Competitors for the 2015 Mirror Ball Trophy
Vickie Hamilton
The competition was close as the winner and runner-up were separated by only three votes, but in the end the Mirror Ball Trophy was awarded to the beautiful lady in pink, Kathy Luders. The runner-up was the fabulous dancing sensation, Carolyn Suttles. Congratulations to all the wonderful contestants who made this another memorable evening! The sold out event held January 17 had the audience on their feet cheering and applauding as our PebbleCreek competitors danced with their partners from the Utah Ballroom Dance Company.
Each contestant was introduced by a video in which the contestant shared their experience training with a Dance Company partner. A panel of three, including Carl Jones and Frank Morgan of PebbleCreek joined by a member of the dance troupe, amused the audience with their clever bantering and descriptive critique of each dance routine. The judges scored each performance; however, the audience had the final vote.
The first contestant Laura Measles glided like a graceful gazelle across the dance floor with her partner. Performing an elegant waltz, she floated across the floor delighting the audience with lovely arm extensions and a graceful turn of head accentuating the beauty and grace of this classically romantic dance.
Ted Wallace, in his prison outfit, danced the swing to Jailhouse Rock with energetic delight! Stepping and spinning to the fast paced tune, Ted was fun to watch and worked the number well with his partner.
The debonair Bill Barnard, handsome in his raincoat, hat and carrying an umbrella, elegantly led his partner through the alternating fast and slow steps of the foxtrot. This fun, lighthearted dance was fashionably performed by the light-footed Bill as he sauntered gracefully across the dance floor with style and ease.
Alex Potapoff, dressed as a pirate, performed the dramatic Paso Doble. Embracing the spicy dance, he enticed the audience with lively moves and stirring poses reminiscent of a Spanish bull fight. Alex and his partner mesmerized the audience with this dance in which the lead represents the Matador and the lady symbolizes his red cape.
Winner Kathy Luders electrified the dance floor as she entertained the audience with a fast and spicy Mambo full of quick spins and swivels. Kathy’s mambo was a beautifully executed high energy Latin dance with fast movement, crisp turns and full of fun!
Runner-up Carolyn Suttles delighted the audience with a lively quick step. This fun dance is comprised of extremely quick stepping, syncopated feet rhythms, and runs of quick steps. Carolyn’s delightful rendition was fun to watch and amazing in its energetic execution!
After intermission the Utah Ballroom Dance Company, http://utahbdc.com/index.html, one of Utah’s premier professional level performing ensembles, thrilled the audience with a dance exhibition. The Company maintains a touring program with over 100 performances each year.
And finally, all the dancers gathered to help crown the winner of the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. After all the amazing performances, the audience votes were counted and the scores tallied – the winner of the fourth annual Dancing with the PebbleCreek Stars is the lovely lady in pink, Kathy Luders. Bravo! A great time was had by all and now everyone must wait another year in anticipation of who will win the next PebbleCreek Dancing with the Stars!