JIVEPLUS+, developed by George Moss, has evolved from, and is firmly rooted in French or Modern-Jive. So, intermediate dancers will immediately recognise the beginners basic, and core, french-Jive moves as taught throughout the 'jive pond'.

However, 8BEATFUSION, as a dance company, accesses all of the partner dancing genres.So, in JIVEPLUS+ classes and workshops, improvers, intermediate and advanced dancers will experience strong smooth-blues and latin influences alongside some West Coast Swing slotted principles of direction and movement. This exposure to different smooth-dance styles gives added value to jivers by helping to improve individual musicality and enabling them to incorporate their own style preferences.

JIVEPLUS+ instructors give special attention to the fundamental principles of good leading and following, which are conducive to'smooth' jive dancing. In keeping the focus on natural body mechanics (for smooth technique)and creative musicality, we believe that JIVEPLUS+ keeps Modern Jive 'Modern'.

Q: What are the differences between JIVEPLUS+ and Modern or French Jive?

A: JIVEPLUS+ is taught using the ‘slotted’ method (straight-line travelling) of moving forward & backward (similar to West Coast Swing). The moves and style are ‘tighter’. This means that you can have more couples dancers on the floor at any given time without bumping into one another (even on the smallest of dance floors). JIVEPLUS+ does not incorporate the French-Jive ‘semi-circling’ of the leading hand to initiate a move but relies on the more traditional lift and push with the leading hand incorporating tension and relaxation in the wrist. Also, some easy-but stylish contra-body movement and basic Latin/South American foot-work (Cuban salsa, mambo, rondé etc.) are introduced at beginner level.