arthur Murray’s grand-daughters; and Mark Lightner, Arthur Murray International area chairman.