Cool Catz - Putting our money where our mouth is

[DavidB]

I thought it would cost much more than that

you could always bring some CDs for Gus to change

[Gus]

Well I expect Gus'll do you a special price of £10 or £12

True ... though I'm not sure that Mick will enjoy it ... if he dances to "Call Me" what will he make of our humble offering ......

[Gojive]

Urrrr .. the Geordy one. There is no Ceroc in Stoke at present (I had the sad task of closing the last club there back in 2000). HOWEVER, I believe a new ceroc club will be openning in Stoke this Feb

Thanks Gus/Rachel. I was reading how you opened CC in Knutsford, then how Rachel stayed with you, then about the Newcastle freestyle......I put two and two together, and came up with a Julian Jive!

ps, I hope to be trying CC in the near future

[Gus]

ps, I hope to be trying CC in the near future

Be good to see you. The concept is still developmental. It remains to be seen whether dancers will persevere with a 45 minute advanced Jive/Blues lesson .... time will tell. However, based on early feedback we're extending the freestyle and class nights through to midnight to give extra freestyle time .... seems fair enough We are still confirming dates and venues for 2005, all on Fridays. We've already been asked about taking Cool Catz on tour ... so come Summer (when we think we know what we are doing ) we hope to put on guest nights at a few venues across the UK. Know anyone/anywhere that would like us to come over? ... Drop us a line.

For more details on nights, try the link from www.coolcatz.co.uk.

[mick]

True ... though I'm not sure that Mick will enjoy it ... if he dances to "Call Me" what will he make of our humble offering ......

I would feel totally out of place amongst all you advanced dancers.

[Gus]

I would feel totally out of place amongst all you advanced dancers.

Where

Cool Catz is there to try to produce advanced dancers (whatever that may be). The basis is that we show dance technique and style points to competent dancers, and the dancers incorporate whatever suits them. Its not FAME Acadamy

[ChrisA]

I would feel totally out of place amongst all you advanced dancers.

So?

What's the problem with feeling out of place?

If you're feeling out of place it means you'll be challenged, worked, stimulated, stretched, extended, taken out of your comfort zone, and given lots to think about.

How can that be bad? When I started going to the Cool Catz of the south , it intimidated the hell out of me, but at least I started learning again. And I didn't give up MJ as a result.

Chris

[Magic Hans]

hmmmm ....

methinks there's a difference between scales of:
inexperienced -> practiced, and
beginner -> expert.

I would say that the former is something to do with my past.
The more I've things done things, the better I'm likely to be at them.
The latter is something to do with my present.
The more expert I consider myself to be, the less I'm likely to allow myself to learn.

[Try teaching an expert something. They, of course, know it all!]

Should I ever become an expert, I would hope that a friend would do the honorable thing and shoot me! My intention is to maintain my beginner mentality, and aim to become a practiced beginner!!

As for comparing ourselves against others .... that's a completelty different kettle of fish, and potential can of worms(!!) which, I suggest, is left up to those selected/chosen to judge for competition purposes only!

Outside of competition, only two comparisons make any sense (imho), and they are comparisons between me now, with me yesterday, and me tomorrow!

More food for thought I hope [or maybe just a bowl of mental tripe!]

Ian

[Gus]

Should I ever become an expert, I would hope that a friend would do the honorable thing and shoot me!

Not sure that anyone has ever mentioned EXPERTS. The aim of Cool Catz and similar concepts is to help dancers who feel they aren't progressing within the standard MJ class an environment where they CAN develop. Whether they develop from the lessons, the music or as a result of dancing within a concentration of better dancers ... who cares as long as the dancers DO feel that they are progressing.

Personal view, for what its worth, is that dance is a journey with no end destination in mind. I'm sure I speak for both Chris and myslef when we say that we are not standing in front of the dancers as experts. What we can offer are some new ideas or old ideae presented in a more accesible way. Many of the dnacers coming are already good ... but we can always get better ... but I dont see anyone becomeing an 'expert' by coming to CC.

[Magic Hans]

Not sure that anyone has ever mentioned EXPERTS. The aim of Cool Catz ....

You are quite right, Gus, and as you mention Cool Catz (which I hope goes well for you, and those who attend) is for dancers with (at least a little) experience.

Maybe I mean 'advanced', rather than 'expert'.

I hope I get the chance to come over some time!


Ian

[mick]

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