International Ballroom

Autism speaks through DANCE!

April 13th, 2019, we had our annual Red Carpet Extravaganza. However, this one was to be a little different. We had a very special addition to our showcase family…Mr. OJ McNeil!

OJ is a very special student within the IBDS family. He has autism, but that has not stopped him from learning about his love for dance! And with only been dancing for 6 months, the changes we have seen within him are night and day! He started out by just coming to the studio whenever his mom (Dawn) or sister (Alexis) would have a dance lesson. As he got comfortable with certain people, he started talking little by little (mostly about food…) His instructor, Madelaine Kenner, slowly started working with him to gain his trust and finally got him up to dance the rumba at one of the social dance parties…from there, there was no stopping him!

OJ got his first taste of a showcase when he was a background prop handler in our most recent stage performance, “Dream Dance”. Then, we came up with a “bold” plan; what if he did his own showcase? We had no clue what to expect…but this guy was definitely ready for his spotlight debut. As his instructor looked at him to begin, he sat up straight, put on the biggest smile he could, and knocked the routine out of the park! We sat down and talked with Dawn, his mother, to get her perspective on what ballroom dancing has done for him:

How has dancing helped OJ and his autism? “Dancing has helped OJ with his socialization skills. The word “autism” means one’s self. Individuals with this disorder often experience problems with communication with others and prefer to stay to themselves, particularly around a group of people. When OJ first came to the studio he sat in a chair with headphones and did not communicate much with others. Thanks to dancing, he makes eye contact, gives great hugs, and dances his heart out!!!!”
Have you seen change with him outside the ballroom? “Yes, I have. OJ initiates more conversations and he has been using longer sentences to express himself. He makes more eye contact with others and he is overall more engaging. He participated in physical and occupational therapy for years and nothing has helped him develop as much as dancing had in the past 6 months.”
how much does he enjoy dancing? “He LOVES it!!!! He speaks about dancing all the time and he talks about performing in the next Spring Showcase now! None of this would have been possible without the support of the International Ballroom staff, Lacey, and Andrey. Also, the encouragement of fellow dancers has been helpful. It is great to have people in our lives who believe in us despite our challenges. Most importantly, Maddy has displayed undying determination in allowing OJ to become the best person he can be through the art of dance.”

Look like a STAR! The basic how-to for an amazing showcase look

It’s showcase time! It’s time to show off your dance moves for all of your dance family to see! However, your dance moves aren’t the only thing people are going to be “oohing and ahhing” over. Your costume has been perfected and every hair has been put in place…now what about your makeup? Your makeup is what will take your look to the next level and make you feel like the dancing goddess you already are! Take a look at our step-by-step instructions on creating that star-studded look!

Before going through the following steps, one thing we always recommend our ladies to do is to get a spray tan! This will further define your muscles and contour your body to look your absolute best!

Step 1: take care of your skin! Be sure to go through your skincare routine.

Be sure to wash your face (of course) and also exfoliate!
- Exfoliating helps prepare your skin for makeup.
Finally, be sure to moisturize your face. Make sure to find a moisturizer that matches your skin type. This will help you create an even canvas to work off of.

If you don’t have a skincare routine and are looking for the best products for your specific skin type, go to the following website and take a short quiz to get a customized list of products for you:

https://www.ulta.com/innovation/skincare-advisor/?source=vba

Step 2: Start with the eyes: Eyeshadow gets messy sometimes, eyeliner never seems to go as planned…sometimes you have to fix and adjust to create the perfect look! So starting with the eyes allows for mistakes without having to redo anything with your face makeup.

Pro-tip: using simple scotch tape from the corner of your eye to the end of the brow can help create a super crisp line and more professional look.
Reminder: This is for dramatic makeup, not just a “night on the town”. So remember, More is better!

To start, use some eyeshadow primer on the lid up to the brow. Remember, your makeup is going to need to stay looking amazing for a while. That means going through the process of run throughs, changing into your costume, socializing, sweating, etc. You will need your makeup to last for hours and making sure it looks like you just did it. Eye primer will not only help with that, but will allow for even distribution of shadow and keep it looking vibrant the whole time!

Now it’s time to add shadow. Always start from the outside working in.

Start with a white all above the lid and up to the brow line. This is going to help with the blending process. It Will also help to highlight the brow line and make your eyes look bigger!
Moving on to the crease line, you will want to start with a slate grey/light charcoal with an eyeshadow blending brush. Starting from the middle and moving outward, define your crease. Then, move in with the black shadow with an eye contour brush to further define your crease. A little black does go a long way! Use the blending brush and brush outward and around to create the “smokey eye” effect.
- You may have to go back and use more white and light grey…and that is OK! Blending is your best friend when making a beautiful eye look!
Now its time for the lid! Use a light grey for the whole lid with a simple eyeshadow brush. Then, blend outward from the top of the lid to the crease to create a nice, blended look

Next, eyeliner. Remember, the bolder the better! (we are going to do a cat-eye as an example)

Start with the top lash line. Moving as close to the lash line as possible, go from the end to end and extend beyond the outer lash line toward the brow (about ¼ of the way)
- Remember, with scotch tape, you can still have a crisp line without being perfect!
Next, bolden the line. Start from the outside and work your way in. You want the boldness to taper the closer inward you get. So, the best thing to do is start from the tip most outward and create a thin triangle toward about the middle of your lash line and color in from there.

Finally, fake lashes (optional) and mascara!

If adding fake lashes, the first thing you may need to do is clip the lashes to fit your lid. Nothing is more annoying than a fake lash poking you in the eye for hours!
- Clip from the inner part and be sure you are putting the correct lash on the correct lid.
Next, add the glue. DON’T attempt to put the lash on immediately! Let the glue get tacky first. This will allow a clean application.
Next, apply the last starting from the inside out while closing the eye you are applying to. Stay close to the lash line and take your time! Fan the lash with your hand to ensure it is dried and in place before blinking.
Once the lashes are added, apply your favorite mascara to blend your lashes together!

Step 3: Move on to the rest of the face! Use your preferred makeup remover wipes and wipe off any excess eyeshadow from your face and, if used, remove the scotch tape.

Start with a face primer. This is going to create a smooth canvas so you can apply your makeup evenly.
Next, apply your color corrector/concealer. This is going to be used under your eyes and on any skin blemishes you may have to keep an even coloring.
Next you will apply a foundation on the entire face to create a neutral canvas.
- Optional: applying a translucent setting powder after the foundation will keep the foundation in one place faster.
Next, we want to contour the face. Using a bronzer or contour palette, you want to carve out the “natural shadow” of your face. Take the dark color with a face contour brush and tap into the temples, under the cheek and jaw bone, and on each side of the bridge of the nose. Remember, you want to define these spots and not blend just yet.
Next is time for the highlighting. Using a highlighting powder and using a highlighter brush, tap onto the opposite spots you tapped the contouring powder; T-zone, on top of cheek bone, top of the bridge of the nose, etc.
Now it is time to blend everything together! Take a powder brush and draw little circles all over the face going from center out and upward until all is blended together!
- You can always add more highlighter once the blending is done to add more “glow” to your face!
Next, add your blush. Smile big so you can accent your cheek bones! Tap 3 circles with a blush brush starting from center toward ear then blend from the center outward in small circles.

Step 4: Finally, it is LIP TIME! A bold lip will really take this already fabulous look to the next level! You can use a lip liner if desired to draw out your lip line or just go straight to the lipstick. Find a long-lasting lipstick and be sure to reapply just before walking onto the floor! It is always best to use a bold color such as a bright red or pink depending on your costume color.

Ways to take your look even further: Glitter and rhinestones always make the look even more extravagant!

Add glitter to the lid for an additional pop and shine.
Add some rhinestones to the corner of your eyes as well as your hair using eyelash glue for some extra embellishment.

Remember, this look is about making YOU look amazing on the floor! Customize the look to fit you and your comfort level with makeup. The main things to accentuate are your eyes, cheeks and lips! Take a look at our video tutorial on how all of these tips and tricks will create a phenomenal look on the dance floor!

If you have any additional questions, drop a comment in our blog and we will be sure to respond! Also be sure to go to your local ULTA store or MAC counter to get additional help on your makeup needs!

https://www.ulta.com/

https://www.maccosmetics.com/

Taking the Lead: Thank You to the Leading Ladies and Gents of IBDS

We are beyond excited to be getting back in the studio with our dance family. We send out a heart felt “thank you” to all of our leading ladies and gents who made our first week back both busy and fun! We understand that not everyone is ready to waltz back into the ballroom and so we asked our pioneering students how they felt about taking to the floor once again. Was IBDS indeed the happiest, healthiest place to be in Charleston amidst the madness? Here are some of their responses…

Question 1: What did you miss most about IBDS?

“I missed the physical expression of music and connecting with my instructor and dance family”

~Bonnie

“I missed so much about IBDS, but perhaps most of all I missed the studio as my ‘happy place’. It is that magical spot that transforms the cares I carry into joy and lightness of spirit.”

~Marcia

“I missed all of the people! IBDS is my extended family. Of course, I missed dancing”

~Joy

“I missed the instructors. They are such a positive influence in the life of the dancers”

~Judy

“I missed the joy of being able to be on the dance floor, moving to the music, and feeling alive again! Of course, this requires a partner and I missed my teacher so much!”

~Sharon

Question 2: How did you feel when you came back to IBDS?

“I was excited to come back to the music and working on my showcase dance. Getting back on the floor felt almost like coming home. Working up a good sweat and feeling it all fall back into place was so much fun and lifted my spirits.”

~JM

“I was there the first day the studio opened back up & this made life seem like we were getting back to normal. That made me happy…”

~Brenda

“I was happy and excited to get back. That first lesson after the long lay-off reminded me how much I enjoy ballroom dancing.”

~Woody

“Going back into the (studio) took a lot of thought and I was hesitant at first…but my first week back was awesome; danced EVERY DAY! I felt safer in the studio than any place else other than home”

~Annie

“If felt so good to relax into dancing again”

~Colleen

“I felt very comfortable and pure joy in coming back”

~Donna

Question 3: Did IBDS provide a safe and healthy dance space for you to come back to?

“I felt completely comfortable coming back. The studios are always kept clean and I had no doubt all precautions had been taken to ensure the protection of the students and staff’s health”

~Lynn

“They were disinfecting and hand sanitizing…the only dirty stuff were my jokes”

~Keegan

“Because everyone has a different idea of what ‘feels safe’ to them, I appreciate my instructors being willing to go the extra mile and do whatever is necessary to make me or others feel comfortable in regards to being safe. I was not anxious or concerned during my time of dancing at the studio at all”

~Aurelia

“In the difficult time of reopening, the International Ballroom staff are the cleanest, most sanitary and friendliest studio I have ever seen in my 22 years”

~Carl

The studio owner and director have taken every precaution and the studio is even more spotless than ever! We all know Lacey and Andrey are clean freaks so their commitment to our safety is unquestionable…PS as a retired RN, I know clean 😊”

~Sharon

We are so thankful to all of our leading ladies and gents who led the way back into the studio with style and grace! The health and well-being of our dance family will always be our priority as we navigate these uncharted waters. We look forward to seeing you ALL on the dance floor soon!

Dance Family Spotlight: Anne Goldstein

We all have a story as why we started dancing. Whether it be for exercise, fun, or the thrill of learning something new…everyone’s reason is different. So, as part of a new series, we want to share the stories of our dance family! Introducing Dance Family Spotlight! Our first spotlight is on Anne Goldstein! Take a look at her story on how dancing became one of the biggest parts of her life…

How long have you been dancing?

“I have been dancing for over 15 wonderful years.”

What got you initially started on your dance journey?

“My husband and I went to see the movie “Shall We Dance” and, at the end, we turned to each other and said ‘let’s do it’ ! We had a friend who danced and she invited us to go to a dance party at the studio. The minute I put my foot on the dance floor I knew that I had discovered my passion! It was love at first step and it has never ceased to thrill me

I love the challenge, the physical activity, the mental exercise, the beauty of the music. It’s truly a ‘stress buster’ – you cannot think of your problems while engaged in moving your feet and body, thinking about the steps, hearing the music and enjoying being with your teacher. I find my spirits lifted every time I dance.”

How has ballroom dancing impacted your life?

“Most of all, spiritually. Dance to me is very spiritual. When I’m dancing, I feel closer to God than at any other time. I seem to enter another plane of existence. Being able to make that connection has brought me unsurpassed joy! And, it has gotten me though the many rough spots in my life during the past 15 years; especially the death of my husband and a very scary aortic aneurysm that occurred at the dance studio. I would not have survived had it not been for Andrey’s quick thinking; he got me to the hospital just in time! I would not be alive today if it weren’t for Andrey! I thank God that I was at the studio when all that happened!!! Having a very strong body, thanks to vigorous dancing, was also key to my recovery.

For me, no matter what is going on in my life, there is always something to look forward to in my pursuit of dance. The joy of working on a showcase, a competition, Trophy Ball or just getting better and better at my passion and working for approval and complements from my teacher/partner Andrey. Dance has been at the center of my life for over 15 years. A constant calling to express myself through movement and connection with God and certainly my friendship and the joy I have shared with Andrey as we have practiced and competed together has greatly enriched my life.”

What advice would you give to anyone who is interested in or just starting on their dance journey?

“My advice is to enjoy the journey! Whether your goal is social dancing or competition, enjoy and realize that it is a journey. It is a journey of steps…one at a time and each step can be sheer joy; it has been for me. Also, if you do pursue it you will find a wonderful dance family here. The teachers, students, Lacey and Andrey will all make you feel welcome. And, if you stick around, you will find great friends.

I will close by saying that I guess dance is my calling because I cannot imagine my life without it!”

Thank you for sharing your story, Anne! We would love to hear everyone’s dance story! Please let us know if you would like to be featured and share your story with everyone! email us at dance@internationalballroom.net

Dance Family Spotlight: Annie Crane

We all have a story as why we started dancing. Whether it be for exercise, fun, or the thrill of learning something new…everyone’s reason is different. For our next Dance Family Spotlight, we are highlighting the ever-so-lovely Annie Crane! Take a look at her dance journey:

1. How long have you been dancing?

I started dancing 9 years ago.

2. What got you initially started on your dance journey?

While sitting in a beauty shop listening to conversation about the TV show ‘Dancing With the Stars’, I heard there was a studio offering ballroom dance lessons. This peaked my interest since I’ve always enjoyed trying things I’ve never done. Two days later I entered the dance studio for my first lesson of an introductory package, knowing that this would probably be a ‘been there – done that’ experience. While checking in at the desk, Lacey said to me “We’re going to put you with Maks”. I never could have imagined that this was the beginning of a very special friendship in my life. Russ and I were spending our summers in Pittsburgh then so after very few lessons I was headed north, but I suffered from ‘dance fever’ all summer, so back to the studio I went upon our return to Kiawah that fall, at which time Lacey and Maks asked me what my dance goals were. I hadn’t thought of goals in dance but I did want to stop watching my feet all the time. They mentioned several things to consider plus dance competitions. I had no idea one could actually compete in dance and they had no idea that they had just

‘lit a fire’.

3. How has ballroom dancing impacted your life?

Sports have been a huge part of my life as a child and as an adult and competition has always accompanied these sports and was the catalyst for self improvement. Ballroom dancing entered my life at a time when I could no longer participate or compete in some sports because of age-related issues. When I heard that dance offered competitions and heard it referred to as ‘dancesport’, I knew that I had discovered something I wanted to pursue. To say I found my passion is an understatement — and to find it in my 70’s — what a blessing! Being a competitive person doesn’t necessarily mean always having an opponent — we compete within ourselves, always striving to be better than we were yesterday or last week. My forever patient teacher/partner, Maks, understands this personality of mine and works with it to my benefit. He knows I am my worst critic, that I am often out of my comfort zone, that I get frustrated when I can’t learn quickly or move like I want to, that I struggle with age-related issues and he knows how to handle each one. His advice has been helpful in other areas of my life too — especially other sports. Dancing, on occasion, has brought frustration, tears, and ‘pity parties’ as Maks and I call them, but this is not out of sadness — it’s out of a passion for something I dearly love —- and then, of course, there is always the unsurpassed ‘joy on the floor’ — all of these add to this dance journey I’m on. Not just dance steps have I learned from Maks. He has taught life lessons along the way — to be happy with what I CAN do, to be patient while learning new things that can’t be mastered tomorrow. I’ve learned to set goals that are reachable and goals that are not, but that these goals will continually get higher as I progress. Most of all he has taught me to enjoy every single moment of my dance journey which I continually try to do in other areas of my life as well.

4. What advice would you give to anyone who is interested in or are just starting on their dance journey?

We all come to dance for different reasons and then wonder how we could ever live without it. Ballroom dancing offers so much to choose from whether it be social dancing and dance parties, showcase dancing or competition. There’s always the thrill of learning something new from a talented instructor, developing friendships with others who share the same passion, and being part of an extended dance family.

Dance has enriched my life…..

Dance Family Spotlight: Susanne Jeter

We all have a story as why we started dancing. Whether it be for exercise, fun, or the thrill of learning something new…everyone’s reason is different. For our next Dance Family Spotlight, we are highlighting the beautiful Susanne Jeter! Take a look at her dance journey:

1)How long have you been dancing?

I entered Fred Astaire/international dance studio about 5 or 6 years ago

2) What got you initially started on your dance journey?

to refresh my waltzing skills since I was going to a Big Wedding with a Big Band. I took about 4 lessons and, before the wedding, I had booked and scheduled a land/cruise of Alaska. I never dreamed I’d be dancing on the ship. The first night on the ship I sat in the bar alone watching and a gentleman asked me to dance. I was shocked, but thought, now I can try out my waltzing skills. After dancing many dances with this man, I discovered that he had lived in Charleston (Folly Beach) for 20 years and worked for the health department in Charleston so we had lots to chat about. We ended up dancing every night, hopping from one bar to another. The Fourth of July extra on the ship was a Big Band performance with dancing on the stage with the Big Band. Needless to say, I did not turn that down either. Of course, I enjoyed it all and as we ended the cruise, the man’s advice to me was to go back to my dance studio and learn to Foxtrot. Well, needless to say, I have learned a lot more than the Waltz and the Foxtrot thanks to my instructor James Meek.✔

3) How has ballroom dancing impacted your life?

This dance experience and ALL that goes with it has been “a life saver” for me thanks to James and of course, Lacey and Andrey.

4) What advice would you give to anyone who is interested in or are just starting on their dance journey?

My advice to anyone who is “thinking” about dancing don’t think just start dancing and you will “love it”!

If you are wanting to share your dance story, we would love to do a spotlight on you! We want to hear everyone’s story!

Our Escape to The Cloister

In times like these, sometimes you just need to get away from it all..and what a better way than to head out of town to a 5 star resort! Last weekend, our dance family traveled to Sea Island, Georgia to have a leisurely weekend at the World Renowned resort, The Cloister. Our trip was planned with intent on being safe while having the time of our lives. While respecting the social distancing stand safety measures to keep everyone healthy, we managed to have an absolutely wonderful time and forget about all of our worries if only for just a weekend.

In pulling up, we were all floored by the absolute beauty and luxury this resort had to offer. You walk in and are almost taken back to a different time with the old world charm. As we all got settled in, we dressed for the first night of fun festivities. We started with a champagne toast in the Spanish Lounge as we learned about the history of this magnificent hotel. We went to dinner at one of their phenomenal restaurants, Tavola. After dinner, we immediately went over to our own PRIVATE BALLROOM! In this 1900 sq ft ballroom, we had an amazing band play exclusively for us…E-Z Credit Combo where we danced the night away! We were able to dance with each other without being too crowded and we made it a point to wear face shields and masks throughout the entire night and sanitize our hands in between each dance

As day 2 came around, we were ready for a day of fun! We had breakfast and then got ready for our free day. Some people went to the spa, some to the pools, and some even took a little day trip to Jekyll Island for some fun and history. With all of the extra curricular activities the resort has to offer, it’s pretty hard to not have a good time. As it got close to dinner time, we all got to our rooms to get all dressed up for our formal night of dancing. Our evening affair started with an exclusive dinner in their private wine cellar where we were treated to a three-course meal that was TO DIE FOR! After dinner, we headed back up to our ballroom where we were then treated to a night of dancing with the Jekyll Island Big Band.✔

Our trip was coming to a close…but we weren’t quite done yet! On Sunday, we were treated to an exclusive brunch in our private ballroom while we waited for E-Z Credit Combo to play one more set for us before we took off. We danced, we laughed, we had so much fun,,,but most of all, we ESCAPED!

Take a look at our memories from our latest escape!

Dance Family Spotlight: Carl Gottlieb

1. How long have you been dancing?

I started dancing 22 years ago (Over 7 years at International Ballroom).

2. What got you initially started on your dance journey?

In the summer of 1998, I was preparing to go on a cruise. I thought it would be a good idea to learn a few dance steps. I scheduled a free lesson at both another chain and at Fred Astaire Dance Studio. I went to the lesson at the other chain and had a good time. The next night I had a lesson scheduled at FADS. I was having problems at work. I called up the studio and talked to the manager (Mr. John Penatello). He asked if I could make a 9:30 p.m. lesson. Little did I know it was the luckiest day of my life that I was able to make it.

I got to the studio and met the manager and studio director, Jean Penatello (a former undefeated US champion). Then I was introduced to the teacher. This was the first time I met Christina. From the very beginning you could tell that this was a very special young lady. I could also tell she was a much better dancer and teacher than Christine. We hit it off right away.

At the end of the lesson, I realized that the FADS studio I was going to was much better than the other studio, and I signed up.

I started working on their Beginners Program. I attended my first Studio Party on October 2nd, 1998. At the party, the studio owner, Charlie Penatello, announced that the FADS regions would be holding a competition. He told us that we would be competing against people of our own experience and age; so, it didn’t matter if you’ve 100 lessons or 5. And then out of the depths of the studio came a shout saying “OR EVEN 3.” Of course, that was Christina and by the end of the night I signed up for my first competition.

I went on the cruise on November 1st and at every opportunity I was on the dance floors, most of the time in the middle of the day, practicing my steps. I came back to the studio on November 9th and started to get ready for the Tri-State Championships on Nov. 12-15th. I had a blast at the comp (even though when I look back at the tape, I cringe about how bad I was). That was the start of my life in Dance. ✔

3. How has ballroom dancing impacted your life?

After 22 years it’s hard to imagine not dancing. It brings joy into my life every day. I never feel that anything is totally beyond me. For someone who is naturally very shy it has changed me totally. When I’m out there on the floor I feel like I can do anything. When I’m on the dance floor at a competition, performing a showcase or just at a party or on a trip, I am in my element. It’s all about the performance and having fun. There is nothing better than interacting with the teachers, students and the audience you are performing for. I have been truly blessed in the 22 years I’ve been doing this. I have met so many people! It has changed me in so many ways; from the coaches I’ve had and especially my teachers (Christina Penatello, Lacey Bramblett and Madelaine Kenner and others). I can’t wait for the next adventure at International Ballroom. I can’t describe how much dance adds to your life. If you have the opportunity, just do it. There is nothing better.

4. What advice would you give to anyone who is interested in or are just starting on their dance journey?

Everyone starts this journey into dance for different reasons. Whether you start this to do social dancing, perform in a showcase or compete in a competition, your main goal is to have the most fun you can every day! Just get out on the floor and don’t worry about anyone else. Have the most fun you can and dance like no one is watching!

Your Dance Emergency Kit: What you should have in the ballroom at competition

Picture this…you are in a beautiful competition ballroom, flying from heat to heat and trying to stay looking put together like you just walked out onto the floor for the first time…or in the middle of your favorite waltz, your heel goes through your ballgown…or, in the middle of your rhythm championship, the strap on your dress breaks. What do you do? In this edition of “Dance Tales” we are going to give you a list of everything you need for your emergency dance kit, because being prepared off the floor is just as important as being prepared on it!

There are many things you want to be ready for when walking into the ballroom on the day of competition. Making sure you have everything with you in an emergency dance kit is crucial, as you may not be able to get back to your hotel room between heats. As the saying goes… “always expect the unexpected,” but we’ll be ready! The list is long with questions you should have a solution for! What if your costume malfunctions? What if you get hungry? What if you get a blister? Is your makeup ok? Is your hair still perfect? Are your shoes brushed?

Be sure to find a cute bag to start building your emergency kit, and let’s get started!

Water or Gatorade (HYDRATE!)
Snacks (For the munchies)
Gum or mints (dancing is a close contact sport)
Jacket or Robe (That ballroom will be cold…stay warmed up when you aren’t dancing!)
Slippers (nobody wants to wear their dance shoes in the elevator)
Deodorant (you WILL be sweating!)
Fashion tape (double sided tape) (for those pesky wardrobe malfunctions)
Safety pins (just in case the hem falls out or you lose a button)
Thread and needle kit (be sure it’s the right color!)
Bobby pins (to finesse your hair)
Hairspray (to keep yourself together)
Lipstick (to keep your smile bright!)
Blotting papers or towel (to keep yourself looking fresh and not sweaty)
Band-aids (for those pesky blisters or other incidents)
Shoe brush (to keep your grip on floor)
Cold pack (to relax your sore muscles)
Pen & highlighter (to keep track of your scores in the program)
These are just the basics that should be in every dance emergency kit, but each competitor’s needs are different. Some dancers want water & others a Red Bull…some granola bars (or like our staff, CHOCOLATE)…and gentlemen, though you probably don’t need to pack lipstick or double-sided fashion tape in your kits, don’t forget a comb so you can stay looking polished all day! When making your competition kit, cater it to you and your specific likes & “what ifs”!

We look forward to seeing you all back in the competition ballroom very soon!

Blazing the competition trail: a look into the first competition we attended since the pandemic

2020 has been a crazy year thus far. Yet, though we may think things have come to a halt, the ballroom world has pushed forward to get back to the “swing” of things! Anne and Shelley paved the way for all of us in heading to the Grand Nationals Dancesport Championships in Miami, FL. We asked them a few questions on how they felt while heading to the first competition of 2020.

1) What safety precautions were taken to reduce any risk of spread throughout the ballroom? (Spacing of tables, hand sanitizer, mask requirements, meals served, etc)

Shelley: “Masks were mandatory everywhere except on the dance floor and they enforced it. If I waited too long to put my mask back on after dancing and drinking water, I was told to put it back on by monitors that were constantly walking around. They took our temperature before entering the ballroom each day. They also made periodic announcements that your mask must be worn at all times even at your table. They only allowed people that were participating in the competition to enter the ballroom and ensured this by stamping our hand and checking every time we entered the ballroom. They gave us a face mask and had hand sanitizer at each table.”

2) How did you personally feel as far as your comfort level when walking into the ballroom? (did you feel safe?)

Anne: “I felt very safe walking onto the dance floor. It was a large ballroom with plenty of space to spread out. Everyone followed the guide lines – obviously we all wanted to return to competition badly enough to be respectful of the requirements necessary to be there.”

3) How do you feel about going to another competition given your experience at this competition?

Shelley: “Given my experience at this competition, I would definitely go again. Just say when and where!!”

Anne: “I am going to the Ohio Star Ball on the 17th, and I feel quite comfortable going there. I expect that it will be equally as well run and I feel very safe about it. I think we just have to be careful as we all are being in our personal lives right now.”

You ladies are showing that the new normal has a bright future for the ballroom world! Looking forward to getting back to waltzing back onto the competition floor! 👍