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Read about all things Charleston
Videos: Watch our latest dance routines
We’ve been busy editing away all the routines from our new 2023 term which are now live. These routines has been taught to a 13 different groups across the UK, Holland, Italy plus our students across the globe on Zoom. You can view the Charleston Musicals & Street groups below.
Watch all the videos from our latest term! These routines have been taught to a 13 different groups and include our Charleston 'Minor Swing' routine, Musicals 'Singin in the Rain' course along side of our Jazz Routine 'Uptown Funk' and the 'Wham Re-Bop Boom Bam' number.
CHARLESTON - Minor Swing ROUTINE
BRIGHTON GROUP
HOVE GROUP - TUESDAY GROUP
HOVE - THURSDAY MORNING GROUP
EASTBOURNE gROUP
PORTSMOUTH GROUP
ONLINE GROUP VIA ZOOM
Lewes gROUP
WORTHING GROUP
iNTERMEDIATE GROUP
ALL I Do Is DREAM OF YOU - MUSICALS GROUP
Street Jazz Group ‘Uptown funk‘
Videos: What's on this February
If you fancy dancing with us this January you can take a peek at all the routines we will be teaching next term. Charleston to 'Be My Guest' or dance to 'Rich Man’s Frug' in our Sweet Charity musicals course. Learn our 'Lady Marmalade 'Street Jazz routine or 'Thrift Shop' Intermediate Charleston course.
Dance with us this February and take a look at all the routines we will be teaching next term. Charleston to 'Be My Guest' or dance to 'Rich Man’s Frug' in our Sweet Charity musicals course.
You can also learn our 'Lady Marmalade' Street Jazz routine or the 'Thrift Shop' dance in our Intermediate Charleston course. Secure your spot here.
CHARLESTON COURSE - Be MY GUEST
we are happy to confirm this is a brand new routine and choreography to the Jazz classic ‘Minor Swing‘.
BRIGHTON & HOVE LEWES WORTHING PORTSMOUTH ONLINE Eastbourne
Course Dates:
Brighton: Monday 20 Feb-27 March, 7.30 - 8.30pm, The Dance Space
Hove: Tuesday 21 Feb-28 March, 6-7pm, Open Space Studio
Hove: Thursday 23 Feb-30 March, 10.30 - 11.30am, Open Space Studio
Lewes: Tuesday 21 Feb-28 March, 6.30-7.30pm, The Body Workshop
Portsmouth: Tuesday 21 Feb-28 March, 7.30-8.30pm, CourtX
Eastbourne: Wednesday 22 Feb-29 March 6:30-7:30pm, Leaf Hall
Worthing: Wednesday 22 Feb-29 March 7-8pm, Dance House
Online: via Zoom. Monday 20 Feb-27 March, 6pm GMT
MUSICALS COURSE - Sweet Charity ‘Rich Man’s FRUG’
Fiona and Elena talk us through what's happening on our upcoming Musicals Course: Sweet Charity. On the course, the team will be teaching the iconic moves from Rich Man's Frug created by Bob Fosse.
HOVE ONLINE Portsmouth
Online: via Zoom. Monday 20 Feb-27 March, 7pm GMT
Hove: Tuesday 21 Feb-28 March, 7-8pm, Open Space Studio
Portsmouth: Tuesday 21 Feb-28 March, 6.30-7.30pm, CourtX
INTERMEDIATE CHARLESTON - Thrift Shop
On our next Intermediate Charleston course we'll be teaching a solo jazz classic - Thrift Shop- fun and a real joy to dance.
Hove: Thursday 23 Feb-30 March, 7-8pm Open Space Studio
BOOK NOW
STREET JAZZ - LADY MARMALADE
A brand new track set to the tune ‘Lady Marmalade‘ will be available this February and taught by Fiona at Open Space studios from 23 Feb at 6pm.
BOOK NOW
Hove: Thursday 23 Feb-30 March, 6-7pm Open Space Studio
Meet: Lindsey from MyCharleston Winchester
We are delighted to Welcome Lindsey our new teacher in Winchester! Her classes start tomorrow and you can read everything you need to know about Lindsey, what inspires her and new course.
We are delighted to Welcome Lindsey our new teacher in Winchester! Her classes start 5th Jan and you can read everything you need to know about Lindsey, what inspires her and new course.
“Beauty is something one feels rather than something one sees.” Mary Bagot-Stack
Mary’s innovation of group exercise to music was visionary in the 1920s when she founded the first classes available to people from all walks of life. The social change that happened as a result may be long forgotten as we now have access to a mind-boggling array of exercise classes, but this remains a favourite quote.
Lindsey - Our New Winchester Teacher
As a social dancer, I know that no photo or video can capture how I experience the dance, the atmosphere, the people, the music or the sheer joy of being in that moment where life is just movement and energy. Vivid, internal impressions are essential to lift us and sustain us in day-to-day living. What you looked like at the time is rarely representative because “Beauty is something one feels” and beauty is about being at your unfettered best.
Dance has always been a vehicle for transcending ordinary life and effecting change. For flappers in the 1920s the Charleston was an expression of rebellion; used to flout dress codes and re-write social rules, but dance brings about a shift in the life of each individual who experiments with it. Group exercise and dance classes allow anyone to step into a simple and happy state, and be around others who are energised.
Those who watch it will know the irresistible appeal of Strictly Come Dancing is that is shows us how amazing people can be given the right conditions, and our imagination goes along with them. The Charleston has become part of the show, not because it is familiar to the professional dancers, but because of the instantaneous recognition and delight that it brings to the audience. Very few dances are as much fun to watch as they are to do!
I love to teach adult dance classes and group exercise classes because there is an ageless part in every person that never changes and it is this part that responds. The inner dancer can only stagnate if it is not given an outlet, but it doesn’t alter from childhood to old age, and can be tapped into at any time with life-enhancing results.
It has been transformative for me to move into teaching group exercise and dance classes for adults, not only because of the physical benefits but because the effects are so much more than just movement when the mind and heart of everyone involved are alive.
I am genuinely delighted to be bringing Charleston classes to Winchester and it is my hope that the exuberance, humour and energy of this fabulous dance will provide some joy to both complete beginners and more experienced dancers in the local area.
Winter Term Dance Routines
We’ve been busy editing away all the routines from our Winter term classes which are now live . These routines has been taught to a 13 different groups across the UK, Holland, Italy plus our students across the globe on Zoom. You can view the Charleston Musicals & Street groups below.
We’ve been busy editing away all the routines from our Winter term classes which are now live. These routines has been taught to a 13 different groups across the UK, Holland, Italy plus our students across the globe on Zoom. You can view the Charleston Musicals & Street groups below.
CHARLESTON - Five Foot Two ROUTINE
BRIGHTON GROUP
HOVE - THURSDAY MORNING GROUP
PORTSMOUTH GROUP
ONLINE GROUP VIA ZOOM
WORTHING GROUP
EASTBOURNE gROUP
Lewes gROUP
HOVE GROUP - TUESDAY GROUP
iNTERMEDIATE GROUP
STREET JAZZ - WEAPON OF CHOICE
ALL THAT JAZZ - MUSICALS GROUP
Strictly The Best Charleston 2023
With the Strictly Final resulting in the recent crowning of Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal as winners of the 2022 Strictly Come Dancing Competition last weekend, what better time to look back on all of the iconic Charleston routines that have made this series great and discover the judges highest scoring routine. Can you guess who it is?
With the Strictly Final resulting in the recent crowning of Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal as winners of the 2022 Strictly Come Dancing Competition last weekend, what better time to look back on all of the iconic Charleston routines that have made this series great and discover the judges highest scoring routine. Can you guess who it is?
First up was Football Manager Tony Adams with his professional partner, Katya Jones who were the lowest scoring couple of the night after dancing their Charleston to ‘My Old Man’s a Dustman’ by Foster & Allen.
Tony Adams and Katya Jones:
Judges Scores: 4+6+6+6= 22
Our Score: 5
Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington
Next up, we have Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams and her partner, Kai Widdrington who danced the second Charleston of the night to the Jazzy tune, ‘Music! Music! Music! By Dorothy Provine.
Judges Scores: 4+6+6+6= 22
Our Score: 6
Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima
The following week was Movie Week, and we were treated to not one, but two Charlestons. Actress Kym Marsh and her professional partner Graziano Di Prima danced a Sweet Charity themed routine set to the tune, ‘If My Friends Could See me Now.’ Partners Tyler West and Dianne Buswell danced the second Charleston of the evening to ‘Flash, Bang, Wallop!’ by Tommy Steele from the 1963 Musical Comedy; Half a Sixpence.
Judges Scores: 9+10+10+9= 38
Our Score: 8
Blue Peter Presenter, Helen Skelton and Comedian Jayde Adams celebrated 100 years of the BBC with their professional partners with TV Show inspired Charleston routines. Up first, with their performance set in a replica of the Blue Peter Creation Station, we had Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez who danced to the Blue Peter Theme Tune. Following on from this, we then had Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer who paid tribute to the late icon Victoria Wood with their Charleston set to the tune, ‘The Ballad of Barry and Freda.’
Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez
Judges Scores: 6+7+7+8= 28
Our Score: 6
James Bye and Amy Dowden
Strictly Come Dancing’s spook-tacular Halloween Week featured a Bee-themed Charleston danced by Eastenders Actor James Bye and professional partner Amy Dowden to the song, ‘Bumble Bee’ by Lavern Baker. However, this routine was the last dance that the pair performed on the show as they were voted off in the dance-off.
Judges Scores: 6+7+7+7=27
Our Score: 6
Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin
We are now half-way through the competition, and it was Para-Olympic Swimmer Ellie Simmonds and Professional Partner Nikita Kuzmin’s turn to dance the Charleston. However, despite their routine set to the jazzy tune, ‘Too Darn Hot’ from the Musical Kiss Me Kate, being their highest scoring dance of the series, it was not enough to save them. As a result, Ellie and Nikita were the next couple to leave the competition.
Judges Scores: 7+9+8+9= 33
Our Score: 7
Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe
In the week before Blackpool, the competition standards were beginning to skyrocket as everyone wanted a chance to dance in the famous Ballroom. In a bid to earn their place, Comedian Ellie Taylor, and Professional Partner Johannes Radebe, opened the show with a Charleston set to the tune, ‘Friendship’ by Elaine Paige and Bernard Cribbins.
Judges Scores: 7+8+8+8= 31
Our Score: 8
Will Mellor and Nancy Xu
Next up, we had, Actor, Will Mellor and Professional Partner Nancy Xu take to the stage with their unconventional, yet innovative Charleston to, ‘Hush’ by Kula Shaker.
Judges Scores: 9+10+10+9= 38
Our Score: 9
Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu
Following on from this, Musical’s week then blessed our TV Screens, and we were treated to a jam-packed evening featuring some of the nation’s favourite musicals. In amongst all the pizazz, CBBC Star Molly Rainford and professional partner Carlos Gu opened the show with an awe-inspiring Charleston number to, ‘Hot Honey Rag’ from Chicago.
Judges Scores: 9+10+10+9= 38
Our Score: 10
Watch our Hot Honey Rag Charleston Routine here
Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
The final Charleston dances of the competition were danced by Wildlife Cameraman and Strictly Come Dancing 2022 Champion Hamza Yassin, and BBC Radio Star Fleur East. Up first, with their Scottish inspired performance, we had Hamza Yassin and professional Partner Jowita Przystal who danced to the iconic tune, ‘Pencil Full of Lead’ by Paolo Nutini. (Check out our Pencil Full of Lead Inspired Routines here). Following on from this, we then had Fleur East and Vito Coppola’s transport us to Naples with an unconventional, yet traditional Charleston set to the tune, ‘Tu Vuo’ Fa L’Americano’ by Fiorella.
Judges Scores: 9+10+10+10=39
Our Score: 10
There have been many wonderful Charleston routines throughout the 2022 series of Strictly Come Dancing, however, the Top Three Charlestons, in reference to the Judges scores, are the following:
1. Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal, Fleur East and Vito Coppola= 39
2. Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu, Will Mellor and Nancy Xu, Tyler West, and Dianne Buswell= 38
3. Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima= 35
Which Charleston routine was your favourite, and do you agree with the overall winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2022? We would love to hear your thoughts.
By: Eleanor O’Donnell
“Let’s Play Italian Swing”
On the 25th November MyCharleston Pordenone, based in the north-east of Italy and directed by MyCharleston teacher Samanta took part in an exciting show dedicated to the most famous songs of Italian swing. Samanta shares with us her story.
On the 25th November MyCharleston Pordenone, based in the north-east of Italy and directed by MyCharleston teacher Samanta took part in an exciting show dedicated to the most famous songs of Italian swing. Samanta shares with us her story.
I was very happy when the director of the “Fiati della Livenza Orchestra” called me and asked about the possibility of having some of us to dance to some old Italian hits.
It has been only a year since I started Charleston dance classes in Pordenone and I didn’t expect to have the chance to take part in such an interesting show. I’ve always loved dancing to live music even though I know it’s challenging. Live music gives you great energy and wonderful vibes but it’s also true that (especially if you are dancing in group) everything can change on the stage -tempo, accents, musician’s solos, etc. You must be ready to improvise! For example, we rehearsed to a version of the song “Baciami Piccina” (Kiss me Baby, a famous italian swing song) at a crazy tempo and then, fortunately, on the stage it was played a slower speed.
In my former career as a belly dancer I worked with different musicians and I knew what kind of problems I could encounter along the way. But MyCharleston Pordenone only opened in January 2022 and the orchestra called me in October! I contacted some of my students from my classes who had some performance experience. They were ready for the challenge!
In just two months we devised 6 different routines. Creating routines was not a problem at all. I feel that the creative process is the best part of my job. As we were short on time, routines had some repetition, followed the music and words and were easy to adapt when needed.
We met the orchestra just once to rehearse together and only on the day of the show we discovered the stage size. I was nervous about this because I knew that the theatre’s stage was quite big, but the orchestra consisted of 35 musicians.
The day of the show, when we arrived in the theatre, our biggest fear came true… we hadn’t enough room to dance, and we had to adjust all the routine just before the show!
Not everything was perfect, but we did it and everyone had a great time.
The singers and the orchestra’s director were happy to collaborate with us because a concert with dancers adds an extra sparkle and appeals to a wider audience. Making it fresher and more inspiring to young kids (some of them got out of the theatre dancing, bouncing and jumping). After the show everyone said: ‘We should do it again!”
Now we are back in the studio. MyCharleston Pordenone dance classes continue till 21st December and start again on 9th January 2023.
Whether you want to dance in the studio or on stage we are ready to Charleston together!
About Samanta
Samanta lives in Italy, near Venice and has taught oriental dance for almost 20 years. A few years go she discovered swing dance and fell in love with the Charleston. She has loved being taught the dance by Elena and Fiona and is now excited to offer dance classes to the people her area.
Strictly Review: Hamza Yassin & Jowita Przystal | Fleur East & Vito Coppola
With only a week to go until the Final of the Competition, last Sunday we were treated to not one, but two Charleston routines on Strictly Come Dancing! Both dances received high praise from both the audience and the judges; but which was your favourite? Hamza Yassin & Jowita Przystal or Fleur East & Vito Coppola?
With only a week to go until the Final of the Competition, last Sunday we were treated to not one, but two Charleston routines! Both dances received high praise from both the audience and the judges; but which was your favourite? Hamza Yassin & Jowita Przystal or Fleur East & Vito Coppola?
First up, we have Wildlife Cameraman and Countryfile Presenter Hamza Yassin and professional partner Jowita Przystal who danced a highly entertaining number set to the iconic tune, ‘Pencil Full of Lead,” by Paolo Nutini.i The choreographer is Jenny Thomas and her assistant Sean Moon. I would also highly recommend checking out Jenny’s Instagram to find out more about the making of her routines.
The routine opens with a very chilled approach with both Hamza and Jowita seated comfortably on a sofa. However, after a few shoulder bops to the opening beats, the pair spring into action with some ‘foot-ography’ (a sequence of moves that are somewhat similar to the iconic Happy Feet). Immediately following this, the couple then come together for a brief section in hold and complete a sequence of 20s Basic Charleston Swivels, and a 30s Charleston to change direction.
Later on in the routine, they complete a series of Pushes, a Lindy Hop inspired moves, and a Jump in perfect unison. They then break into a sequence consisting of multiple Shimmies, followed by their first Trick Lift- further wowing the already elated audience.
At 1:00, complete further Pushes, 20s Charleston Swivels, Kicks into a Scarecrow, a Box Step (also known as a Jazz Square), followed by a further Lindy Hop inspired sequence. Later on, the pair then go into their second Trick Lift, where Jowita hangs to Hamza’s legs as he whirls her around at break-neck speed; leaving the audience on the edge of their seat and one critic, “Watching from behind their sofa cushion.”
They then have just enough time for a few more Swivels and a quick Lift before Hamza carries Jowita back to their sofa where they collapse into their final position for a well-earned rest.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this routine and, like many others, am thrilled that Hamza has secured his place in next week’s Final. Throughout the routine, Hamza’s energy could not be faulted as he kept it up and gave 100% right through the very end. I thought each move was executed to perfection and the fact that he was wearing a Scottish Kilt, made this all the more impressive. It is clear that I am not alone in thinking this as one critic was left, “Speechless from start to finish” whilst another, “Could not stop smiling.”
Due to this, the Judge’s comments were also full of high, complimentary praise and both Motsi and Shirley giving a standing ovation. Head Judge Shirley Ballas was full of excitement as she exclaimed that she, “Love it,” and, “Applauds [Hamza] for the execution of [his] lifts,” and Motsi believed that “[The pair] have lifted the level for lifts on Strictly.”
As a result of their performance being a huge success with the Judges, Hamza and Jowita swivelled their way to success with their leader-board topping score of 39!
Scores:
Craig Revel Horwood - 9
Motsi Mabuse – 10
Shirley Ballas – 10
Anton Du Beke – 10
MyCharleston – 10
If Hamza and Jowita’s, Charleston has left you feeling inspired, why not check out our YouTube Playlist full of our “Pencil Full of Lead” routines here.
Next up we have BBC Radio star and Singer Fleur East and her professional partner Vito Coppola who transported us to Naples with an unconventional, yet traditional Charleston set to the tune, ‘Tu Vuo’ Fa L’Americano’ by Fiorella.
Set in a beautiful Italian town full of Vespas and Spaghetti, Fleur and Vito open the routine, setting the scene in an Italian courtyard.
After a few opening bars of music, the couple sprung into action as they flew down the Ballroom and broke into a sequence of perfectly controlled and synchronised, Basic Charleston Swivels.
At 0:34, we see the first of many Lifts take place, which is shortly followed by some Chugs, 30s Charlestons, Kicks (with immense height), and Pushes. The pair then come together for a further death-defying lift, where Vito flings Fleur upside down and into a Cartwheel- causing the audience to erupt into a cacophony of applause.
Later on in the routine, the pair break into an Italian inspired Musical Theatre, Cabaret-esque, sequence with immense energy, which is shortly followed by further 20s Charleston Swivels and another complex Lift, which Fleur emerges from with apparent ease. Immediately following this, the couple go on to complete a series of Shorty Georges (Learn to dance this move here), a brief section in hold and a further Lift.
At 1:24, the tempo of the track then changes, and the pair go onto complete a series of moves in Slow-Motion, including a sequence of passionate ‘Napkin-Ography,’ which further adds to the fun and pizzazz of the already Jam-packed routine.
After a few bars, the tempo picks up again and gradually increases until the pair are dancing Suzy Qs, Squat Charlestons, and Kicks at break-neck speed.
They then have just enough time for a few further flicks of their napkins before running back and into their final position, where they are greeted with an explosion of Italian Flag streamers from all four corners of the Ballroom.
For me, I really enjoyed watching this routine and felt it was a really interesting take on a traditional dance. Although the choice of song did not uphold an authentic 1920s, Jazzy feel, the routine itself was jam-packed full or original Charleston content which was incredibly fun to watch. However, there were also elements of the routine where I felt Fleur lacked fluidity and as a result, certain moves were performed with seriousness rather than upholding the intended light-hearted nature of the dance. It is clear I am not alone in thinking this as one critic stated that, “The seriousness of the dance removed the element of fun [for them].” However, it would also be impossible not to mention the high praise that their routine also received as one critic even went as far to say that “This [for them was] the BEST Charleston in Strictly History.”
Due to the mixed opinions from the audience, the Judge’s comments were overall very positive with Anton Du Beke stating that, “[Fleur is] having exactly the night [someone] would want to have in the Semi-Final” and this alongside Motsi’s statement that, “This dance [was] so authentic” left the pair beaming with pride. Even though Craig, gave some slight criticism as he felt it had, “Too much control” he too could not refrain from smiling as he felt it was, “Ah-Ma-Zing!”
Even though the pair ended the evening in the bottom two and, yet again, in the dance off, it was Will Mellor and Nancy Xu who were the next couple to leave the competition. As a result, Fleur and Vito have swivelled their way to success as they secured their place in the Final of the Competition
Scores:
Craig Revel Horwood – 9
Motsi Mabuse – 10
Shirley Ballas – 10
Anton Du Beke – 10
MyCharleston – 10
By: Eleanor O’Donnell
Dance Active 2022 - Group Performances
On the 10th December, MyCharleston joined a fantastic community dance extravaganza involving over 150 dancers from across Brighton and Hove.. There was a wide range of dance styles to celebrate the dance communities within the city. Three of our groups performed on the night including our Musicals group and both our Open Level and Intermediate Charleston groups.
On the 10th December, MyCharleston joined a fantastic community dance extravaganza involving over 150 dancers from across Brighton and Hove. There was a wide range of dance styles to celebrate the dance communities within the city. Three of our groups performed on the night including our Musicals group and both our Open Level and Intermediate Charleston groups.
Dance Active is a truly celebratory intergenerational event. It involves multiple community groups performing their work and we proud that this is the 6th year we have taken part. Watch below the performances from the night. Well done to all our students who took part!
ALL THAT JAZZ - MUSICALS GROUP
FIVE FOOT TWO - CHARLESTON OPEN LEVEL GROUP
CLAP YOUR HANDS - INTERMEDIATE CHARLESTON GROUP
Videos: What's on this January
If you fancy dancing with us this January you can take a peek at all the routines we will be teaching next term. Charleston to 'Minor Swing' or dance to 'All I Do is Dream of you' in our Singin’ in the Rain musicals course. Learn our 'Uptown Funk 'Street Jazz routine or 'Wham Re-Bop Boom Bam' Intermediate Charleston course.
If you fancy dancing with us this January you can take a peek at all the routines we will be teaching next term. Charleston to 'Minor Swing' or dance to 'All I Do is Dream of you' in our Singin’ in the Rain musicals course. Learn our 'Uptown Funk 'Street Jazz routine or 'Wham Re-Bop Boom Bam' Intermediate Charleston course.
CHARLESTON COURSE - MINOR SWING
we are happy to confirm this is a brand new routine and choreography to the Jazz classic ‘Minor Swing‘.
BRIGHTON & HOVE LEWES WORTHING PORTSMOUTH ONLINE
Course Dates:
Brighton: Charleston Course. Monday 9 Jan-6 Feb, 7.30 - 8.30pm, The Dance Space
Hove: Charleston Course. Tuesday 3 Jan-7 Feb, 6-7pm, Open Space Studio
Hove: Charleston Course. Thursday 5 Jan-9 Feb, 10.30 - 11.30am, Open Space Studio
Lewes: Charleston Course. Tuesday 3 Jan-7Feb, 6.30-7.30pm, The Body Workshop
Portsmouth: Charleston Course, Tuesday 3 Jan-7Feb, 7.30-8.30pm, CourtX
Worthing: Charleston Course. Wednesday 4 Jan- 8Feb , 7-8pm
Online: 6 week Charleston Course. Open Level via Zoom. Monday 9 Jan-6 Feb, 6pm BST
Online: 6 Week Musicals Course via Zoom. Monday 9 Jan-6 Feb, 7pm BST
Hove: Musicals Course. Tuesday ,3 Jan-7 Feb, Open Space Studios
Portsmouth: Musicals Course, Wednesday3 Jan-7 Feb, 6.30-7.30pm, CourtX
INTERMEDIATE CHARLESTON - wham re-bop boom bam
On our next Intermediate Charleston course we'll be teaching a solo jazz classic - Wham Re-Bop Boom Ba, - fun and a real joy to dance.
Hove: Intermediate Charleston. Thursday 5 Jan-9 Feb, 7-8pm, Open Space Studios
BOOK NOW
STREET JAZZ
Hove: Street Jazz. Thursday 10 Nov- 17 Dec, 6-7pm, Open Space Studios. Our Routine track is set to UpTown Funk
BOOK NOW
Hove: Street Jazz Course. Thursday 5 Jan-9 Feb, 6-7pm
Strictly Review: Molly Rainford & Carlos Gu
On Saturday, CBBC Star Molly Rainford and professional partner Carlos Gu opened Strictly Come Dancing with an awe-inspiring Charleston number to, “Hot Honey Rag,” from Chicago. Do you agree this should have been in the bottom two despite their high score of 38?
Last Friday, Musical’s week blessed our TV screens, and we were treated to a jam-packed evening featuring some of the nations favourite Musicals. From an iconic Sally Bowles, Cabaret-esque inspired Couple’s Choice to a Samba to ‘They Live In You,’ from the Lion Kind- they had it all.
On Saturday, CBBC Star Molly Rainford and professional partner Carlos Gu opened the show with an awe-inspiring Charleston number to, “Hot Honey Rag,” from Chicago.
Watch their Full Routine Here:
However, despite the couple swivelling their way towards the top end of the leader board with their highest score yet, there has been an uproar across the Strictly fandom over their scores from judges Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke. Even though the other two judges whipped out their 10 paddles, Craig and Anton decided not to put theirs to good use.
Do you think the couple deserved the 10s or are you more in agreement with Craig and Anton? Let’s take a closer look as to why many felt they deserved top marks.
The routine opens with Molly Rainford and professional dancer Lauren Oakley playing the roles of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly- therefore perfectly encapsulating the scene in which this routine was inspired by. After a few moments of applying makeup, the pair run out from behind a mock-up stage curtain and swivel out towards the centre of the Ballroom. Carlos, then, strides out across the floor to greet Molly, where they then break into a sequence of Basic 1920s Charleston Swivels, Helicopters, Tick Tocks, and then dive straight into their first trick move.
Immediately following this, they then go into a section in hold where Bunny Hops, Truckin’, and a Side-to-Side Charleston are completed with apparent ease. The pair then come together for a nerve-wracking lift and leaving the audience whooping with delight with one critic commenting on how, “Molly has seriously improved technically since week one.”
Later on in the routine, further Basic Charlestons are danced in hold and used to pivot and change direction- a difficult move to master (especially with only having four days’ worth of training).
Furthermore, just when the audience thought there could not be room for anymore Charleston content, the couple complete a sequence of 30s Charlestons, Check your Nails, Flapper Walks, Spank the Babies, and Squat Charlestons at immense speed.
The pair then sprint towards the back of the Ballroom and have just enough time to complete a brief sequence of Hand-ography (Jazz Hands which were perfectly in time with the music), and a quick Cartwheel before Carlos spins Molly into their final position- igniting a cacophony of noise of the audience.
The choreographer behind this amazing dance was Jenny Thomas and her assistant Sean Moon. The routine that they created for Molly and Carlos really captured the authenticity of the Charleston and took the audience on a journey through the bright lights of Jazzy Chicago. The choreography included a great mixture of classic Charleston steps and trick moves; overall producing a brilliant, original Charleston routine of which was extremely fun to watch. I would also highly recommend checking out Jenny’s Instagram to find out more about the making of this routine.
For me, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this routine and, like many others, was shocked by the fact that they were in the bottom two yet again. Molly’s energy and characterisation could not be faulted as she kept it up and gave 100% right through the very end. I thought each move was well-executed which made for a clean, stylish, and synchronised piece. It is clear that I was not alone in thinking this as one critic felt, “It [was] undermarked and underappreciated” and another thought it was, “Hard to tell the difference between [Molly] and the other professionals.”
Due to this, the response from the judges was overall very positive and full of high complimentary praise. Head Judge Shirley exclaimed how, “[She] was not expecting that” as it was, “Absolute perfection!” Motsi was also in agreement as she ecstatically stated that, “[Molly] was a shining star.” Craig, however, could not resist in giving a little criticism as he felt her, “Elbow was a little low for, [his liking],” but even he felt it was a “Transformation,” as “This was the first time [he’s] seen [Molly] with full power and energy.”
Even though the couple ended the evening in the bottom two and in the dance off with their high score of 38, they managed to swivel their way through and keep their place in the competition, therefore securing their place in the Semi-Finals.
Scores:
Craig Revel Horwood – 9
Motsi Mabuse – 10
Shirley Ballas – 10
Anton Du Beke – 9
MyCharleston – 10
By: Eleanor O’Donnell