Back 2 Ballroom
Donation protected
Please join Abdiel Jacobsen and Kristine Bendul on their new mission as they attempt to compete for the first time together in a Ballroom Dance Competition as a GENDER NEUTRAL couple. Not only will they be entering their new Hustle piece in a showcase division, they will also be entering into the Pro American Rhythm Division competing in: Cha-Cha, Rumba, Swing, Bolero, and Mambo to gain recognition from the Ballroom circuit as well-rounded ballroom dancers rather than just Hustle dancers. They want the world to see that their theme of GENDER EQUALITY and FLUIDITY can be attained in all partner dance genres.
Their new budget for 5 NEW DANCES is as follows:
-NEW COSTUME DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
-STUDIO REHEARSAL SPACE
-WORLD RENOWNED COACHES & CHOREOGRAPHERS
-FITNESS CONDITIONING
-COMPETITION REGISTRATION and ENTRY FEES
-TRAVEL & HOTEL EXPENSES
-NDCA REGISTRATION (National Dance Council of America)
Donation tiers:
$50 Personalized thank you card
$100 Signed professional poster of Abdiel & Kristine
$150 Private dance lesson- half hour
$200 Private dance lesson- full hour
$300 Invitation to rehearsal viewing
$500 Two Tickets to competition
$1000 Evening with Abdiel & Kristine; Dinner, drinks and social dancing!
Follow their journey in their personal BLOG below:
Kristine Bendul: https://www.kristinebendul.com/blog
Abdiel Jacobsen: https://www.awalkinmyheels.com
To learn more about their story read below:
Both Abdiel and Kristine have a deep passion for partner dance. This is how they initially met, at a hustle social dance party. The hustle community was so welcoming and open minded that they felt a new sense of FREEDOM and encouragement to be their AUTHENTIC selves. This spurred them on to form their official professional partnership last year.
Their first project through GoFundMe was to raise funds for their first ever professional competitive hustle dance event at Disco America in June 2019. With much gratitude to all their 34 generous donors, they were able to raise the funds to cover all necessary expenses. Taking with them each and everyone’s optimism and support, they won 1st PLACE in the Pro Dance Championships making them the current NATIONAL TITLE HOLDERS.
Their routine demonstrated GENDER NEUTRALITY and an EQUAL EXCHANGE between the male and female roles of LEAD and FOLOW. Both of them wore high heels and shared the same costume design aesthetic to further their mission of fostering a NEW STANDARD of expression and presentation.
They believe they have what it takes to RE-INTRODUCE HUSTLE dance within the professional competitive ballroom circuit and familiarize it in a contemporary aspect relevant to today’s generation of dancers, stimulating increased engagement. This will continue the CULTURAL PRESERVATION of Hustle; an important part of the American heritage of social and competitive partner dancing.
For people like them who don’t fit into a box it has been a challenge to say the least to find their voice and share that voice authentically and openly. Through their combined experience of 35 + years in the professional world of concert dance, theater and competition dance, they have discovered their deep desire to share their LOVE OF DANCE with the world in the most truthful expression of themselves UNFILTERED.
Photos by: Christopher Jones
Their new budget for 5 NEW DANCES is as follows:
-NEW COSTUME DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
-STUDIO REHEARSAL SPACE
-WORLD RENOWNED COACHES & CHOREOGRAPHERS
-FITNESS CONDITIONING
-COMPETITION REGISTRATION and ENTRY FEES
-TRAVEL & HOTEL EXPENSES
-NDCA REGISTRATION (National Dance Council of America)
Donation tiers:
$50 Personalized thank you card
$100 Signed professional poster of Abdiel & Kristine
$150 Private dance lesson- half hour
$200 Private dance lesson- full hour
$300 Invitation to rehearsal viewing
$500 Two Tickets to competition
$1000 Evening with Abdiel & Kristine; Dinner, drinks and social dancing!
Follow their journey in their personal BLOG below:
Kristine Bendul: https://www.kristinebendul.com/blog
Abdiel Jacobsen: https://www.awalkinmyheels.com
To learn more about their story read below:
Both Abdiel and Kristine have a deep passion for partner dance. This is how they initially met, at a hustle social dance party. The hustle community was so welcoming and open minded that they felt a new sense of FREEDOM and encouragement to be their AUTHENTIC selves. This spurred them on to form their official professional partnership last year.
Their first project through GoFundMe was to raise funds for their first ever professional competitive hustle dance event at Disco America in June 2019. With much gratitude to all their 34 generous donors, they were able to raise the funds to cover all necessary expenses. Taking with them each and everyone’s optimism and support, they won 1st PLACE in the Pro Dance Championships making them the current NATIONAL TITLE HOLDERS.
Their routine demonstrated GENDER NEUTRALITY and an EQUAL EXCHANGE between the male and female roles of LEAD and FOLOW. Both of them wore high heels and shared the same costume design aesthetic to further their mission of fostering a NEW STANDARD of expression and presentation.
They believe they have what it takes to RE-INTRODUCE HUSTLE dance within the professional competitive ballroom circuit and familiarize it in a contemporary aspect relevant to today’s generation of dancers, stimulating increased engagement. This will continue the CULTURAL PRESERVATION of Hustle; an important part of the American heritage of social and competitive partner dancing.
For people like them who don’t fit into a box it has been a challenge to say the least to find their voice and share that voice authentically and openly. Through their combined experience of 35 + years in the professional world of concert dance, theater and competition dance, they have discovered their deep desire to share their LOVE OF DANCE with the world in the most truthful expression of themselves UNFILTERED.
Photos by: Christopher Jones
Organizer and beneficiary
Abdiel Jacobsen
Organizer
New York, NY
Kristine Bendul
Beneficiary
Raised $5,213 from 60 donations
