Month: March 2016

Easter Parade

It’s Easter so that can only mean one thing – Southport! For the annual Southport Sequence Festival. This time we had six couples dancing: Liam & Alex, Stuart & Andrea, Dawn & Andy, Dennis & Sue, Neil & Carla and for the first time, Josh and Grace.IMG_1614

The first event in which we had representation was the “Dancer of the Year” event which Josh and Grace won against some stiff competition. They also went on to win all of their other events over the weekend a fantastic achievement at their first attempt. IMG_1636Liam and Alex retained the Amateur Classical Championship title with a convincing win, being placed 1st in all dances by all adjudicators.IMG_1634 They also won one of their events on the Sunday and were placed 2nd in the other. Stuart and Andrea were placed 3rd their Modern Sequence event and also in their Classical Sequence event on the Sunday.

IMG_1628Both Andy & Dawn and Neil & Carla made the final of their Classical Sequence event finishing 4th and 5th respectively.

The Latin sequence event is an entertaining feature of the Southport festival and this is open to all grades. Liam & Alex, Josh & Grace and Andy & Dawn all made the final being placed 2nd, 3rd and 5th.

Sunday dawned dry and bright but soon turned wet and windy, just the sort of weather to be indoors and all of our couples were once again in action. Andy & Dawn made all of their finals once again adding two more 4th places to their tally. Dennis and Sue won one of their events with Neil and Carla placed 2nd in the same event. They also both made the final of one of their other events finishing 5th and 6th respectively.

Southport 5The culmination of the festival is usually the Team match which has historically produced great entertainment. The theme this year was Circus. Our team comprised Louise as Lion Tamer, with Andy as the lion, Stuart & Andrea as Clowns, Liam & Alex as “strongmen (and women)” Josh & Grace as trapeze artists and myself as the Ringmaster. Unfortunately the only other team entered withdrew but we carried on regardless and everyone gave a great performance. Well done to you all on your costumes, they were fantastic especially Stuart’s shoes!

It was a very full but very enjoyable weekend, roll on next year.

What a Party!

The NATD couples competition this year happened to coincide with Dennis’s Birthday this year so what better way to celebrate than at a dance competition amongst friends? NATD 5

This time we had a number of couples competing: Molly & Olivia, Josh & Grace, Craig & Lydia, Emily & Madeleine, Andrew and Dawn, Dennis & Sue and a new partnership for this competition of Chris & Allison.

We began in fine style in the ballroom events with wins in all of the seven events in which we had couples dancing. Molly & Olivia won all three of their events, Josh and Grace won both of theirs and Emily & Madeleine and Andy & Dawn both won one of their events.

NATD 1A recent addition to the programme was the Non Competing Adult paired with a Junior Quickstep competition. Molly paired up with Caroline and were placed first whilst Olivia teamed up with Martin and came second a great performance from you all, the icing on the cake some would say!

Next came the Sequence events and again we won both events through Molly & Olivia and Josh & Grace. In the Adult event all our couples made the final with Craig & Lydia finishing a creditable second Andy &  Dawn third, Emily & Madeleine and Dennis & Sue tieing for fifth and Chris and Allison a respectable seventh.

The Latin events followed and Olivia & Molly lead the way with two firsts and a second. Josh and Grace had two firsts, Craig and Lydia two thirds, Emily & Madeleine a second and sixth, Andy & Dawn a first and a fourth, Denis & Sue a second and Chris & Allison a third.IMG_1604

A sparkling performance from the whole team then, one to which the opposition “couldn’t hold a candle”. It was all a piece of cake really and that was pretty good too, even the bears felt a bit stuffed afterwards (groan!!!)

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DanceSteps Competition-Mystery Blogger Strikes Again!

The school was out in force last Sunday for our own competition and this time we have a report from a “Mystery Blogger”. A valuable prize awaits the first person to correctly post the Blogger’s name.

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“It was a grand day out for the Duesbury Aldreds on the special occasion of mothers day, with a chance of a slightly longer lie in, seeing as the location of the venue was at Long Eaton, West Park Leisure Centre where each competitor strutted out the car all done up, hair, makeup and not forgetting the tans! Despite the fact I went with out one this week, nevertheless each and everyone one of us was ready to compete and present our delightful dancing. Many new starters also twirled onto the dance floor and successfully danced whilst being well supported along with the other competitors, and supporters which created an encouraging atmosphere which everyone could thrive off.
My personal element of the day was the sequence events where many of us performed Waverley Two Step and straight afterwards in contrast to this, Sindy Swing, having to change the theme of each dance in less than thirty seconds whilst both competitors and partners quickly grabbed a breath when we had the chance, to endeavour a place in the recalls, leading to the finals.
Not forgetting about the little ones dancing either the Boston Two Steps and the the even smaller ones immaculately performing 3 Walks and Points, literally climbing to the podium and thrilled to receive an award!
Not too long afterwards, once the many trophies and medals were awarded for ballroom and sequence, we had a raffle. Two of our fabulous ladies selling the raffle tickets and then the lucky ones of us going up and collecting one of the many 21 prizes we had! Many thanks to everyone that brought raffle prizes, it was very thoughtful and I also won one!
Latin was next, where everyone looked exquisite and prepared for the busy afternoon, and had the opportunities to show your unknown personalities off, both on the dance floor and during “Reaching for the stars” everyone loved it, even Bruno!
The mums got the dance fever and got up on the dance floor, I personally hoped they didn’t have to dance because I had no hope with my mother dancing! Sorry mum, however they went up to earn a bottle of wine instead for their special day and all of them came off smiling however I knew some of them were secretly disappointed!
Speaking from my behalf, everyone had a great day thanks to the two people that can generate this to happen, Robert and Louise we are all very grateful and well done to everyone, you’re all stars.”
Thank you to our reporter, can you guess who it is????