Modern Jive - fun on the dance floor

Sep 24 2009 by Gil Lightfoot, Chester Chronicle

Modern Jive - fun on the dance floor

Just a few lessons could have you twirling around the dance floor like your Strictly Come Dancing idols.

It seems that every time Strictly Come Dancing comes back on our screens the nation goes into fantasy mode.

Every year the sequin-spangled competition holds millions of us in its thrall as we follow the progress of the dancers – each of us silently wishing we could squeeze into the fairytale outfits and go gliding across the dance floor.

And as even our toughest sporting heroes show their dancing prowess, the nation’s men are tuning in – and turning up at dance classes.

“We always notice an increase in the number of beginners at our classes when Strictly comes back on,” says Steve Ledsham, holder of the Blitz modern jive franchise in Chester.

Steve has been running the modern jive sessions at Chester’s Guildhall, with his partner, dance instructor Paula Chaloner, since 2001.

“Modern jive is the easiest form of dance to learn,” says Paula. “Even the most un-cordinated dancer will find that after about six weeks of lessons they can get up and dance. It doesn’t have to be about getting to championship level it’s about learning how to dance, having fun and gaining confidence. That confidence can spill over into their personal lives and their work, which is wonderful.”

“We see people blossom,” says Steve. “Here we have dancers of all levels and abilities, of all ages. It’s a great mix of people. Apart from anything else it’s a great way to get fit. Going to the gym or going swimming can seem such an effort but dancing is great fun.”

Paula is a UK dance champion having picked up two medals in the Modern Jive National Championships held at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom . Steve also picked up a medal in the competition which attracted more than 1,000 dancers.

Paula, an organisational development manager in the HR department at M&S Money, is also an expert ballroom, Latin, rock’n’roll and West Coast Swing dancer – but modern jive is her first love.

“One of the great benefits is that you can dance to any genre of music whether it be chart, Latin or rock. The dance itself is a hybrid of different dances. It’s a blend of jive, salsa and swing.”

Since taking on the franchise, the couple have seen a steady growth in the number of dancers over the years – with an almost even match of men and women.

There are different instructors taking the twice-weekly classes, workshops for beginners and intermediate level dancers, experienced dancers available to help the beginners at classes and monthly party nights.

“It’s an incredibly social activity,” says Steve, a sales director at Moretons Dairies in Liverpool. “You can come on your own, or with friends, and never feel out of place.

“It doesn’t matter what standard you are at, or what age you are when you start – modern jive can be enjoyed by everyone. People looking at Strictly may think they could never get to that level but we say ‘Yes you can’. We have had people get to championship level in a year.”

The Blitz sessions are held on Monday and Tuesday evenings with beginner’s classes at 7.30pm and intermediate classes at 8.50pm. For further information, call Steve on 07812768033 or visit www.blitzjive.com.