For our Current Results, Click Here to view our recent results.
For our Current EADA Ranking, Click Here to go to EADA Charts page.
For our Current DPA National League Ranking, Ballroom & Latin to go to DPA National League page.

View our Current WDC Ballroom World Ranking.
View our Current WDC Latin World Ranking.
View our Current WDC 10 Dance World Ranking.

WDC AL World Championship 10 Dance Finalists 2011:
In December we travelled to Kiev, Ukraine to take part in the WDC AL World 10 Dance Championship. 10 dance competitions test you across the 5 Ballroom and 5 Latin American dances. This was our first world championship and a great experience with couples from many nations taking part. We danced through the rounds and were happy to be recalled into the final, gaining a very creditable 5th place, with our best dance being the Viennese waltz in which we placed 2nd. Photos of the event can be seen below:
            
For additional photographs - please visit the Galleries Ballroom or Latin.

"Ramsgate Remembers", Kings Theatre, Ramsgate - 11th November 2011:
A 1940's themed family show of remembrance. We will be performing a Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers tribute, as well as other numbers in the show. The show commences at 7.15pm, doors open at 6.45pm. Tickets are available from the "Custom House" on Ramsgate seafront.

WDC AL World Cup Ballroom 2011:
During the latter half of September we travelled back to Zurich, Switzerland to take part in the WDC AL World Cup Ballroom Championship. After a close fought battle we were placed 2nd, but took lots of individual 1st placings which we were pleased with.
A review of the event can be read on page 4/5 of Dancebeatworld.

United States Of America Champions 2011:
During September we took part in the US (United States) Ballroom & Latin American Championships. This competition was held at the Disney Swan resort in Orlando, Florida. The whole competition was fantastically run and offered a vast dance floor. We are happy to report that we won the US Open Amateur S1 Latin American Championship and came 2nd in the US Open Amateur S1 Ballroom Championship. Photos of the event can be seen below:
            
For additional photographs - please visit the Galleries Ballroom or Latin.

Sponsorship by H For Hair:
We are happy to announce that we are currently sponsored by "H For Hair". " H " creates hairpieces for dancers & ladies all over the world. All of their products are unique, special and are handmade by professionals in Japan. They have customer service personnel in Hong Kong with dancers on their team, so " H " definitely understand your needs on the dance floor. Designs can be made in any colour. We encourage you to visit their website and browse their great range of products, please click on the banner below.
Please mention "Victoria Lawrence" if you contact them, so they know we recommended you, or email them.
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Charity Masked Ball, Westgate Hall, Canterbury, April 2011:
During April we worked alongside 2 fantastic musicians for a fundraising Masked Ball to save "Westgate Hall", Canterbury. To open the night, we danced a waltz played live by Brendan Power, a fantastic professional harmonica player. Later in the evening we danced a rumba to Ben Mills singing and playing live "Don't wanna to miss a thing". The evening was full of live music and dancing. Let's hope that this wonderful venue can be saved from closing. Please visit the website: Westgate Hall, Canterbury.

European Showdance Championship 2011:
During February and March we took part in the European Showdance Championship in Spain. The whole competition was held over a week with a variety of competitions and dances contested individually, as well as the main pre-qualified Showdance championship. We are happy to report that we came 2nd in the Showdance championship with our "Pirates of the Caribbean" inspired Classic (Ballroom) Showdance.
This competition was exceptional, as it brought together amateur and professional dancers to compete directly against each other. Also the phenomenal audience of over 5000 people made the event spectacular with support for couples of all nations.
Photos of the event can be seen below:
            
For additional photographs - please visit the Gallery here.

Switzerland, New Year 2010/2011:
For the New Year 2011 celebrations we travelled to Zurich, Switzerland to entertain guests for Philip Banyer at the dance studio in Wallisellen. Everybody was in high spirits, which made for a fantastic opportunity to perform the first international showing of our brand new "Pirates of the Caribbean" showdance, along with our 2010 showdance "Dancin Fool". We must thank Philip & Sandie for their fantastic hospitality, as well as Werner & Sabine Zimmermann who spent most of the day showing us around the city.

Welsh Border Counties Champions, October 2010:
In early October we danced at the Welsh Border Counties championships in Chepstow. We were pleased to see that the competition has moved into a larger hall for 2010 and the turnout was good. As well as being a championship event, it was also a ranking competition for Welsh couples, so the level of dancing was excellent. We had an excellent day, winning the Amateur Ballroom Championship and placing 7th in the final of the Latin Championship.

"Make Me A Star Grand Final" - 23rd May 2010:
We performed as guest artistes at the Grand Finals of "Make Me A Star". We danced one ballroom and one latin dance during the judges deliberation. We are looking forward to watching the show as we have been involved in some of the heats so far and would like to wish all the entrants the best of luck in the finals. The finals are being held at the Granville theatre, Ramsgate on Sunday 23rd May at 7.30pm. For tickets, please contact the Granville Box Office on 01843 591750.

"England v Holland Ballroom Team Match" - March 2010:
We were extremely happy to be asked to take part in the 25th annual England v Holland Ballroom team match during March. The event was held at Leatherhead leisure centre and was a great success. After and exchange of gifts by both teams and team captains, each couple competed in all 5 dances, with some fantastic dancing from both teams. We lead a patriotic quickstep with an England flag in hand for the entire dance! Eventually after an extremely close fought match, Holland were announced as the winners. We are looking forward to a return match next year in Holland.

European Showdance Championship 2010:
During February we took part in the European Showdance Championship in Spain. The whole competition was held over a week with a variety of competitions and dances contested individually, as well as the main pre-qualified Showdance championship. We are happy to report that we came 2nd in the Showdance championship with our "Dancin Fool" inspired Classic (Ballroom) Showdance. We missed out on the top spot by only one mark - so near yet so far!.
We were also very pleased to make the final in every other competition we entered. This competition was exceptional, as it brought together amateur and professional dancers to compete directly against each other. Also the phenomenal audience of over 5000 people made the event spectacular with support for couples of all nations.
Photo from the event can be seen below:

For additional photographs - please visit the Gallery here.

Kent Sports Awards 2009:
We are extremely happy to announce that we were shortlisted the 2009 Kent County Sports Award, in the category "Team of the Year". After having won our local awards in the same category, we were entered into the county awards and were shortlisted in the top 12.
We are happy that "dancesport" has received some recognition and promotion from this award and it was fabulous to bring what is not a "classic" sport to the attention of some big names in Kent.

"Kiss Come Dancing" for World Jewish Relief - 31st January 2010:
We performed 2 Latin American show numbers during this "Dirty Dancing" themed Strictly Come Dancing style event. It was part of World Jewish Relief's fundraising campaigns. The event was held at the Radisson Blu, Portman Square, London on Sunday 31st January. The funds appeal at this event went towards World Jewish Relief's children at risk programmes.
For more information on the evening and on "World Jewish Relief", please visit their website: World Jewish Relief.

"Wheels for Ralph Show" - 15th January 2010:
On Friday January 15th we performed a Ballroom & Latin show at the Westgate Pavilion. The evening was a Ballroom & Latin dance night. The event raised around £500 and all funds went to the local "Wheels for Ralph" campaign, raising funds for a 2 year old boy with Nemaline Myopathy.

For more information on the "Wheels for Ralph" campaign, and to find out what the money raised will contribute to Ralph's life please visit their website: Wheels for Ralph.

Thanet Sports Awards Winners - 11th November 2009:
We are extremely happy to announce that we won our category of "Team of the Year" at the Thanet Sports Awards 2009. We are both pleased and proud to have earned such recognition with our chosen sport of "Dancesport". As a closing to the awards ceremony we were asked to perform our showdance "Dancing Fool" - what a wonderful and appreciative audience, many of whom had not seen ballroom dancing before.
All in all a wonderful night and we would like to thank Thanet Sports network, the judges and the KM Group (who were the sponsors of our category). We are looking forward to next years awards. Photo's from the night can be seen below:
          

Thanet Sports Awards - October/November 2009:
We are extremely happy to announce that we have been shortlisted for a Thanet Sports Award, in the category "Team of the Year". With over 130 entries, short listing for each of the 11 different categories must have been tough and the competition is extremely hot! We have been invited to the Awards ceremony on the 11th November at the Winter Gardens in Margate when we find out if we remain just shortlisted, or are highly commended, or perhaps even win!
From our point of view we are extremely excited to have made the short listing and bring Ballroom & Latin Dancesport to the forefront of a "Sporting" awards ceremony. Keep your eyes open for news and updates. We will let you know how we get on.

Hampshire Dance Festival - September 2009:
During September we had a successful weekend at the Hampshire Dance festival, winning the Hampshire Amateur Ballroom Championship convincingly. This is the second time we have danced in this championship and we are honoured to add our names once again to the trophy which has been in circulation since 1945 and has some real "legends" engraved on the plinth.

"Strictly Bandstand"- 20th June 2009:
During June we were involved with "Strictly Bandstand" a project to promote and help regenerate Ramsgate Eastcliff's Grade II listed Bandstand, dance floor and railings. There has been a bandstand on Ramsgate Eastcliff since 1914, the current bandstand since 1939 (when the old one was moved and replaced with the structure that remains there today). During the 1939 refit a highly unique polished coloured concrete dance floor was laid around the bandstand within the gardens. For many years this saw extensive use, but eventually progress meant it became outdated. Now the local andstand group are attempting to bring back the bandstand era and hence raise money to repair the structure.
After a National Lottery and government grant of over £260,000 during 2003, the bandstand itself is now regenerated and fully operational. Phase two is to attempt to get the dance floor back to it's best. This is where "Strictly Bandstand" was to help raise money for the dance floor regeneration.
A whole day of dance related workshop's, shows and themed events was organised. Everything from argentine tango, salsa, wwwballroom & latin were included. We gave several shows during the day and offered support and a friendly chat to those watching the workshops. We even met with some of the people who used to use the dance floor in it's heyday and heard some fabulous stories of how it used to be. Please see below for photo's from the day:
                     
Strictly Bandstand Latin Show               Strictly Bandstand Workshop in Progress                   Ramsgate Eastcliff Bandstand Dance Floor

15th Annual "Red Rose Day Variety Show"- 23rd April 2009:
To Celebrate St Georges Day 2009, Starlite Entertainers Productions present a fantastic Charity Variety show. Ian & Victoria will perform a variety of themed dances for the show, including the debut of their Argentine Tango which they were placed second with in the European Championships. The show will be held at the Granville Theatre, Ramsgate on Thursday 23rd April at 7.30pm. For tickets, please call the Box Office on 01843591750. See the Poster Here. Or for more information on the theatre, please visit their website.

European Championships of Dance 2009:
During February 2009 we took part in the European Championships of Dance, in Spain. The contest was held over a week with a variety of individual dances contested individually. We also decided to venture into something brand new for us, competing in the Argentine Tango championship, we were very pleased to make the final in every competition we entered. This competition was very different to anything we have ever experienced before - not only because we were competing directly against professional dancers, but also because an audience of over 5000 people made the event fantastic with support for couples of all nations.
The final of the European Championship Combination Of Modalities was held on the final night and we were so pleased to be crowned Vice Champions (or Runners up).
Photos of the event can be seen below:
             
For additional photographs - please visit the Gallery here.

"The Young Victoria", Cinema release 6th March 2009:
Some time ago we took part in filming for Momentum Pictures feature Film "The Young Victoria", based on the life of the queen at a young age and her struggles in her rise to power. We were involved in the filming of the Coronation Ball scenes where "Victoria" Emily Blunt, dances with "Albert" Rupert Friend for the first time.
For the authenticity of the 1830's era we learned to waltz as per the era as well as a more complicated quadrille dance from our wonderful friend and choreographer for the film "Jack Murphy".
The film is due for release in cinemas on 6th March 2009. For a photo of us in costume, please see our TV & Film Photo Gallery. Or, Click here to watch the film trailer (look out for us), or visit the film's official website here.

Beverly Big Band Valentines Ball - Saturday February 14th 2009:
East Kent's premier dance orchestra, The Beverly Big play live for a fantastic "Romance" themed evening of dance. We danced a variety of "romance" themed dances, along with a few of our own cabaret show dances.
The ball was held at the Westgate Hall, Canterbury, Kent. For more information on "The Beverly Big Band" or to find out about forthcoming events, please contact Christine on 01227 712355.

"Strictly Building" - December 2008:
During December we were asked to take part in a "Strictly Building" challenge, laid on by Building Magazine. The challenge was the Construction Industries answer to "Strictly come Dancing", involving companies putting forward a couple to take on a Strictly style dance challenge. Ian & Victoria represented Keltbray/AWS.
With 11 couples taking to the floor, we all learned a set Salsa routine from Simon Lister and then the competition was off. Round one saw the top 6 couples go through. We scored: 9, 9, 9 from the judges, total 27, putting us into an easy 1st place.


Round 2, we upped the game, but seemed to draw a mixed reaction from the judges with their scores and comments. We scored: 9, 10, 8, total 27, keeping us in 1st place by 1 point.


Round 3 - "The Final" and 3 couples left to battle it out:

• Ian Sharpe & Victoria Lawrence from Keltbray/AWS
• Maurice Gidwani & Rachel Hardisty from Mott MacDonald
• Dan Stewart & Sophie Griffths from Building Magazine

"Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day", Cinema release 15th August 2008:
Some time ago we took part in filming for Focus Features Film "Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day". The film is set in the 1920's, based on the story of a governess who happens into the life of the upper class as a social secretary to a rich American Singer/Actress in London. We were involved in the filming of the scenes at the "Scarlet Peacock". We are actually visible for large amounts of time in the dance and nightclub scenes.
The film is now on general release. For a photo of us in costume, please see our TV & Film Photo Gallery. Or, Click here to watch the film trailer (look out for us), or visit the film's official website here.

"Vinyl Moments Show"- 24th August 2008:
A celebration of the best of the 50s, 60s and 70s. You will be taken back to the good old days with song, dance, film clips and memorabilia. Ian & Victoria performed 3 dance numbers, one for each decade.
The show is on at the Granville Theatre, Ramsgate, commencing at 7.30pm. For more information, please visit their website or call the Box Office on 01843 591750.

"Summer Variety Cavalcade"- Summer Season Show
Every Tuesday for 6 weeks from 29th July - 2nd September 2008:
Ian & Victoria performed a Fred & Ginger themed ballroom cabaret, a latin spot and their Argentine Tango "Passion & Betrayal". The show was filled with Song, Dance and classic entertainment. At the Westgate Pavilion Theatre, every Tuesday (for 6 weeks from 29th July), commencing at 7.30 pm.
See the poster here. For more information, please call the Box Office on 01843 835611.

"Diamond Jubilee Variety Show"- 25th June 2008:
Celebrating 60 years of the Granville Theatre. Starlite Entertainers Productions present a fantastic Variety show. Ian & Victoria will perform a variety of dances for the show, it commences at 7.30pm. For more information, please visit their website.

JANUS Awards - 9th May 2008:
The JANUS Awards are Northern Irelands' equivalent of the Oscars for the tourism and hospitality industry. This year the final awards ceremony takes on a "Strictly Come Dancing" theme and Ian & Victoria will perform a variety of dances during the evening. The awards will be held at The Europa Hotel, Belfast on Friday 9th May. This is a very exclusive "Red Carpet" event with previous winners including Paul Rankin.
Ian & Victoria also performed at the launch of the Awards in February at Ten Square Hotel, Belfast. For more details please see the video of the evening below:
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15th Annual "Red Rose Day Variety Show"- 23rd April 2008:
To Celebrate St Georges Day 2008, Starlite Entertainers Productions presented a fantastic Charity Variety show. Ian & Victoria performed a variety of themed dances for the show, including the debut of their spectacular Argentine Tango show number. The show was held at the Granville Theatre, Ramsgate on Wednesday 23rd April. All the proceeds from the night were donated to charity. For more information on the theatre, please visit their website.

Cultureal Event - March 29th 2008:
Cultureal is an arts Festival based in Sandwich, Kent and aims to recognise and celebrate Sandwich's unique cultural heritage. We performed a Ballroom & Latin show, live to the Beverly Big Band at the "Last Dance" event of this day long festival. Along with this, there was dance instruction from professional teachers before the band took to the stage so last moment techniques were honed. The "Last Dance" specific event was held in St Mary's Church.
All events were free to the public to spectate and participate, bringing the community together.

European Championship of Dance:
During February 2008 we took part in the European Championships of Dance, in Spain. The contest was held over a week with a variety of individual dances contested individually. We made the final in every competition we entered, our best placings being 4th in both the Cha Cha Cha and Paso Doble competitions. We also decided to venture into something brand new for us, competing in the Argentine Tango championship, we were very pleased to make the final at our first attempt. This competition was very different to anything we have ever experienced before - not only because the floor size was so limited, but also because the judging panel were not qualified dancers, more TV personalities, local dignitaries and such like.
Photographs from the Argentine Tango Event can be seen below:
             
For additional photographs - please visit the Gallery here.

Muir Maxwell Trust Show:
During December 2007 we took part in a huge fund raising ball for the Muir Maxwell Trust at the Dorchester Hotel, London. The theme was a Venetian Masked ball and was hosted by 2 dancers, Angela Rippon & Natasha Kaplinsky. We danced a Waltz and Viennese Waltz live to the London Symphony Orchestra to open the dance floor for the guests. The event was spectacular and the evening raised over 1 million pounds for the charity that supports children with Severe Epilepsy.
For more information on The Muir Maxwell Trust, please visit their website here.

Gordon Giltrap DVD Shoot:
A long time ago we were invited to dance for a new DVD being released by "Gordon Giltrap". The DVD is a media edition of his new album "Drifter". On this album is a fantastic Viennese Waltz track called "Mrs Singers Waltz".
We were recorded dancing to the track, which has now finally been edited and released exclusively onto Youtube, you can watch that here:

For more information on Gordon Giltrap and our day shooting the video, please visit his website here.
To see photographs taken on the day by photographer "Sue Holton" please see the Sue Holton Gallery in our photograph collection.

Hampshire Dance Festival - September 2007:
During September we had a successful weekend at the Hampshire Dance festival, winning the Hampshire Amateur Ballroom Championship convincingly. This trophy has been in circulation since 1945 and has some real "legends" engraved on the plinth and we are both honoured to join this list of champions.
We were also successful in the Amateur Latin, winning the Hugh Fowler Challenge Trophy. The day was well organised and there was good music and compering throughout the day. Photographs to follow...

Music Music Music - Summer Season Show - Every Tuesday Evening in August 2007:
Ian & Victoria will perform a Fred & Ginger themed ballroom & latin cabaret/show for the summer Season of "Music, Music, Music" at The Pavilion theatre, Westgate On Sea. The show starts at 7.30 pm and will run every Tuesday in August.
For more information, or to book tickets, please call the Box Office on 01843 835611.

The Albany Charity - Dance Show - 9th July 2007:
Ian & Victoria performed a ballroom & latin cabaret/show for the Albany Charity fund. The event will took place at the Wintergardens, Margate on Monday 9th July.
The Albany fund is a Licensed Taxi Drivers fund for children with special needs. Over 120 licensed taxi cabs join together in a convoy bringing children to the seaside for a special day out. All money raised goes to schools and homes to purchase anything that local councils cannot provide for these special children.

14th Annual "Red Rose Day Variety Show"- 23rd April 2007:
To Celebrate St Georges Day 2007, Starlite Entertainers Productions presented a fantastic Charity Variety show. Ian & Victoria performed a variety of themed dances for the show, which was held at the Granville Theatre, Ramsgate on Monday 23rd April at 7.30pm. All the proceeds made on the night were donated to charity. See the poster here.

The Isis Care Centre - Grand Opening - 20th April 2007:
Ian & Victoria performed a ballroom & latin cabaret to mark the Grand Opening of the Isis Care Centre, Oxford on the 20th April. The new care home has a fantastic sprung maple dance floor as one of it's features. Guests and residents were invited to attend and enjoy the celebrations. For more details, please visit "The Order Of St John Care Trust" Website Here.

The Swing Dance Company - 7th April 2007:
Ian & Victoria provided a "fairytale" ballroom & Latin cabaret for "The Swing Dance Company". They hold an annual ball over the Easter weekend, this year the theme was "Fairy Tale". Many of the teachers and students dressed up and everybody looked fantastic. There was a brilliant live band the Ding Dong Daddio's playing throughout the evening and it was fantastic to watch the teachers Snow White & the 7 dwarfs swing style cabaret. For more details, please visit the Swing Dance Company's Website Here.

Ramsgate Carnival Association - March 2007:
Ian & Victoria provided a show for the Ramsgate Carnival Association's Annual Carnival Queen Selection Ball, at the Oddfellows Hall, Ramsgate. They donated their services for free to help out this local association. The evening involved the selection of the 2007 Ramsgate Carnival Queen & Princesses - Ian & Victoria would like to wish all the girls selected for the 2007 season the best of luck.

January - February 2007:
During January we took part in the UK championships in Bournemouth, dancing in the two Rising Star Amateur events, as well as the UK Amateur Ballroom Championship.
In February we made the trip across to Ireland to Dance in the "Celtic Classic", our best ballroom result of this competition being a semi final placing in the International A Class, and a quarter final placing in the corresponding Latin American event.

TLH (Torquay Leisure Hotels) Show - February 2007:
Early February we danced at the Torquay Leisure Hotel's Chatsworth Ballroom in the "Toorak Hotel". A fabulous "Learn to Dance" break was being run by Gerald & Margaret Thompson. We performed a variety of Ballroom & Latin dances, some as basics, so the guests could see what they had been learning over the week, and other as "show" style dances. The whole week was a great success with many of the guests booking straight away for next year. Our thanks go to 2 great friends, Gerald & Margaret and to the two fantastic photographers Clive Smith and Roger Allen.
Below are a couple of photographs taken during the show:
             
For additional photographs taken during the event - please visit the Gallery here.

1940's Show - January 2007:
In January we took part in a 1940's theme holiday. The whole hotel was fully "themed" to 1940's style with a cinema showing old movies, "mess halls" for food, classic indoor "games" such as coconut shy's, and plenty of "WW2 - We Want You!!" posters. For the "dance hall" night, our remit was "Strictly Come Dancing goes 1940's". We danced 3 ballroom & 3 Latin American dances to original 1940's music, with hair and makeup to match the era - the only modern twist was the costumes. The whole week went fantastically well, and the organisers were pleased that most of the guest's didn't want to go home at the end!!!.

For Older News, please go to the News Archive.