Nancy Senner Best of the Best Dancer,
Instructor & Organizer

Hotlanta Dance Challenge

The US Pro 9-Dance Has a Home and Pro/Am Dancing Keeps Getting Better and Better!
by Didio Barrera

The Hyatt Regency on Peachtree Street, Atlanta, was the new venue for the Hotlanta Dance Challenge and while it may not quite have been a miracle, with over 7,000 entries it certainly was one of the largest competitions of the year.

After announcing and then "un-announcing" that the Professional US 9-Dance would be held at the Hotlanta Dance Challenge last year it, The Hotlanta Dance Challenge finally hosted its first U.S. National Title in the 9-Dance divisions this year. There was a bit of excitement and controversy before it was over. The competition was won, five to four dances, by Andrey and Anastasia Abrashin from NY, who also are our US Theatre Arts Champs, over Ben & Shalene Ermis, the current U.S. Pro Smooth Champions. Only five couples entered this event but the level of excitement was heightened when Ben and Shalene Ermis took the floor to compete for this title, and yes, they won all Smooth dances but when it came to the Rhythm dances they came up a bit short taking seconds in all five dances. For those of you not present, the competition was fierce from beginning to end. Except for the occasional "opps!" Ben and Shalene held their own in their less familiar style, in fact looking at the marks they took quite a few first places from the winning couple.

The excitement continued from the dance floor to the stands where people were questioning whether having nine dances was appropriate for this multi-dance event since according to many observers the runners up, Ben and Shalene, were at a disadvantage as their stronger style, the Smooth, has only four of the nine dances. Although I marked Andrey and Anastasia to win all Rhythm dances, I felt that Ben and Shalene were very competent in this style and with a little more effort and practice, could have easily won the comp. This brings me to the other topic of controversy. Someone approached me to ask whether Ben and Shalene could legally or appropriately enter this event at all, since they had competed in no rhythm competitions this year. To this I responded with a question. "Are Ben and Shalene US citizens?" The answer was "I think so." "Then I see no reason why they should not be allowed to enter," I told the questioner.

Talking about "entering," this year's Hotlanta was the largest ever with over seven thousand entries. What was so impressive was not the quantity of competitors in the pro/am heats but the quality. I have recently attended two competitions, almost in a row, (the USDSC in Sept. and now Hotlanta Dance Challenge in Oct.) and although the heats were huge in both events, particularly in Hotlanta, the level of proficiency in all Pro/Am events were about the best I have ever seen it, and now with The Ohio Star Ball around the corner, this should definitely be a record year in quality dancing for Pro/Am in the United States of America.

Before I go any further with my overall review of this competition, I want to take an opportunity to congratulate all students that have participated during this record quality year. I know that many of you have gone home empty handed, at times not even making a semi, but looking at the overall picture, this is in fact a good problem to have. The better the people in front of you, the better you are going to be.

The Hotlanta Challenge changed the venue this year to the Hyatt Regency. I think this was a good move considering the amount of people they had to accommodate, and as always Pro/Am dancing was the main focus of this competition. A new feature event was added this year, the US Pro/Am Mambo Championship. Twelve couples entered and six made the final. All finalists performed a minute and a half solo for the audience. Natalka Cap and Mark Brock received a great reception from the audience and at the end also from the adjudicators who awarded her the title of US Pro/Am Mambo Champion. This was a great weekend for Natalka who was also awarded first place in the Open Rhythm Scholarship, I'm glad to see this lady make such a come back. At the USDSC she was left out of the final which was, I'm sure, a disappointing result for this lady. In the same category but in the 'B' division Mary Sue Schwartz with partner John Berry took first place. It's great to see the amount of energy this lady and her part ner have. Mary Sue was, in my opinion unchallenged in this division.

The Open Smooth was won by Ruthie Perkins, partnered by Ben Ermis. This, in my opinion was a very difficult heat for the judges. The potential and quality of dancing was outstanding but in the end Ruthie was crowned the winner continuing her winning streak. The 'B' Division was won by Pam Butler with Jonathan Roberts. Throughout this year Pam has really excelled in her dancing and has taken over this division. I would like to add, "Pam, the basic work has payed off, keep up the good work." This lady was also the winner of the 'B' Latin Scholarship and totally deserved the title, in my opinion.

The Open Standard Scholarship was won by Suyuan Liu partnered by Ben Ermis. This was another fantastic heat and once again, at any point, any one of these dancers could have taken the lead, but I think that to the audience and to the judges, Suyuan had a musical interpretation that the others at times lacked. If you looked at some of the other ladies in this final on technique alone some of them could have definitely taken the lead, but the beauty, softness and interpretation of this young winner overtook the technical merit of the other performers on this night. Congratulations to Suyuan! The 'B' division in this category was won by Lolita Ang and Rauno Ilo. Once again all the amateurs in this heat where outstanding. I must take a moment to mention Hisako Matsuo partnered by David Nymcheck in this same heat. Hisako, I think, was fantastic to watch and although not the winner I would like to mention her unusual ability to follow and her impressive musical interpretation.

My congratulations go to all the participants especially to the Pro/Ams. After watching this entire competition, I am totally convinced that we are just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Pro/Am dancing. All should all be very proud to be competing at this time.

Although I felt the Pro/Am was the main feature at this Global event, I must not forget the amateur and pro events. The winners of the Pro Latin were Paul Richardson with his new partner Olga Rodinova. I was really looking forward to see how this partnership looked and it was not a disappointment. Paul and Olga make a good combination. I particularly liked their paso doble - all I can say is that it's unique - wait till you see it! The American Smooth was won comfortably by Maria Zee and Hunter Johnson. The Rhythm once again was won by Julia Gorchakova and Robert Powers with very little challenge coming from other couples. The Pro Standard was won by Julia Ivleva and Igor Litvinov. This year the Amateur Latin had a very exiting final with Dmitry Chaplin and Olga Mazenberg winning first place.

Overall the competition at this year Hotlanta Dance Challenge was fierce and although the schedule was very tight and the work for the adjudicators and everyone involved in the process of making sure the event ran as comfortable as possible, was difficult, Hotlanta has proven itself to be one of America's premiere event. I want to extend my congratulations to the organizer Eddie Ares and his partner Nancy Senner for the amount of effort they expended to make everyone feel welcome throughout this fun but tough competition..