Holiday and Dance
By Iris Findlay
Philip Wylie and Pam Peters of Holiday and Dance, in conjunction with Thistle London Heathrow Hotel, presented and organised a new event called the Middlesex mini Dance Festival on February 10-11, 2007. This two-day event had something for everyone, starting with a tea dance and workshop on Saturday afternoon followed by an evening wine reception before dinner. Afterwards there was dancing to Christine of Going Dancing, and entertainment from Kyle Taylor and Jourdan Stone, one of our most talented youth couples, who presented a Latin cabaret. During the course of the evening Bryan Allen, Chairman of adjudicators on the Sunday, gave a speech and congratulated Philip Wylie on winning the Carl Alan Award the previous week. With Pam he has achieved so much in the dance world in every aspect including all styles – ballroom, Latin American, disco, rock & roll, social dancing, competitions, workshops, masterclasses and demonstrations from the best in the world as well as dance festivals both here and abroad. Their work also includes Young Dancesport, the Wheelchair Dancers Association, and their latest project “Dance for England” which creates opportunities for young dancers. Bryan felt it would be appropriate for Philip and Pam to have their photographs taken at the mini Festival with the Carl Alan Award, and while the photographs were being taken the audience gave them a standing ovation.
Sunday was a day for residents and competitors. The residents had two “dance and improve” workshops to attend if they wished, or they could watch the top-class Juvenile, Junior and Youth competitors who had arrived from all over the country to compete in the National Selection Events and the Middlesex Trophies and Awards, then watch or participate in the adult competitions held later in the day. The prestigious panel of adjudicators was introduced and the first round of the National Selection Junior Modern started the day with a very high standard of dancing from all the young couples. John Giannini and Stevie Jones were declared winners in the final.
The juveniles were equally enthusiastic and a very delighted George Whelan and Paige Hunt won eight competitions. The DPA (South) Premier League provided and sponsored all the trophies and entrance fees for the pre-qualified southern finalists for the final of the DPA (South) Junior Latin competition, although unfortunately only five couples participated as one dropped out through illness. The winners of this event were Lawrence James and Jasmine Chan, amd their trophies were presented by the Treasurer of DPA (South) Alan Waite. The National Selection Youth Ten Dance was another first-class competition and was won by Kyle Taylor and Jourdan Stone. The adult events were equally exciting with some of the Irish residents competing and demonstrating some lovely dancing. The Amateur Modern winners were Stephen and Gemma Arnold, and Senior Modern winners John Townsend and Sabine Kuntze, Over 50’s Modern winners were John and Jean Whatmore. The Amateur Open Latin result was a win for Peter Kecskemethy and Reka Balogh from Hungary, and the Senior Latin winners were Martyn King and Tracey Tyack-King.
Philip thanked the adjudicators and the sponsors Dance Today, Sparkle Design, Embracing Beauty and Brackleys of London for their support and contribution to this new event. Fabulous music by Colin Mansbrige also contributed to the day to make it yet another success story for Philip and Pam.
Photographs by Morrison Findlay
