"Dancing was probably the greatest thing that could have ever been introduced to me," says professional ballroom dancer Tony Dolovani. "It's such an incredible escape. I've been through a war, having to move to another country, struggling those first few years not knowing about this new country. The only thing I really had as an escape was dancing."
Dolovani began dancing at the age of 3, learning traditional folk dance in his home country of Kosovo. His love for the sport was instantaneous, he says, but gentle nudging from his father helped mold the young boy's hobby into a lifelong career.
FAQ
‘Ballroom With a Twist’
WHEN — 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE — Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson St. in Fayetteville
COST — $26-$56
INFO — 443-5600
FYI
Dancing Pros Live
Comes to UAFS
The University of Arkansas Fort Smith will welcome professional dancers from “Dancing With the Stars,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dance Champions,” who will compete against each other during the live performance, and the audience will decide the winner at the end of the night using electronic voting remotes. The star-studded cast includes Edyta Sliwinksa and Karina Smirnoff as guest judges, and vocalists Joanna Pacitti from “American Idol” and Angel Taylor from “The Voice” will provide musical entertainment between dance numbers. Actor Alan Thicke will serve as the guest host.
The event is the second touring show of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith’s Season of Entertainment 34.
WHEN — 7 p.m. Jan. 28
WHERE — ArcBest Performing Arts Center, 55 S. Seventh St. in Fort Smith
COST — $42-$45
INFO — 788-7300
"One of the things my father used to tell me was that the guy that could dance would be the most popular guy in the world," the father of three says with a laugh. "He said that at every party every girl wants to dance with the good dancer. So I thought, 'Yeah! I'll become a dancer.'"
Dolovani moved to Connecticut at the age of 15, escaping the war-torn homeland that had previously hosted his love of the sport. He attended the Fred Astaire Dance Academy and found his way onto stages around the world, rising in popularity and soon literally dancing among the stars.
The dancer performed opposite Jennifer Lopez in the 2004 film "Shall We Dance" before joining the second season of "Dancing With the Stars" in the winter of 2006.
Also joining the cast that year was Anna Trebunskaya, Russian-born ballroom dancer who was paired with the legendary former footballer Jerry Rice. The partners were greatly successful, coming in second and kicking off Trebunskaya's 10-season run with the show.
"It was a lot of fun to see how the great mind of Jerry Rice is working and what makes him the athlete that he is," she says. "I couldn't believe that this was my 'work.'"
Like Dolovani, Trebunskaya began dancing as a child, inspired by her mother, and quickly found a niche in the sport.
"Ballroom dancing in Russia is considered more of a competitive sport," she says. "It's done mostly by kids and young adults. It's not so much as your grandma or grandpa's sport. We take it quite seriously."
The young dancer practiced five days a week and continued her training when her family moved to New York when she was 17. Two years later she was in California and soon on TV.
Dolovani and Trebunskaya will bring their success with "Dancing With the Stars" to Northwest Arkansas this weekend as part of a touring show, "Ballroom With a Twist." Audiences can expect to enjoy some of the same excitement of the popular TV show, but as Trebunaskaya is quick to point out, there are some major differences.
"'Ballroom With a Twist' is not a 'Dancing With the Stars'-esque show because ballroom has been around for hundreds of years," she says. "But what 'Dancing With the Stars' did is make ballroom dancing known within the pop culture."
"Ballroom With a Twist" combines singers from "American Idol" and dancers from "So You Think You Can Dance" with "Dancing With the Stars" professional ballroom dancers on stage for a show that according to Trebunskaya, is one for all the senses.
And Dolovani agrees.
"When 'Ballroom With a Twist' came about, it was such a new concept -- joining all the reality shows and putting them on the same stage," he says. "But it works."
Although the shows takes Dolovani away from his family -- a wife he calls "the most amazing woman" and three "beautiful, wonderful children" -- he says he wouldn't change it for the world.
"Being a part of 'Ballroom With a Twist' really gives you a chance to reach out to as many fans as you can," he says. "You can't get away from the magnetism of what dancing can do for people. It moves them in ways they can only imagine.
"That's why I recommend it for everyone to learn how to dance," Dolovani continues. "It will enrich your life in ways you would never imagine. That's the part I'm always thankful for to my dad. Dancing has saved my life."
NAN What's Up on 01/16/2015