Storm Aftermath

[Minnie M]

............I'm with Lory on the greater numbers of arm yankers, foot stompers etc. Most I've seen at Camber, but maybe I was unlucky...

I left at 2.30 both nights.... never before in the history of weekenders.... just couldn't find my zone (unlike Utopia last night which was as ever totally fabulous )

The smell in the main room....uuuuurgh, hundreds of sweaty bodies badly ventilated.


Roll on VLV though- I'm a sucker for punishment!

(Utopia rules )
I only stayed for Saturday night - arrived Sat pm and left Sun early eve

Although I did have some great dances down stairs, I found a lot of the upstairs dancers as Lory and Degodier have stated - but hey they are still learning, next Storm they will be fab (hopefully)

[Twirlie Bird]

Roll on VLV though- I'm a sucker for punishment!

I don't understand this. From what I have read on here and what I have heard from others this Camber was really below par, so why be so excited about the next?

[martingold]

I don't understand this. From what I have read on here and what I have heard from others this Camber was really below par, so why be so excited about the next?

well form our point of view as a cheap weekender it was awesome
we made some truly fantastic friends had plenty of dances and came back happy
look we all know the chalets are, well they are beds with a shower (if your lucky) but personally i can put up with that for the fun we had at that price
who cares if the worlds greatest dancers were not there (although i would say some of them were)our dancing is about having fun which we did in bucket loads

[Lee Bartholomew]

Anyone else note the lack of WCS classes?

[Degodier]

I don't understand this. From what I have read on here and what I have heard from others this Camber was really below par, so why be so excited about the next?

I put it badly. I'm excited about VLV because I am optimistic that it will be back up to its usual standard and I'll find my zone again! I guess it would be impossible to never ever have a less enjoyable weekender. I've been to lots and that was the first one that didn't 'ring my bell' so to speak. The rest were heaven

So I'm looking forward to VLV and Southport and whatever else happens along on the dance calender!

[Lynn]

Anyone else note the lack of WCS classes?

Several people have commented on this. I wasn't there this year, but last year at Storm they not only put on WCS classes but had a dedicated WCS room - the perfect environment for people to build on the lessons. Which at some points there were only about 4 of us in (not joking, me, plus one beginner and another couple - was good though as the other beginner and I were able to spend ages working on basics together, bit like the blind leading the blind but we had fun!). (I think one reason why the WCS room was so quiet was that there was WCS music being played in the COZ so the Westies stayed down there.) So they have tried WCS at Storm and it just didn't seem to work, understandable that they may have decided not to try it again this year.

[FoxyFunkster]

Anyone else note the lack of WCS classes?

Ceroc have a problem in that they don`t have anyone experienced enough to teach WCS classes, the 2 options Paul F and Paul H are now doing their own thing i believe, but to be honest at the last camber weekender Paul F taught the 1st and most important WCS lesson at the primetime slot of 10am on saturday morning.....so it would appear that WCS has left the Ceroc radar.....and besides it appears that the ever popular Lucky and Ruby are now what the punters want.....

[robd]

Ceroc have a problem in that they don`t have anyone experienced enough to teach WCS classes, the 2 options Paul F and Paul H are now doing their own thing i believe, but to be honest at the last camber weekender Paul F taught the 1st and most important WCS lesson at the primetime slot of 10am on saturday morning.....so it would appear that WCS has left the Ceroc radar.....and besides it appears that the ever popular Lucky and Ruby are now what the punters want.....

Aside from asking where you were yesterday Foxy you lightweight I'd ask whether Ruby and Lucky are what the punters want or whether they are what the punters are getting and there is a distinction. Going back to the original issue of lack of WCS classes - well, it's a Ceroc weekender so why would you expect WCS classes other than precedent?

[Lee Bartholomew]

The last few Ceroc weekenders I went to had them. Was looking forward to starting learning WCS.

[StokeBloke]

well, it's a Ceroc weekender so why would you expect WCS classes other than precedent?

Modern Jive is as you all know a b@stard dance. Shamelessly lifting bits from anywhere and everywhere. It is that complete lack of structure that makes it so accessible and appealing. If Ceroc decide to keep their brand of MJ within the strict boundaries of their approved moves, and not be willing to teach and expand the minds of their punters then shame on them.

Teaching WCS to MJers is a fantastic idea as WCS has so many transferable skills and moves that would improve anyone's MJ. Let's just hope that Ceroc remove their One-True-Way blinkers and remember what MJ actually is!

[frodo]

...So they have tried WCS at Storm and it just didn't seem to work, understandable that they may have decided not to try it again this year.

Comparing the 2008 schedule with earlier years it doesn't look to be only about the WCS, but a general move away from taster classes and focusing on modern jive and blues.

Comparison by year

2006
WCS * 2
Lambada * 2
Waltz
Shim Sham
Rumba
Quickstep
Lindy Hop
Jango * 2 ?

2007
Lindy Hop
Foxtrot
Cha
Bachata
Hip Hop
Tango * 3
WCS * 5
Coasters * 2 ?

2008
Tango
Ballroomin' Bash
Rumba Rhythm ?

It looks fairly sudden based on Storm but possibly it is simply a long term trend when you look at all Ceroc weekenders.

They look to be moving towards a much more distinct offering, whereas previously they may have looked more like non-Ceroc weekenders.

[Astro]

A number of us, men included, suffered injuries from rough partners his weekend. I know of 7 personally, including 3 teachers. 2 of whom, had to result to restricting their dancing to people they already knew, for fear of further damage!

Teaching WCS to MJers is a fantastic idea as WCS has so many transferable skills and moves that would improve anyone's MJ.

Maybe they just can't get WCS teachers willing to risk injuries. It's a viscious circle.

[David Franklin]

Maybe they just can't get WCS teachers willing to risk injuries. It's a vicious semi-circle.

Fixed your quote for you...

[FoxyFunkster]

Aside from asking where you were yesterday Foxy you lightweight I'd ask whether Ruby and Lucky are what the punters want or whether they are what the punters are getting and there is a distinction. Going back to the original issue of lack of WCS classes - well, it's a Ceroc weekender so why would you expect WCS classes other than precedent?

This lightweight is now working midnight till 9am at work, the whole body clock change although great preparation for swing diego is tough at the moment....i`m gutted i missed mario although i`m going to blaze after swing diego to make up for it......to be frank, if you want WCS don`t go to a ceroc weekender, unless you are only going for the freestyle....

[Lynn]

It looks fairly sudden based on Storm but possibly it is simply a long term trend when you look at all Ceroc weekenders.

They look to be moving towards a much more distinct offering, whereas previously they may have looked more like non-Ceroc weekenders.

Could also be related to the level of dancers going along. A few comments have indicated there were a higher proportion of less experienced dancers there. They may want to go to a weekend to build on what they already know, not learn new dance styles. A weekend of some intermediate moves, classes on things like connection and musicality, combined with hours of freestyling, could really help a fairly novice dancer make a step forward in improving and perhaps Ceroc are partly aiming to put on classes aimed at this level of experience?

[Cruella]

.to be frank,

You look nothing like him!

[Cruella]

Could also be related to the level of dancers going along. A few comments have indicated there were a higher proportion of less experienced dancers there. They may want to go to a weekend to build on what they already know, not learn new dance styles. A weekend of some intermediate moves, classes on things like connection and musicality, combined with hours of freestyling, could really help a fairly novice dancer make a step forward in improving and perhaps Ceroc are partly aiming to put on classes aimed at this level of experience?

I don't think this is a bad thing, it's what Ceroc do best and it means that JiveAddictions weekenders continue as offering something different for the more experienced dancer. Therefore they cater for different punters, so hopefully can both carry on their success without any need for being in competition with each other.

[Lynn]

I don't think this is a bad thing, it's what Ceroc do best and it means that JiveAddictions weekenders continue as offering something different for the more experienced dancer. Therefore they cater for different punters, so hopefully can both carry on their success without any need for being in competition with each other.

I agree, I think its an excellent idea for weekenders to each offer something different - it means there is something out there for everyone.

And I suppose from Ceroc's POV it makes sense to have weekenders that cater for the people who go to their classes every week. A lot of the more experienced dancers don't do weekly classes but instead go to freestyles, specialised workshops, try other dance styles etc. So it makes sense for Ceroc to be targetting their largest section of customer base with their weekend events.

[Rocky]

Just to cut through the speculation.... it was just a simple case of the right teachers being available to schedule in for WCS. They weren't, so there weren't any WCS classes - that's all there is to it.

As for Lucky and Ruby: well they teach great classes with skill and enthusiasm and also love to socialise and freestyle (unlike some hotshot teachers I could mention...) so why wouldn't one use them on a w/ender if they are available??

[Cruella]

Ceroc have a problem in that they don`t have anyone experienced enough to teach WCS classes, the 2 options Paul F and Paul H are now doing their own thing i believe,

Just to cut through the speculation.... it was just a simple case of the right teachers being available to schedule in for WCS. They weren't, so there weren't any WCS classes - that's all there is to it.

Pretty much what Steve was saying then, are there any other Ceroc affiliated/employed teachers for WCS?