Free festival of dance launched at St James
AN ENTHUSIASM to get people dancing has inspired a free festival at St James, for which professional tutors are on hand to pass on their expertise.
Workshops have been running since Tuesday evening on the large dancefloor, ahead of this weekend’s ‘evening socials’, with the festival culminating in a vintage-style tea dance on Sunday.
Organisers Ian and Susan Souter have taken the lead when it comes to Swing and Lindy Hop, the latter being a dance style which they hope to help establish on the island.
‘We took up the Lindy Hop after taking classes at an ex-servicemen’s club in a northern-beaches suburb of Sydney 12 years ago,’ said Mr Souter.
‘It’s not a popular dance in Guernsey so far but we hope it might become one – it certainly gets your body and your brain working.’
The Saturday line-up of classes also includes Balchata, Salsa, Retro Rock ‘n’ Roll, Quickstep, Latin and Rhumba, led by Victor Bunel, Vanessa James and Christine Le Belge.
There will then be a dance night from 8pm with music from the Silverados.
‘All the dance teachers are giving their time for free and we’ve got a group of 10 dancers who have come over from Jersey for the event.
‘They’ve got a really thriving dance group over there. We’d encourage anyone who is interested – or just curious – to come along and join in. It’s all free and there’s no need to book – we’ll soon get you on the dancefloor.’
Sunday’s Tea Dance will also feature a show dance by competition dancers.
