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This was Lynne's 5th Viewpoint, the
subject of which was prompted by the e-mails, faxes, letters and cards Lynne received
following The Grapevine Connection's function held at The Watford Colosseum on May 20th
2000. You can email Lynne directly by clicking on the web address below. Alternatively you can send your answers to the webmaster sue@bluelinecps.co.uk who will pass them on to Lynne on your behalf.
Your opinion may be posted on this page unless you request us not to do so. If you would like to view the last 4 Viewpoints and all the replies, click on the Archive buttons at the top left hand side of this screen. Hi Lynne,Well the dust has now settled over yet another superb event. Judging by the mail you have received, all attendees enjoyed it as much as I did. I have a heavy heart though. Before the event, you said (on several occasions) that this would be the last one you would organise. I know how professional you are, and I also know how you worry before these events, about whether you will be able to fill the venue, the floor the music etc. We all have too much stress in our lives these days, and I would certainly not wish any more onto you, but on a purely selfish note I cannot imagine a year without at least one "Do". Much as I love the weekly class, I adore just being able to dance without any teaching. (If I had my way, these Do's would be pure dancing without any teaching at all) I am sure this view will prompt some reaction !!!!! Anyway, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE arrange some more special events. You have such a following, you know we will always support you. Love & Best Wishes Ann Surrey (The Base) 
THE GRAPEVINE CONNECTION EVENTS It was decided before the event at The Colosseum that this would be the last Grapevine Connection function - a decision that was not taken lightly or without much soul-searching - and I would like to explain certain criteria that are an absolute MUST for us when we organise these events. QUALITY is our key word - quality venues and quality sound systems. Is the floor large enough and does it pass the dancing in boots test? (Yes, we actually go in our boots and test the surface!). Is the venue easily accessible and is it easy to park? What kind of support do we get from the on-site staff and will the bar satisfy our requirements? There are a thousand questions to be answered and if all the answers stack out then are the costs totally prohibitive? The quality venues cost an enormous amount (usually four figure sums) to hire and therefore we take a huge gamble on the level of support we might receive. To date we have been shown incredible support, but I now feel that there is a diminishing market and the risk factor is now enormous. We will NEVER knowingly compromise on quality. Ann also talks about teaching - or actually not teaching - at these "Do's", a point for real debate. At our first three functions there were beginner
sections. This decision was based totally on wanting to encourage new dancers to `have a
go' and knowing that several would be inspired once they saw what could be achieved by the
experienced dancers. One of the reasons for this was that first and foremost I am a professional instructor - the dancer/deejay/business woman comes after that - and I wanted to stamp my personality and characteristics on the evening and not just be calling the dances. I wanted the evening to have some reflection of what I am about. I suspect the debate over teaching or not at socials will continue to rage on. I must say that I do believe there is a vast difference between running monthly socials and large annual functions. At monthly socials, I believe that the majority of attendees would be one's own class regulars and therefore there is not the same need or desire to teach, as the instructor has already impressed their ability on these people. Whereas large annual functions on Saturday nights tend to attract a far greater variety from all sorts of classes. I don't believe anyone has left a Grapevine Connection function saying that there was not enough dancing even if they chose not to learn the dances taught! Perhaps you don't agree.............? I have been truly touched by all the support that has been shown to me and cannot thank you enough for acknowledging the professionalism of The Grapevine Connection. Lynne All replies are posted in the order in which they were received i.e. the most recent at the top Ok guys the following letter is
going to be the last reply posted for this particular viewpoint so no more emails
pleeeeeeze????. I must say this one certainly provoked some interesting debates!
Now you'll have to save your thoughts for the next one - I'll keep you posted as to
when that will be so, as they say, watch this space. Woah - hold on a minute! Where do you lot get off telling someone else that they should spend thousands on putting on a function for your benefit? Lynne and her team are free to make their own choice and if that means that they no longer are willing to take the risk then who are we to argue? I don't notice any of you (apart from the Man In Black) putting your money where your mouths are. Personally, I have never attended a Grapevine Connection function - that's not because I wouldn't, it's more a case of logistics. But obviously hundreds have and have enjoyed a damned good evening to boot. You should all be thanking Lynne and her team for providing you with a good night out. Davina St. John Hartlepool Hi Davina, Thank you for your understanding and sorry you never managed to get to a Grapevine Connection event. Warmest wishes, Lynne (22 August) I can’t help feeling that you are taking a rather high-handed attitude to Rhonda’s letter. I think that all she is saying is that from where we are all standing it doesn’t suggest that you have failed in your quest – quite the reverse. Lynne you have mentioned many times that you are a professional and that line dancing is your bread and butter. Don’t business people takes risks – isn’t that what it’s all about? From where I’m standing it would suggest to me that you have simply lost interest and don’t want to be bothered any more so why don’t you just admit it instead of blaming non-existent outside influences! Marek Gonseska Chiswick Dear Marek, It is an insult to suggest that I have simply lost interest and am blaming non-existent outside influences. When I have had enough I will simply say so. I feel confident that the majority of my regular supporters at my weekly venues will tell you of my love and passion for this dance form. It is precisely because I am a professional running a very high-risk business that I have to examine, in a totally responsible manner, all the angles of holding such large events with the expectations of so many resting on my shoulders. I do not just turn up on the night in the hope that someone has opened the doors to give people somewhere to dance. Every function has been planned with meticulous attention to detail and despite having the support of a great team around me, whatever happens on the night - be it good or bad - reflects on the person fronting the event, i.e. me. May I say I am always taking risks, eg. I actually take calculated risks in my business every night that I hold my classes, as you NEVER know how many dancers will come and my overheads are high. I am even taking a risk voicing my opinions so openly on this site. I don't stop taking risks. But to continue running functions of similar stature to the ones we have run to date when you believe that the market has plateaued, if not diminished, would show a serious lack of business acumen. Lynne (20th August) I don't feel that I have let anyone down. I do many private functions as well, so if you and your friends would like to hire a venue, do all of the advertising, etc. and hire me or any other instructor/deejay of your choice, then you would have another function to go to. Of course, the only addition to that would be 'responsibility'. Rhonda, there are many monthly socials around and if you give me some idea of where you actually live, I could try and find out where some are taking place, if you don't actually know. Thank you for your letter. Best wishes, Lynne (26 July) Hi Lynne, Having been to all The Grapevine Connection functions and having just read 'The Man In Black's' letter I just want to pick up on a couple of points. He is right in that there is still a market for Special Events and how can you say there isn't a market when your 4th function sold out a few weeks before the event (contrary to what you say in your reply about most people buying tickets in the last couple of weeks)?Thanks once again to your whole team for putting on such excellent quality events - so, when is the next one?? Lorraine Williams Battersea, London Hi Lorraine, This Viewpoint seems to have sparked something, hasn't it? Thank you ever so much for your kind words re: The Grapevine Connection Functions. It means a lot to all of us. Re: the 4th function selling out so well ahead of time - that was because the capacity of the venue was not as large as the other 4 venues. We sold out with 200 in no time at all (although the venue could have taken more but comfort is essential at our events); but with the other venues, in order to operate successfully we need double that number, which is a lot of people. My reply was in respect to those venues. After the 4th event, we decided that The Grapevine Connection 'belonged' in the very large venue such as The Colosseum, and we have no intention of going smaller. Thank you once again for all your support over the years. Warmest wishes, Lynne (25 July) So to your latest viewpoint......... Yes you are right and as you so eloquently put it (as always) the "annual event" is a huge risk to a small business. Yet i offer you a challenge Lynne......What does your heart say, not your head - what about the thrill of it all, the experience of being on that stage, all the admiring looks, the energy, the vibe, the collective enjoyment of all those dancers.....WOW ! Ask yourself when you first started out could the words...pleasure, enjoyment, fun, passion best describe why you did it.......so follow your heart not your head( as it will follow)....GOFOR IT !! spread your risk ask a partner in, sell tickets early, promote early, be inventive around the night and organize sponsorship for the event. We the "Dream Team" have just undertaken to put on a similar event in the Birmingham area as it is needed...........the Dancers need a Special Event to look forward too, a special place to strutt their stuff and wiggle those hips and it will succeed because of that.There is still a large following for Line Dancing and whilst I appreciate the market place has for the last two years gradually diminished the niche for a good event is still there, even though it is a year away for you Lynne. Go on Lynne you owe it to your adoring public don't give away what you have achieved because it is now a slightly higher commercial risk. Cheers from a survivor of the tougher times in the Midlands. The Man In Black. Bromsgrove Worcester www.justdancin.co.uk Hello 'Man In Black', Well what can I say about your letter? Firstly, if I, or any business followed with their heart only, they would be on the road to bankruptcy! As for the thrill of being 'on a stage' - to tell you the truth I have never wanted to be 'on a stage' and still cannot believe that I am 'on a stage!’ But as I have been 'on a stage' for the past 6 years, I look upon it as the nature of the job, which I enjoy tremendously and not for the 'thrill' as you put it. As for spreading the risk, well there are 3 of us involved in The Grapevine Connection, so of course we have spread the risk and as for selling tickets early, well from experience we have learnt that most will only buy a week or two before time and many on the night. After having done 5 functions, I think we do know our 'business'. Your 'Dream Team' sounds great - why don't you let us know details of your next function? Who knows, we may journey up? You sound charming. Best wishes, Lynne (25 July) Hi Lynne. Having been to all your functions, I can honestly say that I haven't ever felt the social element spoilt at any of them. When I've had enough of yakking and relaxing (not that I do much), I must admit I'm happy to put a bit of 'stress on the old brain' for a short while. I think that twenty minutes of teaching out of a four hour function is really not that intrusive. It's extremely satisfying to learn a new dance and people who don't usually come to your classes get the added benefit of some different instruction. This can surely only add to the enjoyment, value and quality of the function. Nobody is forced to join in and for those who choose not to because they either already know it, are tired, can't be bothered etc..., it can be entertaining to watch how others get on. Having said that, I do also understand the need to just be left to dance, dance, dance! I bet if you advertised that there would be no teaching at all at afunction, there would always be somebody out there who would moan about the lack of teaching. Oh well, you'll never please everybody but personally I see nothing wrong in having the best of both worlds. Love Karen Edgware, London Hi Karen, Can I first say how grateful I am to you for your incredible support. I enjoyed reading your letter as you raise some interesting points, which I think speak for itself. I do truly understand the need to just dance without any instruction, but as you say, there will undoubtedly be a sector that would pull me apart for not teaching. The difficulty about this job is that I know I will never please everyone all the time so I have to go on my gut feel. That is the only way I can work (and that includes my 'classes' as well). Thank you so very much for expressing your thoughts. Love, Lynne Lynne has given the next two a joint reply as they are making a similar point (20 July) Hi Lynne, I have to say I am with Ann on this one - absolutely no teaching. I personally attend 3 classes a week - all different clubs. The last thing I want to do when I go to what I call a 'dress-up evening' is learn yet another dance. Just for a change I want the luxury of dancing when I feel like dancing, chatting to my friends and generally having a relaxing party evening. I don't want to learn a dance and I don't want to sit quietly whilst others learn a dance either.Maybe you should run a function without any teaching - you would then alleviate the pressure on yourself and maybe you would be able to relax and enjoy the evening for what it is. Just a suggestion. Happy dancing Terry de la Haye Southport Why do you think that there is more pressure for you to teach a dance at an annual function Lynne?Do you not look upon these 'functions' as having a 'social' element? I think that your decision to teach is obviously a personal choice but I believe that most would still prefer just to dance. Maybe I am wrong. Stefan Gulikson Croydon Hi Terry and Stefan, Teaching at these functions is not a pressure for me - (it is something that comes very naturally to me). It is a decision I have made because I WANT to do it, for various reasons. Also, many people do get up to learn at these functions which surely means there is an element that does want to learn new dances. . If we were running monthly socials, I would definitely not teach at them. As for the 'social' element - well I regard all my sessions, which includes the weekly 'classes' as having a social element anyway and I do not see how teaching a couple of dances detracts from that in any shape or form. Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you think. Lynne (5 July) Thanks for writing in. Best wishes, Lynne (4 July) You did make me have a good laugh. Thanks for writing in. Lynne (4 July) Hiring for 4 figure sums? You've got to be barmy to waste money like that! All me and my friends care about is having somewhere to dance and have a drink and a laugh and a DJ to play the ones we like. We really don't care two hoots about the hall. Stella Mumford West Bromwich Hi Stella, We are very driven by quality - as stated; especially a large sprung floor and powerful sound system. (In fact I even have monitors on stage where the music is coming directly at me as well.) Yes, I agree - MANY do NOT care that much about the venue or quality of sound as long as they can hear the music and there is space on the dance floor, but The Grapevine Connection do care. I really see nothing wrong with that and therefore we will not compromise. As for wasting our money - well, we have been very very successful to date, so that is a totally inaccurate statement to make. If we hadn't been financially successful we would have stopped after the first or second function. However, these kind of venues need to be booked many months ahead, so the risk factor is now very much greater. Best wishes, Lynne
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Last modified: 15 February 2001 |
