Posts Tagged ‘Lindy Hop’

  1. Small steps, BIG dreams – How DJam began

    May 15, 2014 by Joo-Lee

    For some time it was our dream to create a warm, intimate swing dance event at the heart of the historic city of Durham. Seven years ago we followed that dream and started with a small group of forty dancers from our local classes.

    We met one weekend because we wanted to learn more technique, dance more, and have more fun.

    DJam was born!

    Lindy Jazz was still in its early days but we felt marking out a weekend in the calendar was the way to go. We were convinced DJam would be a perfect opportunity for fledgling dancers to experience the joys of the wider swing dance scene.

    Now a firmly established international event for dancers of all levels; we were excited to announce that Beamish Hall Hotel will host DJam 2015 and that the eagerly anticipated registration process opens this Saturday, 17 May.

    Our vision is to create the perfect environment for enjoyment, learning, inspiration and socialising through swing dancing, no matter what the participants’ dance experience or level.

    By maintaining a small camp feel, this year, with all the dancing under one roof and featuring both high-energy and chill out classes; dancers of all levels can enjoy the weekend at their chosen pace.

    Without having to commute between classes, dancers will be able to grab that extra chat or make that new connection with minimal effort and save their energy for dancing until the early hours!

    For 4 days and 3 nights, we want everyone to be transported into a different reality, a ‘swing bubble’, where all that matters is dancing; cakes, late-night chats and a huge amount of excitement and happiness.

    DJam registration opens on 17 May 2014 so get prepared for a fun packed weekend!

    Small Steps Big Dreamswww.dance-at-djam.co.uk

     

     

     


  2. Why Brush Up?

    April 16, 2014 by Joo-Lee

    DSC00787I believe there are 2 ways to learn to dance:

    1. We can fill our brains with information in the hope that the more we have, the better our dancing will become.

    Or

    1. We can focus on the little things that make a big difference, using our time effectively and seeing more rewarding results.

    My personal choice is the latter, which is where the idea for ‘Brush Up’ came from.

    Due to life’s busy nature, not all of us can come to class regularly. In between times we have the potential to develop bad habits; symptoms include- tense limbs, loss of bounce or, dare I say it… sloppy triple steps, eek!

    A triple step can cause problems in leading AND following. If they’re not well articulated, your partner won’t be able to tell what you’re leading or, will have a harder job trying to lead you.

    We don’t necessarily know if our basic steps are neat, precise and rhythmic; so we need someone to come and tidy them up for us.

    ‘Brush Up’ workshops are like a private lesson shared by a small group. As your teachers, this gives us time to look at your dancing, dance with you and provide tailored advice.

    As a dancer it’s an opportunity to ask the questions you’ve never asked in class. Helping you to identify simple things that could have a huge impact on your dancing.

    So, even if you think triple steps are something you’ve done before, brushing up your basics can help build strong foundations for your dancing to grow on.

    Go on, brush up your dancing skills!


  3. Nick’s Lindy-versary!

    April 10, 2014 by Joo-Lee

    Nick WalkerNick is the first to feature on our monthly Lindy-versary blog. It’s here to celebrate the great people we have at Lindy Jazz and it’s great to find out more about fellow members.

    “I like the people. I like the atmosphere. I think it’s quite social, comfortable and supportive.”

    Nick is a Lecturer in Physical Chemistry. His dad is from Gibraltar and he has 2 cousins who play for their football team. Next year they play Scotland in the European Championships and Nick will be there with his dad cheering them on.

    After a brief encounter with dancing in Bristol, Nick joined Lindy Jazz when he relocated to the North East in 2012; being new in town, Nick thought it would be fun and a great way of meeting new people. Thanks to Google he found a class that was close to where he lived and we couldn’t be happier that it was us!

    His favourite Lindy Jazz memory is of social dancing the first year he went to DJam. When describing his first real experience of dancing in a crowded place, Nick said he actually felt more comfortable, learned a lot and found it satisfying… now there’s a commendation for social dancing!

    As an advocate for trying new things, Nick says if you’re unsure of coming to Lindy Jazz don’t think about it too much and just try it. “There’s nothing much to lose from trying new things… It worked well for me”.

    Nick’s final word was a massive thank you to both Joo-Lee and the team. He thinks having so many people involved is a good thing as it’s nice to be surrounded by supportive people. We couldn’t agree more!

    Happy Lindy-versary Nick!


  4. Is it difficult to learn to dance?

    March 20, 2014 by Joo-Lee

    Recently a number of new people joined our class. Watching one couple learn was particularly interesting because their experiences of the same class seemed to differ greatly. One of them was smiling throughout whereas the other appeared frustrated with footwork and getting it right. When I asked them how they had found the class their responses reflected this observation.

    Learning to dance, particularly an informal swing dance is not an academic subject. It involves both motor skills and muscles. If we are stressed about anything, we’re actually inhibiting our ability to get it right. What is right anyway? When we are new to dancing we have a limited amount of information about the skill set needed. If we over think we’re actually only considering a small amount of information and so perhaps analysis should come later… we’ve all heard of “Analysis Paralysis”.

     My recommendation for anyone that’s new to dancing is to just enjoy it. Things don’t always go to plan. Allow yourself to make mistakes. If you want to walk backwards but go forward instead it’s not the end of the world, your body will adjust and next time you can move in the direction you intended. You’re not training to be a brain surgeon or an engineer (well . . . not whilst dancing anyway!) so there’s no major consequence, you’re just learning to dance. Have a go, trust yourself that it’s fine, trust that no one else is watching or judging and trust that your teacher will help you.

    So is learning to dance difficult? No. Our ability to interfere with our own learning is what makes it difficult. Learning to dance will change your whole approach to trying new things. It’s about relaxing and not making it harder for yourself by trying to hard. Dancing is either unfamiliar or familiar and to make any skill familiar you need experience. So, keep coming to class, relax and just enjoy it! Before you know it, you’ll be dancing.


  5. Two Left Feet

    December 30, 2013 by Joo-Lee

    If I had £1 for everyone that told me they had two left feet, I’d have more money than I’d know what do with!

    It’s a common misconception that people think they can’t dance, it’s maybe because they find it hard to move or they have no rhythm; but I’ve found a few smart solutions for all of you Two Left Feeters out there.

    STAND UP

    Stand on one leg, then the other. If you can do this, you can dance!

    You’ll find dancing far easier when your weight shifts from one foot to the other instead of being stuck fast to the ground and don’t stand rigid to the floor either, loosen up.

    Let go and open up. We know how frightening it can be and sometimes we remember when we were at events that just weren’t nice. Unpleasant experiences from our childhood aren’t easily forgotten and that’s why at Lindy Jazz, we really do welcome everyone with any ability to come and have a go.

    In the 70’s I wondered how my friends looked so good on the dance floor and how they learned their moves. Then came Saturday night fever and I still wasn’t convinced! Over the years I’ve grown to watch and learn from others to know how to dance. The trick, make your moves natural and simple and just enjoy the music.

    Learning a new skill, whatever your age or ability is a great asset to have. It’s never too late and if learning a new skill means making friends and widening your social circle, then all the better!

    Take a look at these top tips…

    1. Don’t try too hard!
    2. Do as few moves as possible
    3. Repeat the simple moves
    4. Relax your knees, hips and ankles. Don’t stiffen up
    5. Remember to smile and breathe, it’s supposed to be fun!
    6. Don’t think about what other people think. They’re probably more concerned about themselves
    7. Enjoy the music and move naturally

    Give those a go at your next social event and just see the difference a few changes makes.

    Like with any skill, practice makes perfect and at Lindy Jazz we dance every week to help build our confidence and learn new moves. We teach how to listen to the music and what to listen out for when dancing. In an informal environment you have the freedom to be yourself and go with the flow.

    Lindy Jazz encourages everyone to just have a go. You’ll be surprised at how good you really are; with a little guidance you’ll be beaming with confidence and getting those dancing shoes on in no time!

    Come along to a Lindy Jazz dance club for free and we’ll show you how to get over those two left feet. 

    Mondays at Alington House Durham from 7.30 pm

    Tuesdays at Gosforth Parish Hall from 7.30pm

    If you have any questions feel free to ask us on Twitter or Facebook or email info@lindy-jazz.co.uk

    Happy dancing!


  6. The Zen of Parking

    November 9, 2013 by Joo-Lee

    What has parking got to do with dancing?!

    If you can imagine rushing to a busy shopping centre on a weekend, knowing in your mind before you leave you’re not going to find a space when you’re in a hurry and you’ve decided in advance that there are no spaces as you would inevitably only notice the occupied spaces. It’s super hard to find an empty space when you’re rushing and short of time, it’s not enjoyable and you inevitably just want to turn around and go home.

    It’s similar when you go along to a dance class, if you’ve decided in your mind you have no rhythm or it’s going to be hard to learn; and when you get there, your two left feet just seem to be out of time with the rhythm! It’s much easier to learn if you don’t decide beforehand that you’re going to find it hard or to put pressure on yourself to get it ‘right’ right here, right now. Having an open mind and a relaxed attitude will make everything so much easier and so much more enjoyable.

    The point I’m trying to make is patience is the key. If you have patience you’ll progress, not just trying to find a parking space but with learning new moves too. Putting too much pressure on getting things right first time also results in stressful situations and lack of enjoyment. Breathe, give yourself a few seconds or even a few weeks and take your time; achievement comes to those who wait!

    Here are some great tips to ensure every class is worthwhile and enjoyable:

    Upon arrival, have a drink. Taking a relaxing few minutes to settle in and have a tea or coffee will most certainly leave your work or family stresses behind for an hour or two.

    Have a chat, meet new faces. Every class is different and whether you’re brand new or have been coming every week, it’s always good to take inspiration from a new face with fresh enthusiasm.

    Switch off the robot! Everyday life can be full of busyness and busy thoughts that occupy our already busy minds. Switch off the busy voices in your head, leave the stresses of the office behind and get ready to have fun. With new moves, great music and friendly people around you, take those few hours and have them for yourself… and just be yourself.

    At Lindy Jazz we cater for everyone’s abilities, whether it’s absolute beginner or experienced professional, we recommend this approach; be relaxed, engaged and ready to dance!


  7. DJam Announcement

    July 3, 2013 by Joo-Lee

    I’m so excited for DJam, I just thought I’d share some news.

    I’m happy to announce that our yearly international swing dance festival will be at a fabulous 4 star venue in 2014. On the banks of the river in Durham, the Radisson Blu hotel is the prefect venue to dance, learn and relax.

    No need to save those extra pennies for luxury! We’re keeping the festival super affordable and registration for early bird tickets will open at 9:30am on May 18th.  Check out our website for more information

    I’ll be announcing the line up shortly so keep your eyes peeled on our Facebook page for news and updates.

    If you would like further information about attending DJam, please contact me.


  8. A Little Introduction

    May 1, 2013 by Joo-Lee

    Dancing, music and everything that goes with it is my passion and I launched Lindy Jazz some years ago to share my enthusiasm with others. I love nothing more than helping people that have never danced before, find their feet and move.

    There’s something very joyful in seeing people around me being happy and dancing to great music. Every class, I love watching the progression from someone with two left feet to feeling really confident in how they move, as well as the more experienced dancers learning new moves and thriving from the atmosphere in the room.

    I love teaching and coming from an educational background in music has really made me live my passion. I do everything to be happy and I don’t waste a second on anything that doesn’t make me feel good or confident in what I’m doing. Surrounding myself with great people helps too!

    To find out more about Lindy Jazz visit the website or Facebook and if you’d like to discuss any one on one teaching or business opportunities, please contact me. I’d love to hear from you.