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Thread: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

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    Question How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    I have just calculated, I was out dancing and socialising to the music for 29 hours out of a possible 62. Not bad considering that I know I sleep more than some other dancers..

    So my questions are A) how long do you spend dancing? vs sleeping and B) How do you last the weekend if you don't sleep much?


    Ideas anyone?

    WT

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Good question.

    Quote Originally Posted by David Bailey View Post
    Insecurity. Classes Are Not Cool. It's More Cool to stay up all night then whinge about how tired you are afterwards, having had approximately 2.34 minutes' sleep all weekend. Apparently.

    What do I know, I still go to classes myself. Which, yes, is my badge of pride
    David's comments here made me chuckle. So many people at weekenders boast about not sleeping all weekend and that they don't go to classes. It's usually the folk who really 'need' to brush up their dancing skills that say this.

    Personally, my dance weekenders are more of a social, relaxing break and I try to get a good balance of sleep, classes and freestyle. If I don't go to bed at a reasonable hour on the Friday night about 2am-ish, I'll be knackered all day Saturday and end up having an early evening nap on the Saturday evening and sleeping right through, missing Saturday night all together.

    Yes, yes...I'm old, pass my slippers please.

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by Double Trouble View Post
    David's comments here made me chuckle.
    My work here is done.

    Quote Originally Posted by Double Trouble View Post
    So many people at weekenders boast about not sleeping all weekend and that they don't go to classes.
    Personally, I think that treating a weekender as a pure 72-hour freestyle is missing the point. It's a holiday. You should enjoy the facilities. For example, Southport's got a lovely swimming pool, which is usually very quiet, it's lovely and refreshing. If the weather's nice, it's lovely to go for a walk along the beach. And so on. And yes, the classes are there and may occasionally be useful. If only to tell you what not to do... I mean, blimey, you can dance freestyle any time.

    Quote Originally Posted by Double Trouble View Post
    Personally, my dance weekenders are more of a social, relaxing break and I try to get a good balance of sleep, classes and freestyle. If I don't go to bed at a reasonable hour on the Friday night about 2am-ish, I'll be knackered all day Saturday and end up having an early evening nap on the Saturday evening and sleeping right through, missing Saturday night all together.
    Yup, agree.

    I know when to stop dancing - it's when my body tells me so, and when I slip into mechanical-dance mode. Now, OK, being immodest, even my mechanical-dance mode is pretty reasonable, but that's not the point, the point is that I know the difference. If I can't dance well, if I don't enjoy it, I won't dance - I mean, what's the point of carrying on after that point? Seriously, I don't get it, can someone explain?

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by Double Trouble View Post
    So many people at weekenders boast about not sleeping all weekend
    I don't think I boast, I just whinge and moan about it!
    My problem is I 'can't' sleep (without sleeping tablets) at weekenders.

    Anyway, IMO David is being an inverted snob!

    I don't enjoy doing classes!
    I ENJOY social dancing and the best social dancing is when the people you enjoy dancing with are there at the same time as you.. End of!

    Quote Originally Posted by David Bailey View Post

    Personally, I think that treating a weekender as a pure 72-hour freestyle is missing the point. It's a holiday. You should enjoy the facilities.
    David, you should do what makes YOU happy!.. That's the 'point' honey!

    I think this weekend I danced a lot more than usual, simply because I couldn't quickly nip back to my chalet, therefore I didn't get my usual distractions of bumping into people and being dragged into random chalets along the way
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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    I don't think I boast, I just whinge and moan about it!
    My problem is I 'can't' sleep (without sleeping tablets) at weekenders.
    It's not you Lory, it's all the others.

    Anyway, Phil said...

    Quote Originally Posted by Phil_dB View Post
    I was told once that at Ceroc weekenders "all the 'good' dancers don't do classes", - so maybe some people think classes are beneath them
    You hear people say that at weekenders and you just think, what a winker!

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    I don't enjoy doing classes!...you should do what makes YOU happy!
    Yes, you should do whatever you want but Phil isn't the first person to be told by some moron that good dancers don't do classes. We've all heard it from one crap dancer or other and it's rubbish. As you say, it's a personal choice and plenty of great dancers join in the lessons.

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    I don't think I boast, I just whinge and moan about it!
    But in a boastful way

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    My problem is I 'can't' sleep (without sleeping tablets) at weekenders.
    Why's that - different environment?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    Anyway, IMO David is being an inverted snob!
    No, I'm being me. I don't need to pretend to be a good dancer, or have any hangups about it. But I'm also more than happy to be humble enough to enjoy classes - partially because I know how to get the most out of any class.

    Although I must admit I was taken aback by certain comments when attending the dance psychology class at Storm.

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    David, you should do what makes YOU happy!
    I always do. I think you do too.

    But I suspect most people do not. I suspect most people follow the crowd.

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    I didn't get my usual distractions of bumping into people and being dragged into random chalets along the way
    I say missus.

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by Double Trouble View Post
    Yes, you should do whatever you want but Phil isn't the first person to be told by some moron that good dancers don't do classes. We've all heard it from one crap dancer or other and it's rubbish. As you say, it's a personal choice and plenty of great dancers join in the lessons.
    Great dancers get to be great dancers by doing lots of work. That includes classes. You really don't improve that much from social dancing.

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by David Bailey View Post
    You really don't improve that much from social dancing.
    I don't agree!
    If you're a follow, you definitely learn more from social dancing but if you're a lead, you might be right, so I'll give you that one!
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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by David Bailey View Post
    You really don't improve that much from social dancing.
    Now that I don't agree with. When I first started dancing I would pester all the best dancers and a variety of dancers all the time for dances and I improved quickly. A combination of lessons and social dancing is the key, IMO.

    I see it every week now with Lindy Hop beginners and with my own Lindy. The ones that come to the freestyles AND lessons are a million times better than the ones that just come to lessons.

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by David Bailey View Post
    Great dancers get to be great dancers by doing lots of work. That includes classes. You really don't improve that much from social dancing.
    Fully agree that you need classes ,and that you need to work at it, but no-one gets to be a great social dancer if they don't do lots of social dancing.

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by Double Trouble View Post
    So many people at weekenders boast about not sleeping all weekend and that they don't go to classes.
    That's what is called a 'humblebrag' (the second cousin of 'vaguebooking').

    See http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...g-2363207.html

    Includes for example:

    When I wake up I gotta text back 30 different people!!
    Signing photos of myself never ceases being a strange & awkward experience.
    It's flattering that when I feel like I look my absolute worst, I get asked out at the farmers market. #Irony

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by Double Trouble View Post
    Now that I don't agree with. When I first started dancing I would pester all the best dancers and a variety of dancers all the time for dances and I improved quickly. A combination of lessons and social dancing is the key, IMO.
    The problem with social dancing, in terms of your own improvement, is that you can never tell whether you're improving or simply dancing with a better partner. Especially as a follower, a good dancer can "lift" you up, or help you raise your game - but typically, this is artificial, and you don't retain that improvement.

    Which is one reason* why people think they dance better at weekenders - they're not, they're simply dancing with better dancers. And that also explains why people think they dance "worse" after weekenders. They're not, they're dancing at their normal level.

    So I'm not completely convinced social dancing helps that much in terms of learning - mainly it teaches you how to adapt to different partners and that's about it. Of course, it's fun, it's the entire point of learning, and you need it, but I've become less convinced of it as a learning aid. It reminds me of people who think they don't need to exercise because they dance.

    I guess doing lots of social dancing teaches you how to do lots of social dancing.

    * the other reasons being that they're tired / drunk / booty calling of course

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by JiveLad View Post
    That's what is called a 'humblebrag' (the second cousin of 'vaguebooking').

    See http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st...g-2363207.html
    Bloody hell, there's a name for everything now.

    I remember being impressed to read that there's a specific name for the line of blather used to chat a woman up at a Tango night (Chumayo).

    I'm definitely going to call someone a humbleragger soon.

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by David Bailey View Post
    Why's that - different environment?
    I have no idea.

    I don't have a problem when I'm at home or on a normal holiday but on weekenders I think I must get hyper or over tired and I can't switch off, even though I'm exhausted and need to sleep.

    I just lay there, with annoying random thoughts, of inconsequential rubbish going round and round my head

    I've tried all sorts of over the counter remedies, lavender oil on my pillow, camomile tea, rescue remedy 'night', listening to relaxation tapes, having a massage, night nurse (that was the worst thing ever, I just felt more exhausted but still didn't sleep and couldn't shake off the drowsiness)

    so now I get pills prescribed from the doctor. The same ones they give to pilots and nurses who work shifts and they work a treat!

    The other best alternative, is when my best friend LimpyTink, talks to me Its true
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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    I don't have a problem when I'm at home or on a normal holiday but on weekenders I think I must get hyper or over tired and I can't switch off, even though I'm exhausted and need to sleep.
    Silly question, but have you tried going to sleep at a reasonable time on - say - a Friday night, say 2am? That's what works for me. I know I really have problems going to sleep after 5 / 6am - it gets light and the bloody seagulls are about.

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    night nurse (that was the worst thing ever, I just felt more exhausted but still didn't sleep and couldn't shake off the drowsiness)
    Yeah, I tried Nytol once, that put me to sleep but I felt really weird all day after.

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    The other best alternative, is when my best friend LimpyTink, talks to me Its true
    I can talk to you about the wonders of ochos next time, that's bound to work.
    Last edited by David Bailey; 19th-October-2011 at 05:07 PM.

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by David Bailey View Post
    Silly question, but have you tried going to sleep at a reasonable time on - say - a Friday night, say 2am? That's what works for me. I know I really have problems going to sleep after 5 / 6am - it gets light and the bloody seagulls are about.
    I don't usually go to bed sfter 3am on the first night, as I fear I'll ruin myself for the rest of the weekend if I don't pace myself but it doesn't help, for making 'unassisted' sleep any better

    Plus, a weekender is only 3 days long, so I do want to get the most out of it, so its a balance of sleeping enough and partying enough.

    I can go to Spain if I want to relax (go on, I know you want to call me a Humblebragger )
    I can talk to you about the wonders of ochos next time, that's bound to work.
    mummbles....what did you say
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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Hmm.

    Friday - half an hour (then I had to go to bed)
    Saturday - half an hour (at 4am), two classes, a number of blues dances, a couple of hours at night.
    Sunday - five classes, half an hour Swing Hour, a few blues dances and around 90 mins freestyle.

    I'm a lightweight then, only 12-14 hours over the weekend - but I was short on sleep. Normally I'd manage another 4-6 hours (but not much more).

    The rest of the time? Sleep!! No, seriously, weekenders are great for catching up on sleep. They maybe shouldn't be, but they are. I nipped out to watch the footy on Saturday, read a book (Snuff, by Pratchett), had long lazy meals and coffee with friends.

    Quote Originally Posted by Double Trouble View Post
    my dance weekenders are more of a social, relaxing break and I try to get a good balance of sleep, classes and freestyle.
    See, I should've just quoted DT and saved myself some typing.

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lory View Post
    I can go to Spain if I want to relax (go on, I know you want to call me a Humblebragger )
    I'm waiting for the right moment to spring it on you

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    There are different measures but if you exclude Sack the DJ, 6pm Friday until 6:30 am Monday are scheduled = 60.5 hours.


    Including the intervals there is 27.5 hours for classes. 22.5 hours * is about practical.

    14.5 hours for sleeping (avg. 6 hours per night) leaves 17 hours for (non-interval) freestyle, and 6.5 hours for everything else.

    If not driving an additional 3 hours sleep Monday morning can be replaced with freestyle.


    One formula for a perfectly balanced, substantially calorie negative, weekend.

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    Re: How long do you spend dancing at weekenders?

    Quote Originally Posted by David Bailey View Post
    And yes, the classes are there and may occasionally be useful. If only to tell you what not to do... I mean, blimey, you can dance freestyle any time.
    When I first started going to Southport, there were no MJ classes or freestyles in NI. So Southport was my ONLY chance to do either classes or freestyle (unless I organised something in Belfast myself, which I ended up doing on a semi-regular basis for two years before Ceroc started.) So I tried to fit in plenty of dancing.

    Quote Originally Posted by David Bailey View Post
    Personally, I think that treating a weekender as a pure 72-hour freestyle is missing the point. It's a holiday. You should enjoy the facilities. For example, Southport's got a lovely swimming pool, which is usually very quiet, it's lovely and refreshing. If the weather's nice, it's lovely to go for a walk along the beach.
    My focus has changed a bit, especially over the past year. Yes I want to mix and dance with leads from all over the UK that I only see a few times a year, but I also want to spend time with my OH and enjoy dancing with him to a good range of music. And we did stuff like go for a walk on the beach and had icecreams (and practiced tango on the beach!) and went out for a nice Italian meal on the Sun night. That was all part of the weekend for me too.

    Of course I also made sure I got my fix of afternoon dancing outside in the sunshine and doing the last night as an all nighter with lovely music from some fab DJs. I did several great tango classes too.

    But that's what's great about any weekender - you make it what you want.


    (And for me it was probably about 20 hour dancing in total this past weekend, but I didn't dance much on Sat night, choosing instead to get a good solid 8 hours sleep so I wasn't shattered on Sun.)

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