A Step Back For Blackpool!
Report by: Didio Barrera
Photos by: Dallas Williams-www.ballroomrhythms.com
Two years after opening its borders to allow other countries to participate in the process of judging, the Blackpool Festival and Leisure Parks (the organizers) have closed those borders once again. Foreign judges are no longer welcome and we have returned to the tradition of "British judges only," a dramatic move, seen in the eyes of many as a hostile effort by the British coaches and adjudicators to maintain control of the Ballroom Empire. It was reported to us that Leisure Parks' decision was made following pressure from the British Dance Council, the governing body that grants the Open British titles to the Blackpool Festival. And why not? Blackpool, (The British Open) after all is theirs and theirs alone and they should be able to do with it whatever they desire. You can read my take on this issue by clicking on the article entitled "Running Scared."
Speaking of traditions, it has been a tradition at Blackpool for over twenty years to have a friendly teams match between England and three other prominent DanceSport countries of the world. England has won every year! Not 2006! With a historic win the team from Italy broke the tradition and sailed home with the trophy. Many may wonder if England ran out of the "Paso Doble Mist" that Mr. Gary MacDonald (The US Team Captain of 2005 and 2006) suggested during the Mayor's Reception that they used to secure last year's victory by 0.01 points? Or is England's weakness beginning to show? Click on "Paso Doble Mist" for my take on the Teams Match.
You can also click on "We Are All Paying For The Organ" for a quick look at some of the less important but still interesting traditions that make Blackpool the most unusual and prestigious competition in the world.
As far as the competition went, Blackpool still offers the finest competition in the world, but I must say that with the exception of the Amateur Standard that kept me on the edge of my seat, the other events were OK, but provided little to write about. (You can read my experiences from the Amateur Standard in my article, "The VW Saved The Day."). The Pro Standard went for the first time to Mirko Gozzoli & Alessia Betti from Italy but a strong challenge came from Timothy Howson & Joanne Bolton who placed second. Read more in my article entitled "More of the Same." The Professional and Amateur Latin for me had the most interesting bits, click on "The Naked Truth" for the Pro Latin and "What Were They Thinking?" for the Am Latin. If you have no desire to read my "rubbish" and want a really informative and serious look at all these events you can click on:
* Lindsey Hillier for the Pro. Standard
* Stanislav Popov for the Pro. Latin
* Benoit Drolet for the Am. Standard
* Diana McDonald for the Am. Latin
* Pierre Allaire for the Pro. RS Standard
* Phillip Nicholas for the Pro RS Latin
* Keith Todd for the Am. RS Standard
* Davide Gabusi for the Am. RS Latin
* Paul Beeton for the Youth Standard
* Didio Barrera for the Youth Latin
* Keith Todd for the Senior Latin & Standard
* Lorie Woods-Gay for the Pro. Exhibition
Another historical occurrence at this year's Blackpool was the 20th anniversary of Chrisanne International that was celebrated under a "Swarovski Shower" you can click here to see pictures and a report.
We are also featuring the work of one of Dancesport's leading Photographers, "Dallas & Martha Williams" of Ballroom Ryhthms, Australia. The pictures you are seeing are by them and their work will be featured throughout our stories.
2006 was Blackpool's biggest year in its 81 years of festivals. The current Festival Organizer, Sandra Wilson, handled the vast job with apparent ease and efficiency. There is a rumor that so many entries were turned away this year that another day may be added to this eight-day festival in 2007. We'll keep you posted!