eNErgy 2017

The Beach at Tynemouth

A weekender by a beach, with two rooms of workshops with great teachers and freestyle music for 48 hours, 20 minutes from a buzzing city and the same from an area of great natural beauty. Fine restaurants, pubs and cafes all around and a group of welcoming local dancers from Newcastle and groups from Yorkshire and Scotland.

Tynemouth was traditional the holiday destination of workers from Glasgow but it has a lot more to it than a getaway from 20th century industrial labour.  A priory, a port and public school give away other aspects of the early pre-holiday destination history of this great stretch of the English coastline.  It's now a mix of well-to-do commuters, artists and artisans and holiday makers.

Cullercoats

The Park Hotel was for those of us who stayed there something of a mixed bag - my room was clean, comfy and always warm.  Others got less then they paid for...not Ceroc's fault but I think an under-estimation of the size of the event by the hotelier.  The public rooms were comfortable and the bar replete and not expensive: the sea view was incredible.  The dance rooms had been well prepped by Ceroc NE (despite more hotel hiccups) and were the right size for this the fourth weekender in the North East. Many came along for the classes on Saturday and Sunday and many for the freestyles on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Calum and Becca doing their thing on the main stage.

There was much to commend the weekend and I'd certainly go back again. Dancing aside the bracing walk on the sea front or the beach where runners, squatters and planners were shouted at by their trainers.  Thankfully the only exercise for me and my lovely companions was deciding which table to take in Crusoe's cafe for brunch.  Local pubs and restaurants were notable for good food if one didn't want to eat there.  The Geordie welcome in the hotel and beyond was marvellous.

All Day Breakfast at Crusoe's

The key features of the event were for me - a relaxed timetable that allowed for plenty of time for socialising, practising or further consultation with the teachers.  Plenty of new faces at the freestyles so the weekend's dances were varied and fresh.  A good choice of places to eat and enjoy around the venue (though sadly I didn't get the promised round of Crazy Golf).  And a clear description of what the workshops would cover and the level of difficulty. And everything went to schedule!

The music in the freestyles was varied - both rooms operated so there was a mixture of SILC and Blues in room 2 and a full variety of tune sin Room One at a faster tempo.  The DJs really mixed it up so there was something for everyone.

Kerry Rutherford and her team worked very hard - I think they got it right.  We partied hard in the evenings but not so hard the next day was blunted.  The event finished with a flourish - tea and cake and super music from Des.  

On the plus side - and this is a big plus for me - there was none of the pressure or stress I've come across at other hotel based events.  None of the desperately needy and unnecessary forced group participation, dressing up & party games.  Instead there was plenty of opportunity to learn and practice, to take that to the dance floor, to explore the area and also sit and catch up with friends.  A wonderful relaxing weekend - thanks to all involved.

The assembled dancers, teachers & demos