By Melissa Anderson
The Ballroom Dance Company will perform two new never before seen pieces, a Latin American medley and a standard ballroom piece, Saturday, May 22, in the Smith Field House.
The company is performing a pre-tour show to exhibit the showcase that they will take on tour with them.
The concert will include “Cinemagic,” choreographed by Jonathan Wilkins and Katusha Demidova and “Summertime,” choreographed by Slavik Kryklyvyy and Karina Smirnoff. Gary and Diana McDonald and Lee and Linda Wakefield choreographed parts of both pieces. Other dance pieces include a West Coast swing, a Charleston with live quartet and a fox-trot.
“We have been working since August on these medleys,” company member Allison Johnson said. “There is tons of work that goes into them”
The company will compete in the most prestigious competition in the world.
“I get so excited that we are going to be doing the Blackpool competition,” Johnson said. “That only happens once every three years.”
The British Open Championship held in Blackpool England is where dancers from around the world can compete.
“Everybody who is anybody goes to Blackpool,” artistic director Linda Wakefield said.
The company will spend a week there and compete in amateur formation as well as individual. If a couple wins in Blackpool they are considered the best in the world.
Blackpool is one of the biggest and most nerve racking points of the trip but not the only high point.
The company will travel to Belgium after leaving England. They will do three performances there and will travel to three cities, Charleoi, Liege, and Nivelles. The company will do a benefit for senior citizens, for the city of Charleroi and Belgium National Television will film them.
The Ballroom Dance company will continue to Paris France and Madrid Spain. In Paris they will perform in a special VIP reception held in the home of the U.S. ambassador to France.
President Cecil O. Samuelson will meet the company there. Also in attendance will be area president Elder Harold G. Hillam, Vice President of International Relations Sandra Rodgers and 150 dignitaries from the area.
“It is a chance for us to open doors,” Johnson said.
In Madrid the performance is by invitation only and consists mostly of government city and educational dignitaries.
President Samuelson, Vice President Rodgers and area president Elder Craig W. Zwick will also be in attendance.
The concert will be held in the Smith Field House Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Fine Arts Ticket office. They cost $10 for reserved seating and $5 for general seating.
The company will leave on May 28 and return on June 24.
