Glamour, passion and precision combine on the dance floor at the annual Island Fantasy Ball.
Accomplished dancers from across Canada, the United States and a few international competitors will strut their stuff during the event. While many of these performers aren’t household names, says Vicki Linfitt, chairwoman of the Island Fantasy Ball organizing committee, they are just as worthy of discussion as Dancing With the Stars’ Derek Hough.
Linfitt said if people love the television show, this is a chance for them to experience watching a dance competition in person.
“It’s an amazing experience you don’t get if you watch it on TV. You don’t get to experience that energy,” said Linfitt.
There’s a connection made between the dancers and the audience during the live event. Linfitt said the dancers will make eye contact with people or wink to make them feel a connection to the performance.
Invited competitors for the event include Patrick Rucinski and Tatiana Veselkina from Ontario who recently placed second in the Canadian Closed Championships in both adult Latin and adult standard; Errol Williamson and Ami Williamson from Denmark; Daniel Studenny and Evgeniya Gorobets from Ontario; Misha Vorobiev and Sonya Tsekanovsky; Erik Linder and Shelly Meshkausk; Gregorio Corello and Dariya Suslova and others.
The competitors are skilled, said Linfitt. She remembers watching one competition where a couple separated and ended up with someone else’s partner. The four improvised on the spot and created some flourishing moves and then rejoined their original partner. Linfitt said the crowd loved it, but if the couples hadn’t been as skilled as they were, they would have collided or it would have turned into a disaster.
The Island Fantasy Ball is May 6-7 at the Beban Park social centre. Tickets are available in advance by calling 250-754-8550 or by visiting www.porttheatre.com.
Tickets for May 6 performances between 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. are $20, the evening performance, from 7-11 p.m., and buffet dinner tickets range in price from $45 to $95 depending on seating location. May 7 tickets range in price from $30 to $45.
For more information about the Island Fantasy Ball, please visit www.islandfantasyball.com.