Dance with me?

Dance instructor Marlon Almeida and his partner, Rhea D’souza, practice the jive at Dirty Martini in Bandra West. Pic/Shadab Khan

On Instagram, Marlon Almeida (@marlonalmeida77) describes himself as a "promoter of social dancing". Almeida, who worked as a software development professional for 14 years, decided to take a career break in 2014 to teach dance. He has since been conducting social dance classes in the suburbs, spreading the love for salsa, bachata, ballroom and jive. "Jive is for everyone - it's easy, fun and even a newcomer, can pick it up. By convention, the man leads, and the woman follows. But, in my classes, we've had women dance pairs as well," says Almeida, adding that a more gender neutral term would be "leader" and "follower" for the pair. With Christmas dance on everyone's mind, Sunday mid-day got Almeida and his dancing partner Rhea D'Souza to give an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide that will get you grooving, especially when the playlist switches to Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

There are two holds in dancing - one is the "open hold" where you hold the ‘follower's' right hand with your left, and do the same with the other hand. The second is the "close hold," where the leader reaches out with the left hand, lift the follower's right hand (slightly above the shoulders); holds them from the back with the other hand, bringing them closer.

This is the most basic step. While in the open hold position, the leader, at the count of one, takes his left leg one step behind, returning to the original position, on the next count. On cue, the follower does the same with their right leg. It's not as easy as it sounds. The leader should extend their hand a little when going behind, before closing in again. The follower, on the other hand, should avoid moving their hands too much, and just let their partner lead. The couple should be in sync while moving behind and coming forward.

While doing this step, the leader lifts their partner's right hand up, draws them closer (towards the leader), turning them over to bring them in, so that they stand side by side. This is known as the cuddle position. All hands are down, but joined - the leader's left hand to the follower's right, and the follower's right hand to the leader's left.

This step is the most common one, and is part of every wedding jive session. Once in cuddle position, both partners now walk forward together, moving the outside legs first. Don't forget to bounce slightly as you walk ahead.

After the walk, the leader leaves the follower's right hand, gently rolling their follower out. In the next step, the partners switch sides via a small turn. The leader uses the follower's right hand to guide them forward, so that they can turn, before they reach out for each other's hands again, and return to the open hold position. Repeat the steps again.

For Xmas Crash Course: December 20-31 onwards
Call: 9820344010

Where to groove the night away

Now that you've learnt a step or two, choose your partner and go burn the dance floor

Prep for D-day

Groove your way early into Christmas with a Latin twist night. Since it's a White Christmas party, the dress code will have to be a white affair. The evening will have a social dancing workshop, where you will learn salsa, bachata, and kizomba. There will also be performances and prizes.
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Where: AntiSOCIAL, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Lower Parel
When: Dec 22, 8 PM-midnight
Call: 9820847636

Celebrate like the Catholics

If you have friends or family at the Bandra Gymkhana, we'd definitely suggest doing some jugaad to get passes for the Christmas family celebration, where you can jive all evening long. The dress code is strictly festive formal Western or Indian wear. The Catholic Gymkhana in Marine Drive and Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana in Santa Cruz will also be organising get-togethers. Passes are available
Till: December 22
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Where: Bandra Gymkhana, D'Monte Park Road, Bandra West
When: Dec 25, 7.30 PM onwards
Call: 26428512

Swing between venues

For those who couldn't get a pass to the traditional Xmas festivities happening at the city's gymkhanas, Raasta is organising a Block Party along with Khar Social. While the rooftop will see Chrms, Three Oscillator and Reh Reh perform, JD (gully gang) will rock the mainstage. Bob Kat and Ishani will be at Social. You can dance your way through these venues.
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Where: Raasta and Khar Social, Rohan Plaza, Khar
When: Dec 25, 4.20 PM onwards
Call: 8655000811

To lift you from your post Xmas blues

It's likely that the Xmas season would have kept you busy, and you'd have missed all the dances in town. Don't worry. Dirty Martini Kitchen and Cocktail Bar will be hosting a post Xmas evening of social dance to keep the Christmas spirit alive. Entry is R300 per head.
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Where: Dirty Martini Kitchen and Cocktail Bar, Bandra Reclamation
When: Dec 28, 8 PM-11.45 PM
Call: 9052579000