Teaching a 'new' jive

- Róisín McManus -

New jive classes for all ages are beginning across parts of west Cavan this month.

Organised by Roisin Owens and Connor McGovern, ‘Boots n Beats’ classes are running in Corlough Community Centre from 7.30-9pm on Wednesdays, and from 7-8.30pm in Dowra Resource Centre on Mondays. There will be further classes in Killeshandra in November.

Everyone is welcome and it is not necessary to bring a partner.

Roisin (24) and Connor (18) have been jiving for the past two years and met one year ago through Tina McGurren’s Modern Country Moves in Charlie’s Bar, Enniskillen.

They jive “for the craic” and the social benefits that come with it, bringing communities together and meeting people from all over the country.

Each month, they go to dances in the Lavey Inn, the Abbey Hotel in Donegal and the Allingham Arms Hotel in Bundoran. Those nights, they would often see 500-600 people out on the dance floor.

They decided to create their own classes to encourage more people, particulary young people, to take up jiving.

When it comes to technique, footwork is a “big thing” as it makes the jive “look nicer”, along with rhythm. Without those, Connor says: “I’m afraid we’ll have a lot to do with you.”

Classes will focus on their favoured new style of jiving, where both male and female have an active role, spinning and twisting around the floor. Participants will be taught how to quickstep, waltz, foxtrot and linedance. They are also hoping to introduce classes for children up to the age of 12 years old in the new year.

Classes cost €8 for students or those aged between 12-18 years, and €12 per person for adults. Admission is free for U12s, but they must be supervised.

For more information, follow ‘Boots n Beats’ on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.