The Emerald Ball, 2000

Emerald's 7100 Entries Could Make Other Organizers Green With Envy.
By Keith Todd.

Wayne and Donna Eng's Emerald Ball topped out with over 7100 entries, making it the largest event in the Western U.S. and probably ensure its place as the second largest event in the country this year.

As a member of "USDSC Grand Tradition Tour" circuit, maybe this helped attract pro am and professional entries from all over the country to this Los Angeles Competition.

Running from just Thursday night to Sunday night, the time was short. Incredibly, 6000 entries were danced over Saturday and Sunday, with the morning sessions beginning at 8am and continuing with only a short dinner break until midnight on both nights.

Couples had to be on time and ready to dance. With that many entries, there was never time to look for missing couples and Chairman Mr. Geoffrey Fells kept us all to keep pressing on. To his and the organizers credit, the event ran on, or slightly ahead of schedule, all week long.

Professional entries were of an extremely high quality. In the Standard we had almost a replay of the US National Final, with the US Champs Wilkins/Demidova taking the title. The Latin field was almost complete, replaying  the 99 National Final except for the 99 champions Sparks/Mitchell (Kimberly Mitchell nursing an injury)

New US contenders Van Amsted/Smirnoff took the title, beating out 97 US Champions the McDonalds. Mead/Ridpath US Smooth Champions took the title also in a strong field that included some US finalists and some great up and coming partnerships. Many of the most highly ranked rhythm couples were also absent.

In the pro-am department, Forrest Vance danced his feet off, completing an incredible 420 entries to take the top teacher award. I offer him my full congratulations for not only dancing so many entries, but also maintaining a very high standard with all his students throughout the week end. Fellow Arizonian Blake Kish was second. Londance of Los Angeles walked off with the Top Studio Award.

The American Standard was a three round event. Clear winners were the new partnership of Victor Fung and Aira Budnebyte, with high ranked Holt/Ciszewska placing second. Kevin King and Olga Rodinova took the amateur Latin from Jason Turner and Lila Lee.

Wayne and Donna were excellent hosts. Dinners were served in a secluded and pleasantly lit ballroom with dining and dancing every night. Equally important for those of us in a rush to get back to the main ballroom for the evening sessions.

The wait staff were the fastest I have seen in any hotel, no doubt goaded by Donna's continued presence in the dining room. For us hard pressed judges, there was also a continuing round of snacks and refreshments served in the ballroom. This is always so welcome.

The L.A. Airport Hilton has a very attractive ballroom. The floor is well lit and the acoustics were very good, two very subjective elements that can add immensely to every one's enjoyment.

If you asked me for their secret, I would only say, "Hard Work." Like all good organizers, they left nothing to chance and were available throughout the competition, early morning, 'til late at night, to answer questions and just make sure that every thing was running as planned. Congratulations Wayne and Donna on a stellar competition.
Keith.