Month: April 2023

It’s been a while since we have been at Daventry which was always a popular event in the past but following the pandemic the school has not be there in force. That all changed today however and in spite of the miserable weather we set forth with great expectations.

The bears have always liked Daventry because rather than being squashed onto a chair they get a table to spread out on and Boris was pleased to see a good turnout although a little disappointed that Logan and Henrietta didn’t put in an appearance, maybe they hadn’t quite recovered from Whitby!

The day started with Latin unusually and everyone was soon in action. There were a few recalls today mainly in the younger age groups so Olivia had to earn her second place whilst both Brooke and Megan did well to get a recall to their final with Brooke winning and Megan securing fifth place. Also finishing in first place were Harvey, Emma, Craig, Emily, Charlotte, Irina, Chris, Paul, Karen, Kathryn (who did well to be dancing following her injury), Alison T, Stephen, Lisa, and Allison. Since many of the events are split with leader and follower however the competition was limited in some of the events but there were some good performances nonetheless and those who had to perform solo demonstrations should be applauded as this is not an easy thing to do under any circumstances.

The ballroom qualifiers followed and not everyone was dancing in these events as they were only for people who had not had the opportunity to qualify yet. However, Alisha’s third place and Florrie’s well earned second place were worthy of mention. Also on the winners rostrum were: Harvey, Chloe, Tabatha, Emma, Angela and Stephen.

With the qualifying over it was now time for the serious business of the Ragtime Swing event. This is a regular feature of this event and one which attracts a large entry as well as being one in which the school has an excellent record. We didn’t have any juvenile competitors today but Chloe & Brooke, Tabatha & Kaitlyn, Florrie & Megan and Harvey & Sophie all took up the challenge in the junior event. All couples tried their hardest and received at least one recall but Chloe & Brooke and Tabatha & Kaitlyn made it all the way to the final finishing third and fourth respectively.

The adult event had one of the largest entries of the day and well done to those who paired up with not much practice to take up the challenge. In the end, Paige & Fearn made it to the semi-final whilst Craig & Emma, Paul & Karen and Chris & Lisa all made it to the final. Craig & Emma retained the honour of the School by taking the trophy with Paul & Karen in runners up spot and Chris & Lisa in seventh.

We then moved on to the couples events and we had some impromptu pairs. Scarlett and Olivia did well to finish in sixth, dancing the difficult tango. There were also first places for Craig & Emma, Stephen & Angela and Paul & Karen in their events and Chloe & Brooke and Tabatha & Kaitlyn finished second and third in their event which had the largest entry of any of our couples events.

Finally we came to the Rose Bowl, another feature of this competition and this year a competitor could be paired with a non competitor. After a little arm twisting (although in truth not much was required) Joyce, Michelle, Hayley, Estelle and Marie all sprang into action with Chloe, Emily, Paige, Paul and Craig respectively. It was, needless to say the most popular event of the day with the first round requiring four heats. Earning a recall were Chloe & Joyce, and Paul & Estelle whilst Emily & Michelle made a round further. With Craig & Marie the only couple to make the final there was great excitment and despite a valiant attempt and a performance that improved with each round they couldn’t quite secure the top step but nevertheless finished as worthy runners up.

Another good day then for the team with great support from everyone. Well done to eveyone who took part and we look forward to seeing how you all get on at Blackpool in July!

Another day another trip to Whitby! This time the weather was kind and it was almost spring like. Just two of our dancers made the journey, Chris & Lisa, and of course Boris. Being local, Serena also came along once more to support our dancers so we were a small but select band.

It was another opportunity to gain some invaluable match practice and Chris & Lisa took full advantage finishing first in the over 35 years couples section and third in the open adult event.

Next came the adult individual events and Chris & Lisa partnered each other. In the Adult section Lisa finished fifth with Chris in sixth then in the over 35 years section Chris won with Lisa closely behind in second.

The Latin events followed and in the open adult they were placed fourth and then came third in the over 35 years couples events. In the individual events Lisa was placed fourth in the Over 35 years event whilst Chris finished fifth. An excellent set of results overall.

We rounded off the day with the traditional visit to the Magpie for Whitby’s finest before heading off home at the end of a very long week. Next up we have Daventry followed shortly after by Lutterworth, both qualifying events. It looks like Boris is going to have his paws full. 🐾

Having moved from its spiritual home of Southport last year to Scarborough, The Easter Sequence Festival this year moved up the east coast to Whitby, a venue well known to our dancers who attend the NATD North Eastern area competitions. The ballroom was the same stunning location, perched on the cliffs overlooking the beach and sea but had a slightly different feel to it this time. It is a lovely spacious room with a good size floor to dance on which would be appreciated by the dancers. After having to scale the cliffs at Scarborough last year with ropes and crampons! it was relatively easy to get from the hotel to the ballroom. Unfortunately the weather was not so kind however and having left in glorious sunshine we arrived to drizzle and rain which Whitby sometimes likes to tease us with.

Happily we had a full turnout for the start of proceedings having lost a few last year (to Covid not the cliffs) before we began and everyone was determined to give a good account of themselves but most importantly, enjoy the weekend. The team this time welcomed Chris & Lisa for their first appearance together at this event alongside regulars, Josh & Grace, Craig & Emma, Stuart & Andrea, Neil & Carla and Andy & Dawn. Of course Boris and co. were in attendance together with our vocal supporters excited by the prospect of three days of competition and social dancing.

It was an early start for some of us having to be in the ballroom for 10am but for the rest it was a more leisurely lunchtime appearance. All couples were in action today with Stuart & Andrea and Neil & Carla opening the batting in the Senior Special Event (a competition not a meal deal!). Stuart & Andrea won the event with Neil & Carla, dancing for the first time at this event in the higher grade, being placed third. The category which Andy & Dawn and Chris & Lisa were dancing in this weekend is not always split by age at this event, as they usually are, so finals were always going to be that much harder to come by. Nevertheless, Andy & Dawn were placed third and Chris & Lisa seventh in their opening event, so a great start to proceedings. 

We then had time for a quick bite before it was back to the ballroom again for the evening session. Once again, Stuart & Andrea took the honours in their event with Neil & Carla third, Josh & Grace had two second places in their events with Craig & Emma placed fourth and fifth in the same events. Andy & Dawn secured another third place but sadly Chris & Lisa did not make the final of this event although they danced with great purpose and are starting to settle down into this level. So ended the first day and with expectations raised how would the rest of the weekend go?

Day two dawned with the sun shining brightly, Whitby keen to show us its other face. With more dances to remember and the successes of yesterday a warm fuzzy memory what would today bring? Once again our dancers were all in action both in the afternoon and evening sessions. With the Amateur and Social Modern Sequence and the Senior Classical Sequence to look forward to as well as a number of other supporting events there would be plenty to keep us occupied.

We began the day with the Senior tango competition in which Stuart & Andrea and Neil & Carla were placed second and third respectively, but Stuart & Andrea then regained the initiative by winning the mixed event. In the Social dance category, Andy and Dawn won the Over 35 years event with Chris & Lisa being placed sixth and then in their mixed open event Chris & Lisa secured a semi final place and Andy & Dawn came third. The two couples repeated this result later in the evening session in their Modern Sequence event. Josh & Grace continued to cement their position in the Amateur field by being placed second in both of their events in the afternoon session.

We then had a few hours (which is rare here) to have a relaxing meal before getting ready for the evening session. Stuart & Andrea and Neil & Carla had their Classical Sequence event in which they placed second and third and again, Josh & Grace were placed second in their Modern Sequence competition, this time with Craig & Emma finishing in fifth place in a strong Amateur field. Another good day overall and improved performances all round. There was just time for a quick drink or two before bedtime to reflect on the events of the last two days and enjoy the company of our dancing family.

All too soon we arrived at the last day and this would prove to be the toughest both mentally and physically with a whole afternoon of competitions, including the eight dance events, followed by the evening grand finale. The Easter Bunny (aka Louise) made her usual appearance to get the day off to a good start and then the couples took to the floor once again and we were away. Andy & Dawn and Chris & Lisa took to the floor in their eight dance event and finished in third and fourth place respectively. In the Over 35 years event Andy & Dawn took the top spot with Chris & Lisa in fifth. Andy & Dawn repeated their success in the Over 50 years event and were also placed second in the Latin.

In the Senior event, Stuart & Andrea came second and Neil & Carla third in their eight dance, a pattern repeated in the other two competitions this afternoon. Meanwhile in the Amateur section Josh & Grace maintained their runner up position with Craig & Emma placed fifth. With just a couple of hours to rest and refuel we came all too soon to the final evening. Andy & Dawn and Chris & Lisa were not dancing this evening having completed all their events earlier but nevertheless came along to add their support to the others.

This evening we had the Amateur Classical and Latin sections and the Senior Modern Sequence. The atmosphere was electric, particularly in our corner of the room, which spurred the dancers on in their performances and no effort was spared. Stuart & Andrea finished in second place in their event with Neil and Carla in fourth. Josh & Grace were placed in their, by now familiar but still well earned, runners up spot in both Classical and Latin whilst Craig & Emma were sixth in Classical and third in Latin.

It was a terrific weekend with amazing performances from all dancers assisted greatly by the team of dedicated supporters who do a good deal more than just turn up and applaud to help all the team to achieve the successes that they do. Boris and the bears clapped their paws off and were quite exhausted by the end. All was concluded with a group Sindy Swing to finish us all off and give some of the supporters a chance to show off their own dancing skills!

And so ended the festival with everyone coming away worn out but with a smile on their faces. Next year we are back at Scarborough and I’m sure it will already be in everyone’s diaries.