New Jersey State Open 2013

The studio made it's 2nd trip to the New Jersey State Open this year, departing from the Greyhound Bus Station  in DC on October 24.

It's rare for us to travel by bus, but this time out studio family had an entire bus to ourselves, departing from the new bus station in DC, which was a throwback to earlier times

It was fun to have the whole gang on board, as a group of 16 traveling up this year.

Attending the event:

Judith Albarelli

Michael Albarelli

Luca Madi

Anna Boyd

Sophia Boyd

Anna Kabul

Dana Coppola

Sophia D'Angelo

Lauren Garrett

Miss Alice Williams

Nick Gentry

Dave Russell

Rebecca Gentry

Lauren Atkins

Mike Baris

........ And Mr. Bill

We arrived early on Thursday at Atlantic City, at the Golden Nuggett Hotel & Casion ( Formerly the Trump Marina). The hotel has been extensively renovated since it changed ownership.

After checking in, we went for an ealry dinner at Angelo's, which is our new annual tradition in Atlantic City.

 This year the staff showed us all the Angelo's family pictures on the walls, and many of the people in the pictures were working on shift in the restaurant!

Later in the evening, we attended a welcome reception hosted by Roxanne Adaray and Susan Adary, along with new co-organizer Tom Rzepniki. It was an elegant reception for package holders, featuring all the Atlantic City boardwalk foods, including salt water taffy and ice cream. 

The Thursday night reception was an opportunity for the dancers to do some celebrity sighting, as many members of the world famous judging panel made appearances, including Edward Simon and Esther Don.

The following morning our team danced a packed rhythm day with dancers from all across the country. Every member of of team placed in their rhythm freestyles and multi dance championships. For Judith Albarelli, it was her first time getting called back in contested semi- finals. She placed first in several of he freestyles and 3rd in her rhythm multi dance championship round.

The ever so lovely Miss Garrett placed in all of her freestyles and multi dance divisions, donning her new custom dresses and dazzling fur wrap.

Here we see Miss Alice, who placed 1st  both of the Silver Rhythm Multi dances in the Ladies C Division.

Our smooth day was equally successful. This was the first pairing of the DC Ballroom team with the newest  member of our  family, Rebecca Gentry, who partnered all the gentlemen in the Pro/Am divisions. Rebecca is the owner and founder of City Ballroom in Lancaster Pennsylvania, and has very lovingly filled the role of leading lady professional at our studio helm. 

Here we see Rebecca and Dave in the Silver Smooth Division.

And with Mr. Bill in the Bronze Smooth Division

Adding to the fun, we got to share the dance floor with Illya Resin and his team of beautiful ladies. Sophia had a great time catching up with her friends Rene Kuwahara and Holly Squires.

Dana Coppola placed first in the Bronze Smooth Scholarship.

Sophia D'Angelo placed first in nearly all her closed silver rhythm and smooth freestyles, and then went on to place in the Rhythm & Smooth Dancesport Series and Open to All Scholarships.

Luca Madi placed first in the Closed bronze rhythm and smooth 3 dance championship rounds.

After two fun filled days of dancing, we all dressed in our finest for the Saturday Night Formal Banquet and evening gala. The New Jersey State Open offers some of the finest dining and entertainment options within our industry, with live music, entertainment, and a packed general dance floor. 

Michael and Judith Albarelli.

Following dinner we attended the evening session, which featured several live Atlantic City Entertainment Acts and packed professional dance events.

The evening concluded with the awards ceremony.

Michael Albarelli received 

Top Newcommer Award

Sophia D'Angelo received 

Top Silver Award 

Judith Albarelli placed in the Top 20 Dancesport Series Line up

Sophia D'Angelo placed in the Top 20 

Dancesport Series lineup

Lauren Garrett placed in the Top 20

Dancesportseries Lineup

Before departing Altantic City, Luca Madi and I discovered THE WORLD'S LARGEST GOLDEN NUGGETT!!!! It is on display in the casino lobby. It is the largest of its kind in display in the WORLD, which adds to the kitch of the hotel.

Looking forward to returning next year.

Irene Castle Picture Thread

Sophia & Rebecca make front page news

After our recent competition in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Sophia D'Angelo, Dave Russell and Rebecca Gentry all made the front page of the Sunday newspaper. The article featured activities in the thriving ballroom scene of Lancaster County, all made possible by Barbara Snyder from ballroom on the Square. The photos and highlights were taken from her competition, the Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage.

Dance4theCure 2013

Dance For the Cure 2013

Carol Lombard in the Tabloids

The Globe never ceases to amaze me. This month they are featuring an article about Carol lombard's untimely death. Nearly 60 years after her passing, she's still mainstream in tabloid discussion.

2013 Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage

The 7th Annual Pennsylvania Ballroom Scrimmage was held at the Lancaster Penn Square Marriott on October 6th.

The event was hosted by Barbra Synder, Mandi Kuhn, and Leaurant Van Loon.

The Ballroom at the Penn Square Marriott.

The Marriott Covention Center in historic downtown Lancaster features fine dining and a luxurious spa.

2013 Miss Adams Morgan Pageant

After 9 years of trying to obtain tickets, I finally had the privilege of attending this Year's Miss Adams Morgan Pageant with Terry Chasteen, Sophia D' Angelo and Laura D'Angelo.

Tickets are nearly impossible to get. Terry Chasteen was gracious enough to invite us this year, with Dancesport DuPont. He arranged for us to get tickets with Miss Bambi, and we are very grateful to her for  organizing our tables.

The event was held at the Washington Hilton, I've been told it was the hotel where Reagan was shot.

We arrived early during set up, the ballroom was much bigger than I expected.

Here we see Sophia as she orders a club soda during cocktail hour, she is literally dwarfed by the woman next to her, in high heeled platform boots.

 During  cocktail hour, Sophia and her sister, Laura, took time for pictures in the Hilton Lobby.

The highlight of the evening was a featured performance by Miss Peaches, with an ensemble cast. 

http://youtu.be/MXTGhpQZmeM

For the last several weeks, Peaches has had been rehearsing at Dancesport DuPont, under the direction of Barbara Kurzeja. The entire team was inspiring and a pleasure to have in the studio.

Dancers Exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery has a new exhibit that celebrates American Dancers.  We went to visit this exhibit in November.

The exhibition  featured Dana Tai Soon Burgess as the Portrait Gallery's artist-in-residence. He choreographed the original site-inspired piece "Homage" in the galleries. Public rehearsals were available in October. Visitors were allowed to watch rehearsals in progress.   

" Dancing The Dream" 

 October 4th 2013 - July 13 2014

The event features photographs, posters, charcoals, and sketches. 

The museums are conveniently located above the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail station (Red, Yellow and Green lines). Metro hours, fare information, and maps are available at www.wmata.com.When exiting the Metro please take the Arena exit at 7th and F Streets.

Admission is free