Blackpool, that wonderful seaside town in northwest England, has long been synonymous with ballroom dancing.
Its rich history in this elegant art form spans over a century, transforming the town into a global hub for dancers and enthusiasts alike.
From its humble beginnings to its current status as a world-renowned dance destination, Blackpool’s ballroom dancing legacy is a fascinating tale of passion, glamour, and evolution.
The Birth of a Dancing Tradition
The story of Blackpool’s ballroom dancing legacy begins in the early 20th century.
In 1894, the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom was constructed, featuring a magnificent sprung dance floor made from 30,602 pieces of oak, mahogany, and walnut wood.
This architectural marvel would become the cornerstone of Blackpool’s dance scene, providing an unparalleled venue for dancers to showcase their skills.
However, it wasn’t until 1920 that Blackpool truly cemented its place in dance history. That year marked the inaugural Blackpool Dance Festival, held in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens.
This event, which continues to this day, would become the world’s first and most prestigious ballroom dance competition.
The Early Years: Shaping a Dance Culture
In its early days, the Blackpool Dance Festival focused on sequence dances rather than the ballroom and Latin styles we associate with it today.
The competition sought to find new sequence dances in three tempos: Waltz, Two Step, and Foxtrot. It wasn’t until the 1930s that the festival began to embrace the developing ‘English Style’ of dancing, which we now know as Modern Ballroom.
The festival’s growth mirrored the increasing popularity of ballroom dancing across the UK.
By 1931, the Blackpool Dance Festival had expanded to include the British Professional and Amateur Ballroom Championships.
This event involved an extensive series of preliminary heats and district finals across the country, with winners earning the right to compete in the grand final in Blackpool.
The Golden Age of Ballroom Dancing
The post-World War II era saw a boom in the popularity of ballroom dancing, with Blackpool at the epicenter of this cultural phenomenon.
The Blackpool Dance Festival continued to grow, adding Latin American dance styles to its repertoire in 1950.
This expansion reflected the evolving tastes of dancers and audiences alike, cementing Blackpool’s reputation as a comprehensive platform for competitive dancing.
During this period, Blackpool became home to many famous ballroom dancers and dance teachers. One such figure was Victor Silvester, who opened a dance school in Blackpool in the 1930s.
Silvester was a pioneer of the modern ballroom dancing style, and his school played a crucial role in shaping the town’s ballroom dancing culture.
The Impact of Television
The 1950s marked another significant milestone in Blackpool’s dance history. The Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens hosted the first televised ballroom dancing competition.
This exposure brought the glamour and excitement of ballroom dancing into homes across the nation, further elevating Blackpool’s status as the dance capital of the world.
In 1949, the BBC launched “Come Dancing,” a show that would run for nearly five decades. While not exclusively filmed in Blackpool, the show often featured the town’s iconic venues and helped to maintain public interest in ballroom dancing throughout the latter half of the 20th century.
Strictly Come Dancing and Beyond
The turn of the millennium brought new challenges and opportunities for Blackpool’s dance scene.
While interest in ballroom dancing had waned somewhat in the preceding decades, it was about to experience a remarkable resurgence.
In 2004, the BBC launched Strictly Come Dancing, a show that would revolutionise the public perception of ballroom dancing.
From its very first series, Strictly incorporated Blackpool into its format, recognising the town’s historical significance in the world of dance.
The “Blackpool Week” quickly became a highlight of each Strictly season. For contestants and professionals alike, the opportunity to dance in the Tower Ballroom became a coveted milestone.
As professional dancer Katya Jones recalls, “The first time I performed at Blackpool was when I was 13 or 14. It was magical and quite surreal.”
The Strictly effect has been profound. It has not only reignited public interest in ballroom dancing but has also introduced a new generation to Blackpool’s dance heritage.
The show’s annual pilgrimage to the Tower Ballroom has become a major event, drawing visitors to the town and showcasing its iconic venues to millions of viewers.
Blackpool Dance Festival Today
Despite the challenges posed by changing tastes and, more recently, global events, the Blackpool Dance Festival continues to thrive.
In 2023, over 2000 couples from more than 50 countries participated in the festival. This international participation underscores Blackpool’s enduring appeal as a dance destination.
The festival now encompasses a wide range of events throughout the year, including:
- Champions of Tomorrow
- Blackpool Junior Dance Festival
- British Open Champion of Champions Solo Titles
- Blackpool Dance Festival
- Blackpool Dance Festival Pro-Am and Teacher Student
- Blackpool Freestyle Championship
- Blackpool Sequence Dance Festival
- British National Dance Championships
These events cater to dancers of all ages and skill levels, from under-6s to seniors, ensuring that Blackpool remains at the forefront of competitive dancing.
The Economic Impact
Blackpool’s dance legacy isn’t just about art and culture; it also has a significant economic impact on the town.
The Blackpool Dance Festival alone is estimated to bring over £6 million in economic benefits to the local economy.
This influx of visitors supports local businesses, from hotels and restaurants to specialist dance shops.
The dance economy in Blackpool extends beyond the major festivals. The town is home to numerous dance schools and clubs, catering to both locals and visitors who want to learn or practice their skills.
These establishments play a crucial role in maintaining Blackpool’s dance culture year-round.
Challenges and Evolution
While Blackpool’s dance scene remains vibrant, it has had to evolve to meet changing tastes and expectations.
The rise of new dance styles and the influence of global dance trends have led to the incorporation of more diverse elements into traditional ballroom competitions.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant challenge to Blackpool’s dance community, forcing the cancellation of events and the closure of dance venues.
However, the resilience of the dance community was evident in the swift return of events once restrictions were lifted.
Dancing Into The Future
As Blackpool approaches the centenary of its famous Dance Festival, the town’s ballroom dancing legacy appears secure.
The continued popularity of Strictly Come Dancing, the enduring appeal of the Blackpool Dance Festival, and the town’s iconic venues ensure that Blackpool remains a mecca for dance enthusiasts.
The challenge for the future will be to balance the preservation of tradition with the need to attract new generations of dancers and spectators.
Innovations like the introduction of the Rising Star Amateur Ballroom and Latin Competitions in 2005 show that the Blackpool dance scene is capable of evolving while respecting its heritage.
Blackpool’s ballroom dancing legacy is a testament to the enduring appeal of this elegant art form.
From the first steps taken on the sprung floor of the Tower Ballroom to the glittering spectacles of today’s televised competitions, Blackpool has been at the heart of ballroom dancing for over a century.
As new generations discover the joy of dance, this seaside town continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of ballroom dancing.
