2 Weeks until the Charleston World Record Attempt

Citizens of East Sussex, it is time to reclaim our Charleston World Record Title! Join Rachel at Bird Studios who for the next 2 Wednesdays 13 and July at will be teaching the World Record Attempt routine in time for the big day on the 23 July. You can also join Fiona at workshops in Eastbourne and Brighton on the 16 July. Pick your workshop here

Video: I Charleston Brighton Speakeasy

We are delighted to share with you this great montage from the I Charleston Brighton Speakeasy by Jimmy Dean. If you have any clips or footage to share with us please send it over to us!https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ew6sA4KV-UY

I Charleston Brighton Speakeasy raises over £250 for MindOut Charity.

The I Charleston Brighton Speakeasy was a roaring success on the opening weekend of the Brighton Fringe.  Participants were swivelling and sliding across the dance floor at the Brighton Spigeltent and after three hours of dancing the crowd delighted onlookers as they burst out the tent to sing and dance around the Old Steine fountain.

The Charleston speakeasy was the brainchild of Creative Directors Elena Collins and Fiona Ring. They wanted to create a dance focused event with an emphasis on participation. Despite a jam packed programme which included dance workshops, performances, live music and dance contests the afternoon flowed seamlessly through each event.  

This was a classic speakeasy with a modern twist; DJ Basschimp adding a dash of electro-swing while The Soultastics played twenties jazz classics with their six-piece band. Not only was there a public dance-off and performances from professional Charleston troupe Savoy Kicks, the audience also crowned this year’s Strictly Charleston Champion. 

Three local businesses, Pretty Eccentric, Simon Carter and Open Space Studios, braved the dance floor to compete to win votes from the audience to raise money for the charity of their choice. Andrew Wieczorek representing Simon Carter was crowned the 2016 winner and donated all proceeds to the Brighton LGBT charity, MindOut.

Andrew, who is Store Manager of the Brighton branch of Simon Carter, said ‘'I am absolutely thrilled to have been a part of the event and delighted that through the audiences generosity we have managed to raise over £200 for a great cause ’’.

I Charleston Brighton run local dance classes and events. The team will next be taking on the world record attempt for the largest Charleston dance at the Bexhill Roaring 20’s Festival on the 23 July. To find out how to get involved visit www.dancebrightonandhove.com

To watch Andy's Charleston story, click here

Strictly Charleston: Open Space Studios

Last but by no means least, we are delighted to showcase our final competitor for the Strictly Charleston Competition taking place this weekend at the I Charleston Brighton Speakeasy! Meet Barish from Open Space Studios who will be dancing to raise money for Winston's Wish!

Strictly Charleston: Simon Carter

With less than a week to go until the I Charleston Brighton Speakeasy, it's time to meet our second competitor in the Strictly Charleston Competition. Meet Andy from Simon Carter who is competing to raise money for MindOut.

Strictly Charleston: Pretty Eccentric

Did you know we have three local businesses taking part in the Strictly Charleston Competition at I Charleston Brighton Speakeasy to raise money for charity? Firstly meet Kelly who is representing Pretty Eccentric

Join us at the I Charleston Brighton Speakeasy

Pull on your spats and tassels and learn to Charleston like it’s 1929. The I Charleston girls will guide you through the A-Z of twenties dance moves with workshops, performances and contests. With a twist of jazz and a dash of electro-swing from The Soultastics and DJ Basschimp, this is a classic speakeasy with a modern twist.

A century since it put the jazziest styles into the jazz age, the Charleston moves are back with a hip twist. In fact with an anything-you-can-twist twist. It’s energetic and energising, with music to match.

This speakeasy will take you back to a time when everyone was doing the Charleston. This zany, energetic dance will soon have your legs swiveling and sliding across the dance floor. Once you’ve mastered the moves in our taster workshops, you can take part in the cheeky Charleston dance-off, with a fab prize for the winner.

Once you are all danced-out grab a cocktail from the bar and be entertained by Brighton’s very own Savoy Kicks. These six feisty flappers are greater than The Great Gatsby, brighter than The Bright Young Things and brimming with fun.

You will also get the chance to crown the Strictly Charleston Champion, as three local businesses, Pretty Eccentric, Simon Carter and Open Space Studios, brave the dance floor competing to win your votes and be chosen as this year’s winner.

So get ready to don your pearls and braces and step back in time into the I Charleston Brighton Speakeasy for an afternoon of pulsating jazz and decadent dance.

Click here to book tickers: https://www.brightonfringe.org/box-office/shows/view/i-charleston-brighton-speakeasy

Dancing for Sports Relief

I Charleston Brighton got involved with Sports Relief with the Beginners, Improvers and Baby Charleston groups all performing at Preston Park, Brighton on March 20, 2016. Big thanks to all the groups who gave their time for free to perform for a great cause.

We are Performing At Sports Relief

The I Charleston Brighton students will be performing on the 20 March at Sports Relief. Head down to Preston Park to catch us on stage at 11.20 am!

I Charleston Brighton in Action

Do you want to see what two years worth of classes looks like condensed down to one minute? Well here goes... See if you can spot yourself!