| Centenary
Dinner Dance & Spring Congress 2004
Date
for your diary
Next years Congresses and Dinner Dance will be held
on Sunday 13th March 2005 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
Don’t
forget you can order a copy of the Centenary Spring Congress
video from Dereck Brown Video Services Ltd on 01733 332055.
Centenary
Spring Congress
Sunday 14th March 2004
Nine Kings Suite
Royal Lancaster Hotel
London
The first lecture was given by Pat Goode assisted by Simon
and Heidi Cruwys, 4 dances of 4 bars, what a remit, however
it was no problem for our lecturer.
The
variations were interesting and danceable, beautifully shown
by Heidi and Simon and taught with style and panache by Pat
Goode. Well
done indeed.
Cheeky
Class Cuties, who else but one of our most popular lecturers
Graham Oswick assisted by Yvonne Taylor-Hill. As usual, two
very good variations presented and taught in a very lively
fashion by Graham.
Social
Sequence by Lee Williams assisted by Louise Lidbury. First
was a Tango full of character and interest, then a Samba,
very pleasant to dance, a stylish demonstration and carefully
taught.
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| Simon
& Heidi Cruwys assisting Pat Goode’s lecture
‘Four by Four’ |
‘Cheeky
Class Cuties’, Graham Oswick assisted by Yvonne
Taylor-Hill |
‘Social
Sequence’,
Lee Williams assisted by Louise Lidbury |
The Cuban Son and the New York Salsa was the next lecture
given by Richard Marcel and assisted by Mary Deville. This
was a very interesting and informative lecture explaining
to us the two styles of Salsa dance, Cuban and New York. Then
we had a very brilliant and exciting demonstration of Salsa
by Janet Fuentes and Rafael del Busto.
The
last lecture of the morning was presented by Anne Lingard
and Marion Lane using candidates to show the new Grade 1 exams
in Ballroom and Latin. Very interesting for the teachers who
are intending to enter their students for our new QCA accredited
examinations, a step forward into the future for our form
of dance.
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| Salsa
demonstration by Janet Fuentes and Rafael del Busto |
'The
Cuban Son and the New York Salsa’, Richard Marcel
assisted by Mary Deville |
‘Grade
1 in Modern Ballroom & Latin American’, Marion
Lane assisted by a pupil from her school |
After
lunch, it was Versatile Variations given by Darren Bennett
and Lilia Kopylova. In the Rumba, a very up to date variation,
including many ideas that will be useful in our teaching.
The
Jive was smart and attractive with some good features for
our classes. Darren had a strong voice and a good teaching
style, this was a promising debut as a lecturer.
Next
we had a DFR Trilogy, first Country and Western with Rachel
Wadey showing a progressive Barn Dance, much enjoyed by everybody.
Next, Nigel Kirk taught a Line Dance in the style of Saturday
Night Fever with great enthusiasm and vitality.
Finally
Pat Laine introduced some Rock ‘n’ Roll shown
by Nigel Kirk and Amanda Hughes. Well taught by Pat and very
useful for your Social Class.
Christopher
Hawkins and Hazel Newberry completed our lectures by talking
about building on basics. We all hung on every word and thoroughly
enjoyed listening to and watching these great World Champions.
All in all, a satisfying and wonderful day.
Marion
Brown
Photographs: Ron Self
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| ‘Versatile
Variations’ Darren Bennett & Lilia Kopylova |
‘Building
on Basics in Waltz’, Christopher Hawkins & Hazel
Newberry |
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| ‘DFR
Trilogy’, DFR Committee |
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Centenary
Dinner Dance
Sunday
14th March 2004
Nine Kings Suite
Royal Lancaster Hotel
London
With
the Society celebrating its Centenary this year I think everyone
attending the Dinner Dance at the Royal Lancaster Hotel was
hoping for a memorable evening.
Judging
from the looks on the faces of the guests throughout the evening,
and the countless letters and messages received since, they
were not disappointed as the Society celebrated its Centenary
in style.
With
more than 500 guests in attendance there was a wonderful atmosphere
as representatives from both the Dance Sport and Theatre Faculties
turned out in force along with numerous invited guests, members
and their family and friends. With a record crowd the decision
to commence the evening at a slightly earlier time proved
to be a prudent one as Robert Grover, Chairman of the ISTD
and the Vice Chairman Patricia Prime took the time to greet
every guest personally.
After
having had the opportunity to mingle with colleagues and friends
at the reception it was time for the Dinner to commence in
the Nine Kings Suite. It is a testament to the management
and the staff of the Royal Lancaster Hotel that despite record
numbers this year the high standards in catering and service
did not waiver and a wonderful Dinner was served with the
professionalism that we have come to expect.
It
was now time for the Chairman, Robert Grover to officially
welcome the invited guests, members and friends. The Honorary
President of World Dance and Dance Sport Council, Robin Short
made the response on behalf of the guests. With this being
the Society’s Centenary year both Robert Grover and
Robin Short in their speeches reflected on the Society’s
achievements both in the past and more recent times. Robert
Grover also gave guests an insight into his experiences of
taking his first ever examinations with the Society!
Anyone
who has attended an ISTD Dinner Dance will know that the Society
uses the occasion to recognise the contribution and achievements
of individuals within the organisation. It was felt that in
this very special year the Society should pay tribute to those
individuals who had help shape the organisation we see today.
With that in mind it was decided to grant for the first time
ever ISTD Lifetime Achievement Awards to four very special
people.
It
was an honour for all those present to see these Awards presented
by Robert Grover to Life President Dame Beryl Grey DBE, President
Bill Irvine MBE, Vice President Miss Joyce Percy and Vice
President Peggy Spencer MBE. Both Bill Irvine and Peggy Spencer
were able to accept their Awards in person and gave wonderful
acceptance speeches. Unfortunately due to ill health Dame
Beryl Grey was unable to attend, as was Joyce Percy, who has
sadly since passed away. However, thanks to the speeches given
by Patricia Prime and June Rycroft the evening did not pass
without them both being remembered by all present.
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| June
Rycroft receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf
of Joyce Percy from the ISTD Chairman, Robert Grover |
Robert
Grover, Peggy Spencer MBE, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement
Award & Lorna Lee |
Patricia
Prime receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf
of Dame Beryl Grey DBE from the ISTD Chairman, Robert
Grover |
 |
 |
Bill
Irvine MBE accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award
from Robert Grover & Anne Lingard |
Guest
speaker, Honourary President of World Dance and Dance
Sport Council, Robin Short |
Any
award ceremony is just as reliant upon the presenters as the
recipients so we were fortunate to have both Anne Lingard
and Lorna Lee introducing Bill Irvine and Peggy Spencer respectively
with very poignant speeches. Ensuring the Ceremony ran smoothly
was its host Vernon Kemp.
The
evening also presented an opportunity for the President of
the USISTD Phillip Stephens to present an Award to the Society
on behalf of the USISTD in recognition of its Centenary.
With
the Award Ceremony concluded the dance floor filled as guests
took the opportunity to dance to the excellent music provided
by Ross Mitchell, his Band and Singers. With such a large
number of guests it was no surprise the floor was packed throughout
the evening.
The
Society has always been successful in attracting world class
dancers to perform at the Dinner Dance. However, bearing in
mind the significance of the evening, this year’s guests
were treated to a cabaret by not one set of World Champions
but two! Not only Modern Ballroom Champions, Christopher Hawkins
and Hazel Newberry but Latin American Champions, Bryan Watson
and Carmen as well. To say the audience lapped up this most
amazing Cabaret performance would be an understatement. An
electric atmosphere was created by a show that had everyone
enthralled thanks to the performances laid on by these excellent
dancers.
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| Latin
American Champions, Bryan Watson & Carmen |
Modern
Ballroom Champions, Christopher Hawkins & Hazel Newberry.
Photograph: Ron Self |
It
is hard to imagine anyone being able to follow an evening
such as the one guests had been treated to so far but of course
the Society is lucky to have Nicky Miles, not only to compere
the Cabaret performance but host the Raffle! Thanks to an
army of volunteers selling tickets throughout the day, the
raffle raised £1,030 for the ISTD Benevolent Fund.
With
the Raffle over the dance floor once again filled with eager
dancers wishing to enjoy what was left of a memorable evening.
The ISTD Centenary Dinner Dance certainly lived up to expectations.
All of those involved in organising the event can feel rightly
proud.
Jon
Singleton
Head of Marketing and Publicity
Photographs: Elaine Mayson, unless otherwise stated
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