Quote:
Originally posted by Lolly
Hi,
So I am thinking about coming along to the dance classes but in order to do so I have to give up my gym memebr as it is wasting money and to be honest I have lost all interest and motivation.
I want to do something that will keep me fit and in shape but that is fun and non scary!!
I am a quietly confident person. it just takes me time to get to be myself,
Encouragement, encouragement I need encouragement!
Do you think I should join, if so what do I need for my first class, dress code, shoes etc?
Help
Lol x |
Here is a bit that my friend John wrote. He's a great writer and a keen dancer down here in Brighton. It is a bit long but it seems to cover everything you asked and more!
Guide for Beginners
Janet and Jim arrive at the venue. Janet had joined her local gym but lacked the motivation to go as it was so boring. Jim has seen a couple doing modern Jive at a company dance and was so impressed he wants to learn. Both are very nervous. The venue Manager greets them and, after filling in a membership form, divests them of some hard earned cash. They both take a seat and try to melt into the background. On the dancefloor, some experienced dancers are warming up/clowning around/showing off! Janet wonders how people can dance that close, whilst Jim wonders how that chap didnt get his face slapped!
Other people arrive and the venue starts to fill up. Janet and Jim fall into conversation with people sitting nearby and feel more comfortable. Then, the dance instructor takes to the stage and asks people to pair up. They both take that all important first step onto the dancefloor to be met by a scene of confusion as people mill around grabbing a partner. Feeling a bit shy, Janet and Jim dont do any grabbing but find themselves grabbed by others. The confusion dies down as couples form up and Janet finds herself staring into the eyes of a serial killer! Fortunately, she had mis-read the chaps expression as he quickly explains that its his first night too and Janet realises that he is as nervous as she is. Jim has fared better and is partnered with the woman of his dreams, but his cheesy chat-up lines remain unspoken because the class has started.
The instructor demonstrates the dance routine and both Janet and Jim are appalled at how difficult it looks. The instructor then goes on to say that the routine is broken down into four individual moves, the first one being....
Slowly, the class is coaxed through the move. Jim finds that its not as difficult as it looked and his confidence grows. For Janet however, it has all gone pear-shaped. She looks to her partner for help but feels like crying as, equally baffled, he scratches his head. Then the instructor says, "And move one Gentleman on please". Janet finds her partner has changed into a confident looking chap with "Crew" written on his shirt. "Having trouble?" he asks and Janet finds the complexities of the move unravel as the crew member steers her through it. Meanwhile Jim has been prised away from the woman of his dreams and now finds himself facing a new partner. The instructor begins calling out the instructions again and Jim is pleased that its actually going to plan.
Slowly, each move is taught, then tacked onto the next until the instructor has taught all four moves. Both Janet and Jim find they have danced with several different partners and Janet is now facing her original partner who is looking less nervous now.
"Were going to go twice through then straight into freestyle", the instructor says. Again he calls out the sequence of instructions, the lights go down, the music goes up and they both find that they are actually dancing the routine that looked so daunting a short while ago.
The next 30 minutes pass quickly. Janet has been asked to dance several times and her initial nervousness has long since evaporated. Her favourite record is played and she finds that she is actually asking a man to dance and is pleased that he seems neither surprised or predatory. For Jim however, one of the wheels has come off and hes forgotten one of the moves. The music goes down, the lights go up and again the instructor takes to the stage.
There follows a series of Adverts as the instructor announces forthcoming events, such as a big dance night. Jim is interested to hear of a beginners workshop, which Fast-tracks the individual through many of the basic moves. They both learn that the Intermediate class is about to start and that, should they need it, a Consolidation class will also be taught simultaneously which repeats the moves taught earlier. Jim breathes a sigh of relief.
Afterwards, they both felt that the Consolidation class had been useful. Jim recovered his lost move and Janet was able to ask many questions about modern Jive.
Back in the main hall and the second Freestyle session has started. Jim asks Janet to dance, they look into each others eyes and well, thats another story!
Popular Questions
Q: Is there a really important move that I must learn?
A: Yes there is and its that first move you make out of the house and down to us! (Theres only so much telly you can watch right?)
Q: What happens then?
A: As outlined above The evening starts with a class that teaches entry level moves. You will change partners every few minutes so theres no need to bring your own. This class is usually of 45 minutes duration and is a lot of fun. This is followed by a freestyle session giving people a chance to practise what they have just learned. After this, an Intermediate class starts which teaches more progressive moves.
Q: What do I wear?
A: What you like! You will get hot and sweaty so take this into account. Perhaps were just surrounded by slobs but most people seem happy enough in jeans and tee-shirt. The ladies often take the opportunity to dress up a bit. Some people find it best to layer, as even the balmiest of summer evenings can appear chilly when leaving a venue.
Q: And shoes?
A: Ordinary trainers and shoes with a grippy sole will hinder your movements. A smooth soled shoe, or if you need all the help you can get, ask about specialist dance shoes and shop locations. For the ladies its an idea to wear something comfortable that will stay on your foot and support your ankle.
Q: I heard someone mention a dance workshop. Whats this?
A: An intensive class pitched at either beginner, intermediate or advanced moves. They are usually of four or five hours duration (With tea breaks!) for those who want to progress more quickly. Announcements will be made advertising these in the course of an evening.
Q: There are a lot of moves to learn. How do I remember them all?
A: Do you drive a car? Remember how awkward it felt at first? Now we do it without thinking. Its the same with dance. The moves will travel from the conscious to the subconscious. The first time you have a chat with your partner whilst dancing will demonstrate this. Thus the moves are consciously learnt and you will find that in time you initiate or react to moves without any conscious thought whatsoever.
Q: I want to learn but I'm scared. How do I deal with nerves?
A: Ya big wuss! Every single person you see at a dance class felt the same way at first and dont let them tell you any different! If its your first night and you dont feel nervous then youre dead from the neck up! Remember - you are just as good as anyone else in the room, you just havent been doing it as long. After a couple of visits that initial nervousness will wear off. A few familiar faces, the same old corny jokes from the instructor, it all helps you settle into a comfortable familiarity that you feel at ease with. So up and at em tiger!
Q: Some of the dancers are fantastic. Ill never be as good as that surely?
A: The eye is naturally drawn to excellence. The people you are talking about form a small percentage of those on the dance floor. Of these, some are life partners. Pull em apart and they cant dance for toffee! Others just happen to have a natural ability for dance, so feel free to join me in wishing a plague of boils and locusts on em. For most of us, the saying that practise makes perfect is not exactly true! However, practise does make better. Set your own goals and join the majority of us as we stumble and bump our way towards them. (I should reach mine just after my 147th birthday!)
Q: Yeah but...?
A: I think youre missing the point. By all means strive to improve, but dont forget to have fun, because fun is first and foremost what its all about.
Q: So what have I got to lose?
A: Lots of calories, Your inhibitions, Your last shreds of dignity, Need I say more?
Q: So what have I got to gain?
A: A new skill. Improved fitness and body tone. A whole new dimension to your personality. A new group of like-minded friends. Enjoy!
Etiquette
Personal Hygiene:- You will be dancing close and you will get sweaty but your partner ought to be spared the subtle aroma of last weeks sweat! Similarly, if like me, youre a chain-smoker, then feel free to avail yourself of the complimentary mints at the front desk before someone insists on it.
Asking and being asked to dance..
(Gents):- Remember manners maketh the man! We all know that a refusal often offends but dont throw a hissy fit. Ask someone else instead. Also, if a Lady asks you to dance, then all she wants is a dance - you have not pulled!
(Ladies):- Ok so hes got the body of an Adonis, he dances like an demon and has the smouldering looks of a fallen Angel, but hes crawling off the dance floor on his hands and knees. Is now really the best time to ask me, I mean him?
Up close and personal/Wandering hands.. (Ladies):- One or two of the moves in modern Jive are best described as raunchy. Some chaps perform them without a wicked thought entering their minds - honest! If, however, you form the opinion that your partner doesnt seem to know any other moves, or that his hands seem to be straying into restricted areas (and hes not called John), remember you dont have to be there. Usually a withering look and a sharp riposte will do the trick or else step out of the move and abandon the dance. If you still have trouble with this sort of character then let one of the staff know.
Up close and personal/Wandering hands (Gents):- If you form the opinion that your partner etc etc, then please let one of the staff know!
And Finally
Thanks for reading through to the end. Hopefully, I will have answered any questions you may have had, but feel free to call us up if theres something you want to know that Ive not covered. Otherwise, trawl through the other websites that promise the warmest of welcomes, then drop in on us and experience one. Remember it all starts with that important first move.
Hope to see you soon, "John"