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What is Modern Jive? |
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What is Modern Jive? Frequently asked questions |
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What's the history of Modern Jive |
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Modern Jive evolved in France after American Gi's brought the jitterbug to France during the war. In the UK 60's dance crazes like the Twist encouraged people to dance alone, without a partner and a whole generation forgot how to partner dance. But in France many people carried on jiving, adapting it to suit slow, heavy disco beats and smaller dance floors. The dance became relaxed, with less emphasis on what the feet were doing but with new and exciting moves. Modern Jive was discovered by British people holidaying in France, and was also admired being danced by London's French community. Specialised clubs in London such as LeRoc, Ceroc, and Cosmopolitan Jive began promoting the French style of jive. As the British embraced it, so they gave the moves their own custom made names like Wurlitzer, Octopus and Yoyo. The original moves are the basis of current Modern Jive but the dance is still growing. There are now hundreds of named moves which are found as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan and even Brazil. The dance is so verstaile that it can borrow ideas from other dance styles and adapt them to fit it. There is always something new to learn.
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What distinguishes Modern Jive from other dance styles? |
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It's a partner dance. The man leads and the lady follows. There is virtually no 'footwork' to learn. Style is up to the individual - no hard-and-fast rules about anything. It's characterised by communication to your partner by 'tension' in the arms. It's fun!
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How come it's not better known? |
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A good question! There is somewhere to dance Modern Jive every night of the week, every week of the year. There are weekday-night classes and Friday/Saturday freestyle dances in every part of the UK.
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What does it look like? |
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Here's a clip of 'typical' jive. It's not the cleverest or most flashy, it's a clip we chose because it's what You could be like if you take it up. |
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Is Modern Jive difficult? |
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It was created (in France originally) to be easy to learn - so no, it's not difficult
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Do I need a partner? |
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Absolutely not! Though many people do come as couples many do not. As we move people around during lessons it makes no difference when you are learning. Also most people dance with many others during the freestyle sessions so you are sure to get plenty of dances even if you come alone.
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Do I need to be fit? |
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Modern Jive is not highly energetic (you can always make it very energetic if you wish!). So, no, you don’t have to be fit to take it up - it can help get you fit though!
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What do I wear? |
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People all wear whatever they are comfortable in - some formal some casual. We're very relaxed J However you will need to avoid shoes that stick at all (no trainers!). For ladies sticky shoes will NOT work, for men they will make your feet/legs very tired.
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Are there exams and things like that? |
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Ooooh no! It's not that sort of dance style. We're very focused on FUN!
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Will I feel out of place? |
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Just mention to whoever is on the desk that you're new and they will tell you what's what and who's who. Everyone is very friendly so don't worry.
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I have two left feet - what do I do? |
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We only have problems with people who have three left feet J
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What sort of music do you play? |
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We play all sorts - really ALL sorts. It's a fairly even mixture of: Pop Swing Lounge Tango Rock n Roll Latin With occasional 'other' like Country & Western, Show-tunes, etc. |
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