THE DUTCH OPEN Day 2. Friday 8th November.

A dictionary filled with Superlatives is needed to be able to describe the events, and the dancers giving their all at Assen this year. The passion, the emotions are heartwarming and the quality of dancing reaching fantastic heights.

From early morning in the breakfast room at De Bonte Wever one could sense the energy the expectations the determination for today Friday the second day

The day began at 9.00 a.m. with the first rounds of Under14 Latin and the first 2 qualification rounds for the Amateur Ballroom Championship and it was evident all the competitors were so eager and enthusiastic to get on and show their great skills. The Amateur Balroom we had 4 superb heats with inspirational music to help the competitors reach full potential. The main event taking place on Saturday is going to be spine-tingling when todays qualifiers join the couples with a “bye”..

The program for a very full day also included Pro-Am Single Dance Latin, the Professional Latin Show Dance, solo events A Rising Stars Professional Ballroom, Under 10, Under 19 and Senior over 30, 40, 50, 60 Ballroom competitions plus the Rising Stars Latin which had an excellent entry and promised a feast of good dancing.

The Under 14 Latin was filled with so with so much goodness, potential, talent, discipline and determination and one could only feel pride for these young dancers and the future they will give our world. \it was difficult to believe the massive talent and ability of dancers so young. There was maturity, poise, sophistication, but never precociousness, teamed with musicality and body movement. One could see happiness in the faces and a real love for dance and the art of dance.

The Rising Stars Latin had 9 heats of absolutely top quality. There was not a bad performer and as heat followed heat it became clear this was a nightmare for the judges and many really top quality couples were going to suffer disappointment. However, for the onlookers, it was amazing. The dancers invested so much of themselves dance after dance, heat after heat, round after round and gave us all a Championship to remember always.

Our dance world is really unique in that it enables in the same Championship to have dancers of all ages. Under 10 to Over 60 and all with same love and enthusiasm. I have mentioned the brilliance of the young but let us also pay tribute to the seniors, who also danced fantastically. One could say Seniors are the backbone of dance and oh how they show the benefits dance gives in so many ways not least social and health.

As the evening approached an Under 19 Ballroom Comp got underway and from the moment the music began we were treated to beautiful dance and movement. The development of dance is almost unbelievable and one has to ask how do these young people get better an better. The Rising StarsProfessional Ballroom was also great to spectate and we enjoyed so much of their dancing and without a doubt they make a massive contribution to professional dance.

Freaky Friday you were very special and set the scene for an amazing Super Saturday. Assen 2019 has reached great heights and has a heart that thrills all dance lovers.