spirit

Those pictures are a part of my past I'd rather forget.

Cheers Simsy. You are very right in principle, but I'm a pragmatist and know my non-attendance will mean nothing to them. On the other hand, as forgiving as I am, there are limits...

webby! After all the badmouthing of you I've done to people behind your back! Seriously, that's lovely of you to say (though too charitable). Thank you.

I've named them to anyone unfortunate enough to be cornered by me at various events, but won't do so here unless I'm given permission by the owner of the site.

Thanks Sharon, that's very kind.

It was - d'oh, you nearly got me!

Blimey, that was quick, bud. I thought I'd better get some objective opinions, and the permission of Mike before I do that. Thanks for responding.

I'm rather miffed with a promoter, and would like your opinion on whether I am right to be, and if so, what my consumer rights are. I was kicked out of a venue for not paying, which was rather irritating for a few reasons, not least of which I did pay. I'm a very boring person who has never been glamorous enough to be kicked out of anywhere before, and it's also rather galling because I've lost count of the number of times I've patiently waited at the money-table when I've arrived late at a venue for someone to see me and take my dosh. That I've attended this particular promoter's events regularly, often the first on the floor or the last off it is arguably irrelevant, but annoying too. It's also frustrating because I actually enjoy their events and regret I won't be going back to any of them till this is resolved. The promoters who did this also refused to refund a ticket for an event they cancelled, because it was too late for a return. I'd originally asked for a refund by phone soon after the event was cancelled, but they said I had to send the online-ordered ticket back by post for proof, but I never got round to it till they annoyed me a few months later and I enclosed it with my complaint in a letter. They offered me free entry instead at the event they'd kicked me out from (worth a fraction of the price of the ticket), with no apology for wrongly kicking me out in the first place, which is really what I was after above all. In short: they kicked me out for not paying, even though I'd paid; when I wrote to them asking for an apology and a refund on a ticket, they refused both, offering a fractional refund instead. I didn't even ask for my money back for the night they kicked me out. To be honest, I feel like I've been mugged, while being called a thief by the mugger. What do you reckon?

That film discussed at Contains a couple of reviews of the draft screening, including (fo' diddy) LilJimmyCrank's, as well as some healthy abuse and satire.

It depends on the event, and the expectations of the punter, but I guess the most important thing is to judge the moment, and fill the floor. DJs who can do this while 'educating' dancers at the same time with unexpected tracks, are the best in my opinion. My own personal favourite spots have been danceable throughout, while entertaining me with the thrill of favourite records, and educating me with the odd one or two new to me, which is enjoyable itself when you are challenged to hit an unfamiliar beat on the dancefloor. Some DJs seem to draw lots of people, which adds to the atmosphere, but they are sometimes the ones who stay safe and play the same old stuff you hear every week, everywhere. Unadventurous, meek and rather jukebox-like in their formulaic replaceability. Which is a shame, as I'm told some of them used to mean something. Some DJs clear the floor while experimenting at the wrong place which could be argued as egotistical if the promoter wasn't expecting it. Some DJs cause such outrage that They may be wrong occasionally, but then nothing interesting ever happened without a chance being taken. More power to them.

Interesting, classically meandering thread. Regardless of the truth of either side I've enjoyed the sparring here, and particularly your thoughtful, reflective posts ChorleySoul. Thanks for making the effort.

I always fancied Jody Watley from the pretty damn good Shalamar, though looking back now at some of her photos she looks a bit underfed.

Not on the events calendar, but being talked about

While we are reminiscing, off topic, but any excuse... https://www.youtube.c...h?v=3U3UJnW5090 er...Good on t'Mic is better than Silent is better than Slack Work on t'Mic

There you go Paul, all nicely formatted. When darcyboy is Prime Minister, I want you in as Parliamentalist Under Secretary of State for Dance (and the East Midlands). Did you know there was a Minister for the East Midlands? Do you know how they select the best person for that post? You know how when they picked the football teams back at school. each captain taking it in turn, and there was the pasty lad with a limp and NHS glasses with a plaster on that nobody wanted but they had to have him on the team because he was the last one left? Like that.

Billy WhizZ

I would like to add the following elder* stalwarts of the nighter scene as listed soulies: Christine. I don't know her second name, but she is normally there in the centre, jabbing her finger to the lyrics, slowly turning, hand on waist, almost flamenco-influenced, a very graceful dancer. Sam Moore, who has taken quite a few under his wing, and deserves listing because of his dedication to providing us with places to go at the weekend so we don't cause trouble, for his renowned avuncular warmth and because its his birthday this week. *young at heart, and far more energy than me

At the risk of adding to the museum-piece picture (the reality of Billy Whiz is rather more dynamic and youthful), I'll second that. He has a quiet, modest presence on here and doesn't get involved in the argy bargy, far more sensible than many of us. He's normally there before me and after me at many of the nighters I go to, his balletic spins and smooth moves an axis around which the various venues move. He represents for me the passion and sincerity of many of the die-hard veterans I see on the local scene and its kind of reassuring to see him there at the frontier every weekend. No doubt there are others (including yourself ImberBoy) whose presence and longevity deserve recognition, but there's definitely something about Billy's humble dedication that is special. Faith keeper number one?

I think Stevie is more or less right, and old but nimble too dismissive of experimentation. Although I sympathise with the OP for the negative experience - assuming the record wasn't played, and the DJ did purposely lie (which ged parker pointed out is assuming the worst), I don't see how you can draw a general principle from it. DJs shouldn't lie, of course. Most of them as far as I am aware don't.

Yes, I realise all that, but I meant dthedrug was extrapolating his contempt for the term into a violent hatred of the OP for comic effect. I also think its a bit naff, but I use the term because I don't know a better one in common use.

I think he's referring to There is some general malevolence from Ady C and others towards soul patches, and some balanced, reasonable, fraternal love from the interestingly unreadable dthedrug, who hates the term 'soulie' almost as much as he hates carriage returns and the caps lock key. I think d was having a laugh though. Chorleysoul then defines 'soulie's position on the naffness scale.

Young at heart.

There's been a couple of roller videos and links posted up here recently. I was pretty nifty on the skates when I was a nipper, are they making a comeback?

I can just hear him saying it as well. Simpsons is awesome at times.

What's the collective name for a group of soulies? A casino? According to the internet, along with the well-known murder of crows, there are also odd collective names like a shrewdness of apes a flange of baboons So, I guess after a pride of lions, how about: A faith of soulies?