Dunedin Town Hall was filled with twists, turns, gavottes and glissades as the New Zealand Masters Games dance sport category took place on Saturday.
The event began with a karakia, a grand march led by piper Donald Wilson and singing of the national anthem.
United Dance Sport president and Masters Games Dance Sport committee president Cheryl Inwood, of Dunedin, said dancers from across the country travelled to Dunedin to be part of the event.
‘‘We have ballroom dance, Latin American and new vogue and sequence dance today and also tap dances.’’
‘‘Dresses, hair, nails - the whole lot comes into it. But footwork [and] arms ... are all part of the judging system.’’
With a minimum age of 30 and no upper limit, the event celebrated the enduring power of movement for both professional and social dancers.
‘‘Some of us get a bit old, so it’s an opportunity to get your shoes out as well.
‘‘But for others, they are dancing and competing all the time, so it’s great to have that mixture of talent.’’
She thanked all the committee members as well as Heritage Dance, of Oamaru, and Modds dance group, of Dunedin, plus all the volunteers who had helped ensure the event was successful.
Dunedin winners included Tony and Kerry Inwood, taking first place in the unregistered 65-plus new vogue and classical sequence categories.
Aaron Warrington and Nikki Ford came first in the registered 30-44 ballroom category, Mike Birnie and Robyn Marr took top spot in the registered ProAm 45-54 ballroom category and the registered ProAm 55-64 ballroom final.
Birnie and Aimee Earl won first in the ProAm open new vogue 2 dance category and the ProAm open new vogue 5 dance category.
Mary Ann Bishop and Birnie were first in the unregistered ProAm open ballroom final.
SIMON.HENDERSON @thestar.co.nz
