Manchester Area - Good MJ Venues/Events?

[Patrick]

I have a friend in Manchester (Salford) who is looking for good venues for classes/workshops/freestyles/events, preferably accessible from Salford by public transport.

Without wishing to get into any controversy, she has tried both Stockport Blitz and Prestwich, and neither are suitable for her/our musical tastes. We tried Stockport together, so I have first hand experience of that one.

I hope to make a trip up there in the next couple of weeks, so for that we could travel a bit further.

Suggestions please!

Patrick

[Daisy Chain]

Hi Patrick

I've always liked Bowdon on a Tuesday night although it appears that several of my Regular Men have defected to Knutsford on a Wednesday where I can't seem to get my hands on them.

Wednesday at Knutsford is recommended if your friend is a man or a pushy woman.

Nearly forgot, the Northwich freestyles are usually good as long as they don't clash with another freestyle nearby (tends to dilute the talent at both venues)

Daisy

(A Local Little Flower)

[Patrick]

Hi Patrick

I've always liked Bowdon on a Tuesday night although it appears that several of my Regular Men have defected to Knutsford on a Wednesday where I can't seem to get my hands on them.

Wednesday at Knutsford is recommended if your friend is a man or a pushy woman.

Nearly forgot, the Northwich freestyles are usually good as long as they don't clash with another freestyle nearby (tends to dilute the talent at both venues)

Daisy

(A Local Little Flower)

Thanks for the Local info Daisy! I wonder if Royston Vasey is anywhere nearby? Bet they would have a memorable event for non-locals... (In case not obvious, "League of Gentlemen" TV)

I realise my geographical knowledge of your area is shockingly poor - I've never even heard of any of the places you mention! Lucky I just bought a good new road atlas then.

My friend is a woman, a Lady even. Pushy? I couldn't possibly comment, but ....

Maybe cu soon then?

Patrick
(A Lost Little Flower)

.... rushes off to the car...

[Daisy Chain]

I realise my geographical knowledge of your area is shockingly poor - I've never even heard of any of the places you mention! Lucky I just bought a good new road atlas then.

Bowdon is tucked away on a road called 'The Firs'. Bowdon is near Atrincham / Hayle (just south of Manchester). This is as far north as I'm prepared to travel so I can't help you with any more Manchester venues

Knutsford is a tad further south along the A50

Northwich is South Westish of Manchester before you get to Chester (Chester, I'm told is a great venue)

Save me a dance (I may be desperate...)

Daisy

(A Southern Little Wall Flower)

[Blueshoes]

Without wishing to get into any controversy, she has tried both Stockport Blitz and Prestwich, and neither are suitable for her/our musical tastes.

Hi Patrick, just typed a dirty great reply and lost it – twice. Not happy…..

I live in Salford so this is my territory we’re talking about!

Ceroc run Hyde on a Wednesday night with freestyles on occasional Fridays and Saturdays, also Hindley near Wigan on Thursdays – as it happens I’m demoing there tomorrow. Within travelling distance is Brighouse, the monthly freestyles on the second Friday of the month are definitely worth a visit.

Blitz have Stockport on a Wednesday night with monthly freestyles. Bowdon is now independent and is run by Cinnamon Jive on Tuesdays and Thursdays and have just introduced occasional Saturday freestyles.

There are many other independents, two of which I’ll mention here; Prestwich is run on Mondays by Le Swing Jive (I’m surprised you didn’t enjoy it as it has a good name in the area) and Revolution Dance in Knutsford on Wednesdays with monthly Saturday freestyles.

Knutsford is far the best dance experience in the area for me. The music is challenging (more akin to Southport than a usual class night), the teaching different from anywhere else and the atmosphere great. Because of the overall package it tends to attract the better dancers from around Manchester and Cheshire. http://www.revolutiondance.co.uk

A fuller listing of venues around Manchester can be found here:
http://www.uk-jive.co.uk/class-list.asp

If you find yourself up North let me know and I can give you the low down on what’s coming up, if that makes any sense!

[Patrick]

Bowdon is tucked away on a road called 'The Firs'.

Knutsford is a tad further south along the A50

Northwich is South Westish of Manchester before you get to Chester (Chester, I'm told is a great venue)

Save me a dance (I may be desperate...)

Daisy

(A Southern Little Wall Flower)

Well I'll be... My shiny new "Collins 2007 SUPERSCALE BRITAIN Clear, easy to use road maps - SPECIAL SECTION > Detailed area urban maps" Road Atlas (take breath) even has 'The Firs' actually marked! It must be fate. Glad I took the advice of a friend who did loads of research into the best road atlas.... £14.99 well spent already.

Usually, wherever I want to go is on the crease of the map, just off the edge, or mostly not on there at all. Now I have no excuse for getting lost...

All these places look do-able from Salford, I'll get on UK-Jive to check out days/dates.

They say that desperation is not an endearing quality, but me, I like getting attention. (Mostly). I don't refuse dances (well hardly ever ). Though I have developed the knack of smiling sweetly and running off before getting asked in some cases...

Save one for me, I'll be a stranger, I may be desperate too!

Thanks daisy. I bet ur a Tiger Lily really.

Patrick
(A Wandering Star)

[Daisy Chain]

Thanks daisy. I bet ur a Tiger Lily really.

Too right...................................Miaow!

[dance cat]

Bowdon on a Tuesday is by all accounts dying and the music isn't that good. Stockport on a Wednesday is also not good. Knutsford is very good and the standard of teaching and dancing is also good. I have to disagree slightly about the pushy women comment. I get dances at Knutsford and I'm not pushy- so I would recommend it. It's a bit like the escapee club from Bowdon as dancers are voting with their feet!
If you have a car Patrick, then a trip to Chester on a Monday night would also be very good. Teaching and music are good and the people are friendly.
If you are thinking about freestyles give Stockport a miss as the music has been bad for the past few months. Knutsford and Chester have freestyles the weekend after this. Marc and Rachel will be at Knutsford and Gus is doing the music at Chester so you'd be spoilt for choice.

[Keith]

Hi guys & thank you for your descriptions of Knutsford, very kind.
I can confirm that again as we try to re-invent the wheel, our Sat 28th Oct Freestyle will have the following format (Quick version) or see [URL="http://www.revolutiondance.co.uk"]
7-8pm Cuban Blues workshop
8-10pm Marc Forster on the decks
10pm Dance Cabaret by Marc & Rachel
10.05-midnight Marc back on the decks
12-12.30am Swing & Blues singer (very danceable) bringing the tempo down, whilst we serve complimentary cake, tea & coffee.
Hope this helps

[Patrick]

Hi guys & thank you for your descriptions of Knutsford, very kind.
I can confirm that again as we try to re-invent the wheel, our Sat 28th Oct Freestyle will have the following format (Quick version) or see [URL="http://www.revolutiondance.co.uk"]
7-8pm Cuban Blues workshop
8-10pm Marc Forster on the decks
10pm Dance Cabaret by Marc & Rachel
10.05-midnight Marc back on the decks
12-12.30am Swing & Blues singer (very danceable) bringing the tempo down, whilst we serve complimentary cake, tea & coffee.
Hope this helps

Thanks for all the info guys. I now have to try to reconcile all of this with my partner's limited availability and my previous plans...

But as a new fan of Marc and Rachel, I think I will cancel my planned trip to Oxford Jango on 28 Oct, and venture to Knutsford instead. I was hoping to see M&R at Daventry tomorrow, but I need to save myself a bit for the Midlands Champs. I've been doing more driving than dancing lately!

Patrick

[Patrick]

Hi Patrick

I've always liked Bowdon on a Tuesday night although it appears that several of my Regular Men have defected to Knutsford on a Wednesday where I can't seem to get my hands on them.

Wednesday at Knutsford is recommended if your friend is a man or a pushy woman.

Daisy

(A Local Little Flower)

You have my sympathy re. this Daisy. I have to compete with very pushy men, and often can't get my hands on the ladies I like. I've had the experience of working hard with promising beginners for a while... as soon as the guys realise they are getting good, I never get a look in again!

I had the galling experience this week of going to a Salsa class I invited my closest dance buddy to (well I thought she was!) I've been helping her for a few months since she first started, and she's come on amazingly well. She said she wasn't up for it, too tired. She turned up with someone else... I hardly got a look in. There's gratitude for you! The Salsa teacher said he couldn't believe it was her first Salsa lesson! It was her first Salsa lesson, but she'd had a little help beforehand...

Always expect the unexpected, never expect anything in return!

Patrick
(A Frustrated Little FLower)

[straycat]

Another vote for Knutsford from me. I can't compare it to other venues in the area, not having been to anything else around there (except Stockport, once, over a year ago) ... but I'm very very fussy about music and venues in general, and Keith & Janey have made this one very special

Very much looking forward to Saturday.

[Almost an Angel]

Hi Guys,

This little Angel is off on her travels again and will be up in Preston tonight till Thursday this week. So to save me from being bored and eating hotel food all week I need to get out and dance. Tonight I can put up with it - that and I don't land in Blackpool till 7.30pm so I'll be catching up on sleep so I won't need any the rest of the week.

Any recomendations beside Knutsford? I'm already heading there.

Plus anyone who is going to be at Knutsford on Wednesday save me a dance and I'll follow or lead as appropriate!!

Angel xx

[dance cat]

Hope to be at Knutsford on Wednesday and I'm sure you'll really enjoy it. It's a shame that Chester is a bit far for you because that's also very good and tonight Paula is teaching Argentinian Tango-yippee!!!

[Almost an Angel]

Hope to be at Knutsford on Wednesday and I'm sure you'll really enjoy it. It's a shame that Chester is a bit far for you because that's also very good and tonight Paula is teaching Argentinian Tango-yippee!!!

Have made an appearance at Chester before - though was a while back.
Not that bad a drive down - it's just the one back up that's bad!!

Save me a dance - if you want to know who to look out just look for the new person with a wrist brace on!!! v long boring story but funnily enough doesn't stop me dancing. Probably won't make the beginners - but will try.

Angel xx

[Blueshoes]

Save me a dance - if you want to know who to look out just look for the new person with a wrist brace on!!!

Should be at Knutsford myself on Wednesday, so now I know what to look out for I'll certainly be asking you for a dance!

[Almost an Angel]

Should be at Knutsford myself on Wednesday, so now I know what to look out for I'll certainly be asking you for a dance!

Cool - will look forward to it.

Angel xx

[Keith]

Cool - will look forward to it.

Angel xx

Don't forget to grab me, as I run around like a mad man
Usually free after the second lesson

Keith

[Patrick]

Is there anything happening in the Midlands on Friday 3 Nov? Looks like that day will be my trip 'oop North'! ** On UK-jive.co.uk , it all looks very quiet.

Near Manchester or Stoke on Trent ideally. Derby/Nottingham at a push.

Alternatively, any good night clubs?

Thanks guys
Patrick

(** I know the Midlands isn't really the North, just relative to the South West...)

[dance cat]

I may be wrong but I think there is a freestyle in Northwich on the 4th November. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm out on my dates.