NORTHWEST DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS BEYOND THE FOUNDATION YEARS
2014 INVITATION
Reasons To Mark The Calendar:
Portland Bragging Rights
pectator seating in 2013 sold out – marking S the event’s highest ever attendance. he largest division increase was the fastT growing Senior age groups.
ROSES, COFFEE HOUSES, MICRO-BREWERIES. . . AND IN GROWING CIRCLES – DANCESPORT
ince the Portland and Seattle studios S have placed strong emphasis on pre-teen instruction and performance teams, there was a significant turnout of young competitors.
Resources: Joe Leitch and Nick Shur Photos by Nick Shur
F
or the first 10 foundation years, the NorthWest National Qualifying Event (NQE) circuit was organized jointly by USA Dance Chapters in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA. Even though the cities are approximately 174 miles apart, their dance communities have always shared much in common and partnership – dancers, coaches and adjudicators -- creating a unique family of dedicated dancers, spanning all ages, in the Pacific NorthWest and a solid foundation for a well-attended, distinguished DanceSport event. Yet 2013 marked the first year that the Portland Chapter had solely organized the NorthWest NQE, and the same community support and team spirit once again became driving forces for its new success. Known for a century now as the “City of
Daniel Bernecker & Olga Kornohod, James Itaya & Hannah Gasinski-Shinsato
Roses”, the city of Portland is an ideal location for an NQE. It is a welcoming city that attracts visitors and dancers by virtue of its natural beauty, its great outdoor activities and rich entertainment and cultural centers. Portland has earned its bragging rights. Not only is it the celebrated home to the International Rose Test Garden…but it’s also famous for its coffee houses, micro-breweries, sports teams…and in growing, distinguished circles, DanceSport. Event organizers for the Portland Chapter have already started planning and marketing the next NW NQE, scheduled for Oct. 11-12, 2014 and will create an even bigger push during National Ballroom Dance Week in September. They want to create a better awareness of why dancers will find Portland inspirational. To better reach the local Portland
Nathan Murstein & Nicole Sheiman
here were nine different states plus T British Columbia represented, with Oregon, Washington State and Hawaii leading the numbers.
Show by Simeon Stoynov & Kora Stoynova
Joe Leitch
From the Hawaii DanceSport Team: “We really enjoyed ourselves. Hats off to you for all your hard work! Well done!”
I ncreased newcomers indicated strong regional growth. usic by DJ Dave Watson even had the M judges dancing with each other on the sidelines at breaks.
community, the NW NQE has become a sanctioned event within the Portland Rose Festival Association. According to Nick Shur, public relations chair, the Rose Festival endorsement will add “marketing muscle” which means reaching thousands of people who already support the arts, entertainment and cultural activities. David Margasign & Jessica Chang, Misha Vorobiev & Sonya Tsekanovsky, Angus Sinclair & Dara Campbell
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he City of Portland’s Mayor, the honorable T Charlie Hales, also a ballroom dancer, described Portland’s quality of life including ballroom dancing.
fter the competition, celebration at a local A Chinese restaurant further united competitors, families, visitors, coaches and organizers.
NORTHWEST DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS www.portlandballroomdancers.com