Classes Tuesdays 7.30pm - 9.30pm (Starting 23rd April 2024)

Here in the heart of Herefordshire.

£7 (First night £5)

You can just turn up but it would be nice to let us know that you are interested. We are just starting out. Myself, Caz and some fine help from Gina. We have a couple that underway. Another two would be great.

Caz has 6 years experience teaching in the performance dance field.

A quick introduction video.

See our moves page

I have often asked myself, why do so few people go dancing? At a rough guess it is less than one in a thousand. In my parents’ day it was all the rage and the place to meet people. It could be the image. Salsa seems to attract a fair few. Salsa is a great dance, though rather quick and full on. I prefer to dance at different speeds and to a broader range of music.

I have been to countless dance classes over the years and found them somewhat dull. It is the same, same, same thing. It is made harder than it needs to be. Dance teachers repeat the methods used since the 1950’s. No one has ever questioned it. I want to show people a better way to learn. We add a lot more variety. Time flies when you are having fun.

What can I say that would encourage you to try partner dancing. It keeps you fit. You move because you want to move. It is not like those running nowhere on a treadmill at the gym. You don’t have to keep digging deep to find the will. Human touch is vital. Premature babies thrive if touched regularly rather than left alone in the incubator. Human touch stimulates. People sure missed it when we were made to feel like lepers during the lockdowns. In dance, we set our own closeness. The true joy is found in the harmony of two people becoming one. One leading, the other following their guide. At MaxJive we encourage the ladies to spend some of their time leading. We are the first club that started on a non-sexist basis. Following as a man is optional yet rather pleasant. No thinking for a change.

Every dance is different. That is at least what we want to instil in people. No routines to learn. You can allow one move to flow into the next in the same way as you scroll randomly on the internet. Over time you become somewhat creative. You become a dance artist. To get you on your way, we have devised a teaching method that means the leaders won’t need months of lessons before they can dance a full song.

Sometimes harmony leads to ‘feeling it’. This is hard to describe as how do you describe the joy of riding a motorbike around the country lanes. Or describe the taste of certain foods. To understand what a pineapple tastes like you have to eat some. Music and co-motion - coordinated coupling is magical. You feel something special in the moment.

I know what might put you off. You are no good at dance steps. No fear - anyone that can walk can thrive. There are very few steps to take on board in MaxJive. You might be a self-conscious sort. I find self-consciousness evaporates when dancing with someone. It is not at all the same as disco dancing individually.

Why is it called MaxJive? Rather than single speed, you can adjust the pace according to who you are with and what music is being played. For those that have been on the dance scene a while, they can enter the world of left-handed moves, following and leading, inverted moves and an unlimited array of options. If the two of you know a little tango or ballroom for example, you can fuse a little of that in if you so wish.

I have been on the pitch of some of the finest stadiums in the world. At Wembley stadium I walked towards the front to explore the crowds and spotted a lady dancing solo. I offered my hand, and she took it. A had a four-minute dance with her to one of Springsteen’s tracks then left to do the same with someone else. I spoke no words. Dance is a language in its own right. The type of dance we teach is universal. It can be used the world over, sometimes adjusted to suit the musical theme. You can impress people at weddings. You can have a shot at the Malvern fair or Shelsley Walsh climb days.

Dancing is ultimately about connecting with people, interpreting the music, and picking out elements. You can dance to the drums, the guitar, piano or lyrics. You express yourself. We mix slow songs in between faster ones to vary the energy. We are building this club from scratch. It is no mean feat. It is difficult to get it going but I am motivated by seeing people come out of their shell, off their phones and into the world of physical engagement with one another. The hardest step in dance is taking the first step into the hall. Fear not. You will be most welcome. Like all things there are levels. You can boil an egg and butter some toast or move on to cooking like Gordon Ramsay. You can reach whatever level you like in dancing. Bit by bit. Be part of something.

Snowball vs Octopus. Same but different. Snowballing is more compact.

See our moves page

Pop-up Dance Class

At the Plough Inn - Stoke Lacy HR7 4HG

17th October 2023

Come along and have a go at free flowing expressive dance - to music that you will have heard of.

Come alone or with a partner.

July Salsa Freestyle Party

At the Plough Inn - Stoke Lacy HR7 4HG

14th July 2023

We had a little Rueda, line-ups and a couple of dance games.

The spin challenge proved a lot harder than expected. The lady needs to give the man a decent push. The man needs to be strong as an ox in the arm and light on their feet.

Dance Freestyle at the Plough Inn. Thursday 12th January.

Some people come alone, others with their partner. We often pair people up with some else at the same stage as you. It is up to you.

More details

Hopefully we will have the numbers to do a regular group class in early 2023. Join our list and we can let you know when it starts.
Simply send a whattsapp message/email or text.