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Forum Goes Dancing 2: Karen Night
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Inner Self
18-03-2006
Estilolibre takes a microphone courtesy of Inner Self.

Estilolibre: Tonight Matthew I'm going to be Inner Self!

He disappears out through a door and emerges from another entrance shrouded in dry ice. He is wearing a Latin shirt and shiny trousers.

Okay here goes ...

The forumites gathered at chateau Inners. In order to prepare themselves for a vigorous night of dancing delight we decided to watch a DVD featuring Bill and Karen's greatest hits. This was swiftly followed by a pleasant dinner chez Inners between Inner Self, little_miss, CP30 and Estilolibre.

Having readied themselves in fine robes worthy of any dance royalty, the forumites opted to drive to the venue. It's not often that the ladies had the pleasure of taking a ride in a car belonging to a Billionaire. Yet drive they did and eventually they arrived at the venue - a place often associated with worship - which became a pilgrimage to Latin dance royalty.

It was then that I caught my first glimpse of our illustrious dancer. She was ablaze with activity, ranging from setting tables and even opening up a savoury tub of dip. Hardly the most regal of activities. Yet it was this down to earth quality that made me an admirer of Bill and Karen's partnership. A sense of co-operation fostered through a desire to co-operate to a team effort and not being afraid to roll up her sleeves and get on with things.

Eventually, we were invited in, after being notified that we were to wait patiently outside as preparations we to be concluded. Coming through the doors, we saw a room luminated with candles and lights not entirely dissimilar to a Christmas celebration. My eyes immediately were drawn to the lady herself, who told me to make my way in. The forumites sat in their table and waited patiently for the festivities to begin.

Admittedly, I was impatient because I wanted to dance. The others had to virtually restrain me from leaping out of my seat and getting down on the dancefloor. Eventually, I convinced Inners to dance a Cha Cha - of the most brief of durations. I couldn't wait, so I strolled over to chat to Karen instead and she seemed to be having technical difficulties with a microphone ...

To be continued in a further post, as the keyboard seems to be going up in smoke while I type ...
bond_angel2003
18-03-2006
Oooh oooh glad you're back....not that I've been sat waiting staring at the computer at all lol!
we need more!!!!!! and most importantly was Bill there?
Inner Self
18-03-2006
Alas, there was no Bill ... but there was a surprise visitor

*****

I made a little conversation with Karen about her microphone problems and what struck me about this conversation was the immediate rapport that I was able to cultivate. Suffice to say, I was bold enough to engage her in further conversation throughout the rest of the evening. Soon after that, I was sat down once more, as a number of familiar Strictly tunes rang out through this church hall - "Crazy Chick" - which Will and Hanna danced the Cha Cha to, Darren Bennett and Gloria Hunniford's Waltz song "Lately"(?) and, of course, "Love Potion Number 9" - a tune that I couldn't resist having a solo boogie to.

Soon they all came onto the dancefloor, in their tens, dozens and then the majority of the revellers. They danced a number of Cha Chas, when who should intervene but Karen herself, encouraging one and all to take to the floor for a little Cha Cha lesson. I danced with little_miss and immediately went into pseudo-teacher mode, helping out with the steps and calling out the rhythm - Cha Cha Cha, step, step ... It was a lot of fun and a pleasure to be of assistance to someone wanting to discover the intricacies of the Ballroom basics.

Further lessons followed throughout the night - a rhythm foxtrot or social foxtrot for beginners to shuffle along to the strains of Nat King Cole. We also Quickstepped to the melodies of Frank Sinatra. Karen prepared us all for the basics and she left it to us to have fun travelling around the floor with gusto. It was nice to see people enjoying themselves and being near Karen who was in teacher mode, putting everyone through their paces and instructing them in the art of picking up the basics.

In between the dances, Inners found the time to broach the subject of the forumites with Karen ...
bond_angel2003
18-03-2006
Oh wow it sounds as if you had a wonderful time!
go on then....what did Karen say about the forumites?!
PeachUK
18-03-2006
Hey! You're all back!!!!

(Sorry I fell asleep then American guy called and woke me up)
PeachUK
18-03-2006
Estilo! Click "post" for what you've done so far!
Inner Self
18-03-2006
During the series, Karen was aware of the forumites and courtesy of individuals who shall be named as "Darren B." and "Lilia K.", she was able to discover where this treasure trove of words was kept. The professionals were actually filled with trepidation as to what was written about them, but Karen seemed touched by the support that she had received during the show, as well as the e-mails that she had - so much so that it was genuinely unexpected - and technical difficulties ensued ...

There was ample opportunity for photos and autographs throughout the evening. What surprised me most of all was how accommodating she was to a starstruck fan who would constantly engage her in conversation. What can I say? I was feeling bold. I knew that this opportunity might not come around again, so I took every chance to speak to her. She could have easily told me that she was busy, but she was happy to hear what I had to say. I eventually told her that I was learning Ballroom in Maidstone and she was happy to hear that a good friend of hers also happened to my teacher. So, I said that I would pass on her regards. It is that down-to-earth quality that made her stand out for me during the series. I was pleased that meeting her in person only served to confirm that very quality was not just for the cameras.

To break up the dancing, there were also some fun party games for everyone to enjoy. This included a variation on the Quickstep crossed with spin the bottle(!) Couples were Quickstepping around the room and when the music stopped, Karen spun the bottle to eliminate dancers gathered around in various corners. Yours truly was eliminated in the second round, but at least I performed a passable dance with little_miss around the floor.

Another memorable game was a little competition featuring a surprise guest who breezed into the room - one Mr. Brendan Cole. He was asked to adjudicate a Cha Cha competition alongside a professional dancer named Lindsay who is currently being trained by Karen in the Latin disciplines to compete at the very highest level. While I danced with little_miss, we got the nod for our first round performance from Brendan, but were unfortunately knocked out of the second round. Must have been my over-zealous moves ... Oops.

There was even a raffle for some much coveted prizes -including private lessons with Ryan, Lindsay and Karen herself. I didn't enter because I was on the dancefloor and didn't realise that they were selling tickets. Gutted doesn't even begin to describe it. However, CP30 managed to win a bottle of wine! It was at this point that she was outed as one of the forumite four, which caused some chagrin - but there was also some good-natured ribbing from Ms. Hardy. Fortunately, no-one in the room seemed to have an inkling as to who, what or where these forums were, so I think she can sleep soundly in her bed tonight. However, thanks to little_miss, we have found another Karenite recruit!
Inner Self
18-03-2006
There was more dancing fun to be had. I inadvertedly joined in on a line dance that Karen's class had learned and looked something akin to a peculiar Generation Game contestant. Yet it was fun enjoying it and having some fun moving around the floor to some choreography that was different to what I had usually been accustomed to dancing in Ballroom and Salsa classes.

We were also treated to some wonderful demonstrations. We saw a Ballroom Waltz from one set of Inners' teachers. It was suitably majestic, yet the performers were perhaps not quite accustomed to dancing on a concrete surface and a dancefloor with tables, chairs and debris(!) The other set of teachers - named Ryan and Lindsay - were accomplished Latin performers. They knew how to play to the crowd - Ryan flashed a few smiles towards the audience as he danced, Lindsay would contort herself into aesthetic positions to wow onlookers with her flexibility. The impression of a live spectacle is a wonder to behold. Even more so with performers of their calibre. Even Brendan and Karen took to the floor, dancing a Rumba that showed them at their most engaging - so fluent, refined and amazingly poised.

I experienced so many wonderful moments during the course of the evening, but none more so than the pleasure of being complimented upon my dancing by Karen herself! To be thought of as a good dancer by a World Masters champion, as well as her protege has admittedly sent my ego soaring off into the stratosphere. Ryan also said that I looked like I was enjoying myself and was pleased to see how well I danced. How was Karen able to make this assessment?
PeachUK
18-03-2006
Brendan & Karen did a rumba!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You so better have videoed clips for me!!!! Or at the very least taken some pics?


Edit: My kitten is staring eagerly at the forum screen too!
bond_angel2003
18-03-2006
Come on guys we need pics lol!!!!!!!
Inner Self
18-03-2006
While I type, the others are reminiscing, watching some of Bill and Karen's finest dances.

If you could see me now, you would probably comment upon how my head has swelled to unimaginable proportions. But I had so many fantastic little memories during the course of this evening. None more so than this one ...

One of the party games that we played was a competition that involved rolling numbered oranges belonging to each couple near a bottle! The twist was that the competitors had to dance a Waltz in between the rolling of the oranges. The dancefloor steadily filled up with competitors and Karen took it upon herself to find me a partner. She chose a partner and the person she selected was ... herself!

I couldn't believe it. Unfortunately, my orange rolling skills had us eliminated early, which earned a deserved chastising from Karen. I effectively cut short my dance with her. It was amusing as she wound me up about finding our number on the orange. But I was able to make it up to her in another way. I had really wanted to dance a Salsa with her, but the fact that she had invited me to dance a Waltz was such a magical moment. I felt some nerves at the thought, but handed my camera to Inners to see if she could get some shots and took one deep breath. Fortunately for me, my Ballroom instincts kicked in and I recalled my Waltz choreography from class. It was great to just lead her around the floor and she sang the tune as we went. One of the tunes, which should delight some among us, that I danced to was a popular Bill and Karen song - "What the World Needs Now (Is Love Sweet Love)". She sang it as I waltzed with her. I am told by my fellow forumites that as we went around, she flashed a glance in their direction and mouthed "Not bad!" She also told me that my dance teacher had done a good job with me. I even surprised her with a whisk and wing, as well as a spin turn here and there. It was heartening to hear that as I have worked so hard on my dancing. For me, dancing truly is a labour of love and this is a moment that will hopefully stay with me for the rest of my life.

I have had an evening filled with enthusastic entertainment, dynamic dancing and fantastic company. The forumites helped make this an amazing shared experience. Meeting Karen confirmed everything that I had hoped and more. And for that I am extremely thankful. With a little luck, I hope that I may be around with such esteemed company and continue to come dancing.

Thanks for reading!
Inner Self
18-03-2006
Originally Posted by PeachUK:
“Brendan & Karen did a rumba!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You so better have videoed clips for me!!!! Or at the very least taken some pics?


Edit: My kitten is staring eagerly at the forum screen too!”

Estilo: Would love to oblige, but we are having techie probs here!

Missy has taken a lot of video clips on her phone, including various dance tutorials, Brendan and Karen's Rumba and even my brief Waltzes(!) We don't know how to upload them though ...

I have taken a number of pics on my camera, but it was extremely unresponsive and unreliable through the night. Plus I don't know how to get them online. Sorry!
PeachUK
18-03-2006
Noooo don't stop there!

That's a wonderful account Estilo! Sooooo glad you had a fabulous time! You all deserved an amazing night!

AND you got to dance with Karen!!!!!!!!!!!! Shout it from the rooftops! hehehe

Please tell the others hello from me and pass on some special *HUGS*

I have a feeling I may be doing a Peach over the next few mins.

*HUGS*

Love
Peach
x
PeachUK
18-03-2006
Originally Posted by Inner Self:
“Estilo: Would love to oblige, but we are having techie probs here!

Missy has taken a lot of video clips on her phone, including various dance tutorials, Brendan and Karen's Rumba and even my brief Waltzes(!) We don't know how to upload them though ...

I have taken a number of pics on my camera, but it was extremely unresponsive and unreliable through the night. Plus I don't know how to get them online. Sorry!”

Ok well what you all need to do is email me your pictures and I'll upload them to my photobucket acct tomorrow night for you if you like. I finish work - I hope - at 5 p.m. so will have the evening home - I hope!

As for the videos on the phone... it depends on Little Miss's phone. I have been able to send them from my phone to my email address... but also I have a memory card inside my phone which I put in my printer (which has the photo card slots) and get them on the puter that way. To email them from the phone you have to usually send an MMS msg typing the email addy where you would put the number and insert the file... it may take a little while to transfer.
Inner Self
18-03-2006
Sorry everyone, my brain has reached saturation point. Hopefully we can catch up tomorrow!

Night!



Estilolibre

- x -
bond_angel2003
18-03-2006
Night night hugs am sooo glad you had such a great time, I've been looking forward to hearing about it all day!
gillypanda
18-03-2006
Eeeee! I'm that excited for you all! Look at the time on a Saturday morning and here I am, up with the lark, to read of your exploits.

Estilo, did I not tell you there was nothing to worry about?? And to get to dance with the lovely Karen! All your Christmases come at once!

We definitely need photos, video clips and any other precious souvenirs of the occasion. Well done the 2nd Forumite Dance Troupe!!
azur06
18-03-2006
Wow guys - that sounded great! Estilo I am so pleased you managed to dance with Karen (and get complimented on your dancing by her!) - it sounded like a truely fantastic evening. Karen sounds really accomplished at organising these sort of things with all the games to make sure everyone has a chance of taking part in a fun way

I am sooooo looking forward to the pictures!!!
Karen Rox
18-03-2006
i have a video of karen and brendan's rumba...just have to work out how to get it onto the computer.
i will though!

oh and i also have one of karen dancing the jive with conrad. its looovely!!!
Karen Rox
18-03-2006
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../170306010.jpg
the orange rolling game!! yes..i am losing my orange
and am also with ryan, one of the showcase dancers...yum
thats all thanks to karen too...she picked him for me

next ones are a bit difficult to see...but they're karen teaching us, with brendan
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../170306002.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../170306003.jpg

my favourites...me and karen (i look bad though) and then one of me karen, conrad and brendan! i think i died and went to heaven when that happened!!
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../170306004.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1.../170306007.jpg

i'll post my videos later when i work out how to
gillypanda
18-03-2006
Eleanor

Fab, fab, fab!! You look great in them all, what a fabulous evening you all seem to have had!
bond_angel2003
18-03-2006
Wow these pictures are brilliant am really glad you had such a lovely time
Karen Rox
18-03-2006
thankyou!!
the best bit was talking to karen...and the fact that she remembered my name!
i was less shy this time and actually had a conversation about where i go dancing and who teaches me...and she suggested that i do a Pro Am with CONRAD!!!!
Lovely Leitrim
18-03-2006
Wow- sounds like a fab night.

All the dancing and competitions, dancing with Karen, dancing with Brendan, dancing with each other, spin the bottle, competitions, raffles, meeting each other, being outted as forumites, Estilo becoming Inners.....oranges in compromising places-

Photos now as well!

Inners just not sure- are any of the posts here yours or are they all Mr. Estilo's?

When are the others going to post as well or are they still on cloud nine?

I'm sooo glad that ye all had a great time- I'm sitting here 100's of miles away and can just feel the glow from it all!!
Karen Rox
18-03-2006
Originally Posted by Lovely Leitrim:
“Wow- sounds like a fab night.

All the dancing and competitions, dancing with Karen, dancing with Brendan, dancing with each other, spin the bottle, competitions, raffles, meeting each other, being outted as forumites, Estilo becoming Inners.....oranges in compromising places-

Photos now as well!

Inners just not sure- are any of the posts here yours or are they all Mr. Estilo's?

When are the others going to post as well or are they still on cloud nine?

I'm sooo glad that ye all had a great time- I'm sitting here 100's of miles away and can just feel the glow from it all!!”


oranges in compromising places!!
that was fun fun fun!!! but i was awful at rolling the orange!!
i am not going to be able to stop talking about this for ages and ages!!!
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