Month: September 2019

The busy season has kicked in and there are a number of major events on the horizon. We decided to try an event which we had not attended before and so our intrepid dancers set forth to Bournville for an invitation medallist event. For some it was the chance to gain some valuable match practice ahead of Blackpool and for others it was a chance for another outing and benchmark their skills against some different people. For others it was their first foray onto the competition floor.

The location was Bournville college near Birmingham which is a spacious sports hall with a large wooden floor giving the dancers room to stretch their legs. We had a number of regulars who were unable to attend through injury or holiday but we still had a good turnout. The day overall was quieter than we might have hoped for but there were still a number of experienced dancers eager to compete.

The juniors and juveniles kicked off and we had Phoebe, Lewie, April, Ashton, Tabatha, Brooke, Paige and Grace S all in action today. As we would expect they all tried their hardest and were rewarded with some good results.

Finalists today were Lewie, Brooke, Tabatha, Ashton, Grace and Paige in the ballroom section with first places for Grace and Paige. In the Latin section Lewie, April, Tabatha, Ashton, Grace and Paige also made the finals.

In the couples event Lewie and Phoebe won both their ballroom and Latin events, Ashton and April (dancing together for the first time) and Brooke and Tabatha made both their finals and Paige and Grace made their ballroom final. Overall then some excellent performances especially since many of our youngsters are still relatively new to competing. 

We then commenced the adult events. We had Evie joining the team for the first time today and she recorded a win in her ballroom event and a second place in the Latin which was a great outcome at the first attempt.

Also winning today were Rosalind, Peter, Craig, Chris, Serena, Karly, Neil, Emily, Carol and Allison. Craig & Karly, Neil & Carla and Peter & Carol also had wins in their couples events. In the over 35 years couples events we secured the top three places in both the ballroom and Latin sections with Chris & Serena taking third in the ballroom and Rosalind & Allison placed second in the Latin.

As always, everyone was well turned out with some new dresses on display and as always upholding our tradition of the ‘best dressed school’. We were of course delighted to be awarded the ‘school shield’, presented to the dance school with the best overall results on the day. Well done to everyone for their continued hard work and dedication especially the partners and teachers, Luke, Liam and Ruth.

For some there are tougher days ahead at Blackpool in October and November where finals and wins will be harder to come by but we are sure you will all rise to the challenge as always. For others we will be working towards exams in December. 

Watch out for future reports.

The summer holidays are already becoming a distant memory and the competition season is making a welcome return. The first event of this term is our sequence competition which take place, in conjunction with Steven & Helen, at Stavely near Chesterfield.

The day commenced with the children’s events and we had three bold dancers attending this event for the first time. All the events they entered were solo and it’s no easy task trying to remember six dances and performing them on your own on the competition floor. However, Brooke, Tabatha & Phoebe rose to the challenge and showed they are strong, competent dancers. In the Juvenile Square Tango & Ragtime Swing,  Brooke and Tabatha had to come through two rounds to make the final, coming a very respectable 5th & 6th respectively. In the Under 10yrs Pas de Basque & Walks and Gainsborough Glide, Tabatha & Phoebe again had to come through two rounds to make the final, this time Tabatha came 5th & Phoebe 6th. In the  Under 12yrs solo the judges couldn’t differentiate and Tabatha & Brooke tied for 4th place. In the Open Fylde Waltz & Waverley Two Step, Brooke came 4th. Then to conclude the afternoon, Phoebe danced through two rounds of the Under 8yrs Rosette Two Step & Square Tango to secure a 5th place in the final. They should all be very proud of how they all danced as well as achieving great results.

It was then the turn of the adult competitors. They danced their warm up  rounds during the afternoon and then their finals took place during the evening social dance. It was lovely to see so many people come for the social dance, giving them the opportunity to join in some general dancing and also to show such brilliant support for the competitions. I’m sure it was much appreciated by the competitors and they all ‘upped their game’ in response.

The results were Josh & Grace were 3rd in both their classical and modern sequence events. In the process dancing a lovely interpretation of the Elizabethan Waltz. Stuart & Andrea were also 3rd in both of their events and Craig & Emma secured two wins in their events. By far the biggest entry of the adult section was the  Over 35yrs social, which required three rounds to determine the final platings. It was a very conclusive result for the school. In the classical event, Paul & Karen won, with Neil & Carla 2nd, Andrew & Dawn 3rd and Chris & Serena (being a new partnership to this event) securing 5th. Considering the strong competition this was a massive success. In the modern  sequence event there were some slight changes, this time Neil & Carla secured the win over Paul & Karen, Andrew & Dawn were 3rd again and this time Chris & Serena achieved 4th.

Thanks to everyone who attended whether to compete or support from both our dance school and other dance schools across the country. Also, thanks to our loyal team of helpers, Jean, Julie, Ruth & Liam on the door and assisting with the  scrutineering, Brian & Janice in the kitchen, Auntie Joan ticket collecting, Julie as first aider and of course Luke adjudicating.

The next couple of weeks will be spent ensuring everyone is settled into our new studio with the next competition on 22nd Sept in Bourneville. Also, remember if you wish to attend the Christmas party deposits need to be paid by 13th Sept (adults only) & ISTD Blackpool ticket and accommodation money is also due on the same date.