CPS Presents HAVING A BALL Dance Competition, 5/22-5/23

Chicago Public Schools proudly announces the fifth annual Having a Ball final ballroom dance competitions. The Semi-final Competition is Saturday, May 22 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Little Village High School, 3120 South Kostner, and the Final Competition is Sunday, May 23 from 5-8 p.m. at Navy Pier Grand Ballroom. Both competitions are free and open to the public.

The fifth annual Having a Ball Semi-Final and Final Ballroom Dance Competitions are two of the culminating events of 20 weeks of intensive in-school ballroom dance instruction for fifth-grade CPS students. Both Competitions are open to the public and will feature over 300 students performing the Cha Cha, Waltz, Paso Doble, Tango and Jive for a panel of judges comprised of area ballroom professionals including Irina Shukhat, Roman Antonov, Jenny Phan Kenneth Jarvis and former U.S. Latin American Grand Finalist and British Open Rising Star Latin American Champion, Donald Johnson.

Saturday's Semi-Final Event will see more than 300 students vying to advance to the Final Competition held at the stunning Navy Pier Grand Ballroom. At the Finals, 6 finalists will be chosen from 50 competing couples, following several rounds of eliminations. Special performances by Elementary Dance Scholarship Pilot Program and other CPS students will take place during the evening's competition.

More than 950 fifth grade students from throughout Chicago are dancing through Having a Ball 2009-10. Participating schools include: Agassiz Elementary, Alcott Elementary, Attucks Academy, Cleveland Elementary, Edwards School, GR Clark School, Hefferan Elementary, Hughes Elementary, May Community Academy, New Sullivan Elementary, Onahan Elementary, Oriole Park Elementary, Perez Elementary, Sandoval Elementary and Thorp Scholastic Academy.

EVENT DETAILS:
Title: Having a Ball Semi-Final Ballroom Dance Competition
Dates: Saturday, May 22, 2010
Schedule: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Location: Little Village High School, 3120 South Kostner Avenue , Chicago
Tickets: Free and open to the public

Title: Having a Ball Final Competition
Dates: Sunday, May 23, 2010
Schedule: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom, east end of Navy Pier
Tickets: Free and open to the public

Having a Ball 09-10 is funded in part by a U.S. Department of Education Carol M. White physical education grant with support from the Chicago Board of Education. The program is proud to partner with community organizations such as Northwestern University, Mindful Practices, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Children's Memorial Hospital and Ryan Evans Dancesport.