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Lyve Jive, is modern Jive, also known as -Le Roc, Ceroc, French Jive, etc
Every Club has it's own name, but basically we all teach Modern Jive!
But what is Modern Jive?
Now there are many theories on where exactly "modern jive" came from, but one of the most popular and plausible "short" versions is as follows.
Basically all "Jives" we now recognise have derived from the Latin high energy dance called Jive, which originally was in fast 6 beat timing. When westerners saw this they took to it immediately, and although there are still pure Latin Jivers out there, what we see now is an almalgamation of the various styles and influences put into it over the years. Other "splinter dances" such as Jitterbug, Swing, Rock N Roll, Lindy Hop etc etc can all trace their roots to Latin Jive.
Modern Jive is just the latest version of that Classic Jive, the popular theory is that the American GI's Took the Jitterbug etc with them during WW2 and introduced the French to it. Now the French being very pragmatic, realised that all the fancy footwork was difficult to master and so they simplified the footwork to the bare basics and also altered the timing to 4 Beats but kept all the other elements of the dance making it much easier to learn. An added side effect of the beat change was that it could now be danced to a far wider range of musical styles and tempos, which is one of the reasons it has become so popular today, since now you no longer have to be a Rock N Roller or Swing music enthusiast to do the Jive, you can dance it slow or fast, whatever fits your kind of music.
When danced fast it still looks like Rock N Roll or Jitterbug (depending on how you use your feet). But when danced slow, it looks more like a Blues type dance and has even been called the Modern Rumba (a more sensuous Latin dance and my personal favourite)
And so, with it's ease of learning and the many ways it can be danced, Modern Jive itself is now evolving before our very eyes and what we see today will gradually change as other influences and styles are incorporated into it.
So get your dancing shoes on, and who knows, YOU might just be one of those who adds something fresh and new to MODERN JIVE!!
But I can't dance!
None of us could to begin with. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve in a few short weeks.
I haven't got a partner!
Unlike other forms of dance, lots of people come along to Jive without a partner. We rotate partners so you'll dance with lots of different people and make new friends
What can I expect from the evening?
There will be a Beginner class where you will learn 4 moves. Every couple of minutes you will change partner as this gives you the opportunity to dance with more experienced dancers.
The Beginner class lasts 45mins.
We then play music for 15 mins so you can get your breath back and/or practise your moves.
Then there is an Intermediate class for 30mins where 3 more complicated and extended moves are taught. You an either watch this or if there are enough beginners we will hold a repeat beginner class.
After the lessons we dance until 10.30pm.
You are free to stay for part or the whole evening.
There is no set course, so you can easily miss a lesson. Although the more you practise the quicker you'll learn.
Do I need any special equipment or clothes?
You don't need any special clothing, but you will get warm so layers are practical.
As you gain experience you'll probably buy some special dance shoes but to begin with any smooth soled shoe will do. We don't recommend trainers as they have too much grip on the floor.
Where do Lyve Jive Teach?
Our Home venue is still the Broadbridge Heath Village Centre, Wickhurst Lane, Broadbridge Heath, just outside HORSHAM off The A24 in West Sussex.
And Now we are pleased to tell you that we hold classes in beautiful Bear River, just outside DIGBY Nova Scotia CANADA! See our separate page for Canada.
Lessons run to the same format in both countries with a beginners lesson, (which is also useful as a warm up or refresher for more experienced dancers). You need ABSOLUTELY NO EXPERIENCE for this lesson, it is designed to take you from street to feet, we really do mean beginner, so no need to feel nervous!
Our lessons are deliberately taught with the emphasis on fun! We teach in a relaxed informal way to put you at ease as quickly as possible and by the time you have finished laughing you will find you have completed the first half hour lesson with the minimum of nerves and guess what?
YOU WILL BE DANCING ON YOUR VERY FIRST NIGHT!!
That's right we guarantee you will be dancing on your very first night with us, (don't expect to be a Fred or Ginger on your first night though!)
There are no complicated weeks of preparation, no lengthy courses, and you don't need to pay for lessons in advance like other places. Simply turn up on the night
Then after your Beginners Lesson, there is half an hour of practice time when music with slower beats will be played to take some of the struggle to keep up out of the equation.
Then at 9pm the Improvers /intermediate lesson begins, this is designed to take you to the next stage, with a move or series of moves that are more difficult or taxing. You can join in or simply watch, depending on your confidence, it is YOUR choice and no one will pressure you in any way at any time!
After the Intermediate lesson, music will be played till 10.30pm. The great music will feature a huge variety of styles and tempos, deliberately chosen to stretch your skills, which gives you the much faster results and a greater mastery of Dance!
Canada
Doors open 7.45pm
Beginner Lesson 8pm (suitable for total beginner)
Intermediate Lesson 9pm
Music until 10.30pm
all for just £6
Thursdays
So tell me more. Who are Lyve Jive?
LYVE JIVE is Horshams Original Modern Jive club. Dave & Lyn are the original Teachers, but at the moment we're in Canada so the Club is in the able & experienced teaching hands of Stewart. Here's our story.....
We opened our doors formally as The Lyve Dance Company Limited in May 1996. And at the same time Officially Trademarked our custom designed "Jivers" Logo!
Before that we had been teaching at the same venue under the name of Lyn's Dance club and had also taught as guest teachers at other Jive organisations. So as you can see, we have been around the modern Jive scene for quite a while now and unlike most other Jive clubs out there, we are a Bone Fide UK Registered Limited Company.
Our dance roots go back even further than that, since before we had even heard of "Modern Jive" (introduced to us back then then as "coffee shop jive"). We had learnt the classics such as Ballroom Jive, Rock N Roll, etc, and hand in hand with those, we also had learnt the Waltz, Quickstep, Cha Cha and Rumba, to name but a few. Through that we both achieved Gold medal standard and beyond in Ballroom and Latin Dance, having been taught and then tested by the International Dance Teachers Association, or I,D,T,A.
Lyn and I met whilst Learning Ballroom and Latin, (which is one of the best things dancing has ever done for me, and maybe you could meet your future partner at dancing!)
Although we started to learn dance separately, the one thing we remember to this day, is the utter fear we felt taking that first and most important step into a room full of strangers that we both assumed were dancers far in advance of us.
We had a million thoughts go through our minds and not a lot of them were positive! It's during the first few lessons that most people will give up, as it all seems so hard and you keep making mistakes and you forget stuff and it's just too embarrassing to carry on. Then self doubts deter you from continuing...
BUT I URGE YOU TO STICK WITH IT!!
No matter how many left feet you have, you are entering a world that is unlike any you will have known before, with a social scene that spans the globe; since no matter where you are or what country you are in, Dancers are (by the very nature of their hobby) the most sociable and friendly people, plus you don't need to speak a foreign language to dance with someone!
We and our dancers have appeared by Request on UK TV, with ANT & DEC on their Saturday show "Slap Bang" also on the ITV "Life Swap" program. By personal invitation appeared on stage with and introduced by ALVIN STARDUST, it was for a charity fundraising event and Alvin and his Wife even took part in our class. If that's not enough, we have danced with the JOHN MILLER Band (Glenn Millers Nephew) at Military Dances and events and also with PERFIDIA, another Glenn Miller Tribute Band.
We have been regular teachers at some of the largst Jive gatherings in the UK, such as JIVETIME'S famous Jive Spree's and Jive Weekends. Held at Pontins Camber Sands, and at Butlins Holiday camp, in Bognor Regis, West Sussex UK. We heartly recommend that you go to these fantastic events to practise your Jive.
Along with this we have organised many other private Parties, Weddings and other functions, together with guest appearances at arts festivals and Dance seminars too Numerous to mention!
