Dancing in mainstream media contributes to popularity of amateur sport: Contest organizers

John McDermott delicately places his hand on his dance partner's back and the two begin to glide effortlessly across the ballroom.

The moment is serene until another couple twirls a little too close in their direction.

And then, a collision.

"It happens, especially in something like the quickstep," McDermott, 65, says with a laugh, while taking a breather Saturday during Day 2 of the Canadian Closed Amateur DanceSport Championships in Halifax. "You have to try to keep (going) unless they knock you off your feet."

His partner, Vanessa Colbourne-Wells, bears the brunt of the hit, but she doesn't break her smile and the accident is quickly forgotten with the floor awash in a flurry of sequins and colourful chiffon.

The two-day event, featuring dozens of Canadian couples of all ages, drew hundreds of spectators thanks in part to the popularity of TV shows like "Dancing With The Stars" and movies like "Take the Lead," which have turned ballroom and Latin dancing from a stuffy sport into mainstream entertainment.

Some spectators watched excitedly, beer in hand, while others snapped pictures and shouted out the numbers of their favourite pairs.

Denis Tremblay of Vancouver, one of the event's judges, said he's noticed a surge in the popularity of dancing.

The award-winning former dancer, who now works as a coach, said people he met showed little interest in his job a few years ago.

"Nowadays, they say, 'Oh, ballroom dancing? That's cool!"' he said with a grin.

For McDermott, however it wasn't popular TV that fuelled his interest in dancing - it was the military.

The former military member said he always enjoyed marching. He picked up ballroom dancing shortly before his 50th birthday and started competing about a year later.

A novice by comparison, Julie Poirier of Halifax has only about four years of experience behind her - then again, the petite brunette is a mere 12 years old.

"When I was eight, I went to Cuba and I danced with a dancer (who) worked at the hotel, and when I came back I told my parents I wanted to start Latin and ballroom dancing," said Poirier, whose partner is 16.

"When you love something, you want to really work at it and try your hardest."