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Summer Festival - November 2009

The Summer Festival is the final test run for SA couples before the Australian Championships in Melbourne and Team Emporio had competitors in pretty much all categories.

Plenty of glitter, make-up, hair spray, fake tan, fake fingernails, fake eye lashes, and even a considerable amount of “man-scaping” combined with extravagant dresses and Latin outfits transformed Wonderland into …. well… a wonder land!

Amongst our seasoned couples were a number of new faces / partnerships competing for the first time. The first competition is always an exciting time, where nerves, excitement and adrenaline combine to form a magic cocktail that can get you hooked on dancing forever.

First time on the floor were:

Clint Fiedler & Tara Burgon – Adult Latin

Teena van Doren & Jim Sneddon – Coach and Pupil – Latin

Neale McLauchlan & Kris White – Masters Latin

Chris Gruber & Andrea Robertson – Adult Latin

DASA Achievement Award 2009

Joel Amos & Bianca Lazar receive the DASA Achievement Award for 2009, presented by Angela & Cyriaque Kinkingnehun from Paris. Joel & Bianca won the Youth Open Standard, New Vogue and Latin and the Adult L3 Standard.

We had 3 events with an all Emporio podium finish - congratulations to all the couples. All the hard work and many hours of training do make a difference.

The Adult Open Latin, a 1-2-3 finish for the Emporio.

1 - Chris Gruber & Andrea Robertson

2 - Philip Alvaro & Heather Forbes

3 - Evan Sutherland & Claire Kelly

Masters I Open New Vogue, 1-2-3 for the Emporio.

1 - David & Leanne Amos

2 - Oryst & Janet Tkacz

3 - Brenton Hillard & Giselle West

The Masters I Level 2 Latin, also a 1-2-3 finish for the Emporio.

1 - Brenton Hillard & Karen Bollenhagen

2 - Neale McLaughlan & Kris White

3 - Chris Davies & Gale Sprott

A double first. Jim Sneddon, newly accredited Dancesport coach and Teena van Doren, both out on their first DSA Caoach & Pupil event. Philip Alvaro & Heather Forbes, The Emporio's leading Adult 10 Dance couple, pictured with Malcolm Batty from Melbourne.      Oryst & Janet Tkacz, winners of the Masters II Open Standard & New Vogue.       Michael Winnick & Amy Hancock placed 2nd in Adult L1 Latin.

Chris & Andrea, a new Latin partnership with their coach Madeleine Zoanetti. This was their first competition.   Brenton Hillard & Giselle West, also on debut with their new partnership, taking our 3rd place in the Masters I Open New Vogue.     Neale McLaughlan & Kris White on their first Dancesport outing, winning the Masters I Level 1 Latin.

Congratulations to all the dancers and support crew - Team Emporio Rocks!

For all the results of the event go to the DASA website or you can download the PDF here SummerFestival2009Results.pdf

There are some photos in the Photo Gallery from this event, but you can check out Brett Cousins photos here for plenty more.

Cyriaque also took some photos of the event. You can find them at mysteriaque.com.

Chris Gruber