Modern Jive
Created | Updated Oct 4, 2006
Modern Jive is a popular style of partner dance, also known as LeRoc (a generic name) and Ceroc (a commercial brand name). Its origins go back to World War II when the American GIs brought the Jitterbug to France. This evolved into tight, slick style of jive during the disco era of the seventies and finally became a cult dance in the UK during the eighties and nineties. Today, the dance has evolved into a style that still has its roots with the Jitterbug, but also captures the Latin flavours of Salsa.
Modern Jive is a style of jive dance that can be danced to virtually any music with a strong 4/4 or common time beat. Because it is so flexible musically, it is ideal for clubs and parties.
As the dance is so versatile in terms of music, people of all ages perceive it as being relevant to them. Modern Jive can be danced to the swinging sounds of the '40s, right up to the latest chart hits of today.
The dance is male led partner, meaning the man decides what move to execute. Using a combination of subtle hand holds and signals, his female partner is able to follow.
Modern Jive is now believed to be the most popular form of partner dance in the UK, with many classes running all round the country. Recent television shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Strictly Dance Fever have increased the profile of social dancing with many dance organisations reporting a significant increase in class attendance.
Another winning element of learning Modern Jive is its relative simplicity. At the end of a first class, a complete beginner will have been taught a routine, comprising of around 3 moves that can be danced to a full piece of music. After the success of the first class, most beginners are keen to learn new moves and, bitten by 'the dancing bug', will often attend 2 or 3 classes a week.
The UK-Jive web site lists details of modern jive organisations throughout the UK and can be used to locate a nearby class. The site also lists special 'freestyle' dances, generally held on Friday and Saturday nights.
