MOVIN' AND GROOVIN'

Dancing for Dreamland

Contest raises money for upkeep of famed Ninth Street ballroom

Married couple Rick and Sarah Pinedo tangoed their way into a championship. And the sensuously kinetic ladies of Mirana Middle Eastern Dance Co. were the People's Choice.

These were the top performers of the seventh annual Dancing Into Dreamland, a Nov. 18 fundraiser held in Dreamland Ballroom, the historic west Ninth Street concert venue in the building where Arkansas Flag and Banner operates. Hosted by the Friends of Dreamland, the event was graced by masters of ceremonies Nicole Capri and radio show host Adam "Pool Boy" Dunaway from KLAL-FM, Alice 107.7. Judges were David Miller, Sericia Cole and Amy Bell.

Ryk St. Vincent extended a welcome and introduced the seven-minute trailer for the forthcoming Dreamland Ballroom documentary being filmed by AETN and PBS, tentatively scheduled for a 2017 release. Kerry McCoy, owner of Arkansas Flag and Banner, spoke and introduced some "spirits from the past" -- singers Mandy McBryde, Bonnie Montgomery and Amy Garland of The Wildflower Revue. The evening also featured an exhibition performance by Kim and Mike Nelson.

Additional dance-team contestants were Lindy Hoppers Meagan Walker and Robert Herring; tango-ers Rachael Small and Luis Ventura; waltzers Ziege Moreheart and Devin Conyer; and Megan Hustel and Paul Tillman of Ballet Arkansas. Samuel Pettit -- one-half of the 2015 Arkansas Circus Arts champion duo -- went solo, performing with a lighted baton. Also highlighting the evening was the presentation of the Outstanding Volunteer Award to Cindy Steele and husband Larry Graham.

The event netted an estimated $7,000 -- "enough to keep the interest going," McCoy says. Over the years the Friends of Dreamland have raised money for extensive repairs to the ballroom, which once was the spot for such performers as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles.

High Profile on 12/04/2016

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