Sequence
Workshop & Inventive Dance Competition 2007
The
Leisure Centre at Whitwick was a hive of activity at
9.30am on Sunday 18th February. This was the venue the
Sequence Faculty had chosen for the Sequence Workshop/Refresher
Course 2007, which also incorporated the Inventive Dance
Competition.
Jill Bush, the Sequence Faculty Chairman, was responsible
for organising the day and she was joined by Julie Earnshaw
who was in charge of the Inventive Dance Competition
and, together with Faculty members Karen Byron and Robert
Aldred, helped to ensure a smooth running day.
Yvonne Taylor-Hill opened the day in her usual manner
with an excellent lecture on the ‘Juneau Jive’
assisted by Jonathan Reed. Having demonstrated and taught
the sequence she detailed many important points on lead
and hold before giving valuable information and teaching
tips to produce quality dancing through the use of correct
Jive technique and action.
Anne Lingard then took to the floor as the mood changed
to Classical Sequence. Her demonstrators Katherine Costain
and Jonathan Reed beautifully demonstrated ‘Fylde
Waltz’ and ‘Wedgewood Blue Gavotte’
to the appreciative audience. Eagerly we took to the
floor not only for the technical content which we were
about to receive, but for the pure enjoyment which Classical
Sequence brings! The theme was foot pressure of the
closing foot and use of the standing leg.
In both dances Anne dealt with the composite figures
in detail. Here was a lady with a mission – only
when she was satisfied that participants had a better
control and understanding of the Pas de Valse, Glissades,
Glissés and Balancés did she let them
stagger back to their seats to rest aching feet.
After a short break the Inventive Dance Competition
began with the Latin section. 16 dances had been entered.
Ann Brown partnered by Michael Stevenson won this section
with their entry ‘Rumba Rossillini’. Participants
enjoyed learning this dance which comprised a high content
of Associate and Licentiate syllabus figures.
My sympathy went out to the adjudicators as the Ballroom
section with 19 entries progressed. Arrangers had obviously
given a lot of thought not only to their choice of music
but also to presenting a sequence with a very high content
of syllabus material which flowed and portrayed the
characteristics of the dance. It was so good to see
sequences which were not full of gimmicks or flowery
bits (as in the old days), but simply good ballroom
dancing presented in sequence. Several of the sequence
dances would have made very enjoyable dancing but unfortunately
only one can be chosen. Stuart Perry with his partner
Beverley Howard took to the floor as the first place
was announced to receive their prize and to teach their
winning dance, appropriately named ‘Imperial Foxtrot’.
Towards the end of the day we were treated to a lecture
by John Taylor. Between globetrotting as a multi- faculty
examiner for the ISTD and a busy teaching schedule he
found time to present a lecture for the Sequence Faculty.
As a lecturer he is one of my personal favourites. Behind
the laugh and his witty humour is a man with a tremendous
depth of technical knowledge in four faculties. His
lecture was on the ‘Four Winds Foxtrot’
in which he was assisted by the beautiful and elegant
Julie Earnshaw. As always, his lecture was clearly presented
with attention to detail featuring valuable ‘Taylor’s
Teaching Tips’, a wealth of knowledge and teaching
experience packed into 30 minutes. Reluctantly participants
left the floor with a unanimous feeling: “what
a lovely man, what a super lecture”.
The date for next year’s Refresher and Inventive
Dance Competition, Sunday 17th February, is already
firmly in many peoples diaries. As the event is very
well attended it is advisable to reserve a seat.
On my flight back to Cologne I remember thinking what
a super venue the Hermitage Leisure Centre would be
for a Medal Competition and having checked out the ISTD
website, I see that it is! On Sunday 10th June 2007
the Sequence Faculty held the Annual Sequence Festival
at the Hermitage Centre.
Ian de Souza
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