Biography
Date Published: July 12, 2022
Publisher: Passion Spirit Dreams Press
The book honors and celebrates Patsy Swayze. There are twenty-nine interviews which include her students, colleagues, and friends. Their stories showcase what a trailblazer she was and the extent of her influence on them and on the world. Many of her students continue to carry forward her legacy by following in her giant dance footsteps. There are sixty-four photos, most in color and rarely seen, which help tell this story.
Patsy Swayze 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 touches on the relationship between Patsy and Buddy, and Buddy's life. Another renowned student is Jaclyn Smith, who kindly granted a full-length 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.
Patsy Swayze continues to touch the lives of multitudes of people, including the author's life. In today's world it is especially wonderful to have such a hero, someone who gave so much to others and has left such a profound legacy.
Tell us about
your book?
The book honors
and celebrates Patsy Swayze. She was an icon and trailblazer in the performing
arts world for decades as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and mentor. She
inspired thousands of students. Her most famous student was her beloved son
Patrick, known as “Buddy” to family and friends. The book details their
relationship, Patrick’s life, and both of their places in performing arts
history.
There are
twenty-nine interviews of students, colleagues, friends, and a family member.
The interviewees are quite varied from Broadway performers, ballet company
dancers, choreographers, teachers, an actress from the movie Urban Cowboy, Patrick’s
bodyguard, and more. There are sixty-four photos, most in color and rarely
seen, that help tell the story.
The book
includes Patsy being a pioneer in opening her dance classes and heart to all
students, regardless of race, economic, or cultural background, and this was no
small feat in Houston, Texas in the fifties and sixties.
What is the
PRIMARY benefit, above all others, that your potential reader will gain from
reading this book? (Be very specific. Please do not answer with 'good read' or
'page turner' or some other worn-out, overused phrase. Be concise and avoid
generalization.)
The primary
benefit a reader will get from this book is an inspirational story with
information and photos on the lives of Patsy and Patrick that cannot be found
anywhere else.
If you had to compare this book to any
other book out there, which book would it be?
(Remember: The
audience does not yet know you. It is very important that you reference
something they might be familiar with to effectively and powerfully communicate
what your work is about. You are NOT saying you are 'better than' or 'just
like' this comparative, but are somewhat the same in a very general sense, to
give the listener a point of reference.)
This is a
really tough question to answer because my book is very unique. My 2017 book PATRICK
SWAYZE The Dreamer has some similar qualities as it is a homage to Patrick
Swayze. The book has factual information, written tributes from professional
colleagues, and many unique color photos. Also, there is a book Patrick
Swayze: One Last Dance by Wendy Leigh that contains information from
multiple sources about Patrick Swayze. A third book is about the assasination
of President Kennedy, Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation.
Hundreds of
thousands of books come out every year. Why should someone buy THIS book? (What
is it that sets THIS book apart from ALL those other books in the same genre or
category? What will the buyer get from you and ONLY you that simply cannot be
found elsewhere?)
This 280-page
book is the only place that offers a detailed account of the life and
achievements of Patsy Swayze through multiple informative interviews and
sixty-four photos.
Who is your
target audience? (Be very specific. Gender? Age range? Geographic area? Primary
interests? What benefits does the reader hope to gain from buying a book like
this book?)
The target
audience is anyone from high school age and up who has an interest in any or
all of these subjects: Patsy Swayze, Patrick Swayze, the performing arts world,
an inspirational story.
Did your
environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it
to your advantage?
I grew up in an
environment in which creativity was encouraged.
Tell us your
most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
I am being told
over and over again that the book is a wonderful tribute to Patsy Swayze, an
inspirational woman, who is greatly missed. It is reported to me that the book
takes people down memory lane and helps them hold on to fun and positive
memories.
What was a
surprise that you found in writing this book?
What I found as
a surprise while writing this book was how many people wanted to participate in
the book, the tremendous achievements of Patsy Swayze, and the depth of
connection people had and still have with her.
What do you
hope to accomplish with your book other than selling it?
I want readers
to realize how one good person following their dreams and passion, and values
can influence so many people, and the world for that matter, and in such a
compelling and positive way. She not only shaped many artists’ lives in the
fine techniques of performing, but also taught life lessons to those who
pursued a career in the performing arts and those who did not.
Also, I would
like readers to realize and understand the importance of the performing arts to
humankind.
About the Author
Sue Tabashnik published her last book PATRICK SWAYZE The Dreamer 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 great pleasure of meeting Patsy Swayze at a film event in 2003.
Sue worked as a master's level psychiatric social worker from 1977-2022. Sue has lived most of her life in the Detroit area. Author website: https://www.likedirtydancing.com.
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