West Coast Swing - Trent Park

[robd]

Anyone been to this lately? It's a possible for me to get to at some stage and I'd be keen to know what to expect.

Interested in particular to know if the proposed floor expansion mentioned in previous posts has happened 'cos based on the photos on their web site it looks a bit postage stamp size.

[Northants Girly]

Don't usually get out on Mondays but we went to this 2 weeks ago and had a really good night. The beginners split off into another group while an intermediate class was being taught. Thought Lee's teaching was really good. In fact the only downside to the night was the size of the floor.

(Gonna try WCS in Notts tonight)

[Lory]

I went about 3 weeks ago...

The class was well attended and the standard had improved somewhat since it first opened but be under no illusions, the general standard is still no where near as high as Twickers.

Lee's teaching is the same as ever, he focusses very much on technique and labours over detail. But he's got a wealth of knowledge and doesn't mind sharing it!

Personally I prefer faster rotation and to actually repeat the moves over and over, rather that lot's of technical lectures but thats just me!

As for the venue, it will, one day be fab and has improved considerably since the ban on smoking but the promised floor hasn't materialised yet. And I've heard no news about when it's happening, all I know is, it was supposed to be down about 3months ago! Personally, I actually don't mind dancing on the carpeted bit, as long as i've got leather soles on.

The good things about the venue are, the freestyle goes on till midnight the bar is reasonable, the car park is huge and there's a lovely patio over looking a golf course! (and its only 10 mins from my house! )


My advise to you Rob, PM or text a few of your westie friends and try to persuade them along, so you have a few 'good' people to freestyle with!

[David Bailey]

As for the venue, it will, one day be fab and has improved considerably since the ban on smoking but the promised floor hasn't materialised yet. And I've heard no news about when it's happening, all I know is, it was supposed to be down about 3months ago! Personally, I actually don't mind dancing on the carpeted bit, as long as i've got leather soles on.

I went last night - talking to Maria, she said that the new floor should be done at the end of Sept / start of Oct.

Also, she's planning on starting a Jive / Swing freestyle-focussed night there on Thursdays when the new floor gets done, with a variety of music including live acts (apparently the Jive Aces may be playing there).

[robd]

Well, I finally got round to going to Oakwood since I am unable to attend my usual weekly WCS class this week and I needed my fix!

The floor in the main room has been done but unfortunately due to the popularity of Salsa on Wednesdays and the lower numbers recently for WCS (as I understand it) the organiser had decided to put a new salsa class in the main hall and the WCS class in the smaller side room. The regular WCS crowd did not seem too impressed with this and understandably so but on the flipside the organiser does need to pay her rent and if it's not supported adequately then she needs to look at something that will be.

The class itself (Intermediate) was a good one, covered a decent amount of ground - connection, syncopations, styling - and I was impressed with Lee's teaching, not having experienced it before. There was a mix of experience in the social and I had some nice dances though a midnight finish isn't the most sensible for a school night - yes, I know I could leave earlier but this is dancing and that's not gonna happen is it

I believe that the WCS will be back in the bigger room next week and I certainly hope to get along again at some point to support it - travelwise it's a lot more feasible to get to Oakwood than to Twickenham for me.

[David Bailey]

The floor in the main room has been done but unfortunately due to the popularity of Salsa on Wednesdays and the lower numbers recently for WCS (as I understand it) the organiser had decided to put a new salsa class in the main hall and the WCS class in the smaller side room. The regular WCS crowd did not seem too impressed with this and understandably so but on the flipside the organiser does need to pay her rent and if it's not supported adequately then she needs to look at something that will be.

Absolutely

Maria's a good businesswoman; she's very good at innovating, but salsa's her bread and butter.

I've been meaning to try the new floor for a while now, I may pop round for a Mon / Weds to see what it's like.

[eeyore]

The new floor is lovely to dance on, it will be great to be back in the main room but it was a good class last night despite the cosy surroundings .
Lee is a very good teacher - yes he does go into a lot of detail but I've learned a lot from him, it all makes sense .
Nice surprise to see you last night Robert, & thanks for some lovely dances , see you next time!

[Lory]

I recieved an email about the future of Oakwood and here's an excerpt of it ...

Class numbers and bar taking on Mondays have fallen to an unsustainable level so we have had to introduce other dance classes for support.

The decision was not taken lightly and I thank those that offered support, encouragement and advice. We may still need to be flexible but please bear with us while changes are implemented for the long term survival of our West Coast Swing club.

At Lee’s suggestion, the Freestyle Section that runs til midnight is now a more relaxed mix up session with

West Coast Swing, Modern Jive, Salsa, and all other dance styles are most welcome.

Teachers and DJ’s are working together to ensure the mix of music is suitable for all styles of dance.

Dancers are requested to attend on time for the start of their chosen class at 8pm or 9pm so that room allocation can be made i.e. largest numbers take the largest/most suitable room.

Rooms will not be changed once a class has started no matter how many turn up late.

Sounds interesting and maybe slightly less intimidating for those people who struggle to enjoy a whole evening (after the class) freestyling WCS and similarly, for those like me, who love (WCS and) Salsa but struggle with a whole evening of pure Salsa music!

[HelenB]

I was thinking of going to this tonight as my normal Wednesday class isn't on this week but it's a bit too far

Sounds like a great idea though so I'll try and make it some other night if I'm in the area

[robd]

Just back from my second week at Oakwood on the bounce (I knock 'em up....)

Another good intermediate class - meshing two of the patterns from last week with a couple of fresh ones. Lee can talk for England it seems but there's a lot of detail there and a lot to take in. He was also kind enough to help with a new pattern I was trying to perfect having seen one of the pros do it (I know it's not the way you should learn but sometimes you just can't help it ) and with his assistance my efforts were a lot better than before if still not quite tip-top.

The WCS was back in the bigger room and I enjoyed some good social dances. ZW, Smiley Sue, Jan and I were still there (and dancing) until midnight which is a first for the night apparently. Hardcore, you know the score!

[Mac]

Absolutely

Maria's a good businesswoman; she's very good at innovating, but salsa's her bread and butter.

I've been meaning to try the new floor for a while now, I may pop round for a Mon / Weds to see what it's like.

Been three times and twice on that floor. It is a fantastic floor only wasted by the fact that its not 20 meters sq in a prime venue but it cost a fortune as it is! Its solid oak and like dancing on silk. So good in fact that even this sows ear feels good doing WCS!


I had a lovely time and thanks especially to Reet Petite for your encouragement and patients

Thanks Smiley Sue for well just smiling really

And thanks to those other beginners who put up with me......

Not a word Kind DJ ......Not a word........

[Lory]

I had a lovely time and thanks especially to Reet Petite for your encouragement and patients

Did you go home after the class, I didn't see you in the freestyle?

Anyway, I had a great time at Oakwook last night!

Although, on entry, (at 8:45) I was faced with a complete dilemma... Maria (taking the money) asked 'which class do you wish to attend? We have WCS inters, WCS beginners review, Salsa basics or Salsa advanced, all running at the same time. So I then stood for at least 5minutes, trying to decide.

In the end, I decided to do Dave's advanced Salsa, cos I like the fast pace of his lessons.

Dave's lessons are usually fast, but boy, last night, I think he was on super speed.

The class was even numbers but there was only one other man about my age and the rest of the class was made up of 16 year olds, who I have to say, were a complete delight.

They were very competitive amongst themselves and quite a noisy bunch, which brought about lots of laughter. As they constantly shouted out stuff like, 'that's wicked man', or 'yeah, got it sussed, check me out!'

None of them had been learning long, maybe only a few weeks but were like sponges, absorbing everything in lightning speed, I was shocked at how responsive they were to 'everything'! They were just brilliant!

After the class, we came back to the main room to join the WCS'ers and I enjoyed a mixed evening of Salsa and WCS. The music definitely favoured the WCS people IMO but that's a good thing AFAIC.

The highlights of my night were my dances with Lee and the Salsa teacher, attempting a WCS with me. A lovely sense smugness came over me, as he struggled after making me struggle with almost impossibly complicated foot patterns, taught at breakneck speed, in his class earlier!

[robd]

Had a great time at Oakwood last night - one of those nights where you feel like your dancing is really 'on it' and this spurs you on to try other things rather than falling back on the same old, same old.

Good numbers - the extended floor is great for the social as you're never too crowded and Lee's music was top notch. Couple of good classes too with some challenging material.

A few of us had travelled from further North plus a good contingent from West London helped boost the numbers and there was a great atmosphere. Dancing continued til midnight then the venue staff pretty much kicked us out at 12:20 as we continued socialising - always the sign of a successful night.

Cabarets from Lee, Debbie and Sidney proved an interesting diversion too.

This one could go from strength to strength in 2008.

[Gerry]

What a great nite, Lee class was lots of fun, he always shows such a love of dancing and a passion for passing on his immense dance knowledge. I always come away feeling that I want to come back for more.
Thanks for a two cracking dances with Smilie Sue, always a joy.

Big ups to Rob as he seems to be improving at a vast rate of knots, look out for the latest dance partnerships of Rob and Manal!!

A last thanks to Jon and Syd for getting me home in one peice at 1.30 am always a good sign of a cracking nite

Best wishes to everyone for Xmas the new year

[Lory]

I'd already written my review HERE

[robd]

Made it to Oakwood again last night and had a good night there, as usual. It finishes at 11 now (well, 11.15) instead of midnight and this doesn't impact the night for me as much as I feared (and means I am not completely knackered on a Tuesday)

The experience level of pretty much all the attendees is in months rather than years as may be the case at Twickenham but it's still building a nice atmosphere and group of regulars. Quite a few forumites (and lurkers!) there too.

I always enjoy Lee's music selection and last night was no exception other than the first track after beginner's which was undanceably slow - apologies to Reet Petite, my partner for that track. Apologies also to Smiley for cracking her on the head trying a double flatback - no pain, no gain Sue and apologies to anyone who saw my pathetic attempts at the linedance to Give It Back but at least I stuck with it to the end and didn't drop out.

Lee was getting increasingly and understandably frustrated at people talking amongst themselves in beginner's class. Though he ended up singling out a particular forumite he could have aimed the comment at any of half a dozen people. Funnily enough, most of these were the people who weren't 'getting' what he was trying to teach. No coincidence there. I know Lee isn't renowned for brevity when teaching but pretty much everything he says is of value and relevant to what we are trying to learn. Not only is it disrespectful to him to talk when he is doing so, you're also not helping yourself in learning WCS which presumably is your aim in being at the class.

And Trouble, how can you say you didn't know I did WCS? Don't you read anything I post on here

[Trouble]

And Trouble, how can you say you didn't know I did WCS? Don't you read anything I post on here

Sort of answered that question yourself really hunny...xx

But and i do not exagerate when i say this.... you are an incredible WCS... im a mere beginner and you lead me around wonderfully (would have been better if i could follow correctly) but for me, best dance of the nite and also something to aspire to match. Thanks again xxxx

[Caro]

I'm really looking forward to check this class out (especially as I'm very keen on Lee's teaching), I will hopefully be there in a couple of weeks time

[Reet Petite]

'I always enjoy Lee's music selection and last night was no exception other than the first track after beginner's which was undanceably slow - apologies to Reet Petite, my partner for that track.'

....no need to apologise....you are without exception a sublime lead....I only wish I could do you justice as a follower

[Caro]

....no need to apologise....you are without exception a sublime lead....I only wish I could do you justice as a follower

Justice would be not to follow too much