Here’s a sneak peek at our Charleston dance routine practice in preparation for our Great Gatsby Celebration in November.
A very popular dance in the 1920’s, the Charleston dance was for the young and rebellious men and women who were letting loose and having fun in the roaring 20’s. The Charleston with its lively exuberance was a total break with the social constraints of the past and the young women who cut their hair short, drank, smoked and danced the Charleston were called “flappers”. In fact, the Charleston was practically the signature dance of the “flapper” or liberated woman to dance by herself and say “Look at me! I’m beautiful and sexy!” In fact, the Charleston of the 1920’s was often much wilder and less stylized than the ballroom Charleston we see today. The Charleston was typically a wild shimmy and shake and “anything goes” dance with lots of energy and excitement.
How the Charleston Was Danced
The Charleston was typically danced solo or as a line dance although you can also dance it together in closed position with a partner, or as an addition to a Foxtrot dance. In a typical Foxtrot, one partner would get excited and break off into a solo Charleston routine with their partner dancing along. Then, when they had had enough they would come back together in closed position and resume their Foxtrot.
