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Ianc1971

By Ianc1971
in All About the SOUL

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Ianc1971

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this is the right board to post this on but i'm gonna throw it out there.

I'm new to the site and this is my first post so be gentle with me. I've recently gotten into Northern Soul in the last few years and totally enjoy the music. I guess the next step for me would be goin to a  NS nite, but personally i'd like to be able to get on the dance floor and not make a complete fool of myself. I've watched tutorials on youtube and was wondering if anyone knew of any dance classes in the North West area (well Wigan really). Alot of people (posts) say its not about being a good dancer but enjoying the music, which i agree.  But i'd at least be able to at least master the basic moves....

 

Any help would be much appreciated

KTF !!

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Lovemusic
Lovemusic

When I first got into the music in the early 70's we didn't have YouTube or smartphones, we just went to the venues, stood on the edge of the dancefloor and watched. You then went home, found a full l

Ianc1971
Ianc1971

Well funny you should say that. Me & our peg went to Lowton Civic Hall's Northern Soul, our first ever NS nite last night. Totally, totally amazing. We travelled down the M6, a bit apprehensive no

Steve S 60
Steve S 60

What lovemusic said, just don't waste any money on dance lessons which are run by divvies cashing in on the uninitiated.

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Peter99 Veteran

Peter99

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10 minutes ago, Ianc1971 said:

this is the right board to post this on but i'm gonna throw it out there.

I'm new to the site and this is my first post so be gentle with me. I've recently gotten into Northern Soul in the last few years and totally enjoy the music. I guess the next step for me would be goin to a  NS nite, but personally i'd like to be able to get on the dance floor and not make a complete fool of myself. I've watched tutorials on youtube and was wondering if anyone knew of any dance classes in the North West area (well Wigan really). Alot of people (posts) say its not about being a good dancer but enjoying the music, which i agree.  But i'd at least be able to at least master the basic moves....

 

Any help would be much appreciated

KTF !!

You don't need dance classes mate. Just get on the dance floor, get into the vibe and enjoy yourself. 

Welcome to the site.

Pete

:shades:

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Peter99 Veteran

Peter99

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2 minutes ago, Ianc1971 said:

Cheers pal. i understand what you mean but i dont think i'd have the confidence without knowing some steps first.

Have a look on some YouTube vids - just google. Also plenty of vids on here. You'll probably make plenty of new friends on here - probably some will be local and happy to take you to a venue.

what's your name? 

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Peter99 Veteran

Peter99

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1 minute ago, Ianc1971 said:

My name is Ian pal. My missus is really into it as well. I've looked up a few local nites but we've always been away when they're on. Looking forward to going to our first nite.

Nice one Ian. Enjoy the site and your new found music interest. 

:thumbsup:

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Practise in your kitchen, that's how most people gain their confidence. A dance class will destroy any freedom of expression, which is what the dancing is all about. You may feel all eyes are on you on the dance floor, that's simply NOT the case. It's a very embracing scene. As long as you're there, genuine, and not carrying drinks across the dance floor, nobody gives a flying fiddle about how you dance. You should see me! I dance like I'm wired up to the national grid! Don't waste your time and money on a "dance class". Just practise in the privacy of your own home with You Tube. The more you practise the more confident and comfortable you'll be. Good luck! :thumbsup:

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Lovemusic Regular

Lovemusic

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When I first got into the music in the early 70's we didn't have YouTube or smartphones, we just went to the venues, stood on the edge of the dancefloor and watched. You then went home, found a full length mirror and tried out a few moves. Back to the club, edge of the floor, and steeled yourself to take that first step. Once you did you were swallowed up in the music, the rumbling bass, the gyrating words spiralling through the air and into your ears. After that nothing really mattered, least of all what others thought of your moves. if you sneaked a peak at the other dancers, you'd see they were lost in their own thing too.

The dance styles of today, to my eyes, seem very formulated, do a little shuffle thing that looks like you're polishing the floor with each foot, quite tamely , and if you do the acrobatics then everything else is just marking time till the backdrop, the kick and the spin.

I'd always prefer the feet being led by the rhythm, and everything else led by the soul. Anything else was an accent, a highpoint in the song, but not the main part of your performance.

Just be glad you don't want to dance to the fierce jazz fusion/samba/Latin grooves of the 80's. now that was competitive!

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Kegsy Veteran

Kegsy

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12 hours ago, Ianc1971 said:

this is the right board to post this on but i'm gonna throw it out there.

I'm new to the site and this is my first post so be gentle with me. I've recently gotten into Northern Soul in the last few years and totally enjoy the music. I guess the next step for me would be goin to a  NS nite, but personally i'd like to be able to get on the dance floor and not make a complete fool of myself. I've watched tutorials on youtube and was wondering if anyone knew of any dance classes in the North West area (well Wigan really). Alot of people (posts) say its not about being a good dancer but enjoying the music, which i agree.  But i'd at least be able to at least master the basic moves....

 

Any help would be much appreciated

KTF !!

Its NOT compulsory to hit the floor, especially on your first few nights, nobody notices if you do or don't dance. So go to a night, watch what goes on, practice at home if possible, and hit the floor when you feel ready. As has been said lessons will be a waste of time and money, dancing to soul music is a very individual thing, nobody does it the same way, it's NOT like line dancing.

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Twoshoes Long Time

Twoshoes

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Welcome to the scene Ian, just get out there, too many first timers I've spoken to over the years get concerned about what others think and feel they have to dance a certain way. Just get out there and your own steps will flow with the music,Christ I hate to think what I look like on the floor but who cares, if you have got into the music purely off CDs and YouTube getting out and about will blow you away.

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Lovemusic Regular

Lovemusic

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Just re-read your first post LANC1971  and I spotted something I missed before.

You implied you'd never been to a NS venue before.

Get yourself to one asap. Some music can be appreciated via vinyl, cd's and online. Not so Northern Soul. you need to be at the frontline. Whether dancing or listening, with mates or on your own. it will blow your mind!!!

Get to Lowton Civic next Friday night, £7 on the door. May will take your money, and Rob Haigh will probably be next to her. Say hello and tell him it's your first NS night, and Andy Love recommended you came here first.

Rob is on here, as is Barry Maleady the promoter for Lowton. A friendlier bunch you couldn't ask for. 

Apart from the friendly crowd, and the great music, the star is the big dancefloor and high ceiling. Your music at home will never sound the same again!

 

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Peter99 Veteran

Peter99

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2 minutes ago, lovemusic said:

Just re-read your first post LANC1971  and I spotted something I missed before.

You implied you'd never been to a NS venue before.

Get yourself to one asap. Some music can be appreciated via vinyl, cd's and online. Not so Northern Soul. you need to be at the frontline. Whether dancing or listening, with mates or on your own. it will blow your mind!!!

Get to Lowton Civic next Friday night, £7 on the door. May will take your money, and Rob Haigh will probably be next to her. Say hello and tell him it's your first NS night, and Andy Love recommended you came here first.

Rob is on here, as is Barry Maleady the promoter for Lowton. A friendlier bunch you couldn't ask for. 

Apart from the friendly crowd, and the great music, the star is the big dancefloor and high ceiling. Your music at home will never sound the same again!

 

Barry hasn't been on here for ages - is he alright?

P 

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BabyBoyAndMyLass Long Time

BabyBoyAndMyLass

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16 hours ago, Ianc1971 said:

Cheers pal. i understand what you mean but i dont think i'd have the confidence without knowing some steps first.

Hi and welcome, we're pretty new here too, whereas my lass is a great dancer I'm pretty s**t...

Everyone was crap at first, don't worry about it, when I started goin' in the 8ts I hung around with all ex-Wigan folks, they were all pretty good movers, I was pretty terrible though and came in for a fair bit of light-hearted p**s taking, when anyone laughed at my dancin' I just used to say 'Yeah but I'm great at fightin'...

When you're 'in' the record it's impossible to look uncool, just get up there and let your hair down, once you get that no-one gives a f**k you'll be fine, anyone who says anything is a dick and is way more uncool than someone diggin' the groove! The soul scene has always been way cool in this respect, oh and if you crash into someone, apologise, smile and shake hands, you just made a new friend! Oh and if you're blessed with lots of hair don't forget the Johnny Thunders hair flick!

Practise dancin' round the kitchen, shock the postman!

Practise to this one, the instructions are in the lyrics!

 

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Kegsy Veteran

Kegsy

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2 hours ago, Peter99 said:

Barry hasn't been on here for ages - is he alright?

P 

 

1 hour ago, Steve S 60 said:

He posted on the events comments 4 hours ago, Peter.

4 hours IS ages when you live in Nottingham, me duck. :D

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Thinksmart Regular

Thinksmart

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Stand at the edge of the floor, watch and gradually move your feet a little bit how you see the others doing it.  Then away from the venue practice a bit at home with some music on.   Classes are inherently wrong for Northern Soul, it does not work like that, this is about freedom of expression immersed into the joyful music.  So long as you don't try anything crazy you'll be fine and nobody will notice anyway.  Enjoy the journey.

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Ianc1971 Participant

Ianc1971

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WOW.......

 

Thanks so much all of you for the info... Believe me i HAVE practiced in the Kitchen with my German Shepherd who seems to be a better mover than me.......

I guess i'm just gonna have top bite the bullet and hit the floor.

Thanks 'lovemusic' I'll have a look at Lowton Civic next friday. I used to live a stones throw away in my younger days being originally from Golborne & my missus is from Lowton albeit the Golborne side. I guess theres so much to learn about the scene. The more i listen and read, hear about it the more it draws me in. Just finished a book called 'The Story Of Northern Soul by David Nowell. A truly cracking read. Pity i wasnt around in its hayday (well i was was but to young). . How much money you all must have spent collecting records or just buying the ones you really liked must have been a challenge in itself  What an amazing time you all must have had. 

Right i think its time to hit the kitchen as my feet are taping as i'm listening to my own compilation gathered from many CD's (thank god for eBay). Anyway thanks again for all the help and advice, its much appreciated.

 

Cheers

Ian

 

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Hornet Regular

Hornet

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11 hours ago, flamingemeralds said:

Practise in your kitchen, that's how most people gain their confidence. A dance class will destroy any freedom of expression, which is what the dancing is all about. You may feel all eyes are on you on the dance floor, that's simply NOT the case. It's a very embracing scene. As long as you're there, genuine, and not carrying drinks across the dance floor, nobody gives a flying fiddle about how you dance. You should see me! I dance like I'm wired up to the national grid! Don't waste your time and money on a "dance class". Just practise in the privacy of your own home with You Tube. The more you practise the more confident and comfortable you'll be. Good luck! :thumbsup:

Never danced in the kitchen ever but suppose flour could B A good substitute 2 talc ! Go watch & dance ! Simples ! 

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2 hours ago, hornet said:

Never danced in the kitchen ever but suppose flour could B A good substitute 2 talc ! Go watch & dance ! Simples ! 

I'm a woman, I know my place :P!

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Lovemusic Regular

Lovemusic

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3 hours ago, Ianc1971 said:

 

WOW.......

 

Thanks so much all of you for the info... Believe me i HAVE practiced in the Kitchen with my German Shepherd who seems to be a better mover than me.......

I guess i'm just gonna have top bite the bullet and hit the floor.

Thanks 'lovemusic' I'll have a look at Lowton Civic next friday. I used to live a stones throw away in my younger days being originally from Golborne & my missus is from Lowton albeit the Golborne side. I guess theres so much to learn about the scene. The more i listen and read, hear about it the more it draws me in. Just finished a book called 'The Story Of Northern Soul by David Nowell. A truly cracking read. Pity i wasnt around in its hayday (well i was was but to young). . How much money you all must have spent collecting records or just buying the ones you really liked must have been a challenge in itself  What an amazing time you all must have had. 

Right i think its time to hit the kitchen as my feet are taping as i'm listening to my own compilation gathered from many CD's (thank god for eBay). Anyway thanks again for all the help and advice, its much appreciated.

 

Cheers

Ian

 

 

Hi Ian

met Dave Nowell at the Casino mid 70's.

we used to call him Immaculate Dave, because that was his favourite phrase. Kept in touch over the years, and when he was writing his book he asked me for some comments on the scene at the time, and about my magazine Love Music Review.

i sent him a long email, and when the book came out, the email was there in its entirety. That was a surprise, a nice one though.

 

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On 01/12/2016 at 21:21, Ianc1971 said:

Cheers pal. i understand what you mean but i dont think i'd have the confidence without knowing some steps first.

That`s exactly how it started for all of us Ian!.....Problem with dance lessons is, all the people who`ve had them......(and 99.9% of these people are the younger end of the scene) stand out a mile, you can see they`ve been "Taught" how to dance and, although some are quite good dancers they`ve have missed the point. They look like robots and have no natural SOUL!

 

Get to a night, talk to the people (they won`t bite!) and watch & learn :yes:

 

Welcome to the best underground music scene in the world! :hatsoff2:

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Pga1 Regular

Pga1

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Hiya Ian, like everyone says, just enjoy. Make your own moves, I do regularly  especially on way to bar across ( I said to bar) dance floor. BEWARE of lessons, I spent ages  and loads of money perfecting the skate. First night out and they play 'twine time'  beware of some on here as you probably noticed, quite mad. Cheers

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Andi Participant

Andi

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On 12/4/2016 at 10:10, Steve Lane said:

That`s exactly how it started for all of us Ian!.....Problem with dance lessons is, all the people who`ve had them......(and 99.9% of these people are the younger end of the scene) stand out a mile, you can see they`ve been "Taught" how to dance and, although some are quite good dancers they`ve have missed the point. They look like robots and have no natural SOUL!

 

Get to a night, talk to the people (they won`t bite!) and watch & learn :yes:

 

Welcome to the best underground music scene in the world! :hatsoff2:

And who taught then ...

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22 hours ago, Andi said:

theM :( 

I see people out and about and say "they go to <DELETED>'s class."

You`ve just got to find it inside yourself :yes:....no matter how bambi-like you think you are it`s in there somewhere and only you can find it!

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Zed1 Long Time

Zed1

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On ‎01‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 21:07, Ianc1971 said:

this is the right board to post this on but i'm gonna throw it out there.

I'm new to the site and this is my first post so be gentle with me. I've recently gotten into Northern Soul in the last few years and totally enjoy the music. I guess the next step for me would be goin to a  NS nite, but personally i'd like to be able to get on the dance floor and not make a complete fool of myself. I've watched tutorials on youtube and was wondering if anyone knew of any dance classes in the North West area (well Wigan really). Alot of people (posts) say its not about being a good dancer but enjoying the music, which i agree.  But i'd at least be able to at least master the basic moves....

 

Any help would be much appreciated

KTF !!

A half pissed baby Giraffe in Lead diving boots could learn a basic NS dance in 20 minutes, it's REALLY not that hard. You don't need Dance lessons unless you've got a thing for Stetsons, cowboy boots and line dancing.

 

 

 

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Ian Stacey Long Time

Ian Stacey

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:thumbsup:  WELCOME to the scene IAN , you don't need dancing lesson any soulies worth his salt will show you how to dance .Not to worry if you aint good at it as no one will take the piss . just get out their & do you own thing utube is a good place to see styles & footwork .But don't pay anyone that's just a waste of money .KTF

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