It was fairly noisy as we walked in through the doors of the Tower Ballroom having paid a very reasonable £4 for entry and I was immediately in the right mood for a dance event. The venue, a proper ballroom, is a treat in this day and age when so many events are in sports halls. Competitive ballroom dancing may be called dancesport but to my mind it is always so much nicer when in a ballroom rather that a sports hall, it adds so much to the atmosphere and entertainment value for a spectator.
There were a large number of competitors at all levels, up considerably in most categories I would think from last year, and the compare, Martin Cutler, did a good job marshalling all entrants and keeping the competitions running smoothly and on time. Judges for the day, Ken Day, Peter Nash, Carol Perry, Adrian Pritchard and Duncan Trevor, Martin Cutler (non-voting chairman).
By the time we`d found seats, comfy ones around a large table with a good view of the floor, and purchased the much needed coffees, it was time for intermediate ballroom. There was a huge variation in standard amongst the dancers on the floor and whilst, as is often the case where subjectivity is an element of judging, I did not always see why some couples had made the next round and others had not but those who made the final danced really well and undoubtedly deserved to be there. It was good that there were several rounds as it meant many dancers were not just out on the floor once. It was interesting to note how generous students are in their support of fellow dancers, not only of couples from their own university, but of couples from other universities too. It makes a great atmosphere.
The advanced ballroom and the ex-student ballroom followed intermediates and gave us some really good dancing. However with only one category for ex-student it was very tough on those who may have only competed in novice whist students to be up against advanced dancers. All those who danced really went for it though, well done to them all! Advanced was won by Oliver & Haibo for Oxford and ex student by John and Danise, also Oxford.
The Warwick Challenge run in the middle of the day consisted of foxtrot, tango, rumba and samba. Four dances not in the main team match and therefore giving dancers the chance to shine in a different speciality. Again the comp was well managed and demonstrated some very good dancing, with Warwick taking the honours.
This was followed by the Latin events with a large number of beginner/novice couples choosing to dance in red and black. From a layman’s perspective it seemed hard to differentiate couples, and although I`m sure the experienced eyes of the judges did not have a problem, it certainly brings home the concept that what you wear does matter. If only to avoid merging into the mass!
Beginners that I`d watched at Nottingham looked that bit more confident and a number of notably extrovert characters did particularly well. The novices were obviously getting much more into the swing of. Those who made finals deserved their places but I would not have liked to choose the finalist’s as many in both categories deserved recognition.
Intermediate Latin then demonstrated the next big step up, with freedom from the restricted choreography of the preceding events, some very good dancing culminated in an exciting final. Spectators were really finding their voices by this point and cheering all dancers on with great enthusiasm.
The advanced Latin won by Raymond Liu & Eva Lisicanova from Imperial was a treat to watch and I particularly enjoyed watching Patrick and Sonia from Bristol, not that I am ever biased of course! Ex-student honours were taken by Laurie Young & Larissa Matsuk from London.
Sadly we had to leave at that point to make our weary way home but I gather the team match made for a very exciting end to the day and I very much look forward to the next Uni comp I will be attending. Well done to everyone who competed and well done to the organisers for a very well-run day.
Author: Debbie Duke
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