Swish- The Aftermath

[djtrev]

According to the recent 'who'se going where' only 4 of the forum were going to this event.I do hope we will get a report.
Over to you Franck,Tigger,Marc and Rachel

[gamebird]

According to the recent 'who'se going where' only 4 of the forum were going to this event.I do hope we will get a report.
Over to you Franck,Tigger,Marc and Rachel

Well, that'll be an agenda-laden aftermath if ever I saw one then

[Lory]

Well, that'll be an agenda-laden aftermath if ever I saw one then

Review or no review?

A loose, loose situation if ever I saw one!

[Spiky Steve]

Swish 2010

I just had one the best weekenders I have had. Every weekend had it's special moments for me. These notes are mostly as a reminder for myself but you are welcome to have a read.

Apologies if I whet your appitite too much as I think the event is almost sold out already for next year.

For the unitiated Swish IS different to other weekenders but obviously similar in a lot of ways. The event is not really attended by the usual forum crowd and hence if you are interested then I would not wory about any lack of reviews.

It's probably best suited to couples as very romantic and very suitable for people who want to holiday with muggles but still have dancing available whilst there is plenty to do for the muggles.

My love of dancing had been faltering of late. It is now resurrected after some of the best dances I have had. Ok I have a starting point of having an excellent dance partner in Kathleen, that said, I found space and time to find some key dancers available. My highs were fantastic fun tags with leads Steve Clegg and Glen Brooks. Sublime tagging with Marc Forster and separately with Carl Adams. Superb double trouble with Kathleen and Gemma Fordham.

For me this is the best and most romantic blues room that there is. Best DJ for me was Rachel playing some well known tunes to suit the floor. Oh! I didn't really venture into the main room much but it was good with good space on Sunday. Had some great fun with Mark and Lindsay.

The Potters Theatre Company were absolutely fantastic this year and now forming a great rapport with Karen, Glen and Paul (Jedwood). The receptionist said this was the only weekend run at Potters where the entertainment was not completely arranged by them, she said they had find it difficult to be certain of their role. This year the Theatre company got it spot on perfect with the highlight being a comedy performance including mention of many Ceroc /MJ moves. The shows were all West End standard IMHO.

Kathleen was asked if we would join a fashion show for Stand out dancewear competition outfits. I didn't get a choice. This turned out to be four pairs dancing in Stricitly Come Dancing Style outfits to the Band. Two songs with a quick change of outfits in between. Nerve racking but wonderful highlight of the weekend with lovely and welcome feedback from lots of people in the audience. It is a very friendly crowd here.
Kathleen was particularly pleased with the fashion show and getting to dress up and dance to the band.

Oh! I got a free massage. By pure coincidence my masseuse was one of the procipal singers. She said she loved watching us whilst singing and could we do the same on the Sunday.

There has been previous debate on the star rating of the food. The starters and main course food were very good. Sea Bass, Roast Duck etc etc. The deserts were not so good and our waiter service was lacking in attention so I would not give a five star rating for the restaurant.

I cannot comment on classes. I was asked to help/demo with tag and double trouble. The tag class was excepotionally good fun with people apologising afterwards for laughing so much in case they had disturbed the class.

I would recommend the hotel rooms. Ours was massive however I was too slow and have only managed to book a chalet for next year.

Am looking forward to the photos from cerocpix

That's about it for me.

Steve
　

[Gav]

Review or no review?

A loose, loose situation if ever I saw one!

Are you suggesting that Franqscxtk, Tigger, Marc and Rachel are a bit free and easy?

[Lory]

Are you suggesting that Franqscxtk, Tigger, Marc and Rachel are a bit free and easy?

Arghh! I always get that one wrong

[Rachel]

Are you suggesting that Franqscxtk, Tigger, Marc and Rachel are a bit free and easy?

Excuse me??!!

Anyway, what happens on tour, stays on tour …

Oh [laden] review - yes, it was absolutely wonderful : It must have been - I think Franck & Sheena are already booked for next year's event and the restaurant is trebling their stocks of champagne.

Anyway, rather than doing a review, I think it just needs to be said that Karen, Glen & Paul, as well as Mike Ellard & David Bradley work so hard before, during, and after the weekend, to make sure it's as good as it can be. As well as being constantly around the entire weekend, teaching, socialising and dancing. Big thanks to all of them!

I agree with Steve - it's my favourite blues room ever. I'm so glad Sheena got to do some impromptu dj sets, as that added a lot to the weekend.

Oh, and I heard there was a brilliant latin set at some point Saturday.

Rachel x

[Franck]

Over to you Franck,Tigger,Marc and Rachel

Well, the four of us had an amazing time
This was my first time at Swish and I can safely say it won't be my last. The venue was beautiful, all dance halls were perfect size and atmosphere. Karen, Glen, Paul, Mike, Dave and the team clearly worked hard to decorate, light-up (or down) the many rooms to create just the right mood.
The chalets (I wasn't staying in the hotel) were just a few metres from the venue, warm and spacious, with nice lighting too. The beds were comfortable (not that I slept that much ). The food was great, though I felt I was eating too much and too often, breakfast (I missed every single one of them), lunch at 12.30pm, dinner at 6.30pm with finally a midnight feast (curries, chillies, etc. around 1.00am). I can say I was never hungry, I loved the table service with the option of a buffet, the omelettes cooked fresh in front of you with your choice of fillings, provided the perfect brunch. Crêpes were great too Sampled the Champagne and wine selection and was impressed by both.

The class selection was really well thought-out, and having missed most classes, I managed to watch a couple in between my own classes, but watched the DVD and was really impressed by the content, professionalism and variety of teachers. I also loved the Beginners classes running right through the week-end (I taught the last one) and was really impressed by the progress, especially the show / theatre dancers joining in so they could pick up a few moves.

I didn't get to try all the activities available, I'll make more of an effort next time, so can't comment but there was a lot on offer: karting, volley ball, indoor bowling, snooker, swimming, and much more...

The dancing was amazing! I mentioned the lighting and atmosphere were great, and the floors were fast, just how I like them. A huge main room and a good size (yet intimate) blues room with sofas and armchairs provided the perfect balance as both rooms were so close, so was easy to check-out and change room. DJs hit the right spot for me all week-end. I loved the main room music and couldn't stay away from the blues room later on.
As the week-end was full, there were plenty of great dancers for me to play with, and as we were so far away from Scotland, I made many new discoveries. The gender balance was spot on, I had to move 3 men on average in the classes, and the freestyles were perfect; I felt I could sit for a few minutes and chat with a drink without being grabbed for a dance, always a good sign that there were enough men.
I liked the fact the dancing stopped around 4.30am so the survivors could sit down with food and Champagne and have a good After Party Party...

The After Party Party brings me onto the Socializing. What a great bunch of people Swish attracted. I think having all the meals together and an overall smaller week-ender (around 700 dancers?) meant a more friendly and sociable event. I got to chat, laugh and dance with many teachers / dancers I normally only get to see briefly at other week-enders.

Overall, I believe this is one of the best week-enders I've been on, and it reminded me of the Caribbean Cruise Sheena and I did a few years back, but with more dancers and without the jet lag. I can't wait for next year's already and in the meantime, I'll look forward to the next Southport in May (Scorch with BBQ and space hopper madness) as well as more luxury at the Utopia LUX week-end in August...

[Tiggerbabe]

Not really much more I can add to Franck's review above.

I had an amazing weekend. like a luxury cruise, without the sailing.

The accommodation was excellent, the beds were comfy and I was happy to walk on the carpet in my bare feet. The bathroom was cosy as toast, with a fab shower that didn't keep cutting out, bliss! Tea and coffee making facilities are provided in the bungalows, but they were never used, as they had proper coffee in the hotel - another bonus for me

Breakfast was scheduled way too early, for me, but being able to have your choice of omelette cooked for you at lunch time was just perfect.

I thought the food, overall, was excellent, and our waitress was very attentive, so no complaints there. She also offered to cover the cheese and biscuits with foil, so that we could take them away and eat them later - perfect for the APP!

I had lovely dance after lovely dance, with people I knew and people I'd only just met, and I loved the whole, more relaxed atmosphere of the weekend. It was great to be able to sit, chat and enjoy watching others dance. Spikey Steve, Kathleen and Carl's tagging was great fun to watch.

Karen, Paul, Glen, Mike and Dave did a fantastic job, and I can't wait to go back again next year.

If any of you are thinking of booking for 2011, and I would heartily recommend it, you'll need to get in quickly.

[She Ra]

Well Swish for the uncultured (me!)... it was a huge eye opener.

Mark and I, full of our usual bounce and energy, stumbled into a relaxed and chilled weekender, complete with warm bungalows (!) a tiled bathroom (!), and no reason to bring a coffee mug of decent proportions!

The accomodation was clean, the beds were comfy - sooooo unlike a 'normal' weekender! The food was blimmin excellent, albiet far too much when you have 3 courses for dinner and lunch and a full fry up in the morning. However, having set meal times forces you to take time out, chat and socialise on your table and that, I beleive, is what made the weekend so special for me. After the first 'evening meal' encounter on the Friday night, I really couldn't wait for the next meal...not because I am a greedy piglet (although I did manage to eat the same amount of food in one weekend as I would normally do in a week...and yes I have just forced myself to read the New Diet Revolution book again by Dr A), no, it was because I managed to spend time getting to know a few special people that normally I would have politely said 'hello' to before moving on to my next energetic dance-off!

A glass of wine, a three course meal and a lot of chat....what's the rush to the dancefloor? That was the theme of my weekend at Swish - I chilled out more than I have for a long time, even with the three teaching slots, the traumatic fashion show (ouchy...the dress doesnt strap there ) and the 7 hour journey to get there! Even with very little sleep it felt like a long well deserved weekend away.

The other dancers there were also really friendly...a lot older than my usual chickens (and I hope we didn't traumatise them too much with our mental routines) but they were all they to chill out and to enjoy the social element of Ceroc.

The weekend is real value for money, and I can understand now why it sells out so quickly. Would I go again as a normal paying punter?....hell yeah! Mark and I needed the chill out together time and we certainly got that so it would be worth every penny! Would I substitute one of my normal weekenders for Swish, well actually yes, if you go to 'a lot' of weekenders then I encourage you to try Swish in with your mix of Southport, Camber, Somerset etc

So in summary:

The highs: The food, the chat (cinamon, pinapples, sliders and dog noises!), the people, relaxing, the dancing (thank you Franck, Bill, Marc, Graham, Jamie, Steve, Carl and my boy for the fab dances), the crowds' reaction to our routines, the venue, the accomodation, the pink dress, Danni's boobs, the organisation, the after party party and Rachel's amazing Latin set.

The lows: The journey, no space hoppers ....

[Spiky Steve]

A few more memories resurfaced.

1 Amy - winner of the Karaoke and performed in the Theatre was absolutely amazing. X factor?

2 Also David Bradley, Keith and Sam on stage with the comedy act was hilarious. I have not laughed so much in ages. Thanks for joning in (if you had the choice)

3 Paul and Glen covered in silly string etc, Oh! for want of a camera.

Steve