BEGINNERS

Ever joined a beginner’s class only to find that every other ‘beginner’ is on week sixteen?

Well that doesn’t happen at a Jive Nite.

We have absolute beginners every night and classes always cover the very basics so you will never feel like the odd one out.

Our lessons are geared to ensure that after just one session you will be dancing with a confidence you never thought possible. The beginner’s class starts at 7.30 so if it is your first time make sure you don’t miss the start. Of course, many people who have been dancing for a considerable time will come to the so-called beginner’s classes to brush up on technique and improve their posture and style.

The beginner’s class starts at 7.30 and runs through until 8.15. For the more experienced dancer the Cool 'n' Confident workshop starts at 8.30 and runs through until 9.00 p.m. Then, its two hours of freestyle from 9.00 until 11.00 p.m.

But don’t think the night ends there. There will be other classes and loads of freestyle sessions all evening so you are guaranteed a fantastic night out.

What do I need to wear?

The great thing about jive is you don’t need any special clothes. As you might suspect though, you won’t need a jumper or any other clothing that will make you hot for that matter.

Guys tend to wear jeans or casual trousers with either a t-shirt or similar.

Girls can choose skirts or trousers, but try and choose things that are comfortable and won’t restrict your movements.

Personal hygiene

One thing that does need careful consideration is the issue of personal hygiene.

I’m sure you don’t want to be dancing with someone with bad breath and smelly armpits, so please take some time out before you leave the house to attend to these important issues.

Remember, Jive Nites are a great opportunity to meet lots of new people so you are bound to want to make a good first impression.

What about shoes?

There is no particular style of footwear that you absolutely must adhere to, but having a light shoe that enables you to turn and spin easily is an important factor.

A leather-soled shoe is usually best for this and it goes without saying that girls should avoid high-heeled shoes unless they are used to dancing in them.

Once you have been a few times and got the dance bug, there’s a good chance that you will want to invest in a proper pair of jive shoes. Most regular dancers tend to opt for a trainer/sneaker that at first glance doesn’t look much different to the trainers you already own. The difference is that dance trainers allow you to turn and spin freely whereas conventional trainers are designed to stop you slipping altogether.

You will find it very difficult to dance in many conventional trainers for this reason alone.

Proper dance shoes are light, give you vital support in the key areas, and enable you to turn and spin with ease.

There is a link on this web site to a local company that specialises in dance shoes and they will be able to advise you on the many different styles available. You can expect to pay around £50 for a good pair of dance shoes. It’s a good investment if you are going to be serious about dancing.

Don’t have a partner?

Good, most people don’t. In fact the vast majority of people who come to Jive Nites come on their own. You will get to dance with lots of different people every night and we constantly rotate the classes round so everyone gets to have a good time.

In the freestyle sessions the etiquette is that you can ask anyone for a dance and it is considered impolite to refuse.

After all, each dance only lasts three to four minutes so why would anyone say no?

Private Lessons 

Here at Jivenites we also recognise that sometimes a whole class teaching session just isn't enough. 

You may have the desire to learn something very specific.  

Perhaps you would like to learn more dips and drops, close moves, more advanced moves, blues, or even a full-choreographed routine – maybe for your wedding dance! 

Then this might be the time to consider private lessons. These can be taught individually or as a couple and are tailored to meet your needs. 

You can contact me on sara.white@jivenites.co.uk or ring on 07921 633650 to find out how we can help.