The Asheville Stars Ball dance competition on June 6 drew hundreds of dance competitors in pro-am, solos, ballroom, Latin, smooth, rhythm and country events at the Asheville Ballroom and Event Center.

The competition was organized by Zeki Maviyildiz, who teaches ballroom dancing at the Ballroom and competes across the United States in ballroom dancing.  

As a folk dance performer, Maviyildiz has traveled throughout the world to over 25 countries as part of the Turkish National Folk Dance Troupe. Since deciding to pursue his passion for the development of Turkish performing arts in the U.S., he has been showcasing his talents across the East Coast, including at Folkmoot in Waynesville.

In 2008 he brought Bluestar to the West Coast for the Seattle Turkish Cultural Festival.

Maviyildiz first came to Folkmoot USA in Waynesville, NC where he performed there with a dance troupe from Turkey. Zeki also performs Turkish folk dancing with Bluestar across the country.

Zeki’s passion for his art and community volunteerism has been exemplary. He has held folk dance workshops in Asheville, NC and Harrisburg, PA as well as the Triangle area in NC. He has performed with the Turkish, Polish, Bulgarian and Romanian folklore troupes. “I am proud to be able to support young dance enthusiasts and hope that my teachings of artistic Turkish folk dances will help promote and expose Turkish culture, not only in North Carolina, but throughout the US,” says Maviyildiz.

Live music was performed by Ksenia and Sasha Ivanchenkova, and Liley Arauz and his band.