Partnered dance - Jiving
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1950s Jive is a partnered dance in which a 'Leader' uses physical and visual signals to create turns and spins (collectively known as 'moves') for their partner to 'Follow', usually in a 6 beat pattern. It's generally easier for the taller or stronger person to Lead, but there are no hard and fast rules on this. A Leader and a Follower learn their own part of each move, meaning that two Leaders or two Followers can't dance together. However some people learn both roles so they can dance with anyone!
A good piece of music for jiving, or a 'jiver', is usually mid to fast speed with a smooth flow.
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- During the dance the Leader selects which moves you're going to perform as you go along, sometimes repeating a set of moves and sometimes changing them continuously. Each move is led in a certain way which allows it to be followed. With practice, it all becomes 'muscle memory' and flows seamlessly.
"The Leader picks the moves and the Follower makes them look good" - Dave DJ Maverick -
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At some events you may see Leaders dance with more than one Follower at the same time, as well as some people switching roles between Leader and Follower. This takes a lot of practice!
Asking someone to dance is common in Social dancing and can be found in most types of partnered dance. You can choose to dance with lots of people during an event, or just stay with your own partner. You don't have to accept an invitation to dance and no-one should be upset if their request is refused. -
Rock n Roll and Rockabilly dancing also includes Bopping, where everyone dances individually to certain songs and Strolling, where women dance in a formation similar to line dancing.
Where can I learn some moves?
- At a Dance Class
There are dance classes all over UK, so there may already be one close to you.
Local classes will often run for a couple of hours and be followed by a DJ so you can practice what you've learned straight away. Taster classes also run at some of the larger events around the country. Take a look in the Events section for more information.
If you're close to Pontefract, you might want to take a look at the weekly Ferrybridge want2jive class. We run weekend Boot Camps and Workshops in other locations too, often attracting couples from as far away as Newcastle, Cheshire and Northampton. 
Where can I go to dance?
- To a Record Hop, All Dayer or Weekender!
Rock n Roll dances are known as Record Hops and feature DJs playing the music, sometimes original vinyl records, and there may also be a guest band. They usually run on an evening, with all day and weekend events happening through the year as well.
Sometimes, Record Hops will have dance classes running before them.
Take a look in the Events section for more information. -
Video courtesy of theswingsisters