Which country is best to learn Ceroc

[horsey_dude]

Ok. A number of you have been "Dancing" around this question in recent threads so lets bring it out in the open take the gloves off!

Which country is best to learn in and has the best Ceroc scene and why? I have Ceroced in NZ,Oz,England and Scotland and still can't make up my mind..........

[Emma]

The one you're in?!

[Lynn]

Originally posted by Emma
The one you're in?!

No option for Northern Ireland! I'm shocked! No - not really as since the whole scene is about 7 weeks old here! So when I find out the answer to this poll I can book my flights, sell my house, relocate my job... OK - maybe that would be too extreme...

[TheTramp]

Wonder how many people are actually 'qualified' to vote in this poll.

You are HD, and Nicky (Haslem) & Robert and myself. I know that Gus and Chris (and others?) have been to NZ. And a few other folk - David & Lily, Divi, Daisy, Hayleybell (and probably again others) have been dancing in Oz. But have any of those people been to the other side of the Tasman sea?

And how many other people from down under have ever been to classes in both England and Scotland?

Steve

[Pammy]

Does the Isle of Wight count?

Or France, Helen and I have done it there (so to speak)

[Dave Hancock]

Agree with Emma, that locality has to come into it, having experienced them all apart from Ireland (and NI), I'd have to say from a pure learning point of view NZ, especially in Auckland is the most structured learning environment. However, I think a lot of it is about fun and while biased I'd vote for Scotland on that one, so I guess NZ for learning, but Scotland for the best Ceroc scene.

[Heather]

Originally posted by Dave Hancock
However, I think a lot of it is about fun and while biased I'd vote for Scotland on that one, so I guess NZ for learning, but Scotland for the best Ceroc scene.

No you're not biased at all Dave!!!
Scotland is the best for Fun!!!


Heather,
XX

[Chris]

Originally posted by Dave Hancock
having experienced them all apart from Ireland (and NI), I'd have to say from a pure learning point of view NZ, especially in Auckland is the most structured learning environment.

I think Dave's hit it on the head - it is very structured and that is ideally suited to learning. But in defence of Scotland/England I'd point out that a tight structure is made relatively easier by the relatively small numbers in NZ, and unless you encamp outside the venue (which is possible!) it seemed to me you need a car to get pretty well anywhere in NZ. So if you don't drive, UK would be easier.

Originally posted by Dave Hancock
However, I think a lot of it is about fun and while biased I'd vote for Scotland on that one, so I guess NZ for learning, but Scotland for the best Ceroc scene.

Again numbers come into it maybe - it's easier to have fun when there are lots of people. Having said that, NZ works hard at serious fun

• The primary fun is based on being able to dance well - the 'sport' attitude of 'if it's worth doing it's worth doing well' that someone else mentioned (and which is probably shared by Australia)
• The intensiveness of special events - I'd say there are probably more 'themed' parties in NZ - and if you take it proportionate to the number of dancers, many more. People take them seriously - one guy at a fancy dress had practiced several years on his costume! (he came as a vacuum cleaner!)
• The NZ ability to form deep friendships - I've probably got as many enduring friendships from NZ Ceroc as I have from Scottish Ceroc. Here there's more a sense of partying with everybody whoever (which is nice, but on a different level).

Ceroc NZ also (officially) promotes many non-dance things - this is something that individual franchisees could do more of here maybe - just an idea . . .

[Chris]

And I suppose Scotland's well-known 'charm offensive' could be taken as a plus point for learning, especially for beginners.

Looking at the number of votes and posters, I suspect quite a few people who post maybe haven't visited all or most of the countries listed though . . .

(Why am I the only one championing / giving reasons for Scotland? Especially as I voted 'New Zealand'?)

[Gadget]

Originally posted by Chris
(Why am I the only one championing / giving reasons for Scotland?)

'coz we already know we is pure dead brilliant!

[Chris]

Originally posted by Gadget
'coz we already know we is pure dead brilliant!

Errrrmmmm . . . hardly your usual line of carefully argued reasoning Gadget

and I'm Scottish btw!

[Gary]

Originally posted by TheTramp

And how many other people from down under have ever been to classes in both England and Scotland?

Give me time.

Actually, give me plane tickets

[Debster]

Originally posted by TheTramp
Wonder how many people are actually 'qualified' to vote in this poll.

Hey - me too! Well, if you are counting people from Down-under who have danced in England and Scotland. (How soon he forgets me... *sigh* ) I've done a fair chunk of the 3 countries and am probably going to add NZ in 2004 (Anybody from Christchurch reading this?)

[TheTramp]

Originally posted by Debster
Hey - me too! Well, if you are counting people from Down-under who have danced in England and Scotland. (How soon he forgets me... *sigh* ) I've done a fair chunk of the 3 countries and am probably going to add NZ in 2004 (Anybody from Christchurch reading this?)

So sorry Deb. How could I possibly have forgotten you. So, when are you going to dance in Scotland again???

Steve

[Neil]

Is there any Modern Jive at all in the Republic of Ireland?

I suppose there must be some in Dublin (and maybe Cork, Limerick, Galway etc.), but I've never seen any on my trips there.

Ireland has a strong tradition of dance, and I reckon MJ would go down a storm there.

Sláinte!

Neil

[Lynn]

Originally posted by Neil
Is there any Modern Jive at all in the Republic of Ireland?

I suppose there must be some in Dublin (and maybe Cork, Limerick, Galway etc.), but I've never seen any on my trips there.

Ireland has a strong tradition of dance, and I reckon MJ would go down a storm there.

Sláinte!

Neil

When I came across ceroc on holiday in Sept on my return I did a search on the internet (I live in Northern Ireland) and I couldn't find anything north or south of the border. But that doesn't mean its not there somewhere.

Since then there is a jive class started in Belfast but as far as I know that's all there is - so far....

I think it would be good for ceroc proper to come here as I think there would be a good market for it.

[JamesGeary]

If you are a big guy or a small girl - Australia. You can do the lifts and aerials and real performance stuff for shows, solo or as part of team performances.

If you are a little guy or big girl - NZ. You can rapidly learn to be a good floor dancer

If you like interpretation / swing music - UK, because there are zillions of good swing dancers with lindy backgrounds who do jive/ceroc, and you learn to dance to a wide range of music.

I can't comment on Scotland!!

[JamesGeary]

Originally posted by Neil
Ireland has a strong tradition of dance, and I reckon MJ would go down a storm there.

Social partner dancing with enthusiasm overriding any interest in footwork? I think they've already got it. Had it before Mr Cronin in fact.

[Chris]

Originally posted by JamesGeary
Social partner dancing with enthusiasm overriding any interest in footwork? I think they've already got it.

It's just called "stompin' your feet about to keep warm" - technically known as 'Ceilidh'. Close relation of Scottish Ceroc. Footwork is about as necessary as in a rugby scrum, but don't let that put you off or think it isn't done with as much finesse as large amounts of lager will allow. Best also done with large boots that can crush the ankles of any pansy-dancers.

We Scots invented it and the Irish just joined in cos it looked such good fun.

[Neil]

Originally posted by Chris
We Scots invented it and the Irish just joined in cos it looked such good fun

Aren't the Scots and the Irish basically the same thing?

Neil