Couples from around the world to descend on Israel to strut their moves.
By RACHEL IRWINballroom dancing 88 298(photo credit: )
On March 17th-18th, ballroom dancers from Russia, England, Ukraine, Georgia, Italy and possibly China will descend on Tel Aviv for the 2006 World Cup Championship of Ballroom and Latin Dancing. For two days, 200 couples will attempt to cha-cha, rumba, waltz, and tango to the top.
In addition to adult couples, aged 16 and over, children of all ages will also join the competition. Kids aged 7-11 will take part in the children's competition, while adolescents aged 11-16 will join the teen group. One recognizable competitor will be Oron Dahan, winner of the popular television show Rokdim Im HaKochavim (Dancing with the Stars).
The international panel of judges includes Leonid Platnov, two time world champion and president of the International Dance Union (IDU), and Alexander Mashkov, president of the Russian Dancing Federation. Under the auspices of the IDU and the Israeli Association of Dancing Culture (AIDA), the World Cup Championship is being held in Israel for the first time ever. "We are very excited," says event organizer Michel Kaza. "This is the first time we've done this here, but we hope it will happen every year."
Kaza describes one dancing couple from Georgia, who has family in Israel, but until recently had never travelled here. "After visiting, they've decided to make aliyah and open the first professional ballroom dancing school in Israel. It's wonderful news."
The 2006 World Cup Championship of Ballroom and Latin Dancing will take place on March 17th-18th at the Hadar-Yosef National Sports Center in Tel-Aviv. For tickets, call the Le'an Ticket Agency at 03-5247373. For more information, visit www.orproduction.com
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