Cheltenham Ballroom Dancing Festival 2008

3 August – The glitter and sequins are out once again for this summer’s Cheltenham Ballroom Dancing Festival 2008, being held at Cheltenham Town Hall.

Lament reality television all you want – yes, its conception may have brought a gaggle of Z-list, headline-hogging wannabe celebrities onto our TV screens, but who doesn’t harbour a secret penchant for Strictly Come Dancing?

And if the television show has given you a taste for the tango, foxtrot, samba or jive – to name just a few – you won’t want to miss the Cheltenham Ballroom Dancing Festival 2008.

Complete with more sequins than Dollywood on a special occasion and more fake tan than a Girls Aloud tour, this summer’s festival for all things footloose will be held over three days, from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 August 2008, at Cheltenham Town Hall.

The Welcome Ball will be held from 8pm on Friday 1 August 2008, when there will be dancing to Tony and the Sapphires, as well as ballroom cabaret from Mark and Olga Elsbury – the South of England Amateur Champions. Tickets cost £16 per person.

On Saturday 2 August 2008, there will be a ballroom lecture on the tango and quickstep from professional teachers James and Anna Dieguez, as well as a rumba class for beginners from Freddie Clark from 10am. Then, from 2pm, there will be a Latin American lecture on rumba and cha-cha held by Andrew Cuerden and Hanna Haarala – stars of Strictly Come Dancing, nonetheless. While for beginners, Freddie Clark will be teaching a quickstep class. At 8pm, a highlight of the festival will be The Cheltenham Ball, which will feature dancing to The Mike James Sound and Singers, as well as a Latin American cabaret from Andrew Cuerden and Hanna Haarala – costing £16 a ticket.

The final day, Sunday 3 August 2008, will start with an alternative rhythm lecture from Paul Bottomer – a four times undefeated Argentine tango world and European supreme champion, we’ll have you know – who is hosting a lecture on Argentine tango and salsa, with provisions for beginners in a separate room from 10.30am, at a cost of £6.50. Then, take your place on the dance floor for the Farewell Dance, when Freddie Clark will be leading an afternoon of strict tempo dancing to discs, also costing £6.50 with complimentary refreshments included.

Whether you are a first timer or an accomplished dancer who could give Mark Ramprakash or Jill Halfpenny a run for their money, hotfoot it to the Cheltenham Ballroom Dancing Festival 2008 this summer – and don’t forget the sequins.

Event: Cheltenham Ballroom Dancing Festival 2008
Venue: Cheltenham Town Hall
Dates: Friday 1 to Sunday 3 August 2008
Times: Vary, see above for details.
Tickets: Cost £49 for a weekend ticket to all of the events above, available from Cheltenham Town Hall box office on (01242) 227979.

SoGlos.com
22 July 2008