Southport September 08 The Aftermath

[rubyred]

For me it was a weekend of mixed emotions, elated and happy to be there at that moment in time with all the good things in life, whilst also feeling sad that something really good has come to an end.

It was a fabulous Southport for me in general, and I now need some zzzz's, will post later.

So how was it for you?

[Andy McGregor]

I got back last night so I'm on the road to recovery - apart from my left hand which seems to have seized up on me

In the time-honoured way I'm doing the good, bad and ugly.


The Good - The standard of dancer: this was excellent, hardly any bouncers, tuggers, etc. Cabarets, brilliant. News about the new venue - fab! The music in the main room, a good varied mix. Meeting friends I haven't seen for ages.

The Bad - The music in the bar area during the afternoons. Too much slow R'n'B and slow rap music - more like poetry with a drum machine. Quite a lot of it was the kind of music you hear coming from cars with blacked out windows and underbody neon lights. Great if you like WCS, but not good for most people when it's the only place to dance while the workshops are in the other rooms. And hopeless if you enjoy variety.

The Ugly - My left hand and forearm are killing me - what did I do?

The Surreal - Bumping into Lynn about to buy a lovely red dress and getting the stall owner to give her a £10 pair of Lycra knickers for free.

[Filthy Monkey]

News about the new venue - fab!

and the news is...?

[Ringo]

not into big postings, but highlight for me was meeting Lee and Claire, teacher and demo from the south coast really nice people outstanding dance ability! thanks for the tips and advice guys. Oh and great DJ sets - funky!

[Andy McGregor]

and the news is...?

This was posted first by sway on the Eclipse thread.

It is Butlins Skegness I just got back from Southport due to being at college tomorrow the new venue looks fab. I have already booked Feb and June lol

Great news about Jive Addiction finding a venue so quickly.

It was actually quite moving on the Saturday night when John was in the mike telling everyone the circumstances behind them needing to find another venue (this has been discussed elsewhere and I have no plans to open that particular can of worms on this thread - please try to show the same restraint and keep that particular discussion to the outside thread). After a while John got so emotional he couldn't speak and had to hand the mike to Wes. I'm glad he didn't give it to me - I really did feel for John and I had a lump in my throat too

They had obviously filmed the venue when they looked around. It does look fabulous and very new. It's more like the updated bits of Butlins in Bognor - but even newer by the look of it.

I'm really pleased that John and Wes were given a well deserved standing ovation - you really could feel the genuine love in the room.

[StokeBloke]

Well... we're just in through the door.. heading to bed to try and resynchronise ourselves with the non-Southport world again. I will post a full report when I'm more recovered.

For me, this was the best Southport I have ever attended - breathtaking!

[Donna]

I'm really pleased that John and Wes were given a well deserved standing ovation - you really could feel the genuine love in the room.

This isn't Andy Mcgregor... it's Darius pretending to be Andy!

[Andy McGregor]

This isn't Andy Mcgregor... it's Darius pretending to be Andy!

This is an easy mistake for a girl to make. Stand me and Darius side by side and you wouldn't be able to tell us apart - except I wear more sexy shirts and shoes

[DianaS]

Hi Just got back and am having some hot chocolate before hitting the sack!

The Good
The atmosphere was really friendly the sun shone, people could chill and dance outside with the sun on our faces, there was a lot of happiness there and it was great to be back!
The tango classses with Amir were excellent. I learnt alot and went to each one. The milongas were fun too, with a low pressure crowd happy to experiment and try outstuff they had learnt just that day... Low on the performance issues high on having a go
Zebra womans set on Sunday was awesome - I really enjoyed it an especial thanks to her as I was up to my ears in WCS and needed the relief

Happy B was a lovely room mate, and has an excellent stash of bickies, Linda looked great (as ever) and did a fantastic job of getting us both there and back in one piece, and hanging out with Jivecat, and Tessa - we had a well needed catch up

And sunday dinner was great - a carvery next to gthe dance floor what more can a girl ask

The Bad
Not enough time in milonga..Sunday night we had 1 1/2 hours then 4 hours WCS. This was also being played in the blues room so there was a choice of WCS, WCS or at times WCS. Quite a few of us were milling between rooms looking for a good vibe and couldn;t fine one. I actually went to bed at 3 on Saturday night unheard of but the blues room wasn;t really bluesy so bed seemed like a good place to be

Great if you do it but a turn off and quite isolating if you don't. Rock bottoms are doing Jive and Tango in May so - this will suit me better!

Carella and Ken were lovely - invited me for dinner and I forgot the room number and got totally lost. Damn vodaphone - no signal!


The Ugly
Can-can dancers Urrgghhh
When you are sat on the floor the sight of their nickers was all a bit gruesome.

Happy B's friend had her purse lifted, Horrible and ugly.Very ugly.

[David Bailey]

Not enough time in milonga..Sunday night we had 1 1/2 hours then 4 hours WCS. This was also being played in the blues room so there was a choice of WCS, WCS or at times WCS.

Yes - JA have been moving towards WCS-centric events for a while now; I suspect this trend will probably continue with Skeglipse.

Nothing wrong with that, of course, and hopefully it'll provide some clear blue water between them and Ceroc, but it does mean that you get less out of the experience if you're not a WCS fan.

Next time come down to River Tango

[Astro]

The Good - The standard of dancer: this was excellent, hardly any bouncers, tuggers, etc.

Please could we find another word for tuggers? It's already means something else and I get horrid visions.

[Andy McGregor]

Please could we find another word for tuggers? It's already means something else and I get horrid visions.

Here are the Tuggers. They look like a nice family.

I think it's a sad day when people start asking you to stop using a word in common English usage because it can give some people "horrid visions". When I did a Google search on "Tuggers" I got references to fishing and fish that "tug" on the line. Nothing wrong with that - unless you're a fish. There was also a dog toy called a tugger. Oh, and many references on the UK Google search to the the "Rum Tum Tuggers" nursery. I'm guessing, but I don't think Astro will be sending her children to this particular nursery - it's in Epping so maybe she'd need to move house.

Astro's request is a bit like someone, not me of course, saying they'd prefer it if people stopped using the word "short" because it could refer to their short stature.

Topic? What topic?

OK, Southport was fab

[fletch]

Please could we find another word for tuggers? It's already means something else and I get horrid visions.

Yankers

[Caz]

Short post as not had much sleep since Sunday morning lol

Amazing time, had some of the best dances I have ever had on a weekender, and only a handful of un-awesome dances! Too many people to name but you all know who you are! Great socialising with everyone.. thanx to everyone that fed me and special thanx to Taz for introducing many of us forumites to strawberry and cream corkys!!!! Really feel like I have found my style now after this weekend.. On cloud 9 now.. tired, aching from head to toe but still can't sleep!

P.S. Have to mention the looks of disbelief / shock / wow-ness on everyone's face when I turned up in a dress last night....Thanx for all the compliments guys.

[David Bailey]

Yankers

Not sure that's much of an improvement

[DianaS]

Yes - JA have been moving towards WCS-centric events for a while now; I suspect this trend will probably continue with Skeglipse.

Nothing wrong with that, of course, and hopefully it'll provide some clear blue water between them and Ceroc, but it does mean that you get less out of the experience if you're not a WCS fan.

Next time come down to River Tango

I think you've hit the nail on the head
Thanks David
BTW don;t tell me about river tango, I'd booked Southport before I'd realised the clash and would just cry

[Lee Bartholomew]

Brilliant weekender. Got in at 5:30 this morning. Unpacking and will post fully later.

The Bad - The music in the bar area during the afternoons. Too much slow R'n'B and slow rap music - more like poetry with a drum machine. Quite a lot of it was the kind of music you hear coming from cars with blacked out windows and underbody neon lights. Great if you like WCS, but not good for most people when it's the only place to dance while the workshops are in the other rooms. And hopeless if you enjoy variety.

Thought it was pretty varied. Just some of the artists in then sets - Paul Young, Seal, 2Pac, Bon Jovi, Junior, Stevie Wonder, Eminem, Robbie Williams, Prince, The Verve and Rocheford.

Did see you dancing to both sets till you saw who the DJ was then moaned to anyone who would listen.

not into big postings, but highlight for me was meeting Lee and Claire, teacher and demo from the south coast really nice people outstanding dance ability! thanks for the tips and advice guys. Oh and great DJ sets - funky!

Thanks. Was great to meet you both too. Hope to see you in the near future and if not, at Skeggy.

[HelenB]

Amazing - I'm still quivering thinking about some of the dances* I had

Will try to post a full review later on - unfortunately I've now got to repack and get back in the car to drive down to Southampton for work , well, once I've had some ...

(*target exceeded )

[dave the scaffolder]

Ok sport fans just a quicky.....Awesome weekend had some top dances ever for me the standard just keeps improving beyond belief.

I am aching in places I haven't even been too.
Will write a full and lovey post when I am rested, in about a month.

DTS XXX XX

[stewart38]

Had a great weekend ,althought treated badly at the end cira 5.30am on the monday (will need to find out why)

Took the edge of a fabulous weekend and my 13th Southport

Everying was great , maybe friday evening the music was a bit mixed and matched

Was going to book ahead but cant yet because of above

For all those on the 'down' at present for what ever reason , im sure the up will follow shortly