A NEW dance phenomenon from across the Atlantic is set to arrive in Rowledge on Monday, February 29.

Sling Groove is based on the concept of Kangagroove, a baby-wearing dance class founded in San Diego. A four-week taster session of the low-impact dance workout for parents and their babies, will be led by local mum-of-two Lydia Ferguson.

Lydia will be running the class in partnership with The Dance Movement, a not-for-profit dance company based at the Farnham Maltings.

Rachel Palmer, programme director at The Dance Movement said: “Sling Groove came from the idea of an American-based dance company that describes itself as being ‘on a mission to build communities of families where dance is an integral part of everyday life’.

“The Dance Movement also aims to create new communities and friendships by bringing people together through dance. In fact, the dance class is so complementary to our aim that we have even been able to secure funding from Active Surrey so we can offer the classes free of charge to 18 to 25 year olds.”

The class will take place at Rowledge Village Hall between 10am and 10.45am. Numbers will be limited to 12 parents and their babies so that class members can get to know each other.

Lydia said: “I love to dance and so it seems entirely natural to share that experience with my baby. I am so excited to be launching this new class and can’t wait to get to know the mums, dads and babies that decide to come along.

“It will be a very supportive and friendly class as well as a bit of fun. We will ask the parents taking part to tell us their favourite dance music so that we can cater for all musical tastes and have a great time.”

Anybody who is interested in attending the class will need to have been given the all clear from their six-week postnatal check. Places can be reserved by emailing [email protected].

Before attending, parents are advised to check with a sling adviser that they are wearing their sling correctly. It is hoped that Sling Groove will also be run at the Farnham Maltings and a venue in Fleet.