A Queenstown ‘dancemob’ will highlight a community dance weekender running from August 11 till 13.
The third annual ‘Jive & Thrive’ is attracting 50-plus modern jive dancers, mostly from out of town.
However, there’s also a free newcomers’ dance class on Saturday August 12 at the Queenstown Memorial Centre, from 3.45-4.45pm, for anyone who wants to give it a go.
The weekender is again being organised by locals Emma Dagg, who runs Dance Social modern jive classes every Thursday night at Te Atamira, and Katie Targett-Adams, who owns the Asian franchise for the Ceroc branch of modern jive.
Dagg describes modern jive as ‘‘an easy-to-learn partner dance that basically is walking to music’’.
What inspires them to put on Jive & Thrive is ‘‘to bring the joy of dance to as many people as possible, and just all the benefits it gives you, especially in the times we’ve had’’.
That’s where the ‘thrive’ comes in, she explains — ‘‘dancing makes people thrive in every which way, body, mind, soul, everything’’.
‘‘They’re even finding partner dancing is one of the best ways to keep your brain working.
‘‘I think people need something that is easy to do but brings a bit of fun in your life — we have a saying at my classes, ‘if you get it right, smile, if you get it wrong, laugh’.’’
The weekender also fundraises for local mental health charity, Headlight.
Dagg says their first two events were well received.
‘‘One person said to me, ‘I do quite a few of these weekenders and this one has just the best atmosphere, so friendly and welcoming, and it feels like a big family’.’’
The dancemob — a dancing version of the flash mob — takes place at 11.45am on August 13 by the town pier.
There’s also a free yoga class at the Queenstown Memorial Centre from 9-9.45am the day before.
