It was a night of kicking up heels and whirling skirts as the Latrobe Valley took to the floor for the first Latrobe City DanceSport Classic on Saturday night.
DanceSport Victoria organisers Meagen Alderton and Anna Longmore said it was a “full-house” at the Latrobe Leisure Traralgon Sports Stadium with about 500 attendants.
“There was a real appreciation for the high-level of dancing from spectators for what the couples were doing and that was a nice feeling to have as adjudicators,” Ms Longmore said.
The event featured the top eight Victorian DanceSport couples, dancing styles including Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep and Latin styles, Samba, Cha Cha, Rhumba, Pasodoble and Jive.
Australian dancing style ‘New Vogue’, a form of social dancing involving patterns and sequences, was also demonstrated.
Ms Alderton said there were three sections of social dancing for attendants, and spotted was Latrobe City mayor Dale Harriman dancing with competitors and his daughter.
“The couples really stepped up to entertaining the crowd here, so it was exciting,” she said.
Dancer Andrew Nolo, 23, who won the Adult Open Ballroom and Adult Open Latin events with partner, Alexandra Vladimirov, 16, said the inaugural competition was amazing, noting the lighting, great music and atmosphere.
“The main thing was the crowd getting behind us, not just us, but every couple,” the former Victorian DanceSport champion said.
“It was a great night for all, during the social breaks, people got up and did the Macarena.”
Ms Alderton wished to thank Latrobe City Council, sponsors and the community, with plans for another event next year as well as a dance program in local schools.
