Dance teacher James Cronin has developed the dance for a modern audience, calling it Ceroc. Cronin devised 500 Ceroc moves, best described as a combination of Salsa and Swing dancing, without the complicated footwork making it easy to pick up. Its versatility means it can be danced to different types of music, including the latest chart music.
Times Online, in association with Carte Noire, offered readers a chance to experience this fantastic dance with a complimentary lesson at London's Mary Ward House, in Bloomsbury. We asked the participants what they thought of the event.
Suzanne Roynon, 39, a holistic therapist from Hertfordshire says it was her first time attending a dance class – but it won’t be her last.
"I loved it – it was great fun. People were really enthusiastic, and there was a great set up. I felt really special coming here, and we’ve been very well looked after. I found the dance fairly easy to pick up - once you’ve got a partner it’s terrific – it’s a little challenging when you’re trying it on your own though. But by the end when we were doing freestyle, I was being twirled around and I was doing things I’d never have imagined!"
Glen Smith, 46, is a photographer from Stevenage, who says he’s “an improving Ceroc beginner”
"Everyone had a smile on their face tonight. I think when you’re doing it properly it’s a slinky, Latin dance. The French have an aura of sexiness about them, and if you dance with someone that can really dance, it feels very sexy. I want to carry on with dancing Ceroc – I’d love to get to a stage where I’m reasonably ok!"
Julia Dickson, 46, is a local government officer and “occasional line dancer” who travelled from Orpington, Kent to attend the Ceroc class.
"I have done a bit of Ceroc, but I’ve found the classes I’ve been to before rush through the beginners bit a bit too quickly for me. I wanted to do something where I could really pick it up slowly, and the pace was just right. I think it’s the sort of dance you could do to any type of music – you could make it sexy if the music’s sexy or you could make it faster and more fun depending on the music."
Henry Jeens, 23, is an engineer from London, who came to the event because “his girlfriend told him to”.
"I very much enjoyed it – and I hope I picked up some moves. There were more guys than women here, which is a shame. I think more guys ought to be kicked along. I’d tell my male friends to come along – apart from anything else the odds are very much in their favour! It’s been very nice tonight – it’s not as bad as I thought it might be! Now I’ve been here, I would probably try other types of dancing."
Peter Bragman, 62, is a self professed “old school jiver” who lives in Bromley, Kent, and is semi retired.
"I’ve seen people do Ceroc and I’ve always admired the way they do it. When you see people dancing Ceroc style, you can always tell. And anybody who’s done Ceroc can jive. It’s good exercise – remember, 40 minutes dancing is the same as two hours in the gym. I enjoyed tonight. I’d absolutely recommend it to keep fit – and I might very well persuade my wife to come along and do it with me next time."
Juliet Boughton, 49, is a teacher from Loughton, Essex, came to the Ceroc class with her husband, John.
"We’ve been stuck in a rut after thirty years of marriage of always dancing the same way, so we thought we’d try something new. We’ve danced with lots of people which I think is the really good thing about tonight. The downside to being a female meant you couldn’t always dance with somebody, but the upside to it was that you actually got to dance with all the professionals. I think we will dance it at home together. It’s a sexy dance - lots of portions of the anatomy are close to each other."
John, 54, who is semi retired says: "I thought the pace was good. I think if it had been very slow, people would have got bored. It was good having to change partners, and it’s a nice dance. I’ve been meaning to learn to Salsa for yonks but I never got round to it. This is easier than Salsa – for the man anyway. When I saw the experts doing the steps I thought ‘This looks like a good dance for me!’ I didn’t have to do a lot."
Rhiannon Looseley, 24, is a museum worker from London, who came to dance Ceroc with a female friend.
"I used to be a cheerleader – apart from that I haven’t done much dancing. But it was fun tonight. It was a bit difficult if you were waiting at the side as a spare female. I don’t know why there were more women than guys here, it would be a really good place for single men to pick up women! We’re thinking about coming back – I liked the way the instructor went through the steps over and over again, and I like the fact that you get to dance with partners as well - it’s nice to dance with the professionals, as they lead you."
Click here for images from the dancefloor
We are also offering readers a chance to experience this fantastic dance with a complimentary lesson and free membership at any Ceroc venue. To take part, download a voucher and present at your chosen Ceroc venue.
Terms & Conditions
VOUCHER
Participants may use the voucher once only and in one venue only. Availability at classes depends on class capacity. Participants must be 18 or over. This voucher must not be used in conjunction with any other offer, promotion or campaign. Participants are subject to the rules of each local Ceroc venue. It is the responsibility of participants to ensure that they are adequately fit and healthy to participate in a dance class, and Ceroc will not be liable for any injury arising from any dance class. If for any reason a participant is refused entry to a class, then no alternative will be offered. For your nearest Ceroc centre visit: www.ceroc.com
