Originally Posted by
Paul F
THE BLUES ROOM AT SOUTHPORT
Please understand that the following statement is one that I need to stress more than any other I have written – ever
ON ITS OWN THE BLUES ROOM IS THE ONE THING THAT SEPERATES S’PORT FROM ALL OTHER WEEKENDERS
Its true. In my opinion the effect of the blues room cannot be understated. It has a power all by itself. This must sound crazy to most people but you can see the dynamics of it at Southport events gone by and you could see the difference all the other factors made to it this time. (I am discounting February as that was a different season and different case altogether)
Let me explain what the blues room was like for those that have never been………..
It’s a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. You want to dance so you head down to the main venue. On the walk up to the venue proper you see people dancing alfresco i.e outside in the sun on the veranda protruding from the concertina doors of the blues room. The soft, CHILLED music is playing and the scene is one of total uniqueness. Something I have never seen before at any other event. People are sat on the veranda tables and on the lower level tables drinking, chatting and eating while some are watching, and sometimes inspired by, the funny, clever, musical, serious, silly and sublime dancing going in front of them. A little further in, just inside the concertina doors is the blues room proper. The sunshine is casting a warm light over the area just inside the door. More people dancing and enjoying themselves.
Inside there are people in the restaurant (a section of the blues room) again eating, drinking and maybe being entertained by people on the lower lever bar floor. Again, often inspiring.
By night the blues room becomes a nicely lit area for dancing and drinking with those that want to venturing out to the veranda to dance in the open air under the stars. Later in the night is the die hard dancers who enjoy dancing while watching the sun come up over the horizon. Too hot in the blues room – just venture outside to the decking to cool off or dance by the doors.
Back inside and you might find a visiting pro or 2 enjoying a drink and dances with anyone that asks them. Onlookers look on from the raised floor and outside in amazement. Ahhhhhhhh, bliss!
All in all this is the single scenario that, in my opinion, has made Southport what it is. Yes, visiting pros are great and the other things are great too but the blues room is unique. For years I have wanted to attend alfresco events in the summer. This is it. The only one.
The bit about being inspired is also one of great importance. I often take DVDs to weekenders so I can watch the pro’s in action before I venture out. Why? For inspiration!
This weekender just gone killed a lot of that for me.
Firstly, the marquee turned the veranda and airy blues room into 1 big room as the flaps of the veranda at the end were permanently down. Even if these ends were pinned up it still felt as though it ‘sectioned off’ the veranda. No more ideology of dancing under the stars or inside with a cooling breeze. No more sunshine shining into the blues room.
Sitting at the tables in the marquee was not like sitting at tables in the open air. I would be surprised if anyone said it was. It was just different.
The marquee had its own lighting system. This, again, made it look like another room. That’s not what its about.
Even with the sides pinned up it still appeared to be a ‘room’ due to the stands and supports used in erecting it.
Also, as I said earlier, the marquee created a ceiling which prevented the hot air from rising off the increasingly sweaty dancers and evaporating. This also meant there was no cool air coming in from outside. The temperatures were stunning!
The blues room feel was dramatically affected by the periodic evacuation of some more experienced dancers to the Dance Den. Again, great for people like myself but what about others?
But what can be done?
The immediate benefit of this marquee was to protect a very good temporary floor. The original decking was adequate to dance on but wasn’t perfect. At least the marquee gives the option of a good floor. But at what price?
Is this point of view total crap given the glowing feedback from others on the forum? I dont know the answer. This is just a feeling I got.
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