2nd Annual Sarasota Open Ballroom Dance Competition

Nick Kosovich of “Dancing with the Stars” is slated to host the Second Annual Sarasota Open as Master of Ceremonies from February 6 to 8, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Kosovich, an alum of Season 2 and 3 of ABC’s hit show, where he appeared with Tatum O’Neal and Vivica A. Fox, is one of the many professional ballroom stars headlining the competition, which is organized by local champion dancer and acclaimed coach Sid (Zydrunas) Pocius along with world-class adjudicator and champion dancer Patrick Johnson.

Performing both Saturday, Feb. 6 and Sunday, Feb. 7 in a Professional Show Extravaganza are Champion couples Anton & Lena Koukareko, Vaidas Skimelis & Jurga Pupelyte and Marcus Johnson & Yuki Haraguchi. All three couples are world-renowned dancers with numerous competitive accomplishments including being featured nationally on PBS.

These professional shows will top off the end of two days full of dancing with seminars, competition and more. Saturday includes seminars with all three Champion couples before a red carpet ceremony with cocktails and live music that precedes a gourmet dinner, solos, showcases and the professional show extravaganza. Sunday marks the day of competition where dancers from all over the United States will compete in Amateur and Pro/Am events, which will be judged by World-class adjudicators. An all-new professional dancer challenge “So You Think Professionals Can Dance,” will also be held on Sunday evening.