| Centenary
Line & Country Western Dance Festival 2004
Sunday
14th November 2004
St. Pauls College, Sunbury-on-Thames
Morning
The 7th Autumn Festival arranged by the Country Western Committee
ran on a two-tier system; a teachers working session in the
morning and an amateur dance in the afternoon.
 Charles
Richman |
On
this cold and very frosty morning, an enthusiastic group
of teachers were raring to go at 9.30am. The opening lecture
was given by Committee member and newly appointed Country
Western Examiner, Charles Richman, who presented three
super versions of popular dances - ‘Black Betty’,
‘Little Ex’ and ‘Mini Marianna’.
All of these dances were very danceable and valuable to
a teacher with a class of varying levels. |
 Donna
Steel |
Donna
Steel, an ISTD Country Western Associate, was the second
lecturer who taught ‘Reach For The Sky’ and
‘Hell Ya’ with clarity, confidence and a pleasing
personality. |
 Sue
Wilkinson |
Sue
Wilkinson, Country Western Committee member and experienced
teacher and lecturer, introduced ‘Where Have You
Been’ to a beautiful tune by Alan Jackson. |
Two
regular Country Western Associate teachers at this Festival,
Gillian Pope and Liz Scholey, presented dances choreographed
by themselves ‘Heart and Soul’ and ‘Who’s
Cheating Now’. Both dances were taught clearly and contained
interesting choreography. DFR Faculty Chairperson, Yvonne
Taylor-Hill, presented the two ladies with flowers as a token
of appreciation for their work.
 |
 |
| Gillian
Pope |
Liz
Scholey |
Following
on, Jean Cantell, assisted by Margaret Banks and Donna Steel,
gave a clear presentation of the new Grade 1 Syllabus which,
upon completion of the remaining grades will give a safe and
graduated approach to the theory and practice of all line
dance styles and rhythms for the social and experienced dancer.
 |
(L-R)
Margaret Banks, Jean Cantell & Donna Steel who gave
a presentation of the New Grade 1 Syllabus |
The
highlight of the day was special Guest Lecturer, Maggie Gallagher,
who in her inimitable and enthusiastic way taught a number
of dances, one of them especially choreographed for the ISTD
Centenary Year, ‘Flying’ a waltz rhythm danced
to a tune of the same name by Bryan Adams. This dance contained
lilting and beautiful flowing movements that proved to be
very popular with
the dancers.
This
was a morning of valuable lectures providing work of varying
levels for the Line and Country Western teacher.
 |
Yvonne
Taylor-Hill, DFR Faculty Chairman, (L) & Maggie Gallagher,
Guest Lecturer (R) |
Afternoon
After a brief lunch break, it was time for the afternoon Festival
with large queues of eager, though very cold, dancers waiting
for the doors to open.
Everyone
received a warm welcome from members of the Committee and
a colourful scene greeted the dancers with the hall having
been decorated with red, white and blue flags and balloons
in celebration of the ISTD’s Centenary Year.
The
atmosphere was electric and dancers were soon dancing to the
music of DJ Tracey Dean who played some great tracks for a
very good programme of line dances old and new and for all
abilities.
 |
DJ
Tracey Dean with Charles Richman, Committe Member |
The
highlight of the afternoon was instruction by the bubbly Maggie
Gallagher who praised the ISTD for their highly professional
approach to all aspects of dance and dance training. She re-taught
‘Flying’ but this time for the amateur dancers
filling the dance floor. Maggie also taught a Cha Cha Cha
entitled ‘Don’t Forget’ and another of her
new dances ‘Open Season’ to a lovely music track
by well known Country artist Tim McGraw. The movements flowed
really well and the dance was an obvious hit with the dancers.
Entertainment
was provided by ‘Dancenergy’, a team of talented
young dancers trained by Sue Wilkinson. This was a versatile
performance showing various line dance styles and rhythms
effectively with charisma and a very stylish use of arms.
 |
| ‘Dancenergy’
Showcase |
After
a feast of dancing with quizzes and raffles to add excitement
to the proceedings, it was time for all to face the journey
home. Yvonne Taylor-Hill thanked Paul Streatfield and the
Country Western Committee members for arranging another superb
Festival and said that the atmosphere, entertainment and instruction
had all been first class.
Morning
Report by Betty Bouston
Afternoon report by Donna Steel
Photographs: Paul Streatfield
|
