Stockton Spy: So you think you can dance?
On Monday, 25 February, Queens Campus launched its first ever ‘Durham University Rock and Roll’ dance society. The society is in association with Middlesbrough’s ‘Ceroc Dance Club’, meaning that if you fancy yourself to be the next Fred Astaire (one can dream), start here. It was held at Stockton Riverside College at 5.45p.m. til 7.30p.m., gathering reams of participants, all eager to be able to spin off in a club without hitting several people and drinks in the process. Thirty eight students swarmed the dance floor putting their best foot forward, if you will. Each student was of different standards, but everybody came together nicely due to the majesty and grace of the dance instructors setting the example, Philip and Alexandra Motley. The session started with a demonstration of imposing skill from Mr. and Mrs. Motley, striking both jealousy and fear into the bodies of the dancers that had to repeat the isometric moves that had been strutted from the instructors’ apparently boneless legs and arms. Students were assured by Nick Parkinson (creator of the society) that the couple had been competing for years and had taken home gold medals on several occasions. Sighs of relief and nervous giggles peppered across the dance floor, but for the most part, the atmosphere was one of expectation at the thought of being led by two such obvious professionals.
Dangerous sounding moves in the name of Swing, such as the ‘Catapult’ and the ‘Man-spin’ were introduced and mastered by all involved. Things did however get confusing – just when one thought one was safe with one’s partner, one would be ushered to a 6’2 male with hands the length of your arms. It was like ‘speed-dancing’, exciting and bleakly enlightening. In the last half an hour, when each girl had danced with every man in the room at least four times, everybody was moving with brilliant synchronisation. Cool nods were exchanged between dancers and smug looks of confidence were stamped on the faces and flailing moves of almost all the students.
The admission to this fabulously traditional evening costs a frugal three pounds, and means that after one session, you are an official member of the Ceroc Dance Club – always something to write home about. Standards upon entry are of little importance as you will most certainly be a professional after a few classes. There was certainly the odd student that will remain a lone-dancer for the rest of his/her life, but even they had a jolly time. So rock, or perhaps roll on down to Stockton Riverside College for a good old fashioned evening of revelry! Thanks and congratulations must go to the founders of the society, Nicholas Parkinson, Alistair Coleman and Gabrielle Finn for putting together the first of many successful sessions.
