We are having a Charleston day not the city the dance.
My beginners will be learning solo and couple style Charleston and we will be looking at the different styles.
So let’s start there.
Charleston Styles: 1920s vs 1930s 👯♀️
Which style do you prefer?
Whilst 1920s Charleston focuses on swivels, flicks and twists, the 1930s style begins to merge into a style more associated with Lindy Hop, there is more pulse, bounce and a more grounded feel to the dance. Despite the cross over in the genre, both decades are unique in style and it’s important to know the small nuances that distinguish the style.
Take a look at the link to see the different styles
I would love to know which you prefer?
we are talking Charleston which style do you like
0%1920’s
0%1930’s
How to Charleston
Firstly lean forward slightly and bend your knees a little, keeping the weight on the balls on the foot.
Let’s start with
The Rock step or Break
Step back with your left foot - toe only touching the floor.
Do not shift your weight
Step forward with your left foot this time transferring the weight to the left.
Step forward with your right foot - toe only touching the floor.
Do not shift your weight
Step backwards with your right foot this time transferring the weight to the right.
Traditional The only time when you might begin with your right foot is if you are following a partner where the leader steps back on their Left foot and follower starts by stepping back on the right, mirroring the leader.
There are at lots of versions of the basic step in Charleston.
We know it started with a twist or swivel step but by the 1930’s it had transformed into a kick action with swinging arms.
Here I have named 6 basic steps from different eras.
⭐️ groove walk,
⭐️ kicks,
⭐️ swinging kicks,
⭐️ 20’s twist,
⭐️ 20’s glide,
⭐️ afro version “reverse twist”
Who remembers this picture on my office wall at JLC Blackpool?
It’s from punch c1920 - Bought it in Hay-on-Why many years ago
The quot at the bottom
Girl with straight legs says
“It’s a pity you don’t Charleston Audrey…. Your knees are definitely made for it”
History
The Charleston is a dance that belongs to the genre of African-American dances.
It’s a type of swing dance danced to hot Jazz music.
The dance combines elements from improvised African dance moves and syncopated ragtime rhythms of the 1920’s and 30’s.
Music for Charleston
The Solo 20s Charleston is usually danced to music of 4/4 tempo at a temp of 50 to 60 bars per minute but some can go up to fast tempos of above 75 bars per minute.
Faster movements are often contrasted with slower, dragging steps and improvisations.
What’s your favourite Charleston tunes, tell us in the comments.
Who remembers Mandy and John doing the Charleston at our Strictly Bootle.
Fashion
The 1920s flappers girls broke the image of what a traditional woman should be.
They cut their hair short, wore make-up and are what many considered the "modern" woman, breaking away from victorian womanhood. Flappers Josephine Baker, Clara Bow and Louise Brooks are maybe the most famous three from the era.
Find out more about them here
I hope you have enjoyed learning about Charleston and listening to the music today.
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Here are Bosson School of Dance we are all about inclusion especially Deaf and Deaf-blind.
So we ask if you or a business your associated with can sponsor a Deaf or a Deaf-blind person to learn to dance in Cumbria.
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By donating
£10, £20, or £30 to Cumbria Deaf Association you can help them run more activities like dancing
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Your donation will go towards an interpreter. This help keep the cost to a dance class minimum for the Deaf or Deaf-blind person.
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Because we need to show Deaf and Deaf-blind people they can dance too.
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