Learn To Dance The Charleston

Today, we will be learning how to dance the Charleston, but first I would like to say that Google/Youtube is freaking sneaky! I have been wondering what the music on a particular video was for several months. Finally after more than an hour of researching and listening to early Louis Armstrong songs on iTunes, I figured out that it is the Sugar Foot Strut, recorded June 28, 1928 when Louis was with his Hot Five. I commented about this on the video last night and now lo and behold today, there is an automatic link to iTunes and Amazon at the bottom of the video! Google must have software that recognizes when someone is discussing a song title or artist in a video comment. I'm very impressed, but a little miffed that they will now be profiting from my hard work... I should send them a research/consulting fee.

Anyways to give you a little taste of what solo Charleston looks like, here is the very talented, Eve, otherwise known as "twentythreeskidoo" doing a solo Charleston demonstration between classes to Louis Armstrong's Sugar Foot Strut. I highly recommend watching some of her other Charleston videos, such as this one: Blue Orchid. When you're finished, continue reading below to learn more about the Charleston and how to dance it yourself!
Sugar Foot Strut is a really sweet Charleston song. If you like it you can click the iTunes link below to download it. Your browser will request to open your iTunes program. After your iTunes program opens to the 4-CD album, scroll all the way down to Track 6 on the last CD...



The Charleston, named for Charleston, SC began in 1923 as an African American dance, but today is mainly associated with white flapper women who danced and drank together in speakeasies during the days of prohibition. In the 1930's, Charleston developed into Lindy Charleston, also known as Savoy Charleston and Swing Charleston and then Lindy Hop, the Charleston breakaway becoming the now famous Lindy Swing Out. Here is a unique video showing the evolution of Charleston into Lindy Hop:



Would you like to learn to dance Solo Charleston? Let Eve from the earlier video show you how its done...



Once you get the solo footwork down, you will be ready for the type of Partner Charleston used in Lindy Hop. This isn't really explanatory, but all the basic moves are preformed slowly:



If you can learn that, then after a few more years of practice you might be ready for the big leagues: Lindy Partner Charleston Competition...