BLOG
Read about all things Charleston
Stretch & Flex - What are the benefits?
Our guest blogger Eleanor O’Donnell talks us through her experience ‘Stretch & Flex‘ of our daily morning workouts and the benefits she felt through Lockdown and beyond.
Eleanor joining us via Zoom for our daily class
Eleanor O’Donnell, Our guest blogger, talks us through her experience of ‘Stretch & Flex‘ our daily morning workouts and the benefits she felt through Lockdown and beyond.
Dance has always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember yet I have never really given the non-dancing aspects for improving my flexibility, technique etc. much thought; that was before I began Stretch and Flex with MyCharleston. Before I started, I thought that this form of exercise would involve lying passively on a yoga mat and doing the odd tree pose but now I know it is so much more than that!
When Lockdown 1.0 started in England in March 2020, my school started later as it was virtual which meant that I could participate in Stretch and Flex and incorporate it into my morning routine. These morning sessions on ZOOM became an integral part of my routine and gave me so much joy (which they still do to this very day).
Even though, as a nation, England does seem to be slowly emerging out of Lockdown 3.0, being a part of the Stretch and Flex community is still one of my favourite things to be a part of and they still remain the highlight of my day.
The first reason why I love participating in Stretch and Flex is the fact that my day begins with an element of socialisation which, along with an awesome selection of tunes, increases my motivation. Like many other individuals, motivation for me is never a factor that remains at a constant peak so being able to work out with other people really increases my motivation to do better and therefore gain further improvement. I also feel that these sessions provide me with a sense of purpose which really helps with regards to motivation too!
Another reason why I love participating in Stretch and Flex is because, unlike a monotonous fitness DVD, I am provided with the opportunity to improve my flexibility in a fun environment and work towards my long term goal of achieving the splits!
Eleanor and Fiona at Brighton Spiegeltent 2021.
Furthermore, as a female, I personally feel that mainstream media heavily focuses on the fitness and athletic abilities of men and, to some extent, uphold total disregard for female athleticism (unless the sportswear worn causes controversy due to the misogyny that is deeply ingrained within the sporting community). However, I do not feel this is the case when participating in Stretch and Flex because the overall aim of the sessions is to uphold an inclusive environment and empower all participants, however they identify, to push themselves to achieve their own personal goals with regards to their fitness and flexibility.
In addition to the reasons stated above, having the opportunity to build up a rapport with the class teacher and the other participants within the group heightens the sense of community which therefore boosts my mood, sense of morale and has an overall positive influence on my mental health which also improves body confidence- which can only be a good thing! Moreover, despite the fact that Stretch and Flex is an adult class and I joined when I was a teen- I never felt out of place due to the great relationships that have been formed.
In all, joining MyCharleston's Stretch and Flex has been one of the greatest decisions that I made over Lockdown and if you ever get the opportunity to join, then do it because I promise you, you will not regret it!
Thank you Elena and Fiona!
By Eleanor O’Donnell
Try Stretch and Flex for free! Try out one of our weekly workouts
Preview: In-Studio & Online Courses for September
face to face classes and online classes will be back from the 6th September.. 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 September. 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 6th September in Brighton & Hove, Lewes, Eastbourne, Worthing and Portsmouth. The online course is available via Zoom from 6th September. Our chosen routine is set to the famous 1920s song 'Happy Feet'.
BOOK NOW
MUSICALS COURSE: FAT SAM'S GRAND SLAM - BUGSY MALONE
Our Musicals routine this term is Fat Sam’s Grand Slam from Bugsy Malone. We currently have this 6 week course available to book in-studio in Brighton & Hove from 7th Sept and Eastbourne from 8th Sept.
BOOK NOW
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL - CHARLESTON COURSE
Our next intermediate Charleston & Solo Jazz course is set to the track ‘Why Don’t You Do Right’. This 6 week course starts 9th Sept 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
We also have a brand new Street Jazz course and the new routine video will be available shortly. This 6 week course will run from 9th Sept 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: 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