ISTD Blackpool Grand Finals 2015: A Promise Always Kept

Text by – Daniel Meijles

Once again, the ISTD Grand Finals returned to Blackpool’s magical Winter Gardens for a weekend full of dance-related excitement, anticipation, and, for the first time since its’ inception, Halloween-related fun… This year promised to be the biggest yet.

Unlike other sports, DanceSport is something unique; it’s always incredible to see competitors from all ages and levels, and from distant corners of the country and wider Commonwealth, amalgamate for this special ISTD event. It’s not until you arrive into Blackpool you realize that roads don’t lead to Rome if you’re a Latin and Ballroom dancer. After a year of preparations, local competitions, examinations, and last minute practice, the wonders of the Empress Ballroom await.

Falling on Halloween meant a chance to dress up and show-off our creative ‘spooky’ sides; not that everyone received the same memo as Father Christmas even made an appearance. The atmosphere was electric as ghouls, demons, a corpse wedding train, and Nicky ‘Satan’ Miles (the events hard-working organizer and promoter) passed through the ballroom, alongside the dancers looking for a last minute practice or a social dance on the infamous floor. However, this was but one treat to the evening’s antics. In keeping with tradition, the Saturday nights Grand Dance featured a phenomenal demonstration, this year from ballroom champions, Eldar Dzhafarov & Anna Sazhina. Their mesmerizing story-telling and effortless movement across the floor left a wealth of inspiration for the next mornings competition. The 17th Grand Dance was a definite ‘not to be missed’ experience.

Then came the morning of the competition. If the prior evenings atmosphere was electric, then the only descriptive word fitting now would be elegant. Walking into the Winter Gardens meant an initial warm welcome from the competitions singing doorman, Keith. His friendly smile and charming disposition was a human definition of the ISTD grand finals 2015. Next came a feast for the senses: the sounds; the sights; the beautiful ladies in their colourful dresses; the dapper gentlemen in classic colours; and the smell of hairspray and ‘fake’ tan all coalesced to fill the room and a buzz prevailed. For me, this experience was 4 years in the making, yet, and out of nowhere, it was as though it were yesterday that I was last in the Ballroom and Latin Capital to compete. The event started early with the sequence competition, a corner stone of the medalist system in the United Kingdom, followed by the fiercely competed non-qualifiers ballroom events, before the delights of social dance test, pre-bronze, bronze, silver, gold, gold star, and award Ballroom dance style events. For some, this would have been their first Blackpool experience, for others a return after a period of absence, but, whether old or young, versed or novice, the competitiveness was there for all to see. Adrenaline pumping, partly assisted by caffeine rushing through the arteries as it was in my case, we all progressed to the next events and the Latin section, which continued in a similar format. All the time the emotions were clear to see; the smiles of joy and happiness, or the look of disappointment at not hearing their number being called. Either way, the determination of the dancers to want to get back on the floor was the most I’ve ever experienced in Blackpool.

This year, and in a very different way, I noticed the unsung heroes of the ISTD Grand Finals, and probably for every competition leading up to this event: the dedication of the ISTD ambassadors, otherwise known as the teachers; or as I like to think of them, mentors. They dance the whole day and always look to bring out the best in their pupils. This was epitomized in one teacher who remained on the floor for three consecutive jive dances with three separate ladies, all of who returned for the next round. Teachers and competitors alike all have one thing in common, the drive to succeed.

A longtime ago I was personally introduced to the phrase “fail to prepare, prepare to fail” by a very wise person. Without casting a philosophical twist to this years antics, I felt this was my take home message and one I feel a fitting message to take fourth for the coming months. Among our busy schedules and hectic lives we all dance for different reasons. But, no matter whether it’s to switch off, learn a new skill, or for other reasons, we all have a personal journey in our dancing careers. For me, it is to win and take home a blue ribbon and ISTD trophy. For that to happen, only preparation will prevail.

Until next time Blackpool…