The 2009 Texas Challenge
January, 2009

by Phillip Stephens

For the past 3 years, Peggy Heeney, Tony Mercurio, Phillip Stephens and Michael Schedler have organized of the Texas Challenge DanceSport Competition.

Please note that The Texas Challenge will be held 1 week earlier in 2009.  The new dates are March 20, 21 & 22, 2009.  If participating in the entire weekend, plan to arrive in Houston on Thursday, March 19th.  Mark your calendar accordingly and come join us for a weekend in fabulous Houston in what is a truly beautiful time of year here in the South.

Our 2008 event was a super success, with far more entries than in the previous two years.  The Sheraton North Houston outdid itself with meals, ballroom setup and catering to our needs.  Since we sold out of rooms in 2006, we were able to secure more rooms for the 2007 and 2008 events.  We've contracted for even more rooms for our 2009 event, and anticipate that we will have no problems at all with finding special accommodations for every Texas Challenge guest.

We were truly impressed with - and gratified by - the number of people who came out to support the first NEW Texas Challenge DanceSport Competition in 2006.  With competitors from California, Washington State, Florida, New York and lots of points in between, as well as folk from Canada, we felt that we had quite an "international" flavor right off the bat.  The Scholarship and Multi-dance student events were hotly contested, with a few semi-finals in the mix, and the Professional divisions were extremely impressive. 

Each year, we've added something new to the event, and this year is no exception.  We are adding a Professional "Masters" division for pros who have been retired from the professional competition circuit for at least 10 years but are still "itching" to get out on the floor and "strut their stuff".  There are 2 divisions - American Smooth and American Rhythm -  and we think this will be an exciting new area of professional competition. 

As promised, everyone attending the 2008 Texas Challenge was treated as an HONORED GUEST.  Everyone we talked to had a good time and all are looking forward to coming back for the 2009 Texas Challenge, which will take place on the weekend of March 19 - 22, 2009.  With a whole year in which to plan and advertise the 2009 event, we're planning for continued growth. As in the past, you can be assured that we'll still provide the same friendly atmosphere and we'll ALWAYS put your comfort and needs first.  We look forward to seeing you in March!