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Isle Of Wight Weekend 2008

Summary

There were, to the best of my knowledge, 46 of us in this years party. As a measure of its success, Linda (our now permanent Isle Of Wight weekend away organiser - well volunteered Linda!!) has reserved 50 for next year's event and so far (within a week of getting back) 31 have been taken up - not too shabby for a three-day weekend a year in advance!

Once again, the venue (Trouville Hotel, Sandown) proved faultless; the food and the newly renovated accommodation were excellent, and, as a serious plus point the weather for the weekend was sunny/bright & much more importantly, DRY.

The weekend was hosted by Paula & Steve Pym (Shuffle Rock Stompers) and despite Paula not feeling very well she taught three new dances at the Saturday workshop and another two plus recaps at the Sunday morning workshop. All were well taught and well received with Teresa & Vera's 'Dance Like You're The Only One' proving to be the dance of the weekend (see below).

The nightly format was : free dance/requests; Band set 1; more requests; Band set 2; dance until you drop or breakfast, whichever came first.

Day 1 - Friday

The band appearing on the first night was Fools Gold. Musically they very good with a nice spread of music and therefore dances. Had some 'interesting/quizzical moments' interpreting their Liverpudlian accent once or twice (me being a 'Suvverner'), but highly enjoyable. I recommend that you see them if ever they're appearing in your area. I can't put titles to all the music they played, but the dances were as follows:
First SetSecond Set
  1. Ride The River
  2. Smokey Places
  3. How Long/Eagles Rock
  4. Leaving Of Liverpool
  5. Where You Gonna Go/County Line
  6. Just For Grins
  7. The Big One/Islands In The Stream
  8. Just A Memory
  9. Sweet, Sweet Smile/J'ai Du Boogie
  10. Nimby
  11. Cowboy & A Dancer
  1. Somebody Like You
  2. Ashes Of Love
  3. Wishful Thinking
  4. Sea Salt Sally
  5. Zjozzy's Funk
  6. Rebel Amor
  7. Before The Devil
  8. Suds In The Bucket
  9. Caught In The Act
  10. Kill The Spiders
  11. Walk With Me
  12. Heartbreak Express
  13. Walking Backwards
  14. Into The Arena/Black Coffee
  15. Lamtarra Rumba (Encore)

Day 2 - Saturday

There was a morning request dancing session and tutorial hosted & taught by Paula who taught the following dances:

The live music was provided by 18 year old Tim McKay (who, he told us, had only just passed his driving test and now able to drive himself to and from gigs, much to the relief of his stressed-out dad). Musically very good Tim performed very capably & professionally. I reckon that in a couple of years time when his voice has fully matured he'll be extremely good and he's good now! Well worth seeing if you can.

First SetSecond Set
  1. Wishful Thinking
  2. Tush Push
  3. Just For Grins
  4. Closer
  5. J'ai Du Boogie
  6. Ride The River
  7. Where We Were
  8. Lamtarra Rumba
  9. All Day Long
  10. Just Wanna Dance With You
  11. County Line
  12. Grundy Gallop
  1. Be Strong
  2. Hot Tamales
  3. Somebody Like You
  4. On Line
  5. Tempted (Partner)
  6. Sway (Partner)
  7. Chill Factor
  8. Take A Breather
  9. Ribbon Of Highway
  10. Walk Back To Me
  11. Baby Likes To Rock It
  12. Speak To The Sky
  13. Cowboy & A Dancer
  14. Before The Devil
  15. Past The Point Of Rescue/J'ai Du Boogie

Day 3 - Sunday

There was a morning request dancing session and tutorial hosted & taught by Paula who, as well as recapping yesterday's new dances, taught the following new dances:

The live music was provided by The Texas Tornados, a three piece band who musically were not bad at all, but a number of people found the lead singer's comments & 'Jack the lad' attitude unpleasant sometimes bordering on the offensive. Personally, I wouln't make a trip to watch them again for that reason alone.

First SetSecond Set
  1. Nimby
  2. Wishful Thinking
  3. Bosa Nova
  4. Just For Grins
  5. County Line
  6. J'ai Du Boogie
  7. Just A Kiss/Smokey Places
  8. Take A Breather
  9. God Blessed Texas
  10. Cowboy Charleston
  11. Whole Lot Of Leaving
  12. Midnight Waltz
  13. Heartbreak Express
  14. Tempted (Partner)/Chill Factor
  15. Before The Devil/To Hell And Back
  1. Go With Me
  2. Cowboy And A Dancer
  3. Ride The River/Easy Come, Easy Go
  4. Lamtarra Rumba
  5. Black Coffee
  6. All Week Long
  7. Hot Tamales
  8. Pot Of Gold
  9. Eagles Rock/How Long
  10. Holding Back The Ocean
  11. Ribbon Of Highway
  12. Irish Stew
  13. Snap, Crackle & Pop
  14. Baby Blues
  15. T-Bone Shuffle/Brand New Girlfriend