The road to Ceroc.

[PeterL]

Originally posted by Emma


My solution to this has been to take a deep breath and ASK.

My point exactly as a guy I have to do the same thing, when I want to dance I ask. It is nice to be asked and makes my day but man or woman, if you want to dance you are better off if you learn to ask.

When you first start ceroc this is difficult for guys as well as women as even though you are told it is a non-threatening environment, you are still preconditioned by previous experiences of going out that asking a girl to dance is in some way coming on to them. The fact that girls ask as well at guys at ceroc helps break down that barrier for men and makes the nights less threatening, to the point where you will go out for a night out by yourself.

So to round this off I am sure Emma would not like to be tought off as "targeting" men, she has just learnt to ask, and no-one would consider it in the least bit forward if you did the same Lily.

[Lou]

Originally posted by Emma
Luckily at my regular venues I know lots of people now, so I do get to dance with my friends and asking is a lot easier.

Ditto!
It's loads easier once you know a few people. It really helps.

Last night I was brave & asked a total stranger to dance. I'd assumed that he was one of the new beginners who had started that night - however I had the most pleasant surprise when I discovered that he was a really good dancer & had excellent musical interpretation. We had a brilliant dance or two! Don't you just love it when that happens?

Lily - just come back to Bristol! I guarantee there'll be a queue of men waiting to dance with you!

[Boomer]

Question, how and why did you decide to start Ceroc? To try and get the ball rolling - in the misty days of yore.....

A young man (yes young i said) realised that the pop-idol/top 40 tosh being played in the usual pubs/bars was sapping his will to live (not literally I must add). He soon discovered he had a craving for music that involved instruments and skill, all the better if it were live.

After many years of searching (4hours actually) he discovered the Holy Grail, a blues-bar! While attending said bar, he realised that not only did he have a craving to learn to play, but there was still something missing. Many more years of soul searching followed (5 pints and 4 hours to tell the truth) before he made his next (and most important discovery) – the hunger to dance! Forsoth, he said to himself, I have rhythm, I have funk but what to do with them? Why, I must needs master these abilities and learn to dance as part of my quest for knowledge (not to mention the fact I was tired of turning down dances coz I didn’t know how too). Having decided that jive, as he pictured it in his head, seemed to work with the up-tempo blues-beats he was hearing the search began in earnest. You can guess the rest. We’ll leave out the horrors of my first confrontation with the beast that is Ceroc.

So, what was your path to Ceroc?

In the event of this attracting any interest I bow to the inevitable - feel free to go off topic (Pammy & co, you know who you are).

[Grant]

Originally posted by Boomer
In the event of this attracting any interest I bow to the inevitable - feel free to go off topic (Pammy & co, you know who you are).

pammy is incorporated!?
when did you find time for that, pammy?

grant

[Pammy]

Originally posted by Boomer
In the event of this attracting any interest I bow to the inevitable - feel free to go off topic (Pammy & co, you know who you are).

Well, after a comment like that I feel compelled to stay "on thread"; so who's eating out tonight then ?

No, seriously, erm, well here's my story, but no laughing; right! (incidentally why are blush and sorry the same, couldn't we have different coloured cheeks or something?)

Anyway, I was always a keen horse-rider (no double-entendres required), but when my last horse had had enough of me sagging around on her back and went into semi-retirement, I realised I needed to find another "sport" of some sort that wasn't quite as expensive or time consuming (well, now that I go four times a week, and get through shoes like water I guess it's probably just as expensive and just as time consuming so there's not a lot in it, but the above was the ORIGINAL plan, and those of you who know me better know I never stick to plans).

I am not a drinker, nor a smoker and I wanted to do something where you could meet people and make friends. Most of my friends are either married, or indeed so tied up in relationships that they don't have time to do much anymore. I saw an advert in the local paper for a Ceroc night and decided to give it a go.

I wasn't expecting to like it but obviously I did. I've never looked back and I've made some great friends along the way.

That's it I'm afraid.

Pammyx

PS Dancing with the Wiz is just like riding anyway. When you fall off whilst doing the LOCK OF DEATH you have to get right up and get back on again!

[Paul F]

Im currently studying at university at the moment. Im down in Stevenage on a placement year.
Towards the start of the year one of the other money-scrounging students down here suggested that i go along to this thing called ceroc. I hadnt expressed an interest in dance, it just came up in passing. As my parents are into dancing quite seriously i never thought i would do it.

At first i didnt want to go as the only people conscripted were girls. No lads would go but eventually i gave in and went along. From the first class i was hooked. The first taxi dancer i saw (amanda) i now travel around with to various events. She made me feel so welcome I instantly liked it.

My first teacher was Adam who is obviously a great teacher. He taught a fun and lively class and the rest is history.

i have been known to go to one or two classes a week since

[Pammy]

Originally posted by Paul F
i have been known to go to one or two classes a week since

one or two

[Boomer]

Originally posted by Grant
pammy is incorporated!?
when did you find time for that, pammy?

grant

Not sure about 'incorporated'....'industrious' is the impression one gets from the posts

Pammy doesn't drink? Ummm I hear there's a bottle of champers in your fridge, betwixt the toms and yogs

wish there was a 'raises eyebrow in inquisitional distain' smiley.

Off to figure out to insert multi quotes now, just to make up for no dancey tonight

[Boomer]

Sorry Franck, didn't know the exact same thread was already in existence Must admit I was quite surprised to see the reply tally go from 5 to sixty-something

Will pay more attention to what I'm doing next time

[TheTramp]

I don't think that it's a problem. And given that the last post before you resurrected it, was on the 19th March, it's no wonder that you hadn't come across it

Steve

[Jon L]

My first experience of modern jive was a church 20's and 30's night 3 and a half years ago. It was a rebel roc night in Guildford.

As with all men when for first time I was pants at it. But I met a woman (yes I was also quite keen on her at the time - she is now happily married to someone else but we are still friends).

Anyway I got to know her and a few others socially and she suggested at a black tie ball in London. that I attend her ceroc partly because so many people knew her there (my social life was pretty dead then). Anyway - after a complete lack of interest from other friends - I took the plunge and walked in.

Over the next two years I learnt all the beginners and intermediate stuff there, then in the last 12 months - started by the rebel yell - I began branching out into other venues, getting into things like Bognor, etc. etc...

[Ian W]

My first experience of Ceroc was in the ski resort of Les Menuires in France in Feb 2001. I was with a large group, most of whom I hadnt met before.

One night in a local bar, I saw one of our group doing Ceroc with his girlfriend (now wife - they met at Ceroc I think!). It looked like so much fun that I just had to find out more.

Of course, as soon as I showed an interest, John arranged to take me to a Ceroc night in Edinburgh (St Stephens) as soon as we got back. He even met me in the pub beforehand - which is just as well, otherwise I probably would have chickened-out

I was sooo nervous at first! And for ages afterwards as well. Dancing was simply something I had never really done before. But I enjoyed it so much, and everyone was so nice, that I stuck at it.

Ian

[JamesGeary]

I had a friend who raved about it and tried to get me to go along for a year. Eventually I gave in and went to some classes run at auckland university.

There were about 20 or 30 people in the group, and most kept going all year. The idea that people could turn you down never occurred to me that whole year, because everyone was friends with everyone. It's a much more comfortable way to learn than you tend to have in london.

After a year I went to the ceroc studio in auckland to watch a demo, which just amazed me, with people doing BACKFLIPS and stuff. I was inspired and decided to get good at it!

I've never looked back since

(never did manage to do a decent backflip mind you )

[Forte]

I met a guy in a bar who told me he was doing ceroc and he asked me out on a date and I said "No" but that I would go to a dance class with him as I had always wanted to learn how to partner dance. He wasn't keen and kept asking me out to dinner a few more times but I stuck to my guns and eventually he took me along. I danced with him in Glasgow for a while and we stayed platonic (despite his best efforts). He was a lovely guy but I just didn't want to get involved in that way. I loved dancing with him but he got himslef a girlfriend who BANNED him from dancing with me coz she was jealous

I then got myself a boyfriend who also hated me dancing with anyone but him and he would only single dance (like clubbing).

I have wised up now and am single, loving my dancing and will never tie myself down to someone who feels threatened by it. The road to Ceroc has been dependent on the opinions of others for me but NO MORE!! I am going to please myself now.

[Tazmanian Devil]

One of my Collegues on my ward was roped into it by her brother, Then asked me and another collegue to go also.
Unfortuntely I missed the first couple of weeks they were there due to working. But the third week I went to Welling with them and that was it HOOKED!!
went from once a week to twce, three times. I entered the champs 2003 after dancing for just over a year, Then my first Camber weekend. Now I dance as much as possible. I do try to get all the earlys at work but sometimes it just dont go in my favour. No less than 3 times a week though.

[Lory]

My story in brief ... a client (hairdressing) was going on and on about her sister taking up this ridiculous dancing called Ceroc, she described it in the worst possible light... It's a partner dance she said, rolling her eyes, 'U HAVE to dance with ANYONE who asks u, even if u don't like them,'!! lol 'its in a horrible church hall! Can u imagine? U all have to line up and learn the same routine. Lot's of the men are old and smell, some stare at u or worst still, don't look at you at all whilst dancing, she then went on to describe to music, they play all sorts, even OLD stuff! She scoffed!
Me being me, thought it sounded hysterical, I just had to see this for my self, so I turned up the very next lesson! Just for the laugh of it. I'd never done any sort of partner dancing before but having danced ballet, tap and jazz as a child I found it quite easy to pick up, I never for one minute thought I'd be hear 18months on... ABSOLUTLY HOOKED

Note to Lily
I'm so glad you told us about your experience of not being asked to dance, you've really made me feel better, as your one of the people I've watched in total awe! Your one of the best female dancers I can think of and I would have found it hard to believe you had this problem. Its lovely to know its not just me, I won't take it so personally from now on, it can even happen to the BEST!
Thankyou!

[Martin]

People often ask me how I first started, so here goes…

At 18 a friend of mine wanted to do her Ballroom and Latin Silver medals and needed a partner – so along I went and learnt how to follow her and make it look as though I know what I was doing.
All went well and she passed her medals (and I did my bronze medals to boot!)
Life soon changed when she got a jealous boyfriend – no more dancing…

Many years later (at the ripe old age of 27) I went to University and was living in a hall of residence that had a ballroom, on returning from a 2 hour session of Aerobics all sweaty and tired I passed a very attractive girl sitting on the step outside the ballroom. Naturally a conversation was in order and she told me that people were dancing in the ballroom but she needed a male partner – being the old fashioned English gent I am (did I mention she was attractive) I offered to partner her.
To her amazement I could do a very basic Waltz etc.
We spent the final 2 years of University dancing to sounds you never found at the student union discos…

In the Easter break in the last year of Uni I was staying with my parents in Sunny Worthing on the South coast when a good friend of mine suggested we try out a new class that had started in Worthing called LeRoc, a sort of Jive. He offered to pick me up and go for a drink after – well what can you say…

I did the lesson and the tried to freestyle on the first night DISASTER – it seemed so simple why couldn’t I look like Graham from day 1?…

I was determined to crack it before I went back to Uni
Week 2 I discovered that there were classes in Brighton that had been going on for almost 1 year, so off we went on the Tuesday as well
Week 3 I discovered there was also something called Ceroc in London, so did the trip with my mate on the Wednesday to Central club and attended Viktor’s classes
Week 4 Worthing, Brighton, London, on the final day in London was brave enough to ask a girl to freestyle…

Factors that made all the difference;
Paula – the best dancer at Worthing kept asking me to dance and despite me apologising as I only knew a few moves, she was most encouraging as she said “she loved dancing with me as I danced ‘with her’ and enjoyed the dance”
Graham - who put in may hours to get me from an upright rise and fall ballroom jerk to a smooth flowing (through the knees) dancer.
The Worthing crowd who were excellent value (and still are) – after dance we would go to the pub, then off to the beach for BBQ, food and skinny dipping.

All that was many years ago…and the beat goes on…

I never forget the first people who encouraged me and always try to dance with at least one beginner if and when I attend lessons to socialise.

Marty

[Minnie M]

Originally posted by Martin
People often ask me how I first started, so here goes….............

I never forget the first people who encouraged me and always try to dance with at least one beginner if and when I attend lessons to socialise.

Marty

and thank YOU Marty - as you helped me with encouraging dances on my first visits to Worthing & Brighton, there was you (sexy dances even then), Tim the Fireman & Graham Adcoc - the stars of the class - Tim & Graham still dance at Graham LeClerc's - Graham style (like yours) has moved on - Tim's style is still exactly the same as it was in 1995, still a great dancer though !

ahhhhh.... isn't nice.......... the good old days ......... and us in Brighton are all very proud of our export - you dun good our Marty !

love the new avatar

[Martin]

Originally posted by Minnie M
and thank YOU Marty - as you helped me with encouraging dances on my first visits to Worthing & Brighton, there was you (sexy dances even then),
ahhhhh.... isn't nice.......... the good old days ......... and us in Brighton are all very proud of our export - you dun good our Marty !

love the new avatar

Thanks Minnie M

I love the gentle leads (inspired by Graham) love the sexy stuff, only thing changed now are the BIG Aussie ariel moves and the "showcase stuff"

You remain a "smooth" dancer which always appeals to me...

TheTramp helped me with the technicalities of the Avatar - go Tramp...

"The newies of today are the future of tomorrow" - treat them well...

Marty

[TheTramp]

Originally posted by Martin
TheTramp helped me with the technicalities of the Avatar - go Tramp...

Go where???

Steve