+ What is LeRoc?

LeRoc is the French for rock 'n' roll. It was combined into one word and has become part of the English Language.

The dance itself evolved from the jive and rock 'n' roll and is a fun, stylish, modern jive which can be danced to virtually any music - from big band swing, to rock and roll, jazz and current chart hits.

+ Do I need a partner?

Definitely not. We change partners during the class every few minutes, so that everyone gets a chance to dance with other people. Not only does this help you to get to know others in the class but it is also the best way of learning from people with different levels of experience.

Our emphasis is on having fun and socialising as well as learning to dance, and everyone is very friendly. We encourage people to exchange names as they change partners during the evening, and very quickly you will gain the confidence to dance with a wide group of people. LeRoc etiquette is not to turn down offers of a dance!

+ What should I wear?

There isn't a dress code as such - just make sure you are comfortable. Ladies, in particular, need to be able to spin, so smooth soled shoes are advisable. Trainers should be avoided as the rubber soles grip the floor, making it hard to turn easily, and can cause a knee injury.

LeRoc is energetic and you can get very hot, especially in summer. At dances, and even for classes, some people bring small fans to help cool themselves down and also a change of shirt to make dancing more pleasurable - both for themselves and their partners!

+ I've never danced before - will I look stupid?

No! There are always other new beginners or people who have only done one or two lessons. You will learn 3 or 4 new moves in the lesson to give you a short routine you can dance by the end.

There are a core set of beginners' moves, which we rotate and incorporate into different groups over the weeks. This means that it doesn't matter when you join the class, and also helps you to learn how to link the moves together when you are dancing in the freestyle sessions.

+ LeRoc Etiquette

It can take a lot of courage to ask someone to dance, so we encourage everybody to always say yes when asked (unless you genuinely need a break, in which case, ask if you can dance to the next track instead). Ladies, don't forget that you can ask the men to dance too!

Remember, we were all beginners once, so be kind. If you feel you need to correct a hand-hold or a position, do so politely and respectfully. If a beginner's first impression is of being 'told off', they are unlikely to want to come back.

Be mindful of where you place your hands on your dance partner, so as not to cause offence.

LeRoc can be quite an energetic activity, so bring a spare shirt or top to change into, just in case, and a small towel to wipe hands and face. Deodorant is also a good idea, as there are lots of moves where arms are raised and it can be off-putting to dance with someone who has not used any - this applies to both men and women!

Think about what you eat before dancing. Whilst you may love eating garlic, others may not find it quite so pleasant. Having a packet of mints to hand can be a good idea.

Always check that your partner is happy to do any dips, leans or drops before you do them. People may have injuries we can't see or may just not know how to do them correctly. The last thing we want is people going home injured!

We all have different tastes in music. If we aren't playing the music you like, let us know. We are always open to suggestions for tracks and will happily play requests both in class and at our freestyles.

Above all, have fun and relax! We really are a friendly bunch and want everyone to enjoy LeRoc as much as we do. If anything makes you feel unhappy or uncomfortable, please let one of the crew know and we will do our best to help.