Latest Articles
Up to the Challenge? Sarasota Challenge 2016
Report by Keith Todd
Photography by Stephen Marino
This was my second time to attend Sid Pocius’ Sarasota Challenge held, of course, in Sarasota, Florida, and on my drive up I could only wonder if we would indeed be “up to the challenge.” This competition is a 1-day NDCA recognized event, but rumors had circulated that this year’s entry count was topping 5,000 – was it possible to dance that many entries in one day? Well, the short answer is, “yes!” And here’s how it was achieved.
Open Ballroom Vegas Open
Report by Igor Litvinov
Photography by Chris Hanson
I had the privilege to be invited again this year to judge the Vegas Open and was asked to write this article about the Pro Open Ballroom division. I have to say it was great to watch this event but felt more difficult to judge and definitely not easy to comment either. This competition started with a very strong quarter-final and the level of all competitors was so high that some very well known couples couldn't make it into the semifinal.
BYU Brings Us to New Heights!
US National Amateur Championships 2016
Report by Keith Todd
Each year in March most of the country’s leading amateur and junior competitors make the long climb up the Provo Valley to the town of Provo and the Marriott Arena on the campus of Brigham Young University for the US National Amateur Championships. These championships are recognized by the NDCA and are granted to BYU by American Ballroom Company. To be sure it is a long trek, particularly for those couples from the East Coast, but nobody seems to mind.
Pro Rising Star Ballroom
Report by Basil Issaev
Photography by Alliance Consulting
The Windy City Open gathered six outstanding couples for their Professional Rising Start Standard category on Thursday evening. Three couples traveled from California, one couple came from Wyoming, another from South Carolina, and one couple flew in from Taiwan. This final had some of the best Rising Star couples in the country, making the performances exciting and the competition heated.
Pro Smooth At Vegas Open
Report by Toni Redpath
Photography by Chris Hansen
It's been great to watch the Professional Smooth division from the sidelines recently but I must admit that it gives me a completely different perspective from when I'm actually judging. Firstly, when I'm watching I have time to watch a couple for a whole dance rather than a few bars. I have the luxury to just get engrossed in one couple’s dancing, rather than have to hurry to compare their qualities to another couple.
Windy City Open 2016: Professional Latin
Report by Alan Tornsberg
Photography by Alliance Consuling
1st. (178) Aleksandr Skarlato & Loreta Kriksciukaiyte, Miami FL
New partnership. Very interesting compensation of styles. Both very successful in previous partnership. Aleksandr a more grounded dancer than Loreta’s previous partner.
The Road to STARdom: Exclusive with Nazar Norov
Interview by Maria Kordit
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.