The Sixty-Sixth Annual Blackpool Dance Festival for Juniors
Presented by the Winter Gardens Blackpool, Blackpool Entertainment Company Limited on behalf of Blackpool Council
Report by Mr. Warren Boyce
The Sixty-Sixth Annual Blackpool Dance Festival for Juniors, held at the prestigious Winter Gardens in Blackpool, once again showcased the pinnacle of talent in the juvenile and junior ballroom dancing world. This year's festival exuded a wonderful atmosphere of celebration, uniting families, and competitors from all corners of the globe. The inaugural British Open Solo Championships added an extra layer of excitement and success to the event, taking place in the new Conference Centre.
Under the expert guidance of Miss Cheryl Beresford, the new chair of adjudicators for Ballroom and Latin, coupled with the enchanting melodies provided by Ashley Frohlick and the Empress Orchestra, the festival witnessed exceptional performances from the juvenile dancers.
The presence of 11 adjudicators at this year's Junior Festival marked a significant increase from the usual 9, adding even greater importance to the championship. This decision underscored the organisers' commitment to ensuring fair and comprehensive evaluations of the performances. Notably, one of the adjudicators, Mr. Steven Sysum, held a special significance as the winner of the first British Juvenile Ballroom Championship in 1989.
Congratulations are due to all the finalists for their outstanding performances and dedication throughout the competition. Their hard work and passion for dance were evident in every step they took on the dance floor. Now, let's delve into the results of the championship to celebrate the achievements of the talented dancers.
1st Place - Luca Ivanets and Pebble Rode Sprat:
Luca and Pebble's performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. From the very first round, Luca's impeccable shoulder line, posture, and stance commanded attention, while Pebble's remarkable engine powered their routines with grace and precision. Luca's execution of a perfect double reverse spin set them apart, showcasing their technical prowess. Their standout performance came in the quickstep, where they exhibited unmatched exuberance, effortlessly executing tipsys with finesse. Double congratulations were the order of the day as Luca also celebrated his 11th birthday making it unforgettable.
2nd Place - Nazar Melnychuk and Mira Hrinchenko:
Nazar and Mira delivered a mature and polished performance, particularly evident in their tango routine. Their execution of a curve feather into a running finish exuded sophistication and control and showed how they are clearly preparing for Under 14s. In the foxtrot, they displayed super-clean movements, with certain actions performed even better the second time around, demonstrating their mastery of repetition.
3rd Place - Oleksandr Potseluiev and Nikol Biletska:
Despite being the youngest couple in the competition, Oleksandr and Nikol showcased remarkable talent and composure. Their win in the under 10 championship speaks volumes about their potential. Their performance was marked by exceptional consistency and clean-cut movements. They demonstrated a strong understanding of technique, particularly evident in their efforts to refine challenging figures like the hover cross.
4th Place - Ai Jintao and Ma Yijing:
Ai and Ma's performance showcased their remarkable technical prowess despite facing minor wardrobe challenges. Ai's mastery of lowering actions was exemplary, demonstrating a deep understanding of technique and control. However, the length of his trousers proved to be a hindrance, often appearing excessively long due to the couple's excellent utilization of joints. Despite this issue, their impeccable footwork and precise movements highlighted their commitment to excellence.
Ma's upper body styling complemented Ai's movements, adding finesse and elegance to their routines. In their tango performance, Ma's superb placement and execution of figures elevated their routine, captivating the audience and judges alike. Despite the wardrobe setback, Ai and Ma's dedication to their craft shone through, earning them recognition for their outstanding performance.
5th Place - Oleg Lytvynenko and Emiliia Redovska:
Despite securing the 5th place, left a lasting impression with their performance, particularly in the tango routine. Their execution of flick and strike actions was excellent, demonstrating precision and flair on the dance floor. However, in the swing dances, there's room for improvement in softening their leg action on lowering, which would enhance the fluidity and grace of their movements.
With dedication and refinement, Oleg and Emiliia have the potential to elevate their performance to even greater heights. Their moments of brilliance at this year's competition indicate a promising future in the world of ballroom dancing. Undoubtedly, they will return next year with renewed determination, ready to challenge once again for the title and showcase their growth and improvement on the dance floor.
6th Place - Nikita Chernenko and Anna Isyanova:
Nikita Chernenko and Anna Isyanova's performance in the competition was a testament to their exceptional training and dedication to priciples. Their execution of beautiful lilting chasses in the slow waltz showcased expert timing and precision. Throughout all dances, they exhibited excellent leg and foot action, demonstrating the fruits of their rigorous training regimen. However, there were some minor issues noted, such as shoulders creeping up towards the end of their routines. Despite this, they stood out as one of the most mature-looking couples on the floor, together with the Chinese couple. Anna tended to fade towards the end of the dances, which could be an area for improvement in their stamina and endurance.
Nevertheless, Nikita and Anna's performance was marked by excellent leg and foot action, showcasing their mastery of the dance form. Nikita's elegant left-hand styling added a touch of nostalgia. The classic tango stance was particularly noteworthy and furthermore the use of timeless figures in the quickstep, including the running right turn and the double reverse spin-cross swivel-fishtail displayed great purity and finesse. However, the standout moment for many was their flawless execution of the heel pull and rumba cross, performed twice in succession across the short side of the ballroom, captivating the audience with its elegance and watchability.
Overall, each couple demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication, contributing to the success of the event, and setting a high standard for future competitions.
The Sixty-Sixth Annual Blackpool Dance Festival for Juniors was a resounding success, celebrating the talent and dedication of juvenile dancers from around the world. The event not only showcased outstanding performances but also served as a platform for nurturing future stars in the world of ballroom dancing. Congratulations to all the participants, and here's to another year of mesmerising performances at the Winter Gardens Blackpool.
Mr. Warren Boyce
Image credit: Dancefile.eu
Wonderful report by Warren Boyce