Jive & Thrive

The concept of Jive & Thrive is to provide an awesomely fun weekend for the modern jive community in which to thrive!  At the same time the aim is to give local tourism a boost and raise awareness for the benefits of dance for mental wellbeing.  The weekend will donate to local charity, Southern Wellbeing Trust and include an introductory class for any new dancers in the community or those visiting Queenstown for the weekend.  By dancing the weekend away, let’s help communities to thrive.

WEEKEND RUNDOWN

*Buy your tickets before 31st July *

Latecomer price will apply from 1st August 2021

FRIDAY 13th TGIF PARTY - The London, 36 Shotover Street, Queenstown

Let your hair down for pizza and dancing as you enjoy a casual dinner at this underground pizza bar.  There's a juke box too to choose your 'fav' tunes in this fun, urban setting at The London,36 Shotover Street, Queenstown
~ Entry free, just pay your individual tab, see menu: www.thelondon.co.nz
~ Everyone welcome - dancers, eaters & drinkers alike:)

~ A donation will kindly be made from the restaurant to mental health charity, Southern Wellbeing Trust, so just by coming along to this event you help support the local community.  Thank YOU!

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS -  Queenstown Memorial Centre, 1 Memorial Drive
9am-9.45am FREE Yoga Class, Beginners also welcome
Awaken your body and mind to energise yourself for the day ahead with Amanda Woolridge from Nadi Wellness, Queenstown. Some yoga matts will be provided; if you have your own please bring along and a towel to lie on. Come dressed in comfortable clothing.  Optional gold coin donation to the charity Southern Wellbeing Trust.

10am-11.15am “All about the Bass”
Beginners with Katie & Tim from Ceroc Asia
1 hour with 15 mins guided practice with your fabulous instructors
This workshop will build and solidify the foundations on which you dance so you can dance like never before. Covering the fundamentals of frame, connection, footwork and technique - whether your are a beginner or a seasoned dancer - this workshop has something for everyone with the added bonus of some cool styling tips too.

11.30am-12.45pm “Shine Bright Like a Diamond”
Intermediate with Alice & Nathan from Fevah, Christchurch
1 hour with 15 mins guided practice with your awesome instructors
Have you ever wondered how to turbo-boost your dancing up a level with some simple tricks of the trade? This workshop will cover advanced techniques that can lift your intermediate skills. Sparkle and dazzle on the dance floor as you discover secrets to help you shine bright.

1pm-2.15pm “I Can See Clearly Now"
Open with an All-Kiwi line up: 

Michaela Cullimore (AKL), Vanroe Stone (AKL), Alice Finch (CHCH, formerly Palmerston North), Mathew Flemmer (CHCH, formerly Palmerston North), Tom Campbell (DUD) accompanied by the Dunedin demo-delight, Ms Rosie O’Connor
*Open is suitable for everyone of any level (Beginners, Intermediate or Advanced)*
1 hour with 15 mins guided practice with your sensational instructors

60 mins of jam packed gems!I Enjoy a quick fire round of 10 mins of wisdom from each teacher as they share and practise with you just ONE insight that gave them an almighty ‘A-ha’ moment on the dance floor or just simply felt gooood!

After the workshop you will be able to take to the floor for 15 mins of informal practice/Q & A with any teachers of your choice as we spread them out across the hall and let you roam where your dancing feet take you

2.30-3.45pm "Smooth Operator"
Advanced with Debbie & Dan from Ceroc Norwest, Auckland
1 hour with 15 mins guided practice with your awesome instructors
Pitched specifically to conceptually and creatively push the advanced level dancer, this workshop will explore how you can create on the fly. Connection, clear communication and technique are a huge part of that, but there’s more… open your eyes to opportunity, live spontaneously and learn to adapt, without batting an eye.

4-5pm "Better When I’m Dancing"
with Emma & Alexey from Dance Social, Queenstown
*Everyone encouraged to attend, help first-timers discover the joys of dancing!*
**Ideal for family, friends, visitors to Queenstown who just want to try dancing and/or Modern Jive**
Self diagnosed two left feet? Or do you have some dance experience but haven’t yet experienced the freedom of modern jive? Either way we welcome you to discover the joys that dance can bring to your world. Come and have a taste of the ultimate feel good factor with this fun, friendly & easy class danced to any style of music. Walk in fine, dance out divine!
~ Suitable for 16-60+, partners welcome but not necessary
~ Come solo or with a group of friends
~ Optional gold donation to Southern Wellbeing Trust 

SATURDAY EVENING: SNOW-BALL PARTY - Queenstown Memorial Centre, 1 Memorial Drive
Dress code: White Theme
Channel your inner snowflake and brighten the night with a splash of white. From white t-shirt to white tie, it’s all welcome! Prizes for best dressed🎖

7pm: Doors Open: Social Dancing
7.30pm: 'Prop-erly Done'; compete for the fun (see below)
8.30pm: Instructor Performances - prepare to be 'wowed'!
8.45-11.50pm: Social Dancing
11.50pm: Survivors’ Photo
12am: Go home or go to town!

COMP INFO: Prop-erly Done; compete for the fun. 

Think hat, flower, hoola-hoop, cuddly toy, sunglasses, umbrella, ribbon or whatever tickles your fancy. Our panel of 2021 Instructors-turned-Judges will be on the look out for timing, technique, connection, creativity and musicality as the pairs dance prop-erly.

7.30pm Intermediate Heats - bring your own prop, one song

7.45pm Beginners Heats - bring your own prop, one song

7.55pm Advanced Heats - (for anyone attending the advanced workshop) bring your own prop for first song, props get swapped with other competitors at random for the second song

8.05pm By Invitation Heats - for all qualified teachers and level 4 advanced dancers who are invited to enter this level. Mystery prop they assigned at random on the night.

8.15pm Judge the Judges: Judges compete, audience judges. Mystery prop they assigned at random on the night.

~ Partners dance once to 2 mins excerpt of music.
~ Each level’s heat will comprise of 6-7 couples per heat and will be marked across the heats as a straight final by the experts. 

Judges will have the chance afterwards to comment on which flourishes and interpretations they particularly enjoyed - ‘dancing with the stars’ style.
Then the tables are turned! You and the rest of the audience judge the judges. The judges don’t know what props they will receive until the very last moment, and will dance for 45 seconds with each prop in turn. Who wins is up to you! Look out for surprise, comedy, musicality and more…


SUNDAY 15th SKI DAY SOCIAL - Coronet Peak Ski Area

Come along and have some fun whether you ski, snowboard, toboggan, want to take a gondola and enjoy the stunning views of Queenstown or merely have lunch & mulled wine on the mountain top! Make your own way there and go at your own pace. Direct public buses can bring you to the slopes: www.nzski.com

MEET UP POINTS:
1pm Lunch at the main restaurant, have a natter & a grab a bite with your fellow dancers (order individually & pay own tab)
2pm SNOW SHENANIGANS - not to be missed!
*Frozen!* The classic 'Dance in the Snow' challenge
*Photo Finish* The ultimate 'Ski-Gear-Group-Piccy'

Depart under your own steam, ski fields close at 4pm.

Jive & Thrive is organised by Katie Bridges who runs the Ceroc Asia and the Pan Asian Championships (and is now based in Queenstown) and Emma Dagg, who runs the Modern Jive community in Central Otago called Dance Social. www.facebook.com/jiveandthrive

The Southern Wellbeing Trust is a new charitable trust set up in the aftermath of COVID to help keep the Queenstown Lakes and southern NZ communities well so that our people can thrive. The Trust is currently training local people to deliver mental health education workshops to their peers in the community groups most affected by COVID.  Your donation will help support their ongoing work. You can read more at www.southernwellbeingtrust.org