The weekend is here - smile!!!

Did you know that smiling and laughing is good for you ...

A lonely person is likely to die five years younger than one with plenty of friends

Scientists say that having friends around in old age can do more for life expectancy than having family members around. The benefits might be due to the fact that people an choose their friends, as opposed to family members!

Laughter increases our capacity to fight disease. It relaxes the body and reduces problems linked to high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis and ulcers

A belly laugh exercises the abs and shoulders and even gives the heart a workout. Laughter can also take your mind off anger, guilt and stress!

Do you need any more reasons - plus its the WEEKEND!

Off to Jive Addiction's dance weekend in Southport ...

Terry and I are off to Southport ("The UK's No 1 Modern Jive Weekender") to join around 1,500 dancers from every region of the UK and abroad who come together to give Southport an atmosphere and friendliness that’s unmatched! There are 4 dance floors (Jive Addiction Ballroom, The Blues Lounge, Latin Quarter and The Marquee) all playing different genres of music - and since its warmer the "Open air terrace with wooden dance floor" will be open (must remember to pack a scarf!)

With around 40 hours of dance classes to choose from we will had loads to report on Monday - watch this space!

Cant wait - see you soon
Christine x

Christine & Sarah get their numbers!!

We now have our race numbers! As you can see from the numbers Sarah enrolled a lot earlier than Christine - but from Christine's number you can see how many entrants there are so far ...!

We are both undertaking some "get fit" and training programmes for the Race for Life on Sunday 13 July so all will be well on the day!

We are both running in memory of loved ones and in support of people fighting cancer at the moment so many thanks to everyone who has sponsored us so far and given us plenty of encouragement!

Christine & Sarah
xx

PS If we are ever a bit stiff dancing it could be due to the amount of training we have done that day - but don't be too gentle with us!

Happy Spring Bank Holiday

I thought this would be a topical picture given the rain that is forecast here in the South!!

Did you know that British bank holidays have been recognised since 1871. The name Bank Holiday comes from the time when Banks were shut and so no trading could take place. Even though Banks are still closed on these days many shops now remain open but its still thanks to the Banks that we get the day off!

Enjoy!!!

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY - Swanley open as usual

It may be a Bank Holiday but as usual Swanley is open!

Come along and continue your Bank Holiday happiness by spending a night dancing!

DJ Steve "The Hitman" Strong will be there to provide the tunes to keep the dancefloor filled all night!

See you there!

Happy Birthday David

Happy Birthday to another of our great Dance Coaches - David who coaches at Herne Bay.

Have a great day David and make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend.

Love from all your friends at Dance Riviera
xxx

Happy Birthday Pete

Happy Birthday to a great Dance Coach - Pete who coaches at Swanley.

Have a great day Pete and I hope Nick and the family spoil you rotten - and prepare a great "hair of the dog" for the day after.

Love from all your friends at Dance Riviera
xxx

Charity Dance Experence - Update

With our new DJ Andy playing some great tracks and a great turnout from crew and regular dancers we had a great time in the Orchard Shopping Centre today.

We enticed a few people to dance with us today but we had a lot of interest from those watching us and we look forward to seeing you on a Dance Riviera dancefloor soon!

Well done to everyone who turned up and I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did!

Christine x

Happy Birthday DJ Steve

Hope you find time to have a restful birthday Steve .

Thanks for all the great music you play! Ladies grab Steve for a dance when he can escape from behind the decks!

Enjoy your day Steve!
Love all your friends at Dance Riviera xx

Street Music Day - Saturday 14 June at Herne Bay

Join us in Herne Bay on Saturday 14 June and dance the afternoon away - and at the same time help us to promote Dance Riviera and our Smooth Jive to the people of Herne Bay – part of their Street Music Day

These promotions are a great way of getting new people to come along and try us out, giving you lots of new people to dance with. So why not join in and bring your friends – dancers … and non-dancers!

Turn up and support us and receive a free entry ticket to dance at any of our venues.

Dance Riviera's Pink Ladies will be staggering for charity!

Dance Coaches Christine and Sarah (from Swanley) will be walking, running or staggering 5km for the Race for Life on Sunday 13 July to raise money for Cancer Research.

We will be carrying joint sponsor forms wherever we go so please dig deep and sponsor us ... we will keep you updated on our "training". Both of us have started regular walks - as well as our regular exercise of dancing!

Wish us luck
Christine & Sarah
xx

REMINDER - Dance Experience this Saturday in Dartford

Come along to the East Mall in the Orchard Shopping Centre, Dartford Town Centre this Saturday afternoon from midday until 2pm ... dance to the sounds of DJ Andy ... have a great time ... raise money for Breast Cancer Research ... and earn yourself free entry into one of our venues!

What could be easier!! Our Charity Dance Experiences are not to be missed!

Space Burgers!!!

The first Wimpy Bar opened in London, Have a treat and visit your local Wimpy, or have a burger night – there you have it - the perfect excuse!

Also today in 1991 - we saw the first British Woman, Helen Sharman, in space in 1991. I bet she didnt eat too many burgers!

There will be dancing in Portsmouth tonight!

CONGRATULATIONS PORTSMOUTH FC!

No I havent been transformed into a football fan - I still love the egg shaped ball! But seeing as a good friend of mine is a Portsmouth fan - I thought it only right to blog this!

Well done Portsmouth FC on beating Cardiff FC in the Final of the FA Cup! Not being a football fan I can't really say any more than that!

Dance at Rochester for FREE during June

As a huge thank you to those who have supported us at our new venue and to encourage new dancers to try our fabulous Rochester venue we have decided to make June a free month* at Rochester! *PLEASE NOTE - This does not apply to Smooth Lounges or Saturday Specials.

Simple enough ... you pay nothing ... but get to enjoy the same great teachers, Kent's best DJs and famous Dance Riviera atmosphere - FOR FREE! What a great time to introduce your non-dancing friends to Dance Riviera.

If you have never been to the Rochester venue - come along to our Smooth Lounge tonight and have a great night out!

Dartford tonight - Jim & Nicky teaching with DJ Steve "The Hitman" Strong

No more working late tonight!!

Jim & Nicky are back teaching with some lovely routines tonight for both beginners and intermediates. Alongside them playing the music for the night is the very popular Steve "the Hitman" Strong.

We look forward to seeing you a good night's dancing and socialising.

J&N x

Smooth Lounge Reminder - Friday 16 May

Dance Riviera's Smooth Lounges at Rochester are enjoyed by all those who attend.

Just some of the feedback received "What a fantastic atmosphere on Friday night, music was great and Jim and Nicky's class was excellent as usual."

So whatever your dance level, you will thoroughly enjoy some great dances to fantastic music and catch up with friends. Bring your dancing friends along for a great and different night. The Smooth Lounge will let you enjoy music from Blues, West Coast, RnB, Tango and musicality tracks.

- Free Parking
- fantastic sprung floor
- licensed bar!

Jim and Nicky will be teaching - so get there for 8pm for their class and then dance until midnight to the tunes of our great DJ!

Dance Junction
681 Maidstone Road
Rochester ME1 3QJ
(Jct 3 M2 or Jct 5 M20)

The sun is shining but who needs to slim into their summer clothes?

I do!

I have just been on line (like fellow dance coach Sarah) and booked my place on the Cancer Research "Race for Life" on Sunday 13 July at Blackheath. Watch this space for news on our training and progress! I am starting my training (as well as a new me/get fit for 40 regime) on Monday morning at 7.30am! I have decided that I am going to walk for an hour a day - so if anyone sees me out early in the morning walking to no particular destination dont panic! Not only am I known for my directionless but I will also be learning a route!

If you like me have a special celebration this year and need to find a way of getting fit - and dont fancy walking to the end of the earth (or what feels like it) why not dance one more night a week! That means at least another 3 hours of dancing a week ... at least 12 more a month .... over 140 more hours a year! A lot more fun than walking I am sure you will agree!

See you on a dance floor soon!!
Have fun
Christine x

Paul is teaching at Dartford tonight

Due to work commitments, Jim & Nicky cannot teach tonight so you have the pleasure of Paul.

Paul, another of Dance Riviera’s great teachers is teaching at Dartford tonight so if you havent been to one of his lessons in a while you are in for a treat tonight at Dartford!

If you have - you know you are in for a treat! Have fun!

Charity Dance Experence - Saturday 24 May

Come along to the East Mall in the Orchard Shopping Centre in Dartford from midday until 2pm on Saturday 24 May (our next Bank Holiday weekend).

Wear Black & White and dance along with the rest of us - bring along your friends whether or not they can dance - introduce them to us and we will give them some tips and get them onto the floor!

Everyone who turns up will get a free entry ticket by way of thanks for your support.

We will be collecting money for Breast Cancer Research - so its an afternoon for having fun and raising money!

We look forward to seeing you there.

Pete & Jill teaching at Rochester tonight!

Pete and Jill will be teaching at Rochester this evening - so prepare yourselves for a fun night. DJ Andy will then keep you dancing on the floor all night with his great array of music.

If you have never been to Rochester before - make tonight the night you will go!

Dance Riviera's Tuesday nights at Rochester are not to be missed - tell your friends and leave comments on the blog so that others can see what a great night you have had!

Have fun!

Happy Birthday Nigel

Wishing one of our lovely dance coaches from Herne Bay, Nigel, a very Happy Birthday today.

Hope you have a great day!

From all your friends at Dance Riviera x

Happy Birthday Teacher Pete

Happy Birthday Pete!

I hope your Bank Holiday birthday is extra special and that Jill and the family spoil you rotten.

Love from all at Dance Riviera xxx

Well at the moment the sun is shining so as we can all enjoy and celebrate another day of work (hopefully). Whether you celebrate today dancing around a maypole or Morris dancing (or joining us at Swanley for a dance!) there have been and still are some strange traditions associated with today …
Decorating Houses - May Day began early in the morning. People would go out before sunrise in order to gather flowers and greenery to decorate their houses and villages with in the belief that the vegetation spirits would bring good fortune.
Washing in the early morning dew - Girls would make a special point of washing their faces in the dew of the early morning. They believed this made them very beautiful for the following year.
May Queen - The rest of the day was given over to various festivities. There was dancing on the village green, archery contest and exhibitions of strength. The highlight of the day was the crowning of the May Queen, the human replica of Flora. By tradition she took no part in the games or dancing, but sat like a queen in a flower-decked chair to watch her 'subjects'.
May Day Garlands - Young girls would make May Garlands. They covered two hoops, one at right angles inside the other, with leaves and flowers, and sometimes they put a doll inside to represent the goddess of Spring. In some parts of Britain, May 1st is called Garland Day.
May Day Lifting - There was once a tradition in England of 'lifting' where a gang of young men would lift a pretty girl in a flower bedecked chair on May day. Then the girl would choose a boy on May 2nd.
May Day Tricks - In the North of England, the first of May was a kind of late 'April Fooling' when all sorts of pranks would take place and 'May Gosling' was the shout if you managed to trick someone. The response would be: 'May Goslings past and gone. You're the fool for making me one!'
May Day Celebrations today
Rochester Sweeps Festival - Rochester's annual Sweep Festival celebrates the traditional holiday that chimney sweeps used to enjoy on 1 May. It was the one time of the year when the sweeps could put away their tools and have some fun. The Sweeps Festival is a colourful mix of music, dancing and entertainment. An opportunity to see some of the traditional dances and hear the songs which have been past down from generation to generation.
Padstow 'Obby 'Oss - The oldest May Day celebration still taking place to day, is the Padstow 'Obby 'Oss celebration in Cornwall. Its roots date back to the 14th century. Every May Day thousands of people come to see the two famous Hobby Horses, the Old Oss and the Blue Ribbon Oss. Celebrations in Padstow officially start the night before at midnight, when a groups of 'mayers' meet outside the Golden Lion Inn to serenade the owner with their Night Song: “Rise up, Mr. Rickard, and joy to you betide, For summer is a-come in today; And bright is your bride, that lays down by your side In the merry morning of May.”

Back to poles though … Did you know that the tallest maypole is said to have been erected in London on the Strand in 1661; it stood over 143 feet high. It was felled in 1717, when it was used by Isaac Newton to support Huygen's new reflecting telescope.