News
Mirko Gozzoli and Alessia Betti retire
Mirko Gozzoli and Alessia Betti have revealed that they are to end their partnership and retire from competitive dancing to focus on their families. Mirko and Alessia have achieved a variety of accolades during their long and successful career, including winning every Professional Ballroom event in Blackpool (save one), and in the UK Open since 2006, and every International since 2005.
Mirko Gozzoli and Alessia Betti have revealed that they are to end their partnership and retire from competitive dancing to focus on their families. Mirko and Alessia have achieved a variety of accolades during their long and successful career, including winning every Professional Ballroom event in Blackpool (save one), and in the UK Open since 2006, and every International since 2005.
Jonathan Wilkins and Hazel Newberry retire
Jonathan Wilkins and Hazel Newberry have announced their retirement from competition. The pair have danced for England since 2008, before which time Hazel was three-times undefeated World Ballroom Champion with former partner Christopher Hawkins, while Jonathan was a long-time finalist with former partner Katusha Demidova. Hazel was awarded the MBE in 2006 and also appeared in series two of “Strictly Come Dancing”.
Jonathan Wilkins and Hazel Newberry have announced their retirement from competition. The pair have danced for England since 2008, before which time Hazel was three-times undefeated World Ballroom Champion with former partner Christopher Hawkins, while Jonathan was a long-time finalist with former partner Katusha Demidova. Hazel was awarded the MBE in 2006 and also appeared in series two of “Strictly Come Dancing”.
Bruce goes dancing on October 10
Don’t miss “Bruce Goes Dancing”, a two-part documentary on popular dancing that’s due to be re-screened on BBC1 on October 10 and 11. Part 1 on Saturday looks at the jazz roots of popular dancing, while Sunday’s show explores the Latin influences
Don’t miss “Bruce Goes Dancing”, a two-part documentary on popular dancing that’s due to be re-screened on BBC1 on October 10 and 11. Part 1 on Saturday looks at the jazz roots of popular dancing, while Sunday’s show explores the Latin influences
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If you thought “Strictly Come Dancing” returning to the small screen on Saturday nights was exciting, brace yourself, because next spring the real stars of the show will be appearing in venues across the UK as part of Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals Tour. Ten dancers from the show will bring Latin, ballroom and tango to theatres from April to July 2010. Away from the pressure of the judges’ glare, Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, James and Ola Jordan, Matthew Cutler and Kristina Rihanoff, and Brian Fortuna and Ian Waite with this season’s new faces Aliona Vilani and Natalie Lowe will dazzle audiences with their stunning routines and elegant gowns in an 11-week dance extravaganza accompanied by a live band starting at the Brighton Centre on April 26. From there, the group will take in Birmingham Hippodrome, Dublin O2 Arena, Cardiff Millennium Centre, Leicester De Montfort Hall, Southampton Mayflower, Plymouth Pavillions, Edinburgh Playhouse, Liverpool Empire and Bristol Hippodrome, spending a week in each town and ending on July 17 at Bournemouth International Centre. Tickets can be booked via strictlycomedancingprotour.com or through the individual venues. Photograph shows Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals, © Chris Nash.
“Strictly” at Blackpool Tower Ballroom
Blackpool residents are in for a treat as “Strictly Come Dancing” series seven hotfoots it to Blackpool Tower Ballroom on November 7 for a special, one-off show. The famous ballroom was the home of “Come Dancing” so it makes perfect sense to broadcast from the venue. The last time “Strictly” visited was in 2004 when Darren Bennett and Jill Halfpenny were crowned champions of series two.
Blackpool residents are in for a treat as “Strictly Come Dancing” series seven hotfoots it to Blackpool Tower Ballroom on November 7 for a special, one-off show. The famous ballroom was the home of “Come Dancing” so it makes perfect sense to broadcast from the venue. The last time “Strictly” visited was in 2004 when Darren Bennett and Jill Halfpenny were crowned champions of series two.
Brendan Cole goes it alone in new show
Ballroom’s bad boy, Brendan Cole, has broken away from the rest of the “Strictly” professionals to bring his own tour to venues across the UK this Christmas. LIVE and UNJUDGED will open at the Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, on December 22 visiting 16 venues before finishing in Southsea on January 24. Visit brendancole.com for more information or to book tickets.
Ballroom’s bad boy, Brendan Cole, has broken away from the rest of the “Strictly” professionals to bring his own tour to venues across the UK this Christmas. LIVE and UNJUDGED will open at the Concert Hall, Brighton Dome, on December 22 visiting 16 venues before finishing in Southsea on January 24. Visit brendancole.com for more information or to book tickets.
Junior Dance Festival moves to Blackpool’s Empress Ballroom
The Junior Dance Festival, which traditionally takes place in Blackpool Tower Ballroom, is to be moved to the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens this year. This is due to its ongoing success and follows an increase in the number of competitors over recent years. The JDF features dancers aged 6-15 from all over the world and is estimated to bring over £2 million to the town ahead of the main season.
The Junior Dance Festival, which traditionally takes place in Blackpool Tower Ballroom, is to be moved to the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens this year. This is due to its ongoing success and follows an increase in the number of competitors over recent years. The JDF features dancers aged 6-15 from all over the world and is estimated to bring over £2 million to the town ahead of the main season.
Erin Boag becomes face of MOVE IT
March 2010 sees the return of MOVE IT to London’s Olympia, an annual celebration of dance in every style imaginable. The face of this year’s three-day exhibition has been revealed as professional ballroom and Latin dancer and “Strictly” star, Erin Boag. She will demonstrate her dance skills throughout the three-day exhibition. “It’s a great honour to be fronting the MOVE IT 2010 campaign. Dance is a huge part of my life and I’m extremely passionate about what I do. I love so many styles of dance and that’s why it’s great to be a part of this year’s show, as MOVE IT showcases such a huge selection,” says Erin. MOVE IT will take place from March 12-14. Visit moveitdance.co.uk for more information.
March 2010 sees the return of MOVE IT to London’s Olympia, an annual celebration of dance in every style imaginable. The face of this year’s three-day exhibition has been revealed as professional ballroom and Latin dancer and “Strictly” star, Erin Boag. She will demonstrate her dance skills throughout the three-day exhibition. “It’s a great honour to be fronting the MOVE IT 2010 campaign. Dance is a huge part of my life and I’m extremely passionate about what I do. I love so many styles of dance and that’s why it’s great to be a part of this year’s show, as MOVE IT showcases such a huge selection,” says Erin. MOVE IT will take place from March 12-14. Visit moveitdance.co.uk for more information.
New website for competitive dancers
The Dance Off is a new online resource providing competitive dancers with interactive tools to connect and compete on an international level. Check it out at thedanceoff.com
The Dance Off is a new online resource providing competitive dancers with interactive tools to connect and compete on an international level. Check it out at thedanceoff.com
Cheap tickets to West End musicals
Visit westendtheatre.com for thousands of discounted tickets to West End musicals this autumn, including new shows The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, starring “X-Factor” runner-up Diana Vickers; Joe Orton bio-play Prick Up Your Ears, starring “Little Britain’s” Matt Lucas; Breakfast At Tiffany’s, starring Anna Friel; and The Shawshank Redemption.
Visit westendtheatre.com for thousands of discounted tickets to West End musicals this autumn, including new shows The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, starring “X-Factor” runner-up Diana Vickers; Joe Orton bio-play Prick Up Your Ears, starring “Little Britain’s” Matt Lucas; Breakfast At Tiffany’s, starring Anna Friel; and The Shawshank Redemption.
Cinderella on Ice at the Royal Albert Hall
The Imperial Ice Stars bring Cinderella on Ice to the Royal Albert Hall in 2010 for a limited season of just eight performances. The show took 18 months of pre-production planning and it will be only the second time in its history that the arena floor of the Royal Albert Hall has been covered in ice. The first time was in 1984 when Olympic gold medallist John Curry staged Symphony on Ice there. Olga Sharutenko, who partnered John Barrowman in the first series of ITV’s “Dancing on Ice” in 2006, will play Cinderella. The production opens on February 24 and closes on February 28. Book tickets online at royalalberthall.com or call the box office on 020 7838 3100.
The Imperial Ice Stars bring Cinderella on Ice to the Royal Albert Hall in 2010 for a limited season of just eight performances. The show took 18 months of pre-production planning and it will be only the second time in its history that the arena floor of the Royal Albert Hall has been covered in ice. The first time was in 1984 when Olympic gold medallist John Curry staged Symphony on Ice there. Olga Sharutenko, who partnered John Barrowman in the first series of ITV’s “Dancing on Ice” in 2006, will play Cinderella. The production opens on February 24 and closes on February 28. Book tickets online at royalalberthall.com or call the box office on 020 7838 3100.
Government announces new “dance champions”
On August 13, the secretary of state for health, Andy Burnham MP, gave a speech calling for physical activity to be the cornerstone of 21st century health and announced a new government group of “dance champions” working with the Department of Health. They include “Strictly Come Dancing” stars Arlene Phillips (photograph by Bow Powell), Lisa Snowdon and Darren Bennett, and “Come Dancing” presenter Angela Rippon. The champions will run a national campaign to boost participation in dance in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.
New dance show on Sky One
Sky One is looking for dancers to take part in a new show called “Just Dance”. A series of nationwide auditions kicks off next month in Glasgow, Manchester and London, and anyone can enter regardless of age, dance style or skill level. Entrants can take part alone, with a partner, or even with a full dance troupe. Davina McCall has been confirmed as the show’s host. Visit www.sky1.sky.com to apply.
Big Dance is back
Big Dance, London’s large-scale celebration of all things dance, is back again from July 3-11 2010, and planning has already begun. To mark the opening of registration for the event, Southbank Centre hosted Dance Mob on August 30, when hundreds of dance enthusiasts came together to perform a mass routine choreographed by Kate Prince, artistic director of ZooNation. To find out more about how you can get involved, visit www.london.gov.uk/bigdance or go to www.bigdance2010.com to register your event.
The Lion King celebrates ten years on the stage
On October 19, 2009, Disney’s The Lion King will celebrate its tenth anniversary at London’s Lyceum Theatre, making it one of the top-ten longest-running shows in the West End’s history. In that time The Lion King has played over 4,000 performances and entertained over eight million visitors in the UK and overseas. The show is currently booking until Sunday, March 28, 2010. Visit www.thelionking.co.uk or call the box office on 0844 844 0005 to book.
Blackpool Winter Gardens to host Royal Variety Performance
Blackpool’s Winter Gardens has been announced as the host venue of this year’s Royal Variety Performance, due to be screened on ITV in December. It will be only the second time the town has hosted the event since 1955, which marked the first time the Performance was held outside of London. This year’s line-up is currently being finalised, with “Britain’s Got Talent” winners Diversity the first act to be confirmed, and all money raised from the event will be donated to the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund.
Into the Hoods this Christmas
West End smash hit Into the Hoods will play at the Queen Elizabeth Hall from December 16 to January 10, 2010, as part of Southbank Centre’s Christmas programme. Artistic director Kate Prince and her company, ZooNation, based the street dance/theatre show – which features music from Stevie Wonder, Dizzee Rascal, Kanye West and others – on the Stephen Sondheim musical, Into the Woods. Prince has also devised the choreography for Dance Mob, a one-minute dance routine which will be learnt in advance and performed by hundreds of members of the public in the outdoor spaces around the Royal Festival Hall on August 30. For full details of both events and to book, visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk or call 0871 663 2500.
Queen’s Birthday Honours
In the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year, several people were recognised for their contribution to dance and the performing arts. OBEs were presented to Nelson Fernandez, former dancer and lately deputy director of Visiting Arts for services to dance, and choreographer and director Dougie Squires for services to the performing arts. MBEs were presented to Stephen Hillier for services to ballroom dancing, Paul Liburd of Scottish Ballet for services to dance and chorographer Nina Rajarani Ganguly for services to South Asian dance.
In the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year, several people were recognised for their contribution to dance and the performing arts. OBEs were presented to Nelson Fernandez, former dancer and lately deputy director of Visiting Arts for services to dance, and choreographer and director Dougie Squires for services to the performing arts. MBEs were presented to Stephen Hillier for services to ballroom dancing, Paul Liburd of Scottish Ballet for services to dance and chorographer Nina Rajarani Ganguly for services to South Asian dance.
Sports Leaders UK
The demand for dance leadership training has grown rapidly according to Sports Leaders UK, whose head of operations Michaela Hutchings announced her expectation to register 10,000 dance leaders in the coming year. The growth has been attributed to higher demand for dance courses from schools and community groups. Visit sportsleaders.org for details.
The demand for dance leadership training has grown rapidly according to Sports Leaders UK, whose head of operations Michaela Hutchings announced her expectation to register 10,000 dance leaders in the coming year. The growth has been attributed to higher demand for dance courses from schools and community groups. Visit sportsleaders.org for details.
New EADA website
The English Amateur Dancesport Association has announced the relaunch of its website, eada.org.uk. It is designed to act as a comprehensive resource for dancesport competitors of all ages and offers improved functionality including an online calendar and search facility, as well as updated, easy-to-understand guides to competition rules. There is also a discussion Forum where dancers can advertise for a partner or browse the items for sale. The update is part of EADA’s ongoing commitment to improve communications with their members.
Legally Blonde at the Savoy
Legally Blonde – the musical will open at London’s Savoy Theatre later this year. Based on the 2001 film, which starred Reese Witherspoon, the show will tell the story of college sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods whose boyfriend dumps her for a “serious” girlfriend. Determined not to take “no” for an answer, Elle steps up her game and wins a place at Harvard Law School. Led by Tony Award-winning director and Olivier nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray), the show is scheduled to open on December 5. Book tickets at legallyblondethemusical.co.uk or call 0870 164 8787.
BDF Congress in November
The BDF has announced it will present a congress at the British National Dance Championships in November. An impressive line-up of guests have been invited to present short 20-minute lectures on competitive ballroom dancing at the event which is open to both Amateur and Professional dancers and anyone connected to the dance festival. Admission will be free and BDF president Kenny Welsh will open proceedings at 10am with the final lecture ending at 1pm.
Transferrable dance qualifications
A new partnership between Edexcel and the ISTD means dance qualifications are now transferable to gain a Creative Media Diploma. The new arrangement means that young dancers’ hard work outside school can now be recognised within their mainstream education. The diploma will be available at foundation to advanced levels. For details contact the ISTD on 020 7655 8823.
Practice-a-thon Dance CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity, is calling on dancers of all ages and abilities to sign up to Practice-a-thon Dance. Launched in 2006, Practice-a-thon Dance is a fantastic event, which sees dancers raise money for CLIC Sargent by getting sponsored to dance for a set time. The event runs all year round and is a great way for dancers to prepare for their exams, performances, competitions, or something to do just for fun. Dance schools across the UK are now involved in the event which is supported by the Royal Academy of Dance. The money raised by Practice-a-thon Dance will be used by CLIC Sargent to continue caring for children and young people affected by cancer. As well as funding frontline care professionals, support in the home and holiday services, CLIC Sargent also provides financial grants to help cover the increased costs that families face when their child has cancer. To find out more, including how to take part in Practice-a-thon, visit clicsargent.org.uk/getinvolved/practiceathondance or call the Practice-a-thon hotline on 0845 121 2490.
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