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Dancers to vie for ballroom title

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By CLOE CABRERA

ccabrera@tampatrib.com

Published: June 27, 2009

ST. PETERSBURG - If you're a fan of the hit TV show "Dancing With the Stars," now's your chance to see some of the best ballroom dancers in the world compete in person.

The 12th Millennium Dancesport Championships are being held today at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club.

About 10,000 dancers from 35 countries - including Russia, Hong Kong, Canada and Haiti - will compete in four major ballroom dance styles: International Standard (tango and quickstep), International Latin (cha-cha and paso doble), American Smooth (waltz and fox trot) and American Rhythm (East Coast swing and mambo). Each dancer hopes to step away with part of the championships' $125,000 in cash and prizes and the title.

"This is one of the premier events in North America," said organizer Michael Chapman. "People travel from all over the world to come here."

While you're there, you can catch "Dancing With the Stars" pros Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Karina Smirnoff. Smirnoff will make an appearance today; Chmerkovskiy will judge the competition.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: 12th Millennium Dancesport Championships

WHERE: Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, St. Petersburg

WHEN: Day sessions, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; night sessions start at 7:30 p.m.

TICKETS: $20 for day sessions; $60 for evening sessions; VIP tickets are $125, with part of the proceeds benefiting the Manatee Performing Arts Center and Southern Animal Clinic.

CALL: (727) 954-8142

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