Finding the 'line/country dance side' of the WCS dance scene

[Caro]

Something that I have been thinking about for a while, and now that Gus' thread has disappeared (on the grounds of advertising, I suppose, and fair enough), I was wondering if people knew about events from the line/country dance side of things that include WCS. Obviously I live in scotland, so the closer to here the better :D

Everytime I see those dancers at one of the MJ/WCS events, I am amazed at their grace, footwork, and musicality. And I want to see more of that :drool:

So, any tips ? Where do you find info? Have people 'crossed the line' and gone to some of their events ? If so, what is it like ? Are we (westies born in a modern-jiver body ;) ) going to feel out of depth ?

[Lynn]

I've been trying to find if anything is happening in Ireland as I know there is always a WCS couple over at the UWDWC Shamrock event in October. I've been in touch with the organiser and there has been talk of workshops maybe taking place but I don't know if anything has happened. I don't know that there would be anything close by, but even within a couple of hours drive, it would still be nice to be able to go to a workshop or event without having to catch a flight first!

[Gus]

Its interesting that many of the good dancers we had/have in our area came from line dancing; Pistol pete, Lillian, Chris Taylor (WCS instructor), Donna to name but a few. The line dancing world seems to be having its own 'interesting' events happeneing. Seems like the Eurpoeans have finally cast off the 'shackles' of the American oppressors (or something like that) and set up a new governing body. I'm not sure what the outcome will be, but there may be more UK WCS intrsuctors coming to the fore, if anyone is intereseted in searching them out.

[Keith J]

Yes I guess this is all leading to the fact many of the leading WCS dancers appear to be top 'Liners'. To name but a few Cat' Wiles :waycool: (a LD world champion, also currently 2nd place World Masters LD Champ with Lee Easton), Paul Warden (numerous World titles in LD):waycool: :waycool: :respect: :respect: , Lee Easton:respect: :waycool: (currently world champion in 2 LD worldwide federations and I understand second in the third LD WW Federation, along with abve with Cat) and the Forums lovely Blue Angel :waycool: :nice: was an under 16 World Champ' a few years ago.
Bit of a theme here somewhere!
Interestingly recently in a Berkshire's New Lodge at a private party (no advertsing), PW taught at request an LD routine to the dancers to the score for :what: . Sorry I forget the choreographer who is a line legend:eek: . It certainly was all of that, and no casulties bar a few bruised egos and throbbing brains. It appeared all healthy stuff and not a cowboy boot or Stetson in sight:innocent: .
From information it appears WCS makes up the masters 8 dances in the country and line scene along with ChaCha, Hustle, Night Club 2 Step etc.
All very interesting it shows the cross dance skills and disciplines all help build up these amazing levels of ability we admire so much on the floor.

[Jamie]

I used to line dance. That's what made the footwork side of WCS easy. It also means now I've got a good basic anchoring :innocent: in WCS, I can easily adapt my complex linedance footwork into my WCS.:D

[Caro]

guys... I know some line dancers are great WCS dancers, but the point of this thread was to try and gather information about line/country dance events (whether local or national) and classes... :whistle:

Nobody's got links to relevant websites ? :confused: Surely that can't be advertising (well unless you copy and paste the content of the website!), since I am (desperately) asking for it ? Pretty please :flower: ?

[JiveLad]

guys... I know some line dancers are great WCS dancers, but the point of this thread was to try and gather information about line/country dance events (whether local or national) and classes... :whistle:

Nobody's got links to relevant websites ? :confused: Surely that can't be advertising (well unless you copy and paste the content of the website!), since I am (desperately) asking for it ? Pretty please :flower: ?

Did you try a search tool called Google? Within <1 minute I found line dancing events coming up in Aberfoyle and Rothesay for example - and loads of others.

[Caro]

Did you try a search tool called Google? Within <1 minute I found line dancing events coming up in Aberfoyle and Rothesay for example - and loads of others.

yes I did, and that's kind of the problem, you always end up with loads of things you need to go through and filter to find out what's relevant for you.
I was hoping that some forumites might actually know that scene and would advise what events they've been to, liked, and so on. :flower:

[spindr]

I guess you could always *buy* a copy of line dancer magazine (http://www.linedancermagazine.com) -- or send them an email -- it might make a good article for them?

SpinDr

[Crossa]

I've been to a couple of UCWDC events in the USA this year, and although I used to teach Line Dancing I was more interested in the partner dancing, in competition there are eight: Polka, Cha Cha, Waltz, Triple 2, Night Club two step, Two Step, East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing.(No Hustle as was suggested in an earlier post)
If you want to make the most of the social dancing at these events it's worth knowing WCS and 2 step, and a bit of Cha Cha, waltz and night club, and if there's a separate Swing room then also Hustle and Salsa.(At some events there are also Strictly Swing competitions and Jack & Jills in WCS, Hustle and Salsa and Two Step)
Here is a link to an event in Glasgow later this year

Home (http://www.scottishgathering.com/)

Don't be fooled by the list of invited instructors, at this stage they are "invited", my experiences of other events is their attendance wont be confirmed until nearer the time, there are some amongst the list that I have met in my travels and would definitely want to catch up with again if they come over.

[Lynn]

I know there is always a WCS couple over at the UWDWC Shamrock event in October.


I've been to a couple of UCWDC events in the USA this yearSorry, UCWDC - shows how much I know!

[Peter]

Interestingly recently in a Berkshire's New Lodge at a private party (no advertsing), PW taught at request an LD routine to the dancers to the score for :what: . Sorry I forget the choreographer who is a line legend:eek: . It certainly was all of that, and no casulties bar a few bruised egos and throbbing brains. It appeared all healthy stuff and not a cowboy boot or Stetson in sight:innocent: .

It was "Have fun, go mad", choreographed by Scott Blevins.

Click here to see it on You Tube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=h_ziKjN_Xkc) (not a very polished version and dark) ....

or click here for the instructions (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/linedancelessons/dance-sheets/Have%20Fun,%20Go%20Mad.htm).

Best of luck!

[Keith J]

Nice one Pete just need some of those NATO night vision glasses and it'll all be clear.

[angelblue]

try headliners.co.uk caro
or ucwdc website and also
cwdc website.

[Minnie M]

try headliners.co.uk caro
or ucwdc website and also
cwdc website.

better than that PM forumite HEADLINERS (check out his profile) he also is a Ceroc champ :respect:

[Caro]

thanks all for many helpful links and tips ! Will investigate and let you know what happened... :nice:

[Icey]

I used to line dance. That's what made the footwork side of WCS easy. It also means now I've got a good basic anchoring :innocent: in WCS, I can easily adapt my complex linedance footwork into my WCS.:D

I used to linedance alot yonks ago and will be starting WCS as soon as my exams are over, I hope that I find the footwork for that as easy as LD.

Thanks for the heads up Jamie, I wouldn't have made the connection.

[robd]

Paul Warden is teaching a couple of line dance routines at Southport. He wants that main room filling and he was kind enough to give us a preview of the routines he's going to be teaching at the end of our WCS workshop yesterday. Looks like fun and I'll be there ready to fall over my feet.

[Lynn]

Paul Warden is teaching a couple of line dance routines at Southport. He wants that main room filling and he was kind enough to give us a preview of the routines he's going to be teaching at the end of our WCS workshop yesterday. Looks like fun and I'll be there ready to fall over my feet.Noticed that on the programme, I'd like to try something a bit different so think I'll give that a go too.

[Caro]

Noticed that on the programme, I'd like to try something a bit different so think I'll give that a go too.

:yeah: me three.

[Keith J]

Caro have a chat with Paul Warden, he has a very deep understanding of the whole WCS / Country / Line scene. He has further insight into what is some politics which appear to influence things within this scene which is quite interesting.
I would humbly say I know zero about any of its inter-relationships of the dances.

[Cruella]

I had a go at this on Sunday and I loved it!! Although my brain wouldn't work quick enough for my feet to know which direction they were supposed to go in! I'm definately on the look out for something in my area. :D

[Dizzy]

I have to say that after having a go at the line-dancing classes over this weekend - they were the most fun I have had in a long time and it has actually inspired me to try and find a line-dancing class near me to try it out.

[madmadmarion]

Hi, I know it's a wee while since you all posted:nice: , but James McLauchlan who was at Southport started as a linedancer, he then moved onto couples dancing. His individual titles are to numerous to mention, but the last time he competed in line he became Masters -in -Line World Champion (2003 i think). He has been a UCWDC World Champion (Couples) & is current WorldCDF World Champion (Couples) with his partner Siobhan. Herself a Champion Linedancer a number of times over.

James has also taught and danced ProAm with some of his pupils to become world champions themselves.

Line dance couples routines include : West Coast Swing, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Waltz, Two Step, Polka etc.

So I think he shows the line/country dance side of WCS. Hope this helps!
Madmadmarion x

For more info jamesmclauchlan.co.uk (http://jamesmclauchlan.co.uk) or www.scottishdancefever.co.uk (http://www.scottishdancefever.co.uk)

[Paul F]

I have been along to a few of the line dance classes around the Surrey/W London area. I know thats a fair distance from Scotland Caro but I just thought I would mention it.

I cant say I found them all that good to be honest. In 2 of the 3 I was probably the youngest person by far. Felt more like an old age aerobics class (not that I have been to too many of them).

The other 2 were ok but, again, frequented by a bit of an older clientele.

Twas good fun but I cant say I am itching to go again.

[madmadmarion]

Hi Paul F

James is in Scotland and not at all old. When he teaches line he teaches it to modern music, he does the same with salsa. I might be wrong but I think Caro was looking for WCS rather than line and James's charity event will show the social and competitive side of both line & country couples dance (incorparating WCS). Whilst his social on both nights will allow both social & competitors to mix together.

It was just a suggestion that perhaps this would give Caro an idea of the line/country scene without her having to travel 2 far.:wink:

Madmadmarion x

[Caro]

I might be wrong but I think Caro was looking for WCS rather than line and James's charity event will show the social and competitive side of both line & country couples dance (incorparating WCS). Whilst his social on both nights will allow both social & competitors to mix together.

It was just a suggestion that perhaps this would give Caro an idea of the line/country scene without her having to travel 2 far.:wink:


indeed, and thanks for the info here and PM.

I would like to try and find line dancing classes as well, but this thread was indeed to find out where all those fab line dancing people get to dance WCS... and join :D

[madmadmarion]

Hi Caro,

I think James is in Edinburgh tonight, he was asked to take over a class that Brady had. He has only taken this particular class twice I think, so it is still building up, do u want me to find out more details for u? If I get details would i b better pm u as it might b classed as advertising?:confused:

Madmadmarion x

[Caro]

I have only just found out that this weekend Kyle and Sarah, and Brandi Tobias (of whom I have only ever heard raving critiques, and who I am dying to watch dance and learn from) & Ronnie de Benedetta, are in Paris for this event (http://www.french-event.com/french/event/info.htm).
Flights are horribly expensive, I'm gutted :tears:

This is the sort of events where line / country dancers gather and where (I assume) you can dance plenty of wcs...

[Caro]

and talking of the devil.... here it is (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epQ6cww-DgE):tears:

[Sheepman]

here it is (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epQ6cww-DgE):tears:
Great clip, thanks! :clap:

Greg