Didio Barrera
There is a Heaven! Heritage Classic 2016
Report by Didio Barrera
Photography by Park West
I have now attended the Heritage Classic for a number of years and I’m always amazed at the elegance and beauty of the “Grove Park Inn,” inside and out. To top it all, the competitions in the spacious ballroom are usually of good quality but this year it was even more special with the finishing touch of perhaps some of the best Latin dancing I have seen in recent times. The Show by Slavik Kryklyvyy & Karina Smirnoff was totally heavenly, beautiful and an awesome experience that I will never forget.
You are not a member. Please subscribe Here and Now!
Andrei & Elena, not just Trying they are the Tri-State Championships!
Report by Didio Barrera
Photography by Ryan Kenner
A year ago Andrei & Elena bought the Tri-State Championships, it was and still is a well-attended competition in the north east of the USA. With the USA being the melting pot of all countries and races, it is reassuring to see Andrei & Elena, who came to the USA from Russia with the hope of attaining a better life able to be among other things, the organizers of a successful competition here.
You are not a member. Please subscribe Here and Now!
Hitting 40! La Classique 2016
Report by Didio Barrera
Photography by GSR Studio Inc.
La Classique Du Quebec hit the 40 year mark this year in Montreal, Canada and it seems like only yesterday we were all lining up in the “on deck” to dance at this incredible and fabulous event that still plays the most incredible music with terrific lighting and a fantastic atmosphere. I know some of you wonder why I refer to the past when talking about “La Classique” as we all call it now with love. I refer to the past because without a strong past there is no future and while most competitions are struggling to create it, “La Classique Du Quebec” has the most history of any event I know and it continues to create history with every year that passes.
You are not a member. Please subscribe Here and Now!
The Art of Seduction!Maryland Dancesport 2016
Report by Didio Barrera
Photography by Timeline Media
As I mentioned on our blog, the art of seduction, “You either have it or you don’t.” When it comes to Ballroom dancing some couples have the art of seduction down, drawing you to them and making you, if you’re a judge, bring them back over and over and if you are the audience keep looking at them nonstop. There are many components to this art, it is not just about looking good and proper and pretty.
You are not a member. Please subscribe Here and Now!
The Ballroom, the Rhythm and the Money!
Report by Didio Barrera
Photography by Charles Ryder Photography
Thursday, January 28th I arrived in beautiful, historical San Jose, California for the City Lights Ball, sponsors of the Star Professional Tours where over $100,000.00 was awarded to our Ballroom and Rhythm Professional competitors.
You are not a member. Please subscribe Here and Now!
Back to One!
Report by Didio Barrera
Photography byTanuja Tharani
Back to one is the expression used when you’re filming something and you want to do it again! This past December I was asked by our local Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Coral Gables, Florida to judge their winter showcase. It’s been quite a while since I had an opportunity to do something as simple as a showcase and so I was very excited when asked.
You are not a member. Please subscribe Here and Now!
Ohio Open Pro/Am Rhythm Scholarships
Report by Didio Barrera
Photography by Park West
This year as every year, the Rhythm categories in the Pro/Am field were completely filled with two days of nonstop Rhythm events. These two days, as we mentioned on our blog ended with the Pro/Am scholarships and they were very disputed.
You are not a member. Please subscribe Here and Now!
Is It All About the People?
Ohio Star Ball 2015
Report by Didio Barrera
Photography by Park West
I always wonder what makes an exciting event. Is it the dancing or is it the amount of people that attend that make you come back over and over again? I think perhaps it might be a little bit of both, especially when an event is starting to make its reputation. However, at the end like at the Ohio Star Ball, the amount of people attending brings an energy to any event that is hard to replicate with anything else.