The Flamingo opened its casino doors on December 26, 1946, followed by a three-story hotel addition on March 1, 1947. It holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating resort on the Strip and was the third hotel ever to open there. The original project, which cost $1 million, was famously taken over by mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel. Though Siegel’s vision helped shape the Flamingo’s future, he was killed by an unknown shooter in June 1947. Over the decades, the property would see numerous changes in ownership and appearance.

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The original three-story hotel—the last structure from Siegel’s era—was demolished in 1993 to make room for modern high-rise expansions. Today, the Flamingo boasts a sprawling 15-acre (6.1-hectare) pool complex that is a standout feature of the property. The area includes a lush animal habitat with live flamingos, a favorite attraction among guests. Many attendees of the dance competition were quick to praise not just the beauty of the pool, but also the attentive service throughout the area.

Now surrounded by some of Las Vegas’s most iconic landmarks, the Flamingo enjoys a prime location directly across from the legendary Caesars Palace. Whether you’re in search of world-class entertainment, high-end dining, or more casino thrills, everything your heart desires is just a short walk away.

Vegas Open Dance Challenge: Smooth Elegance Meets Strip Excitement

While many came to Las Vegas to unwind, enjoy world-class entertainment, and soak in the glitz of the Strip, the Vegas Open Dance Challenge offered a full-throttle experience for ballroom aficionados. Held over three thrilling days at the historic Flamingo Hotel and Casino, the event delivered not only top-tier competition but also plenty of opportunities for social dancing and community celebration.

Saturday night, as is tradition, brought out the very best in competitive dancing. The energy peaked during the Open Professional Smooth division, which quickly became the most talked-about event of the evening.

• Open Pro Smooth Open Pro Smooth
• Leonid Burlo & Mariia Usan Leonid Burlo & Mariia Usan
• Volodymyr Barabash & Yulia Rudenko Volodymyr Barabash & Yulia Rudenko
• Lukas Spisak & Eva Tibenska Lukas Spisak & Eva Tibenska
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Two standout couples—Volodymyr Barabash & Yulia Rudenco and Leonid Burlo & Mariia Usan—emerged as front-runners from their very first steps onto the dance floor. From the onset, it was clear that either duo had the potential to win.

When the final marks were tallied, it was Leonid & Mariia who claimed victory, winning all four dances. However, their win was not a landslide: in the Tango and Foxtrot, they received the majority of first-place marks—6 out of 11. In the Waltz and Viennese Waltz, their win relied more heavily on second-place scores and tie-breaks.

Both couples brought unique strengths to the floor. Leonid & Mariia impressed with their spontaneity and sense of daring, while Volodymyr & Yulia showcased clarity, poise, and refined movement. On this night, however, for us Leonid & Mariia may have pushed a touch too hard, resulting in a presentation that came across as slightly forced. That said, the judges seemed to reward their bold energy and action-packed interpretation—evident in the six first-place marks they received in tango and foxtrot (except the Viennese Waltz, where they received only 4 to 5 first place marks).

Interestingly, the judges’ marks revealed a third couple who made a strong impression: Lukas Spiszak & Eva Tibenska. They secured three first-place marks in the Waltzes and one in both the Tango and Foxtrot, showing that they were very much in the conversation. Their dancing was smooth, consistent, and easy to follow—qualities that earned them a well-deserved third-place finish.

Fourth place in all dances went to Alexander Elsbury & Grace Gallagher, whose performance stood out for its elegant simplicity and clear lines. Fifth was awarded to Oleg & Mishka Telha, while sixth went to Egor Bezukladnikov & Irene Lee. Egor & Irene were clearly finalists in terms of talent, though we noted that Egor might benefit from letting Irene carry her own momentum more naturally—particularly in forward-moving figures, where assisting too much can inadvertently cause a loss of swing and flow.

Open Professional Latin: Power, Precision, and a Stunning Upset

• Open Pro Latin Open Pro Latin
• Aleksandr Ivanov & Vitalina Bunina Aleksandr Ivanov & Vitalina Bunina
• Ivan Romanov & Nicole Prosser Ivan Romanov & Nicole Prosser
• Ievgeny Tkachenko & Elena Nesterova Ievgeny Tkachenko & Elena Nesterova
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The Open Professional Latin division at the Vegas Open Dance Challenge had us on the edge of our seats, going back and forth between two powerhouse couples: Aleksandr Ivanov & Vitalina Bunina and Ivan Romanov & Nicole Prosser.

Based on prior performances, many expected Ivan & Nicole to steal the night. But not this time.

Aleksandr & Vitalina came out swinging—with power, precision, and undeniable flair—breaking down the proverbial doors from the moment their music began. They owned the floor, leaving no room for doubt or challenge. In the end, they won all five dances, including a perfect sweep in the Cha Cha.

Across the remaining dances:
• In the Samba, they dropped just one first-place mark (from judge Babette Brown).
• In the Paso Doble, one judge (Michael Mead) gave their first to someone else.
• In the Jive, they again missed only one first (from Debbie Kusumi).
• The Rumba was their weakest showing by comparison—though still victorious—with four first-place marks lost, the only dance with noticeable judge division.

Ivan & Nicole captured most of the firsts that Aleksandr & Vitalina didn’t get, which earned them a solid second-place finish. While they danced beautifully, they lacked the explosiveness and command that Aleksandr & Vitalina delivered, making the top spot unreachable for them on this occasion.

From third place down, the competition became more fragmented, with the judges’ scores reflecting less agreement:
• Ievgeny Tkachenko & Elena Nesterova, who had won the Rising Star division the night before, delivered an elegant performance with stunning lines and great presence. However, when it came to rhythm and body isolation, their performance left us wanting more. Their final placements—4,3,3,3,4—secured them third overall.
• Fourth overall went to Ivanov Malkov & Natalia Malkova with marks of 3,4,4,5,5. They brought energy and sharp timing, though their cohesion wasn’t quite at the same level as the top three.
• Anton Ivanyshyn & Hanna Lytvynovych took fifth place with scores of 5,5,5,4,3. Their jive, in particular, stood out as a highlight in their set.
• Rounding out the finalists were Vladislav & Victoria Ursatiy, who placed sixth in all dances. Their placement was consistent, though they may need stronger stylistic definition and contrast to move up in future competitions.

• Open Pro Ballroom Open Pro Ballroom
• Radu Sterban & Xenia Cletova Radu Sterban & Xenia Cletova
• Sergey Averkov & Olena Barna Sergey Averkov & Olena Barna
• Alex & Rickie Taylor Dubovick Alex & Rickie Taylor Dubovick
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Open Professional Ballroom: A Commanding Victory and Room to Grow

The Open Professional Ballroom category was decisively won by Radu Sterban & Xenia Cletova, a couple whose performance left little doubt in the judges’ minds. They took the majority of first-place marks in all five dances, and came close to a perfect score in the Quickstep, losing only one first-place mark (from judge Chantal Leclerc).

We fully agree with the panel’s decision, especially considering their elegance, musicality, and technical consistency throughout the evening. That said, we did feel Serhiy Averkov & Olena Barna had a slight edge in the Tango, showing more intensity and sharpness. Interestingly, Michael Mead was the only judge to agree, awarding them the first in that dance.

The couple that took the most first-place marks away from the winners was Alex & Rickie Taylor Dubovick, who ultimately placed third overall. They relied heavily on a mix of third or better scores to secure their placement. This couple is full of raw talent and charisma, but at times their performance felt a bit wild or uncontained. With more experience and a deeper connection to the musical phrasing, they could certainly rise higher in future events.

Fourth place went to Alexander Elsbury & Grace Gallagher, with steady marks of 4.5, 5, 4, 4, 4. Their presentation had clarity and composure, offering a performance that was both elegant and technically clean.

Evgeniy Mayorov & Olga Lisovskaya followed closely, placing fifth overall with scores of 4.5, 4, 5, 5, 5. They showed a strong command of timing, though perhaps lacked the visual contrast in shaping to push higher in the field.

Finally, Egor Bezukladnikov & Irene Lee rounded out the final with sixth place in all dances. While their execution showed promise, greater partnership balance and technical refinement will help them progress.

• Open Pro Rhythm Open Pro Rhythm
• Ilie Bardahan & Oxana Kashkina Ilie Bardahan & Oxana Kashkina
• Nikolay Voronovich & Hadas Fisher Nikolay Voronovich & Hadas Fisher
• Aaron Pierce & Irene Caredis Aaron Pierce & Irene Caredis
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Open Professional Rhythm: Strength, Style, and Steady Progress

In the Open Professional Rhythm division, there was no doubt about the top spot—Ilie Bardahan & Oxana Kashkina won all five dances decisively, losing only a single first-place mark in the Mambo from judge Dennis Rogers. And yes—we agree with the judges on this one.

It wasn’t just Ilie’s technical strength that had the audience captivated; his striking appearance didn’t hurt either. Sporting a cutout shirt that showed off his sculpted arms and athletic physique, Ilie and Oxana commanded attention from the first beat. Unlike most of us, it’s clear Ilie doesn’t skip a single gym day. But beyond appearances, this couple danced with precision, power, and undeniable charisma.

From second place onward, however, the field became less clear-cut.

Nikolay Voronovich & Hadas Fisher secured second place in all dances, but their marks varied significantly—ranging from second to fourth, with only one first-place mark in the Mambo (again from Dennis Rogers). While some judges clearly had reservations, we must give this couple credit: they’ve improved with each outing. Nikolay, a seasoned world-class dancer now transitioning into the Rhythm style, brings strength and experience to the floor. Hadas shows promise, but still lacks the technical depth and rhythmic nuance to match her partner’s level fully. That said, with continued training and time together, they are on a path that could lead to the top.

Third place went to Aaron Pierce & Irene Caredis, who delivered a consistent, polished performance with great partnership energy. They continue to show growth as a team.

Fourth in all dances was awarded to Moses Ramos & Luisa Alvares, who danced with intensity and strong presence, though they occasionally lost connection in transitions.

In fifth place were Nicolas Santana Garcia & Nora Maria Garcia, who showed potential and solid rhythm fundamentals but need to refine their styling and transitions to move further up the ranks.

Sixth went to Nathan Bales & Jordania Kadzikowski, whose performance had charm but lacked some of the technical control needed at this level.

Seventh place was awarded to Trevon Anderson & Sarah Babick, who brought strong performance energy but need more grounding in rhythm technique to challenge the field effectively.

Las Vegas remains one of the most popular destinations for ballroom dancing and Dancesport—and for good reason. Beyond the dazzling lights and world-class entertainment, the Vegas Open Dance Challenge combines the thrill of high-level competition with everything this fun, vibrant city has to offer. With the event held right on the Strip, participants and spectators alike enjoy the convenience of being just steps away from iconic shows, restaurants, and nightlife.

We even had the chance to explore a few hidden gems ourselves, including speakeasies at Caesars Palace and The Cosmopolitan—both of which were a blast and added a little vintage flair to our evenings.

A heartfelt congratulations to Maria and Mikal for organizing such a seamless and welcoming event. Your hospitality and passion for the dance community are what keep us all coming back to this lively city, year after year.