Southport Feb '08 - the aftermath

[Trouble]

well have had a good nights sleep last night and can now tell much of the same as wots been told already;

Arrival was smooth and very little waiting around. Arrived in a budget chalet which was incorrect but so desperate to get into bar and boogie that we unpacked and thought sort it out tommorow... bad mistake... Friday night was by far the coldest night, the wind was howling and budget accomodation is not built for defending you against wind and cold. Had a bad night, moved next day, bit of a drag but didn't kill the weekend. John kindly moved us and comfort was had for rest of stay.

Headed straight for blues area, planned on having a drink and not staying long, 3 hours later, still in blues area, dancing in polo neck jumper and sweating out of every area.... Didn't want to leave. Atmosphere was fantastic, everybody arriving, hello's socialising, drinking, dancing, brilliant.

Managed to last till 4am Sat morning, feet could not go any further.

But as usual Southport remains forever the best weekender for me and DTS. We absolutely adore it and have never had a bad one.

Had so many great dances this weekend, didn't want for a partner ever and found the gender balance perfect.

Thanks to Vegetable, , blue shoes,stoke bloke, Steve, Tsh, Sara, CJ (your sets were the best all weekend), Andy, Tiger pants, mr darcy, under par, (scottish fella with teddy as sporan, name has escaped me), Gerry, Jamie (gonna miss ya you sexy bugger you), Mark, Daniel - my special young man, pretzel meister and everyone else i danced with this weekend. I did not have a bad dance all weekend.

Thanks also to DTS who aside from wiping his sweat all over me, chucking towels at me when he was dragged on the floor, farting all over the place, paid John late meaning we went into budget accomodation,irritating me at every opportunity .... also had me laughing non stop from thurs to this morning when i left sunny biggleswade to go back to boring reality of work and made me feel coochy all weekend. xxx

Girls, lovely to see you all there Sara, ruby, claire, fletch, yli, liz's x 2, tor, caz, debbie and lemon cake, yum yum yum your cooking is awesom.... awww so many girlfriends, all great company.

Roll on June.

[stewart38]

.
For me, Sunday afternoon in the Blues room was incredible. CJ's set had a very dramatic effect - I've never seen anything more like Marmite! There was no like or dislike, it was love or hate. Those who loved it were in total rapture, those who hated it went off to find something else to do -

Im sorry it doesnt do it for me as others have said

Its almost there for 'shock'

I had no where else to go

If you have a theme for a room why not get the DJ to play to that theme ?

You shouldnt be aiming to clear half the dance floor

[Cruella]

Having a lady I danced with say the following. "I have seen loads of great dancers here this weekend but you are the best as you are dancing with everyone and not just the ego's at the bar"....... Temptation was setting in to go and dance up at the bar. To show them how it's done.

I'm amazed it took over a day for someone to mention the 'ego's at the bar' ........It was very interesting observing in the Blues Room after about 8 a.m Sunday morning as there seemed to be two pretty separate camps - those dancing in the bar area and those dancing on the main floor and very little transfer of people between the two.

Rob and I had this conversation after Stokie said to me 'Shall we dance in ego alley?'
We noted how the two camps of dancers didn't move out of their respective areas. We also said how some of the dancers in the top area would be saying how the others in the bar area were hotshotty and egotistical, even though they were doing exactly the same thing but in a different part of the room!

Headed straight for blues area, planned on having a drink and not staying long, 3 hours later, still in blues area, dancing in polo neck jumper and sweating out of every area.... Didn't want to leave. Atmosphere was fantastic, everybody arriving, hello's socialising, drinking, dancing, brilliant.

Sounds like me on Saturday, I went out to find a corkscrew at 2pm, returned at 8pm (without one) Got a very stern look for being late for dinner too, Sorry Sparkles.

[Cruella]

(scottish fella with teddy as sporan, name has escaped me

McJester (and it was a puppy not a teddy, take it from one who knows!)

[skippy]

Unfortunately wasn't able to go due to work commitments and have just found out there are no more ladies places at the moment for June........
I urgently ask any men out there who haven't yet booked to go but plan to: to PM me ASAP......
Two forever grateful ladies seek your help

[SnowWhite]

We noted how the two camps of dancers didn't move out of their respective areas. We also said how the dancers in the top area would be saying how the others in the bar area were hotshotty and egotistical, even though they were doing exactly the same thing but in a different part of the room!

Does this mean you guys in the bar area are NOT calling us in the top area hot shots? Dammit - we really are going to have to work harder!!!

Isn't it just about comfort zones? There ARE some amazing dancers down by the bar - like attracts like I'm sure. I wouldn't know if they are hot shots or not - but they looked like they were having an incredibly good time - as were we!

[Dance Demon]

Another Southport under the belt, and a very pleasant experience it was too. Great to meet up with people you haven't seen since the last one. Didn't do a lot of dancing on Friday or Saturday. Seemed to either be working or sleeping most of the time. Sunday night was best for me, as I finished all my Djing slots at 2.30am and managed to relax a bit and do a bit of dancing. Got a couple of fab dances with Minnie Mouse ( great to see you again Lynda) and one with Cruella in the main hall to "Do Your Thang"..( amazing how a few bottles of pear cider can help you let your hair down)... There seemed to be a real buzz going on on Sunday night..
My set in the blues room on Friday night got cut short at 6.30am when the Fire alarm went off and we all got evacuated. Thankfully it was a false alarm, as my laptop and all my CDs were still at the decks
Saturday night /Sunday morning was great. Finally gave up at around 9.30am to have breakfast before heading off for a good kip.
Really enjoyed playing in the Latin room on Saturday night, It was a refreshing change.

So once again a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. I've been to every Southport, and I can't recall them being anything other than great. This one was no different. well done once again to John & Wes

[Caz]

Quick post before I go out...

SP was once again the best ever one for me. Didn't have one bad dance all weekend. Great to see so many friends again. SP really does feel like home to me.

Spent a lot of weekend in the main room and blues room in the afternoons or when they kicked us out of the main room.

Don't want to mention any names but had some fabulous dances with lots of fabulous people.

I will however mention that it was great to meet James McLauchlin. You made my weekend and I loved our dances.. somehow our dance to syncopated rhythm made me irresistible for the next song as I was asked to dance by 3 men at once! Loved your classes even tho u made us lie on the floor LOL

Have to say sorry to anyone I turned down for a dance on the Sunday night / Monday morning but the 1 hour's sleep had finally kicked in and I was struggling to function never mind dance...

Thanx to everyone for making my chalet mate and SP virgin friend Donna feel so welcome. She will be back in September!

Special thanks to PMJD and Wuzzle for booking with me for May / June. Thanx guys

Overall an amazing weekend... Respect to John and Wes for making Southport just what it is... Words can't explain the buzz you are on all weekend... (and no speed needed! Plenty of caffeine and chocolate is all it takes...)

Also on a happy note I really feel like this SP was my best dancing yet... I feel like I have finally reached where I want to with my dancing and all the compliments I received really do mean the world to me

[Lynn]

Have to say sorry to anyone I turned down for a dance on the Sunday night / Monday morning but the 1 hour's sleep had finally kicked in and I was struggling to function never mind dance...

You turned me down My only refusal all weekend. Next time.

Its good to read lots of other people saying 'one of the best ever' about the weekend - I thought maybe it was just me!

[Trouble]

Does this mean you guys in the bar area are NOT calling us in the top area hot shots? Dammit - we really are going to have to work harder!!!

Isn't it just about comfort zones? There ARE some amazing dancers down by the bar - like attracts like I'm sure. I wouldn't know if they are hot shots or not - but they looked like they were having an incredibly good time - as were we!

Does that make me a floater then cause i went in both corners.!! Perhaps that means im a double hot shot.
I must be walking around with my eyes shut and my head up my bum cause i didn't notice anybody calling people names!!!

I stay in my corner cause my feet are killing me and unnecessary walking is a waste of foot time.

Anyway in Southport we are all hot shots. All having fun, all getting hot, we even had some shots brought for us (thank you David.... wonderful wonderful dance god that you are) forgot to mention you earlier but i say i say i say, yummy dancing..xx

[dave the scaffolder]

Aye aye sport fans...I will keep this...Short, sharp and sh1t hot...

Blinding weekend, I danced my little socks off and had an absolute marvellous time.

I cant name everyone that I danced with, because I just constantly danced all weekend.

Had a bit of a turn on Friday night with not having a cigarette for 2 weeks, my body picked Friday night to purge itself of all toxins and I was a sick teddy with MAN FLU, not the mild girly type, but the full blown MAN FLU, it is a miracle of modern medicine that I am still alive really.

Not a cross word or any negativity all weekend, just danced and danced all of the time.

All my love to my gorgeous Trouble for looking after me and a massive thank you to all and sundry who honoured me with your dancing.

Best dance of the weekend.........MARTIN HARPER........Awesome.

A big hello to all of you dancers from Scotland...Amazing.

Big up to the Whale and his lovely wife..Debs...Nice to meet the pair of you.

Have i booked the next one?

Does the Pope sh1t in the woods and are all bears catholic?

Course we have.

Keep dancing and bless all of the hot-shots. They are enjoying themselves.

DTS Dave XXX XXX

[Lory]

I knew i'd forget something's.. (i'm sure i'll be remembering more and more as the day goes on)

TWK and the Librarian too! How could I forget?

[Freya]

Ok here goes 1st I'd like to address the comments on the "ego's" down by the bar!

I Flittered here there and everywhere. but was hanging round by the bar and on the top level. I think it was a case of where your friends were hanging out. I was made to feel welcome wherever I went.

I don't think there were any egos anywhere. If they were asked to dance by someone. they did and seemed to be having just as much fun as the rest of them!

I would hate to have been thought of as a Hot-shot when I was with them. I think I only turned down a couple of people all weekend when I could hardly stand for one reason or another. Sorry guys.

We'll move on.

Unfortunately this wasn't my best Southport yet. I had a fantastic time and SP is definately still one of the best weekenders I've been on but this wasn't my best.

I think it was personal reasons as to why it wasn't. I chose to do alot more WCS and felt as though I'd really improved this weekend. but I think it meant that my MJ suffered. Which means that my confidence on the dancefloor was low and asking people to dance was difficult. Not because I thought I would be refused...I wasn't all weekend but because I didn't think I could do them justice on the dancefloor. I think that this impacted on my enjoyment as I never really got into and stayed in the "Zone"!

Just Like to say thanx to everyone who did dance with me. You know who you are who made my weekend. And everyone I got to see and hangout with.

[Trouble]

McJester (and it was a puppy not a teddy, take it from one who knows!)

Thats it, thanks Cru x

[Lory]

Ok here goes 1st I'd like to address the comments on the "ego's" down by the bar!

I Flittered here there and everywhere. ~snip~

I don't think there were any egos anywhere.

I thought the atmosphere was exceptionally good everywhere!

Everyone was just out to have a good time and I can't think of a single person who looked 'hotshotty'

[Trouble]

I thought the atmosphere was exceptionally good everywhere!

Everyone was just out to have a good time and I can't think of a single person who looked 'hotshotty'

[CJ]

CJ - remind me, what's the difference between a break and the end of the track?

Well, I'm stunned U had to ask this. The end of the track is quite clearly the end of the track. I would have tought that, by now, I would have shown U by GREAT example that a break is when U thank ur partner too early then excuse urself to get another partner for he rest of the song!!!

Some thoughts.... I loved this Southport. Mariachi seemed well recieved, apart from Stewart 38: although I'm not convinced about "Tango to Evora" having shock quality. It's funny how some people remember it as a "rock out" and yet Wes and I, at the time of one set, were discussing how much variety can be allowed for and just how wide the range of music is...

I was only disappointed with one set in the blues room, which had too much WCS bias for my own taste... That said, I felt the quality of music, and dancing was fab. John, U're sleaze section approx half 7 on Sunday morning hit the spot nicely!!! Tho, I'm not saying who's spot!!!!

WAY too many breathtaking dances but at risk of offending:
Freudian Hips, Tiger Pants, Hungarian girl, Carela, Hevmate, Kate, Lory, Yli, Liz and Snowwhite all gained a piece of my forever over the weekend... And the winners of the not too intense but leaving warm fuzzy glow awards go to Lynn and JiveCat. My memory will come back just long enough for me not to be able to edit, and offend everyone else and embarrass me in good style!!

Some new discoveries, too, on the dancing front...

Oh, and thank U Fletch.

Bring on June...

[CJ]

Bollox!! I knew it!!!

I forgot (at the very least) Plum.

idiot child

[Blueshoes]

I loved the February Southport last year and this was the same with bells on!

I had to plan the weekend round the DJing and seemed to sleep through the day and dance all night, thus being accused of being a vampire.... those who know me know I don't bite, honest.

One of the things that set Southport aside from any other weekender is the attention to detail, with Wes wandering around on Friday putting coloured lightbulbs into the sockets in the blues area - or rather persuading anyone tall enough to reach to do it for him! The floored extension to the blues area worked brilliantly and created enough space that the area wasn't too packed, as it has been on other occasions. As a fan of smooth blues music I did feel there was too much specific WC music in the blues area at the same time the Dance Den was open to cater for West Coast dancers.

Something always happens to my dancing at Southport, I start doing things I've not learnt, rather absorbing them from the others there subliminaly and by immersing myself in the atmosphere. I had many memorable dances, unfortunately the most memorable being when I did a 360 turn with the lady clinging onto my finger like grim death, nearly ripping the thing off altogether - this was the only bad point in the weekend, and as a result I'm typing with a limp....

My resolution for next time is to arrange my sleep better so I get to do some afternoon dancing where (by all accounts) it was very chilled and had a more personal feel than the evenings.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who danced with me, to all old and new friends, and in particular to JOHN and WES for creating an experience that positively affects the lives of so many people.

How long till the next one?

[StokeBloke]

It seems I am now enjoying Southport to Under Par-esque proportions! Huge thank yous to John, Wes and the whole crew for making everything run with such seeming ease, I feel sure it was anything but! However, as usual, none of the drama touched us dancers.

The short Review:
I loved it... all of it! Thank you. Do feel free to move onto the next post...

The Epic Review:
Yeah, it was cold out. But that wasn't localised to Southport, it's called Winter. I feel the fact that some people are complaining about the cold in the Winter is testimony to how little there was to moan about. I agree that Benji and Heidi were a let down. But that's only because of the extra effort of previous stars. It's only in comparison with the ultra high quality of person (as opposed to dancer) that are usually on the bill.

There was some music that I just didn't feel. But hey, with three days of solid music that is somewhat of an inevitability isn't it? 99% of the tracks were spot on. What was most important to me was the music in the blues room for the last few hours of the day (I.E. 3am-9am). This was all completely magical. There were tracks played during this time that I personally feel you would never hear anywhere else.

Ego alley. Yes I did refer to the dance floor in front of the bar by it's colloquial name. But I also danced on that floor a fair bit too - as Cruella found out. So what does that say about me? It says there were some people standing over by the bar that I wanted to dance with, so I went and danced with them. Ironically though, in three days of solid dancing I only had one refusal; by someone over at Ego Alley

The dancing was sublime. I had wonderful dances all weekend. Not one single duff dance. I wish I could remember everyone here, but this post would end up looking like a telephone directory. We kind of pitched camp in a slightly different spot this weekend, and that meant we mixed with a different crowd. What a great bunch! I feel that I really do need to mention the girls that stayed up dancing right through the night though. A very special time to dance, and I was only able to do so because they were there to provide me with inspiration - the Southport Breakfast Club girls

Every dance I had with Twirlie Bird seemed better than the last... the weekend just grew and grew, as did my confidence. Hot on Twirlie's heels was the one and only WittyBird. I had some incredible dances with ladies I know by sight, but not by name, and some equally brillaint dances with girls who I have never seen or met before. That said, real stand out dances for me for various reasons, included my dances with Minnie M, Sara White, DD+, Eva Rossiter, HelenB, Lynn, Little Monkey, Amy Muncaster, Rosie, Trouble, Alex and an extra special mention for all the time that SmileySue and I had on the floor - WoW!!

I also did lots of watching this weekend as well. I spent a fair bit of time watching the dancing in front of the bar area from behind the handrail. I was stunned to see robd blow two WCS 'rules' out of the water at the same time!! No suit jacket with his jeans.... and he was smiling like a Cheshire cat.. the scoundrel. So, Westies can smile. Seriously. I really enjoyed watching you dance Rob, I hope me leering at you didn't put you off at all... it certainly didn't look like it from where I was stood.

I loved the temporary flooring behind the DJ in the Blues room. It was a nice place for anyone who felt intimidated by the usual Blues Room/Ego Alley areas to make the most of the brilliant sets that were being played all weekend in that room. I hope it's used again in May, a great solution to the marquee/wind problem in as much as it solved far more than it set out to. Genius.

Thanks to Wes for the much needed breakfast. The time spent at that table with those bleary eye'd blissed out dancers was priceless. You guys know who you are, it always seems to be the same familiar faces

The classes. There were classes? Damn! Wes & John laid on all that amazing dancing, complete with top flight floors, brilliant DJs and there were classes too?!?