Geordie Thompson had a pig, he hit it with a shovel and it danced a jig

[venta]

Just a quick note for those of you who like to keep up with the cut-throat world of competitive sword-dancing: this weekend sees DERT, the national rapper competition, in Newcastle.

Dance teams are marked on various technical matters, and on the elusive "buzz factor" - the rather unquantifiable quantity of being exciting. A recent reading of this year's rules suggests that any team receiving a standing ovation will automatically score full marks for buzz. So if anyone happens to be flapping around Byker with nothing to do tomorrow, feel free to come and stand-up while cheering wildly shortly after we've danced (or, if you're influenced by merit, after someone else has danced).

Careful studying of the world's most confusing timetable (Mabel Gubbins are on tour 7, cycle 2, rotating anti-clockwise[*]), our approximate plan with spuriously accurate timing is:

The Ship (11:37 - 12:13)
Egypt Cottage (13:00 - 13:36)
Eye of the Tyne[**] (14:57 - 15:33)
The Tanners (16:21 - 16:57)
Cumberland Arms (17:44 - 18:20)

There is an evening showcase of all teams in the Artworks gallery, though I believe there's a £5 charge for that.

Oh, and I'm not joking about the cut-throat. Competitive rapper is serious stuff.

[*] I have no idea.
[**] Yes thanks, I am going to be failing to make this scan to the tune of Eye of the Tiger. All day.

Comments

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Good luck. Give my love to anyone from Addison or High Spen Blue Diamonds who you think might know me (saying 'Dave Howdon's daughter' will probably help).

[venta.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Addison are apparently going to be there (tour 2, cycle 1, rotating clockwise...) this year, so I'll pass the message on. High Spen think that competition rapper should be done on a stage, so refuse to join in with these new-fangled pub competitions :)

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Heh. That's OK, I probably know more people at Addison anyway. Particular mention to Valdis Stals, probably the only Lithuanian rapper dancer.

[venta.livejournal.com]

Oh aye, I know Valdis. I didn't know he was Lithuanian, though. He's certainly not as unexpected as L---- (can't remember his name), the Basque student who used to dance with the Kingsmen and spoke with a thick Basque-Geordie accent.

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

*nods* His parents are from Lithuania - came over during the War I think. Lovely people, friends of the family for years. ISTR my parents bought us our first PC secondhand from his younger brother Marc.