Latest Articles
“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!
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.
Dance Life Coaching: A Column To Help Dancers Journey In Life
“Principle of Perspective”
By Susan Silva
There is a Principle of Perspective that holds true for all of our lives. That principle has to do with where you sit currently which determines what you see. And what you see determines what you do. This is a heavy-duty statement but it is very important for all of us to understand. I hope to help clarify and bring light to your life by discussing this statement.
Good Enough for Tina Turner! Champions Ball 2016
Report by Didio Barrera
Portion of photos courtesy to Priyanka Mathew
The Champions Ball is the largest Pro/Am event outside the United States. With over six thousand entries it also rivals a number of events here in the USA. I have been fortunate to have been asked to officiate at the Champions Ball for a number of years and every year this event has to be judged by a standard of excellence. The staging and focal point is always amazing. I remember my first time attending the Champions Ball, I thought “Tina Turner” was going to make an appearance with the amount of lighting, smoke and props. This year was no different. In fact it was the best ever, with the two giant LED screens opening up to present the Pro/Am competitors on the stage and the stairs coming out of a tunnel for them to come down to the floor.
US National Amateur Dancesport Championships 2016: Amateur Latin
Report by Cecilia Giovacchini
This year’s 2016 National Amateur Championships was an amazing event, very well organized and I was very honored to be asked to judge. Lee and Linda Wakefield have done an amazing job at creating an inspiring atmosphere for the dancer, they should be very proud of what they have created over the years in Utah. It’s great to witness so many young people committed to this wonderful art-form. The future is very bright for our country’s young dancers.
SFO New Face! New Competition!
Report by Didio Barrera
Photography by Charles Ryder
It has been a few years since I last attended the San Francisco Open! San Francisco is my favorite city after Miami Beach, Florida where I live and so any time I get an invitation to an event in this city I immediately jump at the chance. The San Francisco Open continues to be run by Stephan and Denise Krauel, good, steady and consistent organizers, but this year added to the picture was Mr. Colin James. I noticed some a big changes in the atmosphere and running of the event.
Capezio Kiwi Dance Classic 2016
Report by Wendy Johnson
Photography by Point View
I’m just back from a wonderful 10 days in my birth country N.Z. I had a great time seeing friends and family... always hard to leave such beautiful scenery and good times. This was the fifth year of our competition and it was our biggest and best to date. ProAm dancing is thriving in both Australia and NZ. When you consider there was no dancing in this style and now both countries have embraced it and are also trying American Smooth and Rhythm.
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.