Island Fantasy Ball

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Saturday, May 3rd, 2014
11 am

The public is invited to this year's exciting Island Fantasy Ball (IFB), a full weekend of competitive ballroom and latin dancing where flamboyant dancers show off beautiful ball gowns and breathtaking footwork as they glide effortlessly across the floor.

�An audience is required,� says IFB Chair Vicki Linfitt. �Being part of this exciting competition by cheering and clapping for 150-plus competitive dancers is a high-energy, fun and interactive experience.�

Organized by the Nanaimo Ballroom Dance Society, the IFB is one of the largest DanceSport sanctioned events in BC.

Dancers of all ages, from amateur to championship level from Europe,
Canada and BC, provide exciting and dramatic performances in ten well-loved ballroom and Latin American dances including the jive, samba, cha cha, rumba, waltz, paso doble, Viennese waltz, quickstep, slow foxtrot and tango.

�This year, we�re thrilled to welcome former World Cup 10-dance champions Miha Vodicar and Nadiya Bychkova of Slovenia, and current World Under 21 10-dance champions Patrick Rucinsky and Ella Nusenbaum of Ontario,� says Linfitt.

�Many other high-ranking Canadian and BC dancers will also return to compete at the IFB.�

Top North American judges will rank competitive dancers on their poise, frame, posture, speed, musicality and dramatic expression, timing, body alignment and shape, floor craft, foot and leg action and presentation.

A highlight Saturday night and Sunday afternoon is a stunning �Showcase of Champions� where top competitive dancers demonstrate their highly skilled athleticism, perfect technique and choreography, colourful costumes, and their dramatic and emotional interpretation of contemporary and classic dance music.

�A real treat on Sunday is watching adorable Juvenile and Junior couples demonstrate their talents,� adds Linfitt.

Organizers have been planning IFB 2014 for several months. �It�s like staging a large family reunion or wedding,� says Linfitt. �Fortunately our core group of dedicated volunteers � many of whom have with us for 22 years � work diligently, with perfectionist attitudes, striving to make this world-class event better each year.�

Linfitt says the IFB �has gained a reputation of being one of the �go to� competitions in Canada each year for competitive ballroom and latin dancers.�

The annual event provides a major boost to the Nanaimo economy, with visiting dancers and spectators utilizing local hotels, restaurants and other services.

Spectators are welcome to attend daytime performances Saturday and Sunday, and/or the black tie dinner and gala ball on Saturday night.

�We invite the public to experience this incredible event,� says Linfitt. �Who knows? You just might be inspired to take dance lessons!�

Tickets for IFB 2014 are on sale at the Port Theatre Box Office, 250.754.8550 www.porttheatre.com Prices range from $15 dollars for general admission riser seats to $90 dollars for premium front row table seats Saturday night, which includes a sumptuous buffet dinner catered by Spice of Life.

For a full weekend schedule, seating plan, and videos, visit www.islandfantasyball.com.