The Grand Disco Medallist Festival
	3rd ISTD Country Western Festival
	DFR Faculty Congress 2001 Programme
	Dates for your Diary
	Country Western Examination Guidance Days
	DFR Faculty Area Medallist Competition Dates
	Disco Freestyle Line Dance Video
	Imperial Disco Freestyle Open Championships
	Country Western/Line Dance Swap Shop

The Grand Disco Medallist Festival

Incorportating the Line Dance Finals & Rock 'n' Roll Finals
SUNDAY 22ND OCTOBER 2000

The highlight of the DFR calendar dawned dull, damp and drizzly. This quickly changed as the day set aside for The Millennium Grand Line Dance Finals, sponsored by AIWA UK Ltd, and the Rock 'n' Roll Finals commenced. The weather outside improved dramatically to a beautiful autumn day, but nothing could compare to the glamour and splendour of the Finals' day in the sports arena at the Guildford Spectrum Leisure Centre.

The hardworking panel of Adjudicators, included Mrs Yvonne Taylor-Hill, (DFR Faculty Chairman), Miss Betty Bouston (DFR Faculty Vice-Chairman), Mrs Pat Woor, Miss Debbie Mitchell, Mrs Rachel Wadey, Mrs Pat Lait, Mrs Sue Simmonds, Miss Joy Andrews, Miss Julie Tompkins, Miss Jill Bush, Mrs Julie Earnshaw, Mr John Houghton and Mr Derek Green. They all worked a very long day, as did our excellent comperes, Mr Nicky Miles and Mr Paul Streatfield who kept everyone amused with their 'banter' and provided good atmosphere throughout the day.

The day commenced promptly at 9.45am with the Starter/Intermediate Team section. Those in the sports hall, packed to capacity, eagerly awaited the competition. There were fourteen teams in this section, along with three teams in the Championship/Advanced section, who danced later on in the day. The teams showed good lines and patterns, making full use of the varied music, and showed some clever choreography.

We now moved on to the highlight of the day - The Line Dance Finals. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, as everyone cheered on their favourite dancer. The Line Dances have increased in popularity since their inset over eight years ago, with many children from the twelve Area Competitions wanting to take part. Mrs Yvonne Taylor-Hill wished everyone 'good luck', adding that the winners of each section would receive a CD Walkman, and the other finalists, T shirts and caps. I could not help but notice the wonderful array of trophies which would spur any competitor on. They were provided by Mr Ivor Baker and this year they incorporated a Millennium theme.

The Adjudicators were faced with an unenviable task of selecting six dancers from the many heats to make 'that final'. The job looked almost impossible! It is good to see a growing number of young men in the Line Dance finals, and especially in the Slow sections. Round by round our excitement grew until the finalists were announced. Everyone was on their feet clapping and cheering as the dancers 'danced their socks off!' The well deserving winners of The Millennium Line Dance Finals were:-

The Beginner Team section was next, with a staggering twenty-six teams entered. We were all kept entertained as team after team presented their well rehearsed work to us. I am sure the Adjudicators enjoyed it as much as we did.

This year saw an unprecedented number of entries in the Solo section, six hundred and eighty one to be exact! Paul and Nicky guided us smoothly through the early rounds, ensuring that everything ran to time. The dancers seemed to get more energy as the day progressed, dancing better and better with each recall. The costumes were stunning, as was the standard of work presented; lots of interesting choreography, even some of the more Basic Actions were made to look very effective.

With barely a pause for us to catch our breath we moved to the Rock 'n' Roll finals. This competition is similar to the Line Dance in the fact that the dancers have to qualify at the Area Competitions, but in first place only. It was good to see together dancing and making full use of the Basic and Compound Steps and Actions in some unusual ways, and not just side by side dancing. The winners of the first Rock 'n' Roll Finals were :-

The last competition of the day was the Pairs event. Everyone was still buzzing with excitement as they launched into their routines. The dancers showed well rehearsed work, with good choreography, making full use of partner awareness whilst on the floor. All the dancers throughout the day showed good use of floorcraft, and thankfully we did not have any injuries. The music, as always was provided by Mr Ian Jordan, who always saves us the very best dance tracks.

Judges (L - R): John Honghton, Julie Tomkins, Jill Bush, Julie Earnshaw, Joy Andrews & Derek Green

In closing the day, Mr Paul Streatfield thanked the backstage workers, in particular Mrs Patsy Graham, the DFR Secretary, for her tireless work in collating all the Line Dance & Rock 'n' Roll Finalists, the Runners, the Scrutineers, and Mr Peter Hill for his hard work during the day.

Another highly successful Grand Finals' Day ended, leaving us exhilerated although a little tired. However, I am sure, like me, everyone is already looking forward to next year. So make a note in your diary now - Sunday 21st October 2001.

Report by Nigel Kirk
Photographs by Mandy Pearce

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3rd ISTD Country Western Festival

St Paul's College at Sunbury on Thames was the setting for the now well established ISTD Country Western Festival, which was held on Sunday, 29th October 2000. A Teachers' Workshop was held in the morning to provide ideas for all levels of Line Dancing, as well as Partner/Couples Freestyle work. After a Warm Up by the very competent Territa Corbett, with music being provided by Miss Jean Cantell, the first Lecturer, Chairman of the Country Western Sub-Committee, Mr Paul Streatfield, was introduced. Paul, a very experienced lecturer, taught two Beginner/Bronze routines, 'All Together Now' and 'Babe', in a clear and concise manner, waking everybody up after their extra hour in bed.

We were then introduced to Michele St Vincent, an experienced ISTD Instructor, who taught the 4-Wall Improver dance, 'Don't Know Mambo', which proved to be a very attractive and manageable dance in this contrasting rhythm.

Teachers enjoying one of the dances taught during the morning

The cobwebs were really blown away with the next Lecturer, the very lively and recently qualified Country Western Associate, Hillary Kurt. Hillary not only taught the very enjoyable, 'Mack The Knife', but also reminded us that dancing is about having fun, and if we create a happy, lively learning environment our pupils will keep coming back for more.

The last of the ISTD Instructors was the very popular, Margaret Cantell, assisted by Territa Corbett, who taught a different style of Country Western Dance, namely a partner circle dance, the 'Jessie J Cha', which was soon competently mastered by all those present. After such a fun-filled start to the day the scene had really been set for the introduction of popular UK Instructor and winner of the 'Female Personality of the Year', Maggie Gallagher.

The Teachers were treated to three very different dances of contrasting tempi and levels, starting with 'Interstate 65', choreographed to 'Tennessee In My Windshield' by new Country singer, Rebecca Lyn Howard. This was an Easy/Intermediate 4-Wall Line dance, which could be adapted according to the ability level of the class. We were then taught, 'Never Ending Waltz', a lovely flowing 2-Wall dance ideal for the more competent dancer. Finally we experienced a lesson in Irish dancing, as we got to grips with the dance, 'County Down', which despite the different style of dance and technique was surprisingly easy to learn - although the first class tuition helped tremendously.

After a well earned lunch break, during which time participants were encouraged to discuss the Associate and Licentiate Syllabi with members of the ISTD Country Western Sub-Committee, we were welcomed back at 2.30pm by DFR Faculty Chairman, Mrs Yvonne Taylor-Hill, to a room now packed full of enthusiastic Line dancers from around the country.

Following a warm up of popular dances with Territa Corbett, a packed room of Line Dancers then welcomed Maggie Gallagher to the floor. Maggie taught three wonderful dances namely, 'Hot Love', 'County Down' and 'Flip Flop Fly', all very lively dances which will add tremendous variety to any class, party night or social occasion, and which had the room buzzing with excitement.

Michele St Vincent, Hillary Kurt, Maggie Gallagher, Paul Streatfield, Margaret Cantell & Jean Cantell

After such a wonderful morning and early afternoon with many new dances to keep us occupied for the forthcoming season, the style of the day changed as we welcomed top Country band, 'The James Twins', who provided an excellent programme of live music and succeeded in maintaining a packed floor of enthusiastic dancers.

The highlight of the day then came in the form of a demonstration by Maggie Gallagher, which included an amalgamation of Line Dances and some traditional Irish Dancing - danced without music - to enable us to really appreciate the wonderful sound of the taps of the Irish hard shoes. This was then followed by a demonstration by young Line Dancers from the Debbie Millar School of Dance - it was so nice to see that the Line Dancers covered all age ranges.

Many thanks to Mr Paul Streatfield and Miss Jean Cantell who had organised such a wonderful day on behalf of the Country Western Sub-Committee, with help from the DFR Faculty and its Committee members. This event proved once more to be a very popular, enjoyable and fun packed day.

Report by Debbie Mitchell
Photographs by Yvonne Taylor-Hill

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DFR Faculty Congress 2001 Programme

Sunday 4th February 2001
THE DACORUM PAVILION HEMEL HEMPSTEAD

Programme

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Dates for Your Diary

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Country Western Examination Guidance Days

Will be at:
St Paul's College
The Ridings
off Green Street
Sudbury-on-Thames
January 14th - Associate Syllabus
March 18th - New Licentiate Syllabus
Contact Patsy Graham to register interest on 01494 814915 and for further details


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DFR Faculty Area Medallist Competition Dates

Disco Freestyle LineDance Video 2000-2001

The new video and notes are now available direct from ISTD Headquarters £18.50 including postage and packing. Contact the sales department. The twelve Dance Routines are choreographed by members of the DFR Faculty Committee. These routines will provide you with wonderful material for class and examination work from the Under 8 Test through to Gold Star and Awards as well as being a very exciting competition event. Please note that for Area Medallist Competition purposes, the video is valid from November 2000.

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Imperial Disco/Freestyle Open Championships
Sunday 4th March 2001

Spelthorne Leisure Centre
Staines, Middlesex

This Centre is situated close to the M25, Junction 13. The main hall is ideal for large Freestyle dance events, and additional facilties include a swimming pool & cafeteria/bar.

For further information please contact Paul Streatfield on 01932 221803

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Country Western/Line Dance Swap Shop

'TEACHERS HELPING TEACHERS!'
Would you like to get together with like minded teachers in your area to swap ideas and steps? Telephone Patsy Graham on 01494 814915

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