Jazz Roots with Sharon Davis

WEEKLY CLASS, 7PM TUESDAYS

Study the roots of jazz dance! Drop-in class with solo jazz champion & historian Sharon Davis. Learn legendary jazz dance steps and classic routines from the 1920s to 1950s. In each class you will learn a collection of authentic steps or a segment of choreography from a dance scene in a vintage film.

This is a solo dance class, so no partner is needed. This is a drop-in class (not a course) so start anytime and drop in to classes whenever you like. Each class focuses on a different routine or dance legend (see below for lesson plans).

Level: Previous jazz dance experience will be helpful, but is not essential.

When: 7.00pm-8.00pm on Tuesdays.
No classes during Summer Break in August or Winter Break in December.

Where: Academy Studios, 15 Pratt Mews, Camden NW1 0AD (top floor studio)

ONLINE PRICES

Single class £15 per person

5-Class Package: £60 (£12/class)

10-Class Package: £100 (£10/class)

PRICES AT THE DOOR

Single class £15 per person

Cash, card & mobile payments accepted.

buy a class package

What will you be learning? Lesson plans by date

Notes:

Each class is independent – start anytime, and drop in to classes in any order. If there is more than one class offered on a routine, you do not need to attend all of them. Eg: you can take Class 2 even if you didn’t attend Class 1, no problem!
These are solo jazz classes, not tap dance classes. Sometimes we work on steps by famous tap dancers, but we learn the Jazz version. Tap shoes are never required.

2 April 2019	Learn to dance like The Nicholas Brothers in the 1943 film Stormy Weather. Class 1 of 2 on this routine.
9 April 2019	Learn to dance like The Andrews Sisters in the 1943 film Buck Privates. The so-called “Andrews Sisters Shim Sham”, first chorus. Class 1 of 2 on this routine.
16 April 2019	Learn to dance like “Queen of the Soundies” Mabel Lee, in the 1945 soundie Half Past Jump Time. Class 1 of 2 on this routine.
23 April 2019	Learn to dance like Al Minns & Leon James on TV’s “Playboy’s Penthouse” c.1959, including Cakewalk and Charleston sequences. Class 1 of 4 on this film clip.
30 April 2019	Learn to dance The Charleston like Ginger Rogers in the 1942 film Roxie Hart.
7 May 2019	Learn to dance the “Frankie Doo” (Frankie Manning’s Tranky Doo) a classic jazz routine beloved by swing dancers. First Chorus. Class 1 of 3 on this routine.
14 May 2019	Learn to dance “Mama Stew”, a high-energy jazz routine by the legendary Mama Lu Parks dancers.
21 May 2019	Learn to dance the Al Minns & Leon James Shim Sham, First Chorus. Class 1 of 2 on this routine.
28 May 2019	Learn to dance like the legendary Josephine Baker!
4 June 2019	Learn to dance the 1950s Hand Jive, a routine from the 1959 film Jukebox Rhythm. First Chorus. Class 1 of 3 on this routine.
11 June 2019	Learn to dance like Al Minns & Leon James on TV’s “Playboy’s Penthouse” c.1959, including a number of Charleston sequences in different styles. Class 2 of 4 on this film clip.
18 June 2019	Learn to dance the Dean Collins Shim Sham, first chorus. Class 1 of 3 on this classic jazz routine.
25 June 2019	Learn to dance the jazz sections of the “First Stops” routine, by the famous Mama Lu Parks dancers.
2 July 2019	Learn to dance the “Frankie Doo” (Frankie Manning’s Tranky Doo) a classic jazz routine beloved by swing dancers. Second Chorus. Class 2 of 3 on this routine.
9 July 2019	Learn to dance the Al Minns & Leon James Shim Sham, Second Chorus. Class 2 of 2 on this routine.
16 July 2019	Learn to dance like “Queen of the Soundies” Mabel Lee, in the 1945 soundie Half Past Jump Time. Class 2 of 2 on this routine.
23 July 2019	Learn to dance like John Bubbles! Legendary hoofer, he also danced gorgeous jazz & charleston in numerous film & TV appearances. This is a jazz class, no tap shoes required.
30 July 2019	Learn to dance Norma Miller’s Trickeration routine, first half. As the name suggests, this is a tricky routine, so some jazz experience is recommended. Class 1 of 2 on this routine.
3 September 2019	Learn to dance like The Nicholas Brothers in the 1943 film Stormy Weather. Class 2 of 2 on this routine.
10 September 2019	Learn to dance the 1950s Hand Jive, a routine from the 1959 film Jukebox Rhythm. Second Chorus. Class 2 of 3 on this routine.
17 September 2019	Learn to dance like The Andrews Sisters in the 1943 film Buck Privates. The so-called “Andrews Sisters Shim Sham”, second chorus. Class 2 of 2 on this routine.
24 September 2019	Learn to dance the “Frankie Doo” (Frankie Manning’s Tranky Doo) a classic jazz routine beloved by swing dancers. Third Chorus. Class 3 of 3 on this routine.
1 October 2019	Learn to dance like Al Minns & Leon James on TV’s “Playboy’s Penthouse” c.1959. Learn their “Precision Charleston” routine. Class 3 of 4 on this film clip.
8 October 2019	Learn to dance the Dean Collins Shim Sham, second chorus. Class 2 of 3 on this classic jazz routine.
15 October 2019	Learn to dance Norma Miller’s Trickeration routine, second half. As the name suggests, this is a tricky routine, so some jazz experience is recommended. Class 2 of 2 on this routine.
22 October 2019	Learn to dance like the effervescent Consuela Harris in the 1938 film “Swing”, first chorus. Class 1 of 3 on this routine.
29 October 2019	Learn to dance like the kings of jazz! A routine combining steps from legendary male dancers including Bill Bojangles Robinson, Gene Kelly, Stump & Stumpy and John Bubbles. Some of Sharon’s favourite jazz steps – so this class is not just for the boys, all welcome.
5 November 2019	Learn to dance the Big Apple like Al Minns & Leon James on TV’s “Playboy’s Penthouse” c.1959. Class 4 of 4 on this film clip.
12 November 2019	Learn to dance the 1950s Hand Jive, a routine from the 1959 film Jukebox Rhythm. Third Chorus. Class 3 of 3 on this routine.
19 November 2019	Learn to dance like the effervescent Consuela Harris in the 1938 film “Swing”, second chorus. Class 2 of 3 on this routine.
26 November 2019	Learn to dance the jazz sections of the “Second Stops” routine, by the famous Mama Lu Parks dancers.