So...what are the key components of a near perfect weekend of dancing:-
Franck stands on a chair in a kilt and calls the room to order.
Sheena plays the Imperial March from Star Wars as the judges walk on.
Immediately the floor fills like I've never seen before here. Quality dancers here too.
Competitors fly around all morning pinning numbers on their backs at speed because they've entered so many categories.
Children in fancy dress play in a corner.
Cakes are sold to add to the charities coffers.
The Autumn sun blazes into the room despite the chilly air outside.
Nerves of steel, audacious moves, laughs and mutual support amongst competitors.
I blush - three very fine dancers asked me to partner them in competition - alas it's not in my make-up.
A large red Dragon and large green Nessie embody the nations and the fun.
The winners are from Ceroc groups across the UK embrace and hug and cry.
The representative from the children's charity reads her words quickly through nerves (not important) and is handed a large cheque and promised it will soon turn to a donation of six thousand pounds (very important).
Despite twelve hours and countless heats, semi-finals and finals later, it's the freestyle: everyone is danced out but still dancing
A huge circle formed and everyone walked 500 miles to be with each other.
Alarming laughter, Onesies, pizza and champagne at 4am.
Deep brief sleep
Breakfast with champions
Drive past the zoo.
Two young chefs awaited dancers at St Stephen's Church in Edinburgh.
The floor is filled with dancers, music and bon hommie - and the smell of waffles.
Matters arising
How do you keep £7/wk coming through the door and does your franchise treat you like you're worth £X00 to them?
Customers are not your friends, and friends must be your customers.
Running a dance business: what a DJ is worth?
Some people spotted centres of competitive dance excellence are developing and will raise the bar. How long before team awards?
It was a wonderful celebration of dance - and it resulted in joy for so many people - but the competition is serious but never takes itself too seriously.
Travel to dance distances of 250-500 miles not unusual amongst competitors to this dance event shows the warmth and regard in which it is held. But none from Europe - except a judge :-(
With strong showing from Wales and Scotland Champs in the last three years and growing interest in the Midlands Champs, will other English regions respond? And where does UK-wide competition fit?
As usual everyone I talked to had had a great time in Edinburgh, many promised to be back next year - but no one could quite put their fingers on what made this event special. They all said how relaxed it was, and well organised and perhaps the one is derived from the other. I'm pretty sure everything centres on two wonderful people and the equally wonderful people around them and what seems to be an endless supply for good humour, generosity and common sense. It's a classy combination.
Franck stands on a chair in a kilt and calls the room to order.
Sheena plays the Imperial March from Star Wars as the judges walk on.
Immediately the floor fills like I've never seen before here. Quality dancers here too.
Competitors fly around all morning pinning numbers on their backs at speed because they've entered so many categories.
Children in fancy dress play in a corner.
Cakes are sold to add to the charities coffers.
The Autumn sun blazes into the room despite the chilly air outside.
Nerves of steel, audacious moves, laughs and mutual support amongst competitors.
I blush - three very fine dancers asked me to partner them in competition - alas it's not in my make-up.
A large red Dragon and large green Nessie embody the nations and the fun.
The winners are from Ceroc groups across the UK embrace and hug and cry.
The representative from the children's charity reads her words quickly through nerves (not important) and is handed a large cheque and promised it will soon turn to a donation of six thousand pounds (very important).
Despite twelve hours and countless heats, semi-finals and finals later, it's the freestyle: everyone is danced out but still dancing
A huge circle formed and everyone walked 500 miles to be with each other.
Alarming laughter, Onesies, pizza and champagne at 4am.
Deep brief sleep
Breakfast with champions
Drive past the zoo.
Two young chefs awaited dancers at St Stephen's Church in Edinburgh.
The floor is filled with dancers, music and bon hommie - and the smell of waffles.
Matters arising
How do you keep £7/wk coming through the door and does your franchise treat you like you're worth £X00 to them?
Customers are not your friends, and friends must be your customers.
Running a dance business: what a DJ is worth?
Some people spotted centres of competitive dance excellence are developing and will raise the bar. How long before team awards?
It was a wonderful celebration of dance - and it resulted in joy for so many people - but the competition is serious but never takes itself too seriously.
Travel to dance distances of 250-500 miles not unusual amongst competitors to this dance event shows the warmth and regard in which it is held. But none from Europe - except a judge :-(
With strong showing from Wales and Scotland Champs in the last three years and growing interest in the Midlands Champs, will other English regions respond? And where does UK-wide competition fit?
As usual everyone I talked to had had a great time in Edinburgh, many promised to be back next year - but no one could quite put their fingers on what made this event special. They all said how relaxed it was, and well organised and perhaps the one is derived from the other. I'm pretty sure everything centres on two wonderful people and the equally wonderful people around them and what seems to be an endless supply for good humour, generosity and common sense. It's a classy combination.
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