The Empress Ballroom. Winter Gardens, Blackpool, was the majestic setting for the 2018 WDC AL Open European Championships on Friday 30th, Saturday 31st March and Sunday 1st April. Dancers had travelled by land, sea and air from many parts of Europe to be a part of this the 9th running of the event.
From Pre Amateur to Champion, from Juvenile to Senior 3 the WDC AL family had come together to show the beauty of their art, their superb physical condition and the very highest standard of quality Ballroom & Latin dancing. The Coaches are to be congratulated at the way they constantly develop and enhance the dance but always remaining true to the roots, the music, the character. Those dancers outsparkled the very best crystal stones as they twinkled on that magnificent floor, radiating the sheer joy of dance.
There was something of a “new” look to the Empress Ballroom with modern scaffolding in place to enable vital repair work to be carried out but the queen of Ballrooms was still royal and a great backdrop. Tha fabulous music of Mr Ashley Frohlick and the Empress Orchestra further added to the wonderful ambience and atmosphere. The music inspired the dancers, the dancers inspired the audience. the audience inspired the dancers and each other and there were joy and happiness in the family.
The markings will show the tremendously even standard and the enormous difficulty in ranking in actual placings of such high-quality performers. These judges were honoured to serve the Amateur League and the great dancing and they had a duty and an obligation to fulfil fairly and without favour.
On Saturday and Sunday there was a bonus of a Professional Grand Prix Ballroom & Latin Comps and how terrific it was to see the excitement and inspiration in the faces of the young dancers as they absorbed the sight of great professionals Icons of dance doing what they love.
Special thanks must be given to the Dance Promoters Association and
Blackpool Entertainment Company for staging this fantastic and well-organised event. It has required many months of planning and hard work but it all came to fruition in a spectacular way. Thank you too to all the people who played a role over the 3 days. many pieces creating one beautiful picture.
The WDC AL Chairman Mr Sammy Stopford and his wife Barbara McColl were present and how proud they must be of all that has been achieved in the few years from 2007. The risks you took in bringing Freedom and Choice to the Ballroom have been so well rewarded – and rewarded by the dance competitors who want to be part of this new and better dance world.
The WDC AL would like to thank every dancer who participated, every Coach who supported the event, every parent who supports and encourages their child to dance, every member of the audience who applauded and encouraged the competitors from the first round you all contributed in your own special way.
It will be wonderful to welcome everyone 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th December, 2018 to the 11th OPEN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, Newport Bay Hotel, Disneyland. Now 4 days because YOU the dancers have given your valued support in record numbers.
