News & Press

Nov 18, 2011

DANVILLE, KY— On Friday, November 18 Centre College’s Norton Center for the Arts will host Ballroom with a Twist, conceived and choreographed by Emmy® Award-nominated and five-time Dancing with the Stars pro, Louis van Amstel.

The program includes seasoned “Dancing with the Stars” celebrity professionals Edyta Sliwinska and Jonathan Roberts and are joined by the remarkable “So You Think You Can Dance” alums Randi Lynn Evans, Jonathan Platero, and Gev Manoukian. “American Idol” finalists David Hernandez and Gina Glocksen lend their powerhouse vocals in numbers like “Rescue Me” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” Beautiful form-fitting costumes and vibrant background projections add another layer of energy to the evening. "The costumes are pretty much what you see on Dancing With the Stars," van Amstel has said when interviewed about the show. "The performers are young, they're hot, they're in the best shape of their lives.”

So what’s the twist? "Ballroom" is not a competition; no dancers will be eliminated. "We have musicals" - Broadway-style dance numbers - "we have classical, we have authentic music and pop," van Amstel says. "It's all ballroom dancing. But we're actually going to go to a little bit of hip-hop. . . . We have little surprises in store for the audience.”

In addition to the performance, the Norton Center will be offering two exciting chances for Ballroom with a Twist ticket buyers to brush up on their dance skills.  All ticket holders will be entered to win:  1) A private 30-minute dance lesson with celebrity stars from the show before the performance on Friday, November 18; one male and one female winner will be chosen.  2) Three free ballroom dance lessons at the Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Lexington, KY.  Date of lessons to be arranged with Arthur Murray; one couple will be chosen. 

Reviews for Ballroom with a Twist have been stellar. LA Weekly called the show “marvelously high-caliber entertainment” with “gorgeous costumes” and “exceptional choreography,” offering “something for everyone.” BroadwayWorld.com wrote, “The show is so electrically charged that it is guaranteed to keep audience members jumping for joy. This is one HOT evening you do not want to miss!” ArtsBeat/LA called it a “stunning and highly entertaining dance extravaganza” that serves audiences a “banquet of first-class ballroom dancing.”

Selected artist biographies:
JONATHAN ROBERTS – was born in California and didn’t start dancing until the age of nineteen when, after seeing a movie with a tango scene, he became inspired to try ballroom dancing and has been doing so ever since. Jonathan started competing professionally in 2006 and won his first title a year later.  His titles include 1997 Rising Star Smooth champion, 2004 Rising Star Latin champion, two-time undefeated pro-am ten dance champion and 2008 World and US Smooth champion. Jonathan has appeared on ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars seven times with celebrity partners Marie Osmond, Heather Mills, Macy Gray, Belinda Carslyle, Monica Seles, Gizelle Fernandez and Ratchel Hunter. Jonathan now lives in LA area where he co-owns You Can Dance Ballroom Studio with Anna and her mother.

EDYTA SLIWINSKA – is known for being the only professional dancer on all ten seasons of Dancing With The Stars, partnered with Evander Holyfield, George Hamilton, Joey Lawrence, John Ratzenberger, Cameron Mathison, Jason Taylor, Lawrence Taylor, Jeffrey Ross, Ashley Hamilton, and Aiden Turner. Edyta has been on the Dancing With The Stars tour and was featured in the fitness section of the new book. Edyta was born in Warsaw, Poland and started to dance when she was ten years old. She moved to America in 2000 to pursue her dance career, after she met Alec Mazo at a ballroom dance competition in England. Edyta and Alec have successful partnership ever since. They were four times US finalists and represented America on many international championships. Edyta has been on every Dancing With The Stars tour and modeled in the fitness section of Dancing With The Stars book.

GINA GLOCKSEN – is best known as the ninth place finalist of the sixth season of the mega-hit television show American Idol. Although Gina was often referred to as the ’rocker chick’, her musical influences
and abilities range far beyond the realm of rock. Gina’s original music infuses the passion and attitude of a rock ‘n’ roll rebel with the precision and soul of the modern ’diva’. Since her time on American Idol, Gina
has toured North America on the American Idol’s Live Tour and continues to perform around the country showcasing her original music. While on the show, Gina’s genuine candor and charming wit made her a favorite of millions and it has helped her to continue her career in entertainment as a co-host on the FOX Reality show American Idol Extra. In addition to working in television Gina continues to write and record original music with the help of many great musicians including Samantha Maloney (former drummer of Hole and Motley Crue) and Geoff Repo (son of legendary rock producer Bob Ezrin) to name a few.

DAVID HERNANDEZ –gained national attention with his powerful voice and affable personality as an American Idol finalist. He began acting and singing at age six, starring in musicals and performing with various theatre companies throughout Arizona. He began writing original music and recording his material as a young teenager. A Phoenix native, Hernandez recently moved to Hollywood where he is writing new songs, working in the recording studio producing his newest music, and pursuing his passion for acting. He has already completed his first feature film as the lead in the movie Synthetic Truth. In addition to American Idol, David has showcased his talents on The Ellen Show, The Today Show, MTV’s TRL, EXTRA, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, Teen Choice Awards, TV Guides’ Sexiest Stars, Idol Tonight, Idol Gives Back and FOX-TV. A once-in-a-lifetime invitation came knocking on David’s door. He was asked to sing at the Inaugural Kick-Off Celebration ball for President Barack Obama. He was honored to share the stage with Jamie Foxx, John Legend and Maroon 5, along with event hosts Jessica Alba and legendary TV producer, Norman Lear. David counts Stevie Wonder, Ne-yo, Donnie Hathaway, Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson and David Foster among his musical influences.

LOUIS VAN AMSTEL – is an Emmy® nominated choreographer, international world champion and consummate professional, who has devoted his life towards perfecting his craft.  He first began his Dancesport career, training in a theatre school where he gained a background in ballet, tap, and jazz while simultaneously engaging in rigorous competitions.  Upon graduating, Louis attended the University of the Arts in Amsterdam to enhance his skills in the classical dances and theory.  Training under life-long dance/acting coach, friend and mentor Dr. Ruud Vermeij, Louis is a student of Laban choreology, and is well versed in human movement dynamics. During his competitive ballroom Dancesport career, Louis has amassed a staggering number of accolades.  After immigrating to the United States, Louis became the U.S. National Latin Champion in 2000 and founded VanDance, LLC.  Through VanDance, Louis created Latin Fusion; a feature production on Broadway at City Center in New York City.  The success of Latin Fusion was quickly followed up with a second creative effort in 2004, Latin Revolution.  He is constantly sought out for independent performances and maintains a busy instructional calendar.  Louis has coached master classes for championship competitors and has served as a creative consultant to ice dance couples. Louis has also recently appeared in guest roles on several hit TV shows most notably The Suite Life With Zack and Cody (Alexander the Great) and All My Children (Himself).  Constantly active, Louis is currently engaged in several concurrent projects including the formation of his new dance company Visionworx Dance, promoting physical fitness through dance, as well as choreographing a full scale production for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines which is slated to debut on one of the company’s flagship ocean liners.  Louis continues to feed off the passion for his craft and remains one of the prominent revolutionary proponents in the art of Dancesport and pop culture today.

Ballroom with a Twist begins at 8:00 PM in Newlin Hall.   Tickets, ranging from $38-$75, are on sale now and can be purchased on the web at www.NortonCenter.com or by calling the box office at 1-877-HIT-SHOW.

Arthur Murray Lexington is the official community partner for Ballroom with a Twist.

Media support has been provided by 96.9 KISS FM.