What The Hell Is Happening?

[Paul-s]

https://www.dancenorthern.com/dvd.html   -    

 

 

"It's fit, it's fun and very, very soulful."  -  is the catch phrase and marketing. So is it?

 

Is it just me, or is this like a new line-dancing thing?

 

Can anyone explain what it has to do with any scene that was meant to inspire individual spirit, anarchy through individuality and LISTENING to the music yourself and developing accordingly.

 

Shockingly bad and nothing to do with Northern Soul?

 

Or should i just forget that moniker and what it meant and accept it has been hijacked by a bunch off sad, opportunistic, self-appointed, self important, self contained, self - congratulatory, controlling re-emergers?

 

World Northern Soul Dance Championships? Really? What world? Is that because the Blackpool event is so multi-cultural and representative of the World scene? Should it not be The Blackpool Dance Competition? I mean who makes this stuff up?

 

Its all so plastic and weirdly in-bred.

 

For those who say "forget politics and dance" well maybe you were not there in the first place. I got into it as an act of rebellion against the mainstream offerings of the time when i was young and kept that spirit through the 80's and 90's when a lot of Wigan goers had just packed in and a group of dedicated, soulful, anarchistic, caring people kept the scene alive.  Developing it in the spirit of discovery that had inspired it in the first place.

SO, politics gave 'birth' to the scene, it was an act of rebellion that inspired many of us to nurture it and ourselves within it.

Now the phrase "forget politics and dance" seems to cover a multitude of acts such as Dance Dvds and their accompanying guru's, World Championships, Dancing on crap TV and listening to the same 500 records over and over again..........

Politics is a necessary thing, not a dirty word as many proffer  in their simplistic arguments for doing what is basically a load of old tat. 

 

Thank the soul gods for the small clubs and true people that maintain and nurture the original political spirit of rebellion through their love of music. No DVD's to tell people how to dance, no top 500 hammered to death like nails in a coffin, no World domination through competition and a memory of the astronautical spirit of exploration and discovery that inspired many of us in the first place. 

 

So I say "Remember politics and dance"...

 

Just my opinion of course....

Edited April 2, 2014 by paul-s

[Mal C]

Paul I had the same reaction as you seeing that, dreadful web site as well. But different people access 'Northern soul' and all that in many different ways, who am I to to say this is crap when clearly there are folk enjoying it..no where near my cup of tea at all, but good luck to Fiona...

 

"It's fit, it's fun and might bring out a reaction in some." !!!

[Mark S]

Its done by that Fiona woman that only dances to the tune in her head and not the actual record and still wins contests FFS .

[KevH]

Rosemary Conley is looking to revive her career.Maybe she ought to look at this cash cow.

 

Sad.

[Brav]

I've seen some of the Southerner's Dancing so I think the DVD is a great idea

[Simsy]

self-appointed,

 

This is the thing Fiona. Who told you YOU were/are qualified to give NS dance lessons?

 

What if I think your dancing capability is a bit crap? Does that mean you will be passing on sub standard lessons?

 

There was nothing wrong with how most of us learnt to dance. We heard the music, it moved us spiritually/musically and made us want to dance - either on the outer perimeters of the dance floor to begin with, or in our front room with the curtains drawn. That way is/was righteous imo. Fiona and her lessons are bogus. Again, imo. 

[Simsy]

"Every f*cker practices" - Keb Darge.

[Rob Wigley]

"‹Did anyone else read the testimonials ? California, Denmark , Wakefield

Kev from Kirkby?

[Kev John]

Northern soul Line Dancing 

[Mark S]

Ive said this before but if middle aged people did,nt have it first time around tough titty  what makes them think they,ve got it  it now , very very sad

Edited April 2, 2014 by Mark S

[Guest]

Haven't seen the DVD but I like the bit in the feedback that says:

 

 

2 yrs of frustration melted away last night when I got to grips with step 14

 

Step 14?!  I never knew they had numbers -- this is clearly where I'm going wrong... 

[Andrea Ko]

I've seen people giving an exhibition in pubblic once... with teachers and pupils... that was very edifying IMO

[Mak]

Here is the advanced classes

 

 

[Rick Smith]

I think it's hilarious.

You've got to laugh or you'd cry.

[Jnixon]

I've seen some of the Southerner's Dancing so I think the DVD is a great idea

 

Your comment just reminded me of a bunch of Southern based Jazz dancers I know who call NS dancers 'The Ministry of Silly Walks'. 

[Guest]

Here is the advanced classes

 

I don't even want to know what you were looking for when you found that!

[Emily73]

It looks like one of those daft advertisments you used to get in The Viz. Especially the Tesimonials!

[Andreas B]

Here is the advanced classes

 

Good dancer tune there, that a cover-up? 

[Paul R]

Thank goodness I live in Portsmouth, I have this on my doorstep  FFS

 

Paul

[Ezzie Brown]

 theres a large pound sign between the words............. northern ... and ...soul............now............ like the tat sold on e bay..but if you wanna do it/pay for it ,  fine .......reccession , worlwide web  access and returning or discovering 50 somethings   has changed the name of our game, everyone ones a slice of it  ....or what they think it is.........ez

[Barry]

:lol:

[KevH]

"‹Did anyone else read the testimonials ? California, Denmark , Wakefield

Kev from Kirkby?

 

 ,as much as you'd like it to be Rob,its not me.Gives a whole new meaning to the 39 Steps.

[Mak]

I don't even want to know what you were looking for when you found that!

Go on let me tell you 

[Daved]

This is the thing Fiona. Who told you YOU were/are qualified to give NS dance lessons?

 

What if I think your dancing capability is a bit crap? Does that mean you will be passing on sub standard lessons?

 

There was nothing wrong with how most of us learnt to dance. We heard the music, it moved us spiritually/musically and made us want to dance - either on the outer perimeters of the dance floor to begin with, or in our front room with the curtains drawn. That way is/was righteous imo. Fiona and her lessons are bogus. Again, imo. 

 

I don't disagree with your post but righteous? Really?!!??

[Bazza]

Its a load of bollox,as I have said before ,there is no such thing as a N/S dance,get on the floor,do what comes naturally ,worrying about " am I doing it right " is utter nonsense who ever is doing this wants a swift kick up the arse ,moving around trying to look like everyone else is not dancing , just my own opinion obviously 

 

Bazza 

Edited April 2, 2014 by Bazza

[Jason S]

lol at the last pic. 

KTF or toot for Thomas? 

 

https://www.dancenorthern.com/images/gallery/the%20dome/8.JPG

Edited April 2, 2014 by mike
changed embed to link

[Mick Boyle]

I need 2 dvds one for each foot - FFS

[Soulman]

FFS

[Modernsoulsucks]

Never even realised you had this dancing thing going on.

Must get out of the record bar more often.

ROD

[grant]

all goes I line with baggie pants, mugs, reissued badges etc

[Soulman]

For crying out loud.... she'll be on the feckin One Show next week. Either that or QVC

[Platters 81]

i quite liked it........mind you im still grappling with the Stafford shuffle..........

[Guest BAKUNIN]

Just went round the shop and saw two old boys raise their fists to each other....shopkeeper looked nervous till I explained to her it was the new "in -thing"  greeting amongst that age group along with the "granny shuffle".

[KevH]

Edited April 2, 2014 by KevH

[Pete S]

I know most of think it comes from the heart and you just eventually move along to the music but there was a time when you - yes, you - had never danced before in public and that was a big step to make, I remember I practiced for months in front of a mirror before I first danced, fortunately I turned out to be pretty good at it and I got confident very quickly.  Nerdy kids at our school even danced to things like "Get Out" and "Under My Thumb", it really got them out of their shells.  Then you've got some who really want to do it but are just petrified, and no amount of people saying 'just do what you feel' will give them the confidence.

So in that sense, I don't have any complaints about people being taught how to dance.  yes, it all looks a bit awkward but so what, nobody's been hurt and maybe a few people will have gained the confidence to dance in public after these lessons when they wouldn't have before.

 

 

p.s.

If I can find my dancing lesson post I'll post it up because it's quite funny.  The time I tought someone to dance..see below

 

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.

Edited April 2, 2014 by Pete S

[Reg Scott]

Oh dear me - it's become a 'soulful' keep-fit fad - again

 

Good luck to those involved but this is about as 'soulful' as a kick in the nuts.

 

Learn the basic steps? From the videos I glanced at it looked like a recipe for a heart attack!

 

Check this out for 'soulful basic steps'

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNijbxMusfE#t=27

[Steve L]

Beam me up Scotty 

[Quinvy]

I just wish it was available in my area. I've never been able to spin or do hand stands.

[Guest Bearsy]

Fiona has only been on the scene 6 years and she didn't know how to dance "northern style" when I first met her which was about 6 years ago.  Nice girl though.  

[Simsy]

I don't disagree with your post but righteous? Really?!!??

 

yeah 

[Biggordy]

You can either dance or you can't.  Simples.

[Simsy]

I practiced for months in front of a mirror before I first danced,

 

People want quick fixes these days it seems.

 

So you've had NS spoon fed to you, you've had your lessons and you've got your badge. Though you ain't gonna be making those faces though, you're just not! 

 

[Guest]

Paul -Understand what you are saying but Commercialism makes people ALOT of money who are into Northern Soul it not a passion for all of us its a Business imo

[Eamesy]

Never having been a fantastic dancer myself I never criticise anyone who gets out there and dances to records they love - But I've watched this girl on several occasions at various venues recently and have to agree with Ian - who told her she was a good dancer? How did she win a dancing competition at a big weekender - doesn't say much for the other competitors! I've seen her with one of her pupils at a soul night, giving him tips as the evening went on! I felt myself wanting to stand and shake my head everytime I looked - unbelievable!

[Modernsoulsucks]

From what I've seen on here it all looks jolly exciting.

I think it's really nice that the little people have something to do at these soirees.

ROD

[KevH]

People want quick fixes these days it seems.

 

So you've had NS spoon fed to you, you've had your lessons and you've got your badge. Though you ain't gonna be making those faces though, you're just not! 

 

 

 

100 club - with Gooner lurking in the background.

[Mike]

lol at the last pic. 

KTF or toot for Thomas? 

 

 

 

round and round

[Little-stevie]

100 club - with Gooner lurking in the background.

 I think Simsy as just come from behind the curtain, thats were he lurks i hear....

 

 

I would be interested to know about any folk who have taken these lessons.... Maybe its fun for some and helps a lot.....

 

In this world or war/ famine/ death its quite harmless i guess....     But yes, naff all the same....

Edited April 2, 2014 by little-stevie

[Jnixon]

100 club - with Gooner lurking in the background.

 

 you sure its 100 club and not a gay night somewhere? no birds show up at all or were they both in the loo at the time.

[Simsy]

 you sure its 100 club and not a gay night somewhere? no birds show up at all or were they both in the loo at the time.

 

Nah, she were taking t'picture..