Street Dance

on Oct 07 in Bristol, Culture, Frivolity, Random tagged by Peter Blackman

A while ago I received a press release about a new street dance class. Yes I did. Well, who are you to say that I’m not interested in going?

Anyway. It was funny, and slightly tragic. Without meaning to be. Because I am not a total meany, I have ever so slightly adapted it, and rewritten it as if the author were pitching her classes to a passer by in a shopping mall. So some of the words have changed a little, but the style and content is all her own.

“Hiya. Hey that’s such a cool top. I saw you go into Topshop and I thought I’ve got to talk to her when she comes out. I’m Kaylee, and…

What’s this? Ok, it’s Street Dance Workout – it’s like, a totally new class that we’re running over in the leisure centre on Wednesdays. Have a leaflet. Yeah – that’s me in the photo. Thanks - that’s so sweet of you. Are you into street dance? Yeah – you’ve seen the movie yeah? So you want to come and learn some wicked moves? What? No? Because you’re too shy?

Do you know, ohmygod I can’t believe this now, but I actually used to think that I was shy? No, really. But d’you know what? I’ve learnt now that what was really happening was that I was like, choosing to be shy. And then I also quickly learnt that this was behaviour I could like totally change. So I did. The awesome thing is – I learnt all this on a course about street dance. Yeah I know. Weird. But I first got introduced to streetdance about 3 years ago and I quickly found that I was like, really good. So when I got a bit more, what, um, yeah - advanced, that’s right, then I started to think of ways that I could make some money from it. So here I am!

Before? Well I worked at a childcare recruitment agency, and it was ok, but other people do it so why can’t I? And I thought about working for another dance school but realised that I would much rather work for myself and take control of something. Rather than be paid an hourly rate by someone else. Yeah. It’s cool isn’t it? What do you do? Yeah but you’re totally into street dance as well yeah?

So anyway the idea came about of setting up my own classes as I’d noticed that there were not any classes running in my local area. In the beginning I wasn’t keen on the idea of teaching the classes myself as I had no teaching experience at all, and I didn’t want to be like the teachers at school. Like shit and that. Yeah. Then I found the Streetdance Workz Training, who specialise in training people to be excellent streetdance teachers. It was a 7 day intensive course in London, so I had to take it out of my annual leave which was gutting as I had planned a trip away. Yeah, a real girly girl fortnight in the sun. And I felt a bit guilty about taking time out of work to retrain for a potential totally new career path, but I knew it would be worth it. It was a very expensive week, as the course wasn’t cheap and I also had to find bed and breakfast accommodation for the week, as well as feed myself! The whole week including the course fees cost me about £1500. I saw it as an investment, and it definitely was. I was very nervous about the course, even to the point where I was sick on the first day. Yes way! Ohmyfuckinggod that was so embarassing. Like – everyone could hear. And I knew I would be very much out of my comfort zone as standing up infront of people has always terrified me. But I kept on keeping on and it turned out to be the best thing I’ve ever done. As well as learning about choreography, warm ups and cool downs and teaching techniques, we were taught how to use Neuro. Linguistic. Programming – NLP - to increase our own confidence and make sure that your students have the best experience possible. You heard of NLP? No? It’s awesome. It’s got me here now. I’ve got details of local courses for that as well if you’re interested? No? Just street dance? So, like, where was I? Oh yeah.

When I got home from the course I was absolutely buzzing. Like a physical thing. Tinglin’. I was so happy about the breakthrough I had made and couldn’t wait to get started on my own classes. I would go shopping and go, like, mad. New everything. Yeah. Weird. So Street Dance Workout was born. The details? It’s on the leaflet. Ok, well, quickly, I decided to run my classes in 8 week courses, rather than a drop in class. By booking up for the full 8 week course our customers get a much better experience, as you’ll be amongst the same members every week enabling you to make friends easier. It also means I get to avoid having to constantly recap on the week before. I’m not into that. By the end of the 8 weeks you’ll have learned a whole routine to a particular song, so you’ll have something to show for it at the end. I also decided to collaborate with my boyfriend Connor, who has a very logical approach to everything as well as excellent IT skills. He’s over there. Sat at the stand. Give him a wave!

Bless. So? You interested? Find out more online? Yeah, you can, but if you sign up now you can get a special discount. Ok, it’s on the leaflet, and it’s w,w,w, dot, street, dance, workout, dot, co, dot, uk. It’s an awesome site because we got support from Connor’s parents, who run their own website development company. They were so sweet and built us a fantastic website which I am really proud of. Since the launch of the website Connor’s been very busy advertising our business by posting up posters and putting flyers through letterboxes. We’re also optimising our presence on the internet, well, Connor tells me we are, and using the support of his friends and family to post flyers in their offices. The support I’ve received from everyone is overwhelming.

We’ve got loads of bookings coming in, and like I said, our first 8 week course starts on Wednesday at the Leisure Centre. You should come! I’ve worked really hard to create an exciting piece of choreography that you’d love to learn. Yeah, well take the leaflet and get in touch yeah?”

Awesome. Names and business names changed to stop me being attacked by street dancers.