First International Competition for USC
Returning most of the members that won in New York the previous September, USC though, had to replace two United States Champions- Liz Curtis and Michael Rennie, who had split up to dance with other partners. Many of the team members had never travelled outside of the US so this was truly something special. Tougher though, was that several dancers had to miss final exams as Blackpool is always held at the end of May. Try explaining that to your parents- Missing graduation to go dance in England! After the event some headed north to Scotland and Ireland, others to France and London, and one on a 6 week solo backpack from Norway to Greece.
All Roads Lead to Blackpool
If you are a competitive dancer. the word Blackpool quickens your heartbeat. Known as the Mecca of dancing the world round, Blackpool is actually the site of three major competitions, The British Closed, Th British Junior Championships and the big one- The British Open to The World. Winning the Worlds Championship is certainly an achievement. But in the Worlds, only two couples from each country can participate. In the British or Blackpool as we say, there might be 400-500 couples per event. You begin dancing the day before for the first two elimination rounds, then return for the next 6 or 7 grueling rounds. It really is the most prestigious competition in the world! Tickets are sold out 9 months in advance and the entire front row surrounding the floor is bequeathed to World or Country Champions. It truly is standing room only.
Having won the Gold Medal at the 1977 US Ballroom Championships, the team was invited to participate in the British. With coaches Ron Montez and Carol Montez Bressan, and choreographer Roy Mavor, the team danced wonderfully losing only to another team from Northern California- The Modesto Ballroom Dance Team.
In Between NY & Blackpool England
From the Fall of 1977 and May of 1978, we were very excited- we were National Champions, and did lots of shows. One of those was the International Grand Ball in San Francisco. Read the blog about the side excursion in Babylon on the Bay. Another great performance was the USC Halftime show. Just before leaving for England, a Spring Concert of the entire USC Dance Department was held in Bovard Auditorium. With Ron & Carol also performing, the audience was treated to a phenomenal show.
