The 8-day Blackpool Dance Festival is the world's first and most famous annual

ballroom A ballroom or ballhall is a large room inside a building, the primary purpose of which is holding large formal parties called ''balls''. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions and palaces, especially histori ...

dance competition Competitive dance is a popular, widespread sport in which competitors perform dances in any of several permitted dance styles—such as acro, ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, musical theatre, tap, and improv—before a ...

of international significance, held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens,

Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside town in Lancashire, England. It is located on the Irish Sea coast of the Fylde peninsula, approximately north of Liverpool and west of Preston, Lancashire, Preston. It is the main settlement in the Borough of Blackpool ...

, England, since 1920. It is also the largest ballroom competition: in 2013, 2953 couples from 60 countries took part in the festival. As of the early 21st century the festival is held in May. It covers ballroom and Latin American dancing, American smooth and incorporates the British Open Championships in categories of adult amateur and professional couples and formation teams. In 2005, two new categories were introduced: the British Rising Star Amateur Ballroom and Latin Competitions. Two invitation events, the Professional Team Match and the Exhibition Competition, create much interest. The Junior Dance Festival, Blackpool Sequence Dance Festival which incorporates the British Sequence Championships, and British National Dance Festival are also held annually in Blackpool. The annual World Professional

Dancesport Dancesport is competitive ballroom dancing, as contrasted to social or exhibition dancing. In the case of Para dancesport, at least one of the dancers is in a wheelchair. Dancesport events are sanctioned and regulated by dancesport organizat ...

ChampionshipWorld Professional Dance Sport Championship, Blackpool, England
/ref> is often held in Blackpool (five times between 1989 and 2012), but is not connected with the Dance Festival. The world's largest amateurs' dance festival is the annual Euro dance festival in

Rust Rust is an iron oxide, a usually reddish-brown oxide formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the catalytic presence of water or air moisture. Rust consists of hydrous iron(III) oxides (Fe2O3·nH2O) and iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (FeO(OH) ...

, Germany, where shows of professional dancers are combined with workshops for a wide range of dancers from beginners to professionals. In recent years, the festival has embraced modern technology, offering live-streaming and online access for global audiences who are unable to attend in person. This has expanded its reach and allowed fans worldwide to witness the artistry of competitive dance.

Cultural references

It was depicted in the 1996 award-winning Japanese film, '' Shall We ダンス?'', directed by

Masayuki Suo is a Japanese people, Japanese film director. He is best known for his two Japan Academy Prize (film), Japan Academy Prize-winning films, ''Sumo Do, Sumo Don't'' (1992) and ''Shall We Dance? (1996 film), Shall We Dance?'' (1996). Life and caree ...

and again, in the 2004 U.S. remake '' Shall We Dance?''. Mai, played by

Tamiyo Kusakari is a Japanese actress and former ballet dancer. In 1997 her portrayal of Mai Kishikawa in '' Shall We Dance?'' won a Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role. Biography From Toshima, Tokyo, Kusakari starte ...

in the original film, and Paulina, played by

Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), also known by her nickname J.Lo, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and businesswoman. Lopez is regarded as one of the most influential entertainers of her time, credited with breaking ...

in the 2004 film, competed in the Dance Championship when, together with their partners; both suffered a fall during the semi-finals, causing them to be disqualified.

References

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External links

Blackpool Dance Festival official websiteBlackpool Dance home page at danceplaza
Ballroom dance Dancesport competitions Blackpool Ballroom dance competitions Dance festivals in the United Kingdom 1920 establishments in England Annual events in England Music festivals established in 1920