Ben De La Vega’s Annual Black and White Ball:

For the past fifteen years, Ben De La Vega has given the dance community a dance extravaganza unequaled by any other. As the “Tri-State Social Event Of the Year,” Mr. De La Vega’s annual Black and White Ball, generally held in August, features a complete evening of entertainment including big-band dance music and exhibitions by world-class ballroom dancers from not only the USA, but from as far away as England, Canada, Italy, Japan and Russia. Former Balls have featured exhibitions by International Dance Champions Julia Gorchakova and Bob Powers:

and James and Janna Kunitz:

August 2004's Ball featured Igor and Polina Pilipenchuk, originally from Belarus (now domiciled in Baltimore, MD) who have won over 100 US Open and Professional Championships in Ballroom and Latin Divisions:

Victor Fung & Anna Mikhed

3 times World Standard Finalists
2004 United Kingdom and British Open Professional Rising Stars
Standard Champions
2005 World Standard Champions
2007 British Open Professional Standard Finalists

Jose DeCamps & Joanna Zacharewicz

World Master Champions 2007
United States Rhythm Champions (as seen on PBS television)
2007 United States Mambo Champions
2007 World Mambo Champions Jose was also featured as a lead dancer in “Burn the Floor” - The US tour
Joanna won the World Salsa Championship in 2005

In other years, we have featured other world-class ballroom dancers Corkey and Shirley Ballas; Barbara and Tim Heller; Pita Siddal and Marilyn Benitez; Gocha and Shorena; Stephan Champagne and Monon Hurteau; Pierre Allaire and Mireille Veilleux; Gary and Diana McDonald; Jean-Marc Genereux & France Mousseau; Victor Fung and Anna Mikhed; Felipe and Carolina Telona; and Delyan Terziev and Boriana Deltcheva.

Live Music has been provided by Vicho Vicencios Moondance Orchestra; Phares Corders Band, Mike Drake, The High Society, Nobles of Notes, Linda Petty, Paul Solos, Pina Colada, Henry Munoz and Paul Elizondos’ eighteen-piece Big band. Many of the professional performers in the Black and White Balls have been seen on PBS, A&E and 'Dancing With the Stars'.

Non-dancers and dancers alike come to Dallas from not only Texas, but from Arizona, Louisianna, New Mexico, New York and Oklahoma, and as far away as Canada, France, Italy and Mexico, to attend this premier ballroom event.

Information on this year's Black and White Ball...This event is SOLD OUT.

A Night to Remember from a Bygone Age – The Ben De La Vega’s 17th Annual Black & White Ball
By George R. Seward

This was not to be a typical night of dancing at a dance studio or a nightclub, but in fact a yearly event, founded and hosted by Ben De La Vega (held every third Saturday of the month of August). This year’s ball was held at the beautiful Westin Hotel Galleria, Dallas, Texas on Saturday, August 15th, 2009.

Because it was a Black & White Ball all attending guests were dressed to “The Nines” – ladies in formal evening dresses and gentlemen in their very best tuxedos. In an age of cell phones, ipods, etc. this event was in all reality “A Night from a Bygone Age” when men and women dressed for special occasions in order to look and feel their best.

As you entered the lobby of the ballroom, the Mariachis were playing soft and romantic rumbas and boleros.

There were first time attendees as well as people who had been to this premier event over the years. Many of the guests were taking photographs of each other and meeting new and old friends from across the United States.

The guests were waiting with excitement for the ballroom doors to open…………....

The Mariachis lined up at the entrance of the doors to the ballroom and played their final song “Perfidia”. Upon entering the ballroom “Vicho Vicencio & His Moondance Orchestra” continued with their rendition of “Perfidia”.

Within a very short period of time a sumptuous dinner was served by the attentive staff (personally supervised by: Eric Hinnant – Sales and Catering Manager); Menu by: Chef Stuart Race: Rocket Leaf and Pear Salad (with Shaved Parmesan Cheese and with Balsamic Dressing), the Main Entrée – Ras-El-Hanout Breast of Chicken (with Almond and Apricot Couscous, Sauteed Broccolini, Honey-Glazed Baby Carrots and Date Jus, and last but not the least a to die for “Chocolate Bomb” dessert (with Marinated Cherries on Hazelnut Bottom served with Wild Berry Compote, New York Baked Mango Cheesecake (served with Whipped Cream & Chocolate Sauce).

During the meal everyone in the room enjoyed the music of “Vicho Vicencio” and for the next half an hour the orchestra treated the guests to a wide selection of dance music ranging from the Tango to the Rumba.

At the close of the final number Mr. Ben De La Vega strode out onto the 4,000 sq. ft. dance floor and announced the upcoming evening’s festivities – a wide selection of dances performed by Professional Champion/Dancers.

The first pair of dancers were Hassan Parsa and Nasrin Barmaki (guest performer from Dallas, Texas) who performed a passionate, sensual and romantic “Argentine Tango”.

The next performers were Tomas Mielnicki and JT Thomas from New York. In 2008, they became the “American Smooth Champions” in the Americas Ballroom Challenge. To the delight of the guests they performed a number of their smooth dance selections ranging from the Waltz, Fox Trot, Tango, Viennese Waltz, and a Peabody. As the guests watched the pair everyone could indeed understand why this couple was selected to perform on the highly popular television show “Dancing with the Stars” in October, 2007.

Eugene Katsevman and Maria Manusova from New York gave the guests a definite change of pace from their Latin dances ranging from the Paso Doble, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Samba and Jive. One of the first dances that this couple performed was the Paso Doble-the dance of the bullfighter. Eugene’s high matador stance would have made the great Spanish bullfighter Manolete proud as Maria performed the dance in tandem to the clapping of the audience. As the couple performed the upcoming Latin dances their feet moved at a speed that was unbelievable to all who attended.

After watching these performers it was time again for the guests to enjoy general dancing. ………………………………………………………………………………

It was nearly midnight but it seemed like it was only minutes since this wonderful event started. The total ambiance of the evening made it seem like only moments had passed. It’s time to re-enter the world of reality away from this night of fantasy or should one say “A Night to Remember from a Bygone Age”.

Looking forward to this fabulous event next year! “The Ben De La Vega’s 18th Annual Black & White Ball on August 21st, 2010 !!!

Testimonials from Previous Black and White Balls:

What a great Black & White Ball. I heard so many good compliments. Really good dinner. So many beautiful people. Outstanding dancers, both performers and guests. Thank you for providing such a memorable and fun evening. Best Wishes, Tom Apple, Dallas, Texas (August 17, 2008)

Dear Ben and PJ: Michael and I had a fabulous time at the Ball. As always, you did a wonderful job organizing this event. We are already looking forward to next year! All the Best, Michael and Carol Lehman, Arlington, Texas (August 18, 2008)

Dear Ben and PJ: Thank you for putting in all the time and hard work to bring this dancing opportunity to all of us “wanna be” dancers. My non-dancing guests were as blown away by the Professional Showcases as I was. I put my lessons with Victor Fung and Anna Mikhed to practice and though small, have made improvements. Now, I have to practice, practice, practice. It was a pleasure to have a lesson with each of them. They are so young and nice as well as talented. Karen Cox, Dallas, Texas (August 20, 2008).

Dear Ben and PJ: I hope all is well with you guys. Congratulations on the success of the 16th Annual Black & White Ball. It was a pleasure to be included in this great and wonderful event. Kindest regards and have a nice day, Johnny Tan, Dallas, Texas (August 21, 2008).

Hello! First, I would like to say that my husband and I attended our first Black & White Ball on Saturday and we had a marvelous time. Thank you so much for hosting such an enjoyable evening. We look forward to attending next year and hopefully bring some of our friends along with us. Ann Briggs-Cutaia, Plano, Texas (August 19, 2008).

We thought this year’s event was terrific. Everything went so smoothly and professionally. Thanks for including us in the program this year. We enjoyed it very much. BRAVO to both of you for all your hard work to produce such a fabulous ball !!! Jeramy Bede, Wylie, Texas (August 19, 2008).

johnnytan.com Blog about the Ball.