#idf19

Here we go…

Ice Dance

Chock/Bates - I’m still not a fan of their RD (though they do a good job interpreting it) and still very much like their FD. This wasn’t the best outing for them imo, they felt sloppy at parts and their pattern was very weak and it was noticeable even without knowing they only got level 1 for it. They still lack speed a lot of the time but I do see improvement in them since they left Igor. I wasn’t as outraged as others were about them getting the silver over G/F for reasons you’ll read next.

Guignard/Fabbri - I have a huge soft spot for them (especially him) and I have tons of respect for their ability to repeatedly secure level 4s all over the board which is basically unheard of in this current field. I also liked both their RD and their FD. That being said they were more sloppy at some parts compared to C/B so they suffered in the GOEs and since currently GOE >> BV the scoring wasn’t really that outrageous in my eyes. Shout out for their stationary lift, I’m a huge lover of stationary lifts (TS made me a huge fan of it) and between theirs and the one from Disco Brits I’m very happy with how amazing the stationary lifts have been this season.

Smart/Diaz - I’ve already stated that their programs are among my favorites this season and they don’t disappoint me. Their Grease RD is the best Grease of the season imo and I’m a huge fan of their quirky FD. I’ve watched it 3 times and I still don’t get what the hell the judges were smoking when they decided they fell on their choreo sliding movement. Also, their material is ten times better than what H/K put out last weekend and I hope the scores will reflect that.

Zagorski/Guerreiro - awful material and mediocre at best execution of it. Again, if they will get to be Russian #3 this season I’ll riot.

Soucisse/Firus - If you would have asked me at the beginning of the season who will get the 3rd spot to worlds between them and L/L I would have put my money on L/L in a heartbeat. I am not that sure now giving the scoring and how both teams have been performing but it will for sure be interesting. I still don’t get this team tbh, they seem like sweethearts but they are also not advancing at all and are basically unable to perform most kind of dances. It will be interesting to watch them in their second GP but it’s a shame they won’t be going up against L/L sooner.

Weekend ready, #Party ready, #DANCE READY! Join us in Green Brook TONIGHT, #CentralJersey (7:30pm Workshop, 8:15pm #FridayFete)!!!

If you have come across iSandwell before you will know we are very passionate about putting community development at the heart of our digital agenda and feel that working with our wonderful third sector in Sandwell is the best way to achieve citizen-led digitisation. So that basically means we have not been doing it alone, we are lucky enough to be able to work with a wide range of community groups from normal people who live in Sandwell neighbourhoods via our volunteering network to social enterprise, the charity sector, and community groups. Which is why from the 13th to the 18th May we are holding the first iSandwell Digital Festival with events from partners across Sandwell. Now, it's important to note that not all of these events are going to be public due to the user group specific organisations work with but we still want to let you know what is happened - you will know if that event is public as we will add sign up details. Monday 13th May The Recovery College / MAN_AGE Social Media Survival Kit for Men It is no secret that social media can have an impact on anybody's mental health but how can men with mental health issues navigate this minefield safely. In this workshop male mental project MAN_AGE teams up with The Recovery College (Black Country Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) to work with the people they support to create a toolkit we all could use. Tuesday 14th May SAFL iPad sessions for beginners Friar Park Millennium Centre - 10am till 12pm With the invention of the tablet it has actually opened a new door for connectivity, from keeping in touch with family who have moved away to looking to tackle loneliness for older people - if you are interested in learning more about using your tablet come and learn about how you can get the best out of it in this relaxed session from SAFL. To book call: 01215560139 

Tuesday 14th May West Bromwich Albion Foundation Young Reporters Great news, FIFA has announced that the Champions League final is going to be held at West Bromwich Albion’s very own Hawthorns and we’ve tasked a group of crack young reporters to tell viewers more about Sandwell and what it means to them in the form of live reports from the home of Sandwell football itself, The Hawthorns.

Wednesday 15th May Options For Life Sensory Music Experience Acorn Lodge Hub, Langley Green 11am to 12:30pm With funding from the National Lottery, Options For Life have been doing some really innovative work. In this workshop they will be showcasing Digital Tech and how it supports participants with profound and multiple learning disabilities access music and enhance their sensory experience. To sign up email https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/options-for-life-sensory-music-experience-tickets-61241682521 

Wednesday 15th May Fab Lab Children & Digital Making Schools across Sandwell  Giving young people the opportunity to have a go with 3D printing and taking part in a series of exercises - oh, and having a go at making their own robot. Wednesday 15th May Black Country Housing Group/Click Start IT support and Benefit Advice Drop In. Central Library, West Bromwich from 10am till 4pm 

Black Country Housing Group/Click Start are offering a free IT support and benefit advice drop in. We are offering advice with Universal Credit/benefits, help with smart phones/technology, social media, job search and training as well as 1-2-1 appointments.

Thursday 16th May Black Country Housing Group/Click Start Phone, Text and Whatsapp Advice Line. Can contact me directly on 07794275047 from 10am till 12pm Anyone can call, text or WhatsApp on 07794275047 for advice with or information on a variety of issues or concerns with debt, Universal Credit/benefits, employment or training. It’s a free service but network provider charges may apply. 

Thursday 16th May Ebony Hemmings / Sandwell Council Youth Democracy Services The Power of Community Vlogging Schools across Sandwell A local creative entrepreneur is linking up with the Sandwell Council Youth Democracy Service to show local young people how they can use the medium of vlogging (video blogging) for social campaigning. 

Thursday 16th May Sandwell College #DemJam - The Future of Work in Sandwell West Bromwich From the eyes of our eye people how do they feel about the Sandwell working landscape and what changes they would like to see? Using the #DemJam hackathon model we’ll be gathering information on aspiration and the changes young people would like to see, we will also be giving young people to formulate questions to put towards our local MPs.

Thursday 16th and Friday 17th May Data Brew / Sandwell Libraries Walk out with a Website Venues across Sandwell One of the biggest issues smaller third sector organisation and community groups face when starting up is not having the funds for a professional website, sometimes an project like a Tenants & Residents Association can go without a website full stop - having a digital platform is a great tool to attract new people to your project and help with funding which is why we have enlisted the help of Data Brew with the support of Sandwell Libraries to make sure you have a professional website along with expert digital advice, free of charge.