The University of Delaware Figure Skating Club (UDFSC) will host the 2016 National Solo Dance Final event from Thursday, Sept. 8, through Saturday, Sept. 10.

The competition is open to viewing by the public and is an opportunity to see ice dancers of all ages and levels skate to music in solo dance performances.

The event includes a variety of rhythms and free dance interpretations, as well as an event called the shadow dance, where two individuals skate the same dance but are not partnered.

Nearly 200 of the country's best solo ice dancers will compete at the National Solo Dance Final, having qualified through a series of events held across the U.S.

Participants will be judged by U.S. Figure Skating national, international and Olympic officials from around the country.

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $8 for a one-day ticket or $20 for a full-event pass.

Skating will begin at 8 a.m. each day in the Fred Rust and Gold arenas, and a schedule of events is available online.

A UDFSC representative said that although most people think of ice dance as a partnered discipline, solo dance is a relatively new competition that was launched by U.S. Figure Skating in 2011.

Solo dance provides an opportunity for individual skaters to demonstrate skill, grace and musical interpretation on the ice in a way that is unique from singles skating, and also different from couples ice dance.