Modern Jive is… different! A modern couple dance — BUT — you don’t have to participate with a dance partner! For us, it’s mostly about fun, because then you simply learn “on the side.” You can start at any time.
Modern Jive is fun because…
- you can also participate without a dance partner
- he can be danced to many styles of music
- you can dance to faster as well as slow songs
- your own creativity is promoted
- there are no complicated steps
- you can start at any time
- you don’t necessarily have to come every time
- Dance all levels together in the basic courses so you learn faster
- we value a relaxed, relaxed atmosphere
A social dance culture
Modern Jive is more than “just” a dance. A very specific dance culture has developed around him, which we would like to share. Individuals are also immediately integrated without any problems. During the courses, there are changes of partners and after the dance class, everyone asks everyone to dance.
But the special thing about Modern Jive is that all dance levels dance together. The more advanced dancers support the beginners’ courses and we encourage everyone to challenge everyone as well. No one stands (or sits) around for long — but is asked to dance.
Modern fusion of dances
Although Modern Jive has its roots in jive, swing and rock ‘n’ roll, it is constantly evolving. Depending on your preferences, elements from swing/lindy hop, salsa, tango, West Coast swing, bachata or zouk can be found in Modern Jive. It is therefore a modern fusion of various dance style elements — subject to simple steps.
At the beginning, we focus on characters and over time, you learn to improve your leading and following skills and to respond individually to the respective music (“musicality”).
Modern Jive is mainly danced to contemporary pop or rock music, but also soul or R&B. In general, however, it can be danced to almost any music. It impresses with its simple footwork, is easy to learn and offers many opportunities to vary the basic figures in order to individualize the dance for yourself. Accordingly, there is no THE Modern Jive — depending on the song, tempo and your own interpretation, the dance can look different. To cover the slow (smooth) spectrum of Modern Jive, there are now intermediate courses “SmooThursday” on Thursdays.
Development of Modern Jive
Modern Jive was created in England in the 80s and was intended to make couple dancing more popular again. The focus on simple footwork and social dancing is distinctive. It should be fun and quick to learn. It should also be possible to participate without a dance partner. Modern Jive also made its way from England to Australia and New Zealand (e.g. through LeRoc, Ceroc) and continues to spread.
Modern Jive in Berlin
If you are looking for a modern, relaxed couple dance, want to move to versatile music and want freedom when dancing, you should definitely try out Modern Jive — ideal for example for party evenings — or even as Hochzeitstanz!
Jive.Berlin is Berlin’s first (and only) modern jive dance school! Come by, it’s worth it! We are of the opinion: **Everyone can dance! ** And once you’ve tried Modern Jive, you’ll want to dance too! In addition to weekly courses, we offer monthly dance parties and 1-2 times a year also an entire dance weekend (Weekender).
In 2014, Nele brought Modern Jive to Berlin. She found her enthusiasm for this dance in New Zealand and Australia, where she lived for a time. She is a certified dance teacher for Modern Jive and a member of the LeRoc Modern Jive Federation and the United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers of Dance (UKA).
Dance levels and lessons
Here, the simple basic step, as well as arm and body tension, are taught. It is primarily about fun! The rest comes by the way! In Beginner, there are about 25 figures that are taught.
Based on the beginner moves, variations and dance techniques are taught here, such as posture, dancing weight transfer (dancer’s walk), spinning, spotting or step turns. Leans and simple seducers are learned.
In order to participate in lessons, leaders need to safely perform at least 8 to 10 beginner moves with a consistent basic step. Followers should have good body and arm tension and should also be able to follow some beginner moves.
In Intermediate, new characters are increasingly being taught. The “connection” with the partner is playing an increasingly important role here. The aim will be to talk on the dance floor without speaking and to dance in such an improvising way that it looks like a choreography. Frame, connection, tension (different levels), different connection points (other than just the hands or ballroom hold) are magic words and combined with techniques such as whips or spinning, step turns or seducers/drops and styling. First musicality and dynamics can also be part of the lesson. The link to slow music is drawn (Smooth Modern Jive).
The prerequisite for participation is consultation with Nele and the safe dancing of all beginner moves and knowledge of at least 10 improver variations. The techniques described in Level 2 are also safe. Followers “really” follow and don’t lead along indirectly.
Techniques from level 3 are refined and expanded to include scrolling, caroussels, centripetal movements, floorcraft, etc. Musicality and dynamic dancing (speed variations) are playing a role more and more. Dancers adapt their leadership and following to the music and can spontaneously communicate ideas to their partner.
The prerequisite for participation is consultation with Nele and an advanced understanding of lead follow connection (dancers can clearly communicate to the respective partner what is being danced — followers are able to take over the lead for a short time), at least 10 intermediate moves can be safely danced and modified.
Dance Weekends (Weekender)
Here is an impression of the dance weekends:
International examples
And here is a dance impression from Melbourne:
Don’t miss a thing: Modern Jive Signal Group
To be the first to hear the news, join the Modern Jive Info group on Signal. Here (only) Nele provides information about news, etc.