Like prophecy comes true, it was a “huge” night of dancing, competition and showcasing of the best in rock & roll culture and fashion at the Heritage Reception centre in Epping. It was 1950’s and “poodle” skirts for the gals and bowling shirts and 2-tones black & white shoes for the guys. Clive advertised it as the “Extravaganza Weekend” and, as in previous years, the VRRDA rock & roll dance competition was again fully booked out. Flashback provided live music for social dancing and in the state titles.
Last night I was reminded of a scene from the “Gladiator” movie where the crowd gathered at the Roman Coliseum to watch the tussles between the best & bravest of them all. Well, not quite like in the Roman times but certainly the competition last night was top class and fierce. But it was good to see that the competitors, with many entries from WA, South Australia and Queensland, and spectators were also having lots of fun and displaying friendship & goodwill after each round of competition.
I like the variety too - from juniors to adults and the Nifty Fifties and pitched at novice level to state titles. There are also various dance categories from team event to triples and dances that are strictly “no lifts” and the optional ones. And to get crowd participation and adding fun, there’s the “Jack & Jill” event as well as one featuring a junior dancing with an adult dance partner. Wondering if future events would consider bringing back the “rockabilly” dance category or even the “1940-1950’s swing” dance? And topping it all, there was a competition for the 1950’s style best dressed couple which was won by Renee & David in their “rockabilly” style outfit. Renee & David are young but very good dancers who dressed in fashionable 1950’s style and frequently supporting dance gigs at Lt Maria’s, Daveys and Monash.
It was a huge night all round but two things stood out for me. Firstly, the exceptional, top class dancing for the adult & State titles. The dancers were highly energetic, displayed superb dance floor craft, perfect timing and dance connection. And I was mesmorised by the speed & variety in their footwork. Secondly, it is clear there’s a need to get more young people in Melbourne dancing rock & roll. The junior events last night could very well have been at risk were it not for some entries from interstate.
Finally, congratulations to all the winners last night, VRRDA and the Heritage Reception centre for another great night of rock & dance competition and entertainment. I am hoping some members will post pictures and videos of the action from last night. It was a very enjoyable night indeed.
Great report jitterbug.....On behalf of NORTHSiDE Rock & The HERITAGE RECEPTIONS, we thank ALL the contestants who participated, & To ALL the place getters & WINNERS.... a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS for a job well done.
On the local scene....congratulations to 6 of our regulars ....The MEERCATS (Rocky & Jo, Angelo & Hilda, Neil & Heather) who won their event....The TEAM Event...Well done guys....
A Good Dance is worth the time it takes to get there.
"Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!"
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
Great report as usual on the VRRDA champs Jitterbug. You always write so well. It was my first time at the champioinships and I must say I was blown away by the atmosphere (Roman Colosuem? glad we didn't get fed to the lions ), the clothes- petticoats and frilly knickers everywhere, and the amazing dancing.
It was such a great floor show to watch and the wow factor, especially in the lifts sections and in the state final, was something to be expereinced. And the juniors were wonderful to watch, a couple of them I'm sure were only 8 or so - a big deal for someone so small to dance and compete on such a big empty dance floor in front of hundreds of people. So glad I made the effort to go along. I've taken lots of video so will post some links when I get it all loaded onto youtube. Congratulations to all the winners, and a big congratulations to ALL who competed - it's such a great thing to have a go at. Hopefully next year some more Victorian will enter and win it. I'll have the date marked in my dairy for next year.
Well done to all the VRRDA commitee who worked hard all night to run such a great event.
Thankyou Victoria for your warm welcome to your championships! we had a wonderful time dancing and mingling with you all, it was a fabulous evening, you all dance so well Marilyn and Ashley WA
welcomed to melbourne and vicrock in style marilyn!ashley and co,and you are a great dancer too marilyn,always with a wonderful smile,thanks for allowing me to butt in on jitterbug!lol.tezzax hope to see you all again at a dance somewhere,holler if in melbourne..well done in your sections and triples.
"Wondering if future events would consider bringing back the “rockabilly” dance category or even the “1940-1950’s swing” dance?"
We deliberately removed Swing from the events a few years ago.
First some history - The VRRDA played a big part in the Swing revival in Victoria. Swing categories were included in the comps and Swing era clothing was very much the vogue. The black & white shoes, now a Classic Rock icon, are derived from Swing styling. The founders of Swing Patrol were State Rock'n'Roll Champions in 2001. http://web.aanet.com.au/VRRDA/Shield.html
Swing became big in its own right and we focussed on Rock'n'Roll dancing. Our Rules say that we acknowledge Swing, Ballroom Jive and Latin as precursor influences on R'n'R but dancers will lose points if these steps are over emphasised in competition.
Rockabilly - Hmmm?? Looks great in pubs and it does keep an important part of our respect for the '50s alive. I am open to suggestions. Is there enough in Rockabilly dancing to make it a dinkum competition category? I know it is included in the Australian Rock'n'Roll Dance Council comps.
How about Bopping? Could that be an event? I just don't see many Rockabilly males dancing solo anymore. Does anyone have any clips of good Bopping?
Can we discuss the Rockabilly dancing option further? Anyone who wants to expand on this might like to start a new thread. Is there enough scope for creativity in Rockabilly or would it be judged on adherence to the technical formula?
Rob you quote that the VRRDA played a major part in the swing revival.
I can assure you that it did not, the swing dance style was up and about long before the VRRDA allowed it to be danced in their competitions.
In fact dancers were penalised for doing any lindy/swing dance steps.
The VRRDA only accepted the swing style when they found that more rock'n'roll dancers were moving towards that style of dance.
john
good post and thoughts on this subject of allowing swing dancing back into rocknroll championships?firstly,lets look at the title.the VRRDA ROCK AND ROLL!CHAMPIONSHIPS...secondly,if allowed back in to the championships,woud it be or shoud?it be as a separate competition for top class swing dancers?tho i mix my dancing on the social floor,i dont feel rocknrollers in comps shoud mix swing in there routines,going away from the original format of what rocknroll comps are all about,even now i see the odd charlston,and even a quick lindy hop performed,and i dont know how the judges feel about this or mark there scores,scott cupit who won in 2001,did he and his partner dance rocknroll only when they won?highly unlikely...looking at the time schedule for the various heats on saturday night,woud you drop some rocknroll heats for a swing comp?have we a venue big enough?for avid swing followers and rocknroll supporters?easy to say,first in first served?coud cause some resentment there too.swing dancing is all about routines,so its easy for top swingdancers to put up a good routine,put in a few rnr steps?no such thing as a backstep anymore in top line dancing,do top swing dancers stay in the rocknroll scene after competing?we have all these scenarios to consider...my personal opinion,have a separate swing competition for swing dancers if the numbers come up,but keep the original format as it is now,for our top rocknroll dancers...rockabilly dancing in melbourne?i woud say more of a novelty event given there are very few rockabilly dancers around,...my thoughts only, good luck in the future.
VRRDA R&R Dance Competition
), the clothes- petticoats and frilly knickers everywhere, and the amazing dancing. 
Re: VRRDA R&R Dance Competition
Re: VRRDA R&R Dance Competition
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