Let's be controversial!

A bit of a follow on to the thread about The Best Northern Dancer Today

Am I alone in finding dancing competitions on today's Northern Soul scene irrelevant and dated?

No disrespect to anyone who enters them (and I have a few friends who do!), but why do we need em?

What do they achieve, if anything (apart from give some people an ego trip) ?

Doesn't it make a bunch of 40/50 y olds look a bit sad? None of us are teenagers any more.

If we are such a progressive scene, shouldn't dancing competitions have been binned along with Spencers etc after the Casino shut?

Why is is that some of the best and coollest dancers never enter em?

I personally would rather watch people dance naturally to records they love, rather than prat about to played-out dance competition oldies.

Over to you lot

Dave

PS No offence intended to anyone

Oh heck, I'm too late!

I think you've got a point there Dave to be honest. Bit naff these days maybe.

Used to be more frequent back in the day. Last one I remember was at The Plinston, Trickster won it.

Naff, Rubbish, no need for them, i can go on?

All though the Dancing DJs comps are fun

Let's be controversial!

A bit of a follow on to the thread about The Best Northern Dancer Today

Am I alone in finding dancing competitions on today's Northern Soul scene irrelevant and dated?

No disrespect to anyone who enters them (and I have a few friends who do!), but why do we need em?

What do they achieve, if anything (apart from give some people an ego trip) ?

Doesn't it make a bunch of 40/50 y olds look a bit sad? None of us are teenagers any more.

If we are such a progressive scene, shouldn't dancing competitions have been binned along with Spencers etc after the Casino shut?

Why is is that some of the best and coollest dancers never enter em?

I personally would rather watch people dance naturally to records they love, rather than prat about to played-out dance competition oldies.

Over to you lot

Dave

PS No offence intended to anyone

Oh heck, I'm too late!

I think there utter tosh & never bothered with them even as far back as the Casino, but if a promoter thinks there an attraction to his event & folks like them then ive no problem with removing myself from the room while others enjoy the comp.

As you say........ love watching dancers doing it in more natural surroundings

Edited May 3, 200718 yr by garv

I think they are waste of time,chances are the youngster in the bunch will always win,and apart from that, it just reminds us erm more mature chaps ,what we can't do anymore...dont like to see em at all these days

Bazza

Naff, Rubbish, no need for them, i can go on?

All though the Dancing DJs comps are fun

They,re more than fun .bloody hilarious,you can see why some of em turned to DJing

I think they are waste of time,chances are the youngster in the bunch will always win,and apart from that, it just reminds us erm more mature chaps ,what we can't do anymore...dont like to see em at all these days

Bazza

yep agree - very naff, one who usually wins is the one with the most mates in the place who scream and whoop as loud as possible when that dancer as much as does some naff 1/2 splits, a pretend spin or a geriatric backdrop

....and thats when they are dancing to something like The Drifter!

Edited May 3, 200718 yr by grant

Personally only know of two atm Prestatyn and Cleethorpes weekenders ?? are there any more ?? two a year i can live with that..

They'd be a lot better if they played the usual sh## records in the dance comp bit, and the good records when the rest of us want to dance, instead of the other way around.

Controversy 101.

Let's be controversial!

A bit of a follow on to the thread about The Best Northern Dancer Today

Am I alone in finding dancing competitions on today's Northern Soul scene irrelevant and dated?

No disrespect to anyone who enters them (and I have a few friends who do!), but why do we need em?

What do they achieve, if anything (apart from give some people an ego trip) ?

Doesn't it make a bunch of 40/50 y olds look a bit sad? None of us are teenagers any more.

If we are such a progressive scene, shouldn't dancing competitions have been binned along with Spencers etc after the Casino shut?

Why is is that some of the best and coollest dancers never enter em?

I personally would rather watch people dance naturally to records they love, rather than prat about to played-out dance competition oldies.

Over to you lot

Dave

PS No offence intended to anyone

Oh heck, I'm too late!

Agree - total embaressment. Bloody school disco stuff. 'Oh, everybody off the dancefloor now please, we need to see who can dance best......

I've never been a fan and do not understand the attraction. However, it does remind me of a nighter at Notts Palias in the early 80's when I found myself sitting next to a slim guy of about 5'10 who had slighlty curly hair. He was wearing a head band and a black glove on his left hand and introduced himself with the following : -

"Hello mate I'm Steve xxxxx from xxxxxxx and I'm the best dancer in here."

Funny, but he didn't seem to have any mates with him.

I do remember his surname and where he was from but it's probably best if I don't mention them, he might still be about.

Blackpool has one and it was/seemed the longest ever know to man!

Personally only know of two atm Prestatyn and Cleethorpes weekenders ?? are there any more ?? two a year i can live with that..

Togetherness/Blackpool Tower Weekender. Last one at the Tower was rather grandly titled the World Northern Soul Dancing Championships!?!?!?! Still groaning about it now........normally we make sure we are nowhere near when these spectacles happen.

Which reminds me, the best dancers at the Tower were told individually by a judge to stay on the floor and handed a piece of paper. One judge walked right past a certain guy, who was shuffling and half-spinning in a middle-aged sort of way.

Said dancer asked where his piece of paper was and was told he wasn't good enough.

"WELL, YOU HAVENT BEEN WATCHING THEN," he said, and stomped off, beer gut wobbling.

Let's be controversial!

If we are such a progressive scene, shouldn't dancing competitions have been binned along with Spencers etc after the Casino shut?

Dance competitons would get in the way of a good night for me. Having said that the venues I attend wouldnt stage them, comps only take place at oldies events and baggy fests (which I don't tend to attend) also weekenders (always another room to go to) so really dont bother me that much.

I've never been a fan and do not understand the attraction. However, it does remind me of a nighter at Notts Palias in the early 80's when I found myself sitting next to a slim guy of about 5'10 who had slighlty curly hair. He was wearing a head band and a black glove on his left hand and introduced himself with the following : -

"Hello mate I'm Steve xxxxx from xxxxxxx and I'm the best dancer in here."

Funny, but he didn't seem to have any mates with him.

I do remember his surname and where he was from but it's probably best if I don't mention them, he might still be about.

I think I know who you're on about, if its who me thinks it is he is still the oldies circut I belive. Did have a few mates though as I remember of the Kung Fu slipper variety

Good at the fliping malarky but a shi%e dancer otherwise which if I remember correctly he used to admit to.

Good on them for dancing to 6 consecutive records, and fast ones at that usually... you may all mock but I bet most of you couldn't last 6 records Kudos to them

Let's be controversial!

Am I alone in finding dancing competitions on today's Northern Soul scene irrelevant and dated?

No disrespect to anyone who enters them (and I have a few friends who do!), but why do we need em?

Over to you lot

If memory serves me well, we're not tied to chairs and forced to watch the participants. If you don't like it, skip off to the bar or better still go and annoy some record seller. That's what I do, anyway .

One thing i will pick you up on is the word "progressive" though. Is NS a progressive scene?

Controversy 102.

Edited May 3, 200718 yr by Kolla

Good on them for dancing to 6 consecutive records, and fast ones at that usually... you may all mock but I bet most of you couldn't last 6 records Kudos to them

The problem is Northern soul has become oh soo serious...the fun element seems to be null and void..i enjoy watching good dancers per se..whether they are Northern ...Jazz...Jazz Fusion ...Salsa...Latin.....Rock and Roll...Lindy. .swing. etc....if they are in a competition ...even better..most will pull out their own quirky moves ....to me it is just a bit of fun and not to be taken seriously....just a pleasent distraction within the soul night out....Delxxx

to me it is just a bit of fun and not to be taken seriously....just a pleasent distraction within the soul night out....Delxxx

Til someone gets in the way of yer armchair - fleeees

WULFIE XXXXX

Good on them for dancing to 6 consecutive records, and fast ones at that usually... you may all mock but I bet most of you couldn't last 6 records Kudos to them

I do hope they have the oxygen and STjohns standing bye you should'nt put peoples lives at risk like that,I would probably need an undertaker an all

Bazza

Til someone gets in the way of yer armchair - fleeees

WULFIE XXXXX

Oi...i can really do a mean shuffle sitting down...i have you know Delxxx

Best dance competition I ever witnessed was at Cleethorpes circa 75 when my boyfriend/husband to be was spotted in the throng of would be winners so out of his head that he didn`t know he was even in it!! Poor lad : Grown up a bit since then!! I think

Bring it on. Happy to give up the dance floor for 15 mins

Like watching people enjoy themselves competing & sort of enjoy watching it.

I do appreciate both sides of the argument.

Happy to stand around chatting to Simsy, Garv & Baz, but basically chaps you are wrong

Good on them for dancing to 6 consecutive records, and fast ones at that usually... you may all mock but I bet most of you couldn't last 6 records Kudos to them

that's respect enuff in my books

three in a row and I'm on my knees

Good on them for dancing to 6 consecutive records, and fast ones at that usually... you may all mock but I bet most of you couldn't last 6 records Kudos to them

I do actually last for longer than six records, when the music is good your feet move easier! :dance:

Not like you to be controversial Dave I agree too about dancing competitions as there are so many good dancers who don't go in for them. I personally don't like all the emphasis on acrobatics as very few actually blend it in to the dance steps, Sandy Holt was one of the few who looked as if he was still dancing when he did his floorwork.(obviously lots more than him but a good example)

I personally prefer to see really good footwork and dancers who are really feeling the music. Pete Ricketts, Simon and Vernon had superb footwork. Can't comment on who is tops in the UK, haven't been there for so long, but I have seen some on you tube, some good dancers and some more like gymnasts.

So I wonder too what purpose is it serving? Just dance to enjoy the music.We would never all agree on a winner anyway if it wasn't just up to a few judges.

Let's be controversial!

A bit of a follow on to the thread about The Best Northern Dancer Today

Am I alone in finding dancing competitions on today's Northern Soul scene irrelevant and dated?

No disrespect to anyone who enters them (and I have a few friends who do!), but why do we need em?

What do they achieve, if anything (apart from give some people an ego trip) ?

Doesn't it make a bunch of 40/50 y olds look a bit sad? None of us are teenagers any more.

If we are such a progressive scene, shouldn't dancing competitions have been binned along with Spencers etc after the Casino shut?

Why is is that some of the best and coollest dancers never enter em?

I personally would rather watch people dance naturally to records they love, rather than prat about to played-out dance competition oldies.

Over to you lot

Dave

PS No offence intended to anyone

Oh heck, I'm too late!

i take it you are not one who does the boogie woogie while spinning on your head

Best dance competition I ever witnessed was at Cleethorpes circa 75 when my boyfriend/husband to be was spotted in the throng of would be winners so out of his head that he didn`t know he was even in it!! Poor lad : Grown up a bit since then!! I think

Morning Mrs Bridget,

I haven't got my glasses on while reading this and I had to read this twice as I thought it said that Chris was spotted in a thong .

Steve B

Not like you to be controversial Dave I agree too about dancing competitions as there are so many good dancers who don't go in for them.

Have to agree, see better quality dancers with passion not in the competitions - acrobatics seem to be the be all ?? and this is dancing???

I find dance comps a complete waste of time and they are usually on mid evening when I'm really into the groove and then have to sit down and wait for the palava to finnish by which time I've gone cold and lost interest. Perhaps organisers could do them at a convenient time so as not to inconvenience the majority - after all as said it is really something for the 70's when it was more interesting BAh HUMBUG

Doris

Good on them for dancing to 6 consecutive records, and fast ones at that usually... you may all mock but I bet most of you couldn't last 6 records Kudos to them

Beg to differ with respect. If most of us couldn't dance to more than six records in a row, attending all nighters in the first place would be a bit friv.

Bring it on. Happy to give up the dance floor for 15 mins

Like watching people enjoy themselves competing & sort of enjoy watching it.

I do appreciate both sides of the argument.

Happy to stand around chatting to Simsy, Garv & Baz, but basically chaps you are wrong

I don't see that we are though mate. Come on they're a bit of a joke now surely?

Think weekenders and such maybe okay, they've got to pad it out with as much action as poss, but in general this sort of practice imo, is probably best kept short.

i take it you are not one who does the boogie woogie while spinning on your head

I have lots of stamina but no style (ask my missus)

This is nothing to do with me being a crap dancer, this is just a personal gripe.

Dave

I dont mind watching folk who can dance to music if its in time and follows the record,

but competitions for me are a no-no, make me feel even older than i am cos there good i am crap (still)

makes me wanna get someone to throw themselves off a bridge

Yours

John Travolta

Brooklyn

New York

when ya doin whatcha doin ye he he, you should be dancin yeh

Naff, Rubbish, no need for them, i can go on?

All though the Dancing DJs comps are fun

I reckon they should have one in Northampton Baz.... sort them all out once and for all!

Morning Mrs Bridget,

I haven't got my glasses on while reading this and I had to read this twice as I thought it said that Chris was spotted in a thong .

Steve B

Now then, Now then! He was out of HIS head. If he'd been spotted in a THONG we would have all needed something he was on!! Aahh ! Happy Days!

At Cleethorpes it lasts ten minutes, no-one takes it too seriously, some lucky sods get dosh, CDs and books and enough people enjoy it to warrant it's continuation. Hop next door for a bit of Modern or upstairs for ten minutes R&B if it's all too much!

Bring it on. Happy to give up the dance floor for 15 mins

Like watching people enjoy themselves competing & sort of enjoy watching it.

I do appreciate both sides of the argument.

Happy to stand around chatting to Simsy, Garv & Baz, but basically chaps you are wrong

Im wiv you Col.

We all get different things out of the scene, let em enjoy a bit of competition if thats what they like.

Christ im turning into a hippy.

I think there utter tosh & never bothered with them even as far back as the Casino, but if a promoter thinks there an attraction to his event & folks like them then ive no problem with removing myself from the room while others enjoy the comp.

As you say........ love watching dancers doing it in more natural surroundings

Bring it on. Happy to give up the dance floor for 15 mins

Like watching people enjoy themselves competing & sort of enjoy watching it.

I do appreciate both sides of the argument.

Happy to stand around chatting to Simsy, Garv & Baz, but basically chaps you are wrong

And what part of this is wrong then Col?

huh huh

Edited May 4, 200718 yr by MAK

Kudos to them

Seems like you get aftershave now Ady

A few years back I bet a mucker that i could get past 1st round of cleethorpes dance comp, tried to bribe judge with offer of a free pint but he was having none of it...Buggered off to modern room with tail between my legs and Ive not seen another comp since!

A bit on the naff side.......but some peeps take them very seriously.

I recall a Mr Cato entering one in Wales whilst under the influence and sliding around like Bambi on ice.

The younger more attractive element of the scene seem to be the victors.

Hence Catos early exit.

Edited May 5, 200718 yr by Richard Bergman

Dance competitions are great - especially when there's cash involved. I believe some people can win up to twenty of your fine English pounds for risking life & limb....1st dance competition I saw was in Cleethorpes 10 years ago & I was gobsmacked. My only complaint is the records should be faster

I agree with the comments above, dance competitions are one of the most embarrassing elements of the scene and I'm really pleased they are no longer a regular event.

If we HAVE to have them, I think the Australian weekenders seem to have got it sussed.

'Best Dancer' trophies are handed out at the end of the weekend based on who the judges have seen dancing over the WHOLE weekender.

This means that the winner is likely to be the person who has danced all weekend rather than those who can only manage 10 minutes of basic gymnastics and then are never seen on the dancefloor for the rest of the weekend.

More of a stamina award than a dancing competition!!!

A bit on the naff side.......but some peeps take them very seriously.

I recall a Mr Cato entering one in Wales whilst under the influence and sliding around like Bambi on ice.

The younger more attractive element of the scene seem to be the victors.

Hence Catos early exit.

thats was the word i was looking for bambi if ur looking in stev no i dont work in a circus.

Billy

I agree with the comments above, dance competitions are one of the most embarrassing elements of the scene and I'm really pleased they are no longer a regular event.

If we HAVE to have them, I think the Australian weekenders seem to have got it sussed.

'Best Dancer' trophies are handed out at the end of the weekend based on who the judges have seen dancing over the WHOLE weekender.

This means that the winner is likely to be the person who has danced all weekend rather than those who can only manage 10 minutes of basic gymnastics and then are never seen on the dancefloor for the rest of the weekend.

More of a stamina award than a dancing competition!!!

Now that is a good idea

Bazza

Now that is a good idea

Bazza

seconded Delxx

I agree about dance comps being a waste of time and feel that most people who enter are the ones who think they are good themselves, if you're going to have a competition then why not do it in secret, eg: watch everyone throughout the night to a mixture of sounds, and then they'll all dance naturally without having to show off. If you teell them at the end of the night who has won they'll be chuffed to bits and then it will have been done fairly. The hundreds of brilliant dancers who do not enter these outdated things will all be watched as well. P.S not meaning to offend anyone!

How about playing non stop upbeat stuff and make it last man standing.....

I'd last about half a record

I agree with the comments above, dance competitions are one of the most embarrassing elements of the scene and I'm really pleased they are no longer a regular event.

If we HAVE to have them, I think the Australian weekenders seem to have got it sussed.

'Best Dancer' trophies are handed out at the end of the weekend based on who the judges have seen dancing over the WHOLE weekender.

This means that the winner is likely to be the person who has danced all weekend rather than those who can only manage 10 minutes of basic gymnastics and then are never seen on the dancefloor for the rest of the weekend.

More of a stamina award than a dancing competition!!!

...Much better..I was at the weekender in 2004 and that was how it was done,a nice little gift at the end of the weekend,no real fuss...