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News and Announcements
Local Dancers Spotlight a Golden Bozeman Tradition at State Games
Competition winners will showcase gold-medal routine at Sweet Pea Ball
Bozeman, MT - July 25 - They may not be celebrities, but Montana has its own dancing stars. Three members of the Bozeman Formal Dance Club won gold medals at last week's Big Sky State Games showcasing their talents in the ballroom dance competition.
The amateur dancers - Connie Lord, Shon Wedde and Kerie Hagler - choreographed and performed winning dance routines in the advanced ballroom, latin and swing (American Rhythm) divisions, as well as earning medals in freestyle dance competitions.
"Most people don't think of ballroom dancing as a sport," says Connie Lord, a long-time Bozeman resident and dance club officer. "Competing at the state level not only motivates us to step up our skills, it also brings awareness to how active the sport is here in Montana."
DanceSport has been recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee and is an event in the World Games, which are held for Olympic-recognized sports that are not yet in the medals program.
Interest in ballroom dance in Bozeman isn't a new thing sparked from popular TV shows such as "Dancing with the Stars." The more than 60-year-old Formal Dance Club has been waltzing and swinging since the days when Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were the celebs du jour. The non-profit organization schedules public dance events throughout the year featuring live music and ballroom, latin, swing, tango and country dancing for singles and couples of all ages. Its members range from young teen prodigies to 80+-year golden oldies.
"We hope more Bozeman dancers will consider competing next year," says Terri Knutson, the formal dance club's Vice President who cheered her fellow club members on at the event in Billings. "It's not only a fun way to express your passion for dance, it also helps bring the wider Montana social dance community together."
Shon Wedde and Kerie Hagler will reprise their gold-medal East Coast Swing routine during the annual Sweet Pea Festival Ball this Saturday evening July 28th at the Baxter Ballroom.
For more information about the Formal Dance Club or the dance sport competition, contact
Connie Lord (406-586-6006) or Kerie Hagler (406-570-6133) or visit
http://www.formaldanceclub.com. (Photos and video from the competition are available for publication)
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