Before there were any Dance Rock or Bboy Crews and certainly before any other Hustle Dance Teams, there were the Latin Symbolics Dance Company, founded by George Vascones, in the South Bronx, New York, circa 1972.

 

The Latin Symbolics were the first Professional Urban Dance Company in New York City History. They recruited the best dancers throughout New York City, most of which came from the South Bronx.

 

In the early days however, we had dancers from the other boroughs of New York City as well. The best of the best in regards to Hustle and Rock, all came from the South Bronx; as George took much pride in choosing great talent to audition and join the dance company throughout the years.

 

The Latin Symbolics Dance Company gave many young Latin dance stars the exposure to shine and experience the art of performing Internationally and domestically throughout the United States.

 

The very first Hustle was created in late 1972; it was not called the Hustle and was a 5 step count with no turns. The dance morphed into what was known as the Push and Pull Hustle, which utilized the 5 step approach of 1973. Later that same year, the first 6-step hustle was created, which was better known as the Rope Hustle, implementing simple turns and spins. The new derivative was a 6-step dance combining turns, fancy spins and variations. A new era of dance was born in New York City, spurred by the Latino Community. Most people believe it was created in the South Bronx among Puerto Ricans and was originally done at house parties, hooky gigs and basements club dances in the South Bronx. Not to mention, gangs traded in their colors for suits, dresses and the dance floor.

 

At the time the South Bronx was becoming the epicenter for a dance that began as Rock and migrated into the Latin Hustle. The Rock-Hustle gave dancers the freedom and autonomy to make the transition from freestyle to touch dancing. The interest level in the dance and the music that supported it was limitless.

 

By 1974 the dance became known as the "Spanish Hustle" and in 1975 the Fatback Band made a song with the same name. It was also known as the "Latin Hustle" and around 1976 it became known as the New York Hustle, then later on it became known as just the Hustle when the dance became commercialized after the release of Saturday Night Fever in 1977, which was a complete fictional story about an Italian dancer named Tony Manero from Queens, who was not actually a dancer at all, but a very popular kid from the neighborhood.

 

Early pioneers of the Spanish Hustle were dancers from the Latin Symbolics Dance Company, founded by George Vascones, who also served as President until his death in 1993. Some of the best of the best during the early days of the Hustle, Dante, Jose Dominicano, Willie Estrada, Willie (Wip) Rivera, Debbie Benitez, Gladys Rodriguez, Maggie Solis, all of whom were from the Bronx.

 

The biggest names of dancers with partners in the 70's were George & Denise,  Floyd & Nelly, Billy & Sandra, Eddie & Sara, Louie & Rosemary, Franc "Perico" & Debbie.

 

During the same era, there were guys dancing rock. They would try to out dance each other to the likes of "Jimmy Castor’s – Just begun", the "Mexican" and "James Brown – Sex Machine". Early rock dancers were Dee Dee, Rubberband, Electrico, Mejico, Marine Boy Willie, Willie Wip, Enoch and Papo.

 

The Latin Symbolics Dance Company featured Hustle, Rock and Mambo among its arts category. One of the most popular teams in the company was Debbie Benitez Jazz team with their rendition of Steam Heat. You also had the talented Rock Masters. The first four man rock dance team in New York City history. Featuring Willie "Marine Boy" Estrada & Robert "Lucky" Feliciano and Pete Martinez & Hector Berrios.