The reason you've hear so many versions of a Twinkle is because there are so many versions. American style is riddled with semantic ambiguities, and of all of the terms in our syllabus, "Twinkle" is by far the most ambiguous.

But wherever you have a questionable word, you almost always have context to set you straight (and if context doesn't do it, you can always simply ask for clarification).

At any rate, here's a simplification for you: There are two main types of "Twinkle" in American style ballroom. One is a progressive action involving the switching back and forth between outside partner position L & R, and the other is a promenade figure.

I'll begin with the progressive action. Often referred to in the Fred Astaire schools as the "Progressive Twinkle", this is akin to a series of forward change steps which zig-zag down line of dance, where count 1 of each measure is taken outside partner (the LF steps forward towards DW O.P., and on the next measure the the RF steps forward towards DC O.P.). In our syllabus we call these "Outside Changes", and you can see a demonstration of them at www.ballroomdancers.com/Dances/Waltz/

There are othe ways to dance this figure, too... all of which fall under the heading of "Twinkle". Man can go back and lady forward (sometimes known as Backwards Progressive Twinkles). And for either version, you can either close your feet and change weight on count 3, or you can brush and pass your feet (known as a hovering action). All of the above versions qualify as Twinkle.

Now the second primary category is the promenade version, and this, too, has many variations in and of itself. But I'll start with the most basic, and work from there: Facing diagonal wall, man dances a forward change step, turning the lady to promenade between counts 2 and 3. Step through in PP (down line of dance) on count 4, and then side together 5, 6 with lady returning to closed position. Again, you can see a sample of this in our Waltz section (link above).

This is the simplest version, usually danced at the bronze level. At the silver level, once again, instead of closing the feet, you'll brush and pass your feet on count 3. These are sometimes differentiated by calling one a "Bronze Twinkle" or "Simple Twinkle" and the other a "Silver Twinkle" or "Advanced Twinkle", but then if someone just refers to a "Twinkle", you have to figure out which one they're referring to based on context.

Other types of the promenade-style Twikle are a Back Twinkle, Spin Twinkle, Passing Twinkle and Triple Twinkle, all of which are interpreted slightly differently depending on who you talk to. Beware of the word "Forward Twinkle", for this can be used in a number of different contexts. You'll hear it used to distinguish a basic forward (promenade style) Twinkle from the Back Twinkle, although sometimes the word Forward Twinkle also refers to the prrogressive style of Twinkle.

Ok, I've typed the word "Twinkle" far too many times now. But hopefully I've managed to clear things up, not make them more confusing. Just remember, the moral of the story is context. If you have context, you'll never be too far lost.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Atkinson
www.ballroomdancers.com