CLAYTON -- A group of local dancers are hoping to two-step their way toward the top prize in a nationwide online dance competition.
Raquel Williams, owner of DPM Studios, organized a gathering of country line dance enthusiasts and submitted a video of their efforts, “Country Stompin’ in North Carolina”, to a contest sponsored by country western dance website, danceyall.com. Their routine to the song “Footloose” has been chosen as one of the top 10 finalists and places them in the running for a $5,000 prize.
It’s now up to on-line voters to visit the site and determine a winner.
Williams, along with nine other dancers, spent a month last fall learning the routine and preparing for filming. The majority of the choreography was provided by event organizers but entrants were allowed some flexibility to add their own flavor to the routine. Many of the video’s participants are students of DPM Studios with some traveling as far as Goldsboro, Willow Springs and Raleigh to get their groove on.
“The video features people of all ages, sizes and dance levels,” said Williams. “It wouldn’t have been what it was without everyone’s help.”
Lending authenticity to the country western theme, the video was shot in a horse stable at Reins from Above in Kenly on a chilly December day. Contest rules also required the video to receive no editing and be filmed in one continuous take.
“It was very cold and we could see our breath but once we got started we warmed right up,” Williams said. “It was tons of fun. The best part of it was the day of filming when we all got made up and into a character.”
Teresa Smith, a DPM student and dancer in the video, is excited about the group’s entry into the finals. She has been spreading the word among friends, family, co-workers, and even a few strangers, encouraging them to vote.
“We need as many votes as possible so we can win this,” said Smith. “The whole thing was a lot of fun and gave me an opportunity to get to together with and meet people from Clayton that I’d not normally get the chance to. The steps were easy, the song was great and even the horses were so friendly!”
Voting for the Dance Y’all Throw Down competition will end on Sunday, March 4. Visit danceyall.com/throwdown to view DMP Studio’s entry and to cast your vote.
