We try rock’n’roll dancing
Stephen Heard attempts the fast-paced dancing style that inspired a generation.
‘ You must trust your partner, and always make sure you have someone advanced as a catcher when attempting new lifts. Believe me, nobody likes being dropped on their head so for the safety of your partner ... you want a catcher.’ CALLUM BUTCHER
While it really blossomed with its namesake musical genre and the popularity of the backbeat, rock’n’roll dancing can be traced back through the ballrooms of Harlem to 1920s swing, the improvisational Lindy Hop and the playfully titled boogie-woogie.
It’s the more demanding, leather jacket-wearing sibling of the partner dances, and is known for its acrobatic lifts, jumps, flips and throws.
In competition, the style is performed in pairs, groups and as solo novelty acts. The objective for this lesson was to learn a basic routine to The Ronettes’ Be My Baby. Callum Butcher was our tutor, a gentleman who has been competing at the top level in New Zealand for over 20 years.
Before breaking down the routine step by step he demonstrated the end product with finesse and superhuman rhythm, confirming his status as the coolest person in the room, for the moment.
The foundation of rock’n’roll dancing is the 6-beat kick-step. Butcher explained that the knees should be slightly bent and the legs should be nice and relaxed so you can bounce to the music, almost like dipping a teabag. As the leader, it was my job to execute the steps while guiding my partner through twists and twirls at the same time.
Two obstacles immediately became apparent: my knee-jerk reaction to look down at the ground and the ability, or lack thereof, to work the feet in unison with the rest of the body. Thankfully these were problems that could be cured with simple practise. We repeated the basic steps several times to become one with our legs and the song.
A major attraction of rock’n’roll is the acrobatics. Given this lesson was taking place on aggressive looking concrete tiles, our two show-stopping moves were watered down to a spinning lift that resembled a bride being carried over the threshold and a swooping halfcircle dip.
By the end we had a fully formed routine – by no means polished – but as a foundation to practise and perfect.
Butcher advised that our basic steps could be practised with everyday activities like ‘‘washing the dishes or doing some house work,’’ and that after 6-8 classes SPITALFIELDS we should be good enough to get through a session of social dancing. If you’re looking to increase your heart rate and have a good time while doing so, look no further than rock’n’roll. It’s sociable, fastpaced and as physically demanding as you like – lifts and catches are a particularly good way to work up a sweat. Some coordination wouldn’t go amiss, though Butcher says first-timers should, ‘‘have an open mind and be patient’’. If you walk into any local rock’n’roll club, you’ll soon realise that this is a style of dance for everyone.
The only risk comes when you get a little more advanced and get into lifts and throws, says Callum.
‘‘You must trust your partner, and always make sure you have someone advanced as a catcher when attempting new lifts. Believe me, nobody likes being dropped on their head so for the safety of your partner ... you want a catcher.’’