BYU’s Ballroom Dance Company Showcases their Work on Campus Before Heading to a European Competition
This Spring, award-winning BYU Ballroom Dance Company is returning to Europe, the birthplace of ballroom dance. Their tour includes stops in England and Belgium, the highlight of which will be competing in the world-renowned Blackpool Dance Festival (BDF), held in Blackpool, United Kingdom. Before they leave, they are offering a preview of their tour show, “Ballroom Dance Company: Blackpool Premier Concert." The show will include all-new medleys which were specifically choreographed to be competed at BDF.
Founded in 1920, BDF is held every three years and is the largest of the five dance festivals hosted in Blackpool, United Kingdom. BYU Ballroom has been competing at this festival since 1971. In previous years, BYU Ballroom won first place in both the Latin formation and ballroom formation team categories. At this one-time event, audiences will get to enjoy this year’s selection of competition numbers before they hit the Blackpool stage.
During the tour, BYU Ballroom will be performing numbers such as the Samba, Waltz, Cha Cha and Smooth Foxtrot. Student performer, Jane Rigby, says, “There is a lot of variation and some exciting elements that the audience may not expect…These [dances] are unlike anything that has been seen in previous years.”
Along with all-new choreography, the program will include new costumes and music. For example, the ballroom medley features orchestration from the “Fiddler on the Roof” soundtrack. Student performer, James Lear, says, “I’m very impressed by the original [Fiddler on the Roof] arrangement and orchestration we get to dance to,” and, “the new costumes for the medleys are awesome!”
Both Rigby and Lear agree that they are most excited for the audience to see the fruits of their hard work. “There’s probably thousands of hours spent by hundreds of people on these dances and to see the culmination of the work spent on the music, costumes and choreography will be special!” Lear says.
Rigby concludes by saying, “We absolutely love to be out on the floor performing for our friends, family and even complete strangers. It brings us so much joy, which is why we dedicate large portions of our time to perfecting our craft.”
The dancers of BYU Ballroom have thoroughly prepared for their preview performance before they go on their European tour and perform at the Blackpool Dance Festival. Come show your support, witness their incredible talents, and send BYU Ballroom off to Europe in style.
Tickets and Show Details
Performance Dates and Times: May 20 @ 7:30pm
Location: Marriott Center
Price: $15
Tickets: Available in person at the Marriott Center Ticket Office, by phone at (801) 422-2981 or online
