Camp Savoy 2016 (also please see below on the fundraising campaign for Chazz Young)
This is my 2nd visit to Camp Savoy - one of my favourite UK Camps. As always; many international dancers and teachers are determined to attend this event no matter how mentally/physically exhausted they are from Herrang!
Last year I had a blast doing the Lindy classes with Haase + Marie, Michael + Evita and Remy + Moe. However, just like a “Rock that Swing” earlier this year I decided to give solo jazz a crack. I must confess I didn’t know too much about Anders or Felix before Camp Savoy but these two gave it their all! These two young swedes were highly energetic, enthusiastic, fun and very knowledgeable. No matter how tired the participants were they honestly brought out the best in us. In addition, I ended up joining a “Mama Mia” taster class with Tim Stanley. This was on the Sunday after three jazz classes so I was pretty shattered and almost gave it a miss…but the energy of Tim and everyone in the room was like some sort of mental defibrillator! I must give a huge shout out to my Wednesday solo jazz teacher Cat. She has been such an excellent teacher. Taking part in her classes inspired me to give the Camp Savoy solo classes a go. Furthermore; she won the solo jazz competition and totally deserved it!
Each evening was excellent! For me personally I’ve always loved social dancing here as it has the perfect mix of international dancers along with people I danced with years ago when I attended Jenny’s classes at Club Savoy in Harrow (it was the perfect class as it was only 10 mins from my house!) Many thanks to the band and the DJ’s. One of my all time favourite moments came from Camp Savoy three years ago when I just came on the Saturday night and danced with Sharon Davis to the “I like pie I like cake” song (Gordon Webster version). I’ll never forget Sharon dipping herself and doing a lot of shimmy’s at the end whilst a few friends were watching amazed! Two of my highlights this year were on Sunday evening where I took part in the solo jazz competition and did the “Mama Mia” performance with all those who were in the afternoon class (I also have to add I did both these things dressed up as a clown as there was a circus theme).
One key highlight was the teachers Q&A as it had everything. It had some hilarious moments such as Marie being asked who besides Haase was the cutest guy on the dance scene (she answered Frankie Manning - perfect answer) and how to dance with someone very tall/short (obviously Anders had no problem answering that). It also had some very honest moments including each teacher explaining their best or worst event they attended. Evita and Peter both gave interesting insight into when to try other styles of dancing and when to try and be “ambidancetrous” (learning the opposite role).
One of the best questions came towards the end about what to do when you hit a wall or feel bad when you compare yourself to others who seem to shoot ahead no matter how hard you try. Michael’s answer to this was so intelligently put and beautifully spoken that it made Evita cry (I hope she doesn’t mind me writing that). I studied an MSc in performance psychology; and yet what Michael said was one of the best speeches about short term and long term goals I’ve ever heard. To those who attended this talk I think we can all agree that these teachers truly poured out their heart and soul. They all have chosen a career as dance teachers for a reason; their passion and love for the dance. Despite all the mental and physical challenges of travelling/teaching/competing almost every week of the year; these teachers still care tremendously!
So thank you to all the volunteers, the dancers and teachers and especially Jenny Thomas for a magnificent weekend. I highly recommend this event to anyone!
P.S If you haven’t already; please donate what you can to Chazz Young’s “Back in Step” fundraising campaign. https://www.youcaring.com/chazz-young-607873 Chazz Young is the man on my tumblr cover photo holding the microphone. Not only is he the son of the legendary Frankie Manning but he is simply one of the best dancers in the world and an all round amazing bloke. I sat next to him at a dinner in Prague two years ago and heard some of his incredible stories. This is a man who needs and deserves our help!