Aerials Workshops teach you those large showy dance moves you would traditionally associate with the lively rock 'n' roll of the 50s & 60s. We have a repertoire of nearly 100 such moves which can be incorporated into Modern Jive, Lindy Hop or other such partner dances.
In each 4 hour workshop we cover around 7 aerial figures in. We break down these figures into manageable steps, and steadily piece them together to produce the impressive results.
Your safety is a very high priority in our workshops, and our 12 years experience of teaching aerials has helped us develop techniques to make them as safe as possible.
You must book in advance with a partner (please do not turn up on the day without a booking). To make a booking, just call Andy on 07717 177437.
Keep an eye on our Jump'n'Jive newsletters for dates of workshops. They currently take place in Aylesbury and Winchester. Call or text Andy on 07717 177437 if you are interested.
** Our latest newsletter can be found on the "What's On" page of the jumpnjive website.
Workshop runs from 2pm to 6pm and has a 20 minute break in the middle for refreshments - bring your own or use the on-site cafe if you prefer.
The price is £20 per person (bookings must be made as a couple)
Aylesbury venue :
Aqua Vale Centre. Park Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 1DX.
Aqua Vale has a fantastic indoor and outdoor heated swimming pool, so if you fancy a dip before or after, bring your cossies (not included in price of workshop)
Pay and display parking - get your parking money refunded at reception when you present your ticket.
For location map of Aqua Vale, click on http://www.streetmap.co.uk/ and enter the postcode
Winchester venue :
Jubilee Hall, London Road, Kingsworthy, Winchester SO23 7QA.
Plenty of parking outside.
For location map of Jubilee Hall, click on http://www.streetmap.co.uk/ and enter the postcode
What are Aerials?
Aerials are those large showy moves you would traditionally associate with the lively rock 'n' roll of the 60s. You've all seen them in the films - you know where the girl's go up in the air and around the back and through the legs.
These fancy steps don't just belong to rock 'n' roll. They were invented as an addition to the swing dance of the 1930s and 40s, and play a major part today in performances of Modern Jive and Lindy Hop and even Salsa.
Which aerials will I learn?
Find out when you get there. We say this because it is difficult to describe the moves we do, and we also make adjustments to the material as we go through the workshop. You can be assured you will be taught a nice variety of aerials from our repertoire of around 100 moves. You will have to come to a lot of workshops before you start repeating moves.
Who can learn aerials?
We welcome dancers of all levels of experience. Whether you turn out to be a natural, or if you decide the very little aerial you learn at the beginning is your favourite, we think you'll have 3½ action packed hours of fun. See how easy and safe they are to learn, and how much fun you have getting them wrong, with Andy and Rena. No matter what stage you are at with your Jive or Lindy Hop, aerials are sure to add a new dimension to your dancing,
What do I need for the workshops?
Firstly you need a partner who you feel confident with. This could be somebody you don't know so well, but if you dance well with them at ground level, then leaping in the air should prove to be more enjoyable than scary. DUE TO THE RISKS INVOLVED IN DOING AERIALS, WE CANNOT ARRANGE PARTNERS FOR YOU.
Taking part in an aerials class is more of a sport than a social dance occasion. Hence you should dress accordingly. Wear Light clothing, T-shirts, jogging pants, leggings. No belts, jewelry or watches (for yours and your partner's safety). For your feet - sports shoes, or dance shoes with some cushioning underfoot.
And finally, we recommend bras that don’t fall off (women only), and for the men a cricket box (if your partner’s a bit unpredictable).
Safety
You can be rest assured you will be taught as safely as possible by the most experienced teachers in the UK. However there is a risk involved (as there is in any sport) so please be aware of this. We cannot accept responsibility for any accidents during the class.
During the class, moves where there is any potential danger are broken down into stages. Please do not attempt the next stage until we have clearly demonstrated it. This applies even if you have done the move before - you may be safe but the couple next to you who copy what you are doing may not be.
Classes start prompt with a comprehensive warm-up. This is important (and a lot of fun) so aim to arrive 15 minutes early.
For safety and teaching quality reasons, there is a size limit on each class. Hence it is essential to book in advance. You must also book with a partner!