World Dance Masters 2006 Countdown

7 Days To Go!

Well, this is it! Next Thursday, I’ll be heading off to Blackpool, UK for the annual Masters’ World Line Dance Championships. For those of you who haven’t a clue what I’m talking about, allow me to shed a little light on the subject.

Every year, hundreds and hundreds of line dance competitors gather to compete for many different World titles. I’m going in for the “Division 4 Teen Female” title; but my real aim is to reach the final seven. At last year’s Masters, I reached the semi-finals and so hopefully, with a year of training since, I might make that all important final on the Sunday.

All line competitors have three routines to learn – usually styled as funky/hip-hop/street, cha-cha/latino and waltz – but sometimes with the replacement of nightclub-two-step, traditional, jive and occasionally, Lindy Hop. Dancers are called onto the floor by their individual divisions in turn with a 3 digit number pinned to the back of their costume, and after dancing all three routines, await the call-backs. And let me tell you now. Call-backs are hideous things. They make me want to die right there on the spot. You stand there patiently, listening as almost all the dancers before you have their numbers called, expecting not to be put through. But when you are put through… it’s the best feeling in the world. When I was put through to semis last year, I cried my eyes out! It’s so twisted having the world’s most horrible feeling followed by the best feeling, but I guess that’s just how it goes.

Other competitions that take place include Pro-Am (where a competitor dances couples dances – typically including east or west coast swing, cha-cha, waltz and two-step with a professional), duos (where two competitors perform their very own routine to one set piece of music), quads (the same as duos, but with four people), teams (where 6 or more competitors perform to their own medley of music, but there are several rules to what songs can be in it) and cabaret (similar to teams, but no real restrictions on music). There’s a new competition starting at this year’s Worlds (or so I’ve heard) named Masters Invitational; starring the best of the best. That’ll be interesting…

Since I only have a week to go, and in that week I start my new job at a dance shop, have a singing performance and countless trips into town to get everything I need; my blogging will unfortunately slow down I expect. I still aim to blog regularly, but what with all that, and as much practising as I can manage, AND my classes, I probably won’t be as active as usual.

Time’s going so fast… it’ll be over before I know it!