Blackpool Dance Festival

David Trueman reports on the Professional Rising Star Ballroom at the Blackpool Dance Festival 2023

Monday 29th May Rising Star Professional

There was an excellent starting line up for Professional Rising Star Ballroom and as always one can see so many couples who in time will offer a sustained challenge to the very best. The Rising Star events are a wonderful concept and have been in place for many years and it provides so much to the up and coming performers.

Last nights competition did exactly what is says on the tin, culminating in a really great final round. The semi final was of the very highest level and congratulations to the judges in finding the eventual six couples.

Tonight the winners, with first place in all dances, were the recently turned Professional couple Michal Le and Sandra Jablonska. They need no introduction having already being incredibly successful as Amateurs and they are of course the reigning Amateur Champions. Michael and Sandra went about their task this evening with the usual release of speed and physicality input but with that added touch of relaxation that comes from great knowledge and technical expertise.

Runners up Ilya Golovchenko and Kristina Bogolovskaya they were second in the Waltz and Foxtrot, Fifth in the Tango and third in Quickstep. Such beautiful flight in movement and the poise and stance created from them both offers so much to the onlooker. One can easily sit and enjoy their dancing as so many the fundamentals have been so well adhered to and the overall dance structure is well cemented.

3rd with a final analysis of 3,3,2,4, were Roman Sukholmlynand and Olga Gandembul. This was a wonderful display of dance quality and as the analysis shows they were challenging very strongly indeed. Their effortless levels of movement all through the competition was certainly heading them towards a final round of absolute dance clarity. The Tango is especially good a present with all the modern flare and style and yet still has those all important authentic touches.

4th Aleksandr Riabtsev and Mariia Oblakova 4,4,3,5, very smooth in delivery and powerful in execution. During the competition their spacial awareness was of the very highest order and although some dancers can at times appear a little chaotic as they move around the floor, this couple never lost sight of their directional control. The partnering skills they both possess are quite delightful to see.

5th David Cockram and Rosie Ward they were placed 6,6,4,2, since joining the Professional field they have without doubt made great strides to add a look of stillness in the body line. Tonight it all came together so well for them and they were clearly enjoying the whole event as there was hardly any appearance of the stress that is sometimes visible when competing at this level of competition, which maybe why they achieved second place in the Quickstep.

6th Oliver Hand and Anastasia Lysytsyna 5,5,6,6, newly turned Professional and what an event to begin the next stage on your dance journey. They were literally flying in this final and challenged strongly. There was a calmness about their style tonight which allowed their considerable knowledge of dance action and technique to be fully appreciated. As already mentioned this wonderful dance world is a journey and indeed a life of many experiences.

This has been yet another fabulous evening of quality performances.

Today is the continuation of the British Amateur Latin qualification stages, which will culminate later this evening with a magical final for sure. The evening will have the very exiting Under 21 Ballroom Championship.

As the festival moves along one it is just getting better and better.

Stay connected everyone so you don't miss a moment of these great Championships

Alan Clarke BEM reports on the British Senior (035's) Latin Championship at the Blackpool Dance Festival 2023

Competitive Dancing at any age is not for the faint hearted it takes a vast amount of stamina , discipline and commitment along with hours of mental challenges and hurdles to cross.

As I sat and watched the Senior Over 35 Latin American Championship today, in the immaculate Empress Ballroom of the winter gardens Blackpool, I was completely overwhelmed at how these wonderful ladies and gentlemen brought their "A" game to this iconic floor.

Looking at each of the couples in every heat I was aware of the attention to detail from hair, makeup and outfits that had obviously been meticulously thought about and created. My congratulations to each and every one of you .

34 couples eagerly rose to the challenge that the day would bring and from round one to the final I was impressed by the energy and commitment every couple made . Competitors are aware from the start of their journey that the road they must travel to eventually reach the final 6 will be tinged with sadness or joy, but even with that the pleasure and enthusiasm they brought was so commendable .

Our finalists today fought an amazing battle and one they should be so proud off.

1st. Denise Heller and Michael Horstmann 22123 .
I Really enjoyed this couple from the first round, strong and well executed paso . Their musicality in each of the dances was on point very well done to you both

2nd Sergio Machon Jr and Lina Machon 11441
This couple presented so much joy in their dancing and with that were able to maintain one's attention and they were able to keep their energy right to the end . Very enjoyable performances throughout the evening

3rd Hu Ji and Meiyun Yang 53214
A very bright and alert couple throughout every round, rhythmically sound and well deserving of this final. When a couple have the ability to smile through the pain and deliver a strong performance it's a pleasure to watch.

4th Alan Valentine and Wendy Greenwood 45352
Very calm and unflustered couple in every dance. Their ability to be able to do what was required in every dance without force or effort was a pleasure to watch .

5th Pascal Recca and Jeppe Pruyssers 36535
Totally deserving of a place in this final, a tall elegant couple who showed great control in their dancing and I see great potential for them in the future.

6th Simone D'Onorio and Peta KosKova 64666
A very intense couple with great passion in their performance . Best dance for me Rumba, sensual and totally within the character of the dance. My compliments to you both.

My congratulations to everyone from the first round and my commiserations to those who didn't make it today but I know your courage and determination will one day soon bring you the result to truly desire .