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.

 

 

Who's To Judge

So who will be judging your dancing?

Who are these people who are going to judge your efforts and hopefully help you win a trophy and one of these medals. They were, I can assure you, carefully chosen after a great deal of debate to cover a large range of dance. And they are coming from near, far and wide. Some you will know and some you wont.

They all have several things in common. Vast experience and a great love of dancing just as a start. But most of all they have agreed to come along and make this a great event.

Andy McGregor

Andy is not a stranger to competition Judging.. Many of you will know him as the host of the English Modern Jive Championships.He has 10 years of the circuit under his belt and he will be our lead judge for this event. Check out http://rocsters.blogspot.co.uk/ for some details of Andy's activities.

Aaron Fluff Saunders

Teaching in and around the London area. Fluff has an International reputation for his passion for the Blues. Check out the website at http://www.bluesshift.co.uk/ for some more about Aaron's activities. To quote from his website "Blues dancing is about exploring the music and expressing what you hear."

Velody

Teaching in and around the Manchester area and regularly touring internationally with her band.Velody eats, sleeps and sings the Blues. She also fronts the popular Basement Blues monthly dance event. Check out her website. http://velody.co.uk/

Nath 'Stokebloke' and Essie Jo

The Midlands most popular Blues and Tango events organisers and teachers. Both are seasoned Judges for Blues competitions and bring a wealth of experience and talent. Check out their website http://www.stokies.org/

Frank 'Blueshoes' and Faye

Frank and Faye teach regularly around the Manchester area and focus mainly on Modern Expressive blues. They are often invited to teach at weekenders throughout the UK, and are champions in the Blues competitions world in their own right. Frank and Faye have a Facebook group to let you know what they are up to. https://www.facebook.com/groups/737031976352904/

Asif Malik

Starting off in the world of Modern Jive in 1996, Asif has been dancing and teaching Blues &Swing (Lindy Hop) since 2001. He had the honout of taking part in the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics.

So there we are. 8 people to judge 11 catagories over 2 days of competition.

Can't wait.

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

 

 

Freestyle, Freestyle and more Freestyle

"The one thing that can solve most of our problems is dancing."

James Brown

Freestyle at the Blues and Smooth Champs.

When Lisa and I first met to talk about the Champs we discussed other events that we had visited. And we also took advice from dancers. And the two big subjects were. Music and Freestyle time.

 

Music is being discussed elsewhere and will no doubt be judged during and after the event. Freestyle was easy. Provide as much as we could around the competitions. Why.... Well it serves two purposes. Firstly It gives the non competitors a more interesting day. They are nearly all dancers and will want to dance. Secondly it provides the Competitors time to draw breath, change, chill or just chew some more nails down between events. This is particularly important for those entering ultiple Categories, as many are,

 

So. A three day event.

Firstly to let you know that all of the evening are available as Stand Alone freestyles, but it would be best if you can book in advance. Door entry may be limited, but keep and eye on Facebook for updates

Friday Night

Just a great evening of Freestyle in the "Curlywurly / Juke Joint" style and  tradition. 8pm till around 1am with 2 rooms of music and a host of DJ's including some of your Judges.

 

Room 2 will be our expressions room. Where the DJs can "Dare to Be Different". Expect anything. I have a couple of wicked Blues / Tango tunes to air.

 

Saturday

Interspersed between the competition dancing there will be frequent and fairly long freestyle sessions. A chance to dance, and for competitors, time to master that last move. Music from Curlywurly Dave and a selection of Guest DJs

 

After the presentations at about 6pm the evening freestyle will be as per Friday with the second room opening from around 8pm after our Judges Master classes.

 

Sunday

Very much like Saturday. Daytime Competition interspersed with extended Freestyle sessions and one again a 2 room evening freestyle.

 

Check out the website http://curlywurlyevents.com/blues-.php to book or get some more details.

 

Something we hope for everybody. We look forward to seeing you there.

 

Chris Uren and CurlyWurly Lisa

Sex, Drugs and Blues Music.

The Competition Music

"What will the competition music be?" is without a doubt one of the most common questions put to me. So here are a few clues to help you think about what awaits you. Firstly, Blues Music can be a controversial subject and a very personal thing. As I am picking around 95% of the Competition tunes what I like and listen to is very relevant. So you might want to check out my Spotify listing 

 

Just a few Blues Tunes

 

This is by no means a comprehensive list of the blues I like, but it is varied and goes from very loose and easy blues to what I call "In Yer Face and Off The Wall". As mentioned in my previous blog, the music will be relevant to the category. So the "Fresh Fundementals" comp for new dancers will feature Blues music with a definable beat and a reasonable pace. "Polished and Professional" dancers should expect to be challenged. "Raw and Ready" will be just that.

 

If you want to talk to me more about music go to my facebook and message me or email dj.chrisu@yahoo.co.uk.



  

So lets give you some specific examples drawn from You Tube to help you think about your competition practice if you are perhaps new to blues or me as a DJ. The music might have breaks, but then again it might not. As an average dancer my advice is "Feel the music and go with the flow".

 

Keb Mo and "I'm On You Side"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3c_8GYQjL8

A tune of this kind with a good driving beat, but clearly Blues, could be used in Fresh Fundementals, Lucky Dip, Valentines Trophy, and Smooth Fusion Blues (The Juke Joint Trophy).

 

Etta James and "The Blues is my Business"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=copLTgjtcsg

Pretty well as above.

 

Big Mama Thornton and "Bumble Bee Blues"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLcyvgvkGLs

A tune like this could well be used for In The Zone and Old Dogs New Tricks. The Interpretation is in her singing.

 

Buster Benton and "Can't wait to see my Baby's Face"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7q3SMKL0ig

How about this Funky backbeat for you Young Pups.

 

Big Rude Jake "7th Avenue"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueOHg7UQMYg

Who knows where you might get something like this.

 

But above all keep your Blues FUN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUSWPHo9CRo  Cabbage Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tow5LIl0Blo My Baby Don't wear no Panties

 

 

Listen to the Spotify list and check out these few tune examples. But be assured that the music you get will be relevant to the category you have entered.


If you want to talk to me more about music go to my facebook and message me or email dj.chrisu@yahoo.co.uk.


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