Dancing to Victory

At the Dance Rave West Coast Championships this weekend in Universal City, 700 dancers will back-flip, clog and pirouette for a chance to win part of $25,000 in cash prizes.

In the world of dance competitions, Dance Rave is a fairly new company, trying to brand dance as a sport equal to gymnastics or figure skating.

Hoofers from Washington, Arizona, Nevada and California will compete for $400 individual awards and $2,000 group awards. The dancers are as young as 4 on up into the 60s, although they’re mostly schoolkids.

“I wanted to add my own element and contribute something to this competitive world,” said Elizabeth Ferri, founder and president of the 3-year-old company. “I want to take dance to an Olympic level.”

She wants to do it by increasing the number of corporate sponsors who recognize dance as a sport and by persuading dancers from other countries to participate in competitions.

“It’s harder than playing baseball,” said Geena Wheeler, 7, of Glendale, who abandoned her cleats for ballet shoes. “You have to concentrate more in dance--you don’t have to concentrate that much in baseball.”

Among those competing in the event at the Universal City Hilton are dancers from Glendale’s Dance House studio, which has 30 dance numbers in the competition. Managing assistant Mike Wayland said he likes dance competition because it is not cutthroat.

“The top competitions make a point of making sure that everybody has a positive experience,” he said. “It’s great to be in a sport where everybody is out for the betterment of everybody else, win, lose or draw.”

Teachers and parents agree that preparing for the competition builds confidence and binds students together. Many dancers prepare for the meet by taking summer classes.

At the competition, mothers take a backstage role and help their daughters apply stage makeup, including false eyelashes and rhinestones glued at the corners of their eyes, said Geena’s mom, Rosemarie Wheeler, who attended the Dance Rave qualifying rounds with her daughter.

“Some people shy away from it, because it’s a little racy for the kids,” Wheeler said. “But she’s having a good time, and I could never deny her that. When she’s home, she’s a little girl.”

Promising dancers in the championships are selected to perform at charity and civic events around Southern California, Ferri said.

For many kids, it will be a dream come true to perform before an expected 3,000 people and possibly win some money.

BE THERE

Dance Rave West Coast Championships at Universal City Hilton, Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. Call (310) 285-3262.