Blackpool Day 6

Today was the latin formation championships. We started off the morning with a 6:30 rehearsal at the winter gardens. We were shocked to find that no one else was there to practice on the floor! We were able to have the entire place to ourselves for about an hour or two. It was very nice. We went home and rested and got ready for band call that afternoon. Band call went very well. We drew 3rd for our spot, and did amazing on our run throughs. We were all pumped and ready to go. Returning home to get ready, we tanned everyone, did hair, make-up, and ate, just in time to return once more to winter gardens to compete. Our costumes were amazing, we were pumped, and ready to go. We went on a danced our best- we hit almost every line amazingly! The crowd was on their feet watching and clapping, it was absolutely spectacular! A dream come true! Being 3rd of 8 or 9 teams, as soon as we got off the floor, we went back to our staging area and awaited the results.. and waited.. and waited, and then they danced a round of pro standard, which was amazing, and then we waited some more. Finally the callbacks came and we had made the final! Honestly we weren't that surprised. We did amazing. We suited up, and went on the floor a second time. Near flawless. People went out of their way to watch, standing in isles, standing up in their seats, etc.. The energy was so intense, you could feel it. We got off the floor, and watched the last teams dance. Before us, danced Germany. They did very well, but their dancing was lackluster. China after us was amazing. There was actually 2 china teams. 1 team from a strict school of the arts school in China, who did an amazing mostly modern piece themed "Africa". It was near perfect with amazing technique and style, the only flaw being at the end, when a dancer slipped on a bead lost from a costume and landed on his face. Following that, the second china team presented their medley. It was good. I can't say i was "Wowed" by any means, but it was good regardless. Decent dancing, very safe choreography. Last was BYU. They did a cirque du soliel themed medley, that was very impressive. (Almost as impressive as the list of choreographers attached to the medley name!) The dancers lacked a little in the interpretive side, (being latin dancers, and very few probably ever have taken modern or jazz before) however their technique was impeccable. The art and tricks were stunning. Speculating, i would have put China(1) 1st, between BYU and UVU 2nd and third, China(2) 4th, and Germany 5th. However, the judges felt very differently. BYU 1st, China(1) 2nd, China(2) 3rd, Germany 4th, and UVU 5th. A little disappointing, and very confusing. Not just by us, but most of the other teams judges agreed the results were puzzling. Come to find out one of our team members spouses had video taped some of the other teams. This was strictly forbidden, and apparently caused some drama. (BYU being one of the teams that was filmed) I don't know all the details, but our team was at risk of being disqualified. Some speculate that this may be the cause for the odd placings, however, without the facts, its just speculation.
Regardless of the outcome and results, we knew we had danced our best. We put on the best show we could have, and were very proud of ourselves. I had completed one of my lives dreams, and felt very fulfilled. We didn't need foreign judges to tell us our self worth. We knew and felt how well we had done, and that's what mattered to us. Besides, there is still the prospect of Moscow in September!
We pulled together as a team, and formed a bond that will last through the dissipation of the team. Its a great feeling, and am very proud to say that i danced on the 2010 UVU Blackpool team.