Practice & Partner Swapping Sunday
6:00pm - 7:15pm
date: sunday 9th november
Village Hall, The Street, St Nicholas At Wade, CT7 0NP
Fee: £8.50 Per Person
Book In Using The Box Below or Call or Text 07759311697
Book In Using The Box Below or Call or Text 07759311697
A Great Way to improve your dancing faster
By dancing with a variety of partners in a calm, supportive and, as always, relaxed setting, this workshop is designed to help you...
- Grow in confidence.
- Boost your leading and following skills.
- Stop overthinking.
- Get even more enjoyment out of your dancing.
just six dances
We focus on only six dances* that should feel familiar to everyone, regardless of your repertoire:
- Waltz
- Foxtrot
- Quickstep
- Cha Cha
- Rumba
- Jive
Why this order
The running order of this workshop has been carefully designed to help your body, mind, and partnership warm up naturally and perform at their best.
We begin with the WALTZ, a slow and graceful dance that eases you into the session. Its gentle tempo allows your body to wake up gradually while giving you time to focus and remember why you’re attending this workshop. With only three beats, it’s the perfect way to feel comfortable with your partner and to begin building that sense of trust and mutual respect.
Next, we move into the RUMBA. Like the Waltz, it’s calm and unhurried, giving you time to think about how you communicate through movement. For the first time, we leave the fixed ballroom hold. Working in a single or double handhold slightly weakens the physical connection, which means your clarity and timing become even more important. It’s a wonderful way to explore how your communication holds up when you have less contact.
Then comes the FOXTROT. This is where things begin to move a little faster. You’re now dancing Ballroom with four steps instead of three, travelling smoothly around the floor and feeling your confidence grow.
The QUIKCSTEP builds on that speed, but with the stability of the ballroom hold you can manage it; you have the comfort of a secure frame. By now, your body is fully warmed up and your mind is alert.
From there, we shift into the CHA CHA, bringing lively rhythm and playful energy into the mix. Having already established balance and control, you can now focus on crisp timing, clear leads and reactive rather than predictive following.
Finally, we finish with the JIVE, a fast, joyful dance that sends everyone home smiling. After five dances, your coordination, timing, and connection are at their peak, making this the perfect high-energy finale.
This carefully considered order ensures that each dance prepares you for the next, gradually building confidence, clarity, and connection while keeping the session safe, balanced, and fun from start to finish.
We begin with the WALTZ, a slow and graceful dance that eases you into the session. Its gentle tempo allows your body to wake up gradually while giving you time to focus and remember why you’re attending this workshop. With only three beats, it’s the perfect way to feel comfortable with your partner and to begin building that sense of trust and mutual respect.
Next, we move into the RUMBA. Like the Waltz, it’s calm and unhurried, giving you time to think about how you communicate through movement. For the first time, we leave the fixed ballroom hold. Working in a single or double handhold slightly weakens the physical connection, which means your clarity and timing become even more important. It’s a wonderful way to explore how your communication holds up when you have less contact.
Then comes the FOXTROT. This is where things begin to move a little faster. You’re now dancing Ballroom with four steps instead of three, travelling smoothly around the floor and feeling your confidence grow.
The QUIKCSTEP builds on that speed, but with the stability of the ballroom hold you can manage it; you have the comfort of a secure frame. By now, your body is fully warmed up and your mind is alert.
From there, we shift into the CHA CHA, bringing lively rhythm and playful energy into the mix. Having already established balance and control, you can now focus on crisp timing, clear leads and reactive rather than predictive following.
Finally, we finish with the JIVE, a fast, joyful dance that sends everyone home smiling. After five dances, your coordination, timing, and connection are at their peak, making this the perfect high-energy finale.
This carefully considered order ensures that each dance prepares you for the next, gradually building confidence, clarity, and connection while keeping the session safe, balanced, and fun from start to finish.
during the workshop
During the workshop, you’ll be congratulated for showing up and giving it a go, then guided to begin each dance with easy, familiar steps. You’ll learn why it’s important not to force routines onto your partner, and be reminded that in Latin dances, most kicks and flicks can’t truly be led or followed. If something goes wrong, you’ll simply stop, smile, and start again. Leaders are encouraged to avoid announcing their next step or counting their partner into the music, while followers are coached to stay relaxed and responsive, reacting to what they feel rather than predicting what comes next.
build your CONFIDENCE
If you have ever wished you could let go of hesitation on the dancefloor, stop overthinking every step and simply enjoy the music and dancing, this workshop is exactly what you need. It is designed to help you break free from the comfort zone of familiar partners and routines, so you can build the kind of natural, relaxed confidence that allows your dancing to flow with ease and joy.
transform the way you dance
These skills help us to transform the way you dance in every class and event. You will find yourself stepping onto the floor with a quieter mind, clearer focus and far less hesitation about who is standing opposite you.
Whether you are nervous about trying new steps or worried about how you will connect with someone new, this session offers a safe space to explore, make mistakes, learn and grow. It is about embracing the fun of dancing with anyone, anywhere and discovering just how fearless you can really be.
Whether you are nervous about trying new steps or worried about how you will connect with someone new, this session offers a safe space to explore, make mistakes, learn and grow. It is about embracing the fun of dancing with anyone, anywhere and discovering just how fearless you can really be.
keeping it simple
This is not about throwing you in at the deep end. You will be supported every step of the way with practical tips, thoughtful suggestions and a welcoming environment that keeps things light but purposeful.
partnering format
Each dance will be played as two tracks in a row:
There is no judgement and certainly no need to be perfect. The aim is simply to explore how your leading or following works across different partnerships.
- The first with your usual partner.
- The second with someone else.
- The same piece of music is played both times.
There is no judgement and certainly no need to be perfect. The aim is simply to explore how your leading or following works across different partnerships.
discovery
Sessions like these are often where dancers make significant realisations. You will discover what you are already doing well, where habits might be holding you back, and how adaptable your skills truly are. Our regular partners have a familiarity with our 'style' that can often camouflage our weaknesses. It's always interesting when we become more aware of how different people experience the same dance.
clear guidance
The real value lies in the confidence you will carry forward. Dancing with different people helps reveal your strengths, pinpoint where your clarity or technique may be slipping, and gives you the tools to adapt in real time.
As always, expect a friendly atmosphere and clear guidance throughout. Steven will be on hand to gently highlight what to focus on with each partner change.
As always, expect a friendly atmosphere and clear guidance throughout. Steven will be on hand to gently highlight what to focus on with each partner change.
Session duration
This 75 minute session allows us to assess in the future whether the session length is appropriate or should be extended.
Trust, Clarity & Connection
A big part of this session is about building trust, thinking, and improving you 'dancer's brain'. During these workshops in the Lead and Follow series, we often talk about concepts like ‘The Shoelace Consideration’ and ‘The Language of the Dance’; two allegories created by Steven that highlight his core lead and follow philosophy; trust, clarity & connection.
Both stories remind us that good partner dancing isn’t about power, speed or complexity; it’s about clarity, patience and mutual respect.
Leading too forcefully or unsafely feels like tying your partner’s shoelaces. Leading steps your partner doesn’t yet know feels like shouting at them in a foreign language.
Read the two concepts below and you'll begin to understand why both actions break trust and replace your partner’s confidence with hesitation and confusion.
Both stories remind us that good partner dancing isn’t about power, speed or complexity; it’s about clarity, patience and mutual respect.
Leading too forcefully or unsafely feels like tying your partner’s shoelaces. Leading steps your partner doesn’t yet know feels like shouting at them in a foreign language.
Read the two concepts below and you'll begin to understand why both actions break trust and replace your partner’s confidence with hesitation and confusion.
The Shoelace Consideration
Imagine this: you walk onto the dance floor and, just before the music begins, the follower kneels to tie the leader's shoelaces together.
As the music starts, that small act changes everything.
Suddenly, every movement feels uncertain. The leader is hesitant, not because they’ve forgotten the steps, but because they no longer trust their balance. Their focus isn't on the dance; they're just trying not to fall or panic.
Now, picture that same situation from the follower’s point of view.
When a leader tries to make a partner do something that isn’t part of their regular library of steps, or simply doesn’t feel natural, comfortable, or safe, it’s exactly like tying that partner’s shoelaces together.
Rushing through a step, turning abruptly, or adding force where gentle direction would do are all ways of ‘tying the laces’.
At best, it makes the follower feel restricted and unsure of what’s coming next. At worst, it can cause real discomfort or even injury.
Either way, the sense of trust and freedom that good dancing relies on is lost.
No follower would ever think to tie a leader’s shoelaces before they dance, so leaders must take the same care to lead steps that their partners can move through with confidence, clarity, and comfort.
As the music starts, that small act changes everything.
Suddenly, every movement feels uncertain. The leader is hesitant, not because they’ve forgotten the steps, but because they no longer trust their balance. Their focus isn't on the dance; they're just trying not to fall or panic.
Now, picture that same situation from the follower’s point of view.
When a leader tries to make a partner do something that isn’t part of their regular library of steps, or simply doesn’t feel natural, comfortable, or safe, it’s exactly like tying that partner’s shoelaces together.
Rushing through a step, turning abruptly, or adding force where gentle direction would do are all ways of ‘tying the laces’.
At best, it makes the follower feel restricted and unsure of what’s coming next. At worst, it can cause real discomfort or even injury.
Either way, the sense of trust and freedom that good dancing relies on is lost.
No follower would ever think to tie a leader’s shoelaces before they dance, so leaders must take the same care to lead steps that their partners can move through with confidence, clarity, and comfort.
The Language of the Dance
Alongside the 'Shoelace Consideration', we often talk about 'The Language of the Dance'. The ‘Language of Dance’ is about communication, patience, and understanding between leader and follower.
Imagine this: you’re a tourist in a vibrant Spanish city. You find yourself in a café, and you try to ask a simple question in Spanish. You’ve practised a few phrases before your trip, so you give it your best shot. The local person just looks at you with a kind, confused smile. So, what do you do?
You try again, this time a little slower. Still no luck. You repeat the same phrase, only louder. The result doesn’t change. They can hear every word you’re saying, but they still don’t understand. The pronunciation isn’t quite right, so the meaning doesn’t land; if anything it has only created frustration for you both.
This happens on the dance floor too.
When a leader tries to lead a move the follower hasn’t learned or doesn’t understand, doing it slower or with additional force won’t help. If the message isn’t clear, or the follower doesn’t yet have that step in their “dance vocabulary,” a change in speed or more force only increases confusion.
It’s easy to think that “trying harder” will fix the problem, but just like language, dance is built on shared understanding. If one partner doesn’t yet know the “words”, the steps, the techniques, or the cues, the message will never be received in the way it was intended.
In that café, the Spanish speaker isn’t refusing to understand you, they simply haven’t recognised what you’re trying to say. On the dance floor, the same is true. Your partner isn’t ignoring your lead, they just haven’t learned that movement yet.
It’s not a failure of either person, it’s simply a difference in experience and shared vocabulary.
Leaders must learn to speak clearly in the dance language our partners already know. The goal is to connect through familiar steps, gentle direction, and patience, not through force or volume.
When both partners “speak the same dance language,” the result is effortless conversation. The steps flow, the connection deepens, and just like learning to speak a foreign language fluently, the more you practise together, the more natural it becomes to truly understand one another.
Imagine this: you’re a tourist in a vibrant Spanish city. You find yourself in a café, and you try to ask a simple question in Spanish. You’ve practised a few phrases before your trip, so you give it your best shot. The local person just looks at you with a kind, confused smile. So, what do you do?
You try again, this time a little slower. Still no luck. You repeat the same phrase, only louder. The result doesn’t change. They can hear every word you’re saying, but they still don’t understand. The pronunciation isn’t quite right, so the meaning doesn’t land; if anything it has only created frustration for you both.
This happens on the dance floor too.
When a leader tries to lead a move the follower hasn’t learned or doesn’t understand, doing it slower or with additional force won’t help. If the message isn’t clear, or the follower doesn’t yet have that step in their “dance vocabulary,” a change in speed or more force only increases confusion.
It’s easy to think that “trying harder” will fix the problem, but just like language, dance is built on shared understanding. If one partner doesn’t yet know the “words”, the steps, the techniques, or the cues, the message will never be received in the way it was intended.
In that café, the Spanish speaker isn’t refusing to understand you, they simply haven’t recognised what you’re trying to say. On the dance floor, the same is true. Your partner isn’t ignoring your lead, they just haven’t learned that movement yet.
It’s not a failure of either person, it’s simply a difference in experience and shared vocabulary.
Leaders must learn to speak clearly in the dance language our partners already know. The goal is to connect through familiar steps, gentle direction, and patience, not through force or volume.
When both partners “speak the same dance language,” the result is effortless conversation. The steps flow, the connection deepens, and just like learning to speak a foreign language fluently, the more you practise together, the more natural it becomes to truly understand one another.
ticket booking t&cs
- £8.50 per person.
- Please do not arrive at a session without giving us advance notice.
- Non-refundable payment in advance is necessary to secure your place.
- Contact Maggie for bank transfer details.
(a) Please only request tickets if you know you can attend.
(b) Once tickets have been requested, payment is due within 48 hours to secure your place.
(c) Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to any other event or person(s).
(d) Payment within 48 hours is each individual's responsibility. Reminders to pay within the specified 48-hour time period will not be issued.
(e) Some individuals may unfortunately discover their tickets have been sold if they fail to pay within 48 hours*.
(f) No tickets will be issued. Names are added to an attendance list.
(g) We accept payment in person or via bank transfer.**
(h) Please do not make payment until your booking has been confirmed.
*Section (e): exceptions are made for those who contact us to inform us of a reason for delayed payment. A date for payment will then be agreed upon.
**PLEASE let Maggie know when you make a bank transfer and the bank reference you have given. She will then confirm receipt of funds with you.
- NEVER write generic references such as dance, class, practice, private etc.
- Put your first name(s) followed by the date of the event e.g. Maggie Steven 14/2
general information
St Nicholas Address: Village Hall, The Street, St Nicholas At Wade, CT7 0NP.
What3Words Map: strictly.heightens.arrow
Seating: Seating is available but no tables.
Food: Please do not bring food.
Drink: Soft drinks only.
Dress Code: No dress code.
Attendees: This event is for our 'active' club members only.
What3Words Map: strictly.heightens.arrow
Seating: Seating is available but no tables.
Food: Please do not bring food.
Drink: Soft drinks only.
Dress Code: No dress code.
Attendees: This event is for our 'active' club members only.
BOOK YOUR SPOT
To BOOK YOUR PLACE, please click here or contact Maggie on 07759311697.