Stay Signed In
Do you want to access your site more quickly on this computer? Check this box, and your username and password will be remembered for two weeks. Click logout to turn this off.
Stay Safe
Do not check this box if you are using a public computer. You don't want anyone seeing your personal info or messing with your site.
In February 2006, some of Shuffles students took part in a new competition - Festival for Stars.
We didn't know what the competition would be like so we only took along a small number of competetors just to try it out.
First up were the under 12's, 4 Shuffles students were to take part in this section, Morgan, Danni, Paige, Martin. Of the initial contestants 4 were to go through to the London finals later that day - I can't even begin to tell you how pleased I was when 3 of those finalists were from Shuffles, Morgan, Danni and Martin were all to dance again.
The over 12's were next, Amy F took part in this section, but the competition was stiff, with many of the competetors at least 5 years older than Amy. Paige and Amy took part in the group performances next, but although they dazzled eeryone with their lyrical duet unfortunately they didn't make it into the final.
After a long day, the final was about to start, 9 judges were lined up at the front of the stage, it was a daunting experience, (and that was just for me!). But all 3 of our finalists took it in their stride and made their performances look effortless.
I don't think I can explain how were felt when Danni B was announced the winner of the London final for the under 12's. Have I mentioned that Danni is only aged 5???. We couldn't get near Danni to congratulate her, she'd made friends with all the other competetors there, and they all got to her first.
Danni is now off to Manchester at the end of October for the under 12's UK final. Danni will be aged 6 at the final, but is the youngest ever competetor to reach the UK final of the festival for stars. Watch this space for the results.
Good Luck Danni - we are all routing for you. xxx
The Day
Well after a fab morning at the dance world festivals, I had to run home and pack for a weekend in Manchester - I really should have done this last night!!! Still not to worry what could go wrong....
Rob and I started our journey to Manchester about 4:30 - All was going well until half hour down the M25 I;ve realised I've forgotten the tickets - knew I should have packed earlier!!! A few frantic phone calls later and about 45 mins delay and I find out that its no problem I don't need them! Ah well it's all good fun.
3 hours 45 mins later we arrive in Manchester, tired and hungry. After numerous phone calls we finally find the car park, hotel and meet up with Danni, her sister Paige and their parents, Janet + Simon. After another short delay checking into the hotel, and the mile trek around the hotel to find the room we all set out for a chinese meal. We can finally relax a bit now - well till tomorrow anyway.
Sunday morning and we were all up early, breakfast and a couple of last minute practices and we set out for the competition.
We eventually find the theatre, (once Simon finally works out how to use the tom-tom) and what a place it is. The stage is bigger than the hall we practice in, Danni is going to be lost on there! And the theatre is huge! There will be loads of people watching.
Danni has a practice on the stage and is already winning the hearts of the other competetors. She's off now to find the friends she made from the other stage schools in the London heats, which leaves her mum, sister and me to watch the competition. Simon and Rob escape to go and see the Manchester United football stadium (that's providing simon can reprogramme the tom-tom without Paige's help.)
All to soon its time for the show to begin, Fran arrives just in time, and we all take our seats in the front row - would have been perfect if we hadn't had a speaker in front of us.
There was 4 sections with 12 finalists in each, Danni wasn't on until the 3rd section, but we certainly didn;t mind sitting through the first 2 sections - the performances were amazing. (Fran and I have loads of ideas for the Shuffles show now)
After the interval it was Danni's section, she was 8th to dance, Fran and I watched anxiously as the other competetors all stepped onto the stage, then it was Danni's turn, my concerns that she would be lost on that huge stage were unfounded, her huge personality completely filled it. She brought the house down.
The wait whilst the section completed was unbareable, but we all realaxed to watch the final section - the group dances.
Time at last for the results, we were all biting our nails. Everyone was fabulous, and all I can say is I would not have liked to have been one of the judges (6 in all)
Sadly Danni didn't win, but at age only 6 - the youngest competetor there (in the under 12 sections) she was definately a winner in our eyes. To perform in front of an audience is hard enough, to perform on your own at age 6 in front of 6 world class judges - including Kim Marsh is amazing.
Danni we are all so proud of you - and can't wait till next year!!!!!!!
Home Page
