Getting the “Vibe” in Miami Beach! Miami Vibe 2016

Report by Keith Todd

Photography by Ryan Kenner

It is always a treat to attend a competition in your hometown and for me, Miami Vibe offers just such a treat. Its venue, The Eden Roc Hotel, is barely ten minutes from my residence. And what a venue this is! The Eden Roc is a MIMO masterpiece, designed by Morris Lapidus and completed in 1955. It has been lovingly restored, keeping all of its original flavor.  I was very lucky this year to be housed in the fully renovated ocean tower and I could literally hear the Atlantic surf if I opened my windows.

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“Flying Sharks, Batman!” It’s the Beach Bash!

 Report by Keith Todd

Photography by Stephen Mario 

Flying Sharks, judges in deck chairs, competitors fanned with palm fronds while having their feet massaged, bathing suits matched with formal wear – where else could I be but the San Diego Beach Bash!  Organizers, Michael Mead, Toni Redpath & Jonathan Roberts have brought their own brand of “California wackiness” to the ballroom and it seems to be working.  Only in their second year, this event exploded to over 8,000 entries this year.  Oh, by the way, just to appease the animal activists – the flying shark was not real!

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Last Working Day in Colorado!

The last day at the Colorado Star Ball was focused on the Ballroom style of dancing but three professional competitions took place - the Showdance, Open Rhythm and Open Ballroom. Although the room was not as full as the previous night, plenty of local spectators showed up for the experience.

It’s Official! Star International Latin Tour is underway!
And we had 3 winners!

Last night was the first “official” stop for the Star International Latin Tour here at Yankee Classic.

Back to our Roots! The Cuba International Ballroom Championship 2016

Report by Keith Todd

Photography by Charles Ryder

Ask most dancers which country they associate most with the Latin American Dances and the answer 90% of the time will be “Cuba.”  While it is true that samba originated in Brazil, paso doble in France and the jive in USA, it is the Cuban music of the mid 20th century that still fuels much of our competitive Latin dancing to this day. But for most of us living in the USA, the country of Cuba remains mostly a mystery thanks to the embargo policy reaching back to the 1960’s.

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