Southern UK Jive

[Southern Jiver]

Note : Created a new thread formerly part of the Minstead Freestyle thread . SJ

[Nicky]

SJ wrote:

[Southern Jiver]

Just echoing the sentiments I expressed in the thread here.
However, I can handle a 30 minute Chill-out if that's what the majority prefer but 60 mins........?
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"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance."
~Japanese Proverb

[Mops]

60 minute chill out would be absolutely fab!!! There's not enough in this area
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Dance with you heart, and your feet will follow.

[Southern Jiver]

Now I know you are just trying to wind me up, Mops....
_________________
"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance."
~Japanese Proverb

[Mops]

Lol, maybe a little SJ!

Seriously though - i'm looking forward to more chill out freestyles in the area with the Twisted and Utopia events coming to Newbury.

Not sure I'm alone in this as the last Jukebox i went to in Minstead i seem to remember the lovely RichP saying that he had over and hour of chill out zone requests and was almost in danger of running out of 'normal' jive tracks!
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Dance with you heart, and your feet will follow.

[Steve]

I personally would like an 'official' one hour chill out time . Actually, personally I'd like a four hour chill out time, because we have plenty of 'faster' freestyles locally, but not a lot at the mellow, relaxed end. Hence....


.....Must admit, I can't wait for the new Newbury Twisteds either. First one is Sat 27th Feb. So that weekend, EOM Minstead on the Fri, followed by Twisted on Sat. It don't get any better
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My local WCS dance guide: http://www.southernjive.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726

[Olly]

Not only is there a DJ dilemma, there is now an organisors dilemma as well! Some dancers want no Chillout and others would like a longer chillout...help!

By way of background, the chillout sessions were introduced by us for a number of reasons, some of which have already been touched upon by several previous posts in both this and the thread http://southernjive.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=422 which SJ highlighted.

We felt that having a specific 30 minute section at the end of the evening would give the opportunity for this music to be showcased in the Southern Jive area. We also felt that having it at the end of the evening meant that dancers who had made up their mind that they did not like it would not have 'chill out' style tracks interrupting the middle of the freestyle music they wanted and enjoyed. As a result, this meant we have advertised these chillouts quite clearly as part of our evening and therefore cannot accept SJs comment in the earlier thread (see above link)

[Nicky]

Olly wrote:

[Southern Jiver]

Note : Moved this post from the Freestyles section to this thread. SJ

[Olly]

Hi Michael & Janice,

I will attempt to try and explain by what I mean by 'Modern Jive is an evolving dance' as briefly as possible.

Modern Jive, as I understand it, is a partner social dance and by its very nature is not burdened by too many formal rules. In its simplest form, modern jive is predominantly a lead and follow dance which can be danced to a variety of musical styles. Basic concepts also include that moves start and finish with a step or weight transfer back and that the movement within the dance is ideally performed to a regular beat.

When I started taking my first tentative steps into the world of modern jive in London back in 1991 the basic moves were pretty much the same as the basic moves are now. However, there was much less variety of Intermediate moves and it was danced within a much more rigid and generally medium to high tempo range. I can also remember that the style at the time was far more bouncy and energetic.

During the 1990's there were certainly several musical influences within modern jive that shaped the development of some of the moves introduced during this period (At the time I was only dancing in London, so can't comment on MJ in other areas). These moves became fashionable for a time, before another musical influences became 'en vogue' which then subsequently influenced the modern jive moves that were introduced and developed. I have certainly seen Lindy and Latin have major influences at certain periods over the last 15 years or so, before making way for West Coast Swing, Tango, Hip Hop and modern R&B. There has also been an explosion in the amount of freestyles which offer 2 rooms to reflect the different musical demands of the dancers. Plus, the growth of the modern jive weekend events at Holiday camps around the UK with multi room freestyles, and a varied workshop programme I feel shows that modern jive is an evolving dance that does not stand still. If modern jive was not evolving for the majority of dancers, then it would still be limited to 50 or so moves and danced pretty much at around 130-140BPM

Some dancers or organisers may want modern jive to be rooted in a particular style which is fine, and I do think within the variety of modern jive organisations locally, individual 'root' influences can still be seen. However, for most, the reality is that the dance has been constantly evolving since its introduction in the UK back in the early 1980's when the influences were by a much narrower band of both teachers and dancers.

Many Modern Jive organisations have a wealth of teaching talent of other dance styles which are now included in classes. Yes, at the basic fundamental level, I would say not much has changed, but this cannot be said for the development of the dance at Intermediate level and beyond.

I have always looked at modern jive as the dancing equivalent of 'tofu' - On its own, it is completely flavourless, but it has the amazing ability to absorb the musical flavours around it, so it can taste like anything you want it to be - which means it is always changing.

Where I will agree with you, is that 'modern jive does indeed have its own unique form,' but only in that its 'uniqueness' is its abilty to develop, evolve and absorb musical influences and moves in the way it does, and not the fact it is unique by just having a basic form which does not change.

Modern Jive has not evolved beyond recognition from its early days, but it has moved along way since the 1980s.

I hope this goes some way to explain what I mean by MJ is an evolving dance

[lilblue]

Couldn't help but reply to this thread, I went to Swinging the Blues in Chiswick this weekend, and in the lunch break the teachers of the day ran a performance of how dance in general has evolved over the years - nearly always in reflection of the music style which was predominant at the time.

Near the end (since they started way back, moving up to current times) there was a demonstration of 80s/90s Ceroc which was bouncy and very circular, followed by one of current Ceroc which appeared more slotted and smooth. The two were instantly recognisable as being the same dance yet there were distinct differences, and if each 'type' of Ceroc had been danced to it's opposite soundtrack both would have looked out of place.

As a bit of a newbie I've learned the smoother slotted style and prefer it, I find dancing with a bouncy lead confusing. I think this is the kind of evolution Olly is talking about, not major changes to the structure of the dance but refinements, leading to constant variety amongst the Modern Jive culture we have now.

At the end of the day - we love modern jive! Or at least, I do!

[Mops]

whoop, well said Lilblue
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Dance with you heart, and your feet will follow.