The Sarasota Challenge
Report by Mayo Alanen
Photos by Alex Rowan
Before the Sarasota Challenge officially kicked off, we were already friends.
The market is currently saturated with ballroom competitions that are predictable copies of each other. It is refreshing when an organizer takes risks to make their competition unique while delivering quality essentials such as great entertainment and notable prize money.
This was my second time to attend Sid Pocius’ Sarasota Challenge held, of course, in Sarasota, Florida, and on my drive up I could only wonder if we would indeed be “up to the challenge.” This competition is a 1-day NDCA recognized event, but rumors had circulated that this year’s entry count was topping 5,000 – was it possible to dance that many entries in one day? Well, the short answer is, “yes!” And here’s how it was achieved.
Sarasota Challenge – The One-Day event that could!
Report by Keith Todd
Photos by Dancesport Photography
I attend very few one-day events, but I had heard great things about Sid Pocius’ one-day event in Sarasota. So when I was invited, I was pleased to see that my calendar allowed me to go.