Rainbow Connection and Showcase Australia Dance Championships
Vikki Anthony-Hamilton and Amber Keener, Directors of Rainbow Connection are very excited to introduce the World Dance Challenge. It was formed in 2006 by Rainbow Connection and Showcase Australia Dance Championships and was hosted in Las Vegas at Rainbow's National Finals in July of 2007.
When Rainbow launched the "Dancer of the Year" competition in 1999, reactions among some ran from curious to incredulous. Whether it was dreams of fame or a desire to travel, Rainbow's participants soon became believers in a theme that recognized excellence in the performance of an individual dancer. Dancers, Teachers and Parents that have literally spent a large part of their lives developing a talent, welcomed the opportunity to qualify for the ultimate test. Only one Junior and Senior Dancer would move on to Australia or Canada, but all knew that reaching for the top always resulted in growth. The dancers involved in the exchange between America, Canada and Australia soon realized that in addition to being accomplished artists, they were good will ambassadors. In some cases, Dancer of the Year champions were catapulted to stardom. As an example, Nick Lazzarini, a former champion, went on to win the $100,000 prize on ABC'S "So You Think You Can Dance" show.
World Dance Challenge, which is an extension of the well-received Dancer of the Year competition, greeted dancers from America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Europe and Asia. The aim was to provide a "world Stage" which would engender a sharing of knowledge, good will and love of movement.
All of this took place in Rainbow's nurturing and supportive atmosphere. Dancers that accepted the "Challenge" received free elite master classes and were part of the opening Showcase Performance, all conducted by acclaimed teachers. "World" dancewear and lapel pins were given to all participants. After the event, the famous Australian "White Party" was thrown. Something you had to see to believe.