General Information

The Ohio Star Ball – A Festival of DanceSport

The Ohio Star Ball began as a one day showcase over 43 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, and 9 Deck Captains!

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.
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. 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!

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 is now a Junior and Youth Dancesport series. As with the World Pro Am Dancesport Series, the Grand Finale will be held in Ohio 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!

Hyatt Regency Columbus

350 North High Street Columbus, OH 43215

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What is the Best of the Best Dancesport Challenge?

The Best of the Best DanceSport Challenge is a yearly competition between some of the top Pro/Am couples in the country who are winners at the Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels of dance. The Best of the Best was originally started as a challenge for the Top Competitor between the Atlanta Open, Holiday Classic, and the Ohio Star Ball. The Challenge has now expanded to over 40 qualifying events held throughout the calendar year, including representatives from the Dancer’s Cup Tour, and culminating with the Grand Finale events at the Ohio Star Ball. Each qualifying event hosting a Best of the Best Challenge offers a different category, so interested competitors have their pick of several divisions in which to shine.

For more information, including rules and forms, please visit BestoftheBestDancesport.com

This event will be recorded (video, photography, or other method) by individuals approved in advance by the organizer(s) of the Ohio Star Ball Championships. Recording by others is strictly prohibited. All persons attending this event may be photographed or videoed and, by their presence, waive any claim related to the use of that photography/videography and the rights of any copyright, privacy, or publicity associated with said photography/videography. The Ohio Star Ball Championships and its organizers reserve all print, electronic and broadcast rights, and reserve the right to use any and all photography/video taken at the Ohio Star Ball Championships for future promotional purposes.
What is the Global Dancesport Series?
]The Global DanceSport Series was Started in 2000 by 5 Pro-Am teachers running 4 events, whose sole purpose was to direct the benefits to the Pro-Am teachers and their students. The Global DanceSport Series began offering the highest Pro-Am prize money in the open divisions and starting scholarships in the bronze and silver levels, all the while keeping the package costs lower for the students. The Global events started giving Pro-Am parties in addition to the traditional Pro Party. The Mission was to ask what Pro-Am students and teachers wanted and structure events to that end. The Global Group recognizes that the Pro-Am competitors are the primary reason we have some many wonderful dance competitions. The “GLOBAL MISSION” is a focus on how to better serve the Pro-Am student teacher teams. You are not just another number at a Global Event! Global events were some of the first in the country to literally “roll out the red carpet” for students and pro/am teachers. Global year end recognition for teachers and students! For more information, please visit the Global Dancesport Series web site.

All necessary information is detailed at http://www.dancesportseries.com/

What is the World Pro-Am Dancesport Series?
The World Pro/Am Dancesport Series is a network of over 90 Dancesport events held throughout North America that promotes their events with a highly desired reward system. The series is about giving back to you! Accumulating points is the name of the game! Points will rank you Regionally, Nationally, and get cash back to spend!

The top 20 overall students who compete in a World Pro/Am Dancesport event will each receive a Region pin along with their $100 Voucher Award, which can be used towards Pro/Am entries at any other World Pro-Am Dancesport event outside the region in which you reside.

The placements you receive in our Multi-Dance Championships will earn you points towards the largest Team Match in North America held at the Ohio Star Ball Championships in November.
All Teachers accumulate points towards the top overall teacher award ($25,000) to be presented at the Ohio Star Ball Championships.

All necessary information is detailed at http://www.dancesportseries.com/

Event Recording at the Ohio Star Ball
This event will be recorded (video, photography, or other method) by individuals approved in advance by the organizer(s) of the Ohio Star Ball Championships. Recording by others is strictly prohibited. All persons attending this event may be photographed or videoed and, by their presence, waive any claim related to the use of that photography/videography and the rights of any copyright, privacy, or publicity associated with said photography/videography. The Ohio Star Ball Championships and its organizers reserve all print, electronic and broadcast rights, and reserve the right to use any and all photography/video taken at the Ohio Star Ball Championships for future promotional purposes.
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