Jablonski, 64, a 42-year resident of Sterling Heights, learned her best moves in Detroit's now-defunct belly dance clubs in the 1970s. She fine-tuned them during a six-month stint with her sister dancing at a supper club in Leamington, Ontario.
She teaches between 15 and 20 students per class in Sterling Heights, at four sessions a year. Her annual recital and dinner -- Thursday this year at the Imperial House in Clinton Township -- typically sells out all 320 tickets.
Her daughter Carla Schultz of Mt. Clemens also teaches; her other daughter, Lisa Jablonski of St. Clair Shores, is an athlete. And Tina's husband, Jerry Jablonski, is her biggest fan.
QUESTION: How did you get started?
ANSWER: My girls were taking dance at the Phyllis Dempsey Dance Studio (now closed). They offered the class for moms and -- oh, my gosh -- I was so excited. ... I had to bug my husband to let me go dance (professionally); I was married, had kids. Finally he said "Fine, if it's only for six months." That's when I learned all the rhythms and what to call the movements.
Q: Do you just wave a scarf and shake your hips?
A: Just as we say we are going to do the jitterbug, the tango, the cha-cha, there are isolated movements. A lot of people, they think it's a hootchy-kootchy. It's an art form.
Q: Are you of Middle Eastern descent?
A: No, not at all. I'm actually of Italian descent.
Q: How long does it take to learn and not look like a bowl of Jell-O?
A: You have to go by dance hours. It depends on how much time they have to devote to it. The way I always market it is just look upon it as an exercise and let nature take its course.
Q: What does your class do for your students?
A: It brings out their feminine side. I've watched women come into class, all bedraggled, hair a mess, makeup not on. ... I notice over time they look great. Their hair's fixed, they've got their makeup going on. ... It gives them confidence, and it's an excellent stress reliever. And today, that's my biggest sales pitch because everyone's so stressed out. It's almost like going to a doctor or therapist: You put the music on, and you're concentrating so hard on different parts of your body, you forget about what's going on at the office.
Recital tickets are $28. For information, call 586-264-0159 or visit www.geocities.com/tinajablonski/.
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