Ohio Star Ball 2013

2013 Ohio Star Ball, held at the Hyatt Regency in Comumbus.

This year we flew in on a Monday. My suitcase was falling apart as I packed for the airport, so I hastily repaired it with Duct Tape and stickers that I found at Hollywood Dancesport. In this picture, you can also spot my soulvenier sticker that I picked up at the Twin Cities Dancesport Competition in June. 

 

While in the Airport, we made a final screen capture of the DSS leaderboard before we departed for Ohio. It has been and incredible year!

Sophia made the Top 10 on the World Pro/Am Dancesport Series Leaderboard, finishing out a spectacular year in 9th position.

Sophia and Juidth Simon, Juidth is the nation's Top Ranking DSS student for 2013.

Upon check in we walked by the newly renovated Big Bar at the Hyatt Regency Comumbus, where many dancers congregate after their competitive sessions.

On Tuesday we danced out Rhythm Day. Sophia placed 3rd in the World Dancesport Series Bronze Rhythm Final in the B Division. After dancing, we had a fun time hanging out with with Jeremy Gaitlin and Agnes.

On Wednesday, Sophia placed 5th in bronze smooth.

Taking a moment in front of the photo screen, with the OSB logo.

On Wednesday evening, we danced in the Best of the Best Challenge.

Sophia danced a Vienese Waltz and received 3rd place the the bronze line up.

Lauren Lapointe and Louis Bar danced a vintage Peobody routine. Lauren wore a vintage Great Gatsby style flapper dress and Louis dressed in costume as Charlie Chaplain.

On Thursday we spectated for the Dancesport Series Team match.

This year, many changes were made to the team match. In past years there were more teams, one to represent each of the 7 regions.

During the year, dancers participate in the DSS rounds to earn points to qualify for a DSS team. Sophia danced in 16 Dancesport Series Compeitions this year, in an effort to earn points for Region 2, the blue team. Last year, we were lucky enough to make the team. Despite earning even more points than her 2012 season, this year Sophia fell short of making the team.

Triangle Pennants hang in the Regency Ballroom, each representing the victorious team for each year of the DSS team match. The Washington Area, where we dance, is represented by Team Blue. I have been told that Team Blue has been a perennial loser and has never won a DSS team match, that is why there is no blue pennant hanging in the ballroom.

This year, team blue was eliminated completely, and the regions were combined into only 4 teams. The changes mean that less dancers can participate in the team match, making the competition to qualify much more difficult.

The team match was an exciting moment  during this years Ohio Star Ball and it was great fun to spectate. 

  

Sophia and I went down early to spectate and cheer for friends. Lauren Lapointe and Louis Bar, whom we frequently dance with, qualified for the Green Team for the Midwest

Edna  And Sinisa made team match this year, to represent the Orange East Coast Team.

On Friday, we met up with Peggy McClean and Andrew for dinner at Marsala's, an Italian resturant on High Street in Columbus.

After Dinner , we returned to Batille Hall to spectate for the Open Professional Rhythm Championships, to cheer for Amanda and Illya Resin.

Sophia had the opportunity to greet Sam Sadano in the hallway outside of Batille Hall. Was her happiest moment of the week.

He presented her with a best of the best challenge commemorative program

It was an honor to be part of the best of the best dancesport challenge 2013 grand finale

On Saturday, Sophia got an emergency phone call from home. Sophia flew home early on Saturday a morning.

In the evening I went to spectate the Open Professional Smooth with Marcy Garson, Lauren Lapointe, Louis bar, and Britney.

Sitting ringside with Marcy Garson was lots of fun.

I got to watch the top three students in the world Pro-Am dancesport series receive their top student awards. Lauren LaPoine was called up for third place, followed by Charlene Proctor for second place, followed by Judith Simon for first place.

Louis Bar received a top teacher award in the overall combined Top Teacher line up, and this was my first year winning A rising star placement.

Louis made the line up with David Alvarez.

Shortly after the awards ceremony, there was an announcement that was an error was made. Janice Stanton was called up to receive the third-place  award. It was an awkward moment, and  Lauren handled it very graciously. 

We All stayed  through the very end to watch the final awards.

DC Dancers appear in Dancebeat

Several DC dancers appear in this months edition of Dancebeat.

Dana Coppola winning Dancesport Series in the A Division at Washington Open

Sophia D'Angelo mentioned for her placement in the Open Schilarship at Capital.

Christa Mason winning the B Open Rhythm Scholarship at the Washigton Open.

Anna Boyd winning the Open Smooth Schilarship at the Washington Open. 

Hollywood Dancesport 2013

The 2013 Hollywood Dancesport Chanpionships hosted by Michael Chapman, Jonathan Roberts and Mary Murphy,  we are so very thankful to them for hosting us during this spectacular event.

The event was held at the Hilton in Universal City.

This was our first year attending. Sophia and I were invited to attend the event by Jonathan Roberts. 

(Belinda Carlise with Jonthan Roberts DWTS season 8)

The ballroom at Hollywood Dancepsort was decorated in full regalia in themes of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

The ballroom wouldn't be complete without a red carpet and dazzling crystal chandeliers.

On our first day of dancing at Hollywood Dancepsort, Sophia got to catch up with her friend, Cindy Lindsey, of Ballroom Dance Clubs in Atlanta.

We also had time to snap a few photos on the Hollywood picture screen.

The flare of Hollywood could be seen everywhere, even on the admission tickets for entry into the balloom. Each ticket depicted a different movie star. 

Sophia had two wonderful days of dancing, placing first in over 8 championship multi dance rounds ( smooth and rhythm). She also placed 4th in Dancesport Series and made 4th position in the Top 20 overall student line up.

On Thursday evening we enjoyed the Hollywood Dancesport Halloween Party. Guests were encouraged to dress to Hollywood themes.

I didn't recognize Juztin Deehr when he spooked me in the hallway, before the party.

 Charlene Proctor appeared in  a Grease theme with her partner, Mikolaj.

Lauren Lapointe and Louis Bar wowed everyone with the most lavish costume pairing.

I was amazed by the number of people dressed as super heroes.

The gang from Ballroom Dance Clubs of Atlanta also appeared in a 50's Grease theme. Seen here with Piere Bush and Cindy Lindsey.

The funniest moment off the night was watching Michael Chapman, Jonathan Roberts, and Mary Murphy recreated the triplets number from the MGM classic movie, Band Wagon. Their version was a bit more modern and updated, done as a cha cha to blurred lines. Wish I had a photo of that!

Following the Smooth Day, Sophia and I spent the morning at the Santa Monica Pier.

It was a time to relax and have a rest day on the beach.

I got to learn all about the la Monica Ballroom, a famous dance landmark that once stood on the pier.

Billed as the largest ballroom in the world when it opened in 1924.

The Santa Monica Pier is where they first filmed the Lawrence Welk Show.

The following day I asked my friend, Pam Dubois, to help me find the Andrews Sisters Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she also gave me directions to the Chinese Theater.

Pam is the daughter of the late Patty Andrews. My first dance teacher, Bob Barber, worked worked with Patty on several films, including Private Buckaroo.

The nex day, Sophia and I attended the awards ceremony and Show of Stars with friends Louis Bar and Lauren Lapointe.

The ballroom was packed during the final Latin rounds. Lauren and Louis danced over 500 entries. 

The next morning, Mary Murphy and Jobathan Roberts organized a Hollowood Dancesport VIP tour. We attended the tour with a group of 16, including Shelia Davis and her new partner,  Ivan Mulyavka, along with Lauren and Louis.

The group gathered for a fabulous brunch at the Beverley Hills Hotel.

Later in the evening, we met for dinner and dancing on the historic RMS Queen Mary.

Lauren Lapointe captured this photo of Mary Murphy in one if the ships historic phone booths.

Hanging on the deck if the Queen Mary, is a very large photo portrait of Fred Astaire.

It's hard to include all the photos from our time spent in Hollywood, but the story wouldn't be complete without this one, taken in front of the Chinese Theater. Here's to returning next year.