Ceroc, Dancing

Back to School

There’s something about a fancy dress ‘Back to School’ party which brings out the inner rebel in a person.

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My own day was a school-governed one with my school holding their Open Day during the morning, my step count way over its target before 11:00am.

The rebellion, n my case, is lost years of being the Miss Goody Two Shoes who wouldn’t say boo to a goose,who now wants the chance to roll back and become the cool kid. My teenaged disaster being the application of sneaky eyeliner, much of which was also handy  when I inadvertently shaved off my eyebrows, a tale for another time. I can, however, report that black kohl pencil, that being all I possessed in the eighties, does not make for the natural eyebrow look.

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The evening, as most do, began with distribution of signs. The event calls for Little Boys Room and Bike Shed (no kissing being the order of the day), not to mention the Detention corner.

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Freestylers poured through the door, beginning with a trickle but closely followed by a cascade. An impressive number of dancers considering some them, a hardcore bunch, attended a Wild West themed class only the previous night.

Scoops rattled as bags of tuck shop sweets were shared between paper bags in readiness for handing out after the fun class. Memories of years spent choosing from sherbet filled space ships, foam teeth and refresher chews flooded back. As a child, I recall pointing out to the patient shop assistant behind the glass sweetie counter, as I opted for the confectionery which gave the most for my ten pence treat. I hasten to add our dancers were given more than ten pence worth.

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The music, a diverse range of tunes spanning all eras, and including some much yearned for Ceroc Nu Line dances, beat out its rhythm throughout the night as schoolboys and girls, headteachers and an Ofsted inspector ensured the only thing missing from this school disco was an array of wallflowers, reluctant to dance. Thankfully, those school discos ARE a distant memory and Cerocers never fear being the first to step out onto the dancefloor.

Gemma taught a great fun lesson with Ivan as her trusted (dressed like the naughty schoolboy that he was I am not sure I would trust him) demo, which kept the class moving and giggling.

Tables were full, non-dancers hot-chairing when they took a break for beverage and chatter. Many giggles could be heard as ‘children’ bickered and told tales to a headteachers inundated with requests for the cane to be used, mockingly of course!

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With no hint of chewing gum under tables, catapults shooting dampened paper bullets (although I did notice a catapult or two poking their heads from naughty boy’s shorts pockets), pulling of hair or bullying, the overridng theme was still that of a class of naughty children overseen by a small number of authority figures.

Costumes never fail to delight at Ceroc Fusion freestyles and, while the theme remains consistent, the costumes vary immensely and the thrill of watching the characters walk through the door never fails to delight.

Laughter dominated this fabulous freestyle, closely followed by aching feet and legs which some of us felt deserving of the fast food many of us were denied as children .

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The staff at McDonalds might have groaned inwardly when we piled in, freckles smudged and boaters askew but I can report that we were a very well-behaved bunch. We might have flossed, laughed a little loudly (considering some of the so-called jokes from the Headmaster and Ofsted inspector) and wolf whistled as one of the sexy schoolgirls (I hasten to add she was one of our group) walked back from the little girls room but we were far from rowdy – the food quietening even the noisiest of us to satisfied mumbling.

Having not crawled into bed until gone two, this blog is composed as I struggle to open my heavily-bagged eyes, while inhaling the welcoming aroma  of freshly brewed coffee.

Another fantastic evening. Thank you Ceroc Fusion!

 

 

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Ceroc, Dancing

Grease (the movie, not the icky stuff) themed freestyle in North Norfolk

Tonight was Ceroc Fusion’s themed freestyle, held at North Walsham Community Centre. May not sound overly glamorous at first glance, but read on.

As with many Ceroc freestyles there is often a theme, giving dancers the chance not only to meet with fellow dancers and have a great time, but to dress up according to the given theme. Dressing up is always optional but often over 50% of the attendees embrace it.

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Me with hubby, Clive, in our Rydell High costumes!

Tonight, the theme was Grease, the movie. As you can see from the scattering of pictures in this article there were some fabulous costumes. More photos can be found on the Ceroc Fusion Facebook page.

Dancers were well fed with hotdogs, nachos and popcorn on offer, embracing the 50’s theme, throughout the evening as well as coffee and biscuits as is the norm at this venue, towards the end of the night,

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Just some of the tasty (themed) treats on offer

Adorning the stage (as well as tonight’s fabulous DJ, Steve Fulcher) was a huge array of garage props from engine oil cans to car tyres and jacks, lending atmosphere to the room, also dressed with 50’s themed decorations. This was, by far, one of the best dressed Ceroc freestyles I have ever attended.

For one night only (or so I am led to believe) Steve C hosted a fun lesson to get everyone in the party mood. When I say  ‘one night only’ I am not alluding to the fun freestyle (there are more often than not fun lessons at a freestyle) but the actual lesson from Steve – a Grease-themed line dance. Those of you who know our dance teacher, Steve, well enough, will be aware he is not the biggest fan of line dancing in general so this was a huge step for him. We hope to see him grace the dance floor the next time the Ceroc official Nu Line tunes are played but this is unlikely, nigh on impossible. He gathered seven of us together to learn and help demonstrate the routine on stage. It was met with a great response with almost everybody joining in the fun and enjoying a half-hour giggle before returning to the matter at hand – more dancing.

Costumes ranged from Danny and Sandy in  various states of dress, male versions of Sandy and female Dannys to the numerous 50’s style prom style dresses and outfits. Teacher Steve delighted the class with his Dolly-Parton-esque costume just for the lesson, dressed as Sandy’s sister, Randy. Sandy apparently being unable to make a guest appearance. Dressed in tight black faux leather leggings, a red blouse secured with the customary fifties belt and a blonde ponytail wig, he sweated his way through the fun class, eager to return to his Danny costume. For photographic and video evidence of this, you will need to go to the Ceroc Fusion Facebook pages:

http://www.facebook.com/cerocfusion

https://www.facebook.com/groups/10331737186/

Steve F, tonight’s DJ, pulled out all the stops, ensuring that tunes in line with the theme were mixed in with just the right amount of up to date music keeping  the dance floor busy all night, right up until midnight when they were forced to stop.

Dancers, both young and old, were in great spirits throughout the evening and, as they left, appeared exhausted and sore of foot from having such a good time.

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Too many fabulous costumes to mention individually.
Ceroc, Dancing

Summer Freestyle – Ceroc Thetford

After a slightly tumultuous day which we won’t waste time and energy focusing on, we decided we would go to the Summer Freestyle which was being held at Carnegie Room, Thetford. We had already danced a few times during the week at venues in  North Walsham, Thetford and Great Yarmouth,  so what harm could one more night do to us when we love dancing so much?

We were so glad we went as it was a truly fabulous freestyle with so many wonderful dancers from near and far. The far included dancers from Gloucester and Brighton and some from just over the border in Ely. Nearer ‘locals’ visited from Attleborough, Bury and Norwich to name only a few.  It was lovely to see many new faces along with the regulars from the area. As I have mentioned in previous posts, we don’t attend freestyles to meet with only one group of friends, instead we go to the freestyles which are convenient to us, to meet up with any number of a huge number of Ceroc friends and have a great time with whoever is there, as is the norm with Ceroc venues across the country.

Anna was putting on the tunes and Kayleigh greeting the dancers on the door. At this stage I have to mention that I really didn’t eat ALL of the sweets on offer on the greeting table. I may have plunged the scoop in a few times as I passed and for this I hold my hand up, guilty as charged. Baiba was extremely busy as always,  behind the bar but, as ever, served everyone with her infectious smile.  Matty kept tabs on the tables of fresh fruit platters which Anna had painstakingly (quite literally) chopped up earlier in the day.  The fruit was a very welcome treat, along with the air conditioned hall, as the temperatures outside had started to climb once more.

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I lost count of the number of people who were complimentary of the music and can only agree, wholeheartedly. When dancers travel from far and wide to be with fellow dancers and friends, the music is always a possible game-changer with the DJ facing the difficult task of keeping everybody happy. With the diverse range of dancers by both age, taste and style, it certainly takes more than a passing thought to get it just right! The mix was  a blend of modern and funky with some old favourites and a cleverly choreographed combination of tempos to suit all styles and energy levels. With approximately a hundred dancers turning out this evening, it was refreshing to see the dance floor full at all times with only just enough space to avoid collision.

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The Carnegie Room is one of my personal favourite venues with its air conditioned hall,  high ceilings and a fresh, new beech wood dance floor but without the friendly staff and dancers, these events would be nothing at all.

Center Parcs, Places to write

Center Parcs Day 4 and 5

This morning is Spa morning. Originally planned for the morning after dancing but has turned out to be the morning after getting a stiff neck and back from watching football, instead. No break at Center Parcs is complete, in my opinion, without a trip to the Aqua Sana spa for treatments, spa sessions or both.

With numerous steam rooms and saunas on offer, set around the revitalising outdoor quad complete with spa pool where you can enjoy powerful jets and bubbles to massage away the aches and pains. There is a zen garden on the lower level and balconies with various styles of relaxing seating on the upper level. Water beds, both single and double are their for your relaxation, along with a supply of cool, but not chilled, water and fruit for your enjoyment. The compulsory softly piped relaxation music fills the air and unidentifiable fellow guests adorned in white spa robes and towels wander around in a truly zoned out of the real world state.

Hubby and I had just left the intense heat of the Tyrolean Sauna, he had headed to the ice fountain whilst I was braving the tropical rain shower – when I say braving I managed as far as my upper arms, squealed a little too loudly, and stepped straight out. Gone are the days when I would launch myself full on into the plunge pool with my children! I emerged to find hubby talking to his nephew who had apparently started working at Center Parcs only a few months previously. We had spent the usual amount on entry to the Spa and we discovered that if we had known he worked at the Center and had contacted him he would have been able to get us in on the best mates rates EVER – a fiver each! Will be storing that little gem for future reference, indeed. He visits the spa before starting his shift on many occasions – what better way to prepare for a day as a busy lifeguard?

We opted for the Pancake House for our lunch as we had not visited there before. In hindsight, we could have chosen from either sweet or savoury pancakes, but in our innocence, some might call it greed, we felt that etiquette dictated we have a savoury followed by a sweet. Who wouldn’t – now be honest! Wow! We were so stuffed that we positively rolled from the restaurant, bloated and ready to relax. Heading for the beach at the edge of the watersports lake, we found ourselves two sun loungers and melted into them with ease.

Only managing an hour or two of sunshine, as it was by this time very intense, we showered back at the apartment and headed back to the centre for the last evening of this break. We found ourselves at the end of the children’s disco when the DJ was hotting up for the remainder of the evening. We were in the mood for a dance, we hadn’t danced all week which was unusual for us, so we found a secluded spot where we wouldn’t look like we were showing off and had a few dances. No dance shoes meant dancing bare foot but we ended up dancing until midnight. We didn’t partner dance Ceroc all evening but had a fun jigging session. Was such a great vibe. The DJ was excellent and knew how to keep a floor filled with modern music and a fair bit of cheesy thrown in.

Dancing with no shoes results in this mess:

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Our last day was a simple one. We packed up the car and vacated our apartment by nine. We had breakfast at Foresters Inn – a hearty full English if you please – followed by badminton at the centre. I didn’t win but was a close second. We walked, we sunbathed on the beach and had lunch and coffee on the terrace above the village centre. Beautiful sunshine kept us there until mid afternoon when we decided to leave for home. This has been such a great week. Hubby is truly the best company I could have asked for. We have laughed over 95% of the time, with the other 5% given to my complaining about being saddle sore from cycling for one day. At least I have proved my point and we wont be hiring those dreaded two wheeled monstrosities next time.