ISTD News:

Blackpool Grand Finals 2006

The Imperial Grand Finals day goes from strength to strength.

From its inception, this annual event has produced an outstanding level of dance that is a credit to the society. Each year the standard of dance is raised due to the technical knowledge of the teachers and the terrific enthusiasm of the pupils.

The credibility of such an event is recognised and qualified by the prestigious panel of adjudicators, all of whom are highly experienced and officiate without prejudice or favour. Take in the atmosphere of the imperious Tower Ballroom, coupled with the excitement generated by the competitors and the anticipation of an incredible weekend of dancing, and you have the ingredients for something very special.

Malcolm Hearn of DSI (far right) with the Under 35 Couples Latin line up

Let us not forget all the hard work that goes into qualifying for this event throughout the year. Regional heats from January to October are pursued by keen dancers hoping to qualify and dance at the famous Tower Ballroom. There is a lot of commitment from the teachers the pupils and of course the unsung heroes, the parents, without whom all this would not be possible.

The presentation of the pupils continues to improve, ‘attitude determines altitude’ and the attitude on show with the Children’s day was outstanding. The children certainly set a standard for the adults who were to dance on the following day of competitions.

After a remarkable day of dance, an evening Grand Dance was held. The mischievous Nicky Miles presided over ceremonies and added his usual spark to the evening. We were treated to a display of the most beautiful dancing. Flown in from Italy especially for the occasion, Domenico Soale and Gioia Cerasoli. Their lyrical interpretation was a joy to behold and the contrast in the dances was a perfect example to us all. Amateur World Champions at the beginning of the year, then having only recently turned professional, they have made a great impact on the world scene.

Domenico Soale and Gioia Cerasoli

Chairman of the Dance Sport Faculties Board Robert Grover, with Adult Qualifier Winner Christine Hawkins

Sunday arrived. It was the turn of the adults, plus the sequence Grand Finals events. The under-35s produced some fabulous performances with dancers who were only juniors the year before. The other categories also produced a raised level of standard which must have given the adjudicators quite a hard task to assess.

The weekend came to a close and an exhausted team of event organisers must have been proud of another successful Imperial Grand Finals Day. It was much appreciated that our new Chairman, Peter Kyle took the time to attend. We welcome Peter to his position and look forward to seeing him at more events.

ISTD Chairman Peter Kyle with the Junior Sequence Winner

I’m sure the anticipation of the 2007 event will be met with equal motivation and vitality to prove to be even greater than 2006. Good luck to you all. See you in November 2007.

Mark Willemite
Photographs: Ron Self

Thanks go to everyone: officials, judges, scrutineers, helpers, competitors, parents and to DSI –

the official sponsors of the ISTD Blackpool Grand Finals.

Blackpool Grand Finals 2006 Results

Children

Amy Hossin, Star Dance Club
Adam Hilton, Star Dance Club
Danielle Cloude, Star Dance Club
Louis Gandolfini, J & R Hill
Samantha Thomson, Star Dance Club
Summer Carroll,Star Dance Club
Ellie Irvin,Star Dance Club
Tabitha Law,Star Dance Club
Casey Redman,Star Dance Club
David Lathrope, Grafty Dance Club
Toni Sharpe, T & P Lait
Stevie Jones,Star Dance Club
Cheyenne Russell,Star Dance Club
Amy Hossin, Star Dance Club
Ellie Guest, Star Dance Club
Alice McCarthy,Deville School of Dance
Caleb Wotton, Happiways
Stephanie Higgins, Star Dance Club
Natalie Faulkner, Deville School of Dance
Michael Barnes, Star Dance Club
Tabitha Law, Star Dance Club
Abigail Irvin,Star Dance Club
Charlotte Sweeney, Star Dance Club
Stevie Jones, Star Dance Club

Danielle Grover, Dance Crazy
Cheyenne Russell, Star Dance Club

Adults

Cheryl Wilkinson, R & J Miles
Winnie Kwan, Dance Wise
Robert Roust, Dance Wise
Pat Brooks, T & P Lait
Lindsay Evans, Dancerite
Steve Brown, T & P Lait
Geoffrey Richmond, Nice N Easy
Gabriella Da Silva, Dancewise
Julie Herman, Dancerite
Lynton Golds, Dancewise
Joanne Simmons, Star Dance Club
Beverley Morris, Star Dance Club
Christine Hawkins, Karen Byron
Sophie Duffin, Star Dance Club
Cindy Gurney, Dancewise
Maureen Durn, Dancerite
Kerry Simmons, Star Dance Club
Nadia Flint, Dance Crazy
Linda Waite, R & J Miles Thiti Ketprach, Dancewise
Leigh Dyson, Grafty Dance Club

David Collins Star Dance Club
Patricia Brooks, T & P Lait

Lindsay Kitto, Star Dance Club
Gilbert Wu, Dancewise
Carol Rowe, Star Dance Club
Jessica Duffin,Star Dance Club
Jeanette Knight, Star Dance Club
Lynton Golds, Dancewise
Lee Fuggle, Star Dance Club
Julie Clift Thompson, Dance Crazy
Sue Cook, Dancewise
Joe Nicholls, Star Dance Club
Robert Guerney, Dancewise
Maria Prior, Star Dance Club
Kerry Simmons, Star Dance Club
Lorna Laval-Chesterton, Dance South
Linda Waite, R & J Miles

Sequence

Natalie Faulkner Deville School of Dance
Terry Collard, Lane Dance Centre
Charlene Budden, Star Dance Club
Martin Arthur, Dance Zone
Pat Perryman, Lane Dance Centre