There are many great benefits to visiting us at the competitions listed below. Events give you the ability to try-on dresses saving the try-on fee and shipping cost. You may also rent or purchase dresses on-site at these events. Additionally, we are happy to evaluate any dresses you are interested in registering with our company, and then take care of the registration paperwork in person.  Team Encore looks forward to seeing you on the road!

NOVEMBER 17 – 22, 2020
Columbus Convention Center

The Ohio Star Ball began as a one day showcase over 42 years ago, under the direction of Sam Sodano. With equal amounts of creativity, courage and perseverance, Sam has developed this Championship into the largest Pro/Am competition, not only in North America, but in the world today.

From its inception, the philosophy of the Ohio Star Ball has not changed. Competition is limited to one age and two consecutive levels, the venue is comfortable, the atmosphere familiar and friendly, and the event offers something for everyone, from the earliest beginner to the most advanced dancer of any age or level. The Ohio Star Ball of today is now a 6 day event with 70 Judges, 3 Chairmen, 3 Emcees, 7 Scrutineers, 2 Deejays, 9 Deck Captains and a 300+ page program!

With a minimum of 24 competitors in some single age categories with first rounds and quarter finals, the OSB Team runs this event like a well oiled machine with an on time schedule you can set your watch by.

Scholarship divisions are the best attended in the nation, with prize money provided in all Pro/Am, Amateur and Junior Divisions by both visible and anonymous patrons. And if you’re dancing for points or national ranking, the Ohio Star Ball is not only the grand finale of the World Pro-Am Dancesport Series, but is also a member of Dancers Cup Tour, Global Dancesport Series, DanceVision Circuit, and U.S. Dancesport Series.

Move out of the Regency Ballroom and visit the lower level of the Columbus Convention Center and you will discover the Ohio Star Ball Collegiate Dancesport Challenge, hosting collegiate ballroom competitors from over 40 different colleges and universities. Step into the Battelle Hall Arena to watch the Amateur and Junior competitors dancing by day, and the Open Professional Competitors dancing on Friday and Saturday night. If you are in the mood for a more sport oriented event, then grab some thunder sticks and cheer on your Regional Team for the World Pro/Am Team Match on Thursday night.

Tired of being on the sidelines? Want to learn some of the great dance techniques you’ve seen? No problem! Attend the Ohio Star Ball Dance Camp (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) and learn the latest from an outstanding teaching faculty of Top Coaches and Professionals in the industry today.

Need some new shoes, dance wear or other paraphernalia? Go to Level 2 and shop ’til you drop! With over 40 vendors present, you had better bring an empty suitcase with you! And while you’re spending, your earning chances to win 2 double packages at the official OSB Raffle.

How do you keep track of all this activity? The OSB Team keeps you informed with the Ohio Star Ball Newsletter, which you will find available ONLINE every morning. The Newsletter will recap the results of the previous day’s events, let you know what’s coming up on the schedule, and even give you the dinner menu selected for that night! And while you’re in your room, tune in to Channel 12 and watch “Championship Ballroom Dancing”! With shows dating all the way back to 1984, you’ll get to watch many of today’s Judges and Officials in their competitive days. Its non-stop dancing 24/7!

Also the World Pro/Am Dancesport Series is pleased to announce a new category, in conjunction with the Fordney Foundation and the Ohio Star Ball, there will now be a Junior and Youth Dancesport series. As with the World Pro Am Dancesport Series, the Grand Finale will be held in Ohio 2019, with an overall Junior prize purse from the Fordney Foundation Totaling $25,000. The World Pro Am Dancesport Series is excited to continue this venture with the Fordney Foundation. For details about the new Junior and Youth Dancesport series, please go to www.fordneyfoundation.org and click on “Youthseries” at the top of the menu.

And finally, we have the Grand Finale of the Best of the Best Challenge. The qualified Pro/Am winners from many events throughout the year will battle it out for Top Honors!

See you in O-HI-O!!

2021 National DanceSport Championships

April, 2021 | Atlanta, Georgia

USA Dance Inc is the National Governing Body for DanceSport in the United States and with 174 chapters throughout the country is also the representative organization for all social and recreational ballroom and Latin dancers in America, ranging from pre-schoolers to seniors.

For DanceSport, USA Dance Inc is the official member organization of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the U.S. member of the world governing organization, the World DanceSport Federation (called the WDSF), which is the official global member organization of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Along with the WDSF, USA Dance has the sustaining mission to gain national and global acceptance for DanceSport as an official medal sport in the Olympic Games.

USA Dance Nationals is the final event of the season where champions are crowned and US representatives are chosen. The representatives will then compete overseas representing the US in competition. For the first time the National Championships will be holding WDSF Open Championship events! The WDSF Under-21 Standard, Latin and 10-Dance Open Championships will be held during the evening sessions of the competition. These events are not to be missed either as a competitor or as a spectator. This year Nationals is offering the opportunity for competitors to get up and shake the competition nerves out of their system by competing in three fun events: the Hustle, Salsa and West Coast Swing. This competition is always high energy and everyone just “leaves it on the floor.”

July 15-18, 2021
Reston, Virginia

The 58th annual Virginia State DanceSport Championships is a fun FOUR day competition bursting at the seams with energy and entries!   This year brings the cold hard CASH with total prizes and awards over $100,000!  “Best Of The Best” Club Dance Challenge will have couples competing in Hustle, Salsa, and West Coast Swing–with the Grand Finale being held at the 2020 Ohio Star Ball.  Virginia State DanceSport Championships hosts a wonderful Open Professional Showdance/Theatre Arts and Challenge of Champions which everyone always looks forward to. We look forward to seeing all of you in our home state of Virginia!!!