On Friday 22nd November, Pavilion Dance’s annual ‘Strictly’ style fundraiser Business Come Dancing took to the dance floor at the Phoxtrott Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel, Bournemouth. After three months of blisters, sweat and tears, the eight contestants lit up the floor, bringing all the styles and flair, from Latin to Charleston, jive to contemporary and tap to commerical, with lifts, floor spins and an array of costumes fit for Strictly!
Pavilion Dance is a charity with the mission to transform communities through dance, and this event helps to raise much needed funds to support community health and wellbeing programmes – supporting communities such as Parkinson’s Dance and Shift, a wellbeing programme for secondary schools, amongst many other projects. This year, Pavilion Dance is aiming to raise £20k through table sponsorship, raffles, silent auctions, donations and contestant fundraising. There is still time to donate to individual contestants or the main fundraising pot at: www.givey.com/paviliondancesouthwestlimited.
The Business Come Dancing winners are as follows:
Winner: Sharon Drake, Heathland House Care Home (Cinammon Care Collective) & Lawrence James
Runners-up: Jess Bain, Halo Design Associates & Char Morris
Runners-up: Rachel Atkinson, The People Choreographer & Jazz Gritt
Winners Sharon Drake and Lawrence James will be performing their dance once again at Pavilion Dance’s Open Doors community event on Saturday 25 January 2025.
“What a night. What an incredible experience it is, the privilege of learning to dance with a professional, the joy of sharing the experience with others and, something that can’t be underestimated…the support from the Pavilion Dance family,” said Rachel Atkinson, The People Choreographer. “Every one of you has been so welcoming and supportive. This has been the best thing ever.”
“I can’t believe from being a non-dancer to actually winning Business Come Dancing – I’m in shock, it’s amazing. To anyone thinking about it, just do it!” noted Sharon Drake, Heathland House Care Home.
“It was the most beautiful evening,” said Jess Bain, Halo Design Associates. “I’m so honoured to be part of it all. The atmosphere in the room was electric and I’m so proud to share it with every single one of you. Beautiful dances, talented pros and memories that will last forever. I didn’t want it to end! I’ve got the dance bug back and that’s it forever now.”
Pavilion Dance is recruiting now for Business Come Dancing 2025. If you’re inspired to step out and take up the challenge, then please contact our Business Come Dancing event producer Cheryl Baldacchino via email: cheryl.baldacchino@pdsw.org.uk
Find out more about the annual Business Come Dancing fundraising event and how to get involved at www.pdsw.org.uk/take-part/business-come-dancing.
