How a Competition is born - DJing

Chris Uren is a very busy DJ working across three Ceroc franchises in the Midlands and Pennines.  His skills as a venue manager have benefitted many an operation and what he doesn't know about music is not worth knowing.  His own Juke Joint night in Wetherby is a magnet for those who like their dance music to be musical.  He'll be DJing the Northern Champs - with a glittering array of DJs giving him a break in the freestyles.

Photo credit: Ceroc UK

Chris' ability to pull out of the air a track over 50 years old that is jaw-droopingly good never ceases to amaze me.  At Southport in 'Swinger's Hour' I recall he put on some Glenn Miller  - the sound was magnificent especially over those big speakers, as good as nay fine modern classical orchestra _ I was engrossed in this wonderfully thrilling music.  I couldn't be bothered to find a partner, I just sat and bathed in the magical sound....

Chris' feel for what will challenge and surprise dancers, and what they'll enjoy too, may have something to do with his dance history - which what led me to my first question in this q&a

SN: You were once a dance competitor - you saw the team spirit of the dancers at Ceroc Champs - how does that compare with the competition you took part in? CU: Thanks for the opportunity to answer. Doing the music for a champs is one of the ambitions that I now get to fulfil.

As a young man I competed in Ballroom and Latin Competitions and had moderate success. However I hate to say that “Team Spirit” was not evident at all. Every man for themselves was the order of the day. Even in junior competition rivalry was fierce. This made competing stressful and that’s ultimately why I stopped. (Oh and I discovered DJing, Drink and Women)

Compare that to the current Ceroc Champs around the UK and things are very different. People are attending in Club groups. This enhances the spirit of the day and inspires the people who compete. It makes competing fun. Just look at the team from Wales ably led by Mark and Lyndsey who actually won an award for the most competitors at the London Champs this year. Amazing. Their energy levels as a group of dancers are inspiring. I truly believe that more clubs should promote competition dancing.

SN: Without giving anything away about your playlist, which era or genre of music do you think offers the most challenge for today’s dancers?

CU: For me there are 2 types that really challenge and they come from very different era’s. Some of the funky R&B tunes of the last couple of years are quite complex musically and feature breaks and beat changes making them difficult to interpret. And then you have my beloved faster Blues tracks with their music breaks, that as a competitor you just have to hit. Plus those occasional ones with a slow start that then hits you. You have to get them right to impress the judges.

SN: What are your top three tips for new competitors at Northern Champs?

CU: I’m going to follow the line taken by Sheena in one of your previous interviews.

• Take regular fluids (particularly water) and keep your energy levels up by eating frequently.
• Regardless of your level of dance enjoy competing. That automatically gives you that big smile.
• Watch the clock. Know when you are due on and be ready in time. Last minute stresses will affect your enjoyment and dancing. Oh and your partner who may be there waiting for you to turn up.

SN: A dance Championship is a long haul for the most successful competitors - what’s the nightmare track(s) for them as the finals draw to a close?

Speed kills. So

“Let’s Work” by Wayne Beckford.

Fast, with those great stutters that you have to hit to win.

[SN: sorry not on Youtube]

Boredom Kills. I could put hundreds of tunes here so just an example.

“Always have, Always Will” by Ace of Base.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz7qbAyJReQ

A perfectly good jive tune, but fixed beat and highly predictable.


5) What three tracks would you expect any competitive dancer to be able to master to progress through the heats?

“Danny’s All Star Joint” by Ricki Lee Jones

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JkT3p6H4Ws

This was played by Mark Kerr at the last Welsh champs and was an inspired choice. Listen to it and see if you can get all the breaks and accents.

“Bad mood” by Lonnie Gordon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTFiqH-4R_M

Breaks, and a really funky backbeat that you just have to adapt your moves too. Standard Ceroc won’t work for this one. You gotta get on down.

“The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gab2Vuz2Nk&list=RD1gab2Vuz2Nk

A smooth Swing classic. And in that description lies the answer. Your Bouncy Jive won’t work here. You have to flow. Think Foxtrot. Perhaps even having some ballroom style moves up your sleeve in case you get one. The same, by the way, applies to any latin tracks you get with a Rumba or Cha Cha feel. The prepared have something up their sleeve to make it work.


CU: Thanks for the opportunity to answer these. I can only say that the tunes will have been picked to reflect the round you are in and will hopefully challenge more and more as the day goes on and we get nearer to those trophies and medals. Everybody have fun and enjoy the day.

SN: Thank you, always a pleasure hearing your take, and best of luck on Northern Champs Day.

Ladies and Gentlemen - the day approaches - are you excited yet?