Before the session a colleague told me I’d ‘be a hero a university’ because his friend learnt jive and was a hit with the ladies. Since I couldn’t even pull a cracker, I’d be able to put his theory to the test.
Moorhayes Community Centre was the location for my first lesson, with my only dancing experience being on stage with the Tiverton Junior Operatic Club, and bobbing up and down nervously in the nightclubs not knowing quite what to do.
Thinking it started at 7.15pm instead of 7.45pm I had the chance to talk with the organiser and jive instructor Phil Payne before the jivers got jiggy: “I’ve been teaching jive here in Moorhayes since February. To anyone who hasn’t done anything like this but wants a go, just come and try it. Like most things, if you want to do it, you’ll be able to with a bit of practice. I’ve learnt there’s no such thing as two left feet.
You know you’re in good hands when the teacher has won several being the National Aerials Champion, Southwest Best of the West and Leroc 2000 National double trouble awards.
When asked how many members the club has, Phil quickly pointed out that they don’t have membership as anyone can go and join in. There were a good number of people at the evening with about 20 all dancing together and learning new steps.
Jive demonstrator Elle Williams also helped get my feet moving in the right direction: “I like to think of myself as an all singingall and dancing person” she said
“It’s really fun to be able to help people here learn to dance and I do as much as possible.”
In the lesson we were taught The First Move and the Windmill which didn’t take too long to grasp, but putting dance moves together and getting the body going instead of looking like a broken down robot took more practice.
Everyone at the evening had a smile on their face despite some getting completely tied up in knots with each other. If you’re a newcomer and don’t know anyone there, it’s easy to settle and not be afraid to make mistakes as making errors is part of learning.
A combination of bravery, having a good time and being told I wasn’t that bad made me stay for the intermediate jiving.
After freestyle dancing and trying to get into an unusual position with Elle for a photo, the intermediate dancing began and it wasn’t long before my feet and hands were tangled up.
Anyone with an eye for performing should give this a go as there’s nothing to lose from doing it – apart from some excess bodyweight of course. There was a range of people from all ages there so you definitely won’t feel out of place. It’s surprising how much I enjoyed myself and I’d definitely go again – who knows, I may master the art of jiving and be that ‘hero’ at university!
Come along to Moorhayes Community Centre, on Lea Road at 7.45pm to get jiving. It’s £5 for over two hours of jiving and its well worth it.
