Jim & Nicky

Teachers Keith & Fran open "Jazzles"! - Friday 8th January

2010-01-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

Two of our Dance Riviera teachers, Keith & Fran, will be opening their new modern jive dance night "Jazzles" in Sydenham, this Friday 8th January. If you fancy going for a freestyle in the area, then why not support this wonderful couple.

Getting back to the blog! Update 28 October 2009

2009-10-28T06:53:00.001-07:00

Well, I thought it was about time I updated our blog!

We recently had a wonderful time on Jive Addiction's Cyprus holiday, it was in a wonderful 4* hotel in Paphos. Our lessons went down very well and hopefully we smoothed some dancers out :-)

We're teaching at Adrenalin Jive's Burgess Hill venue on Wednesday 9th December, and then at MJ's Love to dance Penge venue on Tuesday 16th December.

We're also continuing with our private lessons as we have our own dance studio at our house, so if you're interested, email us at jimandnicky@gmail.com or text Nicky on 07718 567304. We charge £30 an hour (for 2 people), adding an extra £10 per person (up to 4 people). We live in Sutton at Hone, near Dartford, Kent.

Other news, our little baby Bardot is now 8 months now and such a little character, always smiling, bouncing and now standing up, crawling, climbing and loving little boys eeeeek!

and as my maternity leave is coming to an end, I won't be returning to my London job, so am looking for a 3 day a week local job, so if anyone has anything involving administration, or retail (but no weekends!), let me know :-)

See you dancing soon

Jim & Nicky x

Jim and Nicky teaching! Back at Dance Dedication on Monday 27th April

2009-04-20T03:41:00.001-07:00

Our first teach since the baby!

Dance Dedication at Sidcup on Monday 27th April

(and the last Monday in the month after that)

Sidcup Working Men's Club

169 Main Road

Sidcup

Kent DA14 6PD

check out Dance Dedication's website for all details

Come along for some extra smooooooth dance moves from Jim & Nicky

We look forward to seeing you there

It's a girl!!

2009-03-06T06:37:00.000-08:00

Bardot Isabella Bourgerie came into this world on Monday 16th February 2009 weighing 6lb 10oz by casarean. We are so pleased and proud of our little girl and Nicky is recovering well. Here's some photos....

More details for Laura's funeral

2009-02-04T07:18:00.000-08:00

As some of you will probably know, our dearest and gorgeous friend Laura Luckhust unexpectedly passed away last Monday. We are devastated and especially for Dominic, her husband of only 2 years.

Dominic's Dad has issued some more details regarding flowers and a charity donation which they would prefer. We know that some of you will be going to the funeral (Fri 20th Feb 3.15pm) but for those who cannot make it but would like to make a charity donation in Laura's name, the details are below.

You may have already received most of the following information from Dominic but there are some additional details to take note of and also telephone numbers.It is obvious from the response from family and friends that Laura had a special place in so many people’s hearts. We have no idea how many people will attend Laura’s funeral but no doubt some would wish to purchase flowers to show their support and sympathy. However, Dominic and Laura’s family would prefer it if flowers were restricted to the immediate family.

The ceremony will be non-religious with members of the family and friends paying tribute to celebrate Laura's life.When Laura and Dominic married in 2006 they asked that instead of wedding presents they would prefer it if small donations could be made to Medway Breathe Easy. This is a local group helping people suffering from lung complaints which was started by Dominic’s late mother ten years ago. All donations are shared between local needs and the British Lung Foundation. Dominic was sure that Laura would approve of this charity especially since it was an asthma attack which was the cause of her death.

The funeral will take place on: Friday 20th February at 3.15 p.m.at: Eltham Crematorium, also known as FalconwoodCrown Woods Way, Eltham, London, SE9 2AZTel: 020 8850 7046Following the funeral, mourners are invited to make their way for a reception at Rowhill Grange, Top Dartford Road B258Dartford, DA2, Near Hextable 01322 615 136
http://www.alexanderhotels.co.uk/rowhill/This was the venue for their marriage just over two years ago

If you wish to send a donation to “Medway Breathe Easy” please post your cheque to: Mr R.Pavey (Breathe Easy Medway Treasurer)19 Camelia Close, Gillingham, ME8 0HJ

Please write "Laura Luckhurst" on the back of the cheque.Many thanks, Tony Luckhurst (01634 573872)

Christmas Update

2008-12-30T06:13:00.001-08:00

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and enjoy a brilliant New Year. 2009 is certainly going to be an exciting one. We've got a baby to be born (Feb) and two big weddings to attend and enjoy.

Apart from a few health scares and issues, pregnancy is going well and going on maternity leave will be welcomed as I can then sleep during the day as I'm certainly not sleeping at night - I suppose that prepares you for having the actual baby :-)

We've changed our baby boy name at least 6 times, Jim's so fickle! I think of a name and he goes with it for a few weeks then doesn't like it - we're now on our latest one and every day I keep asking him if he likes it! so far so good. Our girl's name is in stone and we love it.

Hopefully see you at dancing either at Mikey's Sidcup on a Monday or Dwain's Crayford on a Wednesday - I won't be dancing anymore as I just can't get my breathe these days, but Jim'll will no doubt have a few jigs.

Happy New Year to you all!

Jim & Nicky x

Update

2008-12-09T05:51:00.001-08:00

So here's the bump at 29 weeks (almost 7 months), Jim's promised me he's going to take some lovely "Demi" shots this week :-) not sure I'll be able to post these ones online though hee hee. I'll ensure he takes some "with clothes" ones that I can post.

Other news......we've been to Mikey's Dance Dedication Sidcup venue a few times now and we love it. Great atmosphere (very Dance Riviera, and a lot of our dancers too), lovely intimate venue and everyone dances with everyone, great friendly atmosphere - just the way it should be. So get yourself down there to experience it....in the new year the venue are pulling back the carpet round the edges making the dance floor even BIGGER! www.dancededication.com

Another great venue is Dwain's VibeDance nights www.vibedancenights.co.uk every Wednesday at Crayford, there's lots going on and it's always a great atmosphere down there, and despite Dwain being incapacitated at the moment, he's always around to ensure the night goes smoothly.

Looking forward to Christmas, got lots of people to see and entertain, as always, and I'm certainly looking forward to the middle of January when I shall be on maternity leave, where I shall attempt to visit people but will most likely be sleeping when I can - averaging around 3-4 hours per night at the moment :-(

As always, be great to hear from people, contact us at jimandnicky@gmail.com

Nicky x

Jim and Nicky teaching at Dance Dedication TONIGHT! at Sidcup - Mon 24th Nov

2008-11-24T02:49:00.001-08:00

Ok, ok, so I'm a lot slimmer in this picture, but a girl's gotta dream a little eh!

Jim and I will be teaching (probably for me, the last time) - although Jim can still teach - at Mikey's Dance Dedication Sidcup venue tonight.

We look forward to seeing lots of dancing friends and of course catching up with everyone.

See you there tonight. J&N x

Dancing News....Jim & Nicky at Dwain's VibeDance Nights TONIGHT! Wed 19th Nov

2008-11-19T06:55:00.001-08:00

Jim and I will be at Dwain's VibeDance Night TONIGHT http://www.vibedancenights.co.uk/ to support our mate Pete (aka DJ PT), also known as Naked Pete (yes it's that obvious!).

It'll be great to see Simon & Nicole again too and I'm sure will be treated to a great routine from them as always.

Hope to see you all there, check out the website for the Crayford address.

Jim & Nicky xx

Baby and Dancing Update from Jim & Nicky

2008-11-11T06:41:00.001-08:00

Well, here is a our little Babby B in 3D, quite scary actually how much they can get through a scanner.

Nicky is now 6 months pregnant and looking well but huge! Went to Party Weekender Warmwell and celebrated Nicky's birthday, it was sooo great to see so many Dance Riviera crew and dancers there, having a fantastic time.

Highlights were.....teaching our Smooth Jive class, everyone loved the routine......catching up with friends......eating in the Smugglers Inn pub, yummy roast beef......lots of lovely dances (Darren and Phil spring to mind:-)......the fancy dress (well done Newquay Jive again!).....ballroom Andy and stripper ?????(who cares what his name is!) their lyrical jazz type dance was lovely......Taz and her burlesque girls and boys in the fancy dress, rock on.......Darren and his team's efforts for a great 10th anniversary weekender. Here's to next November. To book go to www.partyweekender.co.uk

Other news.....Jim and Pete have almost completed converting our garage into a dance studio, so we can do our private lessons and small workshops in there. They've done a fantastic job and have spent hours and hours and days and weekends doing it all, it looks great. We'll be showing it off soon. Jim's updating our website http://www.smoothjive.com/ soon and will list where we'll be teaching and of course private lesson time availability etc.

JIM AND NICKY TEACHING AT.......DANCE DEDICATION ON MONDAY 24TH NOVEMBER AT SIDCUP.

We'll be putting an appearance in at Dance Dedication's Sidcup venue on Monday 24th November, hope to see you all there for a dance and catch up. http://www.dancededication.com/

For those of you who know Dwain of http://www.vibedancenights.co.uk/ please send him good wishes as he's broken his leg at Camber after "roller discoing", poor thing!

See you all soon

Jim and Nicky x

Update on Jim & Nicky

2008-09-24T07:03:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone

Just a quick update as it's been a while since we blogged anything. We'll I've been quite ill with terrible and painful toothache which has completely put me out of action - finally it's been solved! just dealing with a cough n cold now - damn I miss Lemsip and Nurofen!

Jim's busy converting our garage with Pete, they're doing a great job, although I'm sure they're just sitting out there drinking beer and playing with boys toys :-)

We went to Jive Addiction's Southport recently and had a fabulous weekend, we taught 2 classes, our Bump n Grind was funny as I had the bump, I just grinded for an hour - our classes do what they say on the tin! and our Strictly Smooth Jive "Chill out" routine was packed out and was enjoyed by all. We'll be going next year (babysitter required hint hint) either next June or September to Skegness as that's where Jive Addiction will now be holding their weekenders.

We've been missing our dancing but we've been so busy with house stuff and getting over illnesses, plus working hard, that there's not been a lot of time to do what we actually love to do which is dance, so hopefully we'll be dancing at some of the venues soon enough, we'll let you know where and when.

It would be great to hear from you guys, our new email address is jimandnicky@googlemail.com, drop us a line and let us know how you all are.

Jim & Nicky & bump (which is getting huge by the way!!) xxx

Jim & Nicky teaching at Swanley - Dance Dedication - Tuesday 2nd September

2008-09-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

We are teaching at Dance Dedication's Swanley venue tomorrow night Tuesday 2nd September, so we hope to see you all there.

Click here for Dance Dedication's website and details of the venue - the Linden Suite, The Woodlands, Hilda May Avenue, Swanley - BR8 7BT.

We look forward to teaching and dancing with you all tomorrow night.

Jim & Nicky x

Dapper Dan and Viv's Wedding

2008-08-18T03:32:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went to Dapper Dan (he used to teach for us) and his lovely Viv's wedding in Marlborough (a lovely old market town near Swindon).

It was a beautiful wedding in the town hall with a live saxophonist playing in the background and Dapper Dan just beaming from ear to ear! Viv looked stunning in her wedding dress and serene and happy as you can be.

Funny moment.......the registrar saying her bit and then announced to Dan, did he take this woman "Joanne......", we all looked stunned and Dapper looked at Viv who looked at the registrar and we all burst out laughing! She then apologised saying that she'd just said that name of the bride before!!

The meal and reception was held in the upstairs of the town hall, a stunning dance venue I might add, where a buffet meal was held.

Dapper and Viv did their first choreographed dance to Bodyrockers "I like the way you move", and it was excellent, we videoed it and I'm sure Jim will see if he can get it on here for you. The rest of the night followed with the best wedding band we've ever seen, they were great and with such a wide repertoire, they had people dancing from the first song til the end.

Dapper & Viv are off on their honeymoon to visit Shelagh and family in Gozo.

Pictures and video will follow.......

Nicky x

Phew!

2008-08-13T14:43:00.001-07:00

We had our 12 week scan today and the baby is perfectly normal and more importantly it is singular... i.e. not twins.

We had a couple of pics and I managed to take some video, so I'll try and put them up for all to see soon.

Thanks for all the wonderful support everyone has shown... We really appreciate it.

Jx

Setting the Record Straight!

2008-08-12T01:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight we look forward to attending Dance Dedication's opening night at Swanley - click here for the link to tell you all about it. We look forward to seeing you there to support Mikey, Clem & Tracy, Steve Strong and Gazza plus the other crew.

And to set the record straight and stop these rumours before they go into overdrive! Jim & I are nothing to do with the set up of these new venues, we found out about them maybe a few hours before it was announced to the modern jive world. We are happy to support them by dancing and guest teaching (as we are now gigging independent teachers), but leave all the stress and pressure of running the dance group to them!!

Anybody got any questions, let us know.

Nicky x

Newquay Jive BBQ

2008-08-11T01:56:00.000-07:00

What started out as a fantastic Friday, lovely warm weather, people setting up their tents in Murphy's garden, the 2 marquees set up and ready to go fully equipped with a dance floor and music system - ended in a Saturday full of rain, rain and more rain!!

However, in true British style, everyone had a fantastic time thanks to Pam, Murphy and Jill, plus a whole host of other helpers. Murphy's house is wonderful, with 3 stories which he has hand built from scratch (the man is mad!).

Friday night started off with a sold-out freestyle in Indian Queens with Jim & I teaching, the lesson went down well and I had a few dances for the first time in 12 weeks - it was heaven - special thanks to Darren, Phil, Duncan and Carl!

On Saturday, Jim & I plus our family Mel & Carl went into Falmouth and enjoyed a very nice breakfast and a of course the obligatory visit to the pub! then we taught our "Chill Out" routine to a packed marquee and that went down very well. Food was then served-a-plenty and the freestyling began with Gary & Holly on the decks. The electricity went out god knows how many times, to an enormous cheer every time :-) We then had 2 cabarets by our very own Mel & Carl and other teachers Kevin Hardy & Lara, they were fantastic.

After chilli and rice at midnight (which Jill had been cooking for a month), a few more dances then it was bed and rest.

Sunday started with a cooked brekkie and then we did a 2 mile walk into the local village and then had to be rescued by Pam as I just couldn't face the walk back!

We had a fantastic time and if you're in the neighbourhood next year in August, do yourselves a favour, bring a tent and book yourselves in, we'll be there next year (will book the babysitter early) to enjoy a lovely weekend again.

Roving Reporters and Gigging Teachers.......Jim & Nicky

Priceless moments:
Murphy wearing goggles and a rain mac pretending to shower under the overflow from the 2 marquees moments before a huge wave engulfed him... brrr that must have been cold!

The power going mid song and everyone continuing to sing the lyrics and dance.

Murphy explaining how he raised the roof of his house by 3 feet using only car jacks and rope.

Carl (my bro in law to be) arriving at Murphy's garden, getting out of the car to say hello to a few people, then running after said car after it started to roll down the hill at great speed. Yes, they do have hand brakes ;)

It raining Saturday...Murphy commented "In 26 years I've never seen a day of rain like this". It just did not stop, but it didn't dampen our spirits.... Us dancers are made of sturdier stuff than Glastonbury hippies ;)

Just a thought...but maybe we inadvertantly did a rain dance on Friday night... gulp!

Jim x

Get the ViBe!

2008-08-07T04:21:00.000-07:00

It's great to see that Dwain is kicking things off in style at Crayford with his very own dance night...

"ViBe @ Crayford on Wednesday nights will bring something new to the table for Modern Jivers that promises to be different. Exactly what, will be kept under wraps until the opening night. Due to the size of the venue and for your comfort, numbers have been limited for the opening night and I will try to balance the gender to ensure everyone has a good night."

"I can't wait to see you all on the 27th August 2008. Best Regards, Dwain "

For more info.. http://www.vibedancenights.co.uk/

We wish you well in this new venture Dwain and we will be there to support you.

J&N x

Breaking News!

2008-08-05T08:50:00.001-07:00

Dance Dedication opens NEW venues in Kent

Links:
Dance Dedication Kent info
Dance Dedication Kent web site
NEW VENUE opens Tuesday 12th AUGUST.The Woodlands,"Linden suite" Hilda May Avenue, Swanley - BR8 7BTNEW VENUE opens Thursday 18th SeptemberSt Simon Hall, Brookfield Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4EU.
THE TEAM Teachers"Clem and Tracy" have already made a name for themselves with their relaxed and amusing teaching manner.Having started their dancing careers off with Jim and Nicky (Formerly Dance Riviera) and superbly trained to teach by them personally.
They have already made a huge impact with guest appearances at various jive clubs in the south!Especially known for their silky smooth and flowing routines, helping dancers to relax and learn with ease. They believe everyone can dance and have made it their mission to help everyone find the dancer within. Their belief is that dance should be a fun, enjoyable and social activity for all to enjoy, which certainly shows through in their classes.

"Mikey" who has over 22 year’s professional teaching experience throughout the UK. All classes are designed to be informative, safe, amusing and will allow dancers to exercise efficiently without any pain! His relaxed teaching style and humour ensures that all newcomers quickly progress and soon become accomplished dancers with a desire for their continued improvement.

Resident DJ's"Gazza" www.gazzabash.co.ukA well known DJ in Kent, famous for Gazza Bash's which raises tremendous money for Demelza Children’s Hospice on a regular basis. A guest DJ with many other organisers as well as a favourite amongst the regular Kent dancers.

"Steve THE HITMAN Strong"A national and International DJ who has been on the modern jive circuit longer than we are allowed to tell you ;-) Steve has DJ'd at ALL the major weekender events across the UK and regularly guest DJ's at various organisers across the UK.These two superb guys will be at our venues on a regular basis.

Keep an eye on the weekly listings to see if your favourite will be spinning the discs that week.

VIP GUEST TEACHERSWe are also pleased to announce our first Guest teachers “Jim & Nicky” (formerly Dance Riviera) will be at Swanley on September 2nd. Currently due to other circumstances they are limited as to where they can actually dance in the Kent area, but are happy to announce they will be dancing at Swanley and Ashford on occasions “Baby Bump” allowing!

For those of you across the UK who know and love this couple as much as we do, they will have a website up and running soon for themselves, but in the meantime here is a link to their Blogspot http://jimnicky.blogspot.comMikey, Clem & Tracy & CrewNOTE: The opening of Kent venues does NOT effect the Yorkshire side of Dance Dedication. This continues as normal. See those of you up North on the 6th August at Drax.DRAX sports & social club. YO8 8PFFantastic large sprung dance floor, Air conditioning, Licenced Bar and loads of car parking on site.

Sold Out!

2008-08-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

Were doing a teach this weekend for Newquay jive in ... erm Newquay.

If you were thinking of coming along then it's bad news... It's sold out. unless you can kiss arse with Murphy ;)

Newquay Jive : Dance with Jim & Nicky from Dance Riviera - Indian Queens W.M. Club **SOLD OUT**

We will let you know how the weekend goes...

J&Nx

Catchup

2008-08-02T05:26:00.000-07:00

We had a great time last night at Gazza's party and it was so great to catchup with crew and friends. Nicky did very well and did not dance all night (except the last dance with me).

Nicky isn't as tired as she has been over the last few weeks, so you may see more of her at some of the venues. We will post which venues we are going to if you fancy a catch up :)

Baby Jim & Nicky "7 weeks"

2008-08-02T05:10:00.000-07:00

Your what!

2008-08-01T06:40:00.000-07:00

This was me when I found out Nicky was pregnant:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/homardpayette/472354262/

Where are you?

2008-08-01T04:56:00.000-07:00

If you have been wondering where we have been, then do not panic... we are still alive and kicking. We will be dancing (not Nicky yet) at venues and catching up with you all starting tonight. We will be attending Gazza's charity night at Bromley, so see you there!

Why are we not going to the old Dance Riviera venues?
Were not invited.. Well at least for the next 2 months. Time will tell if we ever cross that doorstep again. Not our choice I might add.

Will we be teaching soon?
Yes... we will let you know when, but it will be quite soon.

J&N x