We've a great class night lined up for you this Wednesday (3rd March). We have a special guest teacher making her first appearance at Hessle Modern Jive Club. She is Helen Zambass. Here is a picture and some background information about Helen:-
Helen was a shy wall hugger when she first plucked up courage to go along to a Blitz Jive class 13 years ago but just a few years later she had qualified as a teacher, become a director of the company “Blitz Jive”, regularly starred in competitions and was addicted to the partner dancing which, she says, changed her life.
The Blitz Jive was born in Sheffield in 1994 and has since spread all over the North, like other forms of partner dancing including salsa it takes the form of classes followed by a social dance. Helen says: "Jive started when the Americans came over here in World War Two, the French also liked it and we picked up on both styles. It's different to rock 'n' roll. 'Blitz Jive' (Modern Jive) is jive for the 21st century and allows you to twirl to everything from Britney Spears to Dean Martin and Motown, Classic Rock, Latin and now Hip Hop."
Helen loved the fact that many people join solo and women are encouraged to ask men for a dance. "I don't want it to sound like a lonely hearts night or anything because it isn't like that at all," says Helen. "It becomes second nature, though it takes courage at first. Lots of our members have since got married and others have built long-term friendships." She says: "I'd just split with my partner and I ended up being single and bored and a couch potato. I joined the class for something to do and ended up getting addicted. Most people do. Once you start, you become passionate about it. It makes you feel so good. I became a demonstrator and then a director of the company." She adds: "It was so friendly and non-threatening and a great place for anyone who loves music and dancing. You get to a point when the music comes on you just have to dance. It's like having the Red Shoes on and when you get home you're as high as a kite." Helen, a paediatric dietician, says her self-esteem rose and her figure became more toned after a few months of joining a Blitz Jive class.
"I was the person in the baggy jeans, worried about joining in and now I dress differently and I'm much more extrovert. I stand up in front of 150 people with a microphone on my head, showing them how to dance. I didn't think in a million years I could've done that. For me it's been life changing. It's such good aerobic exercise that men often change their shirt three times a night, they get so hot. If you haven't danced a step in your life, it's not a problem and you don't need to be fit to start as a beginner. You don't need to wear a ra ra skirt either. The only costume you need is a pair of smooth soled trainers for spinning and turning. It doesn't take long to learn the moves. I've seen people come through the door who are really nervous and think they can't dance. Within six weeks, they are whizzing round the dance floor. You only need to learn a few moves to look really good. It really does build confidence.”
Helen is no longer a director of Blitz – she prefers to leave the politics to the men! However she is still addicted to dance and loves to teach. She has been teaching all over the North, in Scotland and as far south as Brighton mostly with Gus (Our Gus of Coolcatz fame who is now engaged to our Lynsey). Helen and Gus were competition dance partners for one year and came 4th in the Advanced Section at Blackpool that year - no mean feet ('cuse the pun). Helen became a teacher really because she just want to get the world active. Helen says that if you do no physical activity then it's the same risk factor for a heart attack as if you smoked. Dancing is far better than joining any gym!!! Helen loves street dance and has trained as a youth dance leader in street dance but she says she's too shy to perform street dance on her own! She has taught kids and adults to shake their booty. She loves the Latin style and dances salsa especially R&B salsa. "Now that's cool..." she says.
Helen's class this Wednesday will have a Latin vibe and will treat the ladies to some good quality dance styling that they can try for themselves, learning to improvise, how to take the lead and communicate with a partner to hand the lead back. Helen promises us that it will be great fun and she is really excited about coming along to Hessle and I know that you will find her enthusiasm and addiction infectious! Please do come along and a great Hessle welcome to Helen, you'll have a great night I'm sure.
