Daniel "Danny" Rodriguez, a popular go-go dancer at many clubs in and around Chicago, nicknamed the Twerk Master, died April 27 after a three-year battle with a brain tumor. He was at a Chicago hospice when he passed that evening, surrounded by his sister and cousins. He was 22.
Rodriguez, who came out as gay at 15, graduated from Kelly High School in Chicago. He started working in construction and was living in North Carolina in 2012 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He was operated on the next day, a near-4-hour procedure.
"When I first saw him [after the surgery], I was in tears; I couldn't stop crying. I couldn't even recognize him; that was not my Danny," said his sister, Elizabeth, who drove from Chicago to North Carolina to be with him. "He was so skinny; it was shocking, heartbreaking."
Two months after the surgery, the tumor returned, she said.
He then had a month of chemotherapy and radiation treatment five days a week for a full month.
Rodriguez returned to Chicago in late December, 2012.
"He went through so much pain," due to the tumor, Elizabeth said. "He fought for his life every day, [battling] a really, really aggressive tumor."
Still, he had a dream, she said, and he worked constantly in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood and elsewhere to be an exceptional dancer and entertainer.
"He was doing what he loved to do," she said.
Rodriguez was an avid gym-goer who constantly thrived for a physically-fit body. "Working out was his passion," she said. He also enjoyed music, watching movies and eating. "He loved food, especially Italian, [including] my lasagna," she said. "He had a strict diet, but he definitely loved junk food, [too]." He also enjoyed shopping and dreamed of one day living in California, she said.
"I know he wanted to make his dreams come true—and that dream was to have the body that he had, to be out there, to be famous, to show his talent, to travel."
Geneva Ria of Chicago said Rodriguez was a "great guy … all he loved to do was dance."
Rodriguez danced at Circuit Night Club, Antronio's, Lucky Horseshoe, Bonsai Bar & Lounge and Hideaway Nightclub, among other clubs.
Russ Eplin, the general manager at Phoenix Bar & Nightclub in suburban Elk Grove Village, said that Rodriguez was "such a talented dancer and amazing person, gone way before [his] time."
John J. Corcoran, the owner of Club Krave, wrote on Facebook that, "we know and believe he's in a better place and not suffering anymore. You know he has chosen a nice white puffy cloud, and is twerking that big ol' booty off with a smile on his face. Daniel was one of the most eccentric dancers Club Krave has had the honor of dancing and twerking on the stage. Daniel loved performing, and he loved life. He had a good heart and a great smile, and loved making people happy. It's a sad day that our community has lost a friend that was taken way too soon."
Chalo A. Aguirre posted on Facebook that, "The go-go [dancing] world won't be the same."
The funeral and service was held April 30—and Elizabeth asked that all attending wear white. Elizabeth said she plans to spread his ashes in Boystown. "I known he enjoyed being in Boystown," she said.
At Thirsty Thursdays on April 30, held at Watra NightClub, 4758 S. Pulaski Road, there was to be a special ceremony to honor Rodriguez.
A GoFundMe page has been established to aid in the medical and burial expenses of Rodriguez. To donate, go to: http://www.gofundme.com/ta3b3cb3?fb_action_ids=491066697724488&fb_action_types=og.shares&fb_ref=undefined&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=[765843803530750]&action_type_map=[%22og.shares%22]&action_ref_map=[%22undefined%22] .
