After reviewing the brochure I agreed , reluctantly, to miss 'Popping Good Chemistry', the 'Circus Promenade' 'Lighting up a Generation' 'Musical Stairs' in Central Library and the talks in Debenhams about Estee Lauder and Christian Dior. There really was something for everyone.
Instead I opted for one event and to be honest there was no way I was going to miss this one! It was the opportunity to be involved in attempting to break the tap dancing world record.
Then came the dilemma. I'd already agreed to go to hear Lauren Child (Children's laureate) speak at Queen's University in Belfast with some of my writing friends and really wanted to hear her. And it looked as if it might be possible to go to both events if I hot-footed it up Great Victoria Street as soon as the tap dance event finished.
So after practising the routine in class for the last couple of weeks with our teacher Julie (who also led the world record attempt) we packed our tap shoes and set off to the Europa hotel.
The foyer was beginning to fill up with eager young tappers when I arrived. I bumped into a few friends I hadn't seen for some time who were all participating - tappers, booklovers, and writers. Once I'd got my instructions I headed into the ballroom.
The stage was set with shimmering gold lamé curtains (very Strictly!). While Julie was interviewed by various local radio stations a few of us tapped in the background - if you were listening to Radio Ulster yesterday evening you would have heard my feet, along with those of three other tappers practising the routine to provide sound effects! The atmosphere was magical, with everyone buzzing to be part of this - from the youngest to the oldest. It was especially good to see representatives from the Alzheimer's Society NI (a cause very close to my heart) taking part on World Alzheimer's Day.
It took a bit longer to get started than planned (it's not easy getting more than 274 excited people (the record to beat) into one room. But once we had started the 30 minute lesson flew in. Everyone seemed to enjoy participating judging by the smiles that shone as they danced. We had to ensure the strict Guinness World Records standards were adhered to - checking everyone was wearing tap shoes and everyone was participating and counting those in each zone several times. No phones were allowed and if you had to leave the room for a comfort break you would not be included in the count. We got warmer and warmer as everyone got the hang of the steps. Then it was time for everyone to take part in the routine! The sound of xxx pairs of feet tapping on the wooden dance floor to Puttin' on the Ritz was electric. Julie kept everyone right, up on stage making sure everyone was in step, shouting out the next steps - no mean feat! And in no time it was all over. Had we done it? Had we beaten the world record?
So while the numbers were checked and verified I nervously checked my watch. It wasn't going to be possible to get to the Lauren Child event now, but I couldn't leave now - I had to find out if we had beaten 274 dancers and set a new world record in Belfast. It just wouldn't be the same receiving the news by text. I wouldn't have missed this for the world. Bottles of water were handed out while Cool FM kept everyone entertained with spot prizes.
Then the official from Guinness World Records in his very dapper blazer and clipboard returned to the stage with the other main protagonists. He stretched it out explaining the detail involved and how accurate everything had to be to beat the record set in Australia last year. The tension was building in the room and the excitement so real that when he announced the total number we could only hear him say the first digit. The tappers roared so loudly when we heard "Four hundred and..." that we had to confirm later on that it was 445! An amazing result for Belfast and one that I'm proud to have been part of! Watch it here https://www.facebook.com/officialcoolfm/videos/2202460720022405/
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