| The
Imperial Open Freestyle Championships
Sunday
7th March 2004
A
brisk March morning greeted us as we travelled to the Spelthorne
Leisure Centre, Staines for the Imperial Open Freestyle Championships
in this very special ISTD centenary year.
Spelthorne
Leisure Centre, as always is a superb venue for this very
prestigious event. The stage looked amazing with a stunning
array of trophies by Ivor Baker and teddy prizes donated by
the Beanie and Bear Shop. The centrepiece was the spectacular,
Dancer of the Year awards. Hexagonal engraved glass trophies,
accompanied by a bear with an ISTD centenary jumper. This
was all beautifully decorated with red, white and blue balloons.
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| Enthusiastic
dancers enjoying the music of Ian Jordan |
The
dancers arrived with great anticipation of the day ahead,
the room was filled and obviously the competition was going
to be tough! Paul Streatfield welcomed everyone and the dancers
continued to warm up accompanied by the fantastic music of
Ian Jordan. However, the day could not go ahead without a
distinguished panel of independent judges, Maria Howse, Debbie
Bellinger, Dallas Chapman, Jimmy Welch, and Nigel Kirk. All
day they had the unenviable task of judging the very high
standard of dancing.
The
first event of the day was Solos and the Under 6 Beginners
made a lively start. Under 8’s and Under 10’s
were all dressed in bright colours using good facial expressions.
All Over 12 sections gave a good display of strong, lively
dancing, moving well around the floor. An excellent standard
was shown throughout the Beginner sections with a large entry
in all age groups.
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| A
stylish performance |
Combining
energy & elevation |
Energy
levels rose as the Starter section began. The Under 12 age
groups were wearing some attractive new style costumes, many
of which were again brightly coloured with frills and feathers.
Impressive jumps and kicks were included in the Under 14 and
16 routines, which were danced with vitality, good attack
and finish. The Over 16’s danced with the sophistication
you would expect from these young ladies.
The
turn of the Intermediates came with the standard rising again.
The dancing was exceptionally high powered with interesting
choreography. The energy given off by these children was breathtaking
and the audience could not help but join in and give them
the support they deserved.
Last
but not least were the Championships, who showed extreme maturity
from the Under 10’s onwards. The largest Championship
entry was in the Under 14’s, all girls danced with astonishing
power, control and well-centred spins. A stunning array of
costumes covered with sparkling rhinestones were worn by the
Under 16’s. The dancing was memorable including well
elevated jumps and leaps, anyone could be the winner!
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Strong
action from a Champion |
There
was one entry in each age group of the boy Champions. They
all gave us a fantastic show of strong masculine dancing including
high kicks and fast spins. The crowd cheered as they danced
around the floor.
Paul Streatfield remarked that all the best dancers had come
out for the Imperial Championships, and to even
get a recall in this very high standard was amazing.
At
the end of the finals everyone was waiting with baited breath
to see who was to be placed first and go forward to the Dancer
of the Year competition. This was clearly the highlight of
the day - to see all the first place dancers in each section
fighting it out for the coveted trophies and titles.
Somehow
the judges had to pick their Dancer of the Year, they were
all fantastic and obviously already all winners!
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Imperial
Beginner of the year 2004 was the Under 12 winner Daniella
Venuti. |
 |
Imperial
Starter of the year 2004 was Over 16 winner Melanie Taylor |
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Imperial
Intermediate of the year 2004 was the Over 16 winner Nicola
Burrows |
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Imperial
Champion of the year 2004 was the Under 16 winner Kayleigh
West |
This
competition was a hard act to follow, what better to come
next but a cabaret! Three young men called, 'Funk Stylers',
gave us an amazing showcase of break-dancing including Windmills,
Crazy Legs, Eclipse 99 and Applejacks, also locking, popping
and gliding. Their strength and flexibility was breathtaking,
getting a tremendous response from the crowd.
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| The
Funk Stylers |
The
next showcase was the teams, showing an astonishing standard
of formation throughout the categories. Interesting changes
of music and eye catching choreography was shown which was
well rehearsed and neatly groomed. Once again we were especially
entertained by the Championship teams from Vicky Cooper's
school. As always the dancers were fast, dramatic and completely
dedicated to their teamwork. Vicky never ceases to amaze us
with her ideas, costumes and fast moving routines, you just
can’t take your eyes off of them!
‘Together
Dancing’ was the theme for the Pairs and was apparent
throughout all the age groups and categories. Couples were
well matched in both dancing and costumes. During the Championship
solo spots, excellent partner work was shown not just acrobatics,
what a refreshing change! Great sing-along numbers were played
by Ian during the Pairs. This really livened up the audience
when our energy levels were dipping, and we hadn’t even
been dancing!
Rock
‘n’ Roll was last but not least. This was very
well supported and well rewarded with exceptional trophies
and the gorgeous beanie dogs donated by the Beanie and Bear
Shop for 1st place. The standard was very high showing stretched
feet and strong technique. The Under 14’s was especially
tough, it took 2 semi-finals to decide on the final. However,
thanks to the expert scrutineering of Pam and Mick Little,
those Under 14’s were sorted out.
It was Finals time and high powered Rock ‘n’ Roll
was shown in all events making it a wonderful end to a very
successful day.
Everyone
left feeling tired after this long day but ecstatic to have
been involved in such a prestigious competition. On behalf
of the teachers and competitors I would like to thank Paul
Streatfield and the whole Disco/Freestyle/Rock ‘n’
Roll Faculty Committee for organising and running such a marvellous
day.
Mandy
Pearce
Photographs: Alan Blackholly
The
Imperial Open freestyle Championships photo gallery
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