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.