Ballroom's best rise to challenge
Couples take swing at competition

By Ann Kelley
Published: August 21, 2007

MIDWEST CITY — About 120 dancers, both amateur and professional, competed in this year's Oklahoma Challenge sponsored by Dance Makers Studio. The ballroom dance competition was Friday through Sunday at the Reed Center.

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Dancers of all ages competed in the fox-trot, waltz, swing, cha-cha, rumba and tango during the seventh annual event, which originally was held at Dance Makers Studio, organizer Gary Bramlette said.

Bramlette said he and his partners, Gina DeVore and Michael Pone, dreamed of having a ballroom competition when they opened their dance studio more than 15 years ago.

"Dancing with the Stars” and movies such as "Strictly Ballroom” and "Shall We Dance?” have brought in a new crowd of dancers, Bramlette said. The renewed interest in ballroom dancing has increased the need for competitive events and attracted larger audiences to dance competitions, he said.


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