Dutch violinist Andre Rieu has arrived in Blackpool in search of dancers for his 80th Birthday Anniversary World Tour.
The musician joined the 100th Blackpool Dance Festival on Tuesday to recruit competitors for his upcoming 2029 world tour in celebration of eight decades of his life through the art form he loves most – the waltz.
During his visit to the Empress Ballroom of the Winter Gardens, where more than 2,000 dancers will be competing this week, Rieu will look to invite couples to waltz alongside him and his world-renowned Johann Strauss Orchestra.
Rieu said: “I am very much looking forward to coming to Blackpool to meet all of you and hope many of you would like to join me on my tour in 2029.”
The 76-year-old often features between 150 to 300 dancers in his shows – and they waltz, twirl and sweep across the stage to the likes of The Second Waltz and Lara’s Theme.
All the selected couples will be dressed in identical, specially commissioned costumes, sweeping gowns and immaculate suits, staying true to his signature style.
Natalie Hayes, Blackpool Dance Festival organiser, said in a statement: “To have Andre Rieu walk through the doors of the Empress Ballroom in this, our centenary year, is almost beyond words.
“For our competitors, who have dedicated their lives to perfecting every step, this is an opportunity that will simply never come again.
“To perform alongside Andre on one of the dates on his world tour in front of tens of thousands of people — is the stuff of dreams. We are enormously proud that he has chosen the Blackpool Dance Festival as the place to make this announcement.”
Blackpool is well known as a hub of competitive ballroom dancing with its history of dance stretching back more than a century.
The seaside town also has strong ties to BBC dancing show Strictly Come Dancing, which temporarily relocates to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom once a year.
Rieu will also return to the UK in September as part of his latest tour, alongside his 70-piece orchestra, and has upcoming shows in Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, London and Birmingham.
