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…
What makes modern jive such a social dance?
Harking back to the days of our grandparents and earlier, a social dance was where you went on dates and met friends. It was a huge social occasion, largely based on social ballroom style. There were dance halls in most towns and cities, compared with recent years where there’s few dance venues left. However my…
Modern jive – judged by other dance styles
If you’ve been dancing ceroc or modern jive for a while you may have heard dancers from other genres pouring scorn on it. ‘Modern jive is easy’ ‘there’s no technique’ ‘it’s just for people who can’t dance’ ‘everyone who’s any good moves on to argentine tango or wcs, that’s where the good dancers are’. But…
Do you need to travel to dance?
Non dancer friends are always surprised by how far I travel for dancing. To them, their hobbies or exercise is done near home to ensure they do it. They’d never dream of joining a gym an hour away, or going to photography lessons each week 40 minutes away. But modern jive dancers, and all those…
Dance shows vs entertainment – underdog voting
I love watching dance shows on tv. Unfortunately we’re limited to freeview, but whether it’s a pro or celebrity show, a reality show or documentary, then I’m watching it. My love of dance shows started with Come Dancing when I was a child. I was allowed to stay up and watch it, but mostly had…
The new trend – dancing nibbles
While I was away from dancing, a new trend emerged. Dancing nibbles. Providing food at dance nights, class and freestyles. My mind boggled at that. Obviously exercise makes you hungry. Well it does me. Usually. After playing sport I used to snack on ham or chicken and a glass of milk. But dancing doesn’t make…