EMERALD BALL - April 28 to May 3, 2026

The Emerald Ball was beyond 5 stars this year. As usual, it took place at the Los Angeles Hilton Hotel near the airport. Entries totaled over 12,000 for this 6-day event. Two ballrooms were going nonstop from 7 AM to 8 PM on some days. The level of dance has risen in the United States for both amateur and pro-am. This leaves one with a positive experience for participants as well as observers. Costuming for women and men has also risen among the amateur divisions with unique creativity.

Congratulations to all the dance couples who won top Fordney Foundation placements, and we wish continued success for your future dance endeavors. It was a real privilege to be able to personally hand each couple their award at the conclusion of the Latin competitive event.

One of my favorites to watch is the teddy bear group that has grown in number, and they seem to have more positive moves and extremely fast footwork. I am sure as these little dancers get older that they will compete in Fordney Foundation sponsored events.

The dance music programmed by the team headed by Brent Thomas Mills still vibrates in my memory while writing this experience. In fact, what would dance be if there was no music!

Because of the number of entries and various levels, many times the ballroom had to be divided into two sections with judges across the middle and judges at one end.

Thank you Wayne and Donna Eng for your warm hospitality. In addition, my husband, Sandor “Alex” Havasi and I are always impressed by the announcer, John de Palma, who pronounced the names both foreign and U.S. based with perfection.

Special appreciation to the judges, scoring team, scrutineers, runners, door managers, and the behind the scenes workers who work this event to make it such a success.