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Thread: Utopia reviews

  1. #21
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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by Miguel View Post
    . (Please, please let's not have this thread disintegrate into another elitist/hotshot type debate). Boring!

    so so true

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    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by Miguel View Post
    Try this. Next time you go to a new venue why not attend the beginners/intermediate classes. You'll be able to introduce yourself to all women in a friendly non-intimidating environment. Then when the freestyle starts they'll be coming at you in three's and four's.
    Actually, I wasn't aware there was a class

    Quote Originally Posted by Miguel View Post
    Personally I wouldn't rock up at a strange venue, just for the freestyle and expect/hope the ladies to ask me for dances.
    Well:
    - That method's worked fine for me for the past decade.
    - It was a strange (new) venue for everyone
    - Most people turned up for the freestyle only anyway.

    It was definitely unusual for me not to be asked to dance once by someone I didn't know. Admittedly, this may simply be because I knew more people, percentage-wise, than at a normal Ceroc venue.

  3. #23
    Senior Member Minnie M's Avatar
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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    I suppose I will be shot down in flames ...............but

    What is wrong in wanting or liking a dance/venue which has the majority of good to great dancers

    Most events have the percentage the other way round, but the good/great dancers still go to them


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  4. #24
    Commercial Operator Rocky's Avatar
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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Thanks to everyone for your feedback and comments. From our point of view the evening went well and everything pretty much went according to plan. It was great to see so many familiar faces and real dance talent combined with some new faces and people fresh to the scene.

    From our observations and from the feedback received we propose to implement the following on the 9th at Twickers:

    1.) No UV light - it didn't work the way that we had hoped as it was far too directional. If we can find some way of rigging it up to the ceiling we might trial it again as this would pick more in the way of clothing out rather than people's eyes and dentures! I personally liked the demonic look it gave my partners - but then I am little twisted...

    2.) Open doors - we closed the doors in the small room by the bar to make that area a little more intimate. However, this did create a bottle neck for entry onto the dance floor and it also meant that people only congregated at one end of the bar. With the doors open it should create a better flow on and off the dance floor and will give more visibilty from the bar area.

    3.) Fast music - overall the response to the fast tracks was fairly muted. Most people said they enjoyed dancing to them but couldn't wait for the music to slow down again. Given this we've decided to take the fast tracks out for the future. Instead we'll play the odd slightly more upbeat R&B or soul number just to vary things a little.

    4.) Class - we had some good comments on the class and actually the intention always was to run a class to encourage more people into the scene and to help boost their confidence before freestyle. As was mentioned, it is also a great way for newer people to get to know each other. The other alternative would be to drop the class and increase freestyle but as most people don't really get to a venue before 9pm (especially for a Blues night) I don't think there would be any benefit.

    5.) Music - the music is always going to vary based on simply how Foxy and I are feeling at the time. However, more than one person mentioned that they would have liked a little more in the way of traditional blues music and we will certainly respond to this.

    6.) Floor - the floor on the whole was pretty good, but then we had talced it before the evening started. A/C also seems to 'dry' a floor out as the evening progresses. Although we did talc a bit during the evening we probably won't do this in the future as without brushing it in it gives a combination of fast and slow areas, which can be dangerous. For the future we propose to have a 'talc corner' where you can dip your twinkle toes if you want to.

    7.) Numbers - we actually had 160 in on the night and yet there was lots of spare space. From the seating area it looked busy, but from on stage we could see consistent areas of available space. On this basis we propose to increase numbers slightly and will tightly monitor the gender balance. We did actually gender balance this time but the numbers were thrown by some last minute male cancelations and also some single men bringing un-announced partners along - we will be stricter on this in the future and this should improve things further.

    8.) Coming next - we're glad everybody liked the feature of the lap top on stage displaying the next track. It is a little bit of a headache for the Djs though as quite often there are tracks that we can't classify easily (when this happens we just call it 'Country Blues....') In addition we also have to remember to change the display... I don't think we will make it more prominant as I'm sure people will come to recognize where to look and when as they become familiar with the system.

    9.) I also propose that all future reference to the Utopia team should be as David, Val and Vince for 2 reasons: 1) I'm obviously more important than the other 2 and 2.) Val, Dave and Vince shortens to VD,V which sounds like that disease I don't want again.

    Finally, a BIG thank you from us all for your support! We've worked really hard to try to make Utopia an event we could be proud of but will continue to strive to implement improvements as we go along. Look forward to seeing some of you again next Friday at Evesham and back at Twickers on the 9th.

    Rocky.

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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by Cruella View Post
    Gutted i couldnt make it and it sounded like everyone had a great time, just a point i think ESGringo does a grand job taking all the pictures......they look fab

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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by SteveHunt View Post
    Gutted i couldnt make it and it sounded like everyone had a great time, just a point i think ESGringo does a grand job taking all the pictures......they look fab

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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    I dropped my scarf somewhere between the dancehall and my car. It's a stripey wool Gap one. If anyone found it could they let me know?

  8. #28
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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Err. Oh yes, the event. It was OK. Music was a bit slow. And I lost my scarf. Lory.

  9. #29
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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by jivecat View Post
    Err. Oh yes, the event. It was OK. Music was a bit slow. And I lost my scarf. Lory.
    Wasn't that the whole idea ? Faint praise indeed.

    Guess I won't be seeing you at Evesham then; if I brave the intimidating 17 mile journey in the dark, that is.

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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    When and where is the next one and how do you get a ticket

    Look like i missed a great night, i was hunting sheep in Wales

  11. #31
    Dickie Davies' love-child Cruella's Avatar
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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by stewart38 View Post
    When and where is the next one and how do you get a ticket

    Look like i missed a great night, i was hunting sheep in Wales
    Look here.
    The next one is at Evesham this friday, there is no need to book for this one as it's a much bigger venue apparently. The next event at Twickenham is on the 9th Feb, booking from today i believe.

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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by Cruella View Post
    Look here.
    The next one is at Evesham this friday, there is no need to book for this one as it's a much bigger venue apparently. The next event at Twickenham is on the 9th Feb, booking from today i believe.
    9th feb someones birthday ,ill be 38 !

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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by stewart38 View Post
    9th feb someones birthday ,ill be 38 !
    Waist?

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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by stewart38 View Post
    ill be 38 !
    Again?

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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Unfortunately arrived very late (due to airline delays) but thoroughly enjoyed the time that I had at Utopia. Personally loved all the music - thanks Dave and Vince
    Didn't manage to dance with DJ, was on my way to ask him when someone asked me. Also missed a dance with Chef and Kev F, and then missed him again at Hammersmith
    The whole Utopia team had done an amazing job with the hall, I especially loved the entrance. A fab night, can't wait for March 9th
    "If you rebel against high heels, take care to do so in a very smart hat.'' George Bernard Shaw

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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by Cruella View Post
    Waist?
    No, IQ.

  17. #37
    Formerly known as DavidJames David Bailey's Avatar
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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by Tiggerbabe View Post
    Didn't manage to dance with DJ, was on my way to ask him when someone asked me.
    Yeah, yeah, thet's what everyone says...

  18. #38
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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    A truly wonderful evening - well done Val & Dave. Music was great and varied, even enjoyed the 2 fast tracks every so often, so hats off to Dave & Vince Lots of fantastic dancers and I didn't have one bad dance. Even when I wasn't dancing I so enjoyed watching, especially the two consecutive dances Simon & Nina had - such an inspiration. Good atmosphere and venue and I am certainly going to the next one.

  19. #39
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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    Quote Originally Posted by Miguel View Post
    No, IQ.


    saucer of milk for Miguel

    good way to win freinds


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    Re: Utopia first night reviews (12/01/07)

    What a night. I passed my views on the music directly to David and Vince. Basically I thought that the music was spot on (just enough Nu tango to let one rest and/or socialise)

    And Where did the too much Latin thing come from, am I deaf or something?

    When I pays me money on the door I expect a number of things from the organisers, Friday night I felt I got real value for money, The amount of hard of hard work and attention to detail was evident throughout the the whole evening, plus it a real social feel too, not that I am social .

    Also being the selfish kinda person that I am, when I am at a dance I want to dance with those people that make my night enjoyable (its my 8 quid), what a gathering of dancers there were there you couldnt ask for better.

    The Elitist/hotshot crap is just that, crap. People need to remember this kind of thing is niche, special interest not mass appeal, that doesnt mean better. on that basis lets not forget Dave, Val and Vince have stuck thier collective neck out to create the Utopia concept.


    Dave, Val and Vince. Thank you again for a great night out

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