An Evening of Ceroc Dance- Back To School Party, Christchurch Sat 14 June 2008
June 14th 2008 21:42
Ceroc (from the French- C'est le Rock) developed in France from the jive that the GI's taught the French during WW2. Ceroc is derived from many other dances including Salsa, Jive, Swing, Lindy Hop, and Rock and Roll, the main change being simplified footwork which makes it more accessible to beginners.[citation needed] The footwork and hand patterns are similar to Merengue, but with the inclusion of outward turns, multiple turns and dips.
It is danced to music with 4 beats to the bar (4/4 or Common time). It can be danced to most types of popular music from the past several decades, from classic music of the 1940s to the latest chart hits. Music is typically between 108 and 160 bpm. Experienced jivers occasionally dance to music outside those broad constraints.
Ceroc does not require special clothes, although cool clothing is recommended. For both men and women, smooth soled (non-rubberised) shoes that are easy to turn/spin in are also highly recommended. One can buy specialized dance shoes, and long-time dancers often wear professional dance shoes. Ceroc is, like many partner dances, traditionally a male-led dance, with the male indicating the move to his partner via a range of signals. (net sourced)
For a while now a work colleague of mine has been trying to get me to go to one of the Ceroc nights that he goes to, but I had been always unsure if I would like it or not as previously I have been to a latin american and salsa dance class finding that I didn't really feel comfortable with it.
Anyway I went to my first class on Thurs night and found that everyone was friendly and welcoming although as I had no previous dance experience at all, will be honest and say that the first 30 mins I disliked, mainly due to the fact that I had no idea what I was doing and trying to follow the four moves almost gave me brain meltdown. But over the next two hours combined with practise and very patient dance partners, I found I had almost mastered the four moves shown.
I was pleasantly suprised to find that not only did the moves and dancing feel natural but also that I enjoyed it and had a great time. So much so that when I found out that the group was having one of their social parties, then I thought I had to go to that.
There was a theme of back to school and nearly everyone was in period school dress. The format is generally the same as a week night class although you only have 30 mins for learning 3 new moves before going into free style for the rest of the evening. It was good to meet and dance with people from other classes and suburbs in the city, as everyone dances different and you pick up tips alot more.
It was a really enjoyable night and quite easily 60-80 people there I would estimate and if a week ago, some had said to me that I would dance almost for 4 hours without drinking wine etc, I would have said 'Get out of here', but I had a blast and throughly enjoyed it too, a great night for $10.
Myself I find Ceroc appears to be less structured and more laid back with no actual right or wrong way to do something. Being the dance lead, obviously you need to learn the signs that will signal the next move to your dance partner but other than that its a blast. Also in todays world of email, texting, computers and blackberrie mobiles, we are losing the human touch or connection with each other and doing dance classes like Ceroc is a great way to reconnect with people in a safe fun enviroment. Plus I guess its fairly good for fitness too.
I would really recommend it and on a kiwiauthor rating give it 10/10
Ceroc Chch www.alldance.co.nz
It is danced to music with 4 beats to the bar (4/4 or Common time). It can be danced to most types of popular music from the past several decades, from classic music of the 1940s to the latest chart hits. Music is typically between 108 and 160 bpm. Experienced jivers occasionally dance to music outside those broad constraints.
Ceroc does not require special clothes, although cool clothing is recommended. For both men and women, smooth soled (non-rubberised) shoes that are easy to turn/spin in are also highly recommended. One can buy specialized dance shoes, and long-time dancers often wear professional dance shoes. Ceroc is, like many partner dances, traditionally a male-led dance, with the male indicating the move to his partner via a range of signals. (net sourced)
For a while now a work colleague of mine has been trying to get me to go to one of the Ceroc nights that he goes to, but I had been always unsure if I would like it or not as previously I have been to a latin american and salsa dance class finding that I didn't really feel comfortable with it.
Anyway I went to my first class on Thurs night and found that everyone was friendly and welcoming although as I had no previous dance experience at all, will be honest and say that the first 30 mins I disliked, mainly due to the fact that I had no idea what I was doing and trying to follow the four moves almost gave me brain meltdown. But over the next two hours combined with practise and very patient dance partners, I found I had almost mastered the four moves shown.
I was pleasantly suprised to find that not only did the moves and dancing feel natural but also that I enjoyed it and had a great time. So much so that when I found out that the group was having one of their social parties, then I thought I had to go to that.
There was a theme of back to school and nearly everyone was in period school dress. The format is generally the same as a week night class although you only have 30 mins for learning 3 new moves before going into free style for the rest of the evening. It was good to meet and dance with people from other classes and suburbs in the city, as everyone dances different and you pick up tips alot more.
It was a really enjoyable night and quite easily 60-80 people there I would estimate and if a week ago, some had said to me that I would dance almost for 4 hours without drinking wine etc, I would have said 'Get out of here', but I had a blast and throughly enjoyed it too, a great night for $10.
Myself I find Ceroc appears to be less structured and more laid back with no actual right or wrong way to do something. Being the dance lead, obviously you need to learn the signs that will signal the next move to your dance partner but other than that its a blast. Also in todays world of email, texting, computers and blackberrie mobiles, we are losing the human touch or connection with each other and doing dance classes like Ceroc is a great way to reconnect with people in a safe fun enviroment. Plus I guess its fairly good for fitness too.
I would really recommend it and on a kiwiauthor rating give it 10/10
Ceroc Chch www.alldance.co.nz
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