LeRoc
Encyclopedia
LeRoc is a form of Modern Jive
, a dance style that was derived in the 1980s, from dances including Swing
, Lindy Hop
and Rock and Roll
, the main innovation being to simplify the footwork.
According to the particular teacher, it may incorporate elements of other dance styles including Salsa
and Tango
.
Both Ceroc
and LeRoc originally evolved together in London
during the Jive revival in the early 1980s, with dancers often being a member of both clubs. However, when James Cronin chose to trademark the word "Ceroc", and to run the Ceroc club as a franchised
business, the members of the LeRoc club decided not to run theirs for the potential income, preferring to concentrate on perfecting the dance. This means that today, many unrelated Modern Jive organisations are free to use the term "LeRoc" in their names as it remains a generic term.
"The LeRoc Modern Jive Federation" is a non-profit federation of independent dance teachers that was set up in 1991, but it is not mandatory to join. It offers advantages (such as membership of the United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers of Dancing and Kindred Arts (UKA)) to its members.
It is said that the dance style came from France
, where Swing / Rock and Roll dancing had not been so suppressed by the onslaught of Disco
. Le Roc is French for The Rock (and Roll).
Despite the supposed origins in France, there is currently very little Modern Jive
danced in France.
Modern Jive
Modern Jive is a dance style derived from Swing, Lindy Hop, Rock and Roll, Salsa and others, the main innovation being to simplify the footwork - by removing syncopation such as chasse. The term French Jive is occasionally used instead, reflecting the origins of the style...
, a dance style that was derived in the 1980s, from dances including Swing
Swing (dance)
"Swing dance" is a group of dances that developed with the swing style of jazz music in the 1920s-1950s, although the earliest of these dances predate swing jazz music. The best known of these dances is the Lindy Hop, a popular partner dance that originated in Harlem and is still danced today...
, Lindy Hop
Lindy Hop
The Lindy Hop is an American social dance, from the swing dance family. It evolved in Harlem, New York City in the 1920s and '30s and originally evolved with the jazz music of that time. Lindy was a fusion of many dances that preceded it or were popular during its development but is mainly based...
and Rock and Roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, the main innovation being to simplify the footwork.
According to the particular teacher, it may incorporate elements of other dance styles including Salsa
Salsa (dance)
Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle...
and Tango
Tango (dance)
Tango dance originated in the area of the Rio de la Plata , and spread to the rest of the world soon after....
.
Both Ceroc
Ceroc
Ceroc is a partner dance best described as a fusion of Salsa and Jive, but without the complicated footwork. It is derived from many other dances including French Jive, Swing, Lindy Hop, and Rock and Roll, the main change being simplified footwork which makes it more accessible to beginners.The...
and LeRoc originally evolved together in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
during the Jive revival in the early 1980s, with dancers often being a member of both clubs. However, when James Cronin chose to trademark the word "Ceroc", and to run the Ceroc club as a franchised
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
business, the members of the LeRoc club decided not to run theirs for the potential income, preferring to concentrate on perfecting the dance. This means that today, many unrelated Modern Jive organisations are free to use the term "LeRoc" in their names as it remains a generic term.
"The LeRoc Modern Jive Federation" is a non-profit federation of independent dance teachers that was set up in 1991, but it is not mandatory to join. It offers advantages (such as membership of the United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers of Dancing and Kindred Arts (UKA)) to its members.
It is said that the dance style came from France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where Swing / Rock and Roll dancing had not been so suppressed by the onslaught of Disco
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
. Le Roc is French for The Rock (and Roll).
Despite the supposed origins in France, there is currently very little Modern Jive
Modern Jive
Modern Jive is a dance style derived from Swing, Lindy Hop, Rock and Roll, Salsa and others, the main innovation being to simplify the footwork - by removing syncopation such as chasse. The term French Jive is occasionally used instead, reflecting the origins of the style...
danced in France.
External links
- The LeRoc Modern Jive Federation
- AfterFive "A Dancer's Guide", a free downloadable guide to dancing Modern Jive (including Ceroc and LeRoc), plus maps, links, etc.
- Modern Jive Resource Centre
- 'Lynda's List' of current dance events
- Jiveoholics Anonymous - directory of dance moves