Every Easter, one of the most well run dancesport championships & festivals in New Zealand is organised & conducted by the Nelson Dancesport Association. This year's event at the Trafalgar Centre, Nelson, proved to be the best ever. NDSA President Allan Martin and his band of volunteers & hard working committee members, should be proud of their effort in producing a show which had the ingredients of warmth, friendliness, spectator appeal, and efficiency
It is the small things, as well as the larger, that make this event one of the best to attend. The continuous wholesome snacks and drinks and the excellent two course evening meals made available to the adjudicators and officials over both days, were indicators of the great thought put into the running of the event. Excellent changing facilities, practice areas, onsite doctors and physios as well as a large dance floor enhanced the championships for the competitors.
Decoration of the Trafalgar Centre using trellis fencing, lots of greenery & flowers, ropes & bollards, alcoves & tables, as well as a large colourful overhead canopy, changed what is normally a large sports stadium into an attractive dancesport ballroom venue.
Dancers were once again pleased with the appointment of a large panel of international, New Zealand and local Nelson adjudicators. A warm welcome was given to Penny De Kauwe (Canberra) Chris & Tracey Milburn (Brisbane) and Brian Duncan (Sydney). They were assisted on the Saturday by Barbara Edwards, Colleen Murray(Christchurch) Gaile French (Nelson) Cheryl Stevens and Bryce Wright (Wellington). On Sunday our Australian adjudicators were joined by Heather Brown, Dorothy Mossman-Catchpole, Robin French, Barry Scott (Nelson) Anne Chapman, George Nicholls, Carol-Ann Hickmore (Wellington) and Gary Wilson (Christchurch) The chairman of judges for the weekend was the very able Maurice Edwards of Christchurch.
Our "Guest of Honour" who officially opened the Championship was Mr Barry Maister, Bsc(Hons), Dip Tchg (Dist). Barry was a former NZ Olympic hockey gold medallist 1976, Fullbright Scholar and Rector of St Andrews College. He is currently the Secretary-General of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. His comments in his opening address on the Saturday evening, after watching the afternoon rounds, were very complementary. He said that he was enthralled with the dancers' enthusiasm, athleticism, fitness and artistry. He had returned from Salt Lake City having experienced ice dancesport and he felt there was no reason that dancesport on boards should not be given equal standing as an Olympic sport
As for the dancing on the weekend, I could not fault the enthusiasm of the dancers. However once again we have the enigma of some talented couples with wonderful personalities, great showmanship and tremendous movement around the floor; but without a great deal of substance to their dancing. All the show needs to be accompanied by strongly shaped and well used feet, maintenance of body contact, continuance of good body shape and balance, good rhythm AND KEEPING IN TIME WITH THE MUSIC. Some couples had some of this substance but lacked feeling or greater enthusiasm for the dance. Like a golfer, "who drives for show, but putts for dough($)" a dancer should maintain a "silhouette and movement for show and the feet, timing etc for the dough(prize)"
Graeme & Michelle Davidson, professional dancers from Auckland, gave a very well choreographed and entertaining show of the five standard dances on both nights of the championship. They have been a very much under rated couple and have deserved greater honours than the number of successes which they have had over the years. Their selection of music was very good and their dancing had plenty of light and shade as well as entertainment value. The Tango was a delightful mix of Argentinian and European competition figures which were performed extremely well. We especially enjoyed their lovely, soft, flowing, lilting Waltz. It was great to see Championship organisers inviting our own top professionals to demonstrate.
Couples who attracted our attention during the Championships were:
Matthew Blackshaw & Helen Candy (Auck). A wonderful floor appearance and personality. They certainly catch the eye with their powerful movement and attacking style. They show great enthusiasm and have an unsurpassed vitality for dance. However we feel that they must attend to their overall silhouette by avoiding broken sides in swaying movements and we would like to see Matthew standing more vertically. Helen would enhance her stance by bringing her shoulders & hips in line and standing up more to Matthew.They performed extremely well in taking 1st in the Youth Representative Modern and giving a very lively performance. Their Rumba was very interactive and portrayed the character of the dance. Matthew & Helen will be our representatives at both the World Youth Events this year. Good luck. Enjoy.
Eamon Mulqueen & Sarah Hunter (ChCh). Moved well across the floor in Waltz,Foxtrot a Quickstep. They kept a very good shape throughout the event but had timing problems in Viennese Waltz and a tendancy to "foxtrot" their Tango. They showed a good feeling for Foxtrot but needed to make more use of the standing leg and not rush through the bar in Waltz. Some overly complicated choreography did not appear to help them on this occasion. They are a very promising young couple.
Cody Stephens & Monique Bootten (Wlgtn) Lovely floor appearance. Monique is one of the best of the young ladies on the floor. Cody must make sure that he also complements Monique by attending to the finer details of hairstyle and finnesse of his clothing. They challenged very well in all their events but did not have the fluidity or togetherness required to go higher. Also a very promising young couple.
Ian Fisher & Amanda Allen (Auck) A compact & lively couple who did not offend. They had a very consistant approach, keeping a good shape and maintaining the character of each dance. They were also successful in taking 1st place in the C grade latin, B & Open Standard as well as the Open New Vogue.
Christopher Eades & Samantha Mallock (ChCh)Paul Link & Georgia Baylis (ChCh) Both these talented juvenile couples are worthy of a mention as they showed a high level of vitality,enthusiasm and skill in their performances in Latin and Standard events. They are well trained and we must watch for them in the future.
Adrian Vruink & Emma Tresch (Wlgtn) and Julian Tocker & Brittney Marshall (Wlgtn) were the best of the junior couples on the weekend especially in the latin events. Both couples gave a bright & lively performance.
Finally we wish to congratulate the Nelson Dancesport Association for the success of the championship and for their wonderful hospitality. For our Australian dancers and readers we recommend this event for good dancing and also the City of Nelson and its environs for a great dancing holiday. To Penny & David De Kauwe we hope that you missed the terrible weather on your week's holiday down in the south of the South Island after the championship.