Topic for the week...

Each week we thought it might be a good idea to have some more

enthusiastic 'bloggers' join in with some short, snappy comments on a particular topic.

To start off - can we have anyone's comments on their 'funniest dance experience ever!'

Just a bit of fun and please don't mention any names without the person's permission.

Ok - get writing anything short and sweet....This topic will run out on Saturday 7th April.

Birthday Report!

Photos to follow!

As you know it was Sarah's Birthday last night and 22 of us went to an Indian restaurant in Crayford. The night started by 16 of us turning up, seated nicely, and then another 6 people turned up! we had to squeeze in another 2 tables and turned this nice couple out of their seats so we could all sit together.

Sarah was the Birthday Queen with her fluffy tiara and mountains of presents and cards. After musical chairs and lots of yummy food, Sarah received at least 3 heartfelt speeches about what a great girl she is - the tears flowed!

Then I'm going to leave out a bit because, well, we don't know the age of people reading this hee hee.

We then all toddled off to Crayford where 20 of us descended on the venue and I don't think the dancers knew what hit them! There were a few inebriated people!! (not naming names........ok, you twisted my arm......Sarah, Laura, Nick, Pete, Cheryl, Tracy)

After celebrating with Dan on his last night and a few drunken dances, finishing off with a circle of people doing showgirl high kicks! we had lots of photos to commemorate the occasion which will be posted on here as soon as I get them.

Anyway, it was a grand night with good friends and finished off with some dancing - what more could a birthday girl want?

Nicky x

Guest Teacher Mikey tonight at Dartford Acacia Hall

Guest Teacher Favourite Mikey is back tonight at Dartford Acacia Hall.

New Teachers Clem & Tracy will be doing the beginners followed by a fun and cheeky class by the entertaining Mikey - I will be demoing as it's been a while and I'm really looking forward to it.

As you all know Mikey's great as he dances with everyone (men and women!), so make sure you grab him for a dance later.

We look forward to seeing you all there.

Nicky

Broadstairs is CLOSED tonight - Wed 28th March

Broadstairs venue is closed tonight due to a previous charity booking. Please tell any friends that usually go to the venue that aren't on the internet.

Thanks

Dapper Dan's last teaching night at Crayford :-(

It's teacher Dapper Dan's last teaching night at Crayford tonight (ahhhh) as he's moving to Swindon to be with his fiance Viv - ah, love :-)

We'll be very sorry to lose him from the Dance Riviera teaching team, Dan is such a great guy who wants everyone to get the routine and ladies, we know, he's a wonderful dancer.

Support him on his last night at Crayford - there may well be some very boozy happy people there later in the night (after Sarah's birthday bash!).

Thanks once again to Dapper whom we shall certainly miss.

Jim, Nicky & Tracy x

Move It! Article by Dance Coach Joe Eddington

As some of you know I got some free tickets to go up to Olympia for one of the three days of the dance event ‘Move It!’ We went on Saturday March 17th and had a very good day being there from 10 30 am right up to 6 30 in the evening. There were stage demonstrations of various types of dancing from Tango, to Street dancing and Bollywood. We also saw Lindy Hop and Ballet both classical and modern.

There were opportunities to do taster classes in all types of dancing, including Salsa and Argentine Tango and some master classes too. The six workshop areas were very full all day with lots of teenage girls mainly who seemed to have loads of energy and enthusiasm. The classes were pre-bookable on line and I think this is what I will do if I want to go next year as many of the popular classes sold out early if not before the day itself. At £2 a class I think it is very good value.

The stage show included a demo by Lilia and Darren from Strictly Come Dancing. The spectacle was made more enjoyable by the gorgeous colourful outfits of the dancers. The body of the exhibition centre was given over to loads of stalls from dance outfitters, with dresses and shoes and everything a dancer would need. You could buy a pole for your home pole dancing sessions. (was thinking of getting one for Christine but she has got one already!).

My son Martin and I having hung around to see the salesperson demonstrate, felt we should ask questions in case we appeared to be voyeurs. So I asked whether it was exclusively a female pursuit, at which the saleswoman pointed to a young man in sports kit who had a very well developed upper torso. He was that sort of inverted triangle shape which women are said to go for. Now where shall I put my pole in the lounge or the hallway? (Only joking, but it does seem a wonderful way training, but not as good as watching!).

One of the Dance Coaches from Gravesend who has sports injury to her foot was pushed around the exhibition in a wheelchair by her obliging escort on the Sunday. This did not stop her spending on exotic dancewear though! She said that at least she had somewhere to sit down during the long day and seats were in short supply and so that is quite a consideration. There are some quite decent food outlets such as ‘Pret a manger’ with some tables and chairs but if you fancy a beer be ready for extortionate prices-£3 10 for a small lager!

Wendy and I finished the day by watching a brilliant Samba band and dancers. The colourful headdresses and very skimpy costumes meant that I was eventually dragged away in a sort of trance by my wife, eyes still fixed on the stage. Mardi Gras in Rio next year perhaps!

Thanks Joe, what a great article. J,N&T

Happy Birthday!

To our very own Dance Riviera Coach - Sarah. It's her birthday tomorrow (28th)

Sarah coaches at our Swanley venues and is well known for her calls for 'music' during the lessons and cheeky moves!

Just 9 days to go...

...Until our Easter Special Friday Night Freestyle at Maidstone.

Have you all got something yellow to wear? If all else fails - then it's yellow knickers for the girls and yellow boxers for the boys - beware though boys... Nicky and Tracy will be on the door and may need to check!

Princess Park - Tuesday night venue

We just wanted to let everyone know who came to our opening night a couple of weeks ago, that the one or two teething problems with the sound have now been sorted out.
Everyone who came last week had a great evening and Tim played an excellent set list that went down really well.
Here's a few comments from our dancers:
"A great Dance Riviera night as usual- love the new venue"
"We had a good time and it's really good to have a local Dance Riviera class on a Tuesday night"
" I shall be attending every week - parking is easy and the new DJ Tim is an asset"

Happy Birthday!

Just to say a big Happy Birthday for Monday 26th March to our very own teacher Jill.

Jill and Pete will be teaching at Swanley on Monday night so come along and join them for a great class and maybe even some cake!

Oh What a Night!

The Jive Aces played an excellent set last night and for everyone who came along they certainly kept us all dancing!

It was great to see them again with added entertainment value from the boys themselves plus a couple of brilliant swing dancers who had come all the way from Washington DC!

Definitely a night to remember....

Jive Aces

I have to say that the Boys were great last night.

Not only that, but I was allowed a sneak peek at one of their new tracks from the new album.

I have to say it was very good, and slightly different from what I expected.

Can't wait to hear more...

Jim x

Photo's of the night to follow shortly....

Ssh...want to know a secret...

Hot off the press!

The theme for our next Maidstone freestyle evening on Good Friday 6th April will be YELLOW - well it is Easter!

Ladies - wear yellow accessories, tops, dresses, easter bonnets or a combination of all!

Guys - wear yellow T shirts, belts, boxers even!

There will, of course, be some easter eggs around.

Jim, Nicky and Tracy will be hosting the evening.

We look forward to seeing you there.

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Hey, where's my suggestion that all the women wear Bunny Outfits gone!

Jim x

The Jive Aces at Dartford Acacia Hall - Thursday 22nd March

They're back at Dartford on Thursday, we look forward to a great night's live music and entertainment from the guys. We saw them at the Party Weekender in Warmwell on Saturday night and they were the best band all weekend.

It's £10 on the door - no loyalty card freebies will be accepted on this night.

p.s., don't forget we have our new Dartford venue this Tuesday night at Princes Park with double Loyalty Card stamps

p.p.s., if you attend Gravesend or Crayford for the month of March you also get double Loyalty Card stamps - redeem your free night sooner!

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I love this band for many reasons, but as a dancer I can recommend them for playing danceable music i.e. you don't need to dance 500 mph to keep up with them!

We've asked them to perform a new spotlight show where, Ken - The bass player and Peter - The drummer, play on the one instrument the bass. It's amazing!

The Boys have a new album coming out soon too, which promises to be their best yet. We'll update you when we know more, but I'm hoping to get a sneak peek this Thursday.

Jim x

Dartford Princes Park OPENING NIGHT TONIGHT!

It's Take 2! After last week's last-minute football match that was organised, we're opening our Dartford Princes Park venue TONIGHT!

Jim & Nicky are teaching and new Dance Riviera DJ Tim O'Brien will be playing for you tonight.
We always love opening nights as so many of you support them, which is fantastic, so we hope to see you and dance with you all tonight.

Don't forget the SPECIAL OFFER of visiting this venue for the first 4 weeks and get an extra Loyalty Card stamp.

If you don't know where it is, check out the FLYER, there's a map on it.

Nicky

Moving House

For those that didn't know, Nicky & I are moving to Sutton at Hone near Dartford this Friday.
Not only are we moving house, but we are moving Dance Riviera, "The Business", too!

Nicky also has to move me. The last time I packed anything I forgot all my underwear..!

I've lived in my house for 11 years...Gulp! and with Nicky for 6 years in the same house.

It's emotional, stressfull, panicky, weird, heart breaking, exciting, fun and bloody hard work.

I'd just like to say that Nicky has handled all this exceptionally well and is doing a great job.

Thanks to everyone for be patient with us during our move and a special thanks goes to all that are helping us through the move.

We lost our internet connection today and probably wont be put back online for a month, at home that is, so Nicky wont be able to read this until she visits someone's house or an internet cafe...hehehe

I'll still be posting from work and Tracy will be checking emails etc. so it's dancing as usual.

Cya soon, Jim x

Two top events this week!

Guest Teacher Nigel Anderson at

Dartford Acacia Hall - Thur 8th March

Come along and see one of the top teachers in modern jive in action! Nigel's been teaching modern jive and other styles of dance for 20 years and is a firm favourite at all the big dance weekenders and holidays.

Flyer

Friday Freestyle at Maidstone - Fri 9th March

The first Friday Freestyle was a great success with great music, lots of different dancers for you from different areas and club. Our DJ Dwain "Dirty D"J will be playing for you all night. Come along early to enjoy your 3 hours of pure freestyle. 8pm - 11pm

Flyer

URGENT NOTICE: Dartford Princes Park opening postponed til 13th March

IMPORTANT NOTICE: DARTFORD PRINCES PARK OPENING NIGHT POSTPONED TIL TUESDAY 13th MARCH

We have just been informed that a last minute football match has been organised for Tuesday 6th March. This means there will be no car parking available to our dancers. We would rather open a week later and enjoy all the facilities at the venue.

Please tell any friends that had intended to come along and hope to see you all next week at the new opening night!

Shelagh starts Work!!!!

Hiya all - just thought I would send you a little photo of me "working" at our new bar - Bo Jangles!!! We had our opening night last Thursday and it went really well with lots of support and positive feedback - we had 5 of Pete's mates arrive from the UK and they certainly helped our takings for the first weekend - we are absolutely knackered mind you, I dont think either of us realised how tiring it would be! - still we are starting to relax into it and enjoy ourselves so hopefully in a few weeks time it will all be running like clockwork and not stressing us out too much!!! Thanks to everyone who signed our Good Luck card - it was a lovely surprise and really meant a lot to me - hopefully I may get to serve some of you in the near future but until then take care and happy dancing - lots of love Shelagh xxx

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All the best for you Guys.

Were really proud of you and hopefully we'll be able to come over and sample the beer.

Jim, Nicky & Tracy