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A standing ovation for Sam Sodano
A standing ovation for Sam Sodano
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Linda Eder sings to Sam
Linda Eder sings to Sam
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Sam Sodano
Sam Sodano
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View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://dancebeat.com/m-blogs-en/item/1519-osb17?tmpl=component&print=1#sigProIdf2e0072391
The phrase, “you shoulda been there!” is perhaps somewhat overused, but seriously, you shoulda been in Battelle Hall for the last night of the Ohio Star Ball last night and a tribute to Sam Sodano, the organizer for USA’s signature event for the past 40 years.
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On the business end of the night it was the turn of the Smooth and Latin professionals to take the floor of the Battelle Hall. Once again, the finalists in each division also performed a solo as has become tradition at OSB. Extra excitement came from the fact that we were guaranteed new champions as neither of last year’s winners were here to defend due to other commitments.
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An interesting aside was Tatiana’s dress for the final that lit up, literally in the VW. That’s right it had remote controlled lights sewn in. So who was controlling those lights? We’ll never tell – or maybe we will, but you’ll have to read Dance Beat to find out!
https://dancebeat.com/m-blogs-en/item/1519-osb17?tmpl=component&print=1#sigProId659b1ad149
Edward Simon will report on this division later in Dance Beat
https://dancebeat.com/m-blogs-en/item/1519-osb17?tmpl=component&print=1#sigProId664ed3b513
Karina Smirnoff has this report for Dance Beat
https://dancebeat.com/m-blogs-en/item/1519-osb17?tmpl=component&print=1#sigProId23aab3bca6
https://dancebeat.com/m-blogs-en/item/1519-osb17?tmpl=component&print=1#sigProId2f37075d54
Although the pro-ams danced Ballroom yesterday, the Dancesport Series Open Championships are not danced until Sunday afternoon, so we will have results from those later.
https://dancebeat.com/m-blogs-en/item/1519-osb17?tmpl=component&print=1#sigProIdfc8d07e5c9
Show time at the Ohio!
This weekend of dance was the 40th anniversary of the Ohio Star Ball.
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By the way we want to extend our congratulations to many of the couples that worked so hard from costuming to themes, to make this special showdance competition a memorable and special evening for us in the viewing box. When it came to the actual Ballroom event I am glad to see the judges rewarding some new couples for their efforts and not keeping to the usual form.
Look out for Charlotte Jorgenson's review of this event.
https://dancebeat.com/m-blogs-en/item/1519-osb17?tmpl=component&print=1#sigProIda755f28539
Second overall went to Andre & Natalie Paramonov who placed second in all dances. However, in looking at the marks we were very surprised to see three very prominent judges award them very low marks in this competition, Bill Sparks who awarded them 5,5,3,4,2, Linda Dean 5,5,5,4,5, and Mark Brock 3,3,3,6,4. We obviously did not see what they saw, but I suppose we missed a spot on the floor. In the Showdance Andre & Natalie placed second overall, and they did a an American style rumba featuring some perfectly executed rumba boxes, their music was fantastic, but here the judges were all torn. The only judge to awarded them a first was Mr. Donald Johnston, the only second came from Karina Smyrnoff, from here down the rest of the marks wen down to even a sixth place from Chris Johnston. I think perhaps after all the work done by the standard couples with music, theme and costumes the judges wanted more! Perhaps more attention should be paid to what the criteria for a Showdance should be? Anyhow we thought their rumba was great, with great movement and execution of basic elements combined, no overheads, no animal costumes, just a perfectly executed American style rumba.
Vard Margaryan & Inga Demetrian took third overall in the Rhythm competition with 3,3,3,3,4. In the Showdance, they also took third, here from what we can recall they did a mad professor kind of theme, but also not super memorable. Fourth went to Danas Jaksevicius & Yuki Haraguchi 4,5,5,4,3, as you can see the marks by now were all over the place. The Showdance for us was very campy with a great sense of humor, they played from what we could tell “aerobic” instructors from the 90’s. Danas & Yuki were well received and they did do a full “aerobisc” show, there was a lot of effort to be realistic and this was greatly appreciated by all.
Fifth went to Shane & Shannon Jensen 5,4,6,5,5, and they were also fifth in their showdance, all we know is that their costumes for their showdance were very appropriate, but there was no big impression from their number. We are a little surprised about this considering they are the masters at cabaret. Ilya Velednitskiy & Mariya Ilchenko took sixth overall 6,6,4,6,6, and also in their showdance. Glad we’re not taking a memory test, because this one also did not leave much impression.
Susie Thompson will report on this division for Dance Beat
https://dancebeat.com/m-blogs-en/item/1519-osb17?tmpl=component&print=1#sigProId5864867b7b
Battelle Hall was the venue for many Junior and amateur evnets during the daytime. The final of the Open Amateur Latin was held tonight and 6 strong couples came back to battle for the win that ultimately fell to Tal Livsitz & Ilana Keselman 1,1,2,1,1. winning that rumba and placing second overall were Pasha Stepanchuk & Gabriella Sabler 2,2,1,2,2. 3rd were Anselmi/Ricahrdi 3,3,4,4,3; 4th Cooperman/Taylor 4,5,3,5,4; 5th Ivanov/Usanina 6,4,5,3,5; 6th Rudman/Lisnd 5,6,6,6,6.
https://dancebeat.com/m-blogs-en/item/1519-osb17?tmpl=component&print=1#sigProIdc5ee1e5812
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Nothing but the Best!
Last night was the conclusion of “The Best Of The Best.” For a full year couples in all divisions have battled it out, one against one or even three against each other in all categories and styles, for the opportunity to participate here at the Ohio Star Ball in “The Best Of The Best” Competition.
Last night they all took to the floor, one at a time, to show us what they had, and after a very long process and hours of solo performances here is the final judgment.
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I have to say that the audience was great during all the solos performances, the place was packed and you felt the support from the other competitors for the soloist on the floor. This was a great timeslot for these solos. The time spent putting these routines together along with the music, costuming etc. was well rewarded and enjoyed by many. Congratulations to all our “best of the best” competitors who had to earn their placements in this showcase of champions.
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Two American Smooth Amateur events took place and the Senior B winners were Ryan Jago & Michaela Puno, and the C senior winners were Pat & Antoinette Datoc.
With this the Thursday night session in the Regency Ballroom came to an end. Today Battelle Hall starts and we should see all the amateurs and professionals going head to head. The show will include recording and Broadway artist, Linda Eder and it should be a night to remember!
Conclusion of the World Pro-Am DanceSport Series Rhythm 2018!
Last night at around midnight the Open World Pro/Am DanceSport Series in Rhythm came to an end.
Many of the competitions started with a full quarter final round and some even with a first round. The competition was hard and many had competed a number of times already during the earlier session and so it was also a challenge to their stamina, especially for the teachers if they had one or more students competing in these events.
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These were some fantastic events and we were glad to be able to witness these couples in such great shape at this hour of the night. Congratulations couples you really outdid yourselves!