C Jam is Swingland's weekly Tuesday night swing dance and music club in South London, with swing dance classes for beginners through to intermediates followed by freestyle dancing.
About C Jam
We teach the original swing dance - the Lindy hop as danced in the great ballrooms of the Harlem Renaissance, such as The Savoy. We are dedicated to the Savoy style of the dance and this dedication over nearly 10 years has given the club the deserved reputation of the new home of Savoy Lindy hop in London. After the classes, top swing DJ's and occasional live bands play the very best swingin' tunes from the past to the present (Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller through to Lavay Smith, Ray Gelato and Royal Crown Revue).
What to expect
Fun, fun, great music - and more fun! A typical night at C Jam attracts a crowd of between 50 and 100 people from all walks of life, and all age ranges (18+). Swing dancing is an increasingly popular pastime and is probably the most fun you can possibly have keeping in shape! It is very sociable - come with friends, a partner or on your own - everyone is welcome and you'll soon feel at home!
Classes at C Jam
7.45pm - Beginners Lindy hop class
No experience required. Absolute beginners always welcome!
Learn all the basics with simple fun routines aimed at getting you dancing quickly - with plenty of emphasis on good lead/follow technique and connection as with all our classes!
...OR (map room) - Authentic Jazz dance class
NEW FOR 2010! During the beginners class there is an authentic Jazz dance class in a seperate room.
Learn famous routines like the Tranky Doo, Big Apple, Shim Sham and more! An ideal warm-up for the Intermediates class and something to do if you are already confident with the beginners Lindy hop class.
8.30pm - Improvers/Intermediates class
You need to have a reasonably good grasp of all the steps regularly taught in Beginners to take this class. So 6-count, some 8-count basics plus basic knowledge of partnered Charleston steps is assumed. At the beginning of the class we will ask everyone to do a selection of basic steps - if you don't feel confident with these you should take the Beginners follow-up class.
In conjunction with our regular monthly workshops this class is designed to set and maintain a really good fundamental level for intermediate-level Lindy hop in London. Move your dancing to the next level! Expect lots on technique and style!
...OR (map room) - Beginners follow-up class
During the intermediates class there is a revision session for beginners in a seperate room.
This is a chance to go over anything you found tricky, ask questions and consolidate the material you've learnt.
We rotate partners regularly in the classes so you get a chance to dance with everyone. This is the best way to learn and it’s a great way to meet people too! Because of the numbers at C Jam it is not practical for couples to stay together - please join in the rotation, you will learn much quicker!
Freestyle/practice
9.15pm-11.30pm - Freestyle dancing/practice - after the classes there is plenty of time to practice what you've learnt, watch and join in the dancing, and get to know people
Your teachers
The classes are taught by Martin Ellis and Jane Eliot, co-founders of Swingland and of C Jam @ The Bedford. The second Beginners class is taught by Sean Hall and Sally Young, both experienced Lindy hop dancers and both current or former members of Attic Cats, our performance company. Sally learnt to dance with Swingland, so you can be sure that the teaching is of the highest quality and is completely consistent across the classes.
www.swingland.com 020 8560 6627