Charleston Classes are back this September!

If you want to try a new challenge, get fit, learn to dance and meet new people come along to our energetic Charleston courses starting on the 6th September of Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. To join book here: www.dancebrightonandhove.com/classes

#ThrowbackThursday

Here is an oldie for you, our lovely Peas and Rice Charleston Routine! Watch out for the Penny Farthing...

Firle Vintage fair

Well Done to our fabolous flappers who put a fantastic show at Firle Vintage Fair this weekend:

Wowing the crowds as always take a look at some of the fantastic tweets!

'Can't imagine any event that couldn't be improved by the fabulous @SavoyKicks. Great Flapper fun!' - @Cranbrook Iron

@SavoyKicks you were fab today @firlevintage. You've inspired my 3 year old daughter to take up the Charleston! - @GeorgieStClair 

@SavoyKicks  amazing! Thank you so much! And you ladies were incredible! - @lilMsVintage 

Brighton: Loud and Proud this weekend!

Didn't Brighton look beautiful during Pride at the weekend in the sunshine? To keep the party spirit going, here's our Eurovision Charleston video from last year in the Sun!

Keeping the rainy days at bay

It might be a rainy day today but here is a bit of sunshine for you all on #motivationmonday: Our lovely video of I Charleston my Holiday from last year where we compiled clips from our students dancing on their summer holiday. enjoy!

Bexhill sees 825 people do the Charleston at the same time - but it isn't quite a world record

Original article here by the Argus: 

ORGANISERS of an attempt to break the world record for the most Charleston dancers performing at the same time hope to have another crack at reclaiming the crown after going desperately close.

The Bexhill Roaring 20s Festival saw hundreds of people descend on the seaside town's De La Warr Pavilion on Saturday in a bid to win back a record set at the venue last year.

The gathering saw hundreds swinging their beads and shaking to the music as everyone got into the spirit of the dance.

They needed to beat a record of 975 dancers set in London last October but fell short by 150 people.

"We had 825 people involved," co-organiser Elena Collins told The Argus, "However, it was great atmosphere and everyone dressed up and got into the spirit of things.

"It's such a shame not to get the record, especially because there were at least a few hundred people watching.

"I'm pretty sure they are going to give it another go."

The event did beat its previous record from last year, which was 503 enthusiasts twirling and twisting together.

The latest attempt follows a swift rise in the popularity of the Charleston dance style and fashion of the 1920s, particularly prevalent in Brighton and Hove.

Miss Collins, 28, co-founded a dance group called I Charleston Brighton with Fiona Ring. The pair from Hove set it up to get more people involved in dancing and run workshops to hone their skills.

Miss Collins said: "There's definitely a momentum behind it. With the Charleston, it's a dance everyone can do and it's accessible for all ages. It's quite free-flowing and there's a lot of improvisation."

Bexhill Roaring 20s was organised by Roger Crouch who involved I Charleston Brighton as a co-organiser to engage people from Brighton and the surrounding areas.

Mr Crouch also enlisted Debonnaire Entertainment, who devised the routine for the attempt and ran workshops in the Bexhill area. He wanted to have two different dance organisations involved to make it "a true Sussex event".

Miss Collins added: "The organisers wanted to bring the title back to Bexhill and put it back on the map. We don't want London to steal the limelight. I think this has showcased the town and it's great for the local economy to have events like this."

As well as the world record attempt, the afternoon saw live music, air displays and dance performances from Savoy Kicks, the official performance troupe of I Charleston Brighton, as well as students of I Charleston Brighton.

Previous world records were set in Lithgow, Australia, in 2014 with 319 people and then in Bexhill with 503 people last summer. But London stole the record later in the year.

Since it was set, this was the second attempt to break it. The first was in Australia earlier this year.

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!