Blackpool is the home of dance, the home of the “British” and is to dancers what Wembley is to footballers and Wimbledon is to tennis players
The place has its own atmosphere that dancers feel as unique and is there the minute you walk through the door
Not the all-round hot feel of the Albert Hall or the fun feel as in places like the Southsea etc but it has pomp and a feeling that you must produce your very best to pay your dues to the history
Every contestant who is treasuring dance will remember forever the Blackpool experience
For any contestant who is unable or unwilling to stride out head up shoulders down and give dance its true value is robbing another of a wonderful experience

I agree but it seems the majority of the voting public don't see it like that.

I've never been to Blackpool but would love to go some time (to either the May or November competitions that is)!

pabird, have you competed at Blackpool or visited as a spectator? If so, which venue and which event? Tower ballroom, Winter Gardens?

As I remember it, if you are doing well then it is a magical place but if you are doing less well it can be the biggest pit in your stomach you can imagine. I have experienced both, not myself but my brother narrowly missed out on a place in the final of the 12/13 years event but two years later returned to make the British final

I danced there in my first year of university when they held the national university competition at the Winter Gardens. It was amazing! So much better than the following year when we ended up in Guildford Spectrum... I'd love to go there to see the "real" competitors one year.

Its a real experience just watching your kid dance there, my son cal (7) danced last year and he loved it, even if he didnt get through any rounds.
This year in 2 weeks time well just over wee are back there for the DSI Finals, but this time Cal is doing solos and also my daughter (4) and they are couple dancing as well together.

Its very magical, and they love watching the strictly from there the week before.

Well Cal does, Cariad my daughter trys to copy usually bullying cal into hold lol

Liz

I had a quick turn at the Quickstep with my husband there last autumn.... everybody laughed at us, but we had a fab time.

Its just the best place EVER. Magical. Makes you happy just to be there!

Yes competed there for several years at the British" (winter gns)
Never could gain a reasonable result in the individual ballroom after the first rounds but did get a second in the British formation
Best results in the Albert hall (the International) and such contests as the south east at Southsea, great fun at Southsea when the fleet was in and the sailors made a great night of it choosing favourite numbers and cheering all night for those favourites

Drunks do not invade the House of Commons.
Why should one politico stage a wilful display under false pretences to mock what is dear to many?

I got that impression just from watching James' backstage rewport last year, he was talking a lot about how the dancers love the Tower Ballroom floor. Then I saw Vincent and Flavia dance there earlier this year and it was fabulous.


I'm hoping to be there in March, it's at the Winter Gardens again

Ooh Mystical, thanks for dropping the info out. I was expecting the university nationals (IVDC) to be the last weekend of February.
I've been in the wintergardens for the uni competitions. Inside it is such an amazing atmosphere (imagine over 1000 students cheering each other on) and the dance floor is so springy. Definitely way better than when IVDC was held in Guildford Spectrum. that year was so cramped!

Blackpool definitely has a fantastic atmosphere for dancing. I hope everyone who goes to see the Strictly show and the celebrities have a great time. I'd love to get there for any of the Open comps held there.

if you love wind, rain, concrete, overpriced restaurants serving slop they wouldn't serve in prison, slot machines, and kiss me quick hats...Blackpool is heaven. To everyone else Blackpool is a hole, especially in the winter.

I've played pool in the ballroom and it's a nice place...for a while. I'm sure it's an amazing dance venue.

How wonderful to have competed in the both Briish Open and at the Albert Hall.

I'm amazed at how many people on this forum have connections with Blackpool, either dancing there themselves or having relatives who have danced there.

I love Blackpool!!!!!!!!!

I am going for the Nationals on friday and I cant wait - I love watching the dancing in the Winter Gardens, its magical and if anyone ever gets the chance to go - then go!

Pure magic for audience and dancers, it really is to dance what St Andrews old course is to golfers

I repeat please select/ vote for real dance tryers who will live and love the experience

They're the 5th of March next year as far as I know!

I have competed many times at both the Tower and the Winter Gardens. I love them both!

Back again this week for the British National Dance Championships.

I've never competed in dance and only been to the Tower Ballroom once and quite recently.

It's stunning and if the atmosphere at 11 am on a wet Wednesday with the Wurlitzer playing is anything to go by it must be magical for a competition/Strictly.

Febrary sounds early for IVDC. When I was organising it the year after I graduated, it was in March.

Are student events as sparkly and glam as the other competitions or do they eschew that type of thng?

I hope you find it as enjoyable as ever.

Hope it's going to be great - but it's not the 'actual' ballroom, is it ?

Of course it is. The clue is in the name

Tower ballroom is just amazing , Blackpool is a dump full of hen and stag partys late on .

My parents had a hotel in Blackpool for over 20 years and they still live just outside of town. Yes, the Tower ballroom is fabulous but when night falls the town turns into a zoo !! The place gets infested with chavs that make it look like a holding area for Jeremy Kyle Show punters.

Not for me unfortunately - beginners and novice have dress and step restrictions!

The intermediate, advanced and team dancers all have fabulous dresses though