We Did it!

We did it! We have finished the final course of the year! Over the past 12 months we have had over 250 course attendees, taught 13 courses, made 6 films, done 3 live shows with our students, (not to mention the numerous shows Savoy Kicks have produced) taught several workshops and broken 1 Record Attempt! Roll on 2016 for another fantastic year!

Choreography By Numbers – When Cardens Met Charleston

When Cardens accountants contacted I Charleston Brighton to see if we could make them a corporate film we were a little surprised. We have made a lot of dance films but it had never occurred to us to take movement movies into the business world.

We had already worked with Managing Partner Barry Carden, when he competed in a Strictly-style dance competition in aid of the Rockinghorse chairty.  Barry had been a joy to work with and so we agreed to come and look at his offices to see if there was the potential to make a film.

I have to admit I had my doubts and was racking my brains to think of ways to get creative within an office workspace.  What I envisioned was strip lighting, carpet tiles and a lot of grey, I couldn’t have been more wrong; Cardens offices are in a Grade II-listed building dating back to the late 19th century. The refurbishment has clearly been a labour of love for Barry who has modernised the building in a way that is both sympathetic and bold. Original features such as the magnificent stairs and stunning stained glass windows remain authentic. On seeing them I was immediately devising dance sequence that would show off this fantastic staircase. As I wandered  and wondered through the building I could see so many possibilities and I knew we were onto a winner.

The next challenge was to teach the firm’s accountants how to dance the Charleston. We went to their offices on a Wednesday evening and again I felt some uncertainty as to how well it would work out. Amazingly the whole team got on board and although they were a little shy at first within an hour they were all dancing and enjoying the choreography. As you can imagine, counting the beats was no problem.

The actual day of filming was so much fun, the staff at Carden's embraced the ridiculous things we asked them to do.  From choreographed phone calls to rhythmically stapling paperwork, we took the workplace and interpreted everyday actions into playful movement sequences. The most fun scene we filmed involved the shortest person in the office Amber handing files to the tallest person, Barry, as the files piled up, she had to jump in order to reach the top and all this whilst dancing the Charleston.

The dance scenes and movement vignettes were edited together to create a short film of just under three minutes. I was really pleased with the final cut and the feedback from the team at Carden's has been great. The film captures how much fun we had that day and shows the fantastic building in a completely new light.  I’m so grateful to Barry for coming up with the idea and I really hope we can find similar projects to work on in the future.

Written by Fiona Ring Co-Founder I Charleston Brighton

I Charleston my Holiday

We are chuffed to bits to share with you our latest project: I Charleston My Holiday. Over the past few months, I Charleston Brighton students travelled across the globe sending us little dance postcards, to help bring together this fantastic sunny film.From the skyscapers of Hong Kong to the Grand Canal in Venice, over 25 dancers sent in clips of them dancing the long summer days away. Thank you so much to all the contributors to make this great film!

To show your support for our dancers and the video we would be delighted if you could share this on Facebook and or tweet it using our twitter handle @icharlestonbn.

Meet Savoy Kicks

I Charleston Brighton's very own performance troupe, The beautiful and damned great dancers, Savoy Kicks put a spin on some classic jazz moves. The Neo-Charleston dance troupe brings the fun and humour of Twenties Charleston back to life, combining authentic dance moves with contemporary aesthetics to create shows that will enthrall and entertain audiences. They’re greater than the Great Gatsby, brighter than the Bright Young Things and brimming with fun. So pour yourself a gin rickey and slide back for some high kicking, heel slapping, toe tapping entertainment.

Whether it be a 1920′s themed evening, a theatre performance, a local fundraiser, birthday party or you want a Hen Party with a difference, Savoy Kicks delivers tailored packages to fit your needs. For more information email hello@savoykicks.com or visit www.savoykicks.com

We are Record Breakers!

On the 18th July, I Charleston Brighton and a team of 60 local dancers took part  in the Charleston World Record Attempt which was part of the Bexhill Roaring 20’s Festival. I Charleston Brighton provided two workshops and a series of classes to get as many people from Brighton to take part, along with providing free transport to Bexhill. Savoy Kicks and the students also performed two sets on the dance stage during the festival.

The event took place at the De La Warr Pavilion and led to the record attempt being broken thanks to a total of 503 participants. Our students and performance troupe Savoy Kicks headlined on the main stage. To read the official article click here

Eurovision Dance Fever

Eurovision dance fever has taken Brighton by storm this week as we got together, along Brighton seafront, to show our support of the UK’s electro swing inspired entry for 60th year anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest!
Dressed in Union Jack colours and armed with flags from across the globe, 30 dancers from our various classes came together to make a two minute dance video to show their support for the entry.

Spring Showreel

In April, on a gorgeous sunny evening at Brighton Bandstand, our Charleston dancers got together for some heel flicking fun to make a great little showreel to showcase what they have been up to in class

Charleston Flashmob

There was plenty of swivel among the streets of Brighton last Christmas as 80 dancers appeared among a crowd of shoppers to perform the surprise routine outside the Theatre Royal on Thursday 11 December.

I Charleston Brighton and Exercise Move Dance worked together on this unique project to engage as many people in the local community with dance and to offer anyone the chance to be involved with the fun Charleston Flashmob.

The project was not only about promoting dance and fitness in East Sussex but it also raised money for the money for the charity Winston’s Wish.  I Charleston Brighton taught two large community workshops in Brighton and Hove to over 50 people, at Rox School of Dance and Marina Studios, in which all the profits were donated to the charity for bereaved children.

I Charleston Brighton also taught a 6 week course and run three free workshops to university and college students, with the help of Exercise Move Dance, to involve as many  young people as possible.

There were over 80 people who took partranging in age and the team was that the flashmob inspired people to continue dancing and even taking part in their next Charleston course.