9 - 11 November 2007

The Tim Gillis event happens at the Fallsview Resort which is 2 hours north of Newark Airport (New York). We hired a car and drove up there.

We arrived on the Thursday ready for the early bird evening. Quite a few people arrived on this day and there was some teaching too - most people arrived on the Friday.

This weekend is such a brilliant one, mainly because once you've paid your money, everything is included - there is just no reason for anyone to go hungry. As well as the 3 meals per day (all 3 courses) on the Friday night at 11pm a continental breakfast of croissants and/or Danish pastries were served and 11pm on the Saturday night Ice Cream sundaes! Very much appreciated after a lot of dancing I can tell you!

Throughout the weekend, around 6 rooms were set aside for tuition all at the same time, so after seeing the demos, you had a grid in which to mark which dances you'd like to go learn the next day and hoped that they didn't clash with your favourite instructors!!!

Below is a list of all the instructors:

Max Perry	Peter Metelnick
Barry and Dari Anne Amato	Doug and Jackie Miranda
Alison Biggs	Kathy Hunyadi
Rosie and Bruno Multari	Forty Arroyo
Rona Kaye	Johanna Barnes
Michelle Jackson	Lynne Martino
Arline Winerman	Mike & Dodie Serben
Mal and Linda Zerden	George Winshell and Deb Adams

Some of these instructors were teaching ballroom, partners/couples and west coast.

On the Saturday night was the Saturday show performed by all the instructors and this was narrated by Doug Miranda, who was the caretaker. It was amazing! All the instructors had become toys - the ones that stood out for me during the show were Peter Metelnick & Alison Biggs who were on horses - very very funny - you know the ones, with the false legs! Joey Warren was Action Man and was a doll - no really, his robotic moves were amazing and then the couple that just blew me away were Barry and Dari-Anne Amato who were Ken and Barbie and believe me they were dolls, they didn't for one minute come out of their doll-like state - I was blown away! We've ordered the DVD and if I can work out a way of taking out the best bits and putting them on youtube for you all to see I will do - then you'll be blown away!!! LOL!!!!!

And of course, you've already read about the choreography competition. Of course, we were over the moon that Alan won the competition and as well as a small cash prize, he has a teach slot at next years event so looks like we're going back! I have no complaints there! The dances in the competition were really good and to be totally honest, we expected the 2nd place to win - it was such a good dance - it was a tough competition, all dances I'm sure will be danced out and about. It was also nice to see Robert DeLong there who beat Alan at last years Windy City event - he's very sweet!

So, now we're home! We had a lovely week in Manhattan - photos should be on our site tomorrow from the Tim Gillis event and from Manhattan, so keep an eye out - roll on next year!

Go to the Gallery page to see the photos

22 September 2007

At last, our event had arrived. We'd had it booked since February and after many months of stress, wondering if people would turn up - we needn't have worried!

A fantastic day with choreographers Peter Metelnick and Alison Biggs and guest choreographer Kim Ray. Alan started off proceedings by teaching JOHNNY BE GOOD a dance that has received some lovely reviews so far, so nice to teach it to those who had only seen it or heard of it - it seemed to be liked!

Then Kim was up teaching her new dance SHE'S A LADY, a lovely dance to She's a Lady by Funkstar and Tom Jones, think this will be a hit.

Then Peter came and taught TO LOVE SOMEBODY to To Love Somebody by Jordin Sparkes (American Idol winner). Lovely dance.

Next up was Alison with YOU'RE MY DESTINY to You Can Get It – Mark Medlock & Dieter Bohlen. A lovely sing-a-long!

Kim then taught her second dance called ROCKAPELLA, an unusual dance to an acapella song called Have A Little Faith by Rockapella.

We then had a demo slot where the following people demoed:

Mick Bennett - PSYCHO IKO song by Captain Jack called Iko Iko
Diane and Stacie - TELL ME WHY - Tell Me Why Haven't I Heard from You by Reba McEntire
Alan and Fiona Haywood - WHITE HOT CHRISTMAS to White Hot Christmas by The Jive Aces
Diane and Stacie - CALL ME IRRESPONSIBLE - Call Me Irresponsible by Michael Buble
Jo and John Kinser - HEY BIG SPENDER - Big Spender (North By Northwest Production)
by Dame Shirley Bassey

Peter then taught SNAP, CRACKLE AND POP - Firecracker – Josh Turner

Because we had run out of time for anymore teaching, Peter and Alison demoed two dances that they would have taught had the time allowed. They first demoed KNOCK KNOCK - I Hear You Knockin’ – Shakin’ Stevens and ACROSS THE UNIVERSE - Save My Pride by BWO (Bodies Without Organs)

All in all, the day seemed to go down well and we've been asked to put on another workshop next year!!!

A big thanks to all who attended to make it a success and of course Peter, Alison and Kim without whom the day would not have been possible.

Go to the Gallery page to see the photos

15 September 2007

Saw us in Dusseldorf, Germany! What a brilliant weekend it was! There were 24 of us out for an Italian meal on the Friday night and then on the Saturday was the workshop. Alan taught two of his own dances, JIVE ACES and OOH MISS GRACE both of which were well received and he also taught as a warm up IMAGINATION choreographed by Joan Curtis (Squizz) and for fun SAILOR'S HORNPIPE choreographed by Barbara Lowe. The evening was a fun night with around 100 people there and held in a ranch which was lovely. Click HERE to see photos from the workshop, from the meal and around Dusseldorf when we had time to shop!

Go to the Gallery page to see the photos

27 - 29 July 2007

We went to our very first The South Will Rise Again Festival. What a fantastic weekend.

Anyway, as some of you may have read, this was our first visit to this event. Alan had been lucky enough to be granted a teach spot on the Friday alongside some other instructors and choreographers who included Tina Argyle, Dom Yates and Alan Heighway. There were other instructors too, but unfortunately I did not get all of their names.

With all these people, we met up with some message boarders who we recognised from their photos (apart from Little Miss Doodle who ‘told me off’ for not recognising her – then I reminded her that she is an avatar on the message board and not a photo so impossible to recognise her! LOL!!!)   So, the message-boarders I can remember are: Joan (Squizz) Curtis, Cricket (Janis), Mona Lisa, Sugar Plum Fairy, Stumblin Steve and Dippy Diane – please forgive me if I’ve forgotten you! The Message Boarders sign on the table was fab by the way!

Other choreographers scheduled for the weekend were Maggie Gallagher on the Saturday and Kate Sala on the Sunday. Guest choreographers were Rob Fowler who taught some great dances on the Saturday and just as we were about to leave Teresa and Vera turned up to teach – it was such a shame we missed their workshop – hey ho!
And, of course, the event couldn’t have run without a DJ and Gary Lafferty was the resident DJ for the weekend (oh sorry Big Dave on the Sunday night – but we didn’t get to see Big Dave). For the time we were there, Gary did a fantastic job of playing as many requests as possible and keeping the floor full. Interesting floor-splits to keep everyone dancing.

But, these events cannot happen without someone there to run them with great organisational skills. This event was organised by DanzDevil and Sammy Rogers (Glenn’s wife) did a marvellous job with the organisation, timekeeping and keeping everyone happy. The compere for the weekend was Glenn who not only announced everything but did his own singing spots too which were great. He did sing one song and suggested we danced Show Me Wot U Got but didn’t warn us in advance that it was about triple the speed!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Glenn!

Obviously there were so many dances taught that I can’t remember them all – but I can remember that Alan taught Jive Aces and You Are The World (funny that how I can remember his!!!! Lol!!!!) Talking of Jive Aces – the band also appeared for their very first linedance event – a real eye opener for them to see and they were a class act and very entertaining. Great to see them there!

I took loads of photos and they should be on our site in a couple of days – so go take a look! I’m sure there will be many more – Steve Healy was there from Linedancer taking loads too.  I’m sure we will get more added to this thread and someone with a better memory than me (and a pen and paper) will be able to list all the dances taught (Gary?????)

So, all in all, we had a fantastic time, brill dances, brill mix of dancing, meeting all these people we’d never met – a new family!!!!!!!!! 

Go to the Gallery page to see the photos

20 - 22 July

Just got back from the Norfolk Festival near Norwich where Alan was invited by Andrew and Chris Sparkes to be part of the linedance instruction team for the weekend. Alongside Andrew, Chris and Alan was Debbie Jones from Wales. Debbie has become regular visitor to the event and teaches most years. It was great to meet Debbie and I’m sure we will be visiting her sometime in the future. Sara King (Billy Bubba’s wife) was also there on the Friday and did a guest teach.

First of all, we would like to thank Andrew and Chris for the opportunity.

It was a fun-filled weekend and the first of these types of weekends we’d been to. We’d never seen such an event where most of the people dressed up in all the costumes of the era to fit in with country and western festivals. It was as though we were in a time warp and the people who were dressed up looked like they’d just come out of a film! The beautiful dresses, detail, smart men in hats and long coats, smart trousers and waistcoats were amazing to see! So amazing, my camera was on non-stop! The photos are below. All the photos on our site were taken and given permission to be on our site by the people in them!

One lady dressed in ‘day clothes’ and ‘night clothes’ – they were fabulous outfits – again, straight out of a film!

Several country acts were appearing over the weekend including Gary Perkins, Billy Bubba King, Texas Tornados to name only a few that I can remember!

Unfortunately, we had to leave on Sunday afternoon, but apparently the best was yet to come on Sunday evening! Maybe one year we’ll go back and stay for the whole thing!

The Linedance instruction took place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. Linedances taught were:

HAVE A NICE DAY (choreographed by Country Cousins) – taught by Chris Sparkes
RIDE THE RIVER (choreographed by Kath Dickens) – taught by Debbie Jones
HERE AND NOW (choreographed by Peter Metelnick and Alison Biggs) – taught by Sara King (Billy Bubba’s wife)
LOVIN ON (choreographed by Alan Haywood) – taught by Alan Haywood
DANCE TONIGHT (choreographed by Sharon Hutchinson) – taught by Debbie Jones
HOLIDAY DREAMS (choreographed by Alan Haywood) – taught by Alan Haywood

And here’s my apology! There were also some partner dances taught and I am very sorry but cannot remember the name of them! (We don’t do partner dances – so didn’t get involved in this part – LOL!!!!)

Would defo go back again just for the atmosphere! There are also some photos on the gallery page of Alan teaching - enjoy! 

Go to the Gallery page to see the photos

9 June 2007

On Saturday 9 June, we went to Leigh-on-Sea to Tulsa Shuffle’s social. Alan taught his dances MORE TO FOLLOW and JIVE ACES. Both dances were very well received and we’d like to thank Mick and his dancers for making us feel welcome again.

We’ll be back again sometime I’m sure!

Below are some photos of Alan teaching at the event! Click on each photo to enlarge!

Go to the Gallery page to see the photos

29/30 May 2007

We were invited back to Portsmouth to teach at Janis Budgen's classes. The class saw us last year and again, they were very welcoming indeed. Alan taught MORE TO FOLLOW (Tasty Tip in Linedancer - May issue) JIVE ACES (Tasty Tip in Linedancer - June issue) and SPOOKY (Published in Linedancer January issue). All dances were well received. We'd like to thank Janis and her class members for making us feel really welcome and for Janis' friend who travelled from Southampton on the Tuesday night especially to see us - thanks!

17 May 2007

This was the first gig we'd seen them at since Covent Garden and it was brilliant. The night was a beginner/intermediate jive class with Jive Aces as the guest band. It was Modern Jive, so slower than traditional jive (not that we know much about jive!) The room was full, around 150 people I'd say.

During their set they played Jive Aces (Alan's dance) and introduced us and Alan as the choreographer. Adele, who was running the class invited the jivers to come behind us and pick up the dance - never seen so many people rush up to dance with us before - by the end of the track, most of them had picked up the dance without any instruction - jivers too - what an achievement!!! LOL!!!

As expected the band Jive Aces were brilliant, they gave us a choice at the end of danceable or ridiculous - if you see them, ask for ridiculous - that's all I'm saying!

We took the latest Linedancer Magazine to show they had been mentioned and the photos of Covent Garden and also the Tasty Tip from Tim for Jive Aces - it was quickly passed around the band - they loved it!

Great night - would go again!

21 April 2007

On Saturday 21 April, we went to Covent Garden in London to see the Jive Aces. The reason being that we wanted to dance Alan's dance JIVE ACES while the band sang - this their own song!  On the stage with Jive Aces were also some world famous Jiver Lindy Hoppers which were amazing!

How exciting it was! We met up with some people from the London area including Ruthie B who wrote The Real World and they all danced JIVE ACES with us. Below are some photos. The home page shows a video of us dancing JIVE ACES live.

14 April 2007

We had our Wedding Anniversary social on 14 April and it was a great success! We had people come from all areas as well as locally. People came from as far as Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton areas as well as the Cambridge area. We'd like to thank all of you for making our social a special one. Thanks to all of you who very kindly gave us some lovely presents and cards!

1 April 2007

Alan was asked to guest teach at Mark Furnell's Smart2Dance workshop. Alongside Alan, Mark taught and so did Wacky Jackie. Alan taught JIVE ACES and MORE TO FOLLOW. Both dances were very well received and since the event, other instructors in the Bedford and Milton Keynes areas have taught both dances - cool!

Mark taught his new dance, called PUMP UP THE JAM and BOMSHEL STOMP and Wacky Jackie taught Neville Fitzgerald's new one called WHAT GOES AROUND she also taught a dance by Frankie Cull called MARY, MARY

January 2007
Kingshill Weekend - Blackpool - 26 - 28 January

Just got back from our first Kingshill weekend event. This one was held at the Norbreck Castle Hotel in Blackpool. We had seen the hotel before but never stayed there. Have to say it was lovely and so was the food. The weekend’s leader was Yvonne Anderson (Choc-o-latte!) from Kilmarnock.

The Friday night social dancing was brilliant and Yvonne did a fab job of playing as many requests as she could – there were loads! M T Allan were there to entertain us and entertain us they did – this is the first time we’d seen them and we really enjoyed them.

Then on the Saturday morning, there was a workshop from 10 – 11am. Yvonne played a few tracks to warm everyone up and then started the teaching. What a surprise was to come when we found out that Yvonne was planning to teach Alan's dance called Spooky and when she saw he was in the front line on the Friday night, on the Saturday morning, she asked if he would teach it himself as the choreographer. What a lovely surprise it was for Alan. The dance seemed to go well – there were around 300 people there. Yvonne taught 3 of her own dances and they were WOULD YOU GO WITH ME, THAT’S HOW THEY DO IT IN DIXIE, NUMBER 1 HEARTACHE and IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE. She also went through FEEL THE MAGIC for those who had not yet learnt it.

All dances were well received. All the above scripts will be on our website – www.alanhaywood.co.uk – go to the Scripts and then Workshop Scripts page!

On the Saturday night, Billy Bubba King and Plain Loco were the entertainers for the night. All were fabulous and Plain Loco sang Hungry Eyes to well, they were asked to sing it again! Later on, Yvonne sang Don’t Feel Like Dancing – she actually sings in a band so is an established singer – it was great!

So, we will definitely be going to another one – would highly recommend it – value for money – entertainment and plenty of dance floor!

Over, Cambridgeshire - 20 January

On 20 January, Alan was asked to teach at an event in Over, Cambridgeshire. The event was organised by Sliders - Julie Wilderspin and her husband Rob did a brilliant job - helped enormously by Rachel who was on the door etc! Alan taught 4 dances. He taught SPOOKY which was taught by request and then went onto teach two of his beginner dances HOLIDAY DREAMS and SOONER OR LATER. He then taught a dance which was choreographed by Joan Curtis called IMAGINATION. This dance has been very successful in our classes - a nice little beginner dance. The last dance he taught was one of his new ones (at the time of writing) called LOVIN ON which also seemed to go down well. We would like to thank Julie for inviting us and Rob for doing a brilliant job of getting everyone up dancing and last but not least, Dave Montana was the live act for the evening who sang some lovely songs for us all to dance to as well as making us laugh a little! Look forward to June when we'll be back again!