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Aventura Confidential [5-1]

Groove Man – Darrin Dewitt Henson Comes to Town  

Within the space of an hour from 1:30 to 2:30 a.m., a security officer making his rounds noticed the gates to the power plant open.  

By Phyllis D. Huguenin
Columnist 

Darrin Dewitt Henson is entitled to full bragging rights. He’s choreographed for some of the nation’s hottest stars, won a MTV Video Award for “Best Choreography,” his instructional video Darrin’s Dance Grooves has sold over two million copies, the hit series he stars in, Soul Food, won the NAACP Image award, and he just directed a made for Showtime movie, Violation.

Yet he’s humble and sincere, coming off the stage after leading one of his famous seminars: a Pop Starz Hip-Hop Workshop at the Sheraton Hotel in Hollywood on Sunday, April 13, he flashed a genuine smile and promises to be right back for a long-awaited interview. He commenced to sign autographs and pose for pictures with the myriad of fans and attendees (over 400) who know him as the smoldering character “Lem” or the choreographic genius behind J-Lo, Britney, N Sync, Ashanti and Ja Rule’s videos. This versatile performer who took home the “Moon Man” trophy for “Best Choreography” at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards for N Sync’s video “Bye Bye Bye” oozes with talent.

Henson grew up in the Bronx just two doors down from childhood pal Jennifer Lopez with whom he is still very close. In fact he did the choreography for her 1999 World Tour. Admitting his talent is natural, Henson says he “never actually trained anywhere… I’d come home from school and go into my backyard. The boom box would be blasting and my friends and I would see what we could come up with.” He got his first break when C & C Music Factory had him choreograph their video, “Things That Make You Go Hmmm.” After that more and more stars would seek him out to add his unique flair to their videos and performances.

Soul Food, which airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m., is in its fourth season. It stars the original Vanessa Williams (the one with the dreadlocks). Henson describes it as an amazing show about “the strength of families.” “Lem” is a father and husband who struggles for a middle class existence after having had several run-ins with the law. Co-star Malinda Williams, who plays his wife “Bird” in the show, said in an interview that the minute she saw Henson she knew he was the one to play opposite her. He gave “the absolute best audition.” Henson described his on-screen spouse as warm and intelligent but then warns cryptically that he just found out she’s also cunning. When pressed to elaborate he hinted darkly that the topic would deal with some gender/sexuality issues. He hurriedly added, “It ain’t me.” He seemed genuinely surprised and just a little hurt when I confessed I don’t watch much TV and haven’t caught the show. Like a stern schoolmaster he admonished me to start watching.

Henson’s website, www.darrinsdancegrooves.com, offers a virtual cornucopia on this star including bio, pics, video clips, upcoming news and event calendar. Pop Starz Dance Company gets work for dancers in South Florida and features a bi-annual workshop and audition. Primarily hip-hop style, it incorporates Jazz and Street Funk – all moving to the beat of today’s hottest R & B and Rap acts. The training division conducts dance classes throughout Bally’s Health Fitness Clubs as well as the Grid Iron Club in Weston.

Henson sometimes discovers promising talent in the audience during seminars. He spotted Montana Tucker, 9, whose mother Michelle Tucker is the founder and president of Pop Starz at one of his workshops in Orlando two years ago. He encouraged her mom to let her pursue modeling and dance professionally. She’s had enormous success, appearing in roughly ten commercials, a television pilot and a music video. He always has his eye out for the next star, making a mental note because “you always need somebody hot… a great thing to have people in the back of your mind.” Henson confesses that he loves Florida. He left New York a few days ago where it was snowing and sleeting, whereas it’s warm and beautiful here. He has a special affinity for the Aventura Mall, describing it as a lot of fun to visit. He was in town only briefly; Sunday evening he was flying back to Toronto to resume filming on his show. After his marathon dance session it was time to have some fun, and he announced “You see that swimming pool over there – I’m getting ready to jump into it as soon as I finish with you!”  

Enough to Keep You in Stitches 

Aventura hospital security reported a mysterious theft from its power plant area on April 10. Within the space of an hour from 1:30 to 2:30 a.m. a security officer making his rounds noticed the gates to the power plant open. Upon inspection it was discovered that an exterior lock had been forced and was broken. It was further determined that the inner lock fence chain had been cut and entry gained into the yard. Where the nitrous oxide tanks were stored along the South wall it was noticed that three tanks had been disconnected and stolen from the compound. Nitrous oxide is an anesthetic used in dentistry and surgery and is known in layman’s terms as “laughing gas.” 

Notables 

Billed as a “unique and elite Women’s Luncheon Series” designed for savvy, leading women in South Florida, Chef Allen’s presents “Food For Thought,” which runs through November 2003. Each luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. with a half-hour devoted to greeting and networking, followed by a light, signature three-course lunch menu matched with the appropriate wine to compliment it. Upcoming topics: May 9 – “What’s Hot, What’s Not, What to Do” – Estate and Real Estate Planning for the Modern Woman with Ally Glaser, P.A. and Melissa Rubin. June 20 – “Put Your Best Face Forward” with Lyora Wilk of Face Makeup. July 25 – “The Healthy Balance of a Successful Family and Career” with parenting specialist, Dr. Sally Goldberg, Ph.D. The cost of each luncheon is $32 total, this includes tax and gratuity. For more information and reservations, contact Annette Winkler at 305-935-2900 ext. 12. 

Phyllis Huguenin can be reached at huguenotusa@msn.com.