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'm wondering if it's the same teacher Rob, if it's the weekend I'm thinking of, then it is

 

I'm not kidding, this weekend I saw someone (not one of the students, so the teacher is exonerated on this occasion) dancing full on rock and roll, including a little bit of Chuck Berry's duck walk.... As I said at the beginning, WTF??

 

indeed Win 

obviously got their dancing by numbers mixed up  ,  maybe they had those there dancing machnes out you see in the arcades          

There are places to go where this thing doesn,t happen, where people don,t demand the same old same old, don,t  don the uniform, don,t panic when the floor isn,t full, embrace sounds they haven,t heard before, seek and you will find, or does it make some people feel good about themselves surrounding themselves with all this shite that has been going down since the turn of the century, cut yourself adrift, they have their own scene, don,t associate with it.

 

Kev

Edited October 8, 201311 yr by kev cane

I mentioned this before but here it is again.

In 1995 when I lived in St leonards On Sea, I got this phone call from this guy in London who said he'd been given my name by a mutual friend and that I might be able to show him a few basic Northern Soul dance moves, so obviously I said you've got to be f*cking joking to which he said "I'll Pay You", so as I was unemployed I reluctantly agreed to take his money and I'd show him the basic Northern Soul dances.  So he drives down from London one night midweek and despite my embarassment, I spent half an hour teaching him how to shuffle from side to side and by the end of the session he'd just about got it.  All this was interspersed with my downstairs neighbour Nancy keep ringing me and saying "You Dancing?" to which I have to reply "You Asking".... anyway we finished the 'lesson' and I said you mentioned payment, and he says oh yes of course, thanks ever so much, I've really enjoyed it, I'll just go and get the money, so I watched him from the landing go down the stairs, out of the door, into his car and off down the street at about 60 miles an hour, leaving me hot, sweaty, embarrassed and ripped off - if he's on here, you owe me £20 you b*stard.  

I mentioned this before but here it is again.

In 1995 when I lived in St leonards On Sea, I got this phone call from this guy in London who said he'd been given my name by a mutual friend and that I might be able to show him a few basic Northern Soul dance moves, so obviously I said you've got to be f*cking joking to which he said "I'll Pay You", so as I was unemployed I reluctantly agreed to take his money and I'd show him the basic Northern Soul dances.  So he drives down from London one night midweek and despite my embarassment, I spent half an hour teaching him how to shuffle from side to side and by the end of the session he'd just about got it.  All this was interspersed with my downstairs neighbour Nancy keep ringing me and saying "You Dancing?" to which I have to reply "You Asking".... anyway we finished the 'lesson' and I said you mentioned payment, and he says oh yes of course, thanks ever so much, I've really enjoyed it, I'll just go and get the money, so I watched him from the landing go down the stairs, out of the door, into his car and off down the street at about 60 miles an hour, leaving me hot, sweaty, embarrassed and ripped off - if he's on here, you owe me £20 you b*stard.  

And so it began .........

Thats brightened up my morning Pete no end - genius! 

And so it began .........

 

I've always tried to be an innovator Win but I'm not taking the blame for this!  

I mentioned this before but here it is again.

In 1995 when I lived in St leonards On Sea, I got this phone call from this guy in London who said he'd been given my name by a mutual friend and that I might be able to show him a few basic Northern Soul dance moves, so obviously I said you've got to be f*cking joking to which he said "I'll Pay You", so as I was unemployed I reluctantly agreed to take his money and I'd show him the basic Northern Soul dances.  So he drives down from London one night midweek and despite my embarassment, I spent half an hour teaching him how to shuffle from side to side and by the end of the session he'd just about got it.  All this was interspersed with my downstairs neighbour Nancy keep ringing me and saying "You Dancing?" to which I have to reply "You Asking".... anyway we finished the 'lesson' and I said you mentioned payment, and he says oh yes of course, thanks ever so much, I've really enjoyed it, I'll just go and get the money, so I watched him from the landing go down the stairs, out of the door, into his car and off down the street at about 60 miles an hour, leaving me hot, sweaty, embarrassed and ripped off - if he's on here, you owe me £20 you b*stard.  

FFs Pete  :lol:

To all the evangelical soulies that say "we need new blood ", "If the scene is to move forward ", "Spread the faith dont keep it " "That culture show should have been a hour long ", Cant wait for the film " Bugger off

 

Be carefull what you wish for folks

To all the evangelical soulies that say "we need new blood ", "If the scene is to move forward ", "Spread the faith dont keep it " "That culture show should have been a hour long ", Cant wait for the film " Bugger off

 

Be carefull what you wish for folks

I'd like new blood to come onto the scene, but I can do without the 'Celebrity dancers'. Just said to someone, we're starting to get 'Prawn cocktail Sarnie Soul types', I just hope they realise that talc will make their pâté taste awful  

To all the evangelical soulies that say "we need new blood ", "If the scene is to move forward ", "Spread the faith dont keep it " "That culture show should have been a hour long ", Cant wait for the film " Bugger off

 

Be carefull what you wish for folks

 

Think that Genie is well and truly out of the bottle Mate. And has been for some years!    

 

Regards,

 

Dave

I say dancing should be banned completely now . It distracts from the ethic of what our, sorry the scene is all about. I actually saw someone dancing to micky moonshine and SMILING the other week. Its a disgrace. Ban it

 - if he's on here, you owe me £20 you b*stard.  

 

Was this the guy, Pete?

 

Was this the guy, Pete?

 

If it wasn't it will be soon, still at least the uniform is colourful....

I say dancing should be banned completely now . It distracts from the ethic of what our, sorry the scene is all about. I actually saw someone dancing to micky moonshine and SMILING the other week. Its a disgrace. Ban it

I think I know who that was Krissii, stand up Simon Cuerden

Was this the guy, Pete?

 

 

He does look a little familiar now you come to mention it.  His underpants were that pattern.

Think the dance tutorial videos posted earlier in this thread have been around for a while and are off the back of the growth in popularity amongst those of a certain age and exposure of the music as the retro music of choice for promotional/ commercial purposes over the last 13 (?) years.

 

Not sure that the forthcoming film is going to have a massive impact in terms of attracting more over 40's or that its going to appeal to the majority of the i-tunes generation.......will be like me watching the James Dean & Brando 50's youth culture movies when I was a kid, found them interesting but they didn't make me hanker for a DA and leather bike jacket to jive in..............that was for the old farts.

 

My bet is that there may be more media exposure of the scene following the release of the film but not a massive influx of new soul fans..........but who knows?

I mentioned this before but here it is again.

In 1995 when I lived in St leonards On Sea, I got this phone call from this guy in London who said he'd been given my name by a mutual friend and that I might be able to show him a few basic Northern Soul dance moves, so obviously I said you've got to be f*cking joking to which he said "I'll Pay You", so as I was unemployed I reluctantly agreed to take his money and I'd show him the basic Northern Soul dances.  So he drives down from London one night midweek and despite my embarassment, I spent half an hour teaching him how to shuffle from side to side and by the end of the session he'd just about got it.  All this was interspersed with my downstairs neighbour Nancy keep ringing me and saying "You Dancing?" to which I have to reply "You Asking".... anyway we finished the 'lesson' and I said you mentioned payment, and he says oh yes of course, thanks ever so much, I've really enjoyed it, I'll just go and get the money, so I watched him from the landing go down the stairs, out of the door, into his car and off down the street at about 60 miles an hour, leaving me hot, sweaty, embarrassed and ripped off - if he's on here, you owe me £20 you b*stard.  

 

He took your advice then Pete.?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtJB0pA1fCI

When Bruce Forsyth introduces a couple demonstrating Northern Soul in front of a div audience to be judged by a panel of "experts" that will be the end of life as we know it.....I was going to say I was only joking but?

 

Hmm, swap Brucie for the Divine Richard, swap the venue from BBC to Blackpool Tower and we might be getting somewhere..

 

 

 

Who gives a fat f*ck how anybody dances so long as their enjoying it.

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.

 

poor little jimmy , they found a miracle cure for his parkinsons , but it came at a price , he lost the ability to dance , the poor guy was gutted.

I mentioned this before but here it is again.

In 1995 when I lived in St leonards On Sea, I got this phone call from this guy in London who said he'd been given my name by a mutual friend and that I might be able to show him a few basic Northern Soul dance moves, so obviously I said you've got to be f*cking joking to which he said "I'll Pay You", so as I was unemployed I reluctantly agreed to take his money and I'd show him the basic Northern Soul dances.  So he drives down from London one night midweek and despite my embarassment, I spent half an hour teaching him how to shuffle from side to side and by the end of the session he'd just about got it.  All this was interspersed with my downstairs neighbour Nancy keep ringing me and saying "You Dancing?" to which I have to reply "You Asking".... anyway we finished the 'lesson' and I said you mentioned payment, and he says oh yes of course, thanks ever so much, I've really enjoyed it, I'll just go and get the money, so I watched him from the landing go down the stairs, out of the door, into his car and off down the street at about 60 miles an hour, leaving me hot, sweaty, embarrassed and ripped off - if he's on here, you owe me £20 you b*stard.  

haha, that's so funny! 

northern soul dance classes make me think

"where are we going,and why am i in a handcart"

Dancers Wanted for The Pete Smith Northern Soul  Formation Display Team being put together to tour the venues of the UK, a bit like the Red Arrows but on speed,experience would help if not full instruction will be given by the master himself, silly trousers and vest provided, two left feet a must lol

Edited October 8, 201311 yr by Mark Bicknell

Dancers Wanted for The Pete Smith Northern Soul Display Team being put together to tour the venues of the UK, experience would help if not full instruction will be given by the master himself, silly trousers and vest provided, two left feet a must lol

 

Shoes must be removed as to not disturb neighbours below whilst practising.

Hmm, swap Brucie for the Divine Richard, swap the venue from BBC to Blackpool Tower and we might be getting somewhere..

 

 

 

Who gives a fat f*ck how anybody dances so long as their enjoying it.

EXACTLY.WHY TEACH THEM THEN?

Living rooms were invented so the masses could learn to dance in the comfort of their own homes .

i run a northern soul dance class at home , well in the kitchen to be honest . it has built up to large number of regulars over the years , well 2 ! its only coincidental that they

are also my off spring . we take in the finer points of the dance , spins , back drops etc ! . i runs this on the lines of a martial arts school ( dojo) , grading  . when they in the class , they cannot refer to me as dad / farther ...they have to refer to me with my correct title " uncle knob head" ( 3rd dan) .....then lets begin .

As I said earlier, the kitchen is a great place to do some practising - roll the wrists with a tea towel, 320 degree spins from fridge to cooker, punch the air with the mugs that go on the top shelf etc. Being a swimming pool attendant was a great opportunity for practising in the 70's - wet tiles and Patrick training shoes perfect prep for the Casino but God knows what the public thought of us spinning/wobbling around.

Been showing a kid at work [he's 32] a move that I can't do by the way due to tight hamstrings and being old, he can do it so can his mate and as they were trying it they asked our supervisor [ 63ish] if he was into N/S, "am I f£&% they're all weirdo's" came his reply.

A soul-less mechanical dancer teaching others to do the same.

Dx

Edited October 9, 201311 yr by DaveNPete

Just waiting for the release of the first Northern Soul Dance Fitness Workout DVD, "Stompercise".

watch and practice at home is how we did it,,,,,

 

Exactly and anything else is perverse. Dancing lessons at a do ffs.

 

Start spoon feeding NS to nubes and they'll miss the point on discovery, enlightenment and enjoyment. 

"Run of the mill" ,"Circus" ,"Naff" , "Embarrassing" ,never ever thought that I would,one day in the future, be describing something that played such a big part in my life, in such terms......starting to doubt myself now..perhaps its me and my age.

Perhaps I dont have "soul" anymore...maybe I can find a "class" somewhere where they teach "it"!

"Run of the mill" ,"Circus" ,"Naff" , "Embarrassing" ,never ever thought that I would,one day in the future, be describing something that played such a big part in my life, in such terms......starting to doubt myself now..perhaps its me and my age.

Perhaps I dont have "soul" anymore...maybe I can find a "class" somewhere where they teach "it"!

Look on the bright side, none of the students have found their way onto soul source yet (or at least not posted within this thread) and as far as I can recall nobody on the thread has sung the praises of dance classes 

 

I think the arm movement is developed in response to the famous baggy trouser brigade slogan 'where's the bar mate?' - also known as the 'side travolta'.

 

Dx

Edited October 9, 201311 yr by DaveNPete

Jesus Christ,, I could swear..... I'd better not say what I think of all this 

Just waiting for the release of the first Northern Soul Dance Fitness Workout DVD, "Stompercise".

 

Replacemen hips, knees and slipped discercise?

The problem could be more widespread than we originally thought.....

 

https://vimeo.com/74906829

 

especially for Winnie and others....not strictly a dancing lesson mind.... 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSIzzwvbAuI

especially for Winnie and others....not strictly a dancing lesson mind.... 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSIzzwvbAuI

Your right Steve, thats our new Soul club around here isnt it? 

Coming to an OAP home near you....real soon

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMJ6a4WTVRY

If you are going to take up these dance lessons you are going to be needing these, otherwise you just won't have the magic

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MENS-BROWN-NORTHERN-SOUL-BAGS-TROUSERS-32-WAIST-/380733272808?pt=UK_Records&hash=item58a578b2e8

Coming to an OAP home near you....real soon

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMJ6a4WTVRY

Bet Martin Maylor from Crewe never though his discovery would be played in such a setting hillarious.

Oh this is all so sh1te it's untrue. I'm off

 

I think the arm movement is developed in response to the famous baggy trouser brigade slogan 'where's the bar mate?' - also known as the 'side travolta'.

 

Dx

This is so unbelievably bad. How could any self respecting soulie lower themselves to do this? Maybe the Dance Craze movement will make a comeback - you've done The Duck so now do The Cringe, The Sweep or The Cop On Traffic Duty.

Look on the bright side, none of the students have found their way onto soul source yet (or at least not posted within this thread) and as far as I can recall nobody on the thread has sung the praises of dance classes 

That'll be me then.  I attended several of Sharon's """Workshops""" five years ago (see post 66).  I found them absolutely brilliant. I learned more in 1 hour, than in the last 30 years; giving me confidence to get back out there (first attempted 'dancing to Motown' late 70's youth club).   

 

Sharon's sessions reinforced basic knowledge I already had, showing techniques that massively built confidence to attempt more advanced moves.  That's the reason I attended.  They were excellent.  It was either stand there like a twat at an allnighter for 8 hours getting pissed - watching everyone else have a good time, or get back to the UK, get some basics learnt, and give it a go.

 

I tried watching other dancers to learn stuff, but found a variety of styles.  There is no role model collective on the scene today - only top dancers who have the foresight, intelligence and enthusiasm to run teaching workshops for anyone who wants to learn.

 

35 years ago your average Northern soul dancer was simply awesome.  Today's average northern soul dancer - and no disrespect to anyone here - are well past their physical best (me included).  There isn't going to be an 'apprenticeship' for youngsters if the master craftsmen are seemingly overweight, bald, grumpy, pissed up middle-aged blokes lining themselves around the edges of the country's top promoted dance floors.  How are you expected to observe and learn to dance from that?  Game over. 

 

The younger dancers of today have therefore been influenced by some of the best seniors by attending sessions/ dance clubs that have helped develop young thrusters to an excellent standard.  Tommo (post 134) is just one of them.  More of that in a film later... 

 

I would recommend to anyone who wants to get back into dancing, to consider it. And I sing praise of the senior dancers who teach (i.e. Tommo, Chippy, Paul Sadot, Fiona Smith, Sharon Sullivan and those that support).  It will not turn you into a 'clone' of the person showing you the moves - you obviously further develop your 'own style' based on your own personality!!  It simply gives beginners or those returning to the scene the confidence to get out & dance.

Edited October 10, 201311 yr by dave2

Jesus Christ,, I could swear..... I'd better not say what I think of all this 

It's not like you to not say owt me owd duck . Go on let it out , we all want to here it .  .......................or are you a chicken

Striking up conversation with first timers on many occasions they generally say I'd like to get up and dance but can't dance like that, my usual reply is if you feel you want to then get on the dancefloor ,try not to invade anyones space and dance,nobody cares.After reading this thread I'm obviously wrong ,maybe it's just me but I love to see people new to the music discovering what I did some forty odd years ago and feeling rather jealous of their voyage of discovery , sure for most it may well be short lived but for the scene to survive and prosper new blood should be encouraged not scorned because of some imaginary handbag, they'll get there in the end as we all do. Remember, coming soon to a venue near you , The Zimmer Room for those who can only tap their feet.

To all the evangelical soulies that say "we need new blood ", "If the scene is to move forward ", "Spread the faith dont keep it " "That culture show should have been a hour long ", Cant wait for the film " Bugger off

 

Be carefull what you wish for folks

The problem could be more widespread than we originally thought.....

 

https://vimeo.com/74906829

Later on in the video he puts on shoe shine and comes down the stairs a la the Nicholas brothers...

If you are going to take up these dance lessons you are going to be needing these, otherwise you just won't have the magic

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MENS-BROWN-NORTHERN-SOUL-BAGS-TROUSERS-32-WAIST-/380733272808?pt=UK_Records&hash=item58a578b2e8

If most of us are going to have those particular trousers, we'll also need something to help us slim, so's we fit in them

That'll be me then.  I attended several of Sharon's """Workshops""" five years ago (see post 66).  I found them absolutely brilliant. I learned more in 1 hour, than in the last 30 years; giving me confidence to get back out there (first attempted 'dancing to Motown' late 70's youth club).   

 

Sharon's sessions reinforced basic knowledge I already had, showing techniques that massively built confidence to attempt more advanced moves.  That's the reason I attended.  They were excellent.  It was either stand there like a twat at an allnighter for 8 hours getting pissed - watching everyone else have a good time, or get back to the UK, get some basics learnt, and give it a go.

 

I tried watching other dancers to learn stuff, but found a variety of styles.  There is no role model collective on the scene today - only top dancers who have the foresight, intelligence and enthusiasm to run teaching workshops for anyone who wants to learn.

 

35 years ago your average Northern soul dancer was simply awesome.  Today's average northern soul dancer - and no disrespect to anyone here - are well past their physical best (me included).  There isn't going to be an 'apprenticeship' for youngsters if the master craftsmen are seemingly overweight, bald, grumpy, pissed up middle-aged blokes lining themselves around the edges of the country's top promoted dance floors.  How are you expected to observe and learn to dance from that?  Game over. 

 

The younger dancers of today have therefore been influenced by some of the best seniors by attending sessions/ dance clubs that have helped develop young thrusters to an excellent standard.  Tommo (post 134) is just one of them.  More of that in a film later... 

 

I would recommend to anyone who wants to get back into dancing, to consider it. And I sing praise of the senior dancers who teach (i.e. Tommo, Chippy, Paul Sadot, Fiona Smith, Sharon Sullivan and those that support).  It will not turn you into a 'clone' of the person showing you the moves - you obviously further develop your 'own style' based on your own personality!!  It simply gives beginners or those returning to the scene the confidence to get out & dance.

I like that you've answered Dave, if you look through the posts, not many have said NO dance classes full stop, what we've been debating is whether it's apt in a venue when there's others dancing. Tommo and Paul are both great dancers, but I've never seen either of them giving lessons inside or outside a soul night so that the 'students' can then go away and practice straight away on the dance floor. That's what I saw last weekend. As has been said, to dance to northern you need to feel it, I respect and understand your reasons for taking the lessons, but I would maintain some are taking the lessons, just so they fit in to what they are viewing as an important part of a social scene, without feeling the music. Sorry if this sounds elitist, it's not meant too, the contributors to this thread (including myself) are worried as to the direction the scene appears to be taking. Once again thank you for putting your point, it's appreciated. 

Other than Paul or Keb, who has the right to say they are qualified to teach NS dance? Maybe we should have an NS jury to certificate. 

 

Those two got into it organically, where gripped by the music, uplifted. Unless you understand the emotion of what the music means... It's the music that moves you, in through the ears and out through the feet.

 

Dave2 found it worthwhile to have dance lessons from Sharon or whatever her name was and that's a good thing. However, someone who has only been into it a couple of years, teaching someone else, one two three kick, one two three kick = Uninspired dance floor fodder.