Big Easy Dance Gala 2026

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

*updated 3/7/26

Wednesday, May 27

Registration at 6:00pm

Thursday, May 28 – “Mardi Gras Day” Purple, Green, and Gold

8:00am AMERICAN SMOOTH

ALL Levels, Closed & Open Single Dances

ALL Levels, Closed & Open Multi Dance & Scholarship Events

Session 1 4:00pm NIGHT CLUB - “PURPLE, GREEN, and GOLD” ALL Levels, Closed & Open Single Dances Swing Mix, Caribbean Mix, & Mark Brock Rock’n’Roll Challenge

8:15pm THE BIG EASY PARADE

9:00pm-12:00am Welcome Reception at the “Napoleon House” (Included in A package; limited tickets available for purchase)

Friday, May 29

“Summer Chic” – (Business Casual)

Session 2 8:00am INTERNATIONAL LATIN ALL Levels, Closed & Open Single Dances ALL Levels, Closed & Open Multi Dance & Scholarship Events

BEST OF THE BEST SOLO SHOWDANCE & BEST OF THE BEST SHOWCASE

INTERNATIONAL BALLROOM ALL Levels, Closed & Open Single Dances

ALL Levels, Closed & Open Multi Dance & Scholarship Events

Session 3 8:00pm PROFESSIONAL BRONZE & SILVER BASICS ( SMOOTH & LATIN)

PROFESSIONAL RISING STAR EVENTS

PROFESSIONAL SHOWDANCE

Saturday, May 30

“Summer Chic” (daytime) & “Masquerade Summer Nights Formal”

Session 4 8:00am AMERICAN RHYTHM ALL Levels, Closed & Open Single Dances ALL Levels, Closed & Open Multi Dance & Scholarship Events

Session 5 8:00pm PROFESSIONAL OPEN EVENTS

PROFESSIONAL BRONZE & SILVER BASICS ( RHYTHM & BALLROOM)

PRO SHOW BY Jeffrey Benarao & Judith Anne Melencio

(2025 US RISING STAR RHYTHM CHAMPION)

JOIN US FOR AFTERPARTY ON THE BALCONY (TICKETS AVAILABLE)