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2013 Jupiters National DanceSport Championship_QLD Open
Peter + Rebecca Beardsley (QLD Professional ballroom champions)
The Easter long weekend coincides with one of the biggest dates on the Australian DanceSport calendar: the Queensland Open, National DanceSport Championship at Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast.
This year, the turnout was fabulous and the competition, fierce, in a beautiful way. Congratulations to organisers, competitors and support crews. I was there in a supporting role. With camera in hand some of the time, I thought I’d try to honour the efforts of others by snapping and sharing. My gear for those who care: Canon EOS 5D Mark2, with 70-200mm 1:2.8L.
If you competed on Sunday and can’t see yourself in the images below, feel free to message me via the sidebar, with your competitor # and age bracket (and event # if possible) and I’ll have a look through what I’ve got. I’m happy to email people privately with their photos, free of charge, copyright free. If you use any of my images, though, please acknowledge me as the creator and refer to this blogsite. Also, if you appear in any of the images displayed, and wish them to be taken down, please send me a private message on the sidebar.
For those who didn’t participate, but would like a glimpse into this very special world, please enjoy. There were plenty of new frocks on the floor and feathers made a comeback. I wasn’t around for the professional events, (bar one floorshow) so, what you see are pictures of amateurs of all ages who love to dance. Their efforts are inspiring. If you’re looking for a social way to get fit, perhaps ballroom dancing will be for you. The great thing about it is that children can do it as well as adults of all ages: there is no limit, only your attitude.
Link to this site through FaceBook / WordPress etc and let other competitors know that images from the comp are available.
UPDATE: Thanks for all the lovely comments through the sidebar. This has been a great opportunity to promote the sport, with about 1500 views already.
Inaugural Brisbane City International Dancesport Championship 2011
It’s been a number of years since Brisbane has been able to host a championship event for Dancesport. Finally, the drought has broken.
The inaugural Brisbane City International Dancesport Championship was held at the Sofitel on 10 September 2011. It was restricted to registered couples and some teacher-pupil dances. However, as the event grows, individual and social competitors will be competing too, so watch this space.
It was an elegant and well-run affair — a credit to the Organising Committee (Chris Sandison, Sharon Courts, Richard & Natalie Perry), adjudicators, competitors, the Sofitel, suppliers and supporters. For results, adjudicators’ marks will be available on the BCIDC website 48 hours after the conclusion of the event.
Enjoy a small sample of my photos … I’ve taken them to support the event and our fabulous dance school, Perry’s Superior Ballroom (Richard and Natalie Perry). Check out more of my photos at this *******link*******. There are some beauties, from all levels and ages. I’m happy to make photos available to individual competitors, by request. Love makes the world go ’round, so let your dancing friends know about http://www.theothercolumn.com, subscribe (it’s free) and if I’ve snapped you, the photos of you are yours for free. I might even see you at the next event, so don’t forget to smile!
I’d like to give a shout out to our daughter’s instructor, Blair Petterd. He’s awesome beyond awesomeness itself. (I’ve photographed him #98, with his gorgeous partner, Kelly Friswell, in the light pink dress). Also, cheers to Kevin Flowers (t/a William Flowers), dressmaker extraordinaire. You’ll see some of his fine creations, below. Cheers also to Capilano Honey (those honey shots are wicked).
The fierce dancing and sportsmanship was brilliant. Congratulations to all.
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- Terry & Anne – Mr Bojangles Dancewear
Review: Burn the Floor (choreographed by Jason Gilkison)
This new show, choreographed by Australia’s beloved Jason Gilkison, doesn’t just burn the floor – it burns the house down.
Gilkison has become international hot property, choreographing and judging most recently, on the American and Australian dance show franchise, “So You Think You Can Dance.” I’ll admit to a slight addiction to the show and a great admiration for Gilkison. You can see his style and great Aussie humour in his choreography. Fans of our boys, The Cat Empire will enjoy the Jive number he set to “Fishies“.
The chorie is inspired, the costuming just yummy and the dancing is HOT. The live singing is great and the stage setup is just right. It was non-stop action: one song led into another and there was no intermission. It was the fastest 70 minutes of my life.
The show’s on the Gold Coast at the moment from 26/8 to 31/10, at the Jupiters Hotel & Casino. It’s great value at $59 a ticket or $69 with dinner – and there is no parking fee (compare the Entertainment Centre & Convention Centre, in Brisbane). The show kept the whole family totally engaged – you can take the kids and grandma. As a guide, there aren’t any moments where you wish you’d not brought grandma or kids – nothing that can’t be overcome with a quick pass of the chips and lemonade, according to discretion. [There’s nothing like say, Pink’s rendition of “I Touch Myself” in her last Australian concert, which had parents with children in attendance want to just die – for anyone who didn’t hear about it, you didn’t need to understand International Sign Language to get it – it followed more common conventions… And no, I didn’t take my kids to that one!]
Don’t miss the show. Book here.
P.S. The “Learn to Burn” instructional dance DVD is pretty good for total beginners, especially for those who’d prefer to stumble in private. It’s sold at the show.
