Karen Hardy’s Party Masquerade

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Karen Hardy’s Party Masquerade

Ah! As always, the Strictly Come Dancing champion Karen Hardy is full of ideas! Presented by Karen Hardy herself, the exuberant and swanky charity affair supporting CLIC Sergeant – a charity caring for children with cancer was quite a ball!

Party Masquerade held at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Chelsea Harbour was an enchanting affair presenting great performances – live music from Waide Armstrong, a series of breathe-taking world-class professional dance showcases and even a salsa lesson with Karen Hardy! - Take that for an inspiration to dance!

A grand ball for grand names

Party Masquerade, the Karen Hardy event celebrating dance, entertainment, music and glamour in the lustrous surroundings of the Wyndham’s Grand Ballroom boasted a guestlist with names including Brendan Cole – a highly competitive New Zealander and winner of Strictly Come Dancing also known for his feisty nature and is often remembered for arguing with the judges and making his partners cry. Craig Revel Horwood – an Australian pantomime villain judge on Strictly Come Dancing, often remembered for his rather ‘generous’ comments to performers on the show; Chris Hollins, BBC Breakfast sports presenter, Watchdog co-presenter and winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2009; Mark Foster, a serious achiever in many areas, best known for professional swimming – 5 times Olympian, 6 times World Champion, 10 times European Champion, 8 times World Record Holder, also the face of Wellman product and was quite popular on Strictly Come Dancing for baring his rippling muscles (yum!). Darren Gough, a cricket legend and three times Strictly Come Dancing winner, previously seen in Costcutter ads and the current brand ambassador for Collier's Powerful Welsh cheddar was also among the guest as well as well as the English cricketer Mark Ramprakash - one of only 25 players in the history of the sport to have scored 100 first-class centuries, and of course, the only cricketer in history to win Strictly Come Dancing with the fabulous Karen Hardy, the host of this ball. :p

Salsa lesson with Karen Hardy

Whatever the dancing skills, there was a great opportunity to warm up your feet and learn some Salsa. Guests were effortlessly drawn to the dance floor upon Karen Hardy’s invitation to learn a few basic steps, a salsa lesson with Karen Hardy that later turned into a full-fledged party on the dance floor.

Dessert Deluxe – Tommy Franzen hits the dance floor!

Just recently we caught up with dancer Tommy Franzen’s performance at Move It dance event held at London’s Olympia where Tommy Franzen took the stage by storm, however that was just a teaser in comparison.

Tommy Franzen’s performance at the prestigious Karen Hardy’s Party Masquerade literally was somewhat of a jaw dropping fight against gravity giving you an impression he was a puppet on the strings controlled by a well-trained master of puppetry, except in reality Tommy was his own master. Quite a showcase!

Tune in soon for more on Tommy Franzen.

The Rumba Lounge at Karen Hardy Studios

Since winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2006, followed by the launch of her lush studio in 2009, the Karen Hardy brand continues to grown from strength to strength and it is with great pleasure that we learn about the re-launch of the Rumba Lounge. The Rumba Lounge is set to take place every other Saturday at Karen Hardy Studios in Imperial Wharf, Fulham where guests can experience ballroom and Latin dance with a difference - think Champagne Bar, VIP Lounge, Live DJ and Showcases! The re-launch is on Saturday 16 April 2011.