America's Best Ballroom Dancers to Vie
For National Titles, Chance to Represent
United States at World Events
USA DANCE 2008 National DanceSport Championships Coming to Baltimore,
April 4-6, at Renaissance Harborplace Hotel

BALTIMORE, MD -- USA DANCE, the National Governing Body for dancesport and ballroom dancing in the United States, as recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee, will host the USA DANCE 2008 National DanceSport Championships in Baltimore, MD, April 4-6, 2008, at the five-star Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore's historic Inner Harbor Area, one of America's major seaports.

At this date, nearly 1,000 competitors are expected to converge in Baltimore for this three-day grand finale of the USA Dance 2008 National DanceSport Championships -- which showcases the four major ballroom dance styles -- International Standard, International Latin, American Smooth and American Rhythm. The Renaissance Harborplace Hotel's Grand Ballroom and hotel facility will easily accommodate large spectator crowds.

Competitors are expected to come to Baltimore from nearly every state in the country, ranging from Pre-Teen to Adult to Seniors, all seeking to dance their best performances, coming home with national titles and a place on the U.S. teams, representing the United States at upcoming World ballroom competitions and Games.

The general public is invited to attend one or all of the USA DANCE National DanceSport Championships, that are scheduled from 8 am to midnight each of the three days, Friday, April 4, Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6.

Per session spectator tickets and schedule updates are available in advance online at www.usadancenationals.org or at the event door. Tickets for day-time syllabus and early-round championships are Adults $25/Youth-Students $15. The evening Championships competitions are Adults $45/Youth-Students $30. For event attendees, daytime attire is casual, evening attire is business or evening dressy.

Weekend passes and reserved seating are also available at $150 per person. VIP weekend passes are $200 per person, which include front and 2nd-row seating and cocktail party invitations. All weekend passes are tax deductible and ticket sales support the USA Dance Scholarship Funds for dancesport athletes.

According to Daphna Locker, event organizer, the USA DANCE 2008 Nationals “will definitely be a star-studded destination event. Spectators will see America's finest ‘real life' dancing stars in action.” And as Locker confirmed, “The 2008 Nationals will also host some of the world's most elite ballroom personalities -- TV dance stars, international judges and emcees and other well-known celebrities. Names to be announced soon.”

In addition to the dancesport competitions, for $15 per person, spectators can also attend ballroom dancing workshops taught by professional competitors and coaches.

In the heart of Baltimore's Harbor area, the five-star Renaissance Harborplace Hotel provides fine accommodations, parking, retail, dining and entertainment and convenience to the Baltimore Inner Harbor amenities across the street.

USA DANCE is a 501c3 non-profit organization responsible for the promotion of recreational ballroom dancing and competitive dancesport in the United States. As the governing body for dancesport, as recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and as a member of IDSF (the International DanceSport Federation), USA DANCE organizes and hosts the USA DANCE regional qualifying competitions and National Dancesport Championships each year in the U.S. It is the additional mission and goal of USA DANCE to gain the International Olympic Committee's final approval of dancesport as an Olympic medal sport.

“The dancesport athletes competing at the USA DANCE 2008 DanceSport Championships are our country's Olympic hopefuls. General public and community support in Baltimore is greatly appreciated,” Locker stated.

Donations to the USA DANCE national efforts and athlete scholarship funds can be made through the USA DANCE national website www.usadance.org or by contacting the 2008 Nationals Chairperson Daphna Locker at 646-734-9666 or by emailing her at nationals-chair@usadance.org