Live learn love modern jive dance
Not many beginners come along to modern jive classes and announce themselves a dancer after a few lessons. But why not? Maybe as soon as we start learning we should call ourselves dancers in hope and with optimism that it will come true and we Continue reading When do you become a dancer?
If you’re in the UK, you might have come across a Channel 4 tv show presented by Ashley Banjo (of Diversity fame), called Flirty Dancing. Usually it’s the type of show I’d read the excerpt for, sigh and ignore. But I can’t resist a dancing Continue reading Flirty Dancing on tv – the dancing connection
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 Continue reading The anatomy of a dance from start to finish
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 Continue reading How dances change with the same people
One of the great things about modern jive is that it’s easily accessible. There’s no modern jive dress code, no requirement to wear a specific style of outfit. You can just turn up in what you fancy. Jeans are popular, with leggings now popular for Continue reading Modern jive dancewear options and key watch outs
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 Continue reading Dance motivation: why do you dance?
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 Continue reading Bad teen to ballroom queen – attracting young dancers