DAY 1: Charleston - Steps taken from “How To Charleston Correctly,” 1925
1) In Close Position - Walking Charleston: Starting on 1st feet, back the lady, walking 3 steps, then touch; (she touches LF foot behind, he touches RF foot in front)
Reverse, backing the gent - 8 counts
2) Step-Touch Basic: Gents, step forward touch-front, step back touch-back TWICE (Ladies: step back touch-back, step forward touch-front) – 8 counts
3) Open to side-by-side position: starting on 1st feet, both walk forward 3 steps, then kick 2nd foot (high or low kicks) reach up with free hand.
Reverse, backing 3 steps then touch 1st foot behind, reach for floor - 8 counts
4) Step-KICK Basic: Both step forward kick-front, step back touch-back TWICE – 8 counts
5) Freestyle solo: Anything. Monkey Knees, Pigeon Toes, Swing kicks, Flick kicks, any of the above material without a partner – 16 counts
6) step-kick (any foot) 3X in 3 different random directions. Repeat
Day 2: Fred & Ginger Foxtrot - Under a Blanket of Blue
Intro: 24 fast counts
Start in Promenade position, traveling LOD:
A theme: 4 Q grapevine steps (Lead side back side front; Follow opposite) then walk forward two S steps, looking at partner - 8 fast counts
REPEAT 3 more times - 24 counts
A1 theme: side together side together on 4 Q steps, traveling LOD, rocking side on 2 S steps
REPEAT 3 times, ending with a Follows underarm turn to Link up on 2 S steps
B theme: Jazz square on 4 Q steps, then walk forward on 2 S steps OR rocking
REPEAT 2 more times
Take 4 slow steps to realign in Promenade position; send her under the arch or around behind the Lead
REPEAT A theme in Promenade position
Day 3: One-StepTango mixer: El Choclo
In Promenade position: Walk forward (dramatically) 4 slow steps
Follow flips to R shoulder Yale, progress LOD 4 slow steps (Follow walking backward, Lead forward)
Do one complete rotation/Pomander turn in R Yale, 4 slow steps, both walking forward.
Release partner, Lead progresses forward, Follow moves against LOD in 4 slow steps to meet next partner;
Day 4 of classes on board the QM2: our classes were most helpful in preparing people - especially those newer to vintage dance - for the evening ball. Today we learned 5 easy variations for 6-count swing:
6 count Swing: use Diga Diga Do -5% 186 bpm
Basic: Lead starts on LF: step forward L, back R, rock back on LF and step RF in place; Follows reverse footwork
- Two-hand hold Lindy clasp (palms down) or Promenade position
- Elbows bent, knees bent, slightly forward upper body, relaxed, easy style; feet skim the floor
Follows Underarm Turn: Follow steps RF forward under her R/his L joined hands, steps LF side and turns R to face partner for the rock-step. Reverse the direction of the turn to return home.
Leads Underarm Turn: Same as above, except he steps LF forward, RF side, and turns Left to face partner.
Trading Places: start by sending the Follow under the arch for a Follows Underarm turn. As she returns home, the Lead travels past her as she turns, trading places, Repeat the Trading Places, then bring the Follow home.
Follow the Follow: Send the Follow under the arch for a Follows Underarm Turn, but the Lead, instead of staying in place, walks forward two Slow steps and does a forward rock-step, following her path. Return home, the Lead walking backwards and turning the Follow as normal.
Day 4: 5 easy variations for 6-count swing
Basic: Lead starts on LF: step forward L, back R, rock back on LF and step RF in place; Follows reverse footwork
- Two-hand hold Lindy clasp (palms down) or Promenade position
- Elbows bent, knees bent, slightly forward upper body, relaxed, easy style; feet skim the floor
Follows Underarm Turn: Follow steps RF forward under her R/his L joined hands, steps LF side and turns R to face partner for the rock-step. Reverse the direction of the turn to return home.
Leads Underarm Turn: Same as above, except he steps LF forward, RF side, and turns Left to face partner.
Trading Places: start by sending the Follow under the arch for a Follows Underarm turn. As she returns home, the Lead travels past her as she turns, trading places, Repeat the Trading Places, then bring the Follow home.
Follow the Follow: Send the Follow under the arch for a Follows Underarm Turn, but the Lead, instead of staying in place, walks forward two Slow steps and does a forward rock-step, following her path. Return home, the Lead walking backwards and turning the Follow as normal.
Day 5: The Lambeth Walk
This was originally danced in 1937 in the London hit musical ME AND MY GIRL. There are SO MANY version of this, that I combined the best of 3 sources: 1) the simple choreography on the back of the 1937 sheet music; 2) a video of the original 1937 stage show, and 3) a video of the 1939 film made of the musical.
Lambeth Walk:
A theme: Jaunty walk to fit the rhythm of the music; 8 counts swinging arms S S QQS, S S QQS
Face partner on count 1, take 2 short steps backing away, bend knees on count 4. Do 5 rhythmic knee slaps, clap hands, yell “Hoy” while making hitchhike motion with thumb over shoulder.
REPEAT
B theme: 8 jaunty walking steps, link R elbows with partner and walk around 4 counts, link L elbows and walk around 4 counts
A theme: REPEAT