When we social dance, we give ourselves over to the dance. Sometimes to the partner as well. But to the music, the space, the feel of the dance. It can feel like a dream. But even if it’s not that perfect dance, the dance can often be broken down in a similar way. It feels…
When is a dance freestyle not just a freestyle
When I first started social dancing, salsa in my case, I was oblivious to the idea of a dance freestyle night. I went along for a class night which was held in a dance studio and when the two classes beginner and intermediate finished there was no dancing afterwards. Everyone just headed off to the…
How dances change with the same people
Dance is about movement. For modern jive like any partner dance, that movement is of individuals in a partnership, and hopefully a great connection with our partner. But even outside the movement of the dancers, the experience of dance isn’t static. The dance experience changes every time we dance and that makes it more exciting…
Broadening musical tastes in modern jive
One of the great things about modern jive is the music. Because it can be danced to any music – from golden oldie to contemporary pop, from dance to latin. While main room music tends to stick to a similar 4 count beat, within a tempo range, more and more modern jive organisations offer specialist…
Dance motivation: why do you dance?
Dancing doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Many people of my generation and older remember dancing from their childhood – either ballet lessons or being forced to do country dancing. Nowadays, dance in schools is more fashionable with street dance the favoured dance style. But as adults many people are taking up dance. Whether they’ve been…
Bad teen to ballroom queen – attracting young dancers
To keep modern jive (and other social dances) alive, we need to keep bringing beginners through. In recent years, venues have closed, or sometimes changed to focus on freestyles rather than the 2 class format. That means as a community we’re reliant on people learning dance elsewhere, then transferring over. In some areas, the modern…
How to look good on the dance floor (it’s not just about clothes)
When you’re watching someone on the dance floor what are your thoughts? Assuming they’re not falling over or making huge over the top movement that you can’t fail to see. Mostly you watch people dance because they’ve got a spark, something that makes you notice them. It could be what they’re wearing. It could be…
