About Us
US OPEN Swing Dance Championships
November 26-29, 2009 (Thanksgiving Weekend) Anaheim, California
The US Open Swing Dance Championships is the oldest and largest National Swing Dance competition of the year. Founded in 1983 by Jack Bridges, its history is rich. Jack Bridges, now deceased, had a passion for swing dancing. His purpose behind the US Open Swing Dance Championships was to run an "OPEN" Swing Dance Event. Open to any style Swing Dancing that is being danced anywhere in the United States"
Jack united the swing dancing community with that passion and purpose in mind. Held each year at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim California, Jack, later joined by wife, Mary Ann, successfully ran the US Open Swing Dance Championships for 18 years. Jack also left another legacy - the idea and development of NASDE, National Association of Swing Dance Events. He wanted to see stronger ties between the various competitions and wanted to see smaller events be part of the bigger picture, one more contribution to our society. The Bridges, earning their right to retire, sold the event in 2000.
In 2000 the US Open Swing Dance Championships was purchased by a group of twelve (12). Our US Open shareholders are highly dedicated and committed to continuing the dream and the passion of this wonderful event and honoring its rich history while maintaining its wonderful traditions. The US Open Swing Dance Championships today is run by a seven (7) member voting Board of Directors. Two of these board members share in the overall daily business of organizing and running the US OPEN, Ron and Tyoni Martin.
The US Open Swing Dance Championships, now held at the beautiful Anaheim Marriott in the Grand and Elegant Manqué Ballroom, awards over $50,000 in cash and prizes. It hosts many sponsors who contribute above and beyond the prize money pool directly to and for the benefit of dancers. $15,000 to our youth divisions, sponsor Mike Sexton, Celebrity Poker Emcee and World Poker Champion. $12,000 by NASDE, as well as several other sponsors we refer to as "Friends of the US OPEN", dedicated to contributing to the art of swing dancing.
The US Open Swing Dance Championships features top swing dance styles, such as West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Carolina Shag and Hand Dancing. It is the finale of the NASDE Swing Dance tour where the years' top point winners and achievers who have competed in participating NASDE events are awarded their Grand Prize money. Often the winner of the US Open is also the NASDE winner and can typically walk away with as much as $8,000 in combined prize money for 1st place.
Dancers come from all over the world to achieve the ultimate in Swing Dance Competition, a US OPEN title. Each dancer taking the main floor and stair stepping their way though eliminating rounds, strive to excite the audience and judges with their precision, expert choreography, and artistic dance routines. Spectators travel just as far to be a part of the audience or participate in classes and workshops, meet new friends and social dance to wee hours of the morning. Having earned the prestigious title "US OPEN Swing Dance Champion" elevates ones status in the swing dancing community. Many long successful careers were born out of this winning title.
You will experience other exciting dance styles, in our and Cabaret Divisions such as theater arts, ballroom, hustle, salsa, hip-hop, jazz, and tap. The divisions range in age from 6 years old for Young America to…..well, no age limit! As evidenced in our Masters Division over 50 category.
Friday night starts off with a bang with its Formation Swing Team and Showcase Divisions. The energy and fun continues through Sunday when our littlest competitors hit the floor in our Young America and Young Adult Divisions. These youth divisions have provided our dancing children the perfect training ground to develop their swing dancing and performance skills. These kids, some who started competing as early as age 5, continue earning championship titles in the adult divisions today and some have gone on to earn fame and fortune in public TV such as Benji Schwimmer and Heidi Groskreutz, former US OPEN children competitors and multiple US OPEN Showcase Champions whose amazing and compelling weekly performances on the hit TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" has led to a greater public awareness and interest in West Coast Swing.
The competition energy creates excitement and electricity in the air. You will witness some of the most amazing dance performances that you will ever see in one place at one time. The US OPEN takes pride in hiring only an expert Judging Panel. This panel of experts receives the highest salary of any Swing Dance event and is committed to an outcome deserving of the prestigious titles earned.
The US Open Swing Dance Championships celebrates its 26th year in 2008. It is a founding member of the National Association of Swing Dance Events, (NASDE), and a member of the World Swing Dance Council, (WSDC).US OPEN MISSION STATEMENT
To provide the ultimate achievement for Swing dance competitors and to offer the best Swing dance entertainment for both, dancers and spectators, in an environment that is inspiring, exhilarating, respectful of others, and fun!
US OPEN Motto
"Share the Dream Share the Passion"
US Open Shareholders
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US OPEN Board of Directors
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