RSF BLOG

Whew! Boston! It was a whirlwind trip for me- but oh, so worth it!!! Boston is beautiful. The people, the brick buildings, the weather, the harbor, the ballroom, and of course … the dancing! From sunrise to sunset, dancers from all across the country were lighting up the city with their inner-beauty and their outer glamour as they competed for top honors at the BBC&C.

I just got back from the Boston Ballroom Conference and Competition, (also an RSF event), organized by Visionary Steps and hosted by the ever ebullient guys of SuperShag studios: Tibor Kerekes and Chris Johnston. The weekend started with a welcome reception and SuperShag’s Fall Ball on Friday night where everyone had the chance to socialize, dress up and ‘dance like no one’s watching.’

The conference part started on Saturday with workshops and seminars with designers and other specialists in the ballroom field. On Saturday evening SuperShag hosted a Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner in honor of Pat Traymore- a ballroom legend who was also there to judge the competition on Sunday.

Sunday’s competition started bright and early (7:30 a.m.!?!) in the Sheraton Grand Ballroom. The lighting, the big screen, real-time video playing with (what a great concept!) the heat number lit up at the bottom of the screens, and free admission for spectators, all led to the energized atmosphere that pervaded the ballroom throughout the day. From the very first cha-cha-cha, to the last international standard waltz, the level of dancing was tip-top and gave the prestigious judging panel a tough job to choose their winners.

Speaking of “tough,” I have to give a shout out to a couple of dancers who truly demonstrated the meaning of “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”
MARILYN PALLEY! Her doctor recommended that she not dance at all this weekend due to a knee injury, but not only was she there with a one-of-a-kind rhinestoned knee brace on her leg, she danced a record number of some 100+ heats.
EDDIE ARES- barely a week out of surgery and he’s back on the competition floor- crazy, tough guy- gotta love him.
And TIBOR KEREKES! Dancing an incredible 370+ heats, many of them multi dances…. That’s not just tough, that’s insane! But they all did it! All for the love of dance!

So if you loved Boston as much as I did, leave a reply, send your pictures, and spread the word that this is a competition you don’t want to miss next year!

Regina Ruff, your pro-am voice
ABI feature writer

The fast pace of high fashion in the ballroom at USDC was at a fever pitch this year. Every dancer wants to find that perfect look that will set them apart and help them to get noticed when they’re on the floor with dozens of other couples at the same time. So costume designers pull out all the stops and bring their newest and most vibrant gowns to shine under the dazzling USDC lights. With so many couture designs to choose from, how does one make a decision and find the perfect fit?

First of all you have to find a designer you can work with- who listens to you and understands your needs, your body-type, and your vision. You also need to find someone who is dedicated to making you look and feel your best. Someone who isn’t just about money and trying to sell you the most expensive dress on the rack. Lastly, you may also want to find someone who has great customer service— before, during, and after you purchase a dress. Everyone bends over backwards when you’re trying a dress on, but what’s their attitude about adjustments, tailoring, etc.?

So who did you feel was “on fire” at USDC this year? Whose dresses stood out and made the dancers feel like they were the envy of every woman out there? Top of the list for me was JORDY International.Chris and Kirtsen Stephenson had the disco lights going, rhinestones, feathers- you name it, their designs had it. But they didn’t stop there with the ‘Old Hollywod Glamour,’ they worked tirelessly behind the scenes sewing, tacking, altering costumes on dancers to make sure they had the perfect fit. Big props to them for outfitting some of our very own RSF Pro-Am Superstars and helping us to shine in the USDC rhythm finals! (Congrats to Chasity Smith with Eddie Ares)! Jordy was one of the few designers acknowledged in Dancebeat online for their innovative, stunning designs which graced the body of US Professional Rhythm dancer, Albina Habrle. (Look for picturers online)!

So let us hear from you! Who is your favorite designer on the ballroom scene and why? Look for a more in depth interview with JORDY in the next issue of the RSF Pro-Am Voice magazine due out next month. Until then- Happy Dancing!

Regina Ruff, your pro-am voice
ABI feature writer

The majority of the ballroom dancesport community is in Orlando, FL this week to compete at the United States Dance Championships held at the Walt Disney Swan Hotel. Dancers from all over the world come to compete for top honors and that elusive US Championship title. It’s a week long competition starting with American pro-am rhythm on Tuesday, Smooth on Wednesday, International Latin on Thursday, and Standard on Friday. Saturday is full of Rising Star competitions and showdances, Professional Cabaret exhibitions, as well as the final rounds of the US Professional International Latin and Ballroom championships. It’s a week chock full of excitement and glamour with hopes raised high or dashed down.

So how did the RSF fare? We have many RSF friends who competed this week (and some who are still waiting to dance)! Not an ugly duckling in the bunch! Everyone had special hair and makeup (a big THANK YOU to Lisa Bently and Linda Doyle for their innovative makeup artistry and coiffure!), spectacular costumes, (another huge THANK YOU to Jordy International Designs who is ‘on fire’ right now!), and the bronze glow of the gods from Brazil Bronze (or whatever your favorite tanning product is).

It is truly amazing the transformation people undergo - from plane janes to stunning creatures - with a little help and encouragement from their teacher/partner and the dancesport community. They just blossom! It’s not always easy; growing, changing, blooming takes time and energy, some sweat and courage, but it’s worth the end result. Whether you win, lose, or don’t quite reach the goals you set, your dancing soul will soar like the most beautiful swans out there!

Good luck to the rest of our friends who are still waiting to spread their wings and dance tonight and/or tomorrow. If you were/are at USDC and want to give a shout out- let us here from you! Did you feel like the Swan Hotel was THE PLACE to be? What are your thoughts on the new venue? Was your experience positive? We want your feedback!

Look for more info on the RSF at USDC in the next issue of the RSF Pro-Am Voice magazine.

Until next time…
Happy Dancing!

Regina Ruff, your pro-am voice

In light of the recent developments of Hurricane Irene, I can’t help worrying about our dance friends who lie in the path of this very real storm. Our friends in North Carolina, Philadelphia, NYC, NJ, DC and Boston may have to do more than dance in the rain. I’m worrying about gail-force winds, flooding and much more before Irene is through. But if there’s one thing I’ve found during my dancing life, it’s that dancers may be artsy and flakey, but they never give up. When life throws them a curve ball, they band together and come back swinging. Dance, music, the arts- these may not be a “necessity” in some politicians minds during economic challenges, but they are the lifeblood that pull us through the worst times. They lift us up out of our troubles and help us to keep believing that beauty and goodness, love and soulfulness will persevere.

Good luck and God bless to all those in the path of this storm. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. If you know of any of our friends who’ve been personally affected by Irene, please leave a reply and let us know.

Regina Ruff, your RSF pro-am voice

I’m flying home early from The Greenville Newcomer’s Challenge to be with my son who turns ten years old today. But I have to say a quick word about this lovely little town where the grass really was greener! The dancing was hot enough to make some people turn green with envy, but there were no negative vibes in the Hyatt Regency ballroom this weekend- only fun, friendly RSF competition and a good natured, beautifully coiffed audience of cheering dancers.

This was the third year at Greenville , an RSC 1-day event, and it ran like a well-oiled clock. As people arrived on Friday, they had the chance to stroll along the quaint tree-lit main street and river walk for a bite to eat or listen to the jazz band play. The dancing started early Saturday morning to the wonderful tunes of Phil Noland with Vince ‘The Voice’ Bailey presiding as MC. An esteemed panel of judges included local favorites Paulette Cole, Billy Howell, and Michael Castillo as well as Tibor Kerekes of Boston, Chuck Danza of Philly, and David Elkin of Nashville. They kept a watchful and encouraging eye on all of the competitors throughout the day. Be sure to look for their reviews of the scholarship rounds in the upcoming issue of the RSF Pro-Am Voice magazine!

The dancing was sizzling hot all day long, so it was apropos that the competition ended with the show “Caliente” performed by the Atlanta Ballroom Dance Theatre. This group of talented, young dancers kept the fire burning with sambas, mambos, cha-chas, paso/tango, and rumbas. Their passion for dance was evident in every beat. And then to help competitors take some of that fire home, there were workshops planned for Sunday morning with Tibor Kerekes!

So after all the fire and heat, (how many of you have been enduring temperatures in the 100’s?), take some “Green” time. Green means grow, rejuvenate, refresh, healthy… (I’m thinking about your dancing or your soul). It also means go! Go forward, move on, keep trying. I suppose it also means money or profits (in the green) to some folks. So let’s try to project these ‘positivley green’ thoughts from Greenville into the upcoming week. Go!… move, breathe, and - - keep dancing.

(If you have pictures or thoughts to share, be sure to leave a reply here or go to the RSF Facebook page and upload them there. We love hearing from you)!

Regina Ruff, your pro-am voice

I have a closet full of shoes- high heels, peep-toes, stilettos, sling-backs, sandals, flip-flops and boots are what you’d imagine, right? Well, that’s only partially correct… I’m actually talking about a closet full of dance shoes! :-/ It seems that although my shoe size hasn’t changed over the past several years, I  have collected a wide assortment of dance shoes!  I keep searching for that ‘perfect fit’ or the ‘right look,’ etc. I save favorites for competition, and have turned the others into “practice shoes.” I’ve found, however, that if I don’t like the way a shoe fits or feels, I won’t practice well…. Thus, a bursting closet!

Everyone should have a magic pair of shoes! …. the ones that make you feel powerful and invincible. Kids have special sneakers that they refuse to throw away because they’ve broken them in just right and they make them feel lucky on the basketball court or on the track. The same thing is true for dancers, I think. There isn’t a magic brand- it’s just whatever feels good on your foot and gives you good support, and makes you feel strong, etc. I love Ray Rose shoes because they are extremely flexible and have great arch support, but I have friends who prefer other brands like Supadance and Dance Naturals.

So,  just because your best friend (or a famous pro) wears a certain brand doesn’t mean its the right shoe for you. We don’t want to be like Cinderella’s ugly step sisters and cram our foot into something just because we think there is a handsome prince waiting at the end of the glass slipper… if only we can make it fit! (I mean this both literally and figuratively). It may look great and we feel like it should be perfect for us, but if it isn’t- it’s not a tragedy…. Just shrug your shoulders and try a different pair! Don’t give up or give in and settle for something that’s not working or doesn’t feel right. Keep trying. Eventually, you will find the perfect fit!

Do you have a favorite shoe vendor or brand you recommend? How about a lucky pair of red shoes? Leave us a reply and tell us about your perfect pair! We love to hear from you!!! 

Regina Ruff, your pro-am voice

I love refrigerator magnets; you know- the ones with inspirational sayings on them. I give them to my kids and to friends for a quick and easy ‘thinking of you.’ I even buy them for myself as a reminder of certain things my dad would say to help pick me up when I am struggling with something. One of my favorites for dancers is: “Life isn’t about finding yourself, It’s about Creating Yourself…”

You’ve met those people… they are never satisfied, always “searching” for themselves and wanting more. They can be rather exhausting at times. I’m not saying it’s bad to want more and be more than what you have at the present, but it’s the attitude behind the “searching” that can make a difference in your overall happiness. The act of ’searching’ is passive; you are waiting for something to pop up in front of you and make it all better. We should think of  “creating ourselves” instead. CREATING is pro-active. You are in charge of your own outcome! And you know what… you can create and re-create yourself over and over; modify if you want. Look at Madonna. How many images has she created for herself in the music industry over the years? Material Girl, Pop   Diva, Country-fied Rockstar, the list goes on.

The challenge for us as dancers, business people, moms/dads, professionals and students is to create the image of who we want to be and OWN IT. We can’t just say, “I want to be a world champion,” and then do nothing to make it happen. We have to look the part, act the part, take chances, work hard and never give up on being the person we were meant to be. We have to surround ourselves with people who will help build us up along the way. Find a good coach. Someone who can see your potential and challenge you to be more! (A big shout-out to Kimberly Mitchell, world professional latin champion, who just came to our Atlanta studio to coach us and kicked our a**)!

 Here at ABI, we also have access to vendors who can help you create your image with costumes, accessories, hair and make-up for RSC dance competitions. Check out Dance Image Boutique , Irina’s Fashions, Designs to Shine, and Elle Dance on the RSF website and create the image of your dreams! To close, here’s another refrigerator magnet quote from George Eliot: 

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

Do you have some favorite quotes you hang on your refrigerator to motivate and inspire you? Share them here with us! We’d love to hear from you! Leave a reply!

Be strong.  Be happy. Keep dancing.

Regina Ruff, your pro-am voice

They say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas…. but when it comes to Rising Star dancing, you’ve got to bring it on home, baby! Bring home the glitz, the glamour, the raucous, enthusiasm, and the race of adrenaline as you cha cha cha among the ‘beautiful people.’  Did you realize they’re everywhere!?!  Question:  How do you handle the reality that every person around you is sexier, more glamorous, and more ‘out-for-number-one’ than the next? Well it’s Vegas, baby… you can either fold, bluff, or shoot for the stars! However, the most important thing to remember is that, no matter what, always believe in yourself!

I was reading an article in Glamour magazine recently about beauty. They interviewed three different celebrities, (one each in her 30’s, 40’s and 50’s), about what they think makes a woman beautiful, and the unamious opinion was confidence! Not long legs, smoldering curves, flat abs, or even youth, for that matter…. Confidence. Loving yourself. Being proud of who you are and embracing it. And that describes an RSF ballroom dancer! We come in all shapes, sizes, colors and ages, yet we all (both men and women), stand a little taller and radiate beauty on the dance floor.

So we were in Vegas for the Vegas Stars Dance Challenge and the atmosphere radiated hot,hot hot! (Literally and figuratively)! When you go to Vegas you  have to make time for some extra-curricular fun: gambling, shows, the strip, night clubs, etc. Everyone had fun their own way (I saw “O” with my ABDT friends), and then… DANCING!  Organized by Tony Delgado at the Westin Casuarina resort/casino, this one-day RSC event made everyone feel like a Vegas Star. Competitors came from all across the country, including  AZ, CA, GA, NM, OH, OK and PA to try their hand at winning first place. Featuring the RSC Bronze/Silver Mambo Scholarship and the Pro-Am Superstars International Scholarships, this RSF competition had something for everyone. Colorful lighting, live percussion, great music, and an energetic ballroom packed with beautiful people from 8 a.m. to midnight cheering each other on. The Atlanta Ballroom Dance Theatre performed a great show with a tribute to Michael Jackson tango as a finale for the evening.

The stars were out in Vegas last weekend. They’re all home now,  but they didn’t leave anything behind. They’re bringing it all back to their studios or another RSC event. Look for info about the Greenville Challenge next month on the RSC website. And as always, if you were in Vegas and have something you’d like to share about ‘what happened in Vegas,’ please leave a reply! Also check out our RSF facebook page for more pictures and videos.

Stay Beautiful!

Regina Ruff, your pro-am voice

I just heard this on an episode of SYTYCD that my daughter was watching:  ”Dance is the language of the soul.” I believe Nigel Lythgoe couldn’t have said it more simply or eloquently. When we dance, we connect with one another by expressing what the music brings out of us. Ballroom dance brings two souls together in a partnership that, when it’s at its best, is a truly magical thing. The give and take of leading and following requires a lot of trust, strength, and a connection that takes time to develop.  I say it’s magical because everything has to come together perfectly at one moment- your balance, your emotion, your stamina, your nerves…  it all plays a part in the outcome. So while we may not always achieve this perfect moment when we dance, we can and should enjoy the journey!

The Rising Star Circuit of ballroom dance competitions hosts events that foster and encourage this journey. We all have obstacles that we may have to overcome: physical, mental, financial, etc., but the process of coming together at a competition like the Bama Ballroom Classic, cheering each other on, and celebrating each other’s successes is really what it’s all about! Some of my fellow RSF Club dancers were able to attend the RSC competition in Birmingham. They raved about how welcoming and supportive the Bama people were. But are we really that surprised? After all, no matter what competition we attend, we all speak the same language when we dance:                       The Language Of The Soul!

I am still waiting to receive some pictures from this comp. If you were in Bama, hosted by the ever-friendly Rex and Rachel Jones, please send them to me or share them on our RSF facebook page! We love your feedback!

Cheers! And happy dancing!

Regina Ruff, your pro-am voice

Have you ever thought about how much time and effort you put into getting to the ‘The Top’? Everyone is so obsessed with being ‘the best,’ or ‘king of the heap,’ that they don’t really think about what happens once they reach ‘The Top.’ Being at the top is great, but then what? Do you have to constantly worry about maintaining your position- who’s coming up behind you and what do you have to do to keep them at bay? It’s enough to drive some people crazy. It’s better to always strive to be your best, and set goals to be the ‘king of the hill,’ but enjoy the climb along the way. Relish the challenges and let them make you a bigger, better person/dancer. True champions in life accept setbacks as challenges and rise up to them. They may not always succeed or win, but they never give up or stop trying.

How does this tie in to our Rising Star Circuit of dance competitions? Well for one thing, we embrace the journey! The process of becoming a better dancer and having others recognize it along the way is one of the things we are all about!  The  RSF Rocky Top Dance Challenge, held in June in Knoxville, TN, was a perfect example of the energetic and encouraging atmosphere you’ve come to expect from RSC events. Organizers Jeremy Norris and Emily Loyless treated guests to a lovely, pre-competition dinner-dance cruise aboard the “Volunteer Princess.” Excellent food, fabulous service, and a relaxing atmosphere made this cruise down the Tennessee River a night to remember- especially with the surprise announcement of the organizers’ engagement! (Congratulations Jeremy and Emily)! The competition highlights were the RSC 9-dance scholarship and the fabulous show put on by the Atlanta Ballroom Dance Theatre.

If you have photos or special comments about the “Rockin’ Good Time” you had at Rocky Top, TN, please leave us a reply here or post it on our RSF facebook page. And as always, check out our latest issue of the RSF Pro-Am Voice magazine for more pictures and write-ups on this and other RSF competitions!

Happy Dancing!

Regina Ruff, your pro-am voice