Get fit and dance in a fun and friendly atmosphere...
Well obviously - it's all about standing in lines, walking through simple steps, clapping, kicking, and moving around the room in time with each other. Everyone does the same steps which are initially demonstrated by the teacher .
Try one of the beginner's class to start with and expect to spend a few weeks getting used to the style of dance and getting in some practice. The beginner's class will include dances for those who have done no Line Dancing before and want to learn both the basic steps and some great dances that everyone can do right from the first evening.
When you arrive people will probably already be dancing. The teacher calls out the names of three or four dances, and everyone jumps up and joins in. It is at this point that you will be thinking, "Not in a million years will I be able to do that!" Everyone does! BUT, when you look and see the sort of people doing it, all ages, sizes, and abilities you will soon see that it is actually very easy. The secret to Line Dancing is that you are only doing a few basic steps facing one direction, then you repeat them, facing another. It makes it look very complicated. It isn't!
Each week, expect to review dances taught in the last few weeks so you'll be able to learn them if you missed a week. There will also be a reminder of older and more familiar dances that have been taught and reviewed before. You will occasionally learn dances new to everyone, which means that everyone is at the same stage when it comes to learning a new dance.
Don't expect to be able to do ALL the dances on your first evening! Do one or two, then sit out and watch. You can learn a lot from watching others. It usually takes just a few weeks just to get used to Line Dancing and to get to know the names of some of the steps.When brand new dances are taught from scratch, they are done slowly, until everyone has a basic idea how they work (The average dance takes between 5 and 15 minutes to teach) They are then done three times, to music, with the instructor calling out the steps. The dance is then refreshed later in the evening, and done again at following lessons, with the occasional reminder for all those who have instantly forgotton the steps! New dances are taught all the time so there will always be dances 'walked through'. That means quickly stepping it out to refresh your memory. You may even find that you can even pick dances up like this.
I started Line Dancing in Newport in 1995 initially at the Kings Hotel. All I had was a few CDs, a sound system, and a couple of dances in
my head...
Along with my then dance partner Zoe, and my Mum, Vee, on the door taking tickets we managed to scrape together a class of around 15 - the first class in South Wales.
After much publicity in the local and national press, the small class soon caught the eye of the local TV stations - we even had an item on BBC Wales Today! The class quickly grew to over 400 - far too big for the hotel, so was promptly moved to the Newport Centre.
More TV coverage ensued, and with Zoe moving on to pastures new, and me chucking in my daytime job as a graphic designer I eventually set up more classes. We are now the biggest Line Dance class in Wales, and one of the largest in the UK! As the forerunner to the Line Dancing craze, the chances are your local class probably began with us!
As well as the regular lessons, there are occasional Party Nights where all come together for one big social evening, whether it be Christmas, Halloween, my birthday or just for the fun of it! And Ive still got Mum on the door!
All classes take place
at The Newport Centre, Riverside Suite.
Ticket prices:
Adults - £4.40
Children under 16 - £2.40
Please note: Everyone attending Line Dancing classes at the Newport Centre must purchase
a ticket at reception. Spectators included, whether dancing or not. This is for insurance and fire safety purposes.
Monday evening: 8.30pm - 10.30pm
Social Night/instruction: Generally we use Monday night as a chance to just dance all the dances that we may have learnt at the other classes. Standing around being taught endless dances without ever getting to actually DO them is not my idea of fun, so this class is for everyone. Contrary to what some people think - this is not a class for advanced dancers - I dont do advanced anything - I play as many dances as I can for everyone. Even if you only know a handful of dances - let me know and I will make sure you are catered for. Occasionally I do teach the odd dance just to try them out, but mostly its all about cramming in as many dances as I can. (£4.40)
Tuesday morning: 11am - 12.30pm
Beginners with instruction: This is our brand new beginners class for all you absolute first timers out there!
We also have a fair old number of more experienced dancers attending just to help you out.
After all they know what it was like getting to grips with Line Dancing at first. (£4.40)
Wednesday evening: 8.30pm - 10.30pm
Beginners with instruction: Our longest running and biggest beginners class - but dont let that put you off!
Even though many people already know a lot of dances this class is still aimed at the first timers.
Everyone pitches in to help out and you will usually learn three or four dances on your first evening. (£4.40)
Line Dancing is aimed primarily at the single dancer. You just stand up, and join on the end of a line when you feel like it!
There are a couple of partner dances thrown in for good measure, but nothing is compulsory.
And of course if you DO have a partner, drag them along as well
- the more the merrier!
I always get asked this...
And my answer is usually
'No just stay at home and enjoy it from there!'
Admittedly this is usually met with a confused silence...
YES turn up! Buy your ticket at reception, take a seat in the Riverside Suite, watch for a while, and then join in when you feel like it. There is absolutely no pressure to do anything you don't want to.
You may even enjoy just sitting and watching. We go on all evening but you can leave whenever you want.
We've got children as young as 10 and people in their 60s and 70s (And I think one or two in their 80s)
- So that would be a no!
Absolutely not! Jeans, t-shirts, skirts and blouses
- whatever you feel comfortable in.
We advise against footwear with high heels, but any sensible walking shoes, trainers or boots are fine.
We used to do the whole cowboy hat and boots thing years ago, but quite frankly that all got a bit shameful!
And of course - no leotards!
Or fleeces, I hate fleeces!
Ive heard that tired old cliche from just about everyone the first time they mention Line Dancing! Its starting to get annoying now...
You do not have to be able to dance, or even have much co-ordination. As long as you can count to four, and just about know left from right, you'll be fine!
Even if you cant - who cares, as long as you have a laugh and dont kill anyone.
That all depends on what you do in the privacy of your own kitchen..!
There are never any guarantees to weight loss, and really, as long as you are basically healthy, and are lucky enough to be able to move about - then thats really all that matters.
That said, Line Dancing is great aerobic, low impact, exercise. You can do as little, or as much as you want to do. Most importantly, and as far as I am concerned, dancing is a fantastic stress reliever, as you get to let lose all your inhibitions in a welcoming, friendly atmosphere. Plus, you don't feel as though you are exercising,
because you will be having such a good time!
Line Dancing is done to all sorts of music, not just Country - ok mostly country! But we do use all sorts of music from other genres to keep it interesting: Soul, R&B, rock, pop, music from the 50's and 60's to the current chart hits. Even music styles from around world like Irish, Latin, and Folk is used! I can assure you the music will be a pleasant surprise.
Country Music is responsible for over 60% of world music sales, so you will be enjoying one of the most diverse and popular styles of music there is.
And not ONCE over 15 years have I EVER played Achy Breaky Sodding Heart!
You may laugh until you wet yourself!
It will give you whole new lease of life, whatever your age, or abilities. You won't believe what a difference it will make! Chances are, you will bump into someone you know who has secretly been dancing for years.
We have even had a few marriages as a result of meeting at the class! So while I wouldnt go as far to say you will find love at Line Dancing
- you never know....!
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