Cowboy Charleston

Cowboy Charleston
Jeanette HALL and Tonya MILLER (Oct 1995)
Counts: 16 Walls:4 Level: Beginner

Alt. music:-
Devil Dancing by George strait
Christmas Cookies by George Strait

This dance adapts the fun Roaring Twenties Flapper Dance, the Charleston, into a great Country and Western Line Dance. It is fairly unique in that it can be done to music which is fairly fast

It is sometimes done with a straight step forward and back pattern. However, the most fun way to do it is with the real Charleston foot pattern and arm movements as it is done in the Carolinas where the Charleston originated, and where it is widely done

The classic Charleston step includes moving the right foot forward and out and around in a 1/2 circle to touch forward on Count 1. At the same time, the arms are moved first to the right to compensate for the movement of the right foot out around to the front and back in to touch forward. When done fast, the arm movements are almost unavoidable

On the "& Count", one swings the right foot back out to the right and to the back, shifting weight to the right foot on Count 2, with the arms now going to left

On the next "& Count", begin swinging the left out around and to the back to touch on Count 3, with arms again going right

On the final "& Count, one swings the left foot forward out to the left and forward, shifting weight to the left foot on Count 4, with the arms now going to left

The Straight version given below makes a great beginner's dance. The 4-wall Charleston-style version makes a great showpiece dance. Both can be picked up by experienced line dancers by just walking up and trying it. Try it both ways. Both foot work styles are included below

TWO CHARLESTON STEPS:
Charleston Style

1Swing right around to touch forward

2Swing right back around and step right next to left

3Swing left around to touch to back

4Swing left around and step left next to right

5Swing right around to touch forward

6Swing right back around and step right next to left

7Swing left around to touch to back

8Swing left around and step left next to right

Option: Straight Style

1-2Straight: touch right toe forward, step right next to left

3-4Touch left toe behind, step left next to right

5-6Touch right toe forward, step right next to left

7-8Touch left toe behind, step left next to right

TWO RIGHT TOE TAPS TO RIGHT SIDE, MODIFIED SAILOR STEP

9-10Touch right toe to right side and touch twice

11&12Step right behind and next to left, step left in front of and to the left of right, step right in front of and to the right of left

TWO LEFT TOE TAPS TO LEFT SIDE, SYNCOPATED VINE RIGHT AND ¼ TURN RIGHT

13-14Touch left toe to left side and touch twice

15&16Step left behind right, right foot step to the right making ¼ pivot turn, left foot step next to right, and prepare for next Charleston right forward step

Charleston Tap version: modified sailor step

15&16Step left behind and next to right, step right in front of and to the right of left, step left next to right

REPEAT