Classes - Modern Jive

Ginger Jive runs popular modern jive and salsa dance classes in, Thatcham nr Newbury, Burghfield, Bracknell, Bath, Melksham and Westbury. These dances are recognised as the fastest and most popular form of partner dance today.  They are great fun, easy to learn and very sociable.

At the bottom of this page you will find details of how the nights are run and lots of frequently asked questions.

New Member Discount Card

On your first night at Ginger Jive or Dance Envy, as a new member you are entitled to purchase a discount card which will give you 6 dance nights for just £20.  The cards are valid for 3 months and can be used on any Ginger Jive or Dance Envy (jive & salsa) class nights and freestyles.  The discount cards however will not be valid for any major/themed events.

How do the jive nights run?

• 7.30pm - 8.00pm.  The door and licensed bar (where applicable) opens before the classes start should you wish to chill out and have a drink before dancing.
• 8.00pm - 8.30pm.  Here you join in the beginners jive class and learn 3 basic moves.  Jive is so simple to learn we guarantee that you will be able to dance after just your first lesson!
• 8.30pm - 9.00pm.  The DJ takes over for 30 minutes so you can either practise the moves you have just learnt or just relax and have a drink.
• 9.00pm - 9.30pm.  You now have the choice of 2 (or on some nights 3) classes to choose from.  If you are a beginner you can do the beginners lesson again in a smaller group or you can try the intermediate class which is slightly harder.
• 9.30pm - 11.00pm.  Again the DJ takes over for what we call the 'Freestyle' which is basically an evening social dance - your chance to practise the moves you have just learnt in a relaxed, fun and safe environment. 

FAQ's

1.  Do I need to pre-book?

No, there is no need to pre-book - just turn up on any night.

2.  I am a complete beginner, when can I start?

Unlike most other dance classes, we do not run set courses - we are open for 50 weeks of the year!  Beginners can start on any  night.  We even have special dancers on hand called 'Taxi Dancers' and they are there purely on the nights to look after beginner dancers.

3.  What if I miss a week, will I miss out?

As it is not a set course, missing weeks is no problem.  Moves are repeated so you just learn them next time around.

4.  Do I need to bring a partner?

No, the majority of people do actually come on their own.  The main reason that the dance nights are so friendly and sociable is that you dance with everyone in the room, so there is no need to bring a partner.

5.  What type of music do you play?

Modern jive can be danced to any type of music with a steady beat, fast or slow.  We play tunes from the last 70 years from Sinatra to Kylie and everything in between.

6.  What do I have to wear?

The nights are informal so it's best to wear what you feel comfortable in, whether that be jeans and a t-shirt or a little more dressed up.  Being an aerobic activity, it can get warm so it is best to wear layers of clothes instead of a big thick jumper!

There is no need to go out an buy special dance shoes to start with however try and stay away from any shoes with a thick rubber sole or normal trainers as they will grip the floor and make turning/spinning difficult.

7.  How much does it cost?

The normal cost of a jive night is just £7 - that works out just over £2 per hour!  Unlike many other organisations we do not charge a joining fee - membership to Ginger Jive is FREE.

We also offer lots of promotions and special offers during the year and in addition you can purchase pre-paid undated vouchers to use on any class nights.  These are called 'Admit One' vouchers and you can buy 10 vouchers for the price of 9.