Southern UK Jive

[Nicky]

What do you do if you are unhappy about a jive evening that you have paid good money to attend?.....I have always been a firm believer in discussing the matter directly with the staff that are present at the time, but it would appear that any comments made on a Wednesday evening at Hamworthy will fall on deaf ears.....
Am I alone in thinking that playing the same set of music that was played following the beginners class, directly after the intermediate class is a big no-no?....That is exactly what happened last night! Realising when the second track began that it wasnt just the one track that was being repeated, I went straight to the desk and pointed out what was happening, and was told that they would have a word with the DJ. Whether or not anything was said to him, I havent a clue, but they continued to replay a total of 5 tracks.
I was pleased to hear them play "Why cant we live together" later on in the evening....BUT twice in a row?!!!
Wednesday used to be the most popular night at Hamworthy, but many of the regulars have become disillusioned with the classes and the music, and have begun to go elsewhere. I dont believe in giving up on something without first attempting to do something about it. However, I have been left feeling that the staff there really arent particularly bothered what their paying customers think.
After over 3 years of making a 50 minute journey every Wednesday to go dancing at The Hamworthy Club, I will be voting with my feet!

[qdos]

oh dear, seems it's not just Thursdays that are affected by the same lack of sparkle.

Fraid the only way really is to vote with your feet. Have a look at the smaller venues I've been very glad I did it. Strangely enough you'll probably find that many of the people you used to see at the venues now run bt Ceroc have done exactly this

I've mentioned my disappointment to the Staff on the doors on numerous occasions. Didn't really seem to make any difference at all. The music at Ceroc is often dictated by the owner of the franchise who's most of the time not even there. Yep they don't really care what their customers think and it's only thanks to this forum that we seem to be heard and taken any notice of. If you don't like something say so otherwise you just wind up with being fobbed off with rubbish.

On a positive note Monday nights at Hamworthy are often spoken of favourably though I've not yet been but I hope to go soon. Also for a Jive class that does very much care and lis very friendly I can recommend "The Thing" it may be small but it's got a great genuine friendly happy atmosphere which seems to be totally gone from the big venues now sadly

[Nicky]

Actually, my gripe wasnt really about the night itself, or the music that was played. It was to do with the fact that when a problem was pointed out to the doorstaff, nothing at all was done to rectify the situation.
Having posted my grievances on this forum, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my comments were noted by Ceroc, and I now feel reassured that, in actual fact, the customers voice is being listened to.
I attend both Monday and Wedhesday nights at Hamworthy and, on the whole, enjoy the varied music that is played. We generally get a good mix of old and new, fast and slower tracks....Basically, something to suit all tastes.
I have tried various other independantly run classes and freestyles, some good, others not so good.... How lucky we are to have the luxury of choice in this area

[qdos]

I do agree with you Nicky. I've experienced exactly the same in fact. It's only thanks to this forum to be honest that much notice seems to be taken. Maybe you could let us know who you went to get some interest in your comments taken. Certainly Richard P is listening

[TeeDee]

[RichardP]

[qdos]

Richard I tend to agree with you again here.

Unfortunately the music at the Pavilion is done via a computer playlist which I believe is dictated by the other Richard to the "DJ" From what I hear Wednesdays at Hamworthy are probably somewhat the same

what is really really sad about the Pavilion is that since Ceroc took over there basically is no DJ just a computer operator who pops up on stage momentarily to cue up the playlist and then he gets off the stage again.

In the good olde days (all of a few months ago) there used to be a DJ you could go and speak to and ask about a great track he just played or heaven forbid tell him you didn't like one. Now however it's jut a playlist played by a computer and yes there's repeats in that playlist at the Pavilion too as it's happened there several times also, Nicky.

Whilst on the topic I may as well throw in my bug bear with the Playlist, other than it being simply rubbish music, there's no mixing between tracks and often there's a big pause of 10 to 15 seconds or more while the PC finds the next track and we're all left standing still like musical statues wondering what on arth is comming up next. Oh and another thing.... They are MP3s and the sound quality is dire.

[Nicky]

Thank you for your comments TeeDee....I do appreciate the fact that a busy dance night can be rather hectic for those "in charge". However, the problem that I brought to the doorstaffs attention was something that needed to be addressed there and then.....
We were listening to the same 5 tracks being played over again just 30 minutes after they had initially been played. I pointed this out when track 2 began. The DJ was having a drink at the bar and the doorstaff were sitting there with nothing to do as there was nobody waiting to come in....Would it really have been so difficult to simply skip the next few tracks and play some others instead?
I have emailed Ceroc and, as I said before, am more than impressed with their response. My beef was NOT about the choice of tracks that were being played, but the fact that they were replayed on the same night, albeit inadvertently, and nothing was done about it.

[qdos]

Nicky I get the impression you're being fobbed off with excuses here. I've not been on a Wednesday for quite some time now but I am presuming that like the Pavilion the staff have not actually changed at all much and really all that's changed is the logo on the T-shirts and the sound system.

Other than the initial door opening and the silly logging in of the customers that has been introduced the door staff don't really have much to do and a good DJ has music cued up well in advance and certainly doesn't spend his time at the bar. For music to be repeated is nothing more than poor management and lack of attention. If they had a real live DJ on the stage DJing I'll bet you it wouldn't have happened.

Who runs Wednesdays at Hamworthy? Is it Ceroc Live again ?

[TeeDee]

Have to be honest, Nicky, I wouldn't exactly be very impressed at 5 tracks being repeated either - and if the crew didn't react when having it pointed out, I would certainly feel same as yourself.

QDOS - having a dedicated DJ is a "nice to have" and not always practical or feasible and often doesn't actually produce the best results. I myself run the laptop playlist method that you dislike. Getting a good playlist (without tracks being repeated!) is all about forward planning and preparation. It works well for me (as it does for others - its a method that is growing in popularity for a reason) and I've never had any complains about not having a DJ...
_________________
http://www.le-jive.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/cerocconexion

[qdos]

LOL, well TeeDee I think there was one on Wednesday effectively.

I don't dislike the tools used to play good music at all. As it happens right at this minute I'm listening to a playlist myself also playing MP3s but I would not be asking people to pay for it. But then I don't run Dance events but I do go to them and I do pay for the pleasure of going to them.

Regarding getting a DJ, it was never a problem at these venues up till Ceroc took over. So what happened to make it so difficult to find a DJ for them now? Perhaps the DJs don't like the music they are being told to play here either ????

[Diane]

Im jumping in here ok.............I havent read all of the comments on the wednesday night at Hamworthy and have ummmed and arred about saying anything because there does seem to be alot of moaning sometimes and I didnt really want to come across like that as everyone goes to alot of effort to put on a good night!

But, please can someone tell me what on earth has happened to Wednesday nights at Hamworthy? We went along there last week, yes, ok, it was quiet but that wasnt the problem.... it was the music...... slowing down tracks that really do not need to be.
Is that for the beginners? It did seem to be in the first freestyle bit.... if it is I feel sorry for them when they go to an event and think great I can dance to this and then find its totally different.
In the next freestyle bit they then played a really fast salsa track that you had great difficulty to jive to?
The music did get better admittedly and we did end up having some great dances!
We used to go to Hamworthy regularly on a Wednesday but this week we are going to give it a miss and try maybe the thing! Never been there!

[TeeDee]

[Nicky]

I have to say that I am surprised and rather disappointed to hear that the tracks are being fiddled about with again.

I know that the matter was looked into after I initially raised the issue, and every step was taken to ensure that it didnt happen again. In fact, I have been to Hamworthy several times since then and was pleased to find the all tracks were left unadulterated.

I don't know anything at all about DJ'ing, but can only think that maybe last Wednesday the speed was adjusted for the class and not readjusted again for the freestyle.

If it happens again, I would be inclined to mention it to the staff...As I said, they are aware that this has been a problem before, and will no doubt be keen to rectify the situation

[Diane]

Its really put us off going again on a wednesday and after experiencing a monday night as in last night, which was a fab evening and all what a jive night should be, there is really no comparison!
One chap I danced with last night said he'd rushed all the way back from Birmingham to Hamworthy last wednesday and won't be doing that again!!

Maybe the Wednesday night peeps should pop along to a Monday night and see what it should be like, the numbers there said it all.

Thanks Richyp and team for a great night!