Canterbury Dance Afternoon

Come and join us for a great mix of taster classes and dance displays throughout the afternoon with local Canterbury and Kent based teachers. Choose from Argentine Tango, Belly Dancing, Bachata, Charleston, Contact, Jive and Salsa or why not dip your toe into two or three of the styles available. Entry to the Canterbury Dance Afternoon is £3/£2 for students (classes are for over 18s only). ARGENTINE TANGO Teachers: Christine and Adrian Newell of Westcourt Tango Argentine Tango is a fascinating dance which is popular in the UK and all over the world. Learn right here in Canterbury and yet be able to dance with a complete stranger in Europe, Japan, Russia, or the USA! This amazing dance is like a secret language that allows you to have a conversation with your dance partner even when you can’t communicate through speech. Come along this afternoon and begin to learn some of its mysteries! Christine and Adrian teach on Wednesday Evenings at The Kendall Hall, 59 Nunnery Fields, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3JN. Absolute Beginners 7.15-8pm, Beginners 8-9pm, Improvers 9-10pm. The classes are friendly and fun. Our classes are drop-in so there is no need to book or pay for a whole course in advance. Everyone is welcome! We also hold regular monthly Argentine Tango Tea Dances, come and enjoy Tea/Coffee and Cake and 3 hours of tango dancing. Further details: [email protected] 07971 647 538 www.westcourttango.co.uk Westcourt Tango Facebook Page BELLY DANCE (Raqs Sharqi) Teacher: Layla Acrobelly Belly Dance, or Raqs Sharqi - to give it its correct and more elegant name - is an ancient dance from the east. Originally danced in countries of the Middle East and North Africa, its influence can be seen in Turkey, Greece and locations as far afield as Spain and North and South America. The music and rhythms danced to are upbeat and exhilarating, making the dance an excellent way to gain fitness and agility. Belly dance involves the skilful articulation of muscle groups within the trunk and limbs and offers a fun and exciting way to keep fit. It gives women the confidence to express their bodies in a graceful and elegant way. Movement combinations and performance elements, as well as muscle isolation - involving discipline and practice - are taught through skills and technique training. Layla teaches her mixed-ability class on Mondays 7.30-8.30pm at St. Stephen's Community Association, Tenterden Drive, Canterbury, CT2 7BN. A friendly welcome is extended to beginners and more experienced dancers alike. When not teaching belly dance, Layla can often be seen dancing with her own band, RAQSONIC or with her darbouka-playing partner, Doug, in Turkish or Arabic restaurants and various other venues. She is currently developing a belly dance-based fitness workshop programme for local schools. Further details: [email protected] 07904 228647 LaylaAcrobelly and Raqsonic Facebook pages CHARLESTON Teacher: Hayley Chandler of Dance4Kent Description: Let Dance4Kent take you back in time to the 1920's when the vintage Charleston dance was a roar! We'll be kicking up our heels, reaching for the sky, doing the scarecrow & much more to some good old fashioned tunes. The Charleston will be taught solo so there's no need to bring a partner, just bring yourself & be prepared for a class that will ensure you leave with a smile! CONTACT IMPROVISATION Teacher: Caroline Boulter of Dance4Kent Description: Dance4Kent are ready to take you on an exploratory journey where you will delve into the fundamental basic principals of falling & moving safely with others leading to the point where contact with other dancers provides the starting point for a mind blowing movement exploration. Come along solo or with friends, with an open mind & a willingness to explore & you are half way there to divulging yourself into this glorious art form! Further details for Charleston and Contact Improvisation: [email protected] 07898207973 Dance4Kent Facebook page JIVE Teachers: Andrew Hall and Kate Sampson of Canterbury Jive Class Description: Andrew and Kate teach an easy and very friendly drop-in class in 1940s/50s style jive every Tuesday 7-9pm at the Canterbury Baptist Church Hall, St. George's Place, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1UT. Beginners are always welcome and there's no need to bring a partner. As well as the weekly class they organise regular workshops and classes with guest teachers, and other dance events in and around Canterbury. Join in today and have a go at learning the basics of this popular swing dance. Andrew and Kate will also be teaching very short classes in other fun dances from the period throughout the afternoon such as the twist, the bunny hop and the hand jive. Further details: [email protected] 07717674828 Canterbury Jive Class Facebook group SALSA & BACHATA Teacher : William Arias (Spain/Peru) of the Latin Club Canterbury Are you looking for a new fun hobby? Come and join our salsa & bachata class. Salsa is a popular form of social dance that originated in New York with strong influences from Latin America, particularly Cuba and Puerto Rico. Bachata is a style of social dance from the Dominican Republic which is now danced all over the world. Both dances are sensual with sexy hip movements. They are a great way to get into shape before the summer with a full-body aerobic workout that works all your core muscle groups such as your abs, hips, and legs. Salsa and Bachata are taught every Friday at the LATIN CLUB. The LATIN CLUB is a group of dancers from England, Spain, Peru, Brazil and other Latin countries who love Salsa, Bachata and Merengue. We dance at Canterbury Baptist Church Hall, St George’s Place, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1UT every Friday night from 7:30 to 11:00pm. We bring to Canterbury some of the best UK and international teachers of Latin dances. 8pm to 9pm – Bachata class, 9pm to 10pm – Salsa class, 10pm to 11pm – practice/social. The Club is of course open to everyone looking for a great moment of dance and Latin culture. Further details for Salsa and Bachata: please contact the Latin Club Team [email protected] 07922 020825 The timetable for the day: Bachata 1.45-2.15pm Charleston 2.15-2.45pm Contact Improve 2.45-3.15pm Salsa 3.15-3.45pm Jive 3.45-4.15pm Belly dancing 4.15-4.45pm Tango 4.45-5.15pm The event officially starts at 1.30 but doors will open at 1.15.