The Charleston was originally a dance from the South, said to have originated in Charleston, South Carolina. It blossomed in the 1920's as a socially led dance, as well as a solo or group dance. The song Charleston by James (Jimmy) P. Johnson and Cecil Mack is popularly attributed to the Charleston dance. http://history1900s.about.com/od/1920s/qt/charleston.htm

In present times, the Charleston is becoming quite popular and integrated commonly into a dance called Lindy Hop. The basic step allows for a extensive range of personal styling and improvisation.

So you wanna Charleston huh? Well, let's get started!

CAUTION: Charleston has characteristics of flaring hands, legs, and feet... so before you begin your conquest of mastering the art of the Charleston, let's get in the groove, shall we?

The Charleston has quick shifting rhythms and is quite fast paced, so find a few jazz songs that are characteristic to the Charleston type dance. Some good ones to try are:

• Charleston by Cecil Mack and Jimmy Johnson
• Yes Sir! That's My Baby - Lee Morse
• Runnin' WIld - Duke Ellington, Jungle Band (Super Fast!)

• Listen to the beats and bounce your body along with them to begin finding the Charleston-type rhythm.

After finding the beat, now it's time to learn the basic steps.

• 1. Step back with your RIGHT foot
• 2. Kick back with your LEFT foot (flat foot, not pointed toe, like you are pushing a box backwards with the bottom of your foot)
• 3. Step forward with your LEFT foot
• 4. Kick forward with your RIGHT foot
• 5. REPEAT stepping forward with your RIGHT foot

• • The above is the females basic, the male basic is the mirrored opposite starting on the LEFT foot.
  • This is a 8 count basic and each step receives 2 beats.

The basic should be done at first in the same general space, returning to the original position, try best not to move all around the floor...until you get really good!

There is also a more funky basic with toes alternating inward and outward as you perform the basic steps...but this is personal choice and learned with styling.

The arms are very important, and can complement or hinder your foot movement. Basically when you take a stroll down the sidewalk, your arms have a normal sway right? Well that is just amplified in the Charleston.

When your RIGHT foot steps forward, your LEFT arm naturally swings forward...well it's the same with Charleston, except exaggerated! So think opposites.

Now, there are different styles and you should make it your own, but these are a popular few:

• 1. Arms straight out, wrists bent slight upwards with a flat palm
• 2. Arms bent at the elbow, kinda like you are running, but slightly more away from your body and swing your elbows first with each step.
• 3. Flapping arms like a bird, commonly scene with Flapper dancers in this era.

Many people make up their own arm movements, such as circular patterns and such or outward motions; it's really a personal choice. Getting the arms moving is a very important part of the Charleston dance, so be sure to move those arms!

It takes a lot of practice to master the art of this dance, like Al & Leon & Josephine Baker, but a good way to start is to find old videos and practice at home. Or look up local swing dance scenes in your area and ask some regular dancers for tips. They can also possibly direct you to good dance instructors in the area that you can take private or group lessons with.