World Northern Soul Dance Championship: Info please

[Paul-s]

Just to say, I am writing about Northern Soul dancing at the moment and these questions are genuine. So, comments are welcome. 

I have, since its inception, been bemused by the title of this competition.

I, of course, have my own opinion, but I am very interested in your take on it. So,

 

• What makes it a World championship?
• What countries from around the World are represented?
• Why is it not called Blackpool dance competition (local as in the past)?
• Is it run by a representative World federation. As with other World dance competitions? 
• Which other countries is it held in?
• Can another event(s) hold a World Northern Soul Dance Championship: so we will have many World champions?
• How do the judges choose a winner?
• Does the title mean the winner is the best northern soul dancer in the World?
• What do you personally think about Northern Soul dance competitions?

 

Thanks in advance.

Paul-S

Edited November 5, 2023 by Paul-s

[Paul-s]

Judging by the response it appears that the origin of this unique event: 

 

Edited November 6, 2023 by Paul-s

[Solidsoul]

21 hours ago, Paul-s said:

Just to say, I am writing about Northern Soul dancing at the moment and these questions are genuine. So, comments are welcome. 

I have, since its inception, been bemused by the title of this competition.

I, of course, have my own opinion, but I am very interested in your take on it. So,

• What do you personally think about Northern Soul dance competitions?

 

I never and still don't like them.

When I have been at venue that have dance competitions it has been very boring standing about waiting for them to finish, before we can all get back to enjoying ourselves! 

I never watch anything that has a panel of judges! It's all like watching a soap!

[Kathryn Magson]

58 minutes ago, Solidsoul said:

I never and still don't like them.

When I have been at venue that have dance competitions it has been very boring standing about waiting for them to finish, before we can all get back to enjoying ourselves! 

I never watch anything that has a panel of judges! It's all like watching a soap!

I'll second that one Solidsoul - it's all way too cheesy for me!

[Shinehead]

22 hours ago, Paul-s said:

 

• What makes it a World championship 
• (That's what the promoter decided to call it.)
• What countries from around the World are represented?
• (Those that decide to participate.) 
• Why is it not called Blackpool dance competition (local as in the past)?
• (Because it sounds better.)
• Is it run by a representative World federation. As with other World dance competitions? 
• (No)
• Which other countries is it held in?
• (Sunderland)
• Can another event(s) hold a World Northern Soul Dance Championship: so we will have many World champions?
• (Yes a bit like heavyweight boxing) 
• How do the judges choose a winner?
• (They select the best.)
• Does the title mean the winner is the best northern soul dancer in the World?
• (No)
• What do you personally think about Northern Soul dance competitions?
• (A load of boll**ks)

 

Thanks in advance.

Paul-S

 

[Keamus]

Waste of time and as the years go by and entrants become more geriatric very embarrassing to try and explain this isn’t the scene that I frequent!

[Jessie Pinkman]

Why is the World Series called the World Series when only US teams are involved.?

That's always puzzled me.

The makers of Britain's got talent go the opposite way, when they could call their show The Worlds got talent because quite a few of their acts are international but they opt for BGT.

Edited November 6, 2023 by Jessie Pinkman

[Nth Soul Old Boy]

Judging dancing is mostly subjective. The dancing style I enjoy watching, isn't the same as the next person. While I appreciate the odd gymnastic trick, it is the dancing in between the tricks that I enjoy. Probably due to being too creaky to do the tricks myself. Personally, If I wanted to see mostly gymnastic dancing, I'd watch Break Dancing. In common with other posts, dance competitions just interfere with dancing yourself.

 

[Jessie Pinkman]

Can another event(s) hold a World Northern Soul Dance Championship: so we will have many World champions?

In the old days I'm pretty sure Boxing had just the one champion at a time, in all of the different weights. Nowadays there's the WBC, WBA, IBF and the WBO,

If another promoter felt the need then why not. Up against the Blackpool Tower Ballroom that's possibly hosted hundreds of dance competitions over the years.

 

 

Edited November 6, 2023 by Jessie Pinkman

[Chalky]

Most of the best dancers sit them out

Edited November 7, 2023 by Chalky

[Soulman]

30 minutes ago, Chalky said:

Most of the beast dancers sit them out

Chalky.... is a beast dancer someone who kicks the sh*t out of anyone who gets in the way

[Jessie Pinkman]

14 hours ago, Chalky said:

Most of the beast dancers sit them out

Edited November 7, 2023 by Jessie Pinkman

[Frankie Crocker]

A rather grandiose title for an event with dubious claims. The suggestion that world-class dancers will be drawn from all over the globe to contest the most important championship on planet earth is laughable. Once upon a time, there was a place for dance competitions - when there were dozens of highly competent  youngsters at a major venue hosting weekly events, they were an accepted part of the scene. Nowadays, they are too out of place, feature unskilled egotists and tunes that don’t always suit the footwork of break-dancers looking to showcase their acrobatics.

[Mal C]

Love it, I've booked a stall selling all the essentials...with free record on the night,  the Natural Carbonation Beer Drinking Song !

 

 

[Zoomsoulblue]

I guess the Universe Dancing Competition- Trumps the World Dance Off

[Sunnysoul]

This young fellow from Japan had a couple of videos posted on Youtube around 16 years ago, including this one of him taken (outside) the Cleethorpes Weekender.  His name is Kanta. Anyone have any more information on him and is he still around and active ?

 

 

[Chalky]

13 hours ago, Soulman said:

Chalky.... is a beast dancer someone who kicks the sh*t out of anyone who gets in the way

Oops haha

[Steve G]

Does anyone do a World Northern Soul Darts Championship? 

Just out of interest what are the prizes for dance championshps like these days? 

Edited November 7, 2023 by Steve G

[Leicester Boy]

Having witnessed the event,I can truly say best leave these kinds of things to our memories.

[Timbo58]

 

The first time I saw these sorts of 'dance offs' we were all much younger & it was all regarded as a bit of fun, nothing more.

Unfortunately some people/promotors/ & yes -organisations making a few quid off the scene yet again, are making & taking it all far too seriously nowadays. 

Not being much of a dancer myself I really appreciate seeing someone who can dance well, fluidly and perhaps throw in the odd trick in the right place of a song -it shows a depth of knowledge in the tune which I can respect as much as technical prowess.

In saying that I've seen people who no one would ever call a 'great dancer' on the floor immersed in a song with such emotion in their faces, close to tears sometimes - now they truly would win any competition hands down -no argument if I was judging it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Paul-s]

3 hours ago, Steve G said:

Does anyone do a World Northern Soul Darts Championship? 

Just out of interest what are the prizes for dance championshps like these days? 

Don't joke....it might be a future event!

[Paul-s]

2 hours ago, Timbo58 said:

 

The first time I saw these sorts of 'dance offs' we were all much younger & it was all regarded as a bit of fun, nothing more.

Unfortunately some people/promotors/ & yes -organisations making a few quid off the scene yet again, are making & taking it all far too seriously nowadays. 

Not being much of a dancer myself I really appreciate seeing someone who can dance well, fluidly and perhaps throw in the odd trick in the right place of a song -it shows a depth of knowledge in the tune which I can respect as much as technical prowess.

In saying that I've seen people who no one would ever call a 'great dancer' on the floor immersed in a song with such emotion in their faces, close to tears sometimes - now they truly would win any competition hands down -no argument if I was judging it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, it often looks as if they are dancing/performing over the tune rather than dancing 'within' it. That probably doesn't make sense (does to me though)

[Paul-s]

11 hours ago, Sunnysoul said:

This young fellow from Japan had a couple of videos posted on Youtube around 16 years ago, including this one of him taken (outside) the Cleethorpes Weekender.  His name is Kanta. Anyone have any more information on him and is he still around and active ?

 

 

I remember him. A clone of Keb really, which was happening a lot at that time...He would be regarded as too international for Blackpool I fear.

[Jessie Pinkman]

20 hours ago, Paul-s said:

Yes, it often looks as if they are dancing/performing over the tune rather than dancing 'within' it. That probably doesn't make sense (does to me though)

I love to watch Preston cybermen Dave Molloy and Gaz Kellett, both are definitely within the tune.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Jessie Pinkman

[Chalky]

What amazes me is they really think they are the world's best when in reality they are average at best.  They don't even dance, not to the records.  The splits, kicks, drops etc aren't in rhythm with the record.  I love nothing better than to watch a good dancer lost in the record but in tune with it as well.

[Frankie Crocker]

58 minutes ago, Chalky said:

What amazes me is they really think they are the world's best when in reality they are average at best.  They don't even dance, not to the records.  The splits, kicks, drops etc aren't in rhythm with the record.  I love nothing better than to watch a good dancer lost in the record but in tune with it as well.

Agreed Chalky. Too many YouTube clippers think they’re the bees-knees but they just churn out a choreographed routine bearing no relation to the music. The latest craze seems to be late 70’s style shuffling to late 60’s stomping tunes. When you can’t tell the difference between Mistura’s Flasher and The Jewel’s Togetherness, you really are in trouble - time to go home and practise to Murder On The Dance Floor....

[Paul-s]

1 hour ago, Chalky said:

What amazes me is they really think they are the world's best when in reality they are average at best.  They don't even dance, not to the records.  The splits, kicks, drops etc aren't in rhythm with the record.  I love nothing better than to watch a good dancer lost in the record but in tune with it as well.

This is what interests me, because recently some have been advertising themselves as 'The World Northern Soul Dance Champion' and procuring paid work from it. Passing on dreadful, out of context 'performances' of northern soul dancing that is nothing to do with northern soul dancing. 
The result is that this laughable parody of northern soul dancing (often taught by people who don't even attend venues) is being accepted by producers of theatre, music videos, festivals etc as the genuine thing: and so the parody goes on and on, growing more ridiculous with time.

Another interesting point that I am noticing is that the individuals who are promoting this parody are mostly middle class, and, in  interviews, statements, publicity and conversations, this important historical context is always ignored or perhaps not even known to them.
The question arises whether this history (that has survived over five decades) will be erased in time as the dance and the scene is gentrified by lazy, uninformed, producers and becomes a kind of (cash cow) historical re-enactment: devoid of history, roots, knowledge, embodied experience and informed oral tradition (hip hop dance, for instance, really values the knowledge of elders and makes a concerted effort to ensure its history is preserved and passed on correctly).

Personally, I think it takes a lot of ego and delusional narcissism to believe you are The World Champion Northern Soul Dancer: based on a Blackpool Dance Competition that is mostly inhabited by geriatrics. 

 "In the country of the blind the one eyed man is king" comes to mind.

I was heartened recently to see Richard (on his own page) refer to it as 'The Blackpool Weekender Northern Soul Dance Competition', which is the honest and accurate description. 

[Julianb]

I recently had the misfortune to be shown a video of Mrs Russ Winstanley giving a 'northern soul' dance tutorial, filmed somewhere in Wigan☹

[Hooker1951]

Amateur gymnastics for me on a dance floor, only looks good visually to people who don’t really understand what Soul music is all about, most of the time it looks shallow and false, doing the same moves at the same speed to music that is changing pace and tempo is not really a good look, I used to love dancing but there were a lot of tunes I just couldn’t get up for, so for me rather than get up and go through the motions I would sit them out and wait for something I thought anyway suited my style of dancing either fast or slow as long as I could feel it mattered to me not people watching, if they did and  liked it fair do,s  but it’s what I felt what mattered, and I think it shows when it’s real and your enjoying it from inside out,

Mick L

[Paul-s]

2 hours ago, Julianb said:

I recently had the misfortune to be shown a video of Mrs Russ Winstanley giving a 'northern soul' dance tutorial, filmed somewhere in Wigan☹

No way? Seriously?

[Kathryn Magson]

2 hours ago, Julianb said:

I recently had the misfortune to be shown a video of Mrs Russ Winstanley giving a 'northern soul' dance tutorial, filmed somewhere in Wigan☹

Think I'm glad I missed that one! 

[Kenb]

the thing is though... when we are all dead ( probably me not too far in the distant future) 'their' dancing will be the norm.

[Julianb]

1 hour ago, Paul-s said:

No way? Seriously?

Absolutely true. It was filmed by Ian and  Angie Wills daughter ( sorry, can't remember her name) and shown to me at the Spitfire Club in October. I tried a few of the moves but thought my existing ones were better.

[Mickey Finn]

4 hours ago, Kenb said:

the thing is though... when we are all dead ( probably me not too far in the distant future) 'their' dancing will be the norm.

Those who are interested will have to explain the difference between what passes for the norm in future and what was filmed in the "This England" doc.

[Kenb]

1 hour ago, Mickey Finn said:

Those who are interested will have to explain the difference between what passes for the norm in future and what was filmed in the "This England" doc.

I'm interested. And my explanation is, I have no issue with 1977 or the dancing of that tme. But that's not what goes on today ( which will become the norm).

Edited November 8, 2023 by Kenb

[Paul-s]

53 minutes ago, Kenb said:

I'm interested. And my explanation is, I have no issue with 1977 or the dancing of that tme. But that's not what goes on today ( which will become the norm).

Interesting; the parody becomes the norm. I think you may be right. 

The thing is that the parody, dancing, style, music, is taken mostly from Palmers terrible film. It's historical recreation, minus connection to the music, due to a focus on connecting to the iPhone to share their brilliance and demonstrate their soulfulness. Nothing new is evolved or developed. The music itself is at a standstill, on repeat.

Additionally, perhaps the shift from nighters, the minimal use of gear, or any at all (amongst the clean new Gen) the focus on booze, and other factors play a part?

[Mark S]

Funny isn't it years ago we were. all discussing encouraging new blood on the scene, well now we have it wether its people reinventing their youth or young people just starting out. 

Either way it's being done differently, personaly can't stand dance competitions or the publicity and over exposure most being orchestrated and exploited by greedy people on the scene who should know better. Be careful what you wish for 

Edited November 9, 2023 by Mark S

[Paul-s]

7 hours ago, Mark S said:

Funny isn't it years ago we were. all discussing encouraging new blood on the scene, well now we have it wether its people reinventing their youth or young people just starting out. 

Either way it's being done differently, personaly can't stand dance competitions or the publicity and over exposure most being orchestrated and exploited by greedy people on the scene who should know better. Be careful what you wish for 

Good summary...

[Martin L]

was recently approached by a attendee at a venue somewhere  who said  ' MATE THATS NOT NORTHERN SOUL YOURE DOING '    Have a great day 

Martin L x 

 

[Hooker1951]

8 minutes ago, Martin L said:

was recently approached by a attendee at a venue somewhere  who said  ' MATE THATS NOT NORTHERN SOUL YOURE DOING '    Have a great day 

Martin L x 

 

Hi Martin

You should have said to him, and who gave you the monopoly on the wisdom of NS dancing?

[Kathryn Magson]

3 hours ago, Martin L said:

was recently approached by a attendee at a venue somewhere  who said  ' MATE THATS NOT NORTHERN SOUL YOURE DOING '    Have a great day 

Martin L x 

 

He'd probably been to one of these "Northern Soul dance Classes" & learned how to do it properly Martin..........

 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Kathryn Magson

[Frankie Crocker]

So, now the competition is over, what do people think? There are a few clips on YouTube to view plus a thread on Facebook. Jack Morgan from Scotland was deemed to be the winner. His acrobatics and spins drew much applause from the audience. For what it’s worth, I thought Sharon was easily the better dancer with good footwork in time with the beat but no scrabbling around on the floor to titillate the judges. Jack’s performance was quite impressive but scored nil points on my scorecard for musical interpretation or basic footwork. The 1st round as shown on YouTube looks more like a wedding reception disco with most punters affecting the lethargy that comes with six pints or two bottles of prosecco. Ultimately, it was just another dance competition judged by unknown subjective criteria so the winner deserves credit fir turning up and impressing. On the other hand though, the spectacle was rather disappointing and the most eye catching dancer, namely Sharon, did not win IMO.

[Chalky]

10 hours ago, Frankie Crocker said:

So, now the competition is over, what do people think? There are a few clips on YouTube to view plus a thread on Facebook. Jack Morgan from Scotland was deemed to be the winner. His acrobatics and spins drew much applause from the audience. For what it’s worth, I thought Sharon was easily the better dancer with good footwork in time with the beat but no scrabbling around on the floor to titillate the judges. Jack’s performance was quite impressive but scored nil points on my scorecard for musical interpretation or basic footwork. The 1st round as shown on YouTube looks more like a wedding reception disco with most punters affecting the lethargy that comes with six pints or two bottles of prosecco. Ultimately, it was just another dance competition judged by unknown subjective criteria so the winner deserves credit fir turning up and impressing. On the other hand though, the spectacle was rather disappointing and the most eye catching dancer, namely Sharon, did not win IMO.

I thought she was a good dancer but unlike you I thought the spins etc were out of place with the record, if they were where they should be rather than going through a routine then she should have won.  Jack was a worthy dancer IMO.  Didn’t see enough of the other guy but from what I saw was just doing the tricks for the sake of it and what was the shufflin about?

[Kathryn Magson]

On 08/11/2023 at 23:46, Mark S said:

Funny isn't it years ago we were. all discussing encouraging new blood on the scene, well now we have it wether its people reinventing their youth or young people just starting out. 

Either way it's't have  being done differently, personaly can't stand dance competitions or the publicity and over exposure most being orchestrated and exploited by greedy people on the scene who should know better. Be careful what you wish for 

Well said Mark - couldn't have put it better myself! I didn't watch any of it - it's all a "thanks but no thanks" from me. 

Edited November 13, 2023 by Kathryn Magson

[Leicester Boy]

Not my cup of tea but the guys a mover

[Shinehead]

Thought the lady was the best dancer , but the problem today with mobile phones etc. filming endless dance routines at venues is the scrutiny put on people obviously some enjoy it but not all .

Glad my attempts on the floor where never recorded I was a tryer at best

I was  captured at Bradford once just sat about and that was enough for my exposure. 

[Dobber]

I had a great time there on Saturday,whilst I dance myself,I also watch the other dancers,personally there was 2 or 3 I was surprised didn’t get through,equally I thought the last 3 was fair,they all knew there music and did a certain thing in the right places,I thought jack was the rightful winner hands down! My only Cristism was the the tune for the last song which is meant to be something the dancers can really shine! But there chose one of the worst most boring Motown songs there is! Jimmy raye Philly dog would have been my choice for the final song!

[Steviehay]

IM SPARTACUS........

[Soul16]

Personally, I think dancing competitions are an unessesary distraction, however for those that enjoy it, it would increase the tension if the announcement of the winner was done by first naming third place and then naming the winner from the two that are left.

Current format leaves the victorious winner standing there whilst the runner-up is being congratulated, so his 'big moment' is lost.

 

[Paul-s]

1 hour ago, Dobber said:

I had a great time there on Saturday,whilst I dance myself,I also watch the other dancers,personally there was 2 or 3 I was surprised didn’t get through,equally I thought the last 3 was fair,they all knew there music and did a certain thing in the right places,I thought jack was the rightful winner hands down! My only Cristism was the the tune for the last song which is meant to be something the dancers can really shine! But there chose one of the worst most boring Motown songs there is! Jimmy raye Philly dog would have been my choice for the final song!

It's a bizarre event and the idea that Jack is the World Champion Northern Soul Dancer is totally ridiculous. Most of the entrants looked geriatric to say the least. The tracks they dance to are hammered to death and boring to say the least. Will they still enter at 70/80? Lets be honest, the title is a publicity stunt dreamed up by Kev R and we could do the scene a giant favour by referring to it for what it is: The Blackpool Weekender Northern Soul Competition.