About Lori Brizzi​

Lori Brizzi has been actively keeping Hustle dancing Staying Alive  for over 23 years in New York City, the birthplace of the Hustle.

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Although one of the original Hustle dancers and teachers, Lori’s passion reignited at the turn of the millennium, a time when Hustle dancing appeared nearly lost, confined mostly to underground venues. Driven by a burning desire to pass this exciting dance down to younger generations, she refused to let it die as a “period dance” of the ’70s and ’80s.

Soon afterwards, she became the originator of the NY Hustle Congress — a hugely popular event returning for it's 14th edition as part of the NYC Dance Experience in 2026, promising to be the best one yet.

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Signature Events

Lori is currently preparing for two major Hustle events:

• Big Apple Hustle at the Hyatt Regency in Morristown, NJ — Friday, July 11, 2025

• The 4th NJ Hustle Congress at the Marriott Newark International Airport — January 15–19, 2026

Her Hustle parties include:

• The legendary weekly Monday Night Hustle

• The popular monthly Millennium Dance Jam (every 3rd Saturday)

Both held at 412 in Midtown Manhattan.

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Awards & Achievements

Lori has been voted Person of the Year eight times by readers of DanceTalk, the country’s largest Hustle newsletter.

During her primary career as a competitor and performer, she won numerous dance championships in International Latin, Theater Arts, and Cabaret, and is a three-time winner of the iconic Zachary’s Dance Contest.

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Performing & Teaching

She has been a featured performer with prestigious companies such as American Ballroom Theater and Swing Dance America, and toured worldwide as a teacher and performer aboard cruise ships.

In New York City, Lori has taught Hustle lessons for Lincoln Center’s Hustle Nights and performed at renowned venues including the Rainbow Room, Copacabana, and Latin Quarter.

She has made numerous TV and movie appearances and was featured for her work in the Hustle community in the documentary Crime Cutz, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

When not running her own events, Lori travels as a teacher and judge for many Hustle events across the United States.

She is also featured in several galleries as part of the exciting Urban Stomp exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York, now through February 2026.