American Star Ball - Get the Party Started!!

Our trip started on what became the party bus. Atlantic City is close to NY but for a bunch of NYers without cars it’s not always the easiest place to coordinate travel. To take care of that we decided to hire a mini-bus for the trip. It was well worth it, allowing the team to travel in comfort without having to worry about anyone driving.

Once there Heidi's nightclub dancing was first up. The evening started off a bit strange, with some dances spaced far apart. But then, all of a sudden, there was a flurry of back-to-back heats without a break. And you know what? That's when Heidi's best dancing happened. It was like she found this magical balance between rhythm and energy that kept the dance flowing effortlessly. It just goes to show that sometimes fatigue can work in your favor.

Ozlem finally got to step back into the world of Ballroom after a hiatus of fifteen long years. It was a momentous occasion for her, and she was determined to bring her A-game. Once she hit the dance floor, there was no holding back. Her Waltz and Foxtrot had this incredible flow, with her spine gliding effortlessly across the floor. And when it came to her Viennese Waltz, her follow-through was absolutely breathtaking, adding a delightful swing to her performance.

Gary really nailed it in the rumba and cha-cha. His leg tone was on point, and he had newfound fluidity and coordination in his movements that made his performance stand out. He took Vanda's advice to heart focusing on keeping his poise forward, giving him a confident and masculine look. It was clear that he had made great strides (pun intended) in his posture, allowing his joints to move freely and naturally.

Gary really brought the energy in the mambo! His foot timing was spot-on, and he executed those turns and crossover breaks in Rumba with absolute precision.

As for Ozlem's rhythm, she had a bit of a slow start in the first round. Maybe she was still feeling the effects of the morning's dancing. But let me tell you, she woke up in the second round with a perfect balance of precision and energy. It was like she found her groove and gave it everything she had. Perhaps it was easier to move with the pressure and uncertainty of the morning done, and she was able to relax into somewhat more familiar material and let come what may.

Gary also showcased his skills in the Smooth category. His leg extension was absolutely terrific, and his longer stride length gave him better balance and a fuller range of movement. Plus, he had made great strides (pun still intended) in maintaining a consistent posture throughout his routine.

Heidi's story is quite something. When they first arrived in AC, she wasn't even scheduled to dance. But on Friday night, she decided she wanted to give it a go. There was just one problem: she didn't have a dress or shoes for the Smooth category. Dawn and Aaron at Dore managed to find several dress options, although none were a perfect fit. Time was running out, and they were still dress-less when Vanda had a stroke of genius. She suggested that Jerry drive down Heidi's dress from NYC. And guess what? Jerry was up for the adventure and hit the road early Saturday morning. With the dress and newly purchased shoes in hand, Heidi took to the dance floor. And you know what? The last-minute distraction may have worked in her favor because she moved with such grace and fluidity. Not only did she win her scholarship, but she also got the chance to compete in the Best of the Best Challenge.

Elizabeth also had a fantastic performance. She won her division, Senior II Silver, and also competed in the Best of the Best Challenge for Silver. Her Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz were on point, and she showcased the incredible work she had done on her shoulder activity. It wasn't an easy journey, especially with the physical demands of her job, but perseverance and performing are what competing is all about.

Gretchen got a chance to showcase her new Tango routine. It was good to have a small comp like this to work some of the bugs out. We knew the routine flowed well because we had performed it as part of a showcase routine just a week earlier, but a new routine always carriers some nerves with it for the first comp. She danced it like she’s been doing it for months rather than weeks. It goes to show that a lot of the worry about execution and performing get overridden in the moment when you just buckle down and focus. We were tremendously proud of everyone’s dancing in AC.

With all our booty in hand and dance goals fulfilled we sated ourselves with a somewhat overly (although in context entirely appropriate) indulgent after comp meal Saturday night, and the boarded the mini-bus Sunday morning after a night’s rest.

See you next year AC!