Want to learn how to jive

A Moate dance teacher who previously described jiving as the new hip hop is attempting to spread the dance gospel with a new DVD, the first of its kind in Ireland.

' Let's Jive: Learn to Jive made easy’ will be launched by jive supremo Niall Doorhy at The Well in Moate on Tuesday, August 25, following his regular dance class at 7.30pm.

Patrick Feeney and his band will entertain the crowds afterwards with plenty of music for attendees to put their moves into action.
“I can’t get to every home in Ireland and I get in inquiries from all kinds of nooks and crannies about jiving,” Niall, who is completely self taught, said of his reasons for making the new 30-minute DVD.

His style of dance has been described as an old style showband jive or country jive, with plenty of emphasis on footwork and timing in an eight beat count, something the Loughrea-based teacher said is a favourite variation of many dancers around the country.

When asked if anyone can learn the jive, Niall is firmly in the yes camp, saying the DVD breaks down the dance, synonymous with Irish weddings or country dances, into a series of simple moves.

“It’s perfect for absolute beginners starting with your dance position, to the movement of your hands and then the steps. It’s not difficult to learn once you get basic steps right, it’s then all about practice,” maintained Niall, adding that there is still huge interest in jiving especially among young people who enjoy the music of the younger country stars like Nathan Carter and Patrick Feeney.

“I’m hoping it’s the best way the jive can be broken down. I couldn’t have made it simpler,” according to the Moate teacher, who runs one of the most popular dance classes in the Midlands every Tuesday in The Well, Moate.

A jive video he uploaded on his Facebook page in April illustrated that point further, gaining more than 189,000 views over that period. With the basic jive steps mastered, the DVD, recorded in high definition in Capataggle in Galway, also has more advanced steps as dancers improve their craft.

' Let's Jive: Learn to Jive made easy’ costs €15 and will be available for sale at the launch night on August 25 next or from the Niall Doorhy Dancer Facebook page.