Like: Johnny Gee, Vendula Ven, Pugger Lander, Leyla Sharifullina
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Like: Vendula Ven
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Only half a mile walk from Editors Tap to The Vault KCLSU
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Philip Wake is feeling wonderful. 24 November at 10:38 ·
FAIRY GOD MOTHER OF DANCE
I dreamed that I drove 80 miles to London to discover that one of my favourite events: El Bembe Party London, was going to finish at 10:30pm instead of 2am as planned. I had a few dances but it felt like I wasn’t really there and the hour from when I arrived seemed to go very quickly. I had parked the car near Scala to avoid paying a double ULEZ charge (£12.50 before midnight and £12.50 after midnight) and dropped off my travelling companion Vendula who was planning to visit some relatives and then go on to BOS – Bachata On Saturday. I was to text her as I was leaving Editor’s Tap around 1am so that we would both take around half an hour to get back to my car for the return journey to Southampton and then Gosport.
I met two ladies I knew who were wondering what to do next and I heard myself advising that we should go to BOS. Google Maps told me it was only 10 minutes walk so I didn’t take the offer of a lift from two other friends because they said their car was parked 5 minutes walk away in the opposite direction.
We arrived at The Vault around 11pm to discover that the bachata competition had just started and would continue until midnight. We tried to get interested but there were too many people preventing us from seeing anything so we ended up just sitting on some comfortable seats away from the action waiting for it to finish. I watched as a few brave souls danced in the space left behind the crowd watching the show and the men seemed to to be going through the motions of leading moves while the ladies robotically followed.
Vendula suddenly appeared and told me that she was lucky to be there because her phone had suddenly died on her while she was walking 3km away from the venue using Google Maps and had no idea where she was going as previously she had only been driven there. However, while she was wondering what would happen if we couldn’t get in touch with each other for the return journey and feeling very alone in the world, she bumped into some friendly people who helped her on find the venue without taking too many wrong turns.
The competition finished and I danced with my walking companions but I still didn’t feel like I was part of the proceedings. The words of Boris rang in my ears: “I’d rather be dead in a ditch!” as I recalled that’s exactly what I had always said about spending all night dancing only bachata!
Then suddenly, as if the Fairy God Mother of Dance had sprinkled some star dust over me, ladies started tapping me on the shoulder and giving me a sensual bachata which I was happy to reciprocate. This went of for over an hour as I met many ladies that I knew from all parts of London – and even some ladies from Brighton and Portsmouth – and danced bachata with them like there was no tomorrow. Then I realised I wasn’t dreaming and I was really there having a fantastic time dancing bachata all night. Whatever next – I’ll be dancing kizomba – and I did! 🔥❤️🔥
Like: John Lets Salsa Hylton, Vendula Ven, Boikanyo Trust Phenyo, Philip Frost, Nicci Dunsford, Simon Ofoborh, Michele Fowler, Philippa Collier, Anna Villa, Rohany Famador-Sexton; Laugh: Djamila Pethen, Pugger Lander, Eli Angel
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John Lets Salsa Hylton FABULOUS! I told you you would have a great time 🙂
Like: Philip Wake
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Rohany Famador-Sexton It was great to dance with you last night 😊
Love: Philip Wake
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Eli Angel Great dancing with you last night ,turned out to be a good night 😍😍
Love: Philip Wake