Month: March 2023

It was an early start as usual but made all the earlier by the clocks going forward an hour the night before. At least we only had to travel to Nottingham today as it was a local competition. With no qualifying to be done either, this one was just for fun and to gain a bit more match practice for greater challenges later in the year.

Today we were a small, but nevertheless enthusiastic, team with only 11 dancers in action: Scarlett, Brooke, Emily, Charlotte, Craig, Emma, Chris, Lisa, Dawn, Andy and Hazel. 

There was a good attendance and some good dancers so it was clear early on that it was not going to be a walk in the park! Everyone today had to be recalled to make their final and everyone did make at least one of their finals with most making both ballroom and Latin. There were a mix of couples and individual events and the couples were first in action. Craig & Emma won both their ballroom events with Charlotte & Emily finishing second. In the Latin Charlotte and Emily won the Samba with Craig & Emma third and then in the Paso Doble the positions were reversed. Chris & Lisa finished a creditable third and fourth in their ballroom events and second and third in the Latin whilst Andy & Dawn finished second and fourth in the ballroom and fourth and fifth in their Latin events. 

The individuals followed and Scarlett won her ballroom event from the highest entry of the day starting with a first round which had to be split into four heats. She backed this up with an excellent third in the Latin. Brooke, had a couple of rounds to navigate before her final and she also won her ballroom event and finished third in the Latin. Emma won her individual ballroom event and Lisa finished with a tie for first place in both her ballroom and Latin individual events, with everyone else also making at least one of their finals, all of whom had at least two recalls to get there.

An excellent day’s work all round and one which we can be pleased and proud of, the support as usual was great and well deserved. Of course Boris was on hand with a small group of helpers to lead the cheering and they thought the cake made the day especially enjoyable, although it did get stuck to their fur!

Best of all it was still light when we came out and it was only a short ride home. The next few weeks will be busy with the Easter Sequence Festival, the NATD North East Social Competition and then the NATD qualifier at Daventry. Watch out for further reports.

So here is the eagerly anticipated report from MB, so who is it this time? Post your guess and see if you can win a prize.

“And it’s here again – arguably the most important date in the dancing calendar – the first Dancesteps competition of the year.

A ‘family reunion’ as one may call it, saw many enthusiastic supporters coming along providing anything from encouraging cheers for those on the dance floor to switching out numbers for those also on partnering duty- which after doing once, I’ve gained a large respect for anyone who partners alongside competing regularly because that was not easy!

With the competition fully in motion, the floor was graced with dresses of all colours and styles red, black, green, yellow, dresses with feathers, dresses with lace, dresses you’ve seen other people wear before and some completely new. And I will say it’s always an honour to see dresses that I and others have worn before, gain a new life and be passed through the dancing generations.

In the sequence events, a wonderful Waverly Two Step was danced by the Juveniles followed by the adults who gave a performance of the Trafalgar Two Step – with the inventors of the dance also judging! Everyone delivered a splendid performance, making everyone proud.

Moreover, I must highlight my favourite event of the day which was the Under 6 Walks and Points. The dancers came with their A game and no less – reminding me of how I was once one of the dancers up there, an unforgettable dancing memory from my childhood.

As always, Louise kept the day moving swiftly along, and by lunchtime the first presentations were being announced with the school achieving tremendous results and many members being awarded first place in their respective categories. 

Next, we saw fierce performances in the Latin events with expressive Cha Cha Chas and powerful Paso Dobles taking our breath away – metaphorically and literally.

Before we knew it, we had made it to the final event, the under 35 couples Jive. Of course the day would not be complete without playing ‘Reach For The Stars’ a staple of the Dancesteps competition. With the whole audience joining in for the chorus, the atmosphere was electric.  It was delightful spending another year back together with our dancing family and I will be looking forward to whatever (or whoever) next year brings.”

As always with our own competition we will have a full report of the day from the mystery blogger, who will it be this time?

Just to say however that it was a fabulous day with almost a full turnout from the team. There were also a number of spectators who came along to support and cheer people on. For some it was their first outing or their first time dancing in a new age or grade category whilst others were old hands but all looked great and danced amazingly well.

There were many “personal bests” and of course it isn’t always about winning but the roll of honour was as follows: Ballroom – Alisha, Scarlett, Tabatha, Emma, Peter, Craig, Allison, Grace P, Karen, Josh & Grace and Stuart & Andrea, Sequence – Rosie, Olivia, Chloe, Craig and Karen, Latin – Chloe, Lisa, Allison, Grace P, Karen, Chloe & Brooke and Paul & Karen

A huge thank you to all our helpers: Julie, Andrew, Jean, Joan, Rob and Debbie, the partnering team of Ruth, Luke and Liam and those who partnered as well as competing themselves: Grace P, Josh, Craig, Karen, Emma, Charlotte, Stuart, Andrea and Grace S. We could do it without all your hard work and dedication both on the day and beforehand.

Boris was of course on hand to oversee proceedings and was helped out by many of his chums. Fortunately he was also on hand to offer a bed for the night to someone who got left behind in all the excitement of the day!