Guests at the 3rd Annual “Dancing Into Dreamland: Dance Contest and Benefit” on November 9, 2012 will experience a magical night on the third floor of the Taborian Hall building at 9th and State Street. The gala, held for the last two years at the Governor’s Mansion, is coming home to the Dreamland Ballroom this year. Recent floor, roof, and balcony renovations made the homecoming possible.

“Dancing into Dreamland” will feature nine dance teams from a variety of genres competing for a $250 cash prize, as well as exhibitions from previous years’ winners. Guests will participate through text voting for their favorite teams to decide the People’s Choice Award, while the 1st Place and cash prize winner will be chosen by a panel of judges.

Judging this year are;
• David Miller, host of the weekly big band radio program, “Swingin’ Down the Lane”,
• Christen Burke Pitts, dance instructor with over 25 years experience.
• Gary Weir, host of TV dance show, “The Good Ole Daze”,
• Rhythm McCarthy, faculty, UALR Theatre and Dance Department.

The event will also offer refreshments, a cash donation bar, live music, open dancing, and a silent auction.
Proceeds from the event will primarily support the education programs of Friends of the Dreamland Ballroom, a non-profit organization that was formed “to celebrate the legacy of the Dreamland Ballroom and the Taborian Hall and bring its history, culture, and community to the people of Arkansas through artistic performance, music education, cultural outreach, and preservation.” Funds will also support ongoing renovations of the Dreamland Ballroom.

The Taborian Hall, which houses the Dreamland Ballroom, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and is the last building remaining on 9th Street from Little Rock’s “Little Harlem,” the now-vanished center of the city’s black community. Over the decades, the Ballroom hosted performers such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, B. B. King, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, and Ray Charles.

General admission to Dancing into Dreamland costs $50. Tickets can be purchased online at www.dreamlandballroom.org or by calling 501-255-5700.

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See below for a full event schedule. For more information, please contact Kerry McCoy, at the information listed above.

Dancing Into Dreamland Dance Contest and Benefit
Sponsored by the Friends of the Dreamland Ballroom
Friday, November 9th, 2012
7:00-10:00 PM

Taborian Hall
800 W. Ninth St.
Little Rock, AR 72201

Schedule

7:00 – 8:00 Mixer, refreshments, and silent auction
8:00 – 9:00 Dance contest and exhibitions
9:00 – 9:45 Open dancing, judges deliberations and text voting
10:00 Awards ceremony