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Northern Counties Dance Teachers Association 2009

The NCDTA Inventive, held Sunday 11th January 2009 at the Temple Park Centre, South Shields. A blustery day, with high winds and radio reports of overturned wagons on various roads during the drive down from Edinburgh, gusts over 80mph forecast during the rest of the day. A "fun" start to the day, but, Hey! it's all part of the dancing, isn't it?

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Latin Section

The day started promptly at ten with the Latin Section, and an entry of 9 dances. These included no less than 5 Rumbas, 2 Cha Cha Cha's, a Jive and a Mambo. All the dances were well presented, and the judges reduced the numbers down to 6 dances for the Final, made up of 3 Rumbas, a Cha Cha Cha, the Jive and the Mambo. The Final was very even to me, and I would not have liked to have been wearing a judges hat, however I have to say the judges made the same decision as I did myself by choosing Kelly Sloan and Eileen Harrison dancing the Mambo Marina. Dancing it during the teach-in was fun, and there's nothing difficult in the steps, Dance it and ENJOY! The Jive and the Cha Cha were both contenders for the winning dance, and all of the finalists presented their dances well, good portents for this year's competitions yet to come.

Classical Section

The Classical Section started with 10 entries, made up of seven Tangos, two Saunters and a Swing. These were reduced to a seven dance Final including six of the Tangos and one of the Saunters. At this point, I think most folks in the hall had decided we were likely to have a Tango as a winner? A hard fought Final, all the Tangos well presented and some super dancing from all of the finalists. Again, I had earmarked the eventual winner from the first round, and so I was pleased when Lee Dudman and Andrea Kilgour were announced as winners with the Tango Tiesto. As in the Latin, not a lot between any of the finalists, very hard to choose from a good selection. I found the Tango very danceable during the teach-in and it should prove a popular choice. Great atmosphere during this section, with the audience clapping along to the music for Jim and Hazel Wake's Swing, what a great track that one is! [The Farmer and The Cowman Should be Friends] Must get my hands on that one for my own dancing.

Modern Section

Twelve entries in the Modern section this time. Eight of these were Waltzes, three Foxtrots, but only one Quickstep. The judges reduced this down to a semi-final made up of five waltzes and three Foxtrots. The Final was made up of five Waltzes and one Foxtrot - again lots of folks were opting for a Waltz as a winner, and we found ourselves applauding Lee Dudman and Andrea Kilgour for their Wansbeck Waltz when the result was announced. A quality presentation from Lee and Andrea, lines danced beautifully, and with the dance choreographed to allow time to complete the lines, well worthy of the winning votes from the judges. Nothing too difficult in the dance during the teaching session, I found it flows well and there is time to try and dance the lines as well as the dance. This should prove to be a popular dance round many clubs, easy enough to learn, and nice to dance! There's a nice syncopated whisk in there, and a slow turning forward lock a bit later. You can tell I like it!

On a sad note, during the competition, news was announced of the sudden passing of Ron Lane (Brockbank Lane) on the Saturday, the day before the competition, and sympathies were extended by and on behalf of the NCDTA and all those attending the competition.