Ballroom, country dancers trip the light fantastic at Alexandria competition
The 16th Louisiana Country and Ballroom Dance Hayride taking place at the Best Western of Alexandria Inn & Suites & Conference Center isn’t like the dancing they do on TV.
“If you've if you've ever watched ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ this will put that to shame,” said Ray Michiels, owner of Lucky Stars Dance Studio sponsoring the three-day competition. “Because you're live. You're here. You’re seeing them in person. You see what they're doing. You can't imagine the training they go through for that.”
“It’s real dancing. It’s not for TV,” said Stefan Easter, a champion dancer from Albuquerque, N.M. “You get to see it real up close and personal.”
More than 400 dancers from all over the country are in town for the three-day competition.
“We're one of the smaller events. But everybody likes to come here,” said Michiels.
The event is part of the American Country Dance Association, a regional dance circuit across the South.
“We've had them as far away as Ohio and Carolina in the years past,” said Michiels. “And all levels from beginners up to superstars. In this particular association, our high-level dancers are called superstars and royal superstars.”
On Saturday, two divisions compete in the morning and another two in the afternoon. In the evening, a variety show featuring dancers of all levels will be held starting at 7:30 p.m. Michiels encourages the public to come out and watch. Tickets will be sold at the door. Following the show, a social dance will be held.
“We’re expecting a bigger crowd this year,” said Michiels. “I’ve sold a lot of tickets through the studio.”
Sunday will be country line dance and couples’ competitions.
Line dancing has exploded in popularity, said Easter.
“Because you don’t need a partner,” he said. “People just just seem to really love it. It brings dancers together from across the country that learn the same routines. Line dancing on Sunday is quickly becoming the most popular out of all of them.”
The couples’ competitions will be all amateurs.
“I actually love watching them,” said Easter.
One of Michiels’ students, Suzanne Morrison of Natchitoches, started going to Lucky Star just for the social dancing.
“And then last year decided to compete with friends,” she said.
Dancing is a great social event, Morrison said. And it’s also great exercise that provides memory benefits, balance and fun.
“It's the best thing for your health,” said Michiels. “They say that dance is one of the most effective things against Alzheimer's and dementia.”
“For almost 20 years the American Medical Association said that the best form of exercise for people over 60 was walking,” said Easter. Then about 10 years ago, ballroom dancing took the top spot as the most effective form of low impact exercise for people over 60.
Easter has been dancing since 2001 and has been a ballroom teacher for many years. He and his ex-wife are two-time champions in show dance and national finalists in American Smooth. When he is in town, he'll drop by Lucky Stars Studio to coach students.
“I just started doing country 2-3 three years ago,” said Easter. “I really love country because I grew up in the South. And it felt like a good place to retire. It's fun and friendly and I just really enjoy it. I've met a lot of great people who made it really easy to make the shift.”
“I've been teaching dance since 1991, mostly in the country world, but smaller,” said Michiels. “My first teacher was a ballroom teacher.”
He’s owned Lucky Stars Dance Studio, 1311 Windsor Place, since 1999.
“We’re the only adult dance studio probably within 100 miles of Alexandria,” said Michiels.
If people want to find out information, they can contact him at (318) 447-7459 or on the Lucky Stars Dance Studio Facebook page.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Ballroom, country dancers trip the light fantastic in Alexandria
