The winners of the competition are those who have received the most votes. Votes can be procured in advance, through fundraising, where friends, family and colleagues can sponsor the dancers and purchase as many votes as they wish – €1 = 1 vote. Votes can also be purchased on the night by the audience as follows €2 = 1 vote, €5 = 3 votes, €10 = 10 votes.

All of these votes (in advance and on the night) will account for 50% of the marks. The second 50% will be allocated by the judges on the night.

BRENDA AND GARY

Question 1) What three words best describe your dance?

Cha-Cha-Chaaaaaa

 

Question 2) How do you feel now compared to the beginning of the rehearsals? More confident, more nervous?

Both. Nervous because it’s close but more confident because of the practice.

 

Question 3) Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?

Friends and family. All the Dance World girls.

 

GILIAN

Question 1) What three words best describe your dance?

Fast, challenging and fun

 

Question 2) How do you feel now compared to the beginning of the rehearsals? More confident, more nervous?

Bit of both. Nervous it’s less than a week away, but confident we have a good dance.

 

Question 3) Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?

Donna–She finds it hilarious I’m dancing with her nephew.

 

DARRYN

Question 1) What three words best describe your dance?

Fun, energetic and challenging

 

Question 2) How do you feel now compared to the beginning of the rehearsals? More confident, more nervous?

More nervous at the moment but on the night the confidence will be flowing.

 

Question 3) Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?

My Aunt Donna– She’s the one that convinced me to take part with her friend Gill.

 

PETER

Question 1) What three words best describe your dance?

Fast, lively, dynamic.

 

Question 2) How do you feel now compared to the beginning of the rehearsals? More confident, more nervous?

Much more confident, honestly. But there’s a little more time left, so there’s room to improve!

 

Question 3) Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?

My ballroom dance teacher said she’d come. This is such a different style of dance. I’m looking forward to seeing her reaction.

 

JANINA

Question 1) What three words best describe your dance?

Fast, elegant, exotic

 

Question 2) How do you feel now compared to the beginning of the rehearsals? More confident, more nervous?

So much more nervous. My heart is forming its own drum circle every time I think of it. But, I am still very much looking forward to it.

 

Question 3) Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?

My best friend and my dance teacher.

 

Question 1) What three words best describe your dance?

DOS DOS DOS

Question 2) How do you feel now compared to the beginning of the rehearsals? More confident, more nervous?

Way more nervous as the event approaches

Question 3) Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the audience on the night?

My beautiful girls, I know they will think we are amazing no matter what.

 

 

In case you are curious about the type of dance our stars will be executing on the night and to which song, here is a convenient list;

 

1   Caitriona & Franco

Jive

“Rock around the clock” by Bill Haley and the Comets

---

 

 

2    Gillian & Darryn

Charleston

“Charleston” by Bob Crosby

---

 

 

3   Eimear & Ken

Paso Doble

“Smooth Criminal” by David Garrett

---

 

 

4       Neisha & Jamie

Disco

“Cuba” by The Gibson Brothers

---

 

 

   5  Janina & Peter

Cha Cha

“Hold my Hand” by Joss Glynn

---

 

 

6    Rachael & David

Argentine Tango Track “Libertango” by Bond

---

 

 

7  Lynn & Joe

Bollywood

“Mundian To Back Ke by Panjabi MC”

---

 

 

8        Chiara & Fabrizio

Charleston

“Do your Thing” by Basement Jax

---

 

 

9  Maria & Derek

Paso Doble

“Espana Cani” by Orquesta Del Tendido

---

 

 

10 Celene & Ronan

Disco

“Daddy Cool” by Boney M

---

 

 

11   Brenda & Gary

Cha Cha

“Mercy” by Duffy

Singer Shobsy, guitarist Joe Regan, drummer Paul Ridgeway and bassist Noel Perry all met at BIMM Music College in Dublin. Bonding over a shared interest in classic 80’s music and a common desire to write big stadium sized songs the guys decided to work on a music project. This early incarnation lead to the formation of State Lights in 2015.

 

Peace Will Come

Considered Rising Stars for 2018, State Lights new single, “Peace Will Come” which was mixed by Mark Needham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons) is accompanied by an incredibly powerful video, it features images of the current political discourse in the world. Famous faces such as Martin Luther King, David Bowie and Bono feature as examples of figures who have paved the way for peace and understanding in a world that is constantly overcoming prejudices and challenges, both socially and politically. The video concludes with images of people holding their own banner saying, “PEACE WILL COME” with their name signed, creating a message of unity, hope and faith that we will see peace. Some of the featured faces include Liam Cunningham (actor) Patrick Bergin (actor), Gary Ringrose (rugby player), Guggi (Artist), Kevin Thornton (Celebrity Chef), Craig Fitzgerald (The Academic)

 

Media Reaction

Already gaining considerable radio support for new single ‘Peace Will Come’ (Dermot and Dave’s Homegrown Hero, TODAY FM. Louise Duffy’s pick of the week TODAY FM and playlisted on RTE 2FM), State Lights look set for a big year ahead in 2018.

JOE.ie song of the day – “A chorus so catchy it should come with a warning”.

HOTPRESS – “Peace Will Come is an ode to hope in a world of uncertainty”

 

Tour Dates:

Sat Mar 24: Backstage Longford

Sat Mar 31: Kasbah Limerick

Sat April 7: Levi’s, Ballydehob, Cork

Fri April 13: Central Arts Waterford

Fri Apr 27: Monroes Galway

Ozanam Come Dancing would not be possible without the support of our sponsors.

A huge thank you to m-hance, 53 Degrees North, Printrun, The Church, Johnston Shopfitters, McGivern Flynn Corporate Insurance Specialists and Coady Architects for their support.