Saturday, September 27, I had the chance to spend my day at the Rock & Roll Tide Ballroom Competition in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The event is a USA Dance College Challenge hosted by the University of Alabama Ballroom Dance Team in Tuscaloosa. This one-day competition was held in the stunning Student Recreation Center on the University of Alabama campus.
This year was extra special—it was the first time the event was officially sanctioned by USA Dance, Inc. That added an exciting layer of prestige and structure to the day, while keeping the welcoming, student-led spirit intact. Knowing that the competition was recognized on a national level gave the dancers, especially the college competitors, a real sense of pride.
From the moment I arrived, I could tell the students had poured their hearts into organizing it. The event was expertly organized from the innovative competitor numbers printed onto nylon that stood up to those pesky safety pins, to the check-in table run by smiling club members. The schedule was posted clearly, and everything felt easy to navigate. From the first round to the last, the room was buzzing with laughter, chatter, and the kind of excitement that is always exhibited when the collegiate community comes together.
The competition itself was a blast. Dancers of all levels—from beginners, just testing out their first Jive, to more experienced competitors nailing Quickstep routines—hit the floor with rock & roll flair. The music choice was perfect: upbeat, familiar classics that kept both dancers and the audience moving. I couldn’t help but notice how much fun everyone, competitors and spectators were having.
My partner, Chuck Garrett, and I competed in Amateur Adult (C Class) Gold International Standard, American Smooth, and American Rhythm, and were challenged in every event. Plus, it’s very exciting to compete in the Adult age category, especially when we regularly compete as Senior III/IV dancers.
Walking out afterward, I couldn’t stop smiling. It wasn’t just about dancing; it was about the energy, community, and pure joy that filled the room from start to finish. The Rock & Roll Tide Ballroom Dance Competition proved that in its first year as a USA Dance–sanctioned event—this competition is a class act fun event!
