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, 20231 yr by Paul-s

Update>

No reply from Kev R regarding the questions about the 'World' in the title of the dance competition.

So, the speculation and deduction must continue I guess.

3 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

Update>

No reply from Kev R regarding the questions about the 'World' in the title of the dance competition.

So, the speculation and deduction must continue I guess.

Is the Blackpool tower dance competition the only recognised competition? If so,then maybe it warrants the title? Equally and more likely is that very little thought went into the title because I would imagine 99.9% of the people there couldn’t care less😂

1 hour ago, Paul-s said:

Update>

No reply from Kev R regarding the questions about the 'World' in the title of the dance competition.

So, the speculation and deduction must continue I guess.

He's probably deep in conference with his legal eagles ...   

13 minutes ago, Woodbutcher said:

He's probably deep in conference with his legal eagles ...   

More like he’s embarrassed by the criticism and hoping things will blow over by the time of the next one. If he has any real insight into the situation, he’d scrap it and put on a live act or give the slot to some up-and-coming young DJ. We’ve probably all been asked to fill in some questionnaire about a course taken or service at the checkout - my view is that management should be able to judge how things went without asking dumb questions...so Kev should know whether it was a resounding success to be repeated in future or given the heave-ho as there’s insufficient talent to make up a great competition...

1 minute ago, Frankie Crocker said:

More like he’s embarrassed by the criticism and hoping things will blow over by the time of the next one.

If he's embarrassed by it then the threats of legal action are sure to follow , it seems to be an established MO whenever he's critisised on here ... 

Recently re-watched Elaine's Constantine's movie, with my son. I noted the disdain the characters give to a friend who wins the dance competition. 'dance competition! It's like Butlins' they exclaim. Was this your input Paul? Was that a true sentiment from the time? I have only a few vague memories of dance competitions in the 80's, generally thinking it killed the atmosphere at nighters, but saw it as just a part of the scene. 

Edited November 30, 20231 yr by Geeselad

On 30/11/2023 at 00:54, Geeselad said:

Recently re-watched Elaine's Constantine's movie, with my son. I noted the disdain the characters give to a friend who wins the dance competition. 'dance competition! It's like Butlins' they exclaim. Was this your input Paul? Was that a true sentiment from the time? I have only a few vague memories of dance competitions in the 80's, generally thinking it killed the atmosphere at nighters, but saw it as just a part of the scene. 

It was input from many people who went and who Elaine interviewed> It was also my sentiment too when interviewed. 

Just saw this clip that demonstrates why in a modern context! The level of narcissism and misguided self-belief is beyond words. Thats what happens when you host a ridiculously title competition.

Still no response from Kev on why yet.

On 27/11/2023 at 16:40, Dobber said:

Is the Blackpool tower dance competition the only recognised competition? If so,then maybe it warrants the title? Equally and more likely is that very little thought went into the title because I would imagine 99.9% of the people there couldn’t care less😂

What do you mean by recognised? By who? 

52 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

What do you mean by recognised? By who? 

I just wondered if Blackpool is simply known or regarded as the only yearly competition? If there aren’t any others then I suppose there title is justified 

15 hours ago, Dobber said:

I just wondered if Blackpool is simply known or regarded as the only yearly competition? If there aren’t any others then I suppose there title is justified 

Not sure I understand?

For it to be a World title, you would need to have a representation of dancers from other countries, invites sent out, qualified judges, a federation, rotating locations etc: not just the absence of other competitions.

20 hours ago, Paul-s said:

 

Just saw this clip that demonstrates why in a modern context! The level of narcissism and misguided self-belief is beyond words. Thats what happens when you host a ridiculously title competition.

🤣😂

6 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

Not sure I understand?

For it to be a World title, you would need to have a representation of dancers from other countries, invites sent out, qualified judges, a federation, rotating locations etc: not just the absence of other competitions.

Well to be featured in the Guiness book of records for example all it takes is one single fool doing his own thing...

If this is the sole competition of this category in the whole wide world then they can 'formally' claim the title.

But how can they be certain ? Like I'd wonder if they don't have such things in Japan for example.

10 minutes ago, Tlscapital said:

Well to be featured in the Guiness book of records for example all it takes is one single fool doing his own thing...

If this is the sole competition of this category in the whole wide world then they can 'formally' claim the title.

But how can they be certain ? Like I'd wonder if they don't have such things in Japan for example.

Yeah I’m just thinking in the most basic way,lamens terms if you like,I suppose if we knew of other northern soul dance competitions eg Japan, then using the the world title wouldn’t suit! I suspect no thought went into the title description at all and I doubt anybody cares really.

5 hours ago, Dobber said:

Yeah I’m just thinking in the most basic way,lamens terms if you like,I suppose if we knew of other northern soul dance competitions eg Japan, then using the the world title wouldn’t suit! I suspect no thought went into the title description at all and I doubt anybody cares really.

Yes, but its time to care. The BBC presenting a mediocre non-northern soul scene dancer as The World Champion, and calling the awful show she is in a cross between 'Phoenix Nights and Northern Soul' says it all. 

No doubt Mr R doesn't care as it seems to be all about product and paypal soul streams. 

For example, when Wigan closed, if a relatively small group of us hadn't cared enough to carry on, week in, week out, truly underground,  travelling miles to support venues, there would be no scene for returnees and online soul curators to swamp and parody.

I care about the roots of this culture and, for me,  it was built on decades of dedication, tenacity and caring enough to maintain connections to the musicians that created it, the vinyl, the dancing, the real souls and a collective understanding that its not all about  'you' or 'I'.

I often see these online Northern Soul celebrity dancers, filming themselves alone on the dance floor and thats very emblematic really...

Edited December 2, 20231 yr by Paul-s
typo

3 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

Yes, but its time to care. The BBC presenting a mediocre non-northern soul scene dancer as The World Champion, and calling the awful show she is in a cross between 'Phoenix Nights and Northern Soul' says it all. 

No doubt Mr R doesn't care as it seems to be all about product and paypal soul streams. 

For example, when Wigan closed, if a relatively small group of us hadn't cared enough to carry on, week in, week out, truly underground,  travelling miles to support venues, there would be no scene for returnees and online soul curators to swamp and parody.

I care about the roots of this culture and, for me,  it was built on decades of dedication, tenacity and caring enough to maintain connections to the musicians that created it, the vinyl, the dancing, the real souls and a collective understanding that its not all about or 'you' or 'I'.

I often see these online Northern Soul celebrity dancers, filming themselves alone on the dance floor and thats very emblematic really...

👍👍👍👍👍

27 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

Yes, but its time to care. The BBC presenting a mediocre non-northern soul scene dancer as The World Champion, and calling the awful show she is in a cross between 'Phoenix Nights and Northern Soul' says it all. 

No doubt Mr R doesn't care as it seems to be all about product and paypal soul streams. 

For example, when Wigan closed, if a relatively small group of us hadn't cared enough to carry on, week in, week out, truly underground,  travelling miles to support venues, there would be no scene for returnees and online soul curators to swamp and parody.

I care about the roots of this culture and, for me,  it was built on decades of dedication, tenacity and caring enough to maintain connections to the musicians that created it, the vinyl, the dancing, the real souls and a collective understanding that its not all about or 'you' or 'I'.

I often see these online Northern Soul celebrity dancers, filming themselves alone on the dance floor and thats very emblematic really...

Well said! It's getting harder to challenge these issues but it has to be done. 

1 hour ago, Paul-s said:

Yes, but its time to care. The BBC presenting a mediocre non-northern soul scene dancer as The World Champion, and calling the awful show she is in a cross between 'Phoenix Nights and Northern Soul' says it all. 

No doubt Mr R doesn't care as it seems to be all about product and paypal soul streams. 

For example, when Wigan closed, if a relatively small group of us hadn't cared enough to carry on, week in, week out, truly underground,  travelling miles to support venues, there would be no scene for returnees and online soul curators to swamp and parody.

I care about the roots of this culture and, for me,  it was built on decades of dedication, tenacity and caring enough to maintain connections to the musicians that created it, the vinyl, the dancing, the real souls and a collective understanding that its not all about or 'you' or 'I'.

I often see these online Northern Soul celebrity dancers, filming themselves alone on the dance floor and thats very emblematic really...

Excellent post buddy.👍

UPDATE:

Still no response from Kev Roberts.... 

45 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

UPDATE:

Still no response from Kev Roberts....