Salsa, Tango & Ballroom - Elegance of Dance

We hired Mark & Karen to dance at our mother's 85th birthday party because she is a huge fan of the show Dancing with the Stars. The party was a huge success thanks to their expertise! Not only were they fantastic ballroom dancers, but they were very entertaining and enjoyed by all who attended! Just when we thought it couldn't get better, they included the party guests in the festivities by teaching them a dance at the end of their performance. Everyone was thrilled and I would recommend Mark & Karen to anyone wanting to do something special for their party.

Mark James and Karen Lupo presented a wonderful blend of dance, music and a bit of magic at Freeport Library, all in celebration of Latin Heritage month. Mark and Karen danced beautiful salsa routines, and a gorgeous tango - the show included amazing lifts and intricate steps. They also gave the enthralled audience a bit of magic and dance history. The show ended with a merengue/salsa lesson for all ages and abilities. Don't hesitate to use this talented, engaging, and professional duo at your next event !

Mark and Karen put on a spectacular show for us. Mark entertained with some magic. After their mesmerizing performance of salsa and tango, they invited students to join them in learning the merengue and bachata. A fun time was had by all. I highly recommend M&K Dance & Magic Zone for any special occasion.

I participated in the September 2015 Stardust Dance weekend @ Honor's Haven. The highlight of my weekend was the entertainment, and the Friday night show exceeded all my expectations. The top level dancing of Mark James & Karen Lupo clearly manifested their experience as highly professional ballroom dancers and diversified entertainers. I appreciate the movements of Mark & Karen. I truly enjoyed their Salsa and their Waltz, both of which classify them as exceptional & multi-talented dancers.Their adagio routine with lifts danced to the “Power of Love” was the highlight of the night, in my opinion. Mark & Karen are the highest caliber of dancers, elegant, classical, topnotch. Their performance at Stardust was unforgettable.

I had the distinct pleasure of being among the audience members at the West Hampton Beach Performing Arts Theater for "The Magic of Touch Dancing - A Ballroom & Latin Extravaganza". Although all of the 6 couples were excellent, one couple was my favorite. I am referring to the team of Mark James & Karen Lupo. They danced a Waltz, a Lindy Hop/Swing, a Merengue, and a Hustle/Disco. Their performance was championship quality. Their Waltz was graceful and elegant; their Lindy Hop/Swing was fun and filled with dynamic energy; their Merengue was lively and captivating; and their Hustle/Disco was exciting and explosive. What an unforgettable show thanks to Mark & Karen!

This duo was phenomenal. They were able to perform in front of a crowd of students who were excited to see them perform. The music choice and the dance moves were great! They were also able to teach a lesson or two on merengue and bachata. Everyone had a great time! We are looking forward to having this duo on our campus once again for another great show.

Mark and Karen conducted an excellent dance lesson and a top notch dance performance. In addition to Mark was the deejay for the event. Mark is an excellent deejay who knows his audience. Good music makes the party and our party was a great success!!

Their edge over everyone else. Is that they only dance beautifully together. They add audience participation. With magic, a little comedy. I would recommend them for any party or function that's looking for the whole packahge. Thank you
Frank Sicoli (president of Avery Village Brookhaven seniors club)

Mr. Mark James was able to present my students with a phenomenal presentation on the history of Salsa for my Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. On a such short notice, Mr. James was able to execute and deliver a great interactive program that incorporated lots of music and dance from the past to the present. Students were very excited and appreciative to learn such great piece of history. I hope to have Mr. James present such presentation for the 2015 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.

Dance instructor Mark James and his dance partner Karen Lupo gave and awesome performance at our Women’s History Month Program this past March 8, 2015 where the Lindy Hop was featured as a major cultural dance. Our focus was on famed choreographer Norma Miller and her influence in popularizing the Lindy Hop as a dance art form in our country and the world . Mark James demonstrated his talent as a choreography and wowed the audience with two exhilarating Lindy Hop dances.
Thank you for helping to make our program a success.
Brenda Duncan, FVP
Program Director
Mid-Island Club, NANBPWC, Inc.

Mark and Karen have both, experience and passion for what they do. They truly connect with their audiences and engage them in the magic of dance. Mark and Karen take their audiences through a magical journey in which they blend Latin history and art. I have taken high school students to not only enjoy the engaging performances of Mark and Karen but also to learn to dance themselves. With patience, technique and passion for what they do, Mark and Karen are able to successfully teach the kids how to dance some Latin rhythms such as bachata and merengue. I have been taken students to see Mark and Karen for several years and will continue to do so. I admire their dedication, their knowledge and their passion for Latin dance.

As the owner of Stardust Dance Productions, Ltd since 2008, I have had the pleasure of working with Mark James and Karen Lupo. They are skillful performers. Their performances invoke tears, laughter, and amazement and heighten your sense of appreciation for the hard work and dedication invested in the art form we call ballroom dancing. I find I get lost in their performance as their energy is infectious and sensual and they have an intimacy in their every spin, gesture and glance.

Mark and Karen are pros when it comes to teaching workshops. They break down the steps, and although we say it is a ballroom dance workshop, it is choreographed to keep your heart rate up so at the end of the class you will be sweating and exhilarated.

Mark and Karen are the ultimate professionals. The dance instruction and the lesson of the history of the dances presented to students was outstanding. All students were engaged and many hated to have it end.

M & K Dance & Magic Zone did a terrific job of inspiring the students to dance ballroom. Their skill, knowledge and patience helped to jump start our performing arts program. I highly recommend them for any school or private function.

For the fourth year in a row, Mark James and Karen Lupo demonstrated why they are simply the best! From Mark's DJ skills to their expert dance instruction, this duo got the crowd of almost 100 up from their chairs and onto the "floor" for downtown Oyster Bay's 'Dancing in the Street.' Plus, they are a pleasure to work with!

Mark and Karen's performance at the Riverhead Free Library was truly awesome! The show had everyone at awe with their dancing skills, moves & lifts, laughing at their wit and jokes and astonished they knew magic as well! The applaud, laughter and smiles coming from the audience was as indicator that this was an evening we will all remember.

Working with M&K-Dance&Magic Zone was a wonderful experience. Not only were they beautiful dancers and entertaining to watch, but Mr. James ability to engage the audience and get them to participate in the dancing made the evening a success!

I attended the November 2013 Stardust weekend only to see the dance team of Mark James and Karen Lupo perform. They opened with a riveting energetic, sexy salsa that left me breathless. That number was followed with a beautifully executed, romantic, flowing, melodic waltz, danced to “A Time for Us.” They ended with an emotional theater arts routine danced with intensity and passion to “Unchained Melody.” The versatility of this team is apparent by their perfect execution of such diverse dances as those performed so flawlessly at Stardust. 

Mark and Karen were the highlight at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum' s 2013 summer night of music, dancing and entertainment under the stars. Their spirited ballroom dance performance delighted and thrilled the audience.
At the Vanderbilt's annual clambake, Mark doubled as DJ and performer (along with his talented partner, Karen). Mark's ability to select just the right music to motivate guests to get up and unto their feet.

I attended the performance of Mark James and Karen Lupo at the Connetquot Library last November. The show was very entertaining and quite amazing with their exquisite ballroom dancing, spellbinding lifts and unique talent for telling stories through dance. I very much enjoyed the event especially the costumes, the music, the magic and the way they presented an exciting broad way type show to the delight of the whole audience.

Mark James and Karen Lupo took the audience on a tour around the world exploring the culture of different people through dance. My wife thoroughly enjoyed this performance. Mark also added a "touch of magic" to the presentation. Two thumbs up!

M & K were a dream come true. I was married this October 2013 and had the privilege of hiring this beautiful couple for the diner portion of my wedding. Not only were they professional but the craftsmanship and passion displayed through there dancing brought the event to a higher level. My guests are still raving about them. I highly recommend them, they are a must-have for wedding entertainment and would not hesitate to use them again. Thank you M &K. Love you Karen, Tiffany

Mark and Karen do it all. Fantastic performers who can create any type of dancing display you need. They are an elegant and claasy team. Whether
Its a beautiful waltz or sexy salsa or hustle, Mark and Karen will give your event sophistication and class. Their routines include lifts and spins and are breathtaking. I cannot say enough about them.
. They worked with my group on pricing and were honest and delivered what they promised. I highly recommend them.