An acrobatic dance from a duo representing ReCreation Studios & Circus Arts glided off with the $500 first-place prize in Dancing Into Dreamland, the sixth annual contest and dance competition held as a fundraiser for the Dreamland Ballroom in Little Rock. Hosted by the Friends of Dreamland, the event took place Nov. 6 in the ballroom, located on the top floor of Arkansas Flag and Banner.
Linda Gillam Weir and Pool Boy from radio station KLAL-FM, Alice 107.7, served as masters of ceremonies. Judges were David Miller, Christen Pitts and Sericia Cole. Ryk St. Vincent introduced the trailer to the forthcoming AETN documentary about the ballroom.
Preceding the dance-off was a repeat performance by the 2014 winner, a dance troupe from Shuffles & Ballet II that re-created the dance from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video. Rico Sergent danced Jackson's part.
ReCreation Studios owner Camille Rule and her partner, Sam Pettit, won gold, while Chloe Lay and Kinsey Everett, a clogging duo, were named first runners-up. The Hot Springs Middle School Dance Troupe was named People's Choice winner.
Another highlight of the evening came when Kerry McCoy, owner of Arkansas Flag and Banner, presented an Outstanding Volunteer award to photographer Richard Davis.
Located in the historic Ninth Street district, the Dreamland Ballroom hosted concerts attended by Little Rock's black community during the days of racial segregation. Proceeds from Dancing Into Dreamland will go toward the friends' hopes of making the ballroom wheelchair accessible and installing a sound system, heating and air conditioning.
High Profile on 11/15/2015