From foxtrot to tango, and everything in between, dance madness has hit the UK. With the popularity of shows like Strictly Come Dancing – won this year by Westcliff’s Kara Tointon – dancing has never been so popular. And Southend is no exception, with a whole new range of classes where you can learn to twirl, stamp and spin like a pro. HANNAH MARSH samples a selection of some of our favourites on offer for the new year.

Exotic and flamboyant, with twisting hands and twinkling feet, flamenco is one of the most exciting ways to dance.

On Sunday a new class will launch at Clifftown Studios in Nelson Street Southend.

Experienced flamenco teacher Sandra La Espuelita will be joined by flamenco guitarist Miguel De La Torre, as students learn basic techniques for feet, arms, hands and posture.

“A couple of months ago we held an event at Clifftown Studios with a flamenco band and dancers which seemed to be quite successful,” explains Clare Cook, community engagement facilitator at Essex University.

“A lot of people came along who hadn’t been to Clifftown Studios before and many asked if there was going to be a chance to have a go.”

The university was approached by Miguel, who’s involved with Southend Flamenco, and was keen to start a group as there was a lack of classes in the town.

“We said we’d be interested in doing something that was a bit of a taster,” Clare says. “We decided, because you can’t do it for too long as it’s too intense, to spread it over three Sundays.

“Sandra is going to be teaching a bit about the history of it and what the different moves mean. She can explain quite a lot about it so people will understand it a bit better.”

The workshops take place on January 16, 23 and 30 between 2-4pm at Clifftown Studios.

Classes are £6.50 for one or £15 for all three sessions. Concessions are available.

To book, call the box office on 01702 328335 or e-mail clifftown@essex.

ac.uk For more information, visit www.southendflamenco.co.uk

Get set for Latin fest

Salsa has been building in popularity, but in August the very first Latin festival will come to Essex.

The brainchild of local dance school Salsa Fun, the event had its launch party on January 8. Classes are running until the event over the August bank holiday.

“There’s a lot of salsa and Latin weekends all around the UK, but there’s never been one in Essex,” says Ciaran Egan of Salsa Fun.

“We’re organising it and promoting it ourselves and trying to showcase as many Essex clubs as we can. We really want it to be about Essex.

“There are lots of local clubs in the Southend area that are already on board and it’s just about showing the wider dance community what Essex has to offer.”

Talking about why salsa has become so popular, he says: “It’s the passion of it. There’s a lot of energy. It really is a fun way to get active.”

The Essex Latin Festival is at Barleylands Farm, Billericay, from August 26-29. For more information, visit www.essexlatinfestival.co.uk Salsa Fun classes run on Wednesdays at 8.30pm at the Salvation Army Hadleigh Tea Rooms, Castle Lane, Hadleigh, with James Leader and Vikki Cole. A new class is due to launch on Mondays. Classes are £5 per

Hip and cool with a twist

Nothing looks more impressive on the dance floor than the whirling, twirling jive. Energetic and fun with brilliant music, there’s a whole jive and swing scene nurturing the nostalgic moves.

Never far from anything hip and cool with a vintage twist, the Railway Hotel, Southend, has new Monday night swing dance classes to get you into the groove.

Joseph Sewell, who runs the night, describes how he got into the swing dancing scene: “I’d moved to Hampshire and a lady I was working with told me I should start coming to dance classes as it would be the best way to make friends.

“After three weeks of refusing to go I went to the pub with her – she just forgot to mention there was dancing there. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“It was a seedy looking place, but it was full of people and I had the best time of my life. I picked it up relatively quickly and started doing competitions and touring internationally and it all took off.”

The classes are based on classic Forties lindy hop, and Joseph says: “Lindy hop is the original swing dance and it’s the forerunner to rock’n’roll and jive. Hip hop comes from lindy hop, disco dancing, salsa dancing is all inspired by lindy hop.

“The first class is for absolute beginners and there’ll be three or four moves they’ll be able to do quite easily by the end of the night.”

The beginners’ class runs from 8-9pm at the Railway Hotel, Clifftown Road, every Monday. It’s followed by a progressive class from 9pm-10pm. Classes are £8 on the door or bookable in bulk in advance. For more information, call 01702 343194.

To find out more about Joseph and his wife Trisha, who often teach together, visit www.jiveswing.com