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2007 Night of the Stars Ball in Review
This event continues to be Adelaide’s most prestigious and successful dance event of the year. Again the Wonderland Ballroom was packed to capacity. The 500 patrons consisted of a great mix of competitors, family, friends, social dancers and general public, some who have never attended an event like this before. The event catered for all with a great mix and good balance of entertainment. Plenty of general dancing, only 8 dancesport events and a spectacular floorshow. This, we believe, is the key to the Ball’s success and reputation, now in it’s 15th year. Rhett & Kym English, as sole organisers are also proud of the fact that it is the only event in SA that donates part profits from ticket sales and total raffle ticket sales to Charity, ours being the Childhood Cancer Association for many years. Any donation big or small, is worth a lot and over the years we have donated close to $35,000 in total.
The evening commenced at 7.30 with a half hour general dancing before a sizzling opening number by this year’s special guest artists - Robin Sewell & Alarna Donovan. A bare-chested Robin and slinky-sexy Alarna sent pulses racing with their HOT Samba & Jive Segue, teasing the audience with a taste of what was to come. The tone was set and the evening was under way! Huge savoury platters were served to each table while a little more general dancing gave the dancesport competitors time to get ready for the first section of 4 dancesport events. Results of these events were:
Adult level 1&2 Standard: 1st Tristan Roberts & Stephanie Hunter, 2nd Brad Cowain & Lynette Robinson, 3rd Alan Tessari & Abby Potter
Under 16yrs Latin: 1st Rodger Strevens & Shana Wright, 2nd Travis Witts & Annaliese English, 3rd Daniel Schumann & Kristina Bogatic
Masters Open New Vogue: 1st Peter & Susan Matthews, 2nd Don Hutchins & Jennifer Wagner, 3rd Perry & Leith Georgeff
Adult Open Standard: 1st Matthew Candy & Amy O’Halloran, 2nd Tristan Roberts & Stephanie Hunter
As gourmet cheese and fruit platters were served to every table, it was time to enjoy more from our guest artists. Robin a little more covered this time, Alarna in a striking red fringe dress for a very cheeky Cha Cha Cha, followed by quick costume changes for Paso and Samba. A beautiful couple, complimenting each other with strength and subtlety and above all – such passion for dance. A little more general dancing followed before the second section of dancesport events. Results:
Adult level 1&2 Latin: 1st Anthony Paterson & Kym Maziakowski, 2nd Adam Hough & Naomi Bailey, 3rd Brad Cowain & Lynette Robinson
Under 16yrs New Vogue: 1st Rodger Strevens & Shana Wright, 2nd Daniel Schumann & Kristina Bogatic, 3rd Travis Witts & Annaliese English
Masters Open Standard: 1st Peter & Susan Matthews, 2nd Don Hutchins & Jennifer Wagner, 3rd Kassie & Naumee Naicker
Adult Open Latin: 1st Andrew Bergineti & Latoya Mallia, 2nd Matthew Candy & Amy O’Halloran, 3rd Travis Hackett & Joanna Kurgiel.
More General dancing and sweets platters were served as we were treated once again to our guests artists. Robin and Alarna performed a breath taking Rumba, so full of mood and artistry. Robin thanked the appreciative audience as Alarna made one more quick change for their final number, a slow, then very fast Jive, revving up the audience one final time. Thank you Robin and Alarna for a fantastic show, it was such a pleasure having you both here as our 2007 Guest Artists!
Results of the Silent Auction and raffle draw, saw the evening close to Midnight – enough time for a little more general dancing to finish off this fabulous evening. We are proud to say that this year we were able to donate $3595 to the Childhood Cancer Association, a record high this year. Many thanks to all our prize donators and helpers, dancers and supporters and most importantly our major sponsors for many years – Phil Hoffmann Travel. Look forward to doing it all again next year!
2006 Night of the Stars Ball in Review
Once again, this event proved to be Adelaide's most prestigious and successful dance event of the year. A capacity crowd of 500 packed the Wonderland Ballroom - NO tickets were able to be purchased at the door. It was reserved table seating for all, enjoying an evening of social dancing, a select amount of competitive events and a spectacular floor show by National Capital Professional Ballroom Champions - Davide Tonizzo & Emily Reilly from WA. The event organized by Rhett & Kym English is now in its 14th year, proudly supporting the Childhood Cancer Association, with part proceeds of ticket sales and total proceeds of raffle ticket sales being donated.
600+ balloons arched the ceiling of the ballroom, stage and tables creating a fabulous setting for dancers and spectators who in turn created an electric atmosphere all evening. A 7.30pm start with general dancing led to the official opening by MC Rhett English and an exciting Opening Foxtrot and Quickstep Segue by Davide & Emily, 'pleasing and teasing' the crowd with a taste of what to expect from their main floorshow later in the evening. Huge meat and cheese supper platters adorned every table and more ballroom and latin general dancing continued until the competition events commenced at 8.30pm.
Spectators comprised of regular dancesport followers as well as general public and social dancers who wouldn't normally see dancesport competitors in action. Hence they were very appreciative and generous in their applause and support, helping lift the couples performances to a higher level - gratifying for all! Results are as follows:
Under 16 years New Vogue:
1st Rodger Strevens & Shana Wright, 2nd Travis Witts & Annaliese English, 3rd Matthew Witts & Renee Ellis.
Under 16 years Latin American:
1st Rodger Strevens & Shana Wright, 2nd Travis Witts & Annaliese English, 3rd Daniel Schumann & Kristina Bogatic
Adult level 1&2 Standard:
1st Martin Gaardboe & Donna Dimasi, 2nd Tristan Roberts & Sian Kerr-Pilling
Adult level 1&2 Latin American:
1st Adam Hough & Clare Kelly, 2nd Martin Gaardboe & Donna Dimasi, 3rd Tristan Roberts & Sian Kerr-Pilling
Adult Open Standard:
1st Matthew Candy & Amy O'Halloran, 2nd Logan Sargent & Anna Trukhanova, 3rd Dale Georgeff & Luisa Simeone
Adult Open Latin American:
1st Andrew Bergineti & Latoya Mallia, 2nd Logan Sargent & Anna Trukhanova, 3rd Brett Cousins & Heather Weber
Masters Open New Vogue:
1st Peter & Susan Matthews, 2nd Perry & Leith Georgeff, 3rd Wayne Carson & Wendy Talbot
Masters Open Standard:
1st Peter & Susan Matthews, 2nd Kassie & Naumee Naicker, 3rd Perry & Leith Georgeff
ALL competitors whether winning, placing or not, received many prizes all generously donated by many businesses and sponsors both locally and interstate including DanceSport International Australia, Dancewear Australia, June Designs, Bag Heaven and Adelaide Dancers Boutique, just to name a few. Winners of the Perpetual Trophies in the Open age divisions, highest placed over the 2 styles were:
Under 16's: Rodger Strevens & Shana Wright
Adult Open: Logan Sargent & Anna Trukhanova
Masters Open: Peter & Susan Matthews.
Major Sponsors Phil Hoffmann Travel, who assisted in bringing Davide and Emily to Adelaide also provided $1000 in travel vouchers that were won by competitors by way of a lucky draw. The five couples that won $200 vouchers were:
Rodger Strevens & Shana Wright, Martin Gaardboe & Donna Dimasi, Logan Sargent & Anna Trukhanova, Geoff Mitchell & Ruth Kendall and Wayne Hancock & Jenny Darling.
10.30pm was floorshow time! Davide & Emily's dancing was nothing short of breathtaking - a stunning, dramatic Tango to open, followed by a silky smooth Slow Foxtrot, then Waltz and Viennese, finishing with an exciting Quickstep, leaving the appreciative crowd applauding for more! Fabulous entries, exits and beautiful music made for a truly professional show, not to mention Emily's many stunning June Design gowns - they truly shone as the night's STARS of the Ball.
More general dancing and dessert platters followed, then the raffle draw of some 14 fabulous donated prizes including luggage sets, a teak outdoor bench, weekend holiday and pearl jewellery set as well as the result of the Silent Auction running throughout the evening. The lucky highest bidder for an authentic Adelaide Crow's Football, signed by Coach & Captain was $500 by Warren Symons and we thank him for his generosity. Over $3000 was donated to the Childhood Cancer Association, bringing a running total of more than $30,000 donated over the years the Ball has been running.
The success of this long established event would not be possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of all the behind the scenes helpers including the creative balloon artists and crew setting up all day as well as the team of helpers during the evening, sponsors & prize donators and of course the talented dancesport couples and patrons who support the event - thank you to ALL for making it yet another successful and memorable event!
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