Opinions on newcomers

[shinyshoes]

So, I suspect I may see a divide in opinion here.....

Having dipped into a variety of posts there seems to be some very strong feelings from some people who feel that the 'scene' belongs to them and if you were not fortunate to be of the correct age at the correct time, then you are not a part of that and will be. It appears that those of this view are often happy to scoff at anyone who doesn't comply with the 'right' way of doing things or tries something new.

In contrast with this, I have been made to feel welcome by long time lovers of the music who have chatted happily to me and my friends, sharing stories and advice.

Dancing is new to me and to say that coordination is lacking would be an understatement. However, I have never felt so comfortable on a dancefloor as when soul music is playing. I realise now that it wasn't dancing I didn't like, it was the music I was being given to dance to. I wish I could do it some justice but fear it's not to be.
With this in mind I have some thoughts and questions.

Given the comments I've read regarding dance classes and those slating the quality of dancing online and at venues up and down the country what is your suggestion? The traditionalists say that you learnt from eachother, watched those at venues and went home to practice until you got it. If the venues are full of people who can't dance, who do we learn from? Am I to continue having fun, doing my thing, in my own little bubble at the risk of remaining a young whippersnapper who can't dance? Is there a list of venues where we can see the real thing? Would the door be open or would my two left feet be banned from the dancefloor? Are some of you really happier to see something you are so passionate about deteriorated and die with your generation? 

All opinions welcome, I think!

[Dobber]

Everyone should be made welcome regardless of ability,if a person is serious about the scene then anyone can clearly see that effort! I personally am only traditionalist on the subject of original vinyl only,no exceptions!

so fill your boots my friend, and you and your mates keep northern soul alive

[Twoshoes]

27 minutes ago, shinyshoes said:

Am I to continue having fun, doing my thing, in my own little bubble a

It's always worked for me, plough your own furrow and your style will develop over time, I can assure you there will be more than a few sat down watching you wishing they had the energy no matter how you dance 

[Divot]

Do you think we were all good dancers in the beginning?  I wasn't (and some would say that nothing's changed!)  Get on the floor and do what soul music makes you do.  As for the "Traditionalists," who cares, the future of Northern Soul is YOU!

[Julianb]

My dancing style has developed from energetic to shuffling

[Chalky]

The door is open to everyone.  Like you said we didn't go to classes we learnt on the floor, watched what others do and practised at home ready for the following week.

None of us are happy to see what we are so passionate about deteriorate and die, but we aren't happy to see line dancing either and other elements being brought into the scene...I presume it is the comments on this that brought about your questions?  Line dancing isn't Northern Soul.  The scene was once cool as f&*ck, all about individualism, athleticism, flair and showmanship, trying to out do those around you.  Not the formulaic routines we are seeing now.  I know we are getting on a bit or the majority are but christ they can still try rather than turn it into something it isn't or shouldn't be.  If they want to line dance go to a line dancing venue.  Everything that seems to be happening at some venues is exactly what we got into the scene for to escape.

But the scene is welcoming, just go and enjoy yourself, your two left feet will soon turn into one right and one left and you will pick the moves up but even if you don't just enjoy it, I doubt anyone will castigate you if you can't. 

We are just old and grumpy 

Edited May 6 by Chalky

[Agentsmith]

25 minutes ago, Chalky said:

The door is open to everyone.  Like you said we didn't go to classes we learnt on the floor, watched what others do and practised at home ready for the following week.

None of us are happy to see what we are so passionate about deteriorate and die, but we aren't happy to see line dancing either and other elements being brought into the scene...I presume it is the comments on this that brought about your questions?  Line dancing isn't Northern Soul.  The scene was once cool as f&*ck, all about individualism, athleticism, flair and showmanship, trying to out do those around you.  Not the formulaic routines we are seeing now.  I know we are getting on a bit or the majority are but christ they can still try rather than turn it into something it isn't or shouldn't be.  If they want to line dance go to a line dancing venue.  Everything that seems to be happening at some venues is exactly what we got into the scene for to escape.

But the scene is welcoming, just go and enjoy yourself, your two left feet will soon turn into one right and one left and you will pick the moves up but even if you don't just enjoy it, I doubt anyone will castigate you if you can't. 

We are just old and grumpy 

 

Apologies in advance Mike, its obviously meant to be light hearted.....but its the truth

[Mark S]

How you dance isn't important. Being authentic is at the end of the day it's about enjoying the music, understanding the history of the scene and most of all not falling for the hit the dressing up box baggy wearing hokey cokey knees up narrative 

[Paul-s]

10 hours ago, Chalky said:

The door is open to everyone.  Like you said we didn't go to classes we learnt on the floor, watched what others do and practised at home ready for the following week.

None of us are happy to see what we are so passionate about deteriorate and die, but we aren't happy to see line dancing either and other elements being brought into the scene...I presume it is the comments on this that brought about your questions?  Line dancing isn't Northern Soul.  The scene was once cool as f&*ck, all about individualism, athleticism, flair and showmanship, trying to out do those around you.  Not the formulaic routines we are seeing now.  I know we are getting on a bit or the majority are but christ they can still try rather than turn it into something it isn't or shouldn't be.  If they want to line dance go to a line dancing venue.  Everything that seems to be happening at some venues is exactly what we got into the scene for to escape.

But the scene is welcoming, just go and enjoy yourself, your two left feet will soon turn into one right and one left and you will pick the moves up but even if you don't just enjoy it, I doubt anyone will castigate you if you can't. 

We are just old and grumpy 

Yes indeed.

[shinyshoes]

Thanks for your replies. It's nice to feel the positivity.

So, where do you recommend a visit to? 

[Kenb]

13 hours ago, Chalky said:

The door is open to everyone.  Like you said we didn't go to classes we learnt on the floor, watched what others do and practised at home ready for the following week.

None of us are happy to see what we are so passionate about deteriorate and die, but we aren't happy to see line dancing either and other elements being brought into the scene...I presume it is the comments on this that brought about your questions?  Line dancing isn't Northern Soul.  The scene was once cool as f&*ck, all about individualism, athleticism, flair and showmanship, trying to out do those around you.  Not the formulaic routines we are seeing now.  I know we are getting on a bit or the majority are but christ they can still try rather than turn it into something it isn't or shouldn't be.  If they want to line dance go to a line dancing venue.  Everything that seems to be happening at some venues is exactly what we got into the scene for to escape.

But the scene is welcoming, just go and enjoy yourself, your two left feet will soon turn into one right and one left and you will pick the moves up but even if you don't just enjoy it, I doubt anyone will castigate you if you can't. 

We are just old and grumpy 

Agree...but i don't think i'd have gone anywhere ( or been attracted to anything) that was being descibed as "cool".

Edited May 7 by Kenb

[Petesi]

If you want classics, oldies and a smattering of RnB etc try one of the following (dependant on where you live)

Grosvenor rooms, The Northern line, Driving beat and of course The Kings Hall Stoke. Most of Peps events in the midlands are good as are Hitsville chalkys Darlaston Town hall Etc and Rugby, Nuneaton co op as well. Further south It is bit more hit and miss as their take on northern soul varies somewhat but I can recomend  Stewartby, and the Ivo re-union events, along with Poole and Bournmouth as pretty decent . Of course there will be many more but these I have commented on because they suit my taste in northern classics with a bit of other stuff played as well.

Happy hunting I am sure you will find your fav niche and as for dancing play a few tunes at home and practice to gain a bit of confidence ...we all did and... are still in my case. LoL. 

[Chalky]

1 hour ago, Kenb said:

Agree...but i don't think i'd have gone anywhere ( or been attracted to anything) that was being descibed as "cool".

Me neither

[Peter99]

I'm rubbish at everything. You can therefore state that thee is better than thy; already.

Peter

[Citizen P]

5 hours ago, Kenb said:

Agree...but i don't think i'd have gone anywhere ( or been attracted to anything) that was being descibed as "cool".

When I hear the word culture ..., I release the safety on my Browning!" 

[Shaafi P]

Definitely some fantastic dancers to watch and learn off! Darkhorses allnighter, Rugby, 100 club, Room at the top to name a few. Worth checking out and more than welcoming to younger people!

[Stephen Houghton]

It has taken me a lot of time and I mean years to be comfortable to dance .having heard a lot of comments along the way about comments on people dancing etc etc.one comments was when we went to the gliderdrome in Boston and we were quite bewildered by a comment made to us that our dancing wasn't right and you could tell we hadn't been into it a long time ,they were very taken aback when I said so 50 yrs + yrs of being into it doesn't qualify us .I because we didn't have the obligatory clothes on and couldn't stomp .so my advice my friend is just do your own thing ie dance /clothes/persona .and enjoy it because 50 yrs comes all to soon KTF

[Andy Cole]

8 minutes ago, Stephen Houghton said:

It has taken me a lot of time and I mean years to be comfortable to dance .having heard a lot of comments along the way about comments on people dancing etc etc.one comments was when we went to the gliderdrome in Boston and we were quite bewildered by a comment made to us that our dancing wasn't right and you could tell we hadn't been into it a long time ,they were very taken aback when I said so 50 yrs + yrs of being into it doesn't qualify us .I because we didn't have the obligatory clothes on and couldn't stomp .so my advice my friend is just do your own thing ie dance /clothes/persona .and enjoy it because 50 yrs comes all to soon KTF

Express yourself in your own wY on the dance floor mush.

[Hooker1951]

Shame Shame Shame 

Shame on you if you can’t Dance too, Just do your thing and leave the rest to the Music

ML

[Timbo58]

It's pretty simple IMHO, enjoy yourself, respect others.

Respecting others is easy enough -don't drink on the dancefloor, don't chuck talc about and try to respect others dance space, ignore the few events where you don't very clearly see that sort of respect immediately.

I'm on the fence with dance classes, the best seem to simply help to boost confidence and show how specific moves can be done, which isn't a bad thing, but some seem to be 'cashing in' which is never a good thing IMHO.

As for where to see decent dancers -any established proper allnighter or if you can't stretch to those, then any established local event with a decent promotor will usually have a smattering of decent dancers and you'll be able quickly to pick up good habits there also.

TBF the scene is a great deal bigger than just dancers -and I'd far rather see someone lost in the music and oblivious to anything else than someone who has all the moves but nothing alight in themselves.

As for older people being 'protectionist' -it can feel like that, but very few saying it are doing so malevolently.

Most of the comments are as a result the more embarrassing pastiches that seem to crop up when a previously largely underground scene starts to attract newcomers and it  & they then see this sort of behaviour and think it's ok or even desirable to repeat it, its happened on the Mod scene & the scooter scene in the last 10-20 years also, and is generally not younger people at all -but an influx of the middle aged looking for events they can dress up & attend trying to fit in, which is quite clearly not what 90% then do -ie fit in.

The best way to see the real soul scene is TRAVEL, very few of us are lucky to have a 1st rate allnighter on their doorstep, so travelling and going to various events will very quickly show you the etiquette and plenty of top class people -dancers. collectors, DJs and all round good eggs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 9 by Timbo58

[shinyshoes]

Thanks everyone. I think I've left it too late to squeeze in 50 years of perfecting the dance so I'll do what I can to just get on the dancefloor as much as possible. My spacial awareness is improving and the bumping into people reduced , shame my coordination isn't quite there!

I'm sure I can persuade some friends to test out a couple of further out locations so I'll try to work my way through the suggestions provided (keep them coming).

I fear I may fall into the dress-up category. I do love a pair of shiny shoes and have developed a small Fred Perry obsession

Oh well, you can't have everything.

 

[Chalky]

16 minutes ago, shinyshoes said:

Thanks everyone. I think I've left it too late to squeeze in 50 years of perfecting the dance so I'll do what I can to just get on the dancefloor as much as possible. My spacial awareness is improving and the bumping into people reduced , shame my coordination isn't quite there!

I'm sure I can persuade some friends to test out a couple of further out locations so I'll try to work my way through the suggestions provided (keep them coming).

I fear I may fall into the dress-up category. I do love a pair of shiny shoes and have developed a small Fred Perry obsession

Oh well, you can't have everything.

 

Nowt wrong wi shiny shoes or Fred Perry.  Worn a pair of brogues for decades and Fred Perry nearly as long

[Clee93]

5 hours ago, Shaafi P said:

Definitely some fantastic dancers to watch and learn off! Darkhorses allnighter, Rugby, 100 club, Room at the top to name a few. Worth checking out and more than welcoming to younger people!

Are you talking about yourself Shaaf?  Ay don't forget about Lewisham as well... It's alright there.

Edited May 9 by Clee93

[Petesi]

13 hours ago, shinyshoes said:

Thanks everyone. I think I've left it too late to squeeze in 50 years of perfecting the dance so I'll do what I can to just get on the dancefloor as much as possible. My spacial awareness is improving and the bumping into people reduced , shame my coordination isn't quite there!

I'm sure I can persuade some friends to test out a couple of further out locations so I'll try to work my way through the suggestions provided (keep them coming).

I fear I may fall into the dress-up category. I do love a pair of shiny shoes and have developed a small Fred Perry obsession

Oh well, you can't have everything.

 

All good  with yer clothing  then, and yes spacial awareness is a must. Oh and no matter what the floor is like  don`t get tempted to wear trainers, just take a couple of different pairs of dancing shoes.

Edited May 10 by Petesi

[Kev Cane]

On 06/05/2024 at 21:28, shinyshoes said:

So, I suspect I may see a divide in opinion here.....

Having dipped into a variety of posts there seems to be some very strong feelings from some people who feel that the 'scene' belongs to them and if you were not fortunate to be of the correct age at the correct time, then you are not a part of that and will be. It appears that those of this view are often happy to scoff at anyone who doesn't comply with the 'right' way of doing things or tries something new.

In contrast with this, I have been made to feel welcome by long time lovers of the music who have chatted happily to me and my friends, sharing stories and advice.

Dancing is new to me and to say that coordination is lacking would be an understatement. However, I have never felt so comfortable on a dancefloor as when soul music is playing. I realise now that it wasn't dancing I didn't like, it was the music I was being given to dance to. I wish I could do it some justice but fear it's not to be.
With this in mind I have some thoughts and questions.

Given the comments I've read regarding dance classes and those slating the quality of dancing online and at venues up and down the country what is your suggestion? The traditionalists say that you learnt from eachother, watched those at venues and went home to practice until you got it. If the venues are full of people who can't dance, who do we learn from? Am I to continue having fun, doing my thing, in my own little bubble at the risk of remaining a young whippersnapper who can't dance? Is there a list of venues where we can see the real thing? Would the door be open or would my two left feet be banned from the dancefloor? Are some of you really happier to see something you are so passionate about deteriorated and die with your generation? 

All opinions welcome, I think!

Not about how good someone looks on the dance floor, it's all about genuinely feeling and loving the music, that's all that counts IMHO, if you've got that, bollocks to what anyone thinks about your steps, even if you've got 3 left feet, embrace the phenomenon that is SOUL music, and do your own thing, bollocks everyone else 

Kev

[Leicester Boy]

On 06/05/2024 at 19:33, Chalky said:

The door is open to everyone.  Like you said we didn't go to classes we learnt on the floor, watched what others do and practised at home ready for the following week.

None of us are happy to see what we are so passionate about deteriorate and die, but we aren't happy to see line dancing either and other elements being brought into the scene...I presume it is the comments on this that brought about your questions?  Line dancing isn't Northern Soul.  The scene was once cool as f&*ck, all about individualism, athleticism, flair and showmanship, trying to out do those around you.  Not the formulaic routines we are seeing now.  I know we are getting on a bit or the majority are but christ they can still try rather than turn it into something it isn't or shouldn't be.  If they want to line dance go to a line dancing venue.  Everything that seems to be happening at some venues is exactly what we got into the scene for to escape.

But the scene is welcoming, just go and enjoy yourself, your two left feet will soon turn into one right and one left and you will pick the moves up but even if you don't just enjoy it, I doubt anyone will castigate you if you can't. 

We are just old and grumpy 

Nailed it right there. I would only add just old and grumpy 90% of the time. The other 10% were just old.

[Leicester Boy]

Couldn't care less what people think about my dancing,  when your in that moment you are the best out there.

[Guest]

Just remember a couple of things

there is NO correct way of dancing

there is NO correct way of dressing

enjoy the music 

err that's it really

Derek

[Woodbutcher]

It mattered a lot less what you were wearing or how you danced back in the day.

In a proper dark venue nobody could see you anyway , it's only in today's 'look at me' world , where every other punter is more worried about selfies and videoing every moment on their bloody phone that it seems to matter.

[Shinehead]

How people dance is a totally an individual thing to me, I am enthusiastic at best What seems to bring the scene in to ridicule these days is the baggies, towels, vests etc. not a good look these days on anyone even worse on the over 60s Leave  the baggies to the Bay City Rollers reunions.

 

 

[Woodbutcher]

33 minutes ago, Shinehead said:

How people dance is a totally an individual thing to me, I am enthusiastic at best What seems to bring the scene in to ridicule these days is the baggies, towels, vests etc. not a good look these days on anyone even worse on the over 60s Leave  the baggies to the Bay City Rollers reunions.

 

 

Now the waistband of the baggies is generally bigger than the bottoms combined , not a good look ... 

[Stephen Houghton]

And what's the most pockets on the back of the pants I've seen 200 right down to the floor (only joking)

[Professorturnups]

14 hours ago, Woodbutcher said:

Now the waistband of the baggies is generally bigger than the bottoms combined , not a good look ... 

 

14 hours ago, Shinehead said:

How people dance is a totally an individual thing to me, I am enthusiastic at best What seems to bring the scene in to ridicule these days is the baggies, towels, vests etc. not a good look these days on anyone even worse on the over 60s Leave  the baggies to the Bay City Rollers reunions.

 

 

The Bay City Soulers made an appearance at Soul on the Reef in Tenerife. 

[Peter99]

I originally thought that the thread was about newbies to SS rather than the "scene" itself. 

I'm never going to be a fan of the so called "flash" dancing sessions that pop up all over the place. There's the geezer - I think his name is John, who wears the huge baggies, which are half way up his legs, who dances at various places, including Blackpool seafront I think. 

It's just not right, contrived, and attention seeking, I would say "well their just having fun", but I would get hammered if I did. 

[Zoomsoulblue]

Honestly - Am not bothered, I think we’re over thinking this as long as they keep off the dance floor with there drinks am all good - I only go to oldies nights, so technically newcomers will hear the oldies for the first time - making the sound to them new
Imagine hearing Freddie Chavez for the first time

I also don’t see that many people under 50 attending - who are really into NS, I see some people (usually in a group of 4) attending as most soul events are a safe environment, and you know what the music sounds a bit like Motown - they enjoy themselves and it’s there monthly date night out - all good  

 

 

 

[Shinehead]

2 hours ago, Professorturnups said:

 

The Bay City Soulers made an appearance at Soul on the Reef in Tenerife. 

[Chalky]

It's the weekend, get out, enjoy yourselves and f*ck what anyone else thinks.

[Leicester Boy]

3 hours ago, Zoomsoulblue said:

Honestly - Am not bothered, I think we’re over thinking this as long as they keep off the dance floor with there drinks am all good - I only go to oldies nights, so technically newcomers will hear the oldies for the first time - making the sound to them new
Imagine hearing Freddie Chavez for the first time

I also don’t see that many people under 50 attending - who are really into NS, I see some people (usually in a group of 4) attending as most soul events are a safe environment, and you know what the music sounds a bit like Motown - they enjoy themselves and it’s there monthly date night out - all good  

 

 

 

I do see younger people in fairness and they seem to embrace the scene. 

I would also agree that for some it's a safe place to socialise. 

We can't turn the clock back but we have a duty to try and protect what's left for ourselves and the hopefully next generation.