My Very First Southport....

[Kel_Warminster]

The May/June will be my first Southport event, and my mate Joanne and I consider ourselves very lucky to have got in!!

However, as relative newbies on the circuit (one year for me, 5 months for Jo), and a couple of Ceroc weekenders under our belts, we are wondering what to expect from the hype.

Any tips/advice on what to try, where to dance, and what to avoid at Southport, gratefully received, thanks!!

Esp any news relating to my burgeoning love of blues, can I expect it to be as good as the blues room at 3 AM in Camber two weeks ago?

[2leftfeet]

I look forward to seeing the replies as I am in the same boat!

[Steven666]

Pace yourself. I'm gonna try that next time!

[Lynn]

The May/June will be my first Southport event, and my mate Joanne and I consider ourselves very lucky to have got in!!

However, as relative newbies on the circuit (one year for me, 5 months for Jo), and a couple of Ceroc weekenders under our belts, we are wondering what to expect from the hype.

Don't worry about that, I'd been dancing about 6 months when I first went to SP (the very first one) but only small local classes, hadn't even been to a freestyle! I had no idea what blues was!

If you've done a couple of weekenders already you will be well prepared and will see some familar faces.

The dance rooms are all on the same level and not far apart (the main room is right off the blues room) so make sure you move about and try all the rooms to see where you like best, though sounds like you will like the blues room.

I love wandering from room to room, I tend to hang out in the blues room, if I sit down at all its in there. The other two rooms I wander in, pause to see if its a track I want to dance to, then look for someone to dance with. Or I might go over to the latin room if there is DJ I especially like. Personally I find the main room a bit hot, and tend to avoid it on Sat night when its so busy, but spend more time in it on Sun night. (I do find a quick visit for some fast and fun dances really perks up my energy levels if I'm flagging.)

But there is no perfect formula, just see what works for you.

What to avoid.... prob the same as other weekenders - trying to do too much! Its just not possible to dance till 9am then do workshops all day!

Esp any news relating to my burgeoning love of blues, can I expect it to be as good as the blues room at 3 AM in Camber two weeks ago?

The SP blues room is something you have to experience... it can be totally sublime - at 3am, 5am, 8am...12pm, 4pm, 6pm... and so on - there always seems to be music playing and people dancing...

Its also lovely in the afternoons, esp Sunday afternoon when you are really settled into the weekender zone, so if you aren't doing workshops then make sure you try some afternoon blues room dancing (my prob is even when I have planned to do workshops I can't drag myself away.)

[johnnyman]

Southport has taken on a life of it's own. Having been to every single one, here is my own perspective.

Like the Ceroc weekenders, you are spoilt for choice with classes and they cover a wide range, which has now included West Coast Swing. Don't be too intimidated by the atmosphere in the Blues Room and take a chance on dancing with some of the regulars in there. Pace yourself and maybe do one or two classes a day. The chances are you may well recognize a couple of faces from your regular weekly class.

During the evening freestyles, alternate between the three rooms in the complex and get as many dances in as possible. If you genuinely want to come again, make sure you book on the weekend itself, as places do go a lot quicker and I have actually started booking two weekenders in advance.

Hope this is of use

best
johnnyman

[DavidY]

If you genuinely want to come again, make sure you book on the weekend itself

I don't think women have the option of doing that any more. I know many women came to Southport in Feb with the intention of booking for June on the Feb weekend, and discovered they couldn't book without a man. It's already too late for a woman to book for September without a man.

Places available for men and mixed couples only.

places do go a lot quicker and I have actually started booking two weekenders in advance.

[fletch]

I look forward to seeing the replies as I am in the same boat!

talk to Fletch

[Steven666]

talk to Fletch

[fletch]

are you sure

[Kel_Warminster]

LOL Jo and I booked onto the Sept SP at the same time we sent in our May/June application.

Thanks for all the advice - is there some sort of get together for Ceroc Forum peeps at these events, to say hi face to face for a change and maybe a dance or three?

[Cruella]

Thanks for all the advice - is there some sort of get together for Ceroc Forum peeps at these events, to say hi face to face for a change and maybe a dance or three?

Usually there is a Forum Gathering, on the Friday night at 9pm in the Blues room.

[Kel_Warminster]

Sounds like a great idea Cruella...do we have to wear a pink carnation or something to recognise other Forum-ites (-ists?) ?

[Steven666]

are you sure

You probably know more than most people.

[except me :-)]

[stewart38]

I look forward to seeing the replies as I am in the same boat!

Im afraid to say if your coming by boat as far as Im aware there are no docking facilities

If you have done camber expect much the same

[jive-vee]

I've been to 3 Southports now and have not yet been brave enough (or got there in time - although that's possibly a handy excuse) to go to the forum gathering. I might make more of a concerted effort in Sept as it would be nice to put some faces to names

If you like dancing though you will love Southport - it is fantastic, especially the late night disco/high energy tracks in the main room then finishing off with hours of gorgeous dances in the Blues Room. There are loads of people who I only seem to see at Southport and my dances with them are Even just watching the dancing is fab. The only thing I need to make more of an effort to do is chat haha (I do smile a lot at people though so hopefully I still come across as friendly) although if the music is playing (and it always is) it's hard not to dance.

[Cruella]

Sounds like a great idea Cruella...do we have to wear a pink carnation or something to recognise other Forum-ites (-ists?) ?

Some people do wear Tshirts with their Forum name on.

[Lynn]

Best way to find forumites, even at the forum reception, is to find two key people - Minnie Mouse and Fletch - then they will tell you who everyone else is!

[stewart38]

Some people do wear Tshirts with their Forum name on.

Some extend that to big banners 40ft long hung outside their chalet windows but thats personal choice

[dave the scaffolder]

Rules for Southport...

Turn up have a marvellous time and go home.

DTS Dave XXX XXX

[Kel_Warminster]

Rules for Southport...

Turn up have a marvellous time and go home.

DTS Dave XXX XXX

That sounds like a good plan...I presume sleeping goes out the window, like it did at Camber