Quote:
Originally posted by Floyd
Sometimes, of course, it is simply used as shorthand, but the widespread incorrect use of the word 'Ceroc' has created a general perception that Ceroc is a dance. The truth is the Ceroc is just one of many organisations teaching a form of jive. A very successful organisation, but that is not the point. |
Hi Floyd, and welcome to the Forum.
The premise you raise, while interesting, is too limiting to do the subject proper credit.
Ceroc
is a dance in its own right. The moves and styles of music are clearly defined. It does however cover such a wide range of musical styles as well as dance styles, that you could also say that Ceroc was a form of Salsa, or a form of Swing, as well as a form of Jive...
Ceroc takes its inspiration from the French form of Jive, referred to as "Rock'n Roll" in France, often shortened to "le rock", as in "Tu sais danser le rock?".
French Rock'n Roll, as discussed in another thread is already very different from the British version(s) of Jive, but both took their inspiration from the American GIs during the second world war...
Ceroc is also an organization with a stated aim to promote dancing to as wide an audience as possible. It also provides the best training infrastructure for all Ceroc teachers and a network of support for all new and existing franchisees. Opening a new night in a new area is tough and can take a lot of time and effort. Ceroc, as an organization, has been very successful at opening in new areas of the UK and in the process, created a huge market and appetite for other dance styles.
This is where your premise: dance vs organization fails though. Ceroc is both, but ultimately, Ceroc is much more than either. Ceroc is a concept, whereby you could take complex dances / moves and simplify them to their essence, where footwork and musical style don't matter anymore.
Ceroc is (and hopefully will remain IMHO) a place where everyone is welcome, and where any style (or lack thereof) does not matter as long as the participants are having fun and enjoying their own dance with their partner!
Of course, Ceroc did not invent dancing, or most moves, but it did create a way of teaching the moves that made them accessible to anyone, whether they have 2 left feet or not.
In the light of the above, whether people choose to call the dance Ceroc or something else, does not really matter, but the reason they do (and the dictionary + a few recent novels agree) is that there is no other 'suitable' word for what is a new(ish) concept. Modern Jive / French Jive are more descriptions than names.
I hope the above helps (though I agree it's probably to long
)
Franck.
P.S. I agree about the overly long moves as well, eventhough, they serve a purpose as they offer ideas / variations that might not occur to the less experienced dancer.