https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2025/mar/02/dancing-on-air/

Carissa and Josue De Leon were Judges' Award winners -- and Hayley Mitchell and Mackenzie Mears captured the People's Choice trophy -- at the 2025 edition of Dancing Into Dreamland, presented by Friends of Dreamland Ballroom on Feb 16 in the historic Little Rock venue.

Guests began the evening mingling, perusing silent-auction items and enjoying drinks from a donations bar and performances by members of Arkansas Circus Arts. Attendees later dined on boxed bites with a Mediterranean flare. Dessert was passed tiramisu.

Will Trice served as master of ceremonies. Evelyn Pittman, Dreamland founder Kerry McCoy and executive director Matthew McCoy gave opening remarks to start off the evening's contest, which featured exhibition dances by the Hot Springs Dance Troupe, 2024 Judges' Choice winners; and Drs. Arushi Devgan and Kurt Messer, 2022 Judges' Choice winners.

The newlywed De Leons wowed the judges -- Christen Pitts, Brian Earles and Judge Morgan "Chip" Welch -- with their lead-and-follow salsa routine. The aerial dance by Mitchell and Mears (known by their duo name The Illusion of Aerial) garnered the most audience votes. Other contestant teams: the Cabot Dance Academy, ballet; Jenna Johnson and Payton Crowne, American tango; Kim Maslin and Tim Acosta, "West Coast(ish)" swing; Fuego 27, mambo; and Rachel Sweningson and Ethan Shoe, cha-cha.

Event proceeds are earmarked toward continuing restoration of the Dreamland Ballroom, housed on the third floor of the building originally known as Taborian Temple and which served as a concert venue for the Black community on Little Rock's historic West Ninth Street corridor. Friends of Dreamland Ballroom was formed in 2012 to raise funds for its restoration.

-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams