Results

2016 UK Blues and Smooth Championships.

Here are the results for the Championships. Didn't win or place. Worry not. You're all winners simply for supporting us and 'Having a go'. Chris Uren and Lisa Graydon

Friday Fun Competition

Solo Blues
1st Janette Shillito
2nd Chiharu Chi Nakao
3rd Gina Scholdfield

Saturday Competitions

Lucky Dip
1st Ann Harrison and Michelle Black
2nd Liam Ball and Melissa Dring
3rd David Wood and Chloe Hunt

Fresh Fundamentals
1st Jennifer Cowling and Fiona Newby
2nd Anton Antonov and Melanie Farrington
3rd Chris Wiseman and Jessica Rose

Young, Fun and Feisty
1st Matthew Brook and Hannah Lonsdale
2nd Liam Ball and Bianca Blezard
3rd Deej Moors and Heidi Ayling

In The Zone
1st Paul Ray and Sarah Lovatt
2nd Niel Wiffen and Jo Wiseman
3rd Chloe Hunt and Mellisa Dring

Smooth Blues Fusion - The Juke Joint Trophy
1st Matthew Brooke and Suzanne Berson
2nd Neil Wiffen and Jo Wiseman
3rd Liam Ball and Bianca Blezard

Valentines Trophy
1st Liam Ball and Bianca Blezard
2nd Robert Docherty and Magdelena Bukala-Docherty
3rd Gary Woodward and Alex Peel

Sunday Competitions

Smooth, Sassy and Sophisticated
1st Paul Ray and Thelma Quince
2nd Nick Shore and Ann Harrison
3rd Steve King and Carol Almond

Raw and Ready
1st Matthew Brooke and Hanna Lonsdale
2nd Deej Moors and Heidi Ayling
3rd Steve King and Carol Almond

Swinging The Blues - CurlyWurly Trophy
1st Robert Jeffreys and Anna Jeffreys
2nd Melvin Young and D Lynn Davis
3rd Ken Blake and Ann Harrison

Polished and Professional
1st Deej Moors and Heidi Ayling
2nd Matthew Brooke and Carol Lloyd
3rd Robert Jeffries and Anna Jeffries

Jack and Jill
1st Robert Jeffries and Heidi Ayling
2nd Robert Docherty and Michelle Black
3rd Deej Moors and Sarah Lovatt

You all did brilliantly. Entered into the spirit of the event and we both think you are all. WONDERFULL.

Chris, Lisa and the Champs crew.

Friday Night at The Blues and Smooth

Friday night will be Freestyle, with a fun competition to introduce to the world of Solo Blues. Two rooms of music, with DJs being chucked on the second room decks as they arrive. Your first chance to get into the groove of the weekend. Meet, and perhaps dance with, your Judges. And suss out your fellow competitors and maybe even find a last minute partner. If you can make it on the Friday I know it will give you a great start to the weekend and if it's your first time then you will hopefully see what a friendly vibe we aim to give the weekend.

Lisa, myself, and many of our amazing crew will be on hand to help you with any last minute enquiries and dance with you. Please don't be afraid to chat to us as it really is our aim to make this a great weekend for everybody. There will be dancers there from all over the UK and even one or two from farther afield. So please follow the ethos of 'Dance with everybody'.

Solo Blues Dancing

When we started this event we always said that we would do our best to introduce you to more of the Blues world and this time we have chosen 'Solo Blues Dancing'. Now in the blues world this is a very serious form of dance, but we know that many of you have never heard of it. Let alone seen it. So please don't be intimidated. It's about interpretation of the music and personal expression. Below are a couple of You tube video's to give you a flavour and hopefully encourage you to join in. It's fun and there are medals to be won. It will be up to you in the future if you want to see more of it and perhaps organise some workshops. And then maybe a competition category in the future.

This first Video is taken from the 2013 European Swing Dance Champs and as you can see is taken VERY seriously https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdm1b5jtT0k. It really shows how different people interperate the music being played.

This is a short instructional video presented by Rachel Cassandra. There are loads of instructional Solo Blues video's on You tube This is just a quick example https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyF5laD8RDE

So my final message to you. Come along on Friday. Enjoy and prepare for the comps on Saturday and Sunday. Lisa, Myself and the rest of the crew look forward to seeing you.

It's Getting closer

Now it really is getting close. Lisa and her team of helpers are thinking about how to look after you during your visit. The Judges are discussing the rules and what will be expected from you (Smile, Smile, Smile AND Enjoy yourself) and I am working on the Medals and Trophies that you are taking back home with you. The last Round of the Valentines Trophy heats will take place at The Supper Dance on the 17th. Click on the link to get the facebook Details. https://www.facebook.com/events/201498030195720/.

And if your still not sure what to enter at the Champs you can get your pass and decide later. But get your place sorted as it's filling up.

It is going to be a fantastic weekend of Music, Dancing, Competition. But above all, an event of Fun and Laughter with a group of people who love Music and Dance. I look forward to seeing you all there.

We are all looking forward to seeing you in just 5 weeks time. I will post next about some of the categories and the music.

Lisa Graydon Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lisa.c.graydon?fref=ts
Chris Uren Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dj.chrisuren
Event Facebook page for details https://www.facebook.com/events/1573372316239595/

2016 Here we go!!

2016 Champs coming very soon.

Here we are. Starting to post about the 2016 Blues and Smooth Champs. Entries are already coming in and preparations are well under way for another great weekend of music, competition and dancing. Over the next few weeks I will be giving more details of the weekend including the great line up of Judges and DJ's and giving you some hints and tips to get the best from the weekend.

Lisa, Myself and the rest of the team can't wait to welcome you to another great event

To get you started I am going to list what categories are on what day to help you plan your weekend.

Saturday 13th February

Lucky Dip
Fresh Fundamentals
Smooth Blues Fusion - Juke Joint Trophy
Young Fun and Feisty
In The Zone
Valentines Trophy

Sunday 14th February

Polished and Professional
Raw and Ready
Swingin' The Blues - The Curlywurly Trophy
Smooth Sassy Sophisticated
Jack and Jill

Check out the website for more Information or call. Details below

More Information www.curlywurlyevents.com
Facebook Event https://www.facebook.com/events/1573372316239595/

More info
Email info@curlywurlyevents.com
Tel Lisa on01484 317895 or 07763 134026

Your organisers are
 Lisa Graydon - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lisa.c.graydon?fref=ts
Chris Uren - Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dj.chrisuren

More coming soon.

Good, Bad, Ugly part 1. Great Goalkeeping by the team.

This was going to be part one of the 'Good , Bad and Ugly' of the Champs weekend after our review meeting today. But that's been overtaken by the decision to do it all again. So first put 12th to the 14th February 2016 in your diary as a provisional date for next year. That's all I am saying about next year at the moment, because there are things to be said about this years first.

We always said that we would run the event to the best of our ability and then review to see how we did. Then more importantly what the people who came thought of our efforts. Our confidence about next year was buoyed by your reactions and the very positive feedback we have received. However not all was rosy in the garden. So a few of those to be talked about here. Now there is no way I can cover everything in one Blog post so I will break it down over a couple of posts.

Slightly off. We were not particularly happy with the sound in the main room and also the bleed into the second room. And some of you commented on this. Next year. 4 corner speakers and the  provision of greater sound proofing for the second room. I know that some didn't feel the second room worked for them, but an overwhelming number liked it and it's slightly 'off the wall' nature.

Ugly. Registration on the Saturday started off very poorly and a magnificent save by Jess, Sue and Linda from the team kept us afloat. And I mean a save of epic proportions. They stayed cool and professional. This, all importantly, allowed us to keep to time. One of our priorities.

Good. The general Vibe of the whole event seemed to work. You cannot plan for that. It's the setup, crew and the people who make it that way. If we could have bottled the general atmosphere we would be billionaires.

Unclassified. A lot of local dancers came to the event with a "suck it and see" attitude along with some who desperately wanted to take part, but had no partners. I make no apologies for pushing people into taking part and doing our best to find partners at the last minute. Some of those partnerships won medals. I bet most of them come back to compete next year with partners.

I know many of you want me to talk about the music played for comps and I will get around to that. But it's a pretty big job and I want to ensure it is right. The Blog will continue on a weekly basis to keep you updated.

Quick reminder that this Sunday is my Juke Joint event at the Engine Shed. 6 till 10. Hope to see some of you there.

And The Winners Are..

What a day. 6 categories of the champs down and 5 more to come tomorrow. As promised I will post details of the music played for the competitions, but first it seems only correct to "BIG UP" the successful dancers. So here we have the results of today excitement.

Lucky Dip

1st Robert Jeffreys and Teresa Chapman
2nd Nick Shore and Sarah Lovett
3rd Rob Docherty and Hannah Lonsdale

Young Pups

And some not so "Young Pups

1st Robert Jeffreys and Anna Jeffreys
2nd Hannah Lonsdale and Chloe Hunt
3rd Mathew Brooke and Rebecca Green

Old Dogs New Tricks

1st Nick Shore and Ann Harrison
2nd Joe Hart and Michelle Black
3rd John Firth and Jennifer Cowling

Fresh Fundamentals

1st Paul Ray and Sarah Lovatt
2nd Stuart Jacobs and Alison Albury
3rd Joe Hart and Laura Webb

Polished and Professional

1st Robert Jeffreys and Anna Jeffreys
2nd Jo Hart and Sarah Innes
3rd Nick Shore and Hannah Lonsdale

The Valentine Trophy

1st Mark Oxley and Sarah Oxley
2nd Robery Docherty and Magdelena Bukala-Docherty
3rd Joe Rosa and Zuzanna Lalanne

I hope I have all your names correct. Well done to you all. It was an amazing day of competition. Now bring on Sunday.

The Finger is on the Starting Gun

In less than 24 hours we will open the doors to the venue for the Pre Champs freestyle. Just about everything we can think of is ready. But. Well, we have never done anything like this before so who knows what the next 3 days will bring. We have put together a great team of local dancers together to help us. The venue are right behind us. The judges are ready and waiting and heavy on discussion on a forum you cannot see here. But I know they are looking forward to the task ahead. Having looked through the entry list we have some amazing dancers from far and wide. They range from the new to the Blues and Smooth dance styles up to some very experienced dancers. All in the same room.

There are medals to be won and some very interesting.. well,l I am not calling them trophies. Wait till you get one handed to you. They are different.

So at 8pm tomorrow we open the doors for a freestyle evening of great tunes in 2 rooms. Then Saturday at 10.30 you get your numbers and at 11pm it begins. The full competition schedule is available on a previous blog. I have the music for your competitions sorted. Well I think I have!!!!! Saturday night freestyle and Sunday more competitions culminating in a Jack and Jill and the a BIG chill down on Sunday night.

Lisa and I really hope you enjoy yourselves. Come along to have fun and enjoy the weekend. The next blog will be Saturday night when I can tell you about the first days competitions and all it's winners. Nervous. No not me. I have always had this facial twitch.

The Starting Line

We are at the starting line. Prepared as it is possible to be for something we have never done before. After much thinking, action and occasional setback it is just a few days away. Below is the schedule for the 2 days of competition and it is our intention to stick as closely to this as is humanly possible. Come along and take part, but most of all enjoy yourselves. We will have made mistakes and no doubt have a few issues on the days. But we will do our best to make it a great event. However, it is you the dancers that will make it because that's what it is all about. Come along. Enjoy the music and competition, but above all dance your hearts out.

https://www.facebook.com/download/948494251836320/CopyofBluesChampsProvcomptimetable.pdf  for a PDF Link.

The all important schedule.

Saturday

10.30 doors open

11.00 Lucky Dip Partnering

11 15 Lucky Dip 1a

11.20 Lucky Dip 1b

11.25 Freestyle

11.50 Young Pups Song 1

11.55 Old Dogs Song 1

12.00 Freestyle

12.30 Fresh Fundamentals Song 1

12.35 Polished & Pro Song 1

12.40 Freestyle

13.10 Lucky Dip 2a

13.15 Lucky Dip 2b

13.20 Freestyle

13.50 Young Pups Song 2

13.55 Old Dogs Song 2

14.00 Freestyle

14.30 Valentines Trophy Song 1 & 2

14.40 Freestyle

15.10 Lucky Dip Semi

15.15 Fresh Fundamentals  Song 2

15.20 Polished & Pro Song 2

15.25 Freestyle

15.50 Young Pups Song 3

15.55 Old Dogs Song 3

16.00 Freestyle

16.30 Lucky Dip Final 2 songs

16.40 Freestyle

17.00 Fresh Fundamentals Song 3

17.05 Polished & Pro Song 3

17.10 Valentines Song 3

17.15 Freestyle

17.45 Presentation

18.00 Music until the evening

20.00 The Big Saturday Freestyle

Sunday

10.30 open

11.30 In The Zone Song 1

11.35 Smooth Fusion Song 1

11.40 Freestyle

12.10 Raw & Ready Song 1

12.15 Swingin' the Blues Song 1

12.20 Freestyle

12.50 In The Zone Song 2

12.55 Smooth Fusion Song 2

13.00 Freestyle

13.30 Raw & Ready Song 2

13.35 Swingin' the Blues Song 2

13.40 Freestyle

14.10 In The Zone Song 33

14.15 Smooth Fusion Song 3

14.20 Freestyle

14.50 Raw & Ready Song 3

14.55 Swingin' The Blues Song 3

15.00 Freestyle

15.45 Presentations

16.00 Freestyle

16.30 Jack & Jill

16.45 Final presentations etc

20.00 The Sunday Chill Down

 

And then I will go home and have a VERY STIFF DRINK.

 

 

The Final Countdown

 

"It's Getting damned close"

Second to last meeting today to look at entries and figures and it's all OK. Just the inevitable last few entries that will come in over the next week or so that will have to be slotted in. Guys being a bit slow as always, but they will come around. I mean there are beautiful women waiting to be danced with. Several categories close to full and Lucky dip with a fabulous selection of dancers of all abilities really taking shape

 

I have spent this evening reviewing lots and lots of music. Still a few tunes to be chosen for the competitions, but I have in my mind what I want for each category. And I have this Saturday to test a few of them out in the second room at Snickers. 5 hours of Blues music of all kinds to play. t  https://www.facebook.com/events/1565680143646787/

 

 

I am pretty sure we are going to have 3 nights and 2 days of great competition and freestyle dancing.

 

If your still sitting on the fence then don't miss out. Check out the details of the event at http://curlywurlyevents.com/blues-.php. You will kick yourself if you miss out on the first one. If you want more info then you can always get more info From Lisa on text: 07763 134026
email: curlywurlysunday@virginmedia.com

 

 

The Competition Catagories.

What's Happening When

 

The weekend will start with a pre Comp freestyle on the Friday Night from 8pm till we get Chucked out. Your comp and freestyle DJs plus some special guests including some of your Judges taking to the decks. Also for the first time there will be a second room called "Expressions" expect the music in there to be a little more challenging. As for the main dance area expect. Curlywurly, Juke Joint and Supper Dance music. Just what you would get at any of the Great Yorkshire Sunday Venues

So to the Competition Catagories

On the Saturday the following will be contested to a conclusion and Presentation on late Saturday Afternoon.

 

 

 

Lucky Dip - Well exactly what you would expect. Partner you up, Give you a couple of Practise tunes then off you go. Who you get in the "Move around numbers game" is random. Great fun for dancers of any ability and I always hear people at their first champs "I wish I had at least done Lucky Dip" There will be as many rounds as it takes to get you down to a final selection. The music will start with easy style Blues and progress. Winners progress to Jack and Jill on Sunday.

Polished and Professional - What it says. The best pro and highly experienced dancers dancing to 3 songs of challenging, but varied Blues Tunes, spread over the day. This will be a feast of the best for the audience. Presentation late Saturday Afternoon. Winners progress to Jack and Jill on Sunday.

Old Dogs / New Tricks over 45s - The only criteria is you will be over 45. Music will be varied Blues Tunes. Presentation Late Saturday Afternoon. Winners progress to the Jack and Jill on Sunday.

Smooth Fusion Blues - My personal Baby. Competing for the Juke Joint Trophy. You will dance your own thing, perhaps fusing MJ/ Tango/ WCS and Ballroom styles. Expect varied, but danceable music. Just like you would find at Juke Joint. Presentation on Late Saturday afternoon. Winners progress to Jack and Jill on Sunday.

Valentines Trophy - Heats all held at events all over the country with the audience voting for their winners. The finalists will now be put in front of our panel of top judges. We already have an amazing selection of dancers from the heats already held. Presentation Late Saturday Afternoon with winners progressing to the Jack and Jill on the Sunday.

Young Pups (Under 25s) - Under 25? Then come along and do your thing. Funk it up - Smooth it down. Music to let you do just that. Presentation Late Saturday Afternoon with winners progressing to the Jack and Jill on the Sunday.

Sunday

Fresh Fundementals - Dancers new to dancing the Blues (Less than 6 months). Have a go for the up and coming dancers of the future. Music will be very danceable blues. Our judges know you are new. Presentation Sunday afternoon with winners progressing to Jack and Jill.

In The Zone - A category for dancers who are confident at social Amateur level. Varied music, but what you would hear at CurlyWurly or Juke Joint. There are lots and lots of regular dancers out there who could compete in this category. Presentation Sunday afternoon with winners progressing to Jack and Jill.

Swingin' The Blues - CurlyWurly Lisa's baby. Competing for the CurlyWurly Trophy. Using traditional Blues technique and Swing and Lindy / Juke and Drag. Music. Well even I don't know that as it will be chosen by Lisa. Presentation Sunday afternoon with winners progressing to Jack and Jill.

Raw and Ready - Going back to the Roots of Blues Music. Any style goes, but expect the music to challenge you.

Jack and Jill - After the Sunday presentation we will take all winners and mix them up. Lets see what you can do. This will be an extra special finale with the audience rooting for their favorites whilst the Judges do their thing.

So that's the catagories and an idea of the days they take plece on. More to come soon inc more of Freestyle sessions and Judges.

Chris Uren