Latest Articles
Amateur Haven: Savannah Dance Classic 2016
Once again my Memorial Day weekend was spent at the Savannah Dance Classic in Savannah, GA. This is one of my favorite events to attend. For the sixth year Savannah has hosted a ballroom competition that had something for everyone.
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Report by: Keith E. Gardenhire
Emmanuel Pierre Antoine & Liana Chirulova: The Past, Present, and Future
Exclusive Retirement Interview for DanceBeat.
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Report by: Maria Kordit
Open Professional Divisions at Atlanta Open 2016
All of the Open Professional Divisions at Atlanta Open took place on the last night of competition and it was quite a marathon! The two international styles had semifinals and the two American Styles had quarter-finals. On top of this we had what I believe was an unprecedented “13-couple” cabaret final at the end of the night.
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Report by: Keith Todd
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Photos by: Stephen Marino
Let’s talk about that O1 Visa
In the 2015 United States National Championships - Open and Rising Star Professional events - there were over 70 professionals who were at that time on the O-1B visa.
Today, most ballroom dancers and dance teachers who are from outside the United States came here legally under the non-immigrant visa category of O-1 which is for individuals who have demonstrated “extraordinary abilities”. As many of you are already aware, changes by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) in regard to the O1 are having a serious impact on our industry. We understand that it is not just our industry, but all O1’s. But the changes are taking a drastic toll on the dance industry.*
Emerald Ball 2016 Open Pro Smooth
The Smooth this year at Emerald Ball was an exciting battle once again. Although one couple emerged on top, all of the couples had a range of placements in each dance. The marks ranged from first through sixth for most couples in EVERY dance.
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Report by: JT Thomas
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Photos by: Mary Tweeddale
The Georgia DanceSport competition was held at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North hotel in Atlanta, GA. This tournament is one of the steps in bringing back ballroom amateur dancing to the Atlanta area. This tournament was organized by Mark Garber and Holly Iyer.
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Report by: Keith E. Gardenhire
In the Open A, Natalie Crandall w/ Decho Kraev was the victor.
Natalie won all dances with the majority of 1st places. 2nd in all was Isabella Libertore w/ Charles Cunningham who picked up some 1st places in all dances and for the rest had mostly 2nd’s and 3rd’s. Only judge Eugene Katsevman did not favor her, awarding 4 6th places and a 4th.
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Report by: Keith Todd
The weekend of April 31st and May 1st hosted the Washington Open Championships. This competition was about caring, appreciating and giving. The organizers, Robert Woods and Lydia Petrigova spared no expense to give the participants and officials a weekend to remember.
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Report by: Pat Traymore
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Photos by: En Motion Photography