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.