Feedback on recent changes

[Bigger Andy]

Originally posted by stewart38
Im not letting the old ball and socket go without a fight.

Poor beginners - now they will be dancing with intermediates that will be using the 'old ways'.

I wish ceroc would stop trying to invent 'new moves' which nobody uses

I totally agree !

[TheTramp]

Originally posted by stewart38
I wish ceroc would stop trying to invent 'new moves' which nobody uses

Where should they stop though. If they'd done that after the first move, then there wouldn't be any others.

Who's to say that nobody uses the 'new moves'. Certainly, I liked the look of one of the moves that was included in the manual recently. Though, it was one that I already did anyhow

Trampy

[Gadget]

I was going to respond that I use the ball & socket method, and the flaws in trying to catch the lady's wrist, BUT I suddenly thought that I don't actually use either method I lead to the side, and use my left hand on the lady's right shoulder as an additional lead into the spin (very little, if any preasure used - but it makes the intention very clear)

I do occasionally get ladies mixing up the wrap with the lead into the lady-spin: perhaps this 'new' method of leading it will eliminate this?

I think that there is probably a reason behind every change... pity we have to guess at them.

[Bigger Andy]

Perhaps the answer to the "dumbing down of both the 'Beginners Class' and the 'Intermediates Class' is to introduce an 'Advanced Class' ?

I am not aware of any 'Advanced Classes' being held in the Kent area where I dance.

Does anyone else know if this idea is already being implemented anywhere, and if so, where ?

[Gadget]

I don't think the idea is to "dumb down": I think that it's to make the classes accessable and targeted at a larger audience; introducing a little bit of basics at the sacrifice of some of the 'mid-level' moves. This does not shift the target 'downwards' - it expands it downwards.

As to "advanced" classes - I havn't seen billings for any, but I think that it's just a matter of time - but I don't think that it bears any corelation to the changes in teaching metholody.

[Peter]

Originally posted by Gadget
As to "advanced" classes - I havn't seen billings for any, but I think that it's just a matter of time

There are loads of Ceroc Advanced classes, including:

Woking, Tues
Fulham, Thurs
Fleet, Thurs

Does anyone have a complete, up to date list?

[ChrisA]

Originally posted by Peter
There are loads of Ceroc Advanced classes, including:

Woking, Tues

So when are Will and/or Kate doing the CTA course then?

[RobC]

Originally posted by Peter
There are loads of Ceroc Advanced classes, including:

Woking, Tues
Fulham, Thurs
Fleet, Thurs

Does anyone have a complete, up to date list?

Godalming on Sundays

[Andy McGregor]

Originally posted by RobC
Godalming on Sundays

While we've got Rob's attention, would anyone else like to know how he got on with his CTA auditions?

[RobC]

Originally posted by Andy McGregor
While we've got Rob's attention, would anyone else like to know how he got on with his CTA auditions?

Well, I haven't actually had one. I'm still waiting for official confirmation, but it seems that the current line of thinking is that Simon's existing teachers (ie. Dan Slape, myself, Debi & Simon himself) won't need to do the CTA audition.

[Andy McGregor]

Originally posted by RobC
Well, I haven't actually had one. I'm still waiting for official confirmation, but it seems that the current line of thinking is that Simon's existing teachers (ie. Dan Slape, myself, Debi & Simon himself) won't need to do the CTA audition.

This is a BIG, BIG change. The line up of Ceroc teachers will now look something like this;

Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Rob Coward
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)

At long last there'll be a new look to the Ceroc Teachers Conference photo

[spindr]

Originally posted by RobC
Well, I haven't actually had one. I'm still waiting for official confirmation, but it seems that the current line of thinking is that Simon's existing teachers (ie. Dan Slape, myself, Debi & Simon himself) won't need to do the CTA audition.

Sounds like the (TBC) right decision to me -- hope you hear soon.

SpinDr.

P.S. Is it just me, or do I detect a smidgen of jealousy from Mr McGregor -- not so much weird, or wonderful, but perhaps "chief stirrer"?

[RobC]

Originally posted by Andy McGregor
This is a BIG, BIG change. The line up of Ceroc teachers will now look something like this;


Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Rob Coward
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Spiky haired, attractive, young, fit guy (male clone Ceroc teacher)

Err, so how come I'm not surrounded by young, attractive, blonde, slim fit girls ?

Surely it should go :

Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Rob Coward (Unique and can't be cloned)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)
Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)

[Gadget]

getting back on topic;

Lisa did an introductary class last night and inserted some basic 'concepts' into the beginner lesson as it was progressing...

Only a couple of comments on an otherwise excelent introduction/class:

- please give me a chance to process the directions (forward, back, right, left) instead of calling them as you're doing them... I only have a little brain and it gets confused easily.

- I still think that the lead-follow aspect needs some sort of thing to prevent the ladies from taking the initative and ensure they are following. Perhaps it was just me, but I found my partner just moving (fore/back) in time with the music rather than in time with my lead. {I know you should move in time with the music, but to explain: I sometimes play with the speed of the movement so that short 'pauses' can be inserted or eliminated with each beat.}

That's it. A good introduction to the basics of dancing. Unsure about what was said about it being the same class taught throught the UK: was it the same class that night, or the same class that week? (I think I only have negative comments if it's the latter.)
One final thing: the "re-naming" of the new method of lady-spin as a "Ceroc-spin" is a bit OTT IMHO. (Although the move it's self is... different, I have no doubt that it will never be confused with the wrap. I also found myself being lazy and dropping the R-hand before the block was complete - not sure of exactly when it was taught that the hand would be dropped - in the spin I think. Although since it uses the other hand, there is less room for men's styling.)

[TheTramp]

Originally posted by Gadget
Unsure about what was said about it being the same class taught throught the UK: was it the same class that night, or the same class that week? (I think I only have negative comments if it's the latter.)

Every beginner class taught on a particular night will now be the same throughout the UK.

So, last nights beginners class would have been the same, wherever you danced Ceroc last night. Tonights beginner class will be different from last nights, but again, the same, whether you're in Stirling, Glasgow, Windsor, St. Albans, or wherever there is a Ceroc class happening tonight.

Trampy

[Andy McGregor]

Originally posted by spindr
P.S. Is it just me, or do I detect a smidgen of jealousy from Mr McGregor

I suppose it's natural to be a bit jealous when you hear about a club that you can't join because you're too old, ugly, bald, short, etc.

Rob is my inspiration

Originally posted by spindr
not so much weird, or wonderful, but perhaps "chief stirrer"?

Someone need to keep the debate churning - this week it's me as Gus seems to have 'ceased and desisted'

p.s. And I don't blame Gus for holding back for a day or two, while he's still annoyed is not the time to post - he needs a clear head to be his most devilish

[spindr]

Originally posted by Andy McGregor
I suppose it's natural to be a bit jealous when you hear about a club that you can't join because you're too old, ugly, bald, short, etc.

Rob is my inspiration

Hmmm, I'm not sure why Rob's your inspiration -- he's not old, ugly, bald or short -- Andy I think your eyes may need testing

Perhaps, if you're really interested in pushing the boundaries you should send in your own application to do the CTA -- and publish the correspondence?
Or do you subscribe to the Groucho Marx maxim "I don't want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member".

SpinDr.

[Gus]

Originally posted by Andy McGregor
Someone need to keep the debate churning - this week it's me as Gus seems to have 'ceased and desisted'

p.s. And I don't blame Gus for holding back for a day or two, while he's still annoyed is not the time to post - he needs a clear head to be his most devilish

Me still annoyed ... Nahhhh. Just suffering a temporary sense of humour failure. I realised that having that having received a directive from the all encompasing Dance God that is Ceroc HQ there was only one course of action open ... IGNORE IT! What can they do?

If all correspondence ceases you'll know that the mythical Ceroc Loyalty Enforcement squad do indeed exist and that they've found me

Hold on ...... just heard a knock at the door .... will be back in a mo ..............

[Andy McGregor]

Originally posted by spindr
Hmmm, I'm not sure why Rob's your inspiration -- he's not old, ugly, bald or short

Rob isn't, but I am

Rob is my inspiration because he isn't the Ceroc clone we've come to expect.

Originally posted by spindr
Andy, I think your eyes may need testing

I'll nip straight down the opticians - if I can see it

Originally posted by spindr
Perhaps, if you're really interested in pushing the boundaries you should send in your own application to do the CTA -- and publish the correspondence?

Unfortunately, I couldn't imagine anything more tying than having to be on-stage every Thursday (pick your weekday) of every week, etc.

Besides, I wouldn't work in a smoky atmosphere which might put me at odds with any contract I signed with Ceroc.

Originally posted by spindr
Or do you subscribe to the Groucho Marx maxim "I don't want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member".

I'm the opposite, I want to belong to any club that won't accept me as a member

[Bill]

Originally posted by RobC
Err, so how come I'm not surrounded by young, attractive, blonde, slim fit girls ?

Surely it should go :

Young, attractive, blonde, slim, fit girl (female clone Ceroc teacher)

WOnder if this idea holds true for Scotland ...Our three male teachers in Scotland don't really fit this 'profile' ....Franck, Obi and Scot are all wonderful dancers but don't really fit the young, slim, spiky look

but then again only one of them was born in Scotland..... come to think of it many of the male mj dancers in Scotland who are often identified as being amongst the best up here or have done well recently in comps - weren't born here .......... Sherwin, Steve, James, Steven, Gilbert ....... but we do have lots of really good men up here these days, as the women will testify, and not that many with the fit, spiky look