Business Come Dancing Christmas 16 Winners

Last Friday, the Pavilion Ballroom played host to the 2016 Christmas Business Come Dancing gala event. The evening raised more than £8000 for Parkinson’s Dance at Pavilion Dance South West and Lewis-Manning Hospice.

Eleven local businesspeople teamed up with professional dance partners to raise funds for the two charities in true “Strictly” style: after a three-month rehearsal period they performed in a glittering black-tie gala event in front of a panel of judges and an audience of more than 200 supporters from local businesses in the Pavilion Ballroom.

The winners’ trophy went to Kirsty Brown from Dancing Daisy and her professional dance partner Natasha Player for their spectacular African Dance routine. Claire Gale from LV= and her partner Jack Andrews came second with a Street performance, followed by Holly Roberts from Barclays and Anthony Biela who were awarded third place for another Street routine.

The event was generously sponsored by The Zip Yard (Silver Sponsor). Other sponsors of the event include LV (Video Sponsor) and Seventa Events (Event Dressing Sponsor). Photography was by Daniel Keckes (DK Atelier Photography). The event compère was Steve Harris of BBC Radio Solent. All proceeds from the event will be split between both charities.

For PDSW the funds raised will support their unique model of Parkinson’s Dance, which has been developed by a neurophysiotherapist and a dance artist since 2012. Parkinson’s Dance addresses the symptoms of Parkinson’s in a fun, stimulating, motivating and challenging but safe environment.

“This is fantastic news for us”, comments Helga Brandt, Head of Marketing & Development at Pavilion Dance South West. “Dance has so many benefits for people living with Parkinson’s, both physically and mentally. We are overjoyed that Business Come Dancing enables us to continue this important aspect of our work. Our heartfelt thank you goes to all participants, sponsors, supporters, organisers and helpers for their passion and commitment. It was a great night!”

For Lewis-Manning Hospice the funds raised will go towards providing care and support to patients and their families in their newly opened end-of-life unit. 

Business Come Dancing 2016 details

Judging Panel

Deryck Newland; Artistic Director of Pavilion Dance South West

Simone Richie; Steele Raymond and previous winner

Tracy Osman; Lewis Manning Shop Manager and Previous Dance School Owner

Helga Brandt; Head of Marketing and Development at Pavilion Dance South West

Participants

Lee Barratt from Ageas. Dancing Hip Hop with Jess Hulbert.

Cindy Jones from Barclays. Dancing Contemporary with Benjamin Whitson

Claire Gale from LV=. Dancing Street with Tom Andrews

Holly Roberts from Barclays. Dancing Street with Anthony Biela

Kirsty Brown from Dancing Daisy.  Dancing African with Natasha Z Player

Natalie Poppleton from Ageas. Dancing 1940s Social Dance with Ruby Adams.

Emma Church from LV= Dancing Street with Ash Knight

Alison Ward from LV=. Dancing the Musicals with Kelly Knight

Mike Passant from Ageas. Dancing the Musicals with Jasmine Taylor

Laura Richards from LV=. Dancing Contemporary with Ryan Grimshaw

Sofie Scott from Ash Elite Ltd. Dancing Argentine Tango with Lawrence James