|
|
The North American Championships Resurgent!
Author - Dance Beat Magazine
May 21, 2007
|
Reprinted with permission from Dance Beat.
For many years the North American Championships were organized on alternate years by the U.S. Imperial Society at the Cherry Hill Hyatt. (Other years it was in Canada). It was one of the major stops on the US Dance Calendar, certainly in the top three events of the year. Yet the USISTD ran into problems and this landmark competition languished, unremembered, along with the other two yearly Cherry Hill events.
Last year, the USISTD decided to sell their rights to these championships and The North American was bought by Wayne Eng of Dance Vision. I was not looking to buy this event, Eng said, but I was having lunch with Peter Billett (of the USISTD) and he mentioned that the events were for sale and I made an offer right there. The North American Championship is actually run within the Imperial Championships, the actual name of this event. Eng was impressed with the long history of these championships and hopes he can build the event back up to the level of its heydays, fifteen years ago. Theres no magic wand, when it comes to promoting a competition, he says, but he plans to contact all the studios and professionals to tell them about the resurgent North American Championships. The North American Title is a prestigious title that professional, amateur and pro-am couples can certainly be proud of.
Eng hopes to create an atmosphere that feels like a North American venue. A Teams Match with Canada will boost that continental feel and there will also be many Canadian judges. Were going to treat it as a large event right away, Eng confirms. Were hiring 22 to 25 judges, were promoting it fully.
Eng is partnered in this event by Donald Johnson and Kazia Kozak and he hopes their energy and creativity will greatly add to the event.
Originally, the USISTD ran the North American every year. They subsequently, shared the event with Canada. Over the last six or seven years, neither the USA nor Canada has run all of its North American Championships. This year and next year, Eng plans to run the North American here in the States, but he emphasizes that he is keen for Canadian involvement and participation. For these next 2 years the North American will remain in its traditional home of Cherry Hill, but Eng considers he may need to find a bigger venue at some point.
Click Here for more information on the North American Championships.
|
|
|
|
[go back]
|
|
Dance Network