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Read about all things Charleston
Videos: MyCharleston Speakeasy 2021
Thank you so much to everyone who came to our MyCharleston Speakeasy this month! It was amazing to finally run an event in person after 18 months and see so many people enjoying themselves. Big thank to our dancers, Ragtime Rascals, our live band - Sam and the Jazz Cats and the wonderful crew at Brighton Spigeltent. We’ve captured as much as the day as possible with our highlights video and the performances from the afternoon.
Thank you so much to everyone who came to our MyCharleston Speakeasy this month! It was amazing to finally run an event in person after 18 months and see so many people enjoying themselves. Big thank to our dancers, Ragtime Rascals, our live band - Sam and the Jazz Cats and the wonderful crew at Brighton Spiegeltent. We’ve captured as much as the day as possible with our highlights video and the performances from the afternoon.
Mein Herr - Cabaret Performance
Inspired by the Musical 'Cabaret', this routine was performed to live music and sung by the wonderful Gemma Roche at our Speakeasy this month.
The piece was devised by Elena but based on Bob Fosse original choreography from the 1972 film and originally taught by Elena via Zoom in our Musicals Class. This was a really special piece for us as it’s the first time we’ve ever had one of our dancers sing for us at the show! Well done to our wonderful performer Gemma, Nikki, Rachel and our band.
Smooth Sailing - Solo Jazz Routine
Choreographed by Fiona, this piece is set to Ella Fitzgerald’s scat tune ‘Smooth Sailing’. The choreography compliments her vocals whilst adding a percussive elements and a sassy dance style. This routine was originally taught via Zoom on our Intermediate Solo Jazz course earlier in the year.
Dancers: Fiona Ring, Jess Todd, Morgan Jones Gemma Roche, & Rachel Dixon
'Wham Re-Bop Boom Bam'
This upbeat routine is another one of our intermediate level routines which our dance troupe Ragtime Rascals learnt online and performed for us at the Spiegeltent. The routine was co-choreographed by Elena and Fiona.
Dancers: Fiona Ring, Jess Todd, Morgan Jones & Rachel Dixon
‘America’ - West Side Story routine
This iconic song from West Side Story is part of our the many courses we offer as part of our Musical courses. The choreography, devised by Fiona, was inspired by the original 1961 film and the contemporary choreographer Galen Hook. Performed by Nikki Birch, Gemma Roche and Fiona Ring.
Find out more about our adult Charleston adult dances classes
What's on This Summer: Online Courses!
Join us this summer where you can learn our Charleston and Solo Jazz Routine 'The Walkin Blues'. Over the course of 6 weeks you can learn this routine through a combination of pre-recorded lessons taught via Zoom and our bitesize tutorial videos which break down the moves step by step.
Join us this summer where you can learn our Charleston and Solo Jazz Routine 'The Walkin Blues'. Over the course of 6 weeks you can learn this routine through a combination of pre-recorded lessons taught via Zoom and our bitesize tutorial videos which break down the moves step by step.
How it works
Each week we will release one lesson for you to complete from the comfort of your own home. The first lesson will be available from 27th July and then released each Tuesday until 31st August. We will also check in with you once a week and offer any help.
“These lessons have been so much fun! I have been watching the recorded zoom lessons back at a time which suits me which has really helped around my schedule. Doing it this way I have still managed to successfully learn 2 Charleston dance routines which I hope become a great party trick in the post covid world!”
How to Join
The course is £35 You can pre-order and enrol now for the course through our website. Once you complete the course, you can submit a video for feedback from the team.
Take a peek at how our previous online group got on…
We're Hiring: Marketing and Communications Executive
We are currently looking for an ambitious and talented Marketing and Communications Executive to join our team on a temporary basis to cover a period of maternity leave. This diverse role includes website management, creating interesting and relevant content for our social media channels and e-marketing campaigns as well managing the paid advertising campaigns and writing editorial pieces. Alongside of the marketing, you will be assisting in the day-to-day administration of the company and reporting to the company directors. Video editing is advantageous however we can provide training to the right candidate.
Marketing and Communications Executive – Maternity Cover
Employer: MyCharleston, mycharlestondance.com
Location: Brighton/Work from home
Salary: £15 an hour – 16 hours a week
Role Starts September 2021- 9 Months with possible extension
Sector: Marketing /Administration/ Editorial
Level: Mid-Level
Attendance: Part-Time
Contract Type: Freelance contract to cover a period of maternity leave
About us
MyCharleston offer a range of dance products, which allows anyone to connect with the Charleston. From dance classes, online courses, events, performances, video projects and private bookings. Our experiences will lift your mood, help you get fit and teach you new skills whilst helping you make new friends in your local community. MyCharleston is ran by two female entrepreneurs, Fiona Ring and Elena Burslem, who have expanded their dance courses nationally into 6 cities across the South Coast. The pair also deliver online courses attracting students from across the world and have trained numerous teachers in the UK.
Job Description:
We are currently looking for an ambitious and talented Marketing and Communications Executive to join our team on a temporary basis to cover a period of maternity leave. This diverse role includes website management, creating interesting and relevant content for our social media channels and e-marketing campaigns as well managing the paid advertising campaigns and writing editorial pieces. Alongside of the marketing, you will be assisting in the day-to-day administration of the company and reporting to the company directors. Video editing is advantageous however we can provide training to the right candidate.
The role is ideal for anyone who has a genuine interest in the dance and media sector with a desire to work on a diverse range of projects. You’ll be working closely with the Company Director and learning about all aspects of a growing dance company. This is a maternity cover role for 9 months with the option to extension. We can offer a fantastic long-term opportunity for the right person, to grow and develop with our business.
Responsibilities:
• Website Management: Content writing, building new pages and tracking analytics
• Managing social media accounts: Creating and scheduling posts on all social media platforms. Accountable for the social audience and growth.
• Managing social media advertising campaigns for our courses and teacher training programmes
• Delivering E-Marketing campaigns through Mailchimp, Squarespace and MailMerge
• Writing editorial content for website blog and PR pieces.
• Office administration: Managing enquires, bookings, raising invoices and assisting the Company Director on day-to-day tasks including tracking sales figures and meeting targets.
• Editing and publishing videos with Adobe for our teaching programme and social media platforms
Profile required:
• Proven digital marketing experience
• Experience of campaign analysis and running paid advertising campaigns
• Good working knowledge: Squarespace, Mailchimp, Canva, Photoshop and MS Office
• An active interest in dance and a desire to support a small creative business
• Willingness to learn new techniques and skills
• Studied a relevant degree/apprenticeship
• Experience in video editing in Adobe - would be an advantage
How to apply
Please apply with CV and a covering letter highlighting relevant experience and tell us what you think you would bring to the role. Enquiries and applications should be directed to Elena Burslem, Managing Director, elena.burslem@mycharlestondance.com
Provisional Start Date: End of August/September 2021
This role is offered on part- time basis, with exact working patterns to be negotiated with the successful candidate. The role is offered on a fixed-term basis to cover a period of maternity leave. The anticipated term of the contract is a period of 9 months, from end of August/September 2021 to May 2022, or the earlier return of the postholder.
The role is a freelance contract, and you will work remotely from home but will be required to travel to Brighton on occasions for meetings. When working from home, you will need access to internet, a computer and telephone.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Charleston Shoes - What to choose?
From Han Christian Andersen’s Red Shoes to Cinderella’s glass slippers, dance shoes have often been imbued with magical qualities. So how important is it to get the right shoes when dancing the Charleston? Whilst in many dance forms just bare feet is fine, The Charleston really does require the right footwear.
From Han Christian Andersen’s Red Shoes to Cinderella’s glass slippers, dance shoes have often been imbued with magical qualities. So how important is it to get the right shoes when dancing the Charleston? Whilst in many dance forms just bare feet is fine, The Charleston really does require the right footwear.
The main reason shoes are so important in Charleston is so you can swivel the feet; the foot swivel is a defining characteristic of the Charleston style so non-grip shoes are a must. Back in the day dance floors were waxed and offered a lot of glide, modern dance floors and studios are smooth but not slippy. The dilemma then is getting shoes which offer some glide but not so much that you end up kissing the floor with your bum. Another thing to consider is how much support the shoes offer the foot, if you have weak ankles or collapsed foot arches you will need more supportive shoes.
So here is the low down on shoes we know and love and the pros and cons of each …
Greek Sandals – Cheap, light, strike a good balance between grip and slide. The down side is they don’t offer much support and they definitely aren’t outdoor shoes, so save them for the dance studio and you’ll perfect your swivel in no time.
Jazz Trainers – More on the grippy side but offer good support to the foot, super comfy and hardwearing.
Jazz Shoes – Light and good for swivel, again they offer limited support but one up on Greek sandals.
Toms – These fashion shoes are very popular in the Lindy Hop scene. They are a solid pair of shoes, good on swivel but the soles don’t offer great flexibility.
Character Shoes – A lot of dancer find a bit of heel is actually quite helpful. I’m a big fan of character shoes but would advise going to a dance shop and getting ones which are a really good fit, if the feet are in any way sliding within the shoes you will feel unstable.
Fashion Shoes – Well its luck of the draw but some of the best shoes people have showed up to class in have been bought in Charity Shops – Win! Often in the style of pumps or brogues the best ones tend to be made of softish leather and with leather soles which offer glide.
For a list of recommended shoes, take a look at our shopping list here: https://mycharlestondance.com/shoes
Happy Shoe Shopping!
Fiona
Preview: In-Studio & Online Courses for June
face to face classes and online classes will be back from the 14th June. Take a look at what routines we have in store for next term…
We are happy to confirm that our in-studio & online courses are back this June. We will running face to face classes in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne, Lewes, Worthing and Portsmouth. Plus we have online courses via Zoom available.
All 6 week courses now also include a pre-recorded online tutorial package which breaks down the course routines step by step to go along with your weekly sessions.
CHARLESTON COURSES: IN-STUDIO & ONLINE
In-studio Open Level 6 week Charleston courses start from the week commencing the 14th June in Brighton & Hove, Lewes, Eastbourne, Worthing and Portsmouth. The online course is available via Zoom from 15th June. Our chosen routine is set to the famous 1920s song 'The Charleston'.
BOOK NOW
MUSICALS COURSE: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG - ME OL'BAMBOO
Our Musicals routine this term is Me Ol'Bamboo from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. We currently have this 6 week course available to book in-studio in Brighton & Hove from 15th June and Eastbourne from 16th June.
BOOK NOW
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL - CHARLESTON COURSE
We've rechoreographed our Intermediate Charleston Tailspin for our new term. This 6 week course starts 17th June at 7pm in Hove. Perfect for those wanting a new challenge and ready to take their dancing to the next level.
STREET JAZZ WITH FIONA - FOREVER BE ROUTINE
We also have a brand new Street Jazz course to the song 'Forever Be' by The Chemical Brothers. This 6 week course will run from 17th June at 6pm in Hove.
BOOK NOW
If you have any questions, please just drop us a line at hello@mycharlstondance.com
We look forward to seeing you soon,
Elena & Fiona
MyCharleston
Videos: Spring Online Routines
Over our Spring term we had the pleasure of dancing with students all across the world who learnt our Charleston, Solo Jazz, Street Jazz and Musical Courses. Take a look at the final routines from our virtual studio!
Over our Spring term we had the pleasure of dancing with students all across the world who learnt our Charleston, Solo Jazz, Street Jazz and Musical Courses. Take a look at the final routines from our virtual studio!
Open Level Charleston Course - Shake That Thing Routine
Musicals Course - ‘Mein Herr’ Routine inspired by Cabaret
Solo Jazz Course - ‘Smooth Sailing’.
Video: Charleston Masterclass with Elena and Fiona
Last weekend we perfected our style and knowledge of the Charleston and explored the different variations of the basic Charleston step at our first Charleston Masterclass of the year
Last weekend we perfected our style and knowledge of the Charleston and explored the different variations of the basic Charleston step at our first Charleston Masterclass of the year. From Twenties Charleston through to the Thirties variation we explored how to stylise the steps and dance them with gusto.
Thanks so much to everyone who joined us!
In-Studio & Online Courses Now Live for June!
We are chuffed to confirm that our in-studio & online courses are back this June. We will running face to face classes in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne, Lewes, Worthing and Portsmouth. Plus we have online courses via Zoom available.
We are chuffed to confirm that our in-studio & online courses are back this June. We will running face to face classes in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne, Lewes, Worthing and Portsmouth. Plus we have online courses via Zoom available.
All 6 week courses now also include a pre-recorded online tutorial package which breaks down the course routines step by step to go along with your weekly sessions.
CHARLESTON COURSES: IN-STUDIO & ONLINE
In-studio Open Level 6 week Charleston courses start from the week commencing the 14th June in Brighton & Hove, Lewes, Eastbourne, Worthing and Portsmouth. The online course is available via Zoom from 15th June. Our chosen routine is set to the famous 1920s song 'The Charleston'.
BOOK NOW
MUSICALS COURSE: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG - ME OL'BAMBOO
Our Musicals routine this term is Me Ol'Bamboo from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. We currently have this 6 week course available to book in-studio in Brighton & Hove from 15th June and Eastbourne from 16th June.
BOOK NOW
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL - CHARLESTON COURSE
We've rechoreographed our Intermediate Charleston Tailspin for our new term. The full video will be ready within the next week. Here is a clip from back in 2018 to give you a little clue of what's in store. This 6 week course starts 17th June at 7pm in Hove.
STREET JAZZ WITH FIONA - FOREVER BE ROUTINE
We are also in the process of creating our new Street Jazz course to the song 'Forever Be' by The Chemical Brothers. This 6 week course will run from 17th June at 6pm in Hove.
BOOK NOW
If you have any questions, please just drop us a line at hello@mycharlstondance.com
We look forward to seeing you soon,
Elena & Fiona
MyCharleston
Videos: What's on This April
We are delighted to share our four new online courses which are coming up this April. All online 6 week courses include additonal step by step video tutorials of the routines and recordings of the Zoom lessons if you miss a class.
We are delighted to share our four new online courses which are coming up this April. All online 6 week courses include additonal step by step video tutorials of the routines and recordings of the Zoom lessons if you miss a class.
CHARLESTON COURSES: TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
We have a brand new Open Level Charleston course set to the jazz track 'Be My Guest' which is available to join twice a week.
Dates and times are: 20 April - 25 May, 6pm and 21 April – 26 May, 7pm. You can attend either of these two courses (the content is the same) or attend both of them without paying extra – two for the price of one!
BOOK NOW
MUSICALS COURSE: AMERICA- WESTWIDE STORY
Our new Musicals routine this term is America from Westside Story. We are in the process of filming this routine but here is a snippet from rehearsals. Next 6 week course starts 20 April - 25 May at 7pm with Fiona.
BOLLYWOOD WITH FIONA - JAI HO ROUTINE
Following the popularity of our Jai Ho party, Fiona has developed this routine into a 6 week course where she has combined classic Bollywood and Street Jazz steps to create this upbeat and joyful dance. Course runs from 22 April - 27 May at 6pm.
BOOK NOW
SOLO JAZZ & CHARLESTON - INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
We've been at the studio filming next terms routines and super chuffed to share our intermediate routine 'Wham Be-Bop Boom Bam!' The last time we taught this was back in 2018 so we have given the routine a refresh, ready to bring it back after Easter! This 6 week course starts 22 April - 27 May at 7pm.
See you In the virtual classroom!
Elena and Fiona
Charleston Dancing in the Park
A great way to dance and reconnect with our wonderful community. The dance will be £5 with 45 mins of Charleston dance session with Elena and Fiona
Join us for a fun dance in the park on 25 April at Queens Park, Brighton at 2pm.
A great way to dance and reconnect with our wonderful community. The dance will be £5 with 45 mins of Charleston dance session with Elena and Fiona
We’ll be running the event based on the governments advice on group activities which says “outdoor sport and physical activity events can go ahead in numbers of up to 30 people”.
Here’s a few things to remember:
- Please book your space using the link below so we know who’s coming
- Don’t forget your trusty hand gel
- Remember to keep a safe distance - we’ll have plenty of space in the park!
- Bring a water bottle and some shoes you can dance with on grass
- If you’ve booked and are not feeling well, stay home and stay safe
If you would like to attend please add your name to the list here:
https://forms.gle/5iA3HCG6SL8USNj86