OK – Wednesday, that means I am recovered enough to string a few words together..
Thank you to John, Wes and the Jive Addiction Team for bring us what I consider to be the best Southport ever!
This Southport was more than I had ever expected it to be. I have to say that with the recent events being what they were, I was expecting a bit of a sombre mood running through the event. Instead of that we were treated to a massive send off bash! Yes, there were moments of reflection, and John did get choked when he took the microphone after the cabaret – shame on the person who was callous enough to cynically say that him being upset about losing such a personal thing spoiled the evening. May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits.
The Good
First mention HAS to go to Zebra Woman's set in the Blues Room on Saturday night. It was the best set I have ever heard in a Blues Room.. by a country mile. I think she must have gotten tired of me telling her over and over how good it was. To play so much new material on such an important occasion is a lesson to every DJ about trusting their instincts and pushing the boundaries.
The DJs were amazing. Dance Demon and Sheepman played inspired sets, Blueshoes also showed his versatility in the Latin Quarter and the Blues Room. I didn't venture into the Boing-Boing Room but as I was passing it late in the evenings on the way to get chicken I have to say I was impressed with the variety of music I heard. Other notable mentions go to DJ Phunkyman and Ian Oliver (although playing Fletch's request for 'Now I Can Dance' almost got you a slapping). Top tunes from Woodface, not one duff track mate! And DJ Kenobe played out of his skin.
Only two exceptions with regard to DJs – a guy I hadn't heard before called Colin Shaw managed to completely kill the the mood in the Blues Room dead. I have no idea what possessed him to play that.. stuff, I am sure there will be those who will leap to his defense. I didn't really care that much though as we just evacuated to the Latin Quarter. The other real downer was the lack of CJ and his afternoon Mariachi sets.
The dancers - my friends; new, old, foreign and familiar. You were awesome. It's great being able to take time and chat too. Something that you can't afford at a freestyle. Saturday afternoon in the sunshine chatting to friends and making new ones like Woodface's lady Claire. I also finally got to chat with Paul Farrell after seeing him around for ages! And, is there anything better than dancing all night, then sharing conversation over breakfast with these people. Talk about building bonds.
I did have loads of stand-out dances. Too many to mention, but I have to say a special thank you to Twirlie Bird. Although she feels the cold, she spent a couple of hours dancing with me pretty much exclusively on the outside decking in the early hours of Monday morning. It made me feel like I was king of the world
I also felt my dancing personally progressing after the time I spent playing on the floor with Smiley Sue and Ruby Red. My dances with Eva Rossiter were also as exciting as ever! I also had a couple of exceptionally good dances with a girl called Kate (she'd only been dancing for two months - but could you ever tell she was one of Sara White's dancers)
Oh the music. Was there too much WCS music? I don't know... I didn't know WCS music existed. Just music that lends itself to WCS – however you don't have to WCS to it: what a surprise! It's music, you can dance to it. Who would have thunk it. Perhaps if a few of the 'WCS music moaners' got over themselves and actually.... no Stokie... deep breath... just drop it.
The apartment. Yeah yeah yeah... I know.. but I love roughing it in comfort. The shower was hot, the fridge was cold, the bed was soft, the roof kept off the rain and it was one block away from the venue. Job done.
The Bad
Having to wait for chicken. It's not rocket science, it's 3am, there's 300+ people dancing, you're the only fast food counter that's open, have some cooked ready! I am hungry, and waiting for chicken is eating into my dancing time you fool – although it did give me a chance to have a laugh with Silver Fox's gang who were loitering with intent nearby.
The Ugly
I am not trying to offend anyone – so no names, no pack drill - I just want to say that some people just are not built for transparent clothing. Eughh. You have mirrors in your chalets, for the sake of others please use them.
The Downright Weird
Walking through the venue on Monday after booking for Skeggy and seeing all the flooring being lifted. I think that's when it really hit me that this was the end of the very last Southport. Still, who knows what Cerocport will bring?
...and Finally
I have to say that the last hour in the Blues Room just after sunrise on Monday morning, surrounded by friends was like drinking neat Southport concentrate. If you don't understand that comment, please don't ask for an explanation.
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