WORLD DANCE COUNCIL - DAY 3 - HAVE YOU EVER BEEN SOMEWHERE YOU KNOW YOU WILL NEVER FORGET?

WORLD DANCE COUNCIL - WORLD OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

from the WDC press room

DAY 3 -

Have you ever been somewhere you know you will never forget?
It is very safe to say that the many many people from all corner of the World who have spent the last three days at the WDC AL World Open most certainly have.

What an incredible experience for everyone who has taken part in any way at all. Dancers, coaches, adjudicators, the music man, the announcers, the adjudicators, the staff who worked tirelessly, and especially the audience are unanimous this was the most exciting competition they have ever attended. It is an unforgettable experience. Breakfast Sunday morning a group of South Africans were talking and their words “Last night alone made the trip so worthwhile”.

After the tremendous “high” on Saturday night many of us entered the ballrooms this morning at 9.00 a.m. wondering if the same atmosphere could ever be found again. Would “Super Sunday” be an anti climax? How wrong we Doubting Thomas's were! This event is proving to be a great big WDC family celebration where excitement builds and builds.

The morning and afternoon were mainly devoted to the Under 12/14/16/19 age groups. The new generations, the future of the WDC AL.
Those who will sparkle and become the stars of the coming years. The jewels in the dance world crown.

However the Over 35/45/55 age groups were not forgotten as they are a highly valued part of our dance world and in some countries they are now the majority.

The Senior 1 Ballroom had as adjudicators Vicky Barr, Caterina Arzenton, Rita Short, Kenny Welsh, Andrew Sinkinson, Mirko Saccani, Steven Hannah, Steve Powell, Massimo Girgianni, Tony Dokman. Other than Blackpool where else could such a panel be found anywhere in the world for a Senior event.

The WDC is proud of its heritage, the many years over which it has been the driving force in the development of dance in a spirit of compromise and co-operation.
The WDC realises that by evolution it must pass this legacy to the younger generations through the passing years. The young will discover that knowledge and understanding is vital that there must be progress and development but this must not mean the destruction of the old.

As 18.00 approached signalling the commencement of the evening session one could sense the atmosphere was building already and that a great night lay ahead. It was thought that the two main highlights would be the Amateur League Latin World Open Championship and the Disney Resort Professional Ballroom Championship but a thrilling surprise lay ahead.

To have a show by Sergey & Melia would be superb, to have a show by Riccardo & Yulia would also be superb but to have a show by both was spine tingling special. Both couples danced from their hearts with emotion packed performances to show their love for freedom to dance and they had the crowd in a state of frenzy.

Over and over during the day we witnessed the beauty of movement to music. This is what our dance world is all about. There must be beautiful movement to music to have dance and this unfortunately is totally lost to some people and organisations.

The standard in the Amateur Latin Championship was truly excellent with many tight tussles for placings. It was no surprise when at the end of the Paso in the Semi the audience rose to give a standing ovation to great young dancers giving superb performances. The final was danced to a continuous clapping and maraca shaking cacophony of noise from a highly excited and enthralled audience all standing to show their appreciation to the couples for a brilliant championship..

In a day filled with wonderful moments some highlights were twin brothers dancing in the Under 19 Latin final and dancing so well with one becoming Champion.
The emotion of parents and coaches when a young couple were announced as World Champions and it had not been expected.

Our President being totally involved in the surroundings, the atmosphere, the sheer joy of dance and becoming the Maraca King to show his appreciation of the dancing we were witnessing
this close bond which is now shared by all in the WDC is proving special and unique and for young dancers to discover that great name, that big adjudicator, is human, loves to have fun and is in reality a friend is what sets the WDC apart.

Towards the end of the evening, and in effect the 2010 Championships a number of sincere speeches were made and tribute paid to those who work so hard to create and then keep running this magnificent Celebration of all that is good in dance.

Special thanks were made to Academie des Maitres de Danse de France who made it possible for the event to take place in France and thereby that not only French dancers but dancers from around the world would have the possibility of Freedom to Dance, Freedom to choose with a magnificent celebration of ballroom and latin competitions.

Make a note now 2nd 3rd 4th December 2011 are next years Championship. Give yourself a treat and be there!! You missed out this year so get in early for 2011.