7 skills you will learn at our Partner Charleston workshop

On 26th October, Fiona will be teaching our Partner Charleston workshop where you will learn all the key moves that make up this style. Whether you’re coming on your own or with a friend you’ll walk away having learnt the following seven new skills:

1. The fundamentals - During the workshop there will be some key steps that you will master. These will include Charleston in hold with two types of frame, turns and spins for both Leads and Follows and how to travel together. We will teach you Call and Response moves as well as a short routine to bust out next time you hit the dancefloor.

2. How to lead and follow - Partner dancing requires awareness and clear communication; this is essential for the overall success of the dance. We will guide you through some simple techniques for the Lead and Follow including how to be ready for cues both visually and physically. 

3. How to use your frame - Frame is vital when you dance together. It’s how the dancers are connected and move as one. We will work on how to use it to signal to each other and the importance of your arms within your steps.

4. Picking and choosing your next step - If you are the Lead and commit to a turn, a walk or change of direction, you must be clear in your move so the Follow understands your decision. We will teach which steps connect well together and help you remember simple patterns for social dancing.

5. Dancing to various tempos - Finding your groove with the song and dancing to the beat of the track can be tricky when Charlestoning together. We will practice the footwork to different tempos and BPMs so you know what tempos suit your style. 

6. Improving your confidence on the dancefloor - Making an error, misreading a cue or improving your frame are as crucial as the steps themselves. We’ll cover how to make decisive steps so you feel confident in both a social setting and in a choreographed routine.

7. Using your Face - If you watch any duet on Strictly Come Dancing, the couples are always using their faces to communicate their next steps, even if it’s as subtle as just using their eyes. In the workshop, you will learn how to use expressions when moving across the dance floor. The Charleston is a playful dance so being able to pull silly faces at your partner is equally as important to what your feet are doing.

If you want to learn a new skill, master a fun dance or just fancy a different type of exercise you can book onto the workshop for 26th October, 2:30-5:30pm at Open Space Studios here. Best of all if you book as a pair you save 15%. £30 per person or £50 per pair.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Charleston dancing swivels its way over to Ryde

Our Charleston dance school which was recently accepted onto the UK’s largest free accelerator hub, Entrepreneurial Sparks, will be swivelling it’s way to Ryde from 19 Feb.

MyCharleston, led by myself Elena Collins and Fiona Ring, was set up as a passion project after we became hooked on Charleston dancing. After teaching sellout classes back in our hometown Brighton, we realised the demand for the dance was bigger than we initially thought. 

In just under 6 months, we have launched our business in 5 new cities focusing on getting all age groups kicking and flicking across the dance floor.  

“When we set this up we had no idea we’d be expanding over seas” laughs Fiona. “Things have been moving at a giddy pace since we joined the Entrepreneurial Sparks programme.  Elena now works full time on the business and we have expanded along the South Coast recently launching in my hometown of Portsmouth”.

Since then the classes have gone from strength to strength and the latest expansion for MyCharleston is to the Isle of White. ’’Its not international but it is a leap from the mainland and we think Charleston will be a big hit on the Island as the dance offers so much: It’s great fitness, very sociable and chance to have a lot of fun’’

Classes start on 19th Feb at the Ryde Academy at 8pm. to find out more about classes near you and other events run by MyCharleston go to www.mycharlestondance.com