Difference between revisions of "Dance"

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(Capoeira: Added clarifying introduction.)
(Bachata: Added Meetup link)
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|[[Bachata Mondays]] ||<ul><li>[[File:Icon,_world_wide_web_(small).png]] [https://www.risingsunartscentre.org/events/bachata-mondays-0 Bachata Mondays]</li><li>[[File:Icon,_facebook_(small).png]] [https://www.facebook.com/BachataandKizombaReading/ Bachata Mondays Facebook Page]</li><li>[[File:Icon,_facebook_(small).png]] [https://www.facebook.com/groups/BachataReading/ Bachata Mondays Facebook Group]</li></ul>||<ul><li>[https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/113510891 The Rising Sun Arts Centre, 30 Silver Street, Reading RG1 2ST]</li></li></ul>
 
|[[Bachata Mondays]] ||<ul><li>[[File:Icon,_world_wide_web_(small).png]] [https://www.risingsunartscentre.org/events/bachata-mondays-0 Bachata Mondays]</li><li>[[File:Icon,_facebook_(small).png]] [https://www.facebook.com/BachataandKizombaReading/ Bachata Mondays Facebook Page]</li><li>[[File:Icon,_facebook_(small).png]] [https://www.facebook.com/groups/BachataReading/ Bachata Mondays Facebook Group]</li></ul>||<ul><li>[https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/113510891 The Rising Sun Arts Centre, 30 Silver Street, Reading RG1 2ST]</li></li></ul>
 
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|- style="vertical-align: top;"
|[[Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire]] ||<ul><li>[[File:Icon,_world_wide_web_(small).png]] [https://www.instagram.com/tomichristelofficial/ Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire]</li><li>[[File:Icon,_facebook_(small).png]] [https://www.facebook.com/TropicalEmpireDance/ Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire Facebook Page]</li><li>[[File:Icon,_facebook_(small).png]] [https://www.facebook.com/groups/TropicalEmpire/ Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire Facebook Group]</li></ul>||<ul><li>[https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/38492211 The Dance Studio Reading, 9a Loverock Road, Ashmere Terrace, Reading RG30 1DZ]</li></li></ul>
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|[[Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire]] ||<ul><li>[[File:Icon,_world_wide_web_(small).png]] [https://www.instagram.com/tomichristelofficial/ Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire]</li><li>[[File:Icon,_facebook_(small).png]] [https://www.facebook.com/TropicalEmpireDance/ Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire Facebook Page]</li><li>[[File:Icon,_facebook_(small).png]] [https://www.facebook.com/groups/TropicalEmpire/ Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire Facebook Group]</li><li>[[File:Icon,_meetup_(small).png]] [https://www.meetup.com/tropicalempire/ Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire Meetup Group]</li></ul>||<ul><li>[https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/38492211 The Dance Studio Reading, 9a Loverock Road, Ashmere Terrace, Reading RG30 1DZ]</li></li></ul>
 
|- style="vertical-align: top;"
 
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|[[Salsa in Berkshire]] ||<ul><li>[[File:Icon,_world_wide_web_(small).png]] [https://www.cuban-salsa.co.uk/ Salsa in Berkshire]</li><li>[[File:Icon,_facebook_(small).png]] [https://www.facebook.com/SalsaBerkshire/ Salsa in Berkshire Facebook Page]</li></ul>||<ul><li>[https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/623581545 Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF]</li></li></ul>
 
|[[Salsa in Berkshire]] ||<ul><li>[[File:Icon,_world_wide_web_(small).png]] [https://www.cuban-salsa.co.uk/ Salsa in Berkshire]</li><li>[[File:Icon,_facebook_(small).png]] [https://www.facebook.com/SalsaBerkshire/ Salsa in Berkshire Facebook Page]</li></ul>||<ul><li>[https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/623581545 Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF]</li></li></ul>

Revision as of 22:36, 25 April 2019


The Reading area has classes in a wide variety of dance from the well-established forms of ballroom and ballet to more recently popular forms such as swing, street and salsa. Some of these classes, for example ballet and street, are commonly (though not exclusively) extra-curricular classes for school aged children while dances such as swing and salsa tend to be more youth and adult oriented and often have social events.

There are groups running drop-in classes, courses and social dances in various styles in and around Reading. Classes generally run weekly. Courses are series of classes where they start with the basics and build up week by week (so you need to start at the beginning of the course). Drop-in classes are where you can start any time - they often have beginners' lessons earlier in the evening with more advanced lessons later. Many have social dancing at the end of the evening after the lesson(s). Levels of difficulty/competence are often described as beginners, improvers, intermediate and advanced.

Most dance forms are partnered dances, although you usually don't need to take a partner and even if you go as a couple to a lesson the teachers usually ask people to change partners so everybody gets to practice with everybody else. Most dance forms also have leader and follower roles which are generally assigned to men and women. Where there is an imbalance in numbers what usually happens is that surplus men or women take turns standing by while other couples practice a move, and then as participants change partners those waiting re-join and others have to wait a turn. Sometimes surplus participants will practice a move on their own (with an imaginary partner) until they move on to the next real partner. Sometimes, if there are more women than men, some women will take leader roles to balance the numbers. It is less common for extra men to take follower roles although in some social dances men will dance with other men as well as women with other women.

There are also solo dances (such as taught at Reading Swing Jam's Jazz / Charleston classes) which can be performed by a group ensemble, or by pairs or groups improvising and responding to each others' moves.

Organisers of partnered dances generally encourage participants to observe good personal hygiene! Take a bath or shower beforehand, use deodorant if necessary, brush your teeth etc. For all dance forms it's advisable to take water to drink, and possibly a towel and/or a fan in all but the coldest weather: dancing is exercise and you can get quite warm.


Fun Fact There is some scientific evidence that dance may improve brain health, reduce risk of dementia, improve mood and certain cognitive skills such as visual recognition and decision-making, reduce stress and help develop new neural connections, especially in regions involved in executive function, long-term memory, and spatial recognition, and even to be therapeutic for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Classes & Socials

In the following lists the dances are grouped by which dances are of interest to the same people and/or which dances are danced at the same socials, it not a rigorous academic classification. If you see problems with this grouping please raise the matter in the discussion page.

Argentine Tango

Classes

Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
El Amanecer
Reading Tango Club
Reading University Tango Society
Tango Secrets
Vibez Dance Studio

Socials

Tango social dances are Milongas.

Event Name Event Frequency Dance School Website(s) Venue
Cambalache Usually 3rd Saturday of the month Reading Tango Club St Luke's Parish Hall, 23 Erleigh Road, Reading RG1 5LR
Eton Dorney Milonga Check with the organiser Tango Secrets Eton Dorney Village Hall, Dorney Reach, Maidenhead SL6 0DS
Eton Milonga Check with the organiser Thames Valley Tango Old Windsor Memorial Hall, Straight Road, Old Windsor, Windsor SL4 2RN
La Primera 2nd Saturday of the month El Amanecer Vibez Dance Studio, First Floor, 81-87 Crockhamwell Road, Woodley RG5 3JP
Matinee Milonga Check with the organiser Reading Tango Club Moulsford Pavilion, Recreation Ground, The Sreet, Moulsford OX10 9JD
Tango Aurora Milonga Check with the organiser Tango Aurora Botley Women's Institute, 33 North Hinksey Lane, Oxford OX2 0LT
West London Milonga Check with the organiser Tango Secrets 2 Duke's Avenue, Chiswick, London W4 2AE

Ballet, Tap, Modern & Jazz

Ballet, tap, modern & jazz are often taught by the same dance schools. While a lot of the teaching is oriented towards children of school age, some schools offer adult classes.

Ballet

Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
2B Performing Arts
Alison Jayne School of Dance
All Stars Theatre Academy
Allenova School of Dancing
Allied Schools of Dance
Arts Frenzy
Dance Reality Studios
Dance Sensation
Dancercise
Inspirations School of Dance
JG Dance
Jayne A. Coleman Academy of Dance
Karen North School of Dance
Knight School of Dance
Lynette Stephenson Academy of Dance
Mo’s Dance
Read Theatre School
Reading School of Dance
Starlet Dance School
  • Shinfield Grange, Cutbush Lane East, Shinfield RG2 9AF
Susan Pheby School of Dance
The Bryett School of Dance
The Lodge School of Theatre Dance
The Olivia Dance Academy
Vibez Dance Studio
West Berks Ballet School

Jazz

Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
2B Performing Arts
Allenova School of Dancing
Allied Schools of Dance
Dance Reality Studios
Dancercise
Jayne A. Coleman Academy of Dance
Karen North School of Dance
Read Theatre School
Starlet Dance School
  • Shinfield Grange, Cutbush Lane East, Shinfield RG2 9AF
Susan Pheby School of Dance
The Olivia Dance Academy
The Primary Dance Partnership
  • Primary Schools
Vibez Dance Studio

Modern

Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
2B Performing Arts
Alison Jayne School of Dance
All Stars Theatre Academy
Allied Schools of Dance
Berkshire Arts Academy
Dance Reality Studios
Dance Sensation
JG Dance
Jayne A. Coleman Academy of Dance
Knight School of Dance
Lynette Stephenson Academy of Dance
Starlet Dance School
  • Shinfield Grange, Cutbush Lane East, Shinfield RG2 9AF
The Bryett School of Dance
The Olivia Dance Academy
West Berks Ballet School

Tap

Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
2B Performing Arts
Alison Jayne School of Dance
All Stars Theatre Academy
Allenova School of Dancing
Allied Schools of Dance
Arts Frenzy
Dance Reality Studios
Dance Sensation
Dancercise
Inspirations School of Dance
JG Dance
Jayne A. Coleman Academy of Dance
Karen North School of Dance
Knight School of Dance
Lynette Stephenson Academy of Dance
Mo’s Dance
Read Theatre School
Starlet Dance School
  • Shinfield Grange, Cutbush Lane East, Shinfield RG2 9AF
Susan Pheby School of Dance
The Bryett School of Dance
The Olivia Dance Academy
Vibez Dance Studio
West Berks Ballet School

Ballroom & Latin

Classes

Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
Berkshire Ballroom
County Dance
Dance Reality Studios
Miles School of Dancing
Reading University Ballroom, Latin and Salsa
The Dance Studio Reading
The Dance Zone
Vibez Dance Studio

Socials

Event Name Event Frequency Dance School Website(s) Venue
Berkshire Ballroom Social Occasional Berkshire Ballroom Easthampstead Park Community School, Ringmead, Bracknell RG12 8FS
County Dance Saturday Social Most months County Dance Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, Rushey Way, Earley RG6 4GD
County Dance Sunday Social Most weeks County Dance St Giles Hall, Southampton Street, Reading RG1 2QP
Miles School of Dancing Social Occasional Miles School of Dancing
Vibez Saturday Social Dance Monthly Vibez Dance Studio Vibez Dance Studio, First Floor, 81-87 Crockhamwell Road, Woodley RG5 3JP
Vibez Sunday Tea Dance Every other month Vibez Dance Studio Vibez Dance Studio, First Floor, 81-87 Crockhamwell Road, Woodley RG5 3JP
Vibez Tuesday Tea Dance Monthly Vibez Dance Studio Vibez Dance Studio, First Floor, 81-87 Crockhamwell Road, Woodley RG5 3JP

Bellydance

Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
Reading University Bellydance Society
Santa Maria Bellydance Academy
Sonia's Belly Dance Academy
    Vibez Dance Studio

    Burlesque

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Burledance

    Capoeira

    Capoeira was developed by African slaves in Brazil at the beginning of the 16th century. It is known for its quick and complex manoeuvres, predominantly using power, speed, and leverage across a wide variety of kicks, spins, and other techniques.

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Capoeira Reading

    Ceroc & Modern Jive

    Ceroc & Modern Jive are dances derived from swing, Lindy Hop, rock and roll, salsa and others, the main innovation being to simplify the footwork by removing syncopation such as chasse.

    Ceroc

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Ceroc Twyford

    Modern Jive

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Ginger Jive (Burghfield)
    Ginger Jive (Thatcham)

    5Rhythms

    5Rhythms is a movement meditation practice devised by Gabrielle Roth in the late 1970s. It draws from indigenous and world traditions using tenets of shamanistic, ecstatic, mystical and eastern philosophy. 5Rhythms dancing is often described as moving meditation.

    5Rhythms classes run at St Lukes church hall, Erleigh Rd, on Thursday evenings at 20:15. They also have a meetup group.

    Folk Dance

    Ceilidh

    There don't seem to be any ceilidhs running in Reading; the nearest seem to be those run by Oxfolk in Oxford.

    Clog

    Aldbrickham Clog and Step Dancers practice at the Park URC Church at Palmer Park on Tuesdays, and perform at various events through the year. They have a Facebook page.

    Morris

    Kennet Morris Men dance mainly Cotswold style Morris. During the winter months they practice in Shinfield (just South of the M4 Black Boy) and dance during the Summer months: May to September.

    Scottish

    Reading St Andrews Scottish Dancing Society runs courses (at St Andrews United Reformed church on London Rd opposite Eldon Square) and socials and ceilidhs.

    Indian Dance

    Bhangra

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Indian Community Centre

    Bharatanatyam

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Kalakunj

    Bollywood

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Bollywood Dance Worldwide
    Indian Community Centre
    My Dance Land
    Vibez Dance Studio

    Kathak

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Drishti Dance

    Line

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Crystal Steps
    Steps 'n' Stetsons
    Tilehurst Sequence and Line Dance Club.

    Sequence

    Sequence dancing is a form of dance in which a preset pattern of movements is followed, usually to music which is also predetermined. Sequence dancing may include dances of many different styles. The term may include ballroom dances which move round the floor as well as line, square and circle dances.

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Tilehurst Sequence and Line Dance Club.
    Woodley Sequence Dance Club

    Social Latin Dance

    Social latin (street latin) dances are forms of Afro-Caribbean dances that are danced in clubs and latin party nights (in contrast to the more formal Ballroom & Latin forms). The social latin dances most commonly danced in the Reading area are bachata, kizomba, salsa and, closely related to salsa, la rueda. There are also occasional lessons and workshops in merengue, cha-cha-chá, son and rumba.

    Classes

    Some of the social latin dance schools run courses over a few weeks, some run drop-in classes. If you are new to a school, check with the organisers to confirm the dates, times and venues of lessons and courses and what level is best for you. If you like a school, connect with them on social media to be notified about cancellations or venue changes.

    Bachata

    Bachata orignates from the Dominican Republic. A common figure in the dance is for the couple to dance sideways to a "step, step, step, tap" pattern.

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Bachata Mondays
    Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire
    Salsa in Berkshire
    The Salsa Family
    Kizomba

    Kizomba originates from Angola. Kizomba music is characterised by a slow, romantic, sensuous rhythm.

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Kizomba Wednesdays
    Salsa in Berkshire
    La Rueda

    La Rueda is closely related to Salsa, particularly Cuban Salsa, and is often danced to the same music as Salsa. Pairs of dancers form a circle, with dance moves called out by a caller. The calls are in Spanish and some of the calls (notably "dame") instruct the dancers to move to the next partner around the circle. There are a couple of dance schools that specialise in La Rueda but it is often taught in regular salsa classes after the main lessons. At latin party nights, DJs sometimes call a rueda. This video shows an example of La Rueda.

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Afrodesia Salsa
    Berkshire Rueda Circle
    La Rueda at The Rising Sun Arts Centre
    Strictly Cuban Salsa
    Salsa

    There are a number of different styles of Salsa including Colombian,Cuban, Miami, L.A., New York and Puerto Rican. The styles most commonly taught in the Reading area are Cross-Body Salsa (where the couple dance "on the line") and Cuban Salsa (where the couple rotate about each other). If you are new to Salsa the particular style probably doesn't matter too much and you will probably choose a class that is convenient to you but, after a while, you may find you have a preference for one style or the other and seek out those particular classes.

    Cross-Body Salsa
    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Dance 2 Salsa
    Reading University Ballroom, Latin and Salsa
    Red Hat Salsa
    Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire
    Cuban Salsa
    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Afrodesia Salsa
    Dance 2 Salsa
    Salsa in Berkshire
    Strictly Cuban Salsa
    The Salsa Family

    Socials

    There are a number of regular social latin events and party nights in the Reading area where you can expect bachata, kizomba and salsa music to be played. Some of these events include a "fun" or introductory class. If you've not been to an event before, check with the organisers to confirm the date, time and venue. If you like a particular event, connect with the organisers on social media to be notified about cancellations or venue changes.

    Event Name Event Frequency Dance School Website(s) Venue
    3rd Saturday Party Night 3rd Saturday of the month Red Hat Salsa RISC Global Café, 35-39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS
    Buena Vista Night 1st Saturday of the month Cubanisimo East Oxford Conservative Club, 62 James Sreet, Oxford OX4 1EU
    Latin Fiesta Sundays Salsa Bachata Tropical Empire The Dance Studio Reading, 9a Loverock Road, Ashmere Terrace, Reading RG30 1DZ
    Reading Salsa Latin Night Check with the organiser
    Salsa at The Angel Last Friday of the month Red Hat Salsa The Angel, Bath Rd, Woolhampton RG7 5RT
    Sunday Salsa Chill 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month Red Hat Salsa The Turks, 31 London Road, Reading RG1 5BJ
    Yates Sunday Party 2nd Sunday of the month and/or
    2nd Friday of the month,
    check with the organiser
    Salsa Bachata Social Club Yates Reading, 7-9 Friar Street, Reading RG1 1DB

    Street Dance

    Break

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    The Primary Dance Partnership
    • Primary Schools

    Hip Hop

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    Conco Dance
    Dancercise
    Reading School of Dance
    Starlet Dance School
    • Shinfield Grange, Cutbush Lane East, Shinfield RG2 9AF
    Vibez Dance Studio

    Street

    Dance School Website(s) Class Venue(s)
    2B Performing Arts
    All Stars Theatre Academy
    Allenova School of Dancing
    Arts Frenzy
    Berkshire Arts Academy
    Dance Reality Studios
    Dance Sensation
    Dancercise
    Inspirations School of Dance
    Jayne A. Coleman Academy of Dance
    Mo’s Dance
    Starlet Dance School
    • Shinfield Grange, Cutbush Lane East, Shinfield RG2 9AF
    Street Feet Dance
      Susan Pheby School of Dance
      The Primary Dance Partnership
      • Primary Schools
      Urban Stylez
      Vibez Dance Studio

      Swing Dance

      Charleston, Jazz, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Jive etc

      Reading Vintage Swing Dance Scene

      The Reading Vintage Swing Dance Scene website ("For all things swing dance related in Reading") describes the evolution of different types of Swing dance, lists classes (with a Google calendar), events, bands, venues (including some non-dance places), retailers of vintage clotes etc, and more.

      All Jazzed Up

      All Jazzed Up run courses at Watlington House on Tuesdays and Thursdays and occasional events. They also have a blog and a facebook page.

      Ceroc

      Ceroc is a Jive dance with simplified footwork making it easy to learn, and also the proprietary trade name of the organisations running lessons and dances. Ceroc Thames Valley runs drop-in classes in Wokingham and Twyford and Ceroc Newbury in Newbury.

      Reading Swing Jam

      Reading Swing Jam run solo Jazz / Charleston courses at Rising Sun Arts Centre on Monday evenings, Blues at the Purple Turtle on Thursdays and other events.

      Reading University Swing Dance Society

      Reading University Swing Dance Society (see also RUSDS own website) run classes and dances during University term times (but open to all, not just students or university members).

      Jive Cats

      Jive Cats run classes in Caversham, Woodley and elsewhere.

      Balboa Mondays

      Balboa Mondays run courses at the Rising Sun Arts Centre on Monday evenings, and other events.

      Global Cafe

      The Silver Heels play at Global Cafe on the 3rd Thursday of each month (with breaks in the summer and at Christmas/New Year). Café Zazous also play every other month, music in a Django Reinhard French cafe Jazz genre, also on Thursdays. Both usually attract Balboa, Lindy etc dancers.

      Purple Turtle

      The Ding Dong Daddios play frequent gigs at the Purple Turtle (currently the second Thursday of even numbered months) which attract a lot of local swing dancers.


      fitness dance

      swing based

      Jitterblast (Facebook) at Caversham Hall, St John's Road, Caversham, RG4 5AN - Thursdays 11:30am (note: not as advertised on some flyers)

      "A dance fitness workout that uses high-energy moves from Swing Dances like Lindy Hop, Charleston and Vintage Jazz with some classic Hollywood film dance moves thrown in!"
      email / phone Jean 07808966928 / Shirley 07974205485

      Zumba

      Sue Chalmers runs Zumba classes for over 50s at the University Sports Centre on Friday mornings at 10am.

      others

      • Folk - French, Greek etc?
      • Ballroom?
      • Tap?
      • Belly?
      • others?