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Read about all things Charleston
Helicopter: Charleston Move of the Week
The Helicopter is a Charleston dance move which creates the illusion that your leg turning in a way which looks impossible.
The Helicopter is a Charleston dance move which creates the illusion that your leg turning in a way which looks impossible.
The key to mastering this move is not to think ‘I will make a full rotation with my lower leg’. Instead think of it as a flick of the leg as if you are brushing something off your shoe. You put a lot of energy into the flick, then relax and let the inertia take you all the way around.
The standing foot should also swivel but you can build up to this. Keep the knees close together and make sure there is room for the flicking foot to pass behind the foot of the standing legs. You can then add arms, classic positions are 'stirring the pot' or flat palm making a circle.
Work on your posture so you are well balanced and the upper body looks relaxed.
Learn Opposites: Charleston Move of the week
This week we are looking at a simple Charleston move called Opposites. This is easy move which can be stylised in many ways.
This week we are looking at a simple Charleston move called Opposites. This is easy move which can be stylised in many ways.
In the basic motion comes from the knees where you push you hips forwards and back and swing your arms in opposition to your hips.
Once you have the motion of swinging forwards and back, you can also swing from side to side. Again, your arms swing in opposition to your hips.
The full movement is bringing together the forward and back and side motions in one seamless movement.
Once you have the basic step, you can add swivel to your feet to really exaggerate the move.
Learn Truckin': Charleston Move of the Week
Truckin is a move which dates back to the time when many of the waiters at The Savoy, in Harlem, were dancers hoping to get talent spotted. They would do this move while holding a tray which they would spin on one finger.
Truckin is a move which dates back to the time when many of the waiters at The Savoy, in Harlem, were dancers hoping to get talent spotted. They would do this move while holding a tray which they would spin on one finger.
This move reminds us a lot of the Hornpipe dance as the footwork and posture is strikingly similar. It involves 3 little hops or shunts on the same leg, then you wait on beat 4 before repeating the move on the other leg and with a slight change of direction. We used to call this move 'Naughty Sailor' because as you travel your raise one finger and wag it as if telling someone of. That explains the naughty bit, the sailor was because it reminds us of the hornpipe! This a high energy travel move full of character, so find a space and get Truckin'
Charleston Move of the week: Learn the Messaround
This move is an absolute favourite with us. It was made famous by the Ray Charles song The Messaround, it's a completely joyful and easy dance move to learn.
This move is an absolute favourite with us. It was made famous by the Ray Charles song The Mess Around, it's a completely joyful and easy dance move to learn.
You start by rotating the pelvis in a full circle, then add a little bounce of the heels which you can do half or double time.
Hands can be on the hips or our favourite is you place one hand on the belly, the other arm does a jazz hand as you bounce around.
We like to make the analogy that your jazz hand is waving goodbye to you bum! Our other favourite is that your like a jolly Father Christmas with his hands on his belly going ‘ho, ho, ho!’ This sounds the laugh and characterisation really gets you into this move.
This move is very useful when your busting your moves on the social dance floor. It's a great way to catch your breath and take a moment. So if in doubt mess about!
Our new merchandise
We are currently offering new merchandising which you can pre-order until the 24th January and it will be delivered to our classes for collection from 4th February.
We are currently offering new merchandising which you can pre-order until the 24th January and it will be delivered to our classes for collection from 4th February.
We are offering T-Shirts, Vest Tops, Tote & Shoe bags and even Hoodies.
The Tote Bags is 42 x 38cm with cotton handles and for the Shoe Bags, you could order a small on which is 25 x 30cm big or a medium on which is 20 x 45cm with a drawstring. In the small shoe bag fits one pair of shoes and the Tote and medium bags can hold two pairs of shoes or shoes with a dance kit and a bottle of water.
All bags cost £10.
Bags
T-Shirts
We are offering our T-Shirts for men and women, but our Vest Tops are currently only available for women. Both, the T-Shirts and the Vest Tops, cost £15.
Hoodies
we are now offering Hoodies, which cost £35.
For more information about the sizes and if you want to pre-order a product click on the link below.
Move of the Week: The Hitchhike
You will never be without a lift with the hitchhike move, a travelling step which uses the classic thumb signal for hitching a ride.
You will never be without a lift with the hitchhike move, a travelling step which uses the classic thumb signal for hitching a ride.
The footwork is a simple step behind, so your travelling backwards. Its good to start by stepping back and bouncing. You need have a small pulse in each step you take.
Once you are comfortable with the pulse, add the swivel to your footwork. Each time you step back lift the heels out and when you place the foot, bring the heels in to create the swivel motion.
Interestingly a few of our students said they learnt to swivel through practicing this move.
Once the feet are moving in the right direction you can add the arms. When you travel, the same arms as leg is moving. So when you bring you right foot back, lift your right arm over your shoulder. The arms are moving as if your wiping your back with a towel.
You can also stylise the move by gently tilting the head of each move.
Move of the Week: Learn the Skating Step
This week we are looking at skating, this move looks deceptively simple but there are a number of elements to the move.
This week we are looking at skating, this move looks deceptively simple but there are a number of elements to the move.
Break down each part: the twist, the weight change and leg hitch and the arms.
Once the elements come together this dance move has a sunny happy feel with a little bit of coquettish twist. When the pointy finger switches, this is a little light bulb moment so add some flavour with a little whoop or just a cheeky face.
If this doesn't come together instantly don't worry, practice it in parts as it's a beautiful feeling once you get it.
Meet our new team
With so many new classes and teachers joining our team in 2019, we have put together five 30 second snapshot interviews so you can get to know our new team!
With so many new classes and teachers joining our team in 2019, we have put together five 30 second snapshot interviews so you can get to know our new team!
Peter - Southampton
We are delighted to welcome Peter to our teaching team who will be taking on our Southampton course from 8th Jan. Peter is an experienced dancer who will be getting the whole city swivelling next year. If you would like to join him just visit www.mycharlestondance.com/southampton
Helen - Eastbourne
From the 9th Jan you will be able to take part in one of courses in Eastbourne and Helen will be flying the flag for us in our new home at Leaf Hall Arts Centre. If you want to put a swivel in your steps in the new year just visit www.mycharlestondance.com/eastbourne
Jess - Lewes
Please welcome to the Charleston teaching team - Jess! Based in Brighton, Jess will be teaching our Lewes course next term and getting you shaking ya thing! If you would like to find out more about Lewes just visit www.mycharlestondance.com/lewes
Natasha - Brighton
Meet Natasha who will be supporting our Brighton teaching team and taking on Brighton Thursday morning course for our January term. to book on with Natasha visit www.mycharlestondance.com/brighton
Gail - Shoreham
Our new Shoreham course with Gail is already over half full! This is a brand new course on 7th Jan so if you want to give it a whirl book early to avoid disappointment www.mycharlestondance.com/shoreham
Series one: Move of the week
For the past 12 weeks we have been sharing with you our Move of Week as this series has now come to a close we have complied all the videos so you can keep practising your favourite moves. The videos are in order of release date and include everything from a basic Charleston to more unusual moves like Spank the Baby! Have fun practising!
For the past 12 weeks we have been sharing with you our Move of Week as this series has now come to a close we have complied all the videos so you can keep practising your favourite moves. The videos are in order of release date and include everything from a basic Charleston to more unusual moves like Spank the Baby! Have fun practising!
The Charleston
Knocky Knees
Side to Side Variation
Flapper Walks
Squat Charleston
Apple Jacks
Shimmy
Charleston Kicks
Charleston Scarecrow
Bunny hops
Jazz Square
Spank the Baby
Tick Tocks
We have already started filming our next series of Move of Week but if you have any requests please leave a comment or drop us a message!
Dance Active 2018
Congratulations to our wonderful students who performed at Dance Active 2018. Here are both groups performances…
Congratulations to our wonderful students who performed at Dance Active 2018. Here are both groups performances:
Sing Sing Sing
Goody Goody
Take a peak at what’s happening in 2019