Before they foxtrot, tango and cha-cha on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” ballroom and Latin dancers perfect their footwork at the USA Dance National DanceSport Championships.
“The majority of dancers on the show were former USA Dance members,” said Peter Pover, USA Dance president and 1981 Senior Champion.
This year?s USA Dance competition heated up Renaissance Harborplace Hotel‘s dance floor on Friday and will continue wowing crowds with athleticism and awing costumes until nearly midnight on Sunday.
Throughout the weekend, over 1,000 dancers, age 7 to 70, will perform in quick heats, vying for divisional and national titles, and the chance to represent the U.S. in World events.
“From eye brow to toe, it?s the dancer’s job to portray the character the music implies and the way the music makes you feel,” said Dan Calloway, professional coach, judge and former competitor for almost 30 years. “Dancing is supposed to look spontaneous. The worst thing that could happen is for ballroom dancing to become like synchronized swimming ? it?s beautiful but the movements and relationships look artificial.”
Baltimore software engineer Gurpeet Singh, who dreams of performing the International waltz on “Dancing with the Stars,” qualified to dance in Baltimore’s championship in Manhattan three months ago. With friends glued to his moves Friday morning, Singh lead his partner gracefully across the floor. “I?m usually nervous when we begin but once we take a couple steps I calm down.”
“The fact that each couple qualified to be here means a lot to [the competitors] and their families,” said Erica Colvin, competitive dancer and writer for American Dancer magazine. “The more they dance … the more they care about every little detail.” The details Colvin mentions are the sparkling jewels, slicked chignons and $1,000 to $3,000 glittering gowns.
“Ballroom dancing is an art, but also a sport. Our athletes at the highest levels train for at least three to four hours a day, five days a week. The competitors reach physical levels that even some Olympic athletes can?t,” Pover said.
“Dance sport was recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 1997, but is not yet a medal sport because in the past we haven’t been able to prove we can provide value to the games,” he said. “But the success of ?Dancing with the Stars? and other programs worldwide hopefully proves dancing?s popularity.”
This weekend’s competition will be broadcasted on CN8 in late May and early June.
IF YOU GO
USA Dance 2008 National DanceSport Championships
WHERE: Renaissance Harborplace Hotel
202 East Pratt Street, Baltimore
WHEN: 7:30 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday
INFO: Ticket prices vary. For information, call Daphna Locker at 646-734-9666
