Dear Dancers,
First of all can I apologise for having to cancel this coming Monday's class, but I have been very poorly, and doctor's (and Andy's) order's are to take it easy and rest until I feel 100 percent.
The good news is that I am finally beginning to feel a little better, which is better than a bit worse every day as it has been for the past two weeks!
I want to send get well wishes to Mo and Lin who have also been struck down by the lurgy!! Get well soon you two - lets all get together again on the 7th December shall we?!!
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR DATES - ALL CLASSES
MONDAY'S - OAK LODGE - WEST WICKHAM
December 7th - normal class
December 14th - CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHT!! There will be a list by the door on Monday 7th for you to all make a note of what you would like to bring to the party food wise....please bring your own drinks and dress up in your glad rags! You will be taught a couple of fun dances during the night - and there will be a Christmas Raffle too!!
December 21st - December 28th - NO CLASSES
January 4th - we re-open for the New Year!!!!
WEDNESDAY'S - WESTERGATE SCHOOL - WESTERGATE, CHICHESTER
December 2nd, 9th, 16th - normal classes
December 23rd - CHRISTMAS PARTY TIME!!!!! There will be a list by the door on Wednesday 2nd, for you to all make a note of what you would like to bring to the party food wise....please bring your own drinks and dress up in your glad rags! You will be taught a couple of fun dances during the night - and there will be a Christmas Raffle too!!
December 30th - No class
January 6th - CLASS RE-OPEN'S FOR THE NEW YEAR!!!
FRIDAY'S - ALDINGBOURNE SOCIAL CLUB - ALDINGBOURNE, CHICHESTER
My apologies for having to close the class last Friday but I was too poorly to leave the house, the good news is that Im feeling a little better today and class will be on as normal next Friday 4th December.
Friday 11th December - NO CLASS - so sorry (I feel like Im always apologising!) but I have a prior booking for that day and unfortunately the times clash, so I have no option but to close the class that day.
Friday 18th December - CHRISTMAS PARTY TIME!!!!! There will be a list by the door on Friday 4th, for you to all make a note of what you would like to bring to the party food wise....please bring your own drinks and dress up in your glad rags! You will be taught a couple of fun dances during the class - and there will be a Christmas Raffle too!!
December 25th, January 2nd - NO CLASSES
January 8th - CLASS RE-OPENS FOR THE NEW YEAR!!!
---------------
UPDATE ON THE DURRANT HOUSE HOTEL - 19 - 22 FEB 2010
The coach is filling up fast - and we now have only a dozen seats left to fill - if you would like to come on the trip please do contact me as soon as possible to put your name down - you can either call me on 07799741288 or email me on julieandthekatz@msn.com
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KIM!!!!!
I must just say a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KIM!!!! who was 50 this week!!! I hope you had a fab surprise party on Thursday, Andy and I were so upset not to have been able to make it after all........I have a prezzie for you which I will bring on Wednesday so Ill see you then!!!
Thats all our news for now peeps - take care of yourselves, wrap up warm and dont fall in any big puddles!!
See you all soon
Julie xxx
The Katz Modern Line Dancers!
Saturday 28 November 2009
Thursday 26 November 2009
Sorry......but some classes are cancelled....Thurs Nov 26th..
Dear Dancers,
First of all can I just apologise to all my Westergate dancers for not being able to be there last night? I hear that Andy did a great job playing all your requests, and I hope you all had a nice time.
I have been quite poorly for over a week now with a nasty viral infection - basically - a cold - but a really vicious one that has completely floored me!
I am therefore going to have to cancel tomorrow afternoons class in Aldingbourne too - doctors orders! All Im allowed to do, is rest, rest and rest some more.....and its very frustrating! Each time I try to defy doctors orders and go out I get worse, and so, for the next few days at least, Im giving in to it and sitting it out.
Mondays class may have to be cancelled too - but I will post on here by Sunday lunchtime to let you know how things stand.
I hear that several of my dancers are poorly with this nasty bug too, and Im sending you all my love and hugs and best wishes to get well soon - at least we are all suffering together eh!!!!? (hmmmm! thats not much consolation is it!!!?)
Thank you for my get well card Westergate dancers - your funny little comments made me laugh - especially Kate-Jane's and Jane-Kate's one about coming to see you at the hospital!! hahahaha!!! Oh and I loved Robins upside down message too! But thank you everyone for your lovely comments - I hope to be fit and well by next Wednesday - well I had better be, because I shall be sooooooooooooooooooooo cross if Im not, I can tell you!!!!
Other news.....
THE KATZ NEXT WEEKEND BREAK!!! UPDATE!!!
We have managed to book two of the top UK linedance acts for our weekend break to Bideford in February (19th - 22nd)!!!
PLAIN LOCO AND ALAN GREGORY!!!!!
If you have yet to put your name down for this trip then please do so asap as the coach is filling up fast......
The cost is £165.00 per person - which includes RETURN COACH TRAVEL to either Beckenham, or Chichester/Bognor area....Three nights dinner bed and breakfast, friday night disco with DJ Andy!, Saturday night with Plain Loco, and Sunday night with the nicest, funniest enertainer we have on the circuit ALAN GREGORY!! (who is only available because it is a Sunday!!!)
The hotel is the Durrant House Hotel and they have a fab website which I suggest you visit http://www.durranthousehotel.com/dancing.php so you can see what luxurious surroundings we are taking you to....yes, Folkestone was tons of fun, no doubt about that, BUT!!! I like a bit of luxury when I go away, and Im sure you do too!!!??! The hotel is very reasonably priced, and Im sure you will agree that to have the worry of travel taken out of your hands is a huge bonus on a trip to Devon in February.....on board the coach you can expect fun and games in the form of our famous quizes!!! Plus an onboard TV gives us the choice of lying back and watching a movie en route!! Suggestions for suitable movies on a postcard please!!
If you would like more info please do email me on julieandthekatz@msn.com - if you are reading this and arent a member of any of my classes, you are still welcome to join us on our weekend breaks providing we have the space - our only requirements are that you like to relax, enjoy your linedancing without feeling any pressure to KNOW THEM ALL, enjoy good company and have a bit of fun.......!
Look forward to hear from you soon.
Thats it for now - take care folks - so sorry about the class cancellations *cough, cough, cough......and hope to see you next week.
Julie xxx
First of all can I just apologise to all my Westergate dancers for not being able to be there last night? I hear that Andy did a great job playing all your requests, and I hope you all had a nice time.
I have been quite poorly for over a week now with a nasty viral infection - basically - a cold - but a really vicious one that has completely floored me!
I am therefore going to have to cancel tomorrow afternoons class in Aldingbourne too - doctors orders! All Im allowed to do, is rest, rest and rest some more.....and its very frustrating! Each time I try to defy doctors orders and go out I get worse, and so, for the next few days at least, Im giving in to it and sitting it out.
Mondays class may have to be cancelled too - but I will post on here by Sunday lunchtime to let you know how things stand.
I hear that several of my dancers are poorly with this nasty bug too, and Im sending you all my love and hugs and best wishes to get well soon - at least we are all suffering together eh!!!!? (hmmmm! thats not much consolation is it!!!?)
Thank you for my get well card Westergate dancers - your funny little comments made me laugh - especially Kate-Jane's and Jane-Kate's one about coming to see you at the hospital!! hahahaha!!! Oh and I loved Robins upside down message too! But thank you everyone for your lovely comments - I hope to be fit and well by next Wednesday - well I had better be, because I shall be sooooooooooooooooooooo cross if Im not, I can tell you!!!!
Other news.....
THE KATZ NEXT WEEKEND BREAK!!! UPDATE!!!
We have managed to book two of the top UK linedance acts for our weekend break to Bideford in February (19th - 22nd)!!!
PLAIN LOCO AND ALAN GREGORY!!!!!
If you have yet to put your name down for this trip then please do so asap as the coach is filling up fast......
The cost is £165.00 per person - which includes RETURN COACH TRAVEL to either Beckenham, or Chichester/Bognor area....Three nights dinner bed and breakfast, friday night disco with DJ Andy!, Saturday night with Plain Loco, and Sunday night with the nicest, funniest enertainer we have on the circuit ALAN GREGORY!! (who is only available because it is a Sunday!!!)
The hotel is the Durrant House Hotel and they have a fab website which I suggest you visit http://www.durranthousehotel.com/dancing.php so you can see what luxurious surroundings we are taking you to....yes, Folkestone was tons of fun, no doubt about that, BUT!!! I like a bit of luxury when I go away, and Im sure you do too!!!??! The hotel is very reasonably priced, and Im sure you will agree that to have the worry of travel taken out of your hands is a huge bonus on a trip to Devon in February.....on board the coach you can expect fun and games in the form of our famous quizes!!! Plus an onboard TV gives us the choice of lying back and watching a movie en route!! Suggestions for suitable movies on a postcard please!!
If you would like more info please do email me on julieandthekatz@msn.com - if you are reading this and arent a member of any of my classes, you are still welcome to join us on our weekend breaks providing we have the space - our only requirements are that you like to relax, enjoy your linedancing without feeling any pressure to KNOW THEM ALL, enjoy good company and have a bit of fun.......!
Look forward to hear from you soon.
Thats it for now - take care folks - so sorry about the class cancellations *cough, cough, cough......and hope to see you next week.
Julie xxx
Tuesday 17 November 2009
The Next Weekender is already in the planning!
Dear Dancers,
Please do read the post below this one too!
I just wanted to let you all know that there is a weekend that has become free at THE DURRANT HOUSE HOTEL in Bideford, Devon... click here to view the hotel before you read on... www.durranthousehotel.com
It looks beautiful, Im sure you will agree - and we have the opportunity to run a weekender there from Friday February 19th - til Monday 22nd...... at the moment we think we can bring the trip in for around £150.00 per person but have to do a little more research before we can confirm that price!
We are planning to have live music on Saturday and Sunday night....with a disco on Friday........
If you are interested in coming along - please do contact me on julieandthekatz@msn.com or 07799741288
See you all in class soon..
take care
Julie x
Please do read the post below this one too!
I just wanted to let you all know that there is a weekend that has become free at THE DURRANT HOUSE HOTEL in Bideford, Devon... click here to view the hotel before you read on... www.durranthousehotel.com
It looks beautiful, Im sure you will agree - and we have the opportunity to run a weekender there from Friday February 19th - til Monday 22nd...... at the moment we think we can bring the trip in for around £150.00 per person but have to do a little more research before we can confirm that price!
We are planning to have live music on Saturday and Sunday night....with a disco on Friday........
If you are interested in coming along - please do contact me on julieandthekatz@msn.com or 07799741288
See you all in class soon..
take care
Julie x
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
A big big Thank you to all our lovely dancers for joining us on our FIFTH Annual Club weekend break this year!
We had a lovely time down in Folkestone in The Southcliff Hotel on The Leas...despite the horrendous weather conditions!
My weekend started on Friday morning when I awoke to the sound of heavy rain outside my window.......I put the radio on to hear 'there are terrible driving conditions today in West Sussex with trouble on the A27, the M23 and around the Chichester area'
So I turned it off.
Then went upstairs and put the tv on - just in time to see a map of the UK with HUGE arrows pointing right at FOLKESTONE and heard the weather girl say 'there are gales of up to 70 mph heading for the South East coast tonight..'
So I turned that off too!!!
Well I thought, what's the worse that can happen? The coach could be stuck somewhere in a flood - people may not reach the hotel due to fallen trees - mum could be stuck on a train somewhere....and so my thoughts raged right up until I saw the very welcome sight of the Diamond coach pulling into Aldingbourne Social Club bang on time being driven by its very capable driver, Bob!
I boarded the coach with the 'Aldingbourne Crew' which consisted of Linda, Jane, Charley, Jim, Anne and Chris - who promptly all ran to the very back of the coach leaving me all on my own at the front!! (well, until Chris felt sorry for me and came up front to keep me company that is!).
We set off for Beckenham, and I played a 'beat the intro' music quiz much to the upset of Bob who was quite happy to listen to Radio Two instead!
The winners of the intro quiz were Jane's team on the back seat - and the prize of a huge box of Maltesers was claimed instantly by Jane who refused to share! (what an example to set your daughter!! tut tut!)
After a brief stop at Pease Pottage we set off for Beckenham, despite the horrendous travel conditions we felt safe in Bob's hands and we pulled up in Manor Way just five minutes after our expected time - which was a miracle considering what we were up against with the roads!
Lots of happy (slightly wet) faces greeted us in Beckenham and we welcomed aboard the West Wickham dancers.........there was a slight moment of panic when we realised there was no sign of Brenda - but five minutes later she came running along with her suitcase soaked to the skin but smiling anyway!
So leg two of our journey began, the anagram quiz caused a bit of a stir - with someone (no names mentioned) thinking that the anagram for Bob Marley was someone unknown called 'Barley Nob!!!' hehe....I wouldnt mind but the letters arent even the same! For ever more now, Bob Marley will be known as Barley Nob to me.....!
Kellie took several minutes to recover from her fit of giggles and even had to get the tissues out to wipe her eyes.....and usually its Theresa we get these little gems from - but this time - it wasn't her! sorry Theresa for mentioning your name - you know I love you to bits!
We reached Maidstone services in good time - and the heavens had begun to open up good and proper again by now - but the lovely Bob pulled up literally right by the doors and we all ran in and kept nice and dry.....
As we boarded the coach for our final run of motorway the heavens really did open and we drove through torrential rain and high winds - we witnessed a huge lorry swerving all across three lanes in front of us as he narrowly missed a little van in front of him changing lanes without looking! But again, Bob kept us safe and we cracked on with our Big 70's quiz!! Now I have to say the moaning about the football questions was a little unecessary wasn't it? Ive never heard so much whinging just because someone doesnt know anything about football!! and anyway, they werent ALL about football were they!!!? (just some of them!)
The winners of this quiz were Debbie and Isabel! Who we think guessed half their answers - but who cares!
We pulled up outside the Southcliff at five to three which was pretty good going considering the amount of rain and potential problems we faced when we woke up that morning!
Sherrie the assistant manager boarded the coach before anyone could get off and laid down the law!! haha!!! Ive never seen so many scared faces in my life! she was a little scray tho I must admit! but I can only think that she must have some pretty unruly groups in her hotel on occasion and just wanted to make sure you all knew the procedure (well, thats my excuse and Im sticking to it!)
Once inside the hotel we were greeted by lots more smiling faces of our other dancers from all over.......it seems everyone managed to get through the traffic with little trouble after all!!
The weekend was relatively trouble free - well, apart from my sister Sues friend almost bringing the lounge ceiling down with her shower in the room above that is!!
The Texas Tornadoes arrived and joined us for dinner - Pete made friends with my mum and giggled away with her throughout the meal - he offered to take her up in the lift to the ballroom - but mum wasnt aware of this, and thought she was going to her room (wrong lift mum!!!) and so her and Pete had a tour of all of the floors of the other side of the hotel until finally he put her in the ballroom! (only my mum eh?)
The Tornados were in great form and really got the party started for us on Friday night - ably assisted by the lovely Andy playing everyones requests - we also had our raffle and Sensational Seventies Picture Quiz which was won by my siser Sue and her friends - with the runners up being Debbie and Isabel (they were really on a winning streak this weekend!)
We partied on til 1.30 a.m. when the final dancers started flagging Sally and Sue were amongst the last to get off to bed (but there were no surpises there!!!)
Saturday morning saw the first of our dance lessons - and I taught the following dances:
NOTHING'S GONNA BRING ME DOWN - By Ria Vos - this is a 32 count dance, no tags or restarts- to a great song by Paolo Nutini called Pencil Full of Lead......
next up I decided to teach a dance from a few years back called
DO WOP BE DO BE DOO - written to Shang a Lang by the Bay City Rollers - to keep us in with the 70's theme of the weekend - most of the dancers had never learned this dance before and even those that knew it already were very happy to re learn such a great dance!
Next was a new dance by Rob Fowler called...
CASANOVA COWBOY - written to Cowboy Casanova by Carrie Underwood....a really cool 32 counter that fits the music very well - a big hit with eveyone!
An inpromptu request from some quarters resulted in me teaching..
HOT TOMALAS!!!!! A huge number of dancers had never done this dance before and loved it!
Finally I taught
TIME TO PLAY - By Peter and Alison - 32 counts - ultra funky - one for the higher intermediates because of its speed and tricky timing......this one was loved by our younger dancers in particular!!
Saturday afternoon was free to do as you wished.....I chose to do nothing and have a rest before decorating the hall for tonights 70's themed party....but some people decided to go shopping.......which was fine up until about 3 oclock when the biggest storm hit Folkestone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We watched from our bedroom window as several people dressed as drowned rats came running back up the street to the hotel for refuge!!! Yvonne and Ann were completely soaked to the sking and as Yvonne said 'I was wet right up to the top of my tousers!!!' - and there was me thinking it was a Tena lady moment....!!! haha
The storm raged on for a good couple of hours, during which Jenny, Tom and Amy arrived! It was so windy Amy actually couldnt walk through the alley way and they had to take the long route round to the front entrance!!
Kellie, Andy and I decorated the hall for the evenings party - and got it looking as tacky as we possibly could - old fashioned balloons, crepe paper, plastic bowls with sweets and quality street in, were all I could remember from parties in the 70's!!! so that was what we gave you!
Saturday nights meal was a traditional Christmas dinner - and we had beautifully decorated tables and presents given to us by the hotel - I had a lovely little Christmas mug with a Snowman in it! Thank you Southcliff for such a lovely suprise!
The party on Saturday night started with people arriving dressed in their 70's gear - The Selsey Girls looked amazing in their wigs and Sue and Sally were Anafird and Agnetha from ABBA - you looked pretty amazing girls! I loved Ann's pink wig too - and Yvonne - I didnt even recognise you when you walked in! you must do long black hair more often, it really suited you!
Liz looked lovely in her little white and blue number - Mick was the only male Bay City Roller Fan I have ever seen, Lisa went for the other end of the 70's and came as a rebel!! (what else would you expect!!?) Kellie looked fab in her Afro (I thought Jamie Afro had arrived when she walked in!) - but I have to say was out afro-ed a tad by Emmas HUGE red one when she arrived later in the evening with little Caity in her lovely 70's clothes!
The winners of our Fancy dress parade were Christine and Suzannah - who had come dressed as The Carpenters......Christine looked so funny as Richard Carpenter...and even adopted the American accent......you should be on the stage Christine!! Our second prize went to Amy for her ABBA outfit - the long blonde curls looked amazing! Little Caity won third prize for being so cute, and Mick won a special prize for his Bay City Rollers outfit......in the form of a Simon Cowell Calendar - I hope you keep that safe young Mick!!
The Aldingbourne crew looked fab in their outfits - with Charley adding extra sparkle to the proceedings in her lovely outfit.
Sarah and her mum Carolyn were fellow Bay City Roller fans!! HURRAY!!! in all there were four of us!! Ahh I knew the band would still have a following somewhere!!!
A huge thank you to all of you that dressed up for the occasion !! it is lovely when so many people make the effort to join in the fun by making costumes and really adds to the atmosphere of the evening!
Our entertainer for Saturday night was the gorgeous Tim McKay - who wowed the girls with his voice and good looks, and his sense of humour too - we particularly loved the partner dance - with Andy calling out how many partners ahead we needed to change to, it was an hysterical challenge and something I wont forget in a long while!!
Thank you Tim for being so good natured and joining in the fun with us!
We partied on until 2 a.m. on Saturday night with the last ones out of the ballroom being Emma and Caity who had only arrived at 8 p.m. as we waved goodbye to Emma in the lift to her room she was still saying 'BUT I'VE ONLY JUST ARRIVED!' haha
Sunday morning saw the last of our dance sessions - I reviewed all of the previous days dances, and added in two new ones...
THINK I'M FALLING - By Justine Brown - to Think Im falling in Love by Harrison County - this is a lovely little 32 count easy dance that has the potential to stick around for a long while....fingers crossed for you Justine!
and the final teach was..
TOPSY TURVY - By Sandra Speck - a 64 count improver level dance written to Upside Down by Paloma Faith - a good fun dance - with nothing complicated in it...which makes it an instant floor filler!
Before we knew it it was time to say our thank you's and goodbyes - these weekends are always over far too quickly!!
We must once again thank Kellie and Linda for all their hard work throughout the year, and I want to thank Viv for taking so many photos - (I havent seen them yet but cant wait!).
I also want to thank everyone that came up and said nice things about us, we were very touched by your comments, and hope to see you all again on our next trip, which could be much sooner than you expected!!
We have the opportunity to go to Bideford in February....this is still in its early stages of planning - but if you would like to join us - please do contact me by email on julieandthekatz@msn.com or by phone on 07799741288
the hotel is called The Derwent House Hotel and its beautiful!!! I think its time we went for a little luxury and stayed for an extra night too!!
We should be able to offer three nights including travel to Devon and back for around £150.00 each....watch this space for more details....!!
Thank you all once again for coming to Folkestone - and Ill see you in class very soon..
Take care everyone!
Julie xxx
p.s. thank you so so much for your lovely gifts - Andy is particularly thrilled with his £9!!! haha!!
We had a lovely time down in Folkestone in The Southcliff Hotel on The Leas...despite the horrendous weather conditions!
My weekend started on Friday morning when I awoke to the sound of heavy rain outside my window.......I put the radio on to hear 'there are terrible driving conditions today in West Sussex with trouble on the A27, the M23 and around the Chichester area'
So I turned it off.
Then went upstairs and put the tv on - just in time to see a map of the UK with HUGE arrows pointing right at FOLKESTONE and heard the weather girl say 'there are gales of up to 70 mph heading for the South East coast tonight..'
So I turned that off too!!!
Well I thought, what's the worse that can happen? The coach could be stuck somewhere in a flood - people may not reach the hotel due to fallen trees - mum could be stuck on a train somewhere....and so my thoughts raged right up until I saw the very welcome sight of the Diamond coach pulling into Aldingbourne Social Club bang on time being driven by its very capable driver, Bob!
I boarded the coach with the 'Aldingbourne Crew' which consisted of Linda, Jane, Charley, Jim, Anne and Chris - who promptly all ran to the very back of the coach leaving me all on my own at the front!! (well, until Chris felt sorry for me and came up front to keep me company that is!).
We set off for Beckenham, and I played a 'beat the intro' music quiz much to the upset of Bob who was quite happy to listen to Radio Two instead!
The winners of the intro quiz were Jane's team on the back seat - and the prize of a huge box of Maltesers was claimed instantly by Jane who refused to share! (what an example to set your daughter!! tut tut!)
After a brief stop at Pease Pottage we set off for Beckenham, despite the horrendous travel conditions we felt safe in Bob's hands and we pulled up in Manor Way just five minutes after our expected time - which was a miracle considering what we were up against with the roads!
Lots of happy (slightly wet) faces greeted us in Beckenham and we welcomed aboard the West Wickham dancers.........there was a slight moment of panic when we realised there was no sign of Brenda - but five minutes later she came running along with her suitcase soaked to the skin but smiling anyway!
So leg two of our journey began, the anagram quiz caused a bit of a stir - with someone (no names mentioned) thinking that the anagram for Bob Marley was someone unknown called 'Barley Nob!!!' hehe....I wouldnt mind but the letters arent even the same! For ever more now, Bob Marley will be known as Barley Nob to me.....!
Kellie took several minutes to recover from her fit of giggles and even had to get the tissues out to wipe her eyes.....and usually its Theresa we get these little gems from - but this time - it wasn't her! sorry Theresa for mentioning your name - you know I love you to bits!
We reached Maidstone services in good time - and the heavens had begun to open up good and proper again by now - but the lovely Bob pulled up literally right by the doors and we all ran in and kept nice and dry.....
As we boarded the coach for our final run of motorway the heavens really did open and we drove through torrential rain and high winds - we witnessed a huge lorry swerving all across three lanes in front of us as he narrowly missed a little van in front of him changing lanes without looking! But again, Bob kept us safe and we cracked on with our Big 70's quiz!! Now I have to say the moaning about the football questions was a little unecessary wasn't it? Ive never heard so much whinging just because someone doesnt know anything about football!! and anyway, they werent ALL about football were they!!!? (just some of them!)
The winners of this quiz were Debbie and Isabel! Who we think guessed half their answers - but who cares!
We pulled up outside the Southcliff at five to three which was pretty good going considering the amount of rain and potential problems we faced when we woke up that morning!
Sherrie the assistant manager boarded the coach before anyone could get off and laid down the law!! haha!!! Ive never seen so many scared faces in my life! she was a little scray tho I must admit! but I can only think that she must have some pretty unruly groups in her hotel on occasion and just wanted to make sure you all knew the procedure (well, thats my excuse and Im sticking to it!)
Once inside the hotel we were greeted by lots more smiling faces of our other dancers from all over.......it seems everyone managed to get through the traffic with little trouble after all!!
The weekend was relatively trouble free - well, apart from my sister Sues friend almost bringing the lounge ceiling down with her shower in the room above that is!!
The Texas Tornadoes arrived and joined us for dinner - Pete made friends with my mum and giggled away with her throughout the meal - he offered to take her up in the lift to the ballroom - but mum wasnt aware of this, and thought she was going to her room (wrong lift mum!!!) and so her and Pete had a tour of all of the floors of the other side of the hotel until finally he put her in the ballroom! (only my mum eh?)
The Tornados were in great form and really got the party started for us on Friday night - ably assisted by the lovely Andy playing everyones requests - we also had our raffle and Sensational Seventies Picture Quiz which was won by my siser Sue and her friends - with the runners up being Debbie and Isabel (they were really on a winning streak this weekend!)
We partied on til 1.30 a.m. when the final dancers started flagging Sally and Sue were amongst the last to get off to bed (but there were no surpises there!!!)
Saturday morning saw the first of our dance lessons - and I taught the following dances:
NOTHING'S GONNA BRING ME DOWN - By Ria Vos - this is a 32 count dance, no tags or restarts- to a great song by Paolo Nutini called Pencil Full of Lead......
next up I decided to teach a dance from a few years back called
DO WOP BE DO BE DOO - written to Shang a Lang by the Bay City Rollers - to keep us in with the 70's theme of the weekend - most of the dancers had never learned this dance before and even those that knew it already were very happy to re learn such a great dance!
Next was a new dance by Rob Fowler called...
CASANOVA COWBOY - written to Cowboy Casanova by Carrie Underwood....a really cool 32 counter that fits the music very well - a big hit with eveyone!
An inpromptu request from some quarters resulted in me teaching..
HOT TOMALAS!!!!! A huge number of dancers had never done this dance before and loved it!
Finally I taught
TIME TO PLAY - By Peter and Alison - 32 counts - ultra funky - one for the higher intermediates because of its speed and tricky timing......this one was loved by our younger dancers in particular!!
Saturday afternoon was free to do as you wished.....I chose to do nothing and have a rest before decorating the hall for tonights 70's themed party....but some people decided to go shopping.......which was fine up until about 3 oclock when the biggest storm hit Folkestone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We watched from our bedroom window as several people dressed as drowned rats came running back up the street to the hotel for refuge!!! Yvonne and Ann were completely soaked to the sking and as Yvonne said 'I was wet right up to the top of my tousers!!!' - and there was me thinking it was a Tena lady moment....!!! haha
The storm raged on for a good couple of hours, during which Jenny, Tom and Amy arrived! It was so windy Amy actually couldnt walk through the alley way and they had to take the long route round to the front entrance!!
Kellie, Andy and I decorated the hall for the evenings party - and got it looking as tacky as we possibly could - old fashioned balloons, crepe paper, plastic bowls with sweets and quality street in, were all I could remember from parties in the 70's!!! so that was what we gave you!
Saturday nights meal was a traditional Christmas dinner - and we had beautifully decorated tables and presents given to us by the hotel - I had a lovely little Christmas mug with a Snowman in it! Thank you Southcliff for such a lovely suprise!
The party on Saturday night started with people arriving dressed in their 70's gear - The Selsey Girls looked amazing in their wigs and Sue and Sally were Anafird and Agnetha from ABBA - you looked pretty amazing girls! I loved Ann's pink wig too - and Yvonne - I didnt even recognise you when you walked in! you must do long black hair more often, it really suited you!
Liz looked lovely in her little white and blue number - Mick was the only male Bay City Roller Fan I have ever seen, Lisa went for the other end of the 70's and came as a rebel!! (what else would you expect!!?) Kellie looked fab in her Afro (I thought Jamie Afro had arrived when she walked in!) - but I have to say was out afro-ed a tad by Emmas HUGE red one when she arrived later in the evening with little Caity in her lovely 70's clothes!
The winners of our Fancy dress parade were Christine and Suzannah - who had come dressed as The Carpenters......Christine looked so funny as Richard Carpenter...and even adopted the American accent......you should be on the stage Christine!! Our second prize went to Amy for her ABBA outfit - the long blonde curls looked amazing! Little Caity won third prize for being so cute, and Mick won a special prize for his Bay City Rollers outfit......in the form of a Simon Cowell Calendar - I hope you keep that safe young Mick!!
The Aldingbourne crew looked fab in their outfits - with Charley adding extra sparkle to the proceedings in her lovely outfit.
Sarah and her mum Carolyn were fellow Bay City Roller fans!! HURRAY!!! in all there were four of us!! Ahh I knew the band would still have a following somewhere!!!
A huge thank you to all of you that dressed up for the occasion !! it is lovely when so many people make the effort to join in the fun by making costumes and really adds to the atmosphere of the evening!
Our entertainer for Saturday night was the gorgeous Tim McKay - who wowed the girls with his voice and good looks, and his sense of humour too - we particularly loved the partner dance - with Andy calling out how many partners ahead we needed to change to, it was an hysterical challenge and something I wont forget in a long while!!
Thank you Tim for being so good natured and joining in the fun with us!
We partied on until 2 a.m. on Saturday night with the last ones out of the ballroom being Emma and Caity who had only arrived at 8 p.m. as we waved goodbye to Emma in the lift to her room she was still saying 'BUT I'VE ONLY JUST ARRIVED!' haha
Sunday morning saw the last of our dance sessions - I reviewed all of the previous days dances, and added in two new ones...
THINK I'M FALLING - By Justine Brown - to Think Im falling in Love by Harrison County - this is a lovely little 32 count easy dance that has the potential to stick around for a long while....fingers crossed for you Justine!
and the final teach was..
TOPSY TURVY - By Sandra Speck - a 64 count improver level dance written to Upside Down by Paloma Faith - a good fun dance - with nothing complicated in it...which makes it an instant floor filler!
Before we knew it it was time to say our thank you's and goodbyes - these weekends are always over far too quickly!!
We must once again thank Kellie and Linda for all their hard work throughout the year, and I want to thank Viv for taking so many photos - (I havent seen them yet but cant wait!).
I also want to thank everyone that came up and said nice things about us, we were very touched by your comments, and hope to see you all again on our next trip, which could be much sooner than you expected!!
We have the opportunity to go to Bideford in February....this is still in its early stages of planning - but if you would like to join us - please do contact me by email on julieandthekatz@msn.com or by phone on 07799741288
the hotel is called The Derwent House Hotel and its beautiful!!! I think its time we went for a little luxury and stayed for an extra night too!!
We should be able to offer three nights including travel to Devon and back for around £150.00 each....watch this space for more details....!!
Thank you all once again for coming to Folkestone - and Ill see you in class very soon..
Take care everyone!
Julie xxx
p.s. thank you so so much for your lovely gifts - Andy is particularly thrilled with his £9!!! haha!!
Thursday 12 November 2009
FOLKESTONE UPDATE! plus......
Dear Dancers,
Well its almost upon us! Our annual weekend club break that is!
For those of you coming to Folkestone this weekend you should have all received a letter giving details about travel to and from the hotel plus what to expect on arrival etc. However if you haven't, then the basic details are as follows:-
COACH TRAVEL - Friday......
Aldingbourne - Please be in Aldingbourne Social Club’s Car park at 9.15 a.m. on Friday 13th November – the coach will leave promptly at 9.30 a.m.
We will be stopping for a comfort break at Pease Pottage - although the coach is fitted with an on board toilet should you need it!
Backenham - Manor Way - Please be in Manor Way, Beckenham (see map) by 11.45 – the coach will leave promptly at 12.00 noon
We will be stopping at Maidstone Services for a 25 minute 'lunch' break.
E.t.a is approx 2.45 p.m.
Self Drivers - the full address of the hotel is:
The full address of the hotel is:-
The Southcliff
22 – 26 The Leas,
Folkestone,
Kent. CT20 2DY
Tel: 01303 850075
You will have been reserved a car parking space, but please call ahead to the hotel to give them your details - Car parking is £5 per night payable directly to the hotel.
If you have any difficulties getting to the hotel, or the coach, please call me on 07799741288.
See you all very soon! Dont foget those 70's costumes for Saturday Nights Big Party!
Other news!!!
CLASS CLOSURES
Due to the trip to Folkestone Im very sorry but there will no class tomorrow (Friday 13th) but we will see you next week as usual!
Monday 16th November - CLASS CLOSED!! This is to give us time to recover from the weekend!! I look forward to seeing you all back in class on the 23rd.
Well I think thats it for now - take care everyone and see you soon!!
Julie x
Well its almost upon us! Our annual weekend club break that is!
For those of you coming to Folkestone this weekend you should have all received a letter giving details about travel to and from the hotel plus what to expect on arrival etc. However if you haven't, then the basic details are as follows:-
COACH TRAVEL - Friday......
Aldingbourne - Please be in Aldingbourne Social Club’s Car park at 9.15 a.m. on Friday 13th November – the coach will leave promptly at 9.30 a.m.
We will be stopping for a comfort break at Pease Pottage - although the coach is fitted with an on board toilet should you need it!
Backenham - Manor Way - Please be in Manor Way, Beckenham (see map) by 11.45 – the coach will leave promptly at 12.00 noon
We will be stopping at Maidstone Services for a 25 minute 'lunch' break.
E.t.a is approx 2.45 p.m.
Self Drivers - the full address of the hotel is:
The full address of the hotel is:-
The Southcliff
22 – 26 The Leas,
Folkestone,
Kent. CT20 2DY
Tel: 01303 850075
You will have been reserved a car parking space, but please call ahead to the hotel to give them your details - Car parking is £5 per night payable directly to the hotel.
If you have any difficulties getting to the hotel, or the coach, please call me on 07799741288.
See you all very soon! Dont foget those 70's costumes for Saturday Nights Big Party!
Other news!!!
CLASS CLOSURES
Due to the trip to Folkestone Im very sorry but there will no class tomorrow (Friday 13th) but we will see you next week as usual!
Monday 16th November - CLASS CLOSED!! This is to give us time to recover from the weekend!! I look forward to seeing you all back in class on the 23rd.
Well I think thats it for now - take care everyone and see you soon!!
Julie x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)