Blackpool day 4. Standard Medley Formation World Championships. There were 4 teams. BYU, UVU, China, and Germany. Formation dancing is an interesting creature. It is so utterly dependent on the judges as to what will do well, or looked highly upon. Germany had no real variety in steps, formations, or creativity. Their technique and dance level was rudimentary gold level at best. China had strong dance positions, and very strong female dancers. Their music, although used before (Moulin Rouge) was well cut and mixed. BYU had very strong male dancers and great technique. We have great formations and choreography. Our standard team, honestly, is comprised of mostly latin style dancers who have never done standard, or had much standard training. Our girls are mostly new to the ballroom scene as well. But put that all aside and we did absolutely phenomenal. We placed 4th of 4, with BYU taking first, China 2nd, and Germany 3rd. However, our own opinions, and that of many others put us in 2nd. So, all in all, it just depends on what the judges are looking for. BYUs 1st, however, was well deserved.
Watching the video, we shocked even ourselves at how well we pulled together and performed. Our formations were great, our dancing was well executed. We really did our best and are proud of ourselves, regardless of the outcome.
It was amazing to actually be in winter gardens, at the Blackpool dance festival. To see all the amazing professional dancers, dancing to a live band instead of recorded music! Winter Gardens is a giant building. Downstairs are the vendors. Freed, International, DansPort, and Dancelife, just to name a few all have booths and shops. Everything a dancer could ever want or need was being sold. (Ballroom dancer at least. Sorry Sandy, Freed only had ladies latin sandles and standard pumps. Point shoes will have to wait til London! :) ) It also seems the only place in all of Blackpool that you can get fresh, healthy food. Blackpool is mostly a tourist location, and believe it or not, the competition is almost just a side attraction. Most of Blackpool visitors don't even know its going on! Most of the food, even at the local pubs, diners, and restaurants, is typical English style food. If you thought American food was greasy and fattening.. you haven't been to Blackpool. There are more fish and chip joints here than there are LDS churches in all of Utah! Surprisingly, only 1 McDonald's, and people go there for lighter food! I have never found myself craving a salad before in my life. Not a fan of rabbit food. However, after eating here for a few days, we went out of our way to find a place with salad! It was a bit more expensive, but nice to eat something fresh and light. Anyway, back to the competition.. On the middle and top floors are practice rooms. I could sit and watch these people dance all day long. It was amazing to just bump into people who have been our life time idols. Amazing to actually meet them, and watch them dance! All in all, an absolutely amazing day.
Blackpool Day 5. With standard medley over, our focus has turned solely to latin medley. We awoke for a 6:30 am rehearsal, went home and took a nap, and hit another rehearsal that afternoon in winter gardens. Upon returning home, we all focused on getting ready for the competition. Scott surprised all the boys with brand new duo-tone latin heel patent shoes for latin medley! We broke out the Vaseline and worked them in to get ready for Friday. Everyone has put on several coats of tanner, and even now as i sit here, im waiting for it to dry and set in enough that i can rinse off in the shower so i can climb into bed without ruining all the linens! While we were waiting, several of us got bored and a little hungry, and decided to take a stroll down the way to get some food. Can you imagine, 4 shirtless American guys, strolling the streets of England late at night.. Yeah.. it was fun. Oh the stories that came of that! You'll have to ask on facebook or something for more details. In fact, i might actually come up with a video of it! haha. Good times..
With preparations all set for tomorrow, Latin medley sets and performs! There are 8 total latin teams. We will be getting home late that night, and have to leave very early in the morning Saturday morning, so if i don't post another update for a few days, that's why!
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