Local dance competition has a large turnout
Courtesy photo
EAST LANSING, MI - It’s not too uncommon to see the East Lansing bars filled with people kicking in the air, jumping on chairs and spinning on their heads on a typical night out. But last Wednesday, October 13th at a packed Post Bar, the dancing was left to the professionals, as dancers competed in the first ever ‘East Lansing, Think You Can Dance?’ competition.
The competition, hosted by the newly opened Spartan Dance Center (SDC), featured seven different competing acts and several guest performances by the instructors at SDC as well as the Michigan State University Ballroom Club. Over the course of the night, a variety of dance forms were highlighted including hip-hop, popping, contemporary, salsa and break dancing.
Dancers competed to win two tickets to Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance live tour in Detroit after having gone through auditions and callbacks weeks prior to the event.
“It was like anything I have ever seen before,” said MSU sophomore Ziev Beresh regarding the performance of Ricky ‘Bird’ Clarkson who took home the grand prize after winning over the judges and crowd with his hip-hop and break dancing combination. “The way he could just go from doing some strange robotic, automated moves to handstands and things I’ve only seen on TV was absolutely incredible.”
Judges also awarded second and third place prizes to Regina Ferrari and Dontez Jones.
Attendees who required more information about the studio received free bags, classes, giveaways and other various coupons. After the event numerous attendees stuck around to join competitors and instructors on the open dance floor as they danced along to the live DJ.
“Nobody left the Post Bar last Wednesday without having a great time,” commented SDC Director Tiffany Russell who assured there will be a second competition after the turnout and reception of the first event.
Spartan Dance Center is only seven weeks old and has already began to attract new and veteran dancers to participate in classes in lyrical, contemporary, jazz, zumba, hip-hop, ballet, salsa as well as attend other workshops and events like ‘East Lansing, Think You Can Dance?’ The center offeres affordable and flexible options for its adult drop-in and Jr. Spartan programs.
For additional information about the event or Spartan Dance Center, contact Luke Miller at (616) 217-7538, Tiffany Russell at (517) 999-5415 or visit www.spartandancecenter.com. More pictures available upon request.
For additional information about any of their events or SDC, contact Luke Miller at 616.217.7538 or Tiffany Russell at 248.703.4328. For the schedule of classes or directions log on to
www.spartandancecenter.com
