About the dances we teach
LeRoc
1978 saw the introduction of this versatile dance into the UK, and has since become probably the most popular partner dance since rock 'n' roll in the 50s. Le Roc is most comfortable at music speeds of between around 120 - 150 b.p.m. (beats per minute), which makes the dance adaptable to a wide range of music from disco to medium paced Rock & Roll - in fact most music you would be likely to hear at your average party!
50s Jive (Rock & Roll)
All the moves of original rock 'n' roll and many, many more! Based on six and eight beat steps and double-time footwork, this dance is suitable for fast paced music, 170 b.p.m. and above, i.e. all your old favorites – Rock Around the Clock, and loads more you've probably forgotten!
West Coast Swing
With loads of fancy moves and flashy footwork, this popular dance from the West Coast of America will put you on cloud nine! Smooth and sophisticated. West Coast Swing is danced in a slot, in six and eight beat patterns with single, double and triple time footwork. Suitable for slower paced music around the 115 - 140 b.p.m. mark, such as R&B, Disco and Swing.
Cuban Salsa & Rueda de Casino
A modern hybrid based on Cuban Son and Mambo. If you like sexy Latin rhythms and wiggling your hips (if you don't, you soon will if you join our Salsa class), men Salsa is for you. At first glance, the dance looks like a fast Rumba or Cha Cha, and in fact they are all much the same, but Salsa is livelier and has more moves then the rest put together. Salsa is great therapy, and it won’t be long before doctors are recommending it! Rueda de Casino is a fun part of the evening where participants for a circle with a partner and dance the moves called out by the ‘Caller’. Some moves are designed to change partners during the move.
Social Ballroom and Latin
All the popular Ballroom dances from Social Foxtrot to Waltz, but with emphasis on teaching the man to lead and the lady to follow (as opposed to blindly following memorized routines). The Latin we teach is based on the Cuban and American styles, which have more of a Latin feel then the English system, and many different novel moves.
Mambo
The grand-farther of Salsa, Rumba, and Cha Cha, Mambo was introduced to America around the time of the big bands during the 40s. At first glance, the dance looks rather like Salsa, but the moves are bigger (a bit like those danced in Lindy Hop), and based more on established figures. Anyone who dances good Mambo, will dance beautiful Salsa, since Mambo makes you pay attention to technique and footwork.
Triple Mambo
Mambo danced in triple time (a triple hip wiggle or foot movement on beats 2 & 3) to slower music. This is a beautiful dance, and can be danced to disco music, or slower Latin rhythms. Cha Cha is the direct descendant of Triple Mambo.
Other Dances
We also teach dances such as Viennese Waltz, Lambada, etc. privately, or at our Saturday Workshops.