Cervia - FEINDA 22
Report by Susan Walker
Photos by ballroomrhythms.com
It was almost midnight as I arrived in Cervia and passed by the Palasport on the eve of the commencement of FEINDA 22. I noticed that the lights were still on, "They're still setting up," I thought, and decided to call in to collect my adjudicating schedule and thus ascertain exactly how late I could sleep on the Sunday morning! I discovered that only the bar staff remained and that everything else was more than "pronto!"
Looking into the hall, things were in their usual position (the Prandi Sound equipment set up and ready for DJ Federico Costanzi. Adalberto's platform, chair, and microphone, the adjudicator's enclosure, prize presentation table and the urns of flowers and guest tables bordering the floor) except that at one end, a new and huge backdrop had been erected that entirely screened one side of the hall. It consisted of two smaller side sections, each with a scene depicting the beauty of this hospitable sea-side town on the Adriatic Riviera, and welcoming you to Cervia, and a third large centre piece that consisted of a montage of photographs and was entitled, "The Stars of FEINDA." Illuminated in this empty room, and appearing to be looking at me all at once, dancing, smiling and yes, even singing, they were there. Bill and Bobbie, Peter Maxwell, Margaret Redmond, John Ford and Marguerite Hanlon, Marcus and Karen, Donnie and Gaynor, Bryan and Carmen, and so many more of the people that have contributed over the years to making this event so special. Even by the end of the week, I felt that I'd still had insufficient time to study and appreciate those photos, and the memories that they evoked.
They say that "A change is as good as the rest." And I am sure that after twenty two years of single-handedly promoting and nurturing this festival (a pioneer of the competition/holiday concept) Adalberto and Lalla deserve a little respite and have thus joined forces to form a new organisational team with Davide and Olga Cacciari, and Donato and Giusy Scandiffio. Their combined skills along side the efforts of Competition Secretary, Salvatore Storti and the efficient back up team ensured that the schedule, that for this year only had to be condensed into five hectic days ran like Swiss rather than Italian clockwork.
FIDS and IDSF patronage endorsed the main amateur events, and the International Open, IDSF Modern, Latin, and Senior one were won by Paolo Bosco and Silvia Pitton, Riccardo Cocchi and Joanne Wilkinson, and Stefano Bernardini and Stefania Martellini (Italy) respectively.
As always the youth events were of an excellent quality. Modern winners from an entry of 163 couples were Vadim Shudin and Ekaterina Volgina (Russia), whilst the Latin victors, were Gabrielle Goffredo and Ekaterina Vaganova (Italy) who were also the lucky recipients of the annual scholarship (previously awarded by the American Ballroom Company, and, this year, personally maintained by Mr. Peter Maxwell) in the form of an all expenses paid trip to the Embassy Ball in Los Angeles.
Junior double winners were Nikita Brovko and Olga Nikolaeva (Russia) with a depth and quality of performance that belied their tender years.
CIDS patronage was given to the series of professional events of which the popular 35 to 45 age group modern culminated in an all Italian final, and saw Angelo Costanzo and Roberta Mantovan, Marco Beltrami and Emanuela Pieri, and Massimiliano Grassi and Lisa Lazzeri achieving the honour of a place on the podium at Cervia.
The full programme of competitions were interspersed with various shows offered by Mauro and Patrizia Lini and International Dance Bassano, Folklore Romagnolo by Giampiero Cicognani and two generations of the Ermeti and Semprini families with a number entitled "The Story Continues." Another spectacle that could have quite aptly shared this title as it was indeed the continuation of a family story, was in the form of a "comeback" show by the brother and sister team of Luca and Luanna Fanni. Cervia has so often been the choice of occasion for retirement announcements, so it was with their usual originality that they decided to make theirs a "resurrection" announcement! They have performed here so many times in competition, exhibition and also in the unforgettable John Ford and Marguerite Hanlon spectaculars. Having followed individual paths in recent years, it was great to see them perform together again. Their show was, as one would expect of them, clever, original, and undeniably Luca and Luanna!
Another highlight of this shortened week was the presentation of a special award by the Mayor of Cervia, Roberto Zoffoli to English senior competitors David and Mary Corfield who have unfailingly participated in the festival for the past 20 years. The presentation was made on the evening of the over 56 Senior Modern event and they received rapturous applause from their fellow competitors, as did Chairman Bill Irvine, for his observation that Dance is ageless.
The final evening has always been dedicated to the Professional Latin Trofeo Fabrizio. This year was no exception, but the Professional Modern event was run simultaneously and certainly provided us with a night to remember. Both are ranking events in the WD and DSC World Series and are always of the highest calibre. The latin event in memory of Fabrizio Cavedoni has been won over the years by some of the world's leading exponents, and this year was no exception. A superb performance by Michael Malitowski and Joanna Leunis (Poland) gave them the victory and trophy, kindly donated once again by Franco and Marina Querze. The Latin final is normally the grand finale of the festival, but due to the excitement and expectation created in the Modern event, things were rescheduled and the latest episode in the Pino/Bucciarelli and Gozzoli/Betti saga provided us with our climax to FEINDA 22.
In a recent Dance News report, I referred to the individuality and differing talents of these two couples, and of my anticipation at the prospect of future encounters. Dance for many reasons, I believe to be an art form (albeit the necessity as in sport, to be physically fit.) We have no first past the post or over the line (although at times, in the Quickstep this would appear to be the criteria.) We rely for our decisions, solely on the knowledge and judgement of a "third eye." William and Alessandra won four of the five dances, losing only the Waltz, gaining an overall ratio of 39 to 26 of the 65 available first place markings. My feelings were that Mirko and Alessia tried just a little too hard to maintain their poll position achieved in Blackpool. Meanwhile, William displayed his usual air of nonchalance and self assurity (often interpreted as arrogance) thus permitting their continual improvement to shine through. Sometimes less really is more. If any credibility can be given to the application of the word sport within our art, it must be to the way that which these two couples continually present themselves and accept the analysis of their performances with such good sportsmanship. Who is better, Rembrandt or Picasso, Beethoven or Bark, Pino or Gozzoli; and so the Cervia decision was made!
Over the five days, 35 nations competed and approximately 4,500 competitors performances were evaluated by 25 international, and 70 national adjudicators under the chairmanship of Roberto Marelli, Heinz Spaeker (IDSF) Peter Maxwell, and Bill Irvine MBE. They were all super-efficient in the way they undertook this most difficult task. It was nice to see Bill back again this year. His eyes never strayed very far from that huge backdrop; he was being watched too! It was a shorter, yet longer week for many of us, and congratulations must go once again to Adalberto and Lalla, and all concerned for the continued success of the Italian Open.