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Blackpool
Grand Finals Weekend
The
ISTD annual Ballroom and Latin American Grand Finals is now a well-established
event in our dancing calendars. What makes it so appealing? What makes
this colossal tower, 519 ft in height, weighing in at 2586 tons, such
a popular place for dancers? We say popular because the attendance this
year topped 4,000!
For
tourists visiting Blackpool a trip to the Tower is a must. For the dancer
a visit to this listed ballroom (originally known as the Pavilion) is
an experience of a lifetime. This famous landmark celebrated its centenary
in 1994. Following a £13 million transformation it now provides seven
levels of family fun but remains untouched by the face-lift. It stands
proud, perhaps not graceful, but is certainly a symbol of greatness.
What
better venue for the ISTD Grand Finals weekend. Its amazingly sprung
floor is made up of 75,000 parquet blocks - and most of them were danced
on during the two days. It has an ornate ceiling and the caption above
the stage says, 'Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear'. How true
this statement was; throughout the weekend the beautiful music and wonderful
dancing enchanted our eyes and our ears.
Both
days got off to an early and prompt start with the non-qualifiers sections
first, followed by the solo sections and then the couples, first in
Ballroom and then Latin. All ages from the bright and lively tiny tot
under sixes, to a gentleman from Ipswich, at 87. This year two very
hard working invigilators were 'on their toes' making sure all was in
order. Thank you Betty Bouston and Jill Bush.
Saturday
was children's day; they started dancing at 9.00 in the morning and
were still dancing at 9.00 in the evening and later. Where do they find
their energy to dance all day and into the evening? Their dancing was
amazing - beautifully dressed and organised, all a credit to their parents
and teachers. The volume of entries was manic! Yet the organisers managed
to keep to the timetable. Their energy, enthusiasm, and talent. Their
excitement when successful. Their ability to cope with disappointment,
a reflection of young well-trained performers.
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Cabaret
by Giacomo Steccaglia & Melissa Dexter
Photographs by Ron Self |
The
finale to Saturday was the Evening Dance and Cabaret. The demonstration
by Melissa Dexter and Giacomo Steccaglia, World Showdance Champions
was dramatic, dynamic and dazzling. A Latin Show Dance Spectacular which
was exciting, athletic, energetic, showing such physical strength and
agility, what a cabaret, such a wonderful end to the first day. Oh!
And we must not forget the 'other' demonstration, DJ Liz, who kept everyone
entertained with her Superman impression!
Sunday
was the turn of the adults, using the same format as Saturday, with
a change in atmosphere, slightly more relaxed with more general dancing.
It was wonderful, every dancer so enthusiastic and dedicated to the
art. The standard of dance was outstanding. And the dress - so many
different styles, be it long, short, plain, sequined and the range of
colours and colour combinations - entertainment plus. We enjoyed every
moment to the full.
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To
add to the entertainment a further superb demonstration, this time by
Mathew and Nicole Cutler, World, British, UK & Former European Amateur
Latin Champions. Such beautiful dancing, technique, artistry - a joy
to watch. They were so inspirational the atmosphere was sensational.
Their Cha Cha danced to a slow tempo displayed such charismatic use
of chasses and locks; the Samba had the excitement of a real carnival,
the Rumba was sultry with dramatic choreography and a characteristic
choice of music, Paso Doble was dramatically enhanced with the choice
of music as an introduction 'omen', and as for the Jive we felt the
floor tremble and pulsate. Audience reception was terrific.
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Mathew
and Nicole Cutler |
Final
comments from Rosemary and Julia: "It was a busy weekend, but I can
only say that Ballroom and Latin American dancing has many future champions
in the making, judging by the standard of the weekend. All that remains
to be said is 'Thank you' to all concerned for all of the hard work
that goes in to organising such a mammoth task".
"A
day to remember for so many reasons. A memorable weekend which I shared
with pupils, family and friends. A great success for the ISTD. I will
always remember the teamwork and team spirit of participating schools.
Organised to perfection. By Sunday evening I had almost forgotten the
long journey there on Friday morning!"
"We
now reflect and reminisce on the build up, the apprehension, the preparation
and training, the excitement. But what created the magic? Was it Blackpool?
The Tower Ballroom? The superb demonstrations? We do not believe there
is any one answer. Perhaps it is the shared pleasure we experience when
dancing" See you all next year.
Rosemary
Hill and Julia Spencer
Grand
Finals Winners
Adult
Ballroom
Seran
Citimoglu, Dancewise
Tim Craigehead, Central London Dance
Sue Cook, Dancewise
Rachel Kingston, Western Dance School
Jeanette Knight, Star Dance
John Flook, Nice n Easy
Sophie Duffin, Star Dance
Colin Mason, T & P Lait
David Wainwright, Karen Byron
Andrea Weardon, Dance Crazy
Debra Craighead, Central London Dance
Jean Temperton, Western Dance School
Kerry Simmons, Star Dance
Elaine Jin, Central London Dance
Heather Cruwys, Dance Crazy
Katsutoshi Ninagawa, Star Dance
Lorna Lavel-Chesterton, Dance South
Linda Waite, R & J Miles
Adult
Latin
Seran Citimoglu, Dancewise
Jackie Duffin, Star Dance
Sue Cook, Dancewise
Michelle Brannan, Star Dance
Jeanette Knight, Star Dance
Marilyn Whyman, Paul Alex
Jane Tofts, Dance South
Carly Payne, Western Dance Centre
Sarah Rarity, Dance Crazy
David Wainwright, Karen Byron
Sophie Duffin, Star Dance
Debra Craighead, Central London Dance
Don Campbell, Nice n Easy
Holly Goodchild, Western Dance Centre
Elaine Jin , Central London Dance
Moya Keogh, Central London Dance
Katsutoshi Ninagawa, Star Dance
Lorna Lavel-Chesterton, Dance South
Linda Waite, R & J Miles
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Childrens
Ballroom
Ayesha
Chan, Dance Crazy
Stevie Jones, Star Dance
Damon Horn, Star Dance
Christina Williams, Star Dance
Chris Shiels, Dance Crazy
Amy Bower, Dancewise
Samantha Kuhnert, Dance Crazy
Katie Cowling, T & P Lait
Danielle Grover, Dance Crazy
Joe Nicholls, Western Dance Centre
Nikita Vince, Western Dance Centre
Lee Delf , Western Dance Centre
Alexa Hilton, Margaret Preedy
Rebecca Macdonald, T & P Lait
Zahra Mansouri, Star Dance
Childrens
Latin
Samuel
Rea, Dance Crazy
Stevie Jones, Star Dance
Damon Horn, Star Dance
Fleur Newman, Dance Zone
Sam Hunter, Star Dance
Matthew Harris, Dancewise
Hayley Delf, Western Dance Centre
Katie Cowling, T & P Lait
Kimberley Kuhnert, Dance Crazy
Jessica Duffin, Star Dance
Nikita Vince, Western Dance Centre
Kimberely Moore, T & P Lait
Alexa Hilton, Margaret Preedy
Rebecca Macdonald, T & P Lait
Zahra Mansouri, Star Dance
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