I've just moved to the area and am looking to start some dance classes. I've danced a bit in the past (tap, Irish, Appalachian and clog dancing) so would like to start these again or alternatively something completely new. I don't particularly want to do exams - just somewhere to dance for my own pleasure. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I teach Hula Hoop Dance - not quite the same as other forms of dance but its definately different, keeps you fit and its lots of fun :)

Hillsborough Sports Arena
have just started Adult Street Dance Classes
Tuesday evenings 8-9pm
Junior Street Dance is Mondays 5-6pm
For more details contact Lauren 07853317002

www.hillsboroughsportsarena.co.uk

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure about street. I don't know if I could pull it off. My housemate fancies it though so maybe I'll come along with her.

Where/when etc are the hula dance classes?

hi i teach tap and line dancing at woodhouse a place called divas dance in the village
tap is on wed 6.30 -7.30 and line dancing is 7.30 - 8.30 both classes are suitable for beginers and people with more experiance its not a serious class just for fun and to keep fit and meet new people if you want more info feel free to give me a call on 07843491596 or you can call the dance school on 0114 2880300

Hula hoop classes are at Butterfly Studio, Unit 18 Gordon Works, Valley Road, Sheffield S8 9FT

Monday Evenings 7.15pm - 8pm
Thursday Evenings 7pm - 7.45pm
Saturday Mornings 10.30am - 11.15am

more info on my website www.seducedbycircus.co.uk

I recommend Modern Jive - a great way to get to know people as well, since it's a partner dance but you don't need to bring a partner. There are two major organisations running classes in Sheffield.

Blitz has classes at the Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Road, on Wednesdays and Thursdays (7.30pm till 10.30).

Ceroc classes are at the Davy Sports Centre on Prince of Wales Road on Tuesdays (same hours).

Blitz has the bigger venues and more dancers, but they both teach the same easy-to-learn style. Both are on the Web, so you can Google them to find out more about Modern Jive.

I am wondering if you know of a contact name and number for ceroc jive at the Davy Club? I assume that you don't need a partner and that beginners are catered for. I have been ballroom and Salsa dancing for eight years, but have never done Ceroc Jive.

Cheers

Tim

I don't know the contact details for the Ceroc organisers. You might be able to find them through the national Ceroc website. (Likewise, you can contact Blitz through their website.)

But you don't need to make any arrangements in advance - just turn up on the night and pay. You'll need to join Ceroc - a one-off payment gets you a lifetime card. I don't know how much it is but it's not extortionate - it was £5 when I joined six or seven years ago. I think you get in free for your first session when you buy the card. At Blitz you don't pay to join as they have no 'membership', you pay for your first session but get a voucher for free entry on your second night.

You don't need a partner, and beginners are catered for. The way the lessons work is that shortly after 7.30 the beginners' lesson starts. Everyone pairs off and the instructor takes you through the first move. Then you change partners and do it again. This ensures that everyone gets to practice the moves even if there's an imbalance between the sexes (there are generally more women than men, but not excessively so). Also, you do some of the moves with more experienced dancers who can help you with anything you haven't quite got, as well as other beginners.

There are normally four moves in the beginners' routine, which are linked together so that even on your first night you can dance all the way through a track. After that, there's about half an hour for freestyle dancing, then the second lesson.

The second lesson is of intermediate moves, which need some experience (most people move to the intermediate class after about six weeks). Blitz repeats the beginners' class in the bar while the intermediate class is going on - so do larger Ceroc venues but I don't know if they have enough people at Davy to do so. (Friends who dance there tell me that there are generally around 30 dancers at Davy. Blitz at Crookes usually have around 100 to 150. There is an average of about four to six ladies more than men moving around the lesson, so as I said earlier the imbalance isn't extreme.) After that, the freestyle continues until closing time at 10.30.

You get both classes and the freestyle for your money (£6 per night at Blitz, students & unemployed £5, don't know the current Ceroc rates but probably the same.)

In case you're wondering about bias here, I normally dance at Blitz. I am a Blitz jiver (that is, I am an unpaid volunteer who helps beginners - when I'm on duty I teach the beginners' class again in the bar during the intermediate lesson, and I spend the evening dancing with beginners to help them consolidate the lesson.) I'm also a member of Ceroc, but prefer Blitz because of the greater number of dancers and the cheaper drinks there. When travelling around the country, I've danced at Ceroc venues and other Modern Jive clubs - they all have the same style of dance so you can turn up somewhere you've never been before and instantly fit in.

Im opening a new dance school based in sheffield and cater for adults classes are for fun and enjoyment but if you want to progress onto exams and things there are other options open to you. If you want to pm me i can give you more details. thanks

Hi Jive Knight

Thanks for all the info. I was told to go to Crookes by some body else who goes there, but I am located at South Sheffied, so Davys Club is much better for me.

Cheers

Tim

I had a great night at the Davy Club Ceroc night. There were about sixty people there by the end of the night.

Cheers

Tim

unitedowls, you live in south sheffield?
theres some classes on woodseats, at the working mens club on the dale, that teach a mixture between salsa and jive, its called easy dance, basically the first hour or so is you learning the moves, then theres a freestyle for an hour or so where you ask/get asked to prcatice the dances, then theres an intermediate class or refreshers beginners class at the back then freestyle for the rest of the night, its a good laugh.

www.easydance.co.uk

I found the Ceroc Jive class at Davys perfect. It is only eight miles from where I live and there is a good balance of men and woman. It is also nice that the ladies ask you for a dance, as much as you ask them.

I love ballroom dancing, but without a reguilar partner my own age and build, it has become tough going. Therefore I am trying something different until I find the ideal partner, for ballroom dancing.

Cheers

Tim

Always happy to hear I've helped.

Easy Dance also teach the same style as Blitz and Ceroc - I know the organisers because they've also danced at Blitz. I didn't exclude them on purpose - it's just that I didn't think of them when replying to the original post because I haven't been to their venue.

There's also Northern Jive over in Doncaster and Barnsley, and Alive4Jive in Chesterfield, both recommended.

To start with Davy's club is the best location for me, but as I get more confident about the moves, I may try dancing further afield.

I wish ballroom dancing schools taught in the same way that Ceroc Jive was taught, by moving you onto a new partner as you learn each step, it would make the dance so much better socially. Even though I have been ballroom dancing for eight years, I only feel as though I am half of the way there. I am giving ballroom dancing a rest, until I meet a like minded partner, who has the same goals as me.

Cheers

Tim

Have a look at the different dance groups at the university - they're WAY cheaper than going to a dance school and you don't have to be a student to go to classes. There's generally a big range of ages there, not just students. I've been going to the salsa classes there and I'm really enjoying it, and it's only £1 a lesson once you've joined (£5 for the year)...better than the £7 a class some places charge!

I think £7 for a three hour period at Davys club for Ciroc Jive is fantastic value for money. Two three quarter of an hour training sessions, followed by 1/4 an hour free style. Finished off by a hour free style.

The people organising it have to at least break even and I begrudge nobody a honest living, if they are then making on other events and dance holidays they organise.

I think that one of the problems with this country, is that people want something for nothing and that is why it is in such a state.

Cheers

Tim

What about that city limits place?

I recommend Modern Jive - a great way to get to know people as well, since it's a partner dance but you don't need to bring a partner. There are two major organisations running classes in Sheffield.

Blitz has classes at the Crookes Social Club, Mulehouse Road, on Wednesdays and Thursdays (7.30pm till 10.30).

Ceroc classes are at the Davy Sports Centre on Prince of Wales Road on Tuesdays (same hours).

Blitz has the bigger venues and more dancers, but they both teach the same easy-to-learn style. Both are on the Web, so you can Google them to find out more about Modern Jive.

ooooh, Modern Jive.....like Ceroc??
I LOVED doing that in Australia. (went 4x a week) I'll definately look those up

I did try City limits for six months, but you have to dance with the same partner each lesson, which makes it difficult when it come to socialising. It is much better when you change partners throughout the lesson. I wrote to the owners about it, but they never replied to my letter.

Cheers

Tim