Teaching People To Dance Wtf?

[Winnie :-)]

Following on topics we've had on weekenders and the possible influx of newcomers because of media coverage I thought I'd bring up the subject of teaching people to dance. Mainly because I happened to see it happening over the weekend. I won't name the venue because the promoters had nothing to do with it.

 

It was absolutely excruciating to watch, three people trying to do the basics and doing them very badly. Yes I know it sounds picky, yes I know we all started somewhere, but c'mon, don't teach people at a venue. What about the rest of us, we've paid to get in as well, and don't want some numpty freewheeling around the dance floor, with total disregard for someone else's space. If you're going to teach, then at least pass on the basic etiquette. Maybe also let the students know that they almost certainly aren't going to be able to 'dance northern' after 10 minutes not least because they have no connection with the music. I realise I'm making a lot of assumptions about the 'Students' I happened to see the other night, but they weren't good believe me. 

 

What it also made me wonder, is the way the scene is going to go? Instead of finding the music, people are more interested in finding a social event that they feel comfortable with, hence requiring dance lessons to somehow fit in?

 

Bottom line, if you really must 'coach' please do it away from a venue, and tell the students to practice at home 

[Back Street Blue]

Saw it happening at a big weekender in Wales in March, which shall remain nameless........it was like someone gutting a pig just before you bit into your bacon butty.

 

People standing in groups on the dance floor and practicing spins 'n stuff is also a real downer to me.

 

Completely in favour of welcoming newcomers and whilst there's nothing wrong in people teaching them a few moves at home, I don't think its possible to teach how "we" dance.

 

Don't think I've ever seen two people dance exactly the same? When I started there was a group of six of us all the same age and going to the same venues, hearing the same stuff and all observing and trying to emulate the same top boys......but we all dance completely differently to each other.

 

We had to serve a bit of an apprenticeship and did all the practicing at home....you just wouldn't get up unless you were capable and knew the record well enough.

 

That said, the young 'uns in the forthcoming film have been taught to dance, but I would submit, on a very intensive level and within quite a narrow range of styles and I feel that was only possible because they developed  a taste and feel for the music.

[Winnie :-)]

Saw it happening at a big weekender in Wales in March, which shall remain nameless........it was like someone gutting a pig just before you bit into your bacon butty.

 

People standing in groups on the dance floor and practicing spins 'n stuff is also a real downer to me.

 

Completely in favour of welcoming newcomers and whilst there's nothing wrong in people teaching them a few moves at home, I don't think its possible to teach how "we" dance.

 

Don't think I've ever seen two people dance exactly the same? When I started there was a group of six of us all the same age and going to the same venues, hearing the same stuff and all observing and trying to emulate the same top boys......but we all dance completely differently to each other.

 

We had to serve a bit of an apprenticeship and did all the practicing at home....you just wouldn't get up unless you were capable and knew the record well enough.

 

That said, the young 'uns in the forthcoming film have been taught to dance, but I would submit, on a very intensive level and within quite a narrow range of styles and I feel that was only possible because they developed  a taste and feel for the music.

Yep, that's exactly as I see it. That's the bit you just can't teach 

[Guest sharmo 1]

just have to put up with a changing scene I suppose won't be long now for this thing implodes . If these lot weren't " getting into northern " they'd be doing Latin or salsa or something , ah well life unfolds just as the Universe does . As I mentioned to a good friend of mine earlier about this very subject if these people got into say Wicca they'd have car stickers saying " my other car is a broom stick " or " I slow down for warlocks". I'm thinking about jumping on the band waggon hand have Keep the faith, northern soul, and Wigan was the centre of the Universe sea side rock made . Roll up Roll up 4 sticks for a quid. I'd be rich as balding has been who shall remain untitled { Clue further reading see Joe 90 and other casino classic releases and if that don't soon get a rerelease for this lot I can't see 'em staying). Best regards Northern soul novelty rock vender . ( discount on 12 )

[TheBigO]

Could have been worse Winnie, they might have been taught the art of applying half a bottle of Johnsons upon the dancefloor and then walking off, leaving you and I yet again waxing loudly and expletive laden at the side   I take it we are still as one on the over use of talc!

[Kev Cane]

Simple solution, we all have a good idea where this kind of thing is going to crop up, so let them get on with it and don,t go

 

Kev

[Guest Bearsy]

Wait until the film comes out it will be just like the mod scene after quadraphenia, like you say Win everyone has to start somewhere and hopefully those that do come into the scene get what its all about THE MUSIC..... The rest comes when the SOUL runs through your veins and you spine tingles and your feet tap and you just wanna get up and dance..

My advice will be to those teaching the newcomers, tell them to listen and watch and they will know when they are ready to dance cos the music will get them and if it don't then they won't hang around for long anyway.

Seriously thinking of Starting a new soul night and I'm going to call it Chipperfields Soul Circus club. Main room the same CD on repeat and room 2 will be a dance lesson studio. £10 entry 7pm to midnight . Someone's got to cash in and why not me :-)

[TheBigO]

Point well made Bearsy re letting the SOUL absorb into you. When I first started going way back in the late 70's I spent most of my first nights at Soul Do's listening to the music and watching the dancers open mouthed and then going back home to practise practise practise. My bedroom carpet with the MASSIVE hole worn in after countless spins bears testament to this Everyone has to start somewhere, even us aging Soulboy, so let's just hope they find the path to Rare Souldom just as easy and exciting as we all did - just NO BLEEDING TALC PLEASE!

[Wiggyflat]

Saw a few at Stoke doing this last year....taking the piss.May as well had Mr Chorofsky do a walk on part...I've seen stretching done on the jazz dance scene.Whats your Mams carpet and a mirror for???

[Steve G]

Point well made Bearsy re letting the SOUL absorb into you. When I first started going way back in the late 70's I spent most of my first nights at Soul Do's listening to the music and watching the dancers open mouthed and then going back home to practise practise practise. My bedroom carpet with the MASSIVE hole worn in after countless spins bears testament to this Everyone has to start somewhere, even us aging Soulboy, so let's just hope they find the path to Rare Souldom just as easy and exciting as we all did - just NO BLEEDING TALC PLEASE!

 

Exactly, watch and practice at home is how we did it,,,,,that said if anyone is offering dance lessons I am sure I could benefit from some I don't seem able to do acrobatics anymore.....

[MotownDave]

surely it the can't feel the beat and move or react to it then trying to teach someone to dance is damn near impossible ......as for acrobatics steve aerobics is beyond me now i'll leave all the leaping around for gymnasts

[Steve L]

Simple solution, we all have a good idea where this kind of thing is going to crop up, so let them get on with it and don,t go

 

Kev

 

Spot on Kev

[TheBigO]

Exactly, watch and practice at home is how we did it,,,,,that said if anyone is offering dance lessons I am sure I could benefit from some I don't seem able to do acrobatics anymore.....

Given our age Steve I suggest you watch STRICTLY on a saturday night and pick up some moves from there, sequin tight dress at your discretion - ooh er  I do the odd acrobatics still, and in my baggies (LEAVE IT!), but I tend to spend the next 3 months recovering - usually in front of the TV with Strictly X

[Guest Byrney]

Agree with Kev, lets stay away from Div magnet doos.

[Reg]

Divs...simple.

[Reg]

Posted that at same time as Byrney!

[Winnie :-)]

Could have been worse Winnie, they might have been taught the art of applying half a bottle of Johnsons upon the dancefloor and then walking off, leaving you and I yet again waxing loudly and expletive laden at the side   I take it we are still as one on the over use of talc!

Yes buddy, Keep Talc Forbidden

[Mark S]

If you are middle aged and missed it first time around tough titty you didnt have it then what makes you think you,re going to have it now .

[TheBigO]

Yes buddy, Keep Talc Forbidden

G.E.N.I.U.S! 

[TheBigO]

Exactly, watch and practice at home is how we did it,,,,,that said if anyone is offering dance lessons I am sure I could benefit from some I don't seem able to do acrobatics anymore.....

BTW Phillip Schofield Of The Soul Scene, I do have film of you behind the decks at the 4 Emblems Xmas Soul Night we did a few years back giving it some shapes behind the decks! So if your in any doubt you may need lessons let me know and I can post here 

[Winnie :-)]

Agree with Kev, lets stay away from Div magnet doos.

It isn't a div magnet do Byrney, but because someone offered to teach someone else it went in that direction. The promoters can do little when 'A Master' utters those immortal words ''Ah Grasshopper, you must shuffle without leaving a mark on the ricepaper, then you will have reached northern soul Nirvana'' ;)

[Zed1]

I wonder if Gok Wan could do a 'Teach people how to Dress' night?......

[MrsWoodsrules]

Following on topics we've had on weekenders and the possible influx of newcomers because of media coverage I thought I'd bring up the subject of teaching people to dance. Mainly because I happened to see it happening over the weekend. I won't name the venue because the promoters had nothing to do with it.

 

It was absolutely excruciating to watch, three people trying to do the basics and doing them very badly. Yes I know it sounds picky, yes I know we all started somewhere, but c'mon, don't teach people at a venue. What about the rest of us, we've paid to get in as well, and don't want some numpty freewheeling around the dance floor, with total disregard for someone else's space. If you're going to teach, then at least pass on the basic etiquette. Maybe also let the students know that they almost certainly aren't going to be able to 'dance northern' after 10 minutes not least because they have no connection with the music. I realise I'm making a lot of assumptions about the 'Students' I happened to see the other night, but they weren't good believe me. 

 

What it also made me wonder, is the way the scene is going to go? Instead of finding the music, people are more interested in finding a social event that they feel comfortable with, hence requiring dance lessons to somehow fit in?

 

Bottom line, if you really must 'coach' please do it away from a venue, and tell the students to practice at home 

Spurs got hammered, I had the misfortune to watch my RL team suffer the same fate, but it sounds you even had a worse weekend than me mate, don't envy you pal.

100 on the cringeometer, you should have had them ejected Winn, on compassionate grounds.

[Guest Matt Male]

Spurs got hammered, I had the misfortune to watch my RL team suffer the same fate, but it sounds you even had a worse weekend than me mate, don't envy you pal.

100 on the cringeometer, you should have had them ejected Winn, on compassionate grounds.

 

 

I agree, I know if I was the promoter I'd have kicked them out. What a nightmare for a venue.

[soulpaul0]

.

Seriously thinking of Starting a new soul night and I'm going to call it Chipperfields Soul Circus club. Main room the same CD on repeat and room 2 will be a dance lesson studio. £10 entry 7pm to midnight . Someone's got to cash in and why not me :-)

i was up for that in till i saw the door tax.

want chicken in a basket (with lights going on for 5/10 mins) for that.

[Guest drewid]

Following on topics we've had on weekenders and the possible influx of newcomers because of media coverage I thought I'd bring up the subject of teaching people to dance. Mainly because I happened to see it happening over the weekend. I won't name the venue because the promoters had nothing to do with it.

It was absolutely excruciating to watch, three people trying to do the basics and doing them very badly. Yes I know it sounds picky, yes I know we all started somewhere, but c'mon, don't teach people at a venue. What about the rest of us, we've paid to get in as well, and don't want some numpty freewheeling around the dance floor, with total disregard for someone else's space. If you're going to teach, then at least pass on the basic etiquette. Maybe also let the students know that they almost certainly aren't going to be able to 'dance northern' after 10 minutes not least because they have no connection with the music. I realise I'm making a lot of assumptions about the 'Students' I happened to see the other night, but they weren't good believe me.

What it also made me wonder, is the way the scene is going to go? Instead of finding the music, people are more interested in finding a social event that they feel comfortable with, hence requiring dance lessons to somehow fit in?

Bottom line, if you really must 'coach' please do it away from a venue, and tell the students to practice at home

. I can't wait for it to go underground again

[Mak]

Classic clip , makes me p-ss !!!

 

 

https://youtu.be/i5igX3QuzwE

[Guest drewid]

Christ innit embarrassing , a far cry from when me n are lad would practice in our bedroom n my fatha shouting upstairs " if you carry on wi that bloody dancin I'll come up theear n kick ya bloody arses" after we crashed into wardrobe etc

[Gogger]

Classic clip , makes me p-ss !!!

 

 

https://youtu.be/i5igX3QuzwE

thats me in the vid 

[Guest Matt Male]

Classic clip , makes me p-ss !!!

 

 

https://youtu.be/i5igX3QuzwE

 

Little Jimmy O'Dowd at the back there. Won the dance competition four years in a row before anyone realised he had Parkinsons. Good times at Imber.

[Mark S]

thats me in the vid 

you never lose it do ya

[Russoul1]

remember whilst up in Sheffield me and the missus went to a soul night , where I saw about 4 baggy trousered pretenders go into a back room to

practice there floor work, bruce lee style off course lol , more to say never went again....

[Gogger]

you never lose it do ya

believe me i have tried 

[Reg]

So funny!

[Guest Matt Male]

remember whilst up in Sheffield me and the missus went to a soul night , where I saw about 4 baggy trousered pretenders go into a back room to

practice there floor work, bruce lee style off course lol , more to say never went again....

 

 

I dunno if I think it's too bad to practice in a side room at a venue. We used to have a quick practice in front of the full length mirrors in the changing room at the Brum Locarno before hitting the floor.

[manus]

Following on topics we've had on weekenders and the possible influx of newcomers because of media coverage I thought I'd bring up the subject of teaching people to dance. Mainly because I happened to see it happening over the weekend. I won't name the venue because the promoters had nothing to do with it.

 

It was absolutely excruciating to watch, three people trying to do the basics and doing them very badly. Yes I know it sounds picky, yes I know we all started somewhere, but c'mon, don't teach people at a venue. What about the rest of us, we've paid to get in as well, and don't want some numpty freewheeling around the dance floor, with total disregard for someone else's space. If you're going to teach, then at least pass on the basic etiquette. Maybe also let the students know that they almost certainly aren't going to be able to 'dance northern' after 10 minutes not least because they have no connection with the music. I realise I'm making a lot of assumptions about the 'Students' I happened to see the other night, but they weren't good believe me. 

 

What it also made me wonder, is the way the scene is going to go? Instead of finding the music, people are more interested in finding a social event that they feel comfortable with, hence requiring dance lessons to somehow fit in?

 

Bottom line, if you really must 'coach' please do it away from a venue, and tell the students to practice at home 

 

The scene has certainly taken a surreal turn Winnie - it just gets dafter and dafter

[Winnie :-)]

Little Jimmy O'Dowd at the back there. Won the dance competition four years in a row before anyone realised he had Parkinsons. Good times at Imber.

Nice to hear that tune again

[Mak]

Little Jimmy O'Dowd at the back there. Won the dance competition four years in a row before anyone realised he had Parkinsons. Good times at Imber.

Can I take it you meet Anne Fetamin then Matt ?

[Winnie :-)]

I dunno if I think it's too bad to practice in a side room at a venue. We used to have a quick practice in front of the full length mirrors in the changing room at the Brum Locarno before hitting the floor.

No problem myself with people going off into a side room, it's when they're let loose on the rest of us, and for some reason when they land on your feet, you'd swear they had diving boots on. 

 

I will say it again though, this had nothing whatsoever to do with the promoter, this was a dancer (fairly well known) who decided to impart 'The moves' for the benefit of 'The audience', Can't really kick the punters out without ejecting said 'fairly well known dancer' as well

[manus]

 and hopefully those that do come into the scene get what its all about THE MUSIC..... The rest comes when the SOUL runs through your veins and you spine tingles and your feet tap and you just wanna get up and dance..

 

 

Somehow the music side has been lost - there's a whole host of folk wouldn't know what a Soul record is - they are too busy implementing rules and fixing alarms to the dancefloor that go off when you stray within 50 yards of the dancefloor with your drink.

[Winnie :-)]

The scene has certainly taken a surreal turn Winnie - it just gets dafter and dafter

I'd heard of it happening at weekenders Manus, but not outside of that. 

[manus]

I'd heard of it happening at weekenders Manus, but not outside of that. 

 

I know it happens at one event I go too - but it's in another room - it doesn't really inpinge on what is a good event but i just find it a bit daft and straying from the genuine etiquette of Soul events.

[Guest Bearsy]

i was up for that in till i saw the door tax.

want chicken in a basket (with lights going on for 5/10 mins) for that.

Door tax at £10 is purely to cover my expenses and all profits will go to my record charity "Bearsyneedsmoretunes"

The venue will hopefully be free and I've already got the "now this is Northern Soul 73 to 81" that will provide the sounds of the night.

Was thinking of doing a special "soul soup in a basket" at £5 for those hungry soulies after a hard dance lesson.

Only problem is I can't find a big enough venue as I feel the need of a 8,000 capacity (over 2 rooms) size venue for the quadrasoulias influx.

Will post more on here when venue is sorted and will be all ticket only and payment as gift via PayPal and please add 15% for fees.

Yours richly

Bearsy

[Geeselad]

Wait until the film comes out it will be just like the mod scene after quadraphenia, like you say Win everyone has to start somewhere and hopefully those that do come into the scene get what its all about THE MUSIC..... The rest comes when the SOUL runs through your veins and you spine tingles and your feet tap and you just wanna get up and dance..

My advice will be to those teaching the newcomers, tell them to listen and watch and they will know when they are ready to dance cos the music will get them and if it don't then they won't hang around for long anyway.

Seriously thinking of Starting a new soul night and I'm going to call it Chipperfields Soul Circus club. Main room the same CD on repeat and room 2 will be a dance lesson studio. £10 entry 7pm to midnight . Someone's got to cash in and why not me :-)

what! you mean there was a mod scene before Quad!!!!!!!   

[Autumnstoned]

A dance lesson we could probably all benefit from:-

 

[Reg]

What about having it at Gillingham Bearsy? May be a chance of some better footwork than you normally see on a Saturday haha :-)

[Ian Parker]

 

I will say it again though, this had nothing whatsoever to do with the promoter, this was a dancer (fairly well known) who decided to impart 'The moves' for the benefit of 'The audience'

Giz a clue ;) We'd all love to know ......

[Reg]

Stoke?

[Guest Bearsy]

What about having it at Gillingham Bearsy? May be a chance of some better footwork than you normally see on a Saturday haha :-)

Could be a great idea Reg cos at the moment the pitch ain't getting touched the ball is in the air all the friggin time lol

[Joefromupnorth]

Classic clip , makes me p-ss !!!

 

 

https://youtu.be/i5igX3QuzwE

Anyone Know if this is the imber near Porton Down ? maybe there was a leak of a new nerve agent.