Blackpool Sequence Dance Festival 2023
Darren Park reports on the the first day of the Blackpool Sequence Festival 21st October 2023
Relive all the action from Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October at dancetvltd.com
As I walked down the stairs into the magnificent Empress Ballroom, the feeling that many dancers will have experienced, hit me yet again like it was suddenly in my veins. It’s hard to describe, but whether it is your first time or you are a seasoned dance veteran, the ballroom of dreams never fails to deliver.
This festival seemed almost set to be a turnaround event for the Sequence branch and in a way, it very much was.
With what must have been the biggest entries in recent years, although overall the quality may not quite have been of that of its former years, it didn’t matter - the room was certainly packed with potential with lots of new comers and young dancers improving rapidly.
The audience knew it too, they certainly supported their dancers throughout the 10+ hours of dancing, creating a buzzing atmosphere.
I left the ballroom feeling optimistic - us professionals now have a joint responsibility to nurture these dancers, commence with ingraining strong fundamentals and not just go for quick effects with no substance. This will always be the base for longevity.
I firmly believe that Sequence is back!
Juvenile Modern Sequence Competition
1st | 9 - William Crellin and Ava Austin - Isle of Man
2nd | 7 - Dulcie Hunter and Ella Brown - Isle of Man
3rd 11 - Elisie Flounders and Melanie Louise Gibbs - Hartlepool
4th | 14 - Emilie Pope and Sophia Giles - Newcastle
5th 12 - Shane Thomas and Freya Dudley - Caerphilly
6th | 6 - Alexis Stephenson and Layla Goodburn - Blyth
Junior Modern Sequence Competition
1st | 69 - Evan O'Dea and Lula-Belle Findlay - Isle of Man
2nd | 52 - Ethan Cadman and Tamzin Barlow - Nuneaton
3rd | 61 - Daniel Shuker and Freya Carruthers - Gateshead
4th | 58 - Nicholas Wilson and Anna Wilson - Isle of Man
5th 63 - Emily Wilkinson and Heidi Smith - Newcastle upon Tyne
6th | 53 - Joseph Delaney and Amelie Jackson - Isle of Mann
Juvenile Open Classical Sequence Formation
Expressions Matilda Team - England
Annandale Mini Juvenile Formation Team
Junior Open Classical Sequence Formation
Expressions Phantom Team - England
Annadale Junior Formation Team - England
Expressiona Les Miserables Team - England
Juvenile Three Dance Competition
1st | 7 - Dulcie Hunter and Ella Brown - Isle of Man
2nd | 11 - Ellsie Flounders and Melanie Louise Gibbs - Hartlepool
3rd | 9 - William Crellin and Ava Austin - Isle of Man
4th | 14 - Emilie Pope and Sophia Giles - Newcastle
5th | 10 - Reuben James Dunn and Eloise-Lucia Tweedy -Newcastle upon Tyne
6th | 6 - Alexis Stephenson and Layla Goodburn - Blyth
Junior Open Four Dance Competition
1st | 69 - Evan O'Dea and Lula-Belle Findlay - Isle of Man
2nd | 52 - Ethan Cadman and Tamzin Barlow - Nuneaton
3rd | 61 - Daniel Shuker and Freya Carruthers - Gateshead
4th | 63 - Emily Wilkinson and Heidi Smith - Newcastle upon Tyne
5th | 58 - Nicholas Wilson and Anna Wilson - Isle of Man
6th | 59 - Ruby Day and Annaliesa Walters - Newcastle
Full results will be available at the conclusion of the festival at https://www.blackpooldancefestival.com/results
Image credits: Dancefile.eu
Visit the website for fantastic images of the whole festival!