Cheltenham Ballroom Dancing Festival 2009

Until 9 August – The glitter and sequins are out once again for this summer’s Cheltenham Ballroom Dancing Festival 2009 at Cheltenham Town Hall.

If the television show Strictly Come Dancing 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 2009.

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 7 to Sunday 9 August 2009, at Cheltenham Town Hall.

The Welcome Ball will be held from 8pm on Friday 7 August 2009, when there will be dancing to The Ross Mitchell Band, as well as ballroom cabaret from Morgan Hemphill and Richard Still. Tickets cost £16 per person.

On Saturday 8 August 2009, there will be a ballroom lecture on the waltz and foxtrot from professional teachers James and Anna Dieguez, as well as a tango class for beginners from Freddie Clark from 10am. From 2pm, there will be a Latin American lecture on rumba and samba from James and Anna Dieguez again, while for beginners, Freddie Clark will be teaching a samba 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 Amy Bennett and Robert Rowinski – costing £16 a ticket.

The final day, Sunday 9 August 2009, 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 £8. 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, 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 2009 this summer – and don’t forget the sequins.

Event: Cheltenham Ballroom Dancing Festival 2009
Venue: Cheltenham Town Hall
Dates: Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August 2009
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
2 May 2009