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Open Professional Smooth
Report by Beth Knoll
Photos by Chris Hansen Photography
The California Open, hosted by Debbie Avalos-Kusumi, is the first really big multi-day competition of the new year to be held on the West Coast. With a warm, welcoming atmosphere and Debbie's impeccable attention to detail, this competition is a rewarding experience for all involved. Friday night's spectacular competitive events did not disappoint the vocal and enthusiastic audience.
CALFORNIAN OPEN PROFESSIONAL LATIN CHAMPIONSHIP 2014
Report by Martin Lamb
Photos by Chris Hansen Photography
1st ANDREI KAZLOUSKI & ASTA SIGVALDADOTTIR (1,1,1,1,1)
Dominated the competition from the first dance with precision and projection. Clear winners with only a few lower marks, but tonight were not challenged in any way. Had great energy, and also, connection with one another.
CA Open Scores on Busy Dance Week
Report by Keith Todd
Action Photos by Chris Hansen Photography
The second weekend of February is one of the USA’s busiest dancesport weekends with three NDCA Registered events (Superstars Dancesport and Eastern US Championships are the others), plus the ever-popular Classique du Quebec in Montreal, yet Debbie Avalos’ California Open always draws a big crowd.
Platinum Dancesport Professional Smooth
Report by Vadim Mostovoy
Photos by Decadance Photography
The story of the Platinum Dancesport Classic began a long time ago when Polina and Igor Pilipenchuk were successfully representing USA around the World. It has been a real pleasure for me to be part of the great beginning and to have an opportunity of adjudicating the Platinum Dancesport Classic. This was the competition’s third year. I was happy to see that the momentum was kept high; there were more participants, great enthusiasm and more energy. I would like to extend a thank you to the organizers of the Championship, Polina and Igor Pilipenchuk and their Team, who made everyone feel welcome as well as all the participants, who demonstrated their commitment and passion to the love of dance.
"We shoul consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once."
Change of Location, but Platinum keeps its Vibe!
Report by Keith Todd
Photos by Decadance Photography
For the past two years, Platinum Dancesport has been nestled in Downtown Miami, right on the historic Venetian Causeway and incidentally about five minutes from my house. Hotel issues forced a move for this one year only, but the EB of Platinum, Mr. Scott Washburn, was able to secure the organizers, Igor & Polina Pilipenchuk, a place in the Airport Hilton.
"Dance is a conversation between body and soul."
This is a comfortable hotel with excellent convention facilities and the advantages of an airport shuttle. It is a little further from the delights of South Beach, but I believe many intrepid competitors made the trip to my “hood.” Certainly we saw many of them (Sunday) the day after the event enjoying the sun and sand.
Dancing in Jaffa
A Famous Palestinian dancer takes his unique talent to the city of his birth.
By Keith Todd
On April 11th 2014 a documentary entitled “Dancing in Jaffa” opens in New York. Executive Producers are LaToya Jackson, Nigel Lythgoe (So You Think You Can Dance) and Morgan Spurlock. The Director is Hilla Medalia (To Die in Jerusalem), the Producer is Diane Nabatoff (Take the Lead) and the star is - Pierre Dulaine.
New Organizer Joins Maryland Team
Report by Keith Todd
Photos by Ryan Kenner Photography
The mother/daughter team of Glenis Dee and Andrea Ringold, were joined at he helm of the Maryland Dancesport by veteran pro-am competitor and industry professional, Blake Kish. With over 6,000 entries this also coincided with the largest event in the competition’s history.
"Dancing: the vertical expresion of a horizontal desire legalized by music."
WDSF Final Grand Slam in Shanghai China Report by Renata Shvarts Every December for the past 5 years Shanghai graciously hosts the grandest and the most prestigious WDSF event in the world.
"Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor."
The Final Grand Slam invites the top 12 couples based on their performance scores through the year at the other 5 Grand Slam events. In 2013 the 5 countries that had the honor of hosting Grand Slam competitions were: Spain, Hong Kong, Germany, Beijing and Moscow. The biggest difference between Grand Slam events and traditional competitions is the judging system. Created especially for Grand Slams, this system strives to take subjectivity out of judging. It is modeled after the system used in judging figure skating. The vision is of course is to perfect it in order to, one day, use it in The Olympic Games.