America's Ballroom Challenge is a competitive ballroom dance television series that aired on Public Broadcasting Service in the United States between 2006 and 2009.
It is part of the annual Ohio Star Ball, a festival of DanceSport in Columbus, Ohio.
Each season typically consists of competitions in five categories, with the first four categories devoted to each of the major styles of competitive ballroom dance: American Smooth: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz American Rhythm: Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo International Standard: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep International Latin: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive
The last category is a "Grand Finale" with the four champion couples competing for the title of "America's Best" dancers.
Episode guide
Season 1 (2006) Hosted by Marilu Henner and Tony Meredith. Season 1 Airdate Category ChampionsSeason 1 - The Competition Episode 1 February 1, 2006 American Smooth Ben Ermis and Shalene Archer Ermis American Rhythm Tony Dovolani and Elena Grinenko International Standard Erminio Stefano and Liene Apale International Latin Andrei Gavriline and Elena Kryuchkova Episode 2 February 8, 2006 Grand Finale Andrei Gavriline and Elena Kryuchkova
Season 2 (2007) Hosted by Marilu Henner and Tony Meredith. Season 2 Airdate Category ChampionsSeason 2 - The Competition Episode 1 January 31, 2007 American Smooth Ben Ermis and Shalene Archer-Ermis Episode 2 February 7, 2007 American Rhythm Tony Dovolani and Elena Grinenko Episode 3 February 14, 2007 International Standard Jonathan Wilkins and Katusha Demidova Episode 4 February 21, 2007 International Latin Andrei Gavriline and Elena Kryuchkova Episode 5 February 28, 2007 Grand Finale Jonathan Wilkins and Katusha Demidova
Season 3 (2008) Hosted by Jasmine Guy and Ron Montez. Season 3 Airdate Category ChampionsSeason 3 - The Competition Episode 1 January 30, 2008 American Smooth Tomas Mielnicki and J.T. Thomas Episode 2 February 6, 2008 American Rhythm Jose DeCamps and Joanna Zacharewicz Episode 3 February 13, 2008 International Standard Arunas Bizokas and Katusha Demidova Episode 4 February 20, 2008 International Latin Andrei Gavriline and Elena Kryuchkova Episode 5 February 27, 2008 Grand Finale Andrei Gavriline and Elena Kryuchkova
Season 4 (2009) Hosted by Jean Louisa Kelly and Ron Montez. Season 4 Airdate Category Champions Episode 1 February 25, 2009 American Smooth Jonathan Roberts and Valentina Kostenko American Rhythm Jose DeCamps and Joanna Zacharewicz International Standard Mikhail Avdeev and Anastasia Muravyeva International Latin Riccardo Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruychenko Grand Finale Riccardo Cocchi and Yulia Zagoruychenko
The 2009 season (which would have aired in 2010) was not produced.
The 2010 season (which would have aired in 2011) was not produced.
Championship Ballroom Dancing Prior to America's Ballroom Challenge, PBS was featuring Championship Ballroom Dancing, also from the Ohio Star Ball, annually since 1980. The one-show event featured the final rounds of the International Standard and International Latin Styles of the competition with exhibitions in between usually by winners from other categories not shown on broadcast.
References
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