When is Blackpool Week on Strictly Come Dancing 2017?
Faye Nash |
It’s finally arrived! This weekend (17th – 18th November 2017) the final eight couples of series 15 will compete to get to week 10 of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing competition at Blackpool Tower’s Ballroom.
Every year the Strictly Come Dancing team relocate to Blackpool to wow the audience in the stunning Tower Ballroom.
What makes Blackpool so special to ballroom dancers all over the world?
Blackpool is home to two world famous ballrooms – the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens and the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in Blackpool Tower. Both of these venues boast more than a century of dance heritage and regularly host major dance competitions.
The Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens, opened in 1878
Blackpool Dance Festival is the world's biggest ballroom dancing contest and has been running since 1920. Blackpool Dance Festival has been held at the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens entertainment complex since 1920 and includes the Blackpool Dance Festival, Freestyle Dance Championship, The Sequence Dance Festival, Junior Dance Festival & the British National Dance Championships.
Many of the stars of Strictly Come dancing, past and present, perform their tours at the Winter Gardens. Upcoming shows include Brendan Cole All night long; James and Ola Uncensored; Remembering Fred, starring Aljaz and Janette and Kevin & Karen Dance – the Live Tour 2018.
The Blackpool Tower Ballroom, opened in 1894
Many high-profile competitions are hosted in the ballroom: the World Modern Jive Championships, for example. The Blackpool Tower Ballroom also features a special sprung floor, which absorbs shocks, reduces injuries and enhances performances. Many of the professional dancers look forward to returning to this iconic location where they have competed during their careers as part of national and international dance competition.
The original 1970s BBC series Come Dancing was televised from the Tower Ballroom for many years, though it also travelled around to different locations. And it has become an annual event for the modern series as the BBC team, professional dancers and celebrities all relocate to film the competition in Blackpool.
Strictly Come Dancing continues at 6.55pm on Saturday 19th November. Tears For Fears, and Michael Ball and Alfie Boe will be doing a special performance ahead of the dance-off on Sunday.
We will be glued to our TV screens this weekend! If you’re feeling inspired by this year’s competition why not check out the IDTA or the ISTD who can recommend dance classes local to you. We stock a wide range of Ballroom and Latin shoes suitable for beginners up to professional level from all the top brands, including Werner Kern, Rotate and Freed of London.
For this weekend only get FREE UK First Class delivery on all Ballroom & Latin shoes. Hurry this offer ends at 5pm Sunday 19th November 2017.