New To Smooth Modern Jive?

Partner Dancing is Cool Again!

The original "Dirty Dancing", Smooth Jive, also called Modern Jive, is an easy and fun social dance that you can do at parties, weddings, etc. The basic footwork is simple with a weight change or step on every beat. This means you can dance modern jive if you can walk!

And you will learn your dancing from Andy McGregor - who recently appeared in an ITV remake of Dirty Dancing - you can't get better credentials than that!

Smooth Jive is very much a social dance, nobody is going to be testing you or asking you to take medal tests. It's a party dance for grown ups with dance events, called "Freestyles" most weekends. Here's a short video taken at a recent party at the Warren Ballroom.

Partner dancing lessons are cool again, thanks to programmes like Strictly Come Dancing. And here's your chance to truly find your feet at venues throughout Sussex, with lessons in Smooth Modern Jive - the easiest partner dance to learn. You will be part of a group of dancers of all levels and each beginners lesson will last about 30-40 minutes and be followed a continuation lesson after you've had time to practice. The lessons are suitable for individuals or couples and as partners rotate - you really don't need to bring a partner. You will also be able to practice your newly learnt moves during social "freestyle" dance sessions, which take place between and after the lessons

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Modern Jive beginners lessons have 3-4 moves of the 20 or so beginners moves and repeat moves every 3-8 lessons depending on the particular moves. Take a look at the beginners lesson plan "clock" to the right, each week we move one lesson anti-clockwise around the clock with each lesson suitable for a complete novice - the moves change, but they're all suitable for a complete novice. This means you can start any week and even miss a week as the moves will come around again in a few weeks.

You will be taught as part of a group by a highly trained professional dance teacher.

Freestyle/Social Dancing - After the beinners lesson there's a short freestyle where you can practice or get a drink and freshen up before the 30 minute continuation lesson and finally, "freestyle" social dancing til the end of the night. This "freestyle" session is very sociable. Everyone mingles and dances with everyone else. Nobody sits out for long as the culture of our nights is that it's OK to ask strangers for a dance or two. Beginners get asked just as much as esperienced dancers and nobody is a "wallflower". By the end of the night you'll have danced with everyone at some of our smaller classes with 30 or 40 people - at busy nights some people get asked to dance so much they will have done the equivalent exercise of walking a few miles! And you'll have made a LOT of new friends!

Availability: Classes (remember you can start at any week) are available in Findon on a Tuesday, Horsham on a Thursday or East Worthing on a Friday - visit the home page of this website for more information

Requirements: As this is an adult class dancers must be at least 14 years old to take part in the lessons. There are no height or weight restrictions, but you must be mobile to make the most of the moves. Please wear casual, cool and comfortable clothing and avoid trainers, boots, sandals and shoes with a grip sole. Remember, don't worry if you feel you have 'two left feet' - these classes are ideal for beginners - and the teachers and dance crew will be patient. Above all, it is fun!

Spectators and Facilities: Lessons are not suitable for spectators - you'll just have to take the plunge and have a go yourselves!

Start at Any Time: There's no course to join, just turn up and join in. You can even miss a week as lessons aren't progressive - you learn 3-4 new beginners moves each week and moves are repeated every 3-6 weeks.

From your very first lesson we teach you dance technique along with the interesting and fun dance moves.

One thing to consider when choosing your Modern Jive teacher is qualifications and insurance. Our teacher is former British Jive Champion, Andy McGregor. Andy is a qualified dance teacher with the UKA. Also, as a qualified dance teacher and successful dance competitor in his younger days, Andy is invited to Judge competitions and teach at venues and events around the UK and Europe - he's even been head judge, like Len Goodman and performed in front of thousands on the stage at the Albert Hall.