Duesbury Aldred Dance Centre Blog

Can it really be a year since we were last at the ISTD Grand Finals in Blackpool? Yet here we all were once again at the world famous Wintergardens, Twenty eight dancers supported by an entourage of family, friends, well wishers and bears. Just to qualify to dance at Blackpool amongst some of the countries best medallists is a major achievement and anything else is a bonus. It was fantastic then that almost all dancers got at least one recall with most making the semi final of their event and fourteen of them made at least one final with some making more than one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had six first timers this year: Olivia, Grace P, Chris, Craig Topham, Craig Taylor and Hazel. Blackpool can be daunting, especially for anyone who has not competed there before but all coped magnificently under the pressure. Hazel reached her ballroom semi final and Olivia and Chris both made their ballroom finals finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively. Grace P went one better with a 6th place in her ballroom and a 3rd place in her Latin events.

In the other Junior events Grace S made the semi finals of both her ballroom and Latin events, Lydia earned a 4th place in her ballroom event and Molly was runner up in her ballroom event. All of the competitions started with 40 or more competitors all of whom had had to qualify to be there so these results were terrific and well deserved.

Sunday morning brought the Sequence events and most of our dancers were in action from 8.30am. Again competition was intense. Allison, Carla, Serena and Neil all made their final as did Christine, Sue, Dennis and Andy, with Andy winning the event for a magnificent 4th time and Christine being placed 2nd.

The rest of the day was devoted to the Adult ballroom and Latin events and Serena, Paul, Allison and Neil all reached their ballroom finals with Serena winning her event. The end of the day saw the couples events with Dennis and Sue, Andy and Dawn and Neil and Carla all in action. All of them made both their ballroom and Latin finals with two 2nd and one 3rd places in the ballroom and two 5th and one 6th place in the Latin.

After starting at 8.30am Saturday morning we finally finished at 10.30pm Sunday evening, a very long and tiring weekend for all concerned but very enjoyable and worthwhile. Well done to everyone who took part, you were magnificent whatever your results and we are proud of you all

A huge thank you must go to those who give up their time to come along and partner for us: Luke, Ruth, Liam and Alex. Not only at Blackpool, but at lessons, and also the qualifying events throughout the year. Thank you also to those of you who have partnered as well as competing yourselves throughout the year, in particular Josh, Emily, Charlotte and Karen. We could not do it without you all and it is very much appreciated by everyone.

Many thanks also to all the parents, family, friends and supporters who come along to support and cheer us on, and finally to Boris and the team who attend every competition and sit patiently for many hours never once complaining!

We now look forward to the Medal Test session at the beginning of December followed the week after by Strictly George Spencer, which once again promises to be an event not to be missed. We then have a short respite over the Christmas period before we swing back into action once more in January.

Once again we ventured North to the spiritual home of Ballroom dancing, Blackpool. This time for the Sequence festival which takes place each October. Luke, with his new partner, Sophie were competing in the Professional Classical Sequence Championship, Liam and Alex were competing in the Amateur Classical and Modern Sequence Championship, and Dawn, Andy, Sue, Dennis, Carla and Neil were all competing in the Social Dance Classical and Modern Sequence competitions for the first time.

First out on Sunday evening were Dawn, Andy, Sue, Dennis, Carla and Neil who all danced well considering it was their first outing at this event, attracting the best sequence dancers in the country and some from overseas. Dawn and Andy and Carla and Neil all got recalled which was a great achievement.  Next up were Liam and Alex for the Modern Sequence in which they were placed second.

Monday sees the inventive dance competition in which we entered three dances, one in each section, and we were delighted to win with our Rumba Missouri. This takes our tally of wins in this event to 13, equalling the current record. Also dancing this evening were Dawn and Andy and Carla and Neil in their Social Classical Sequence, with Dawn and Andy making the final, a fantastic result and well deserved.

The excitement and anticipation increased on Tuesday evening with both the Amateur and Professional Classical Sequence Championships. Liam and Alex were first to take to the floor to defend the title they won last year. By giving the assured performance of reigning Champions regaining their title with some ease and a lovely, stylish display of Classical Sequence. Following on from this was the eagerly awaited Professional final in which Luke and Sophie were placed third. They gave an excellent and refined performance showing great togetherness and technical accuracy which was terrific considering they have only been together about two months and this was only their second competition.

Congratulations to you all we are proud to be associated with you. Having all returned home somewhat bleary eyed we now have only a week or so to recover for what will hopefully be another successful visit to Blackpool.

Last Sunday a few of us took a trip to the seaside at Whitby to sample the local cuisine at the famous Magpie Cafe, oh! and whilst we were there Sue and Dennis and Dawn and Andy decided to enter a dance competition!

The Pavilion ballroom is a lovely venue, spacious with a large wooden floor and a great view over the bay. It is one of the nicest places for dancing and usually attracts a good crowd.

All our dancers had a great day making all of their finals with Dawn and Andy taking first place in both of the senior events and Sue and Dennis taking second place so we really could not have done better. Dennis also took first place in the adult and child event and they were all placed in the open events which was a fabulous achievement.

The next outing will be the British Sequence Championships at Blackpool  and competing in that we have Luke and Sophie, Liam and Alex, Andy and Dawn, Dennis and Sue and Neil and Carla. We wish them all the very best and hope to return with some silverware!

Following closely behind that will be the ISTD Grand Finals also at Blackpool. It seems some time since we had a team outing and we look forward to having a great weekend. Boris sends his best wishes and looks forward to being re-united with old freinds.

 

Four couples ventured to the Sequence competition at Dudley on Sunday, Liam & Alex, Andy & Dawn, Dennis & Sue and Carla & Neil.

This was the last competition before the Blackpool Sequence Festival in October and so all were keen to have a final outing before the main event.

Liam and Alex won both the Amateur Classical and Amatuer Modern Sequence events with some assured dancing and hope to retain the title they won at Blackpool last year.

Our other three couples all danced well and are starting to make an impact in the sequence field which is still a relatively new experience for them. Dawn and Andy won three out of their four events which was an excellent result and Sue and Dennis and Carla and Neil shared a variety of second, third and fourth places between them. All three couples will be dancing their first Blackpool Sequence Festival this October so best wishes to you all.

Each year for the past four years the British Dance Council has run a special event as part of it’s Inventive Dance Competition to find a new Modern Sequence dance suitable for Amateur Competitors.

We are delighted to announce that this year’s competition was won by Luke Shepherd with the Green Emerald Waltz, a lovely flowing arrangement which I am sure will be enjoyed by the competitors. The name was chosen by Luke as Emerald is the birth stone of Charlie.

This was a great achievement since it was the first time Luke has entered an Inventive Dance Competition and he gave an excellent demonstration, partnered by Louise.

Louise and I have been fortunate to win this event on two previous occasions with the New York Quickstep and the Brooklyn Tango so it was brilliant to see Luke upholding the traditions of the School.

Well done and many congratulations!!