I did not go on the full package only to the freestyles this year. Had a really fantastic weekend and could already see an improvement on last year.
Friday
Was already buzzing when I got there (about 11pm), had some great dances and particularly liked Toby’s (DJ Kenobe) set. Lots of unusual music that made me want to dance.
Saturday
Took a little while to get into my stride but again great music and dances and even went into the fast room as Pete was playing his set in there so went in to support him, all was going well until he played an Abba remix and I made a quick exit out. I’d driven home in the morning and then drove back for evening, so felt pretty exhausted and wimped out at 5:30am, so never made it to end
Sunday
We got there at about 6 and went into the Utopia room which had a real buzz about it. I had some of my best dances then, including one with a young guy in a flat cap, wow what a dance. It then went a bit quiet a think a lot of the people who were staying in the hotel went to get ready for dinner and the evening, plus the room was then turned over to WCS for 3 hours. So went to the foyer to chat and have coffee (which was a little excessive at £3 a small cup and was a bit stewed), so Ant kindly got us a coffee from the garage. Sunday night’s dancing really did not happen for me until after midnight after that. This was not a problem did lot’s of a chatting and ended up playing a strange type of game a mixture of truth and dare meets spin the bottle with Herbie, Carl, Sunnybunny and some others very funny and very interesting but what was said at the table, stays at the table. Once the Utopia room was back to more normal Utopia (not WCS specific) the evening was then brilliant and had some of my best dances of the weekend, including a couple of lovely dances with Franck on the veranda and a brilliant dance with Tim Sant (and such a nice guy).
Highlights
Being lifted up and spun round by Herbie (Hope his back is ok!!!), the above mentioned dances and all the other great guys I danced with (don't want to mention any names as I will probably forget someone), great music, catching up and chatting to friends in comfortable surroundings and a lovely atmosphere.
What could be improved
I think the 3rd room was sometimes not a benefit. Think it is great for the Milonga or something specialist but seemed a waste when both the Utopia and the Blues room seemed to be playing very similar music and sometimes the DJ in the 3rd room were playing some fantastic tracks but there were only a handful of people in there.
The Sunday night WCS sessions running for 3hours was just a bit too long for anyone who is non WCS like me.
Because I was not staying in the hotel having to do the drive back to my hotel about 8 miles away
I think as the evening sessions were so long would have been nice to have some refreshments laid on.
I did notice there were quite a lot of ladies over at times and think this could be because some women bring along non dancing partners to these events as there is enough to do for non dancers. Maybe when looking at gender balancing the organisers could ask on booking form whether dancers and non dancers are attending
Will I go again
Yes of course, overall loved it and a big thanks to all the lovely guys that I danced with you all helped to make my weekend
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