About Us
US OPEN Swing Dance Championships
30thth Anniversary November November 22-25, 2012 - Thanksgiving Weekend - Burbank California
The US Open Swing Dance Championships is one of the oldest and largest National Swing Dance competitions of the year. The event is anticipated by dancers who work all year preparing their US Open routines. The attendees look forward to the US Open knowing they are going to witness some of the most amazing dance performances that will be seen in one place at one time. There is always excitement and electricity in the air. With a lot of social dancing scheduled, dancers get to experience hours of dancing with their old and new found friends. This will be the US Open Swing Dance Championships 30th year. We invite you to come and become part of the US Open family.
A little history of the US Open Swing Dance Championships - it was founded in 1983 by Jack Bridges. 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 of Swing Dancing that is being danced anywhere in the World. You will witness swing dance styles in West Coast Swing, Lindy, East Coast Swing, Carolina Shag, and Hand Dancing to mention a few. It is held over the United States Thanksgiving weekend. Activities start as early as Wednesday night, along with the Golden Ticket Tour Finale on Thursday, and with an exciting Open Ceremony on Friday. You will find the exciting competition starting on Friday and carrying on throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Jack united the swing dancing community with that passion and purpose in mind. Held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim California for 16 years, Jack, later joined by wife, Mary Ann successfully ran the US Open Swing Dance Championships for 18 years. 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 voting B oard of Directors who works to bring you the dancers the best event possible. 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 Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport hotel, awards over $50,000 in cash and prizes. It has the privilege of being a founding member of the National Association of Swing Dance Events (NASDE), and a member of the World Swing Dance Council (WSDC). The final tour stop with yearend prize money is awarded at the US Open Swing Dance Championships for the Global Dance.tv’s Golden Ticket Tour, the NASDE tour, the Master’s Tour, the Young Adult Swing Dance Association (YASDA). The World Swing Dance Council announces their annual inductees into their Hall of Fame on Saturday and the US Open Swing Dance Championships inducts another US Open supporter into their Walk of Legends.
The ultimate achievement is to win a US Open Swing Dance Championship title and the now famous "Opus" trophy. This title elevates ones status in the swing dance community and many long successful careers were born out of winning this title.
US OPEN MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to provide the best possible environment to showcase the highest level swing dance competitors from around the world, and thus provide the most exciting dance entertainment available for our attendees.
US OPEN Motto
"Share the Dream - Share the Passion"
US Open Shareholders
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Advisory Board
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2011 US OPEN Board of Directors
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