Platinum Dancesport Professional Smooth

Report by Vadim Mostovoy
Photos by Decadance Photography

The story of the Platinum Dancesport Classic began a long time ago when Polina and Igor Pilipenchuk were successfully representing USA around the World.  It has been a real pleasure for me to be part of the great beginning and to have an opportunity of adjudicating the Platinum Dancesport Classic.  This was the competition’s third year.  I was happy to see that the momentum was kept high; there were more participants, great enthusiasm and more energy.  I would like to extend a thank you to the organizers of the Championship, Polina and Igor Pilipenchuk and their Team, who made everyone feel welcome as well as all the participants, who demonstrated their commitment and passion to the love of dance.

"We shoul consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once."

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Change of Location, but Platinum keeps its Vibe!

Report by Keith Todd
Photos by Decadance Photography

For the past two years, Platinum Dancesport has been nestled in Downtown Miami, right on the historic Venetian Causeway and incidentally about five minutes from my house.  Hotel issues forced a move for this one year only, but the EB of Platinum, Mr. Scott Washburn, was able to secure the organizers, Igor & Polina Pilipenchuk, a place in the Airport Hilton.

"Dance is a conversation between body and soul." 

This is a comfortable hotel with excellent convention facilities and the advantages of an airport shuttle.  It is a little further from the delights of South Beach, but I believe many intrepid competitors made the trip to my “hood.”  Certainly we saw many of them (Sunday) the day after the event enjoying the sun and sand.

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Dancing in Jaffa
A Famous Palestinian dancer takes his unique talent to the city of his birth.

By Keith Todd

On April 11th 2014 a documentary entitled “Dancing in Jaffa” opens in New York.  Executive Producers are LaToya Jackson, Nigel Lythgoe (So You Think You Can Dance) and Morgan Spurlock.  The Director is Hilla Medalia (To Die in Jerusalem), the Producer is Diane Nabatoff (Take the Lead) and the star is  - Pierre Dulaine.

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New Organizer Joins Maryland Team

Report by Keith Todd
Photos by Ryan Kenner Photography
The mother/daughter team of Glenis Dee and Andrea Ringold, were joined at he helm of the Maryland Dancesport by veteran pro-am competitor and industry professional, Blake Kish.  With over 6,000 entries this also coincided with the largest event in the competition’s history.

"Dancing: the vertical expresion of a horizontal desire legalized by music."

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WDSF Final Grand Slam in Shanghai China

Report by Renata Shvarts

Every December for the past 5 years Shanghai graciously hosts the grandest and the most prestigious WDSF event in the world.

"Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor." 

The Final Grand Slam invites the top 12 couples based on their performance scores through the year at the other 5 Grand Slam events.  In 2013 the 5 countries that had the honor of hosting Grand Slam competitions were: Spain, Hong Kong, Germany, Beijing and Moscow.  The biggest difference between Grand Slam events and traditional competitions is the judging system.  Created especially for Grand Slams, this system strives to take subjectivity out of judging. It is modeled after the system used in judging figure skating.  The vision is of course is to perfect it in order to, one day, use it in The Olympic Games.

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