THE LONDON BALL - "Utopia or Dance"
The London Ball is the idealists Heaven. The Philosophy and ethos of this event is so pure and transparent that it marked celebration of all that is great about the art of competitive Ballroom Dancing. Everyone in the profession should be supporting this event, for, at it's very heart, is the dearest feature to us all - the love of dance!
During the Ball on Friday evening, the atmosphere was delightfully warm and I felt a spirit of unity and harmony that was truly magnificent and enjoyed by everyone present. The Empress Orchestra was simply stunning to listen 10 during dinner, and an even greater inspiration during the general dancing, where everyone had so much fun! I have never heard this orchestra play or sound better. The interpretation of the saxophonist playing the foxtrot "Splanky", blew me away for it's power, and I had to tear my eyes away form the dancing to watch the famous "Trevor Lips"!. With Champagne flowing and a gourmet dinner, fit for a king, this has to be one of the greatest nights in the Social Dancing Calendar!
To Carmen, Irina, Bryan, Andrew and Hans, the organization was truly wonderful and congratulations on a magnificent event. Everything was first class, from the choice of venue, to the selection of all "World Champion" adjudicators. On a personal note, I rember seeing Rudi and Mechtild Trautz demonstrating at the studio where I learned to dance when I was about 6 or 7. To see Mechtild adjudicate again today gave me such a special feeling, and, along with all the other the adjudicating legends of the Ballroom, created a sensation of being enveloped in nostalgic security and history.
Everyone present at this event was there for the love, preservation and perpetuation of freedom in Ballroom Dancing, and the atmosphere created by the warmth and support for all the couples by Bryan and Carmen on the stage, was akin to coming "home".
Anne Gleave
For me it was the "perfect event". Thanks a lot for
organizing so well. All of you did a great, world-champion-like job too! :-)
Have a great time.
Bianka Schreiber
t must say that I really enjoyed the Landen Ball, and was very impressed with everything.
Of course it makes a difference when you have 4 past champions making decisions and not an organiser
trying 10 make money. I thought that the presence of Andrew, Hans, Bryan and Carmen gave the
competition the prestige that is sadly lacking at many events. I also thought that Bryan and Carmen
were great comperes and gave the whole day a warmth and sincerity.
Probably the most important thing with the event is the inclusion of the Empress Orchestra conducted by
Ashley Frohliek. Any dancer will tell you that to dance to live music is inspirational, and adds something
really special for both the dancers and the spectators. It brings a touch of history to the event and makes
it a most memorable occasion.
Please pass on my thanks and best wishes to Andrew, Hans, Bryan and Carmen for organising a
wonderful competition.
Stephen Hiliier
Both Karen & I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the wonderful Dinner Dance on the
Friday evening, great food, wonderful wine and perfect company!! Not to mention the
super music and the dancing!!!!
We enjoyed the competition again on the Saturday, once more the music was
inspirational and the dancing and ambience perfect!!
With regard to comments and suggestions for the future of the London Ball we think it is
a wonderful event at a perfect time in the dancers calendar.
Marcus and Karen Hiltan MBE
Georg and I enjoyed the 2 days in London very much and we want to thank you for your
hard work before, between and after this marvellous events.
Of course our thanks goes also to the Directors; they really did a fantastic job.
We enjoyed the beautiful setting ofthe Ballroom, the fabulous sound of the Band, the
wonderful dancing of the Couples and last but not least the great hospitality of the
organizer! Thanks, thanks, thanks!!
Mechtild Trautz & Georg
The Friday evening is an unbelievable experience for us; of course dancing
to Ashley and the orchestra but also to have a social evening dancing with
our colleagues. And ler me dancing with David! It certainly was a Ball and
a very special one-off evening that you go home from smiling and happy.
We are very gratetul to the directors ot the London Ball for having the
opportunity to experience this evening.
After judging the compelition on the Saturday I reflecled on how satisfying
it was to really have time to judge - thank you! The couples were enjoying
dancing and were so supportive of dancers in other heats it was wonderful
to witness. The live music, which sounded even better in the InterContinental
Hotel than at Blackpool, was obviously the biggest contributing factor for this
but I also believe it comes from Bryan and Carmen compering and giving
enlhusiasm (and advice).
Both days were excellent and I am afraid I do not have any comments on how
to make it better! I hope it grows and develops as you deserve.
Thank you for your hard work once again trom David and myself.
Denise Weavers
Just a congratulatory note to everyone concerned with the super event.
If only that atmosphere could be available for competitors and attendees
everywhere! What a difference we would see in the dancing. Anyway - the
dream was realized and dare we hope that, at some point in the future, it
could happen again!
Peter Eggleton
Please extend my respect and pride to the Directors. It was a
WONDERFUL event and I so admire them for having the guts.
I was so terribly proud of them.
Donnie Burns
On behalf of Alan and I, we also thank-you and all the Directors for a wonderful
event, superbly organized and presented. I am most sorry I missed the Friday
evening, I heard I missed a great night.
Good luck for the continuance of what hopefully can become a bigger part of the
dancers calendar.
Alan and Hazel Fletcher
it is us to say thank you for two wonderful days. What ever we can do to
make this event a lasting success we will do.
Martina and Rudi Trautz
It was my pleasure to adjudicate at the London Ball and I hope this event will
continue in the future.
John Wood
It was a pleasure to support a great project for the future of dance.
Luca and Loraine Baricchi
A great big "Thank you" for a wonderful weekend.
From my side as an Adjudicator everything was excellent.
I wish you all every success for the next London Ball.
Lorraine
I have to thank you and Carmen, Bryan, Hans and Andrew for an
unforgettable weekend... It was in every way a success and I hope you all
are willing to repeat it in 2011! Lots of love from Hamburg
Evelyn Haedrich-Hoermann
Thank YOU for all your hard work in making the London Ball a success.
All the couples I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was a
great event with a wonderful atmosphere. It was a bit like 'old times'.
I enjoyed the two days immensely and hope that the London Ball will go
from strength to strength.
Janet Gleave
Then on Friday night after the International Championship I was invited to
attend the Welcome dinner of the London Ball. I found myself seated at the
table with the most respected people in our dancing industry and I must say I
was very surprised and proud, to be seated with some of my teachers and
former competitors. In this evening I had so much fun dancing socially with
many of my teachers, fellow competitors and friends, with the wonderful
sound of the Empress Orchestra and some wine, it seems that the evening
was too short. Going home that night I said to myself I am glad that I have so
many friends that also care and enjoy dancing, and I so very excited that it
was difficult to switch my brain off I really hope that we can have more dinners
like this where we can just "Have Fun".
The Saturday, The London Ball took place and I want to congratulate the
Hans Galke,Andrew Sinkinson, Bryan Watson, Carmen, having the courage
to take this strong step in the right direction. This was not a competition it was
really a Ball, and one famous adjudicator said on the day " THE COUPLES
TODAY DID NOT COMPETE, THEY DANCED" and this said it all.
You could see clearly why competitions should be run by former Champions.
There was a clear sensation of respect for everyone in the room, couples,
adjudicators, spectators, they all walked around the ballroom in a great
atmosphere of Friendship. This can be done only by people that have
experience competitions on their skin for many years. The attention given to
every detail from these people made me proud to know them, and be a
competitor of their era, I congratulate them and wish them all the success for
next year.
Well I can only say that I feel that the world of ballroom dancing is heading in
the right direction with such competitions, I hope to see more event like this
take place. For sure this will put a shadow on all the others matter that are not
important, and give back to the world of ballroom dancing, the respect, and
attention that it deserve.
Thanks to all of you to allow me to fall in love again.
Augusto Schiavo