I am in need of learning the basic Charleston. How are the steps and style in relation to the swing? I need this info ASAP!! Please rely

There are actually many many many forms of charleston. The one we always do here in Cleveland is "back charleston" which reminds me of a train. The leader is typically right behind the follower and shadowing her movements. Even though he is shadowing her basic, which is just survival skills because if he doesn't he's going to have a very bruised shin, he still has to lead her. It is very complicated to tell without showing, but it is not hard once you get it into your muscle memory. Another kind we do is 20's charleston, which is the same as back charleston only without a partner and smaller basic steps (the same left left right right pattern- same for follows AND leads or else.. ouch!) that is what you see the flapper girls doinf- squirrel nut zippers is GREAT for 20's charleston! Then there's partner charleston which has the same style and smallness of the 20's charleston, but now it's with a partner and the follower has to mirror the leader so her footwork become right right left left. The last one that they teach her is side by side, or "cuddles" charleston, which is what Snow was talking about (I think)The partner's footwork is opposite, as in partner's charleston, but the follower is connected to the leader at the side, her back with his arm, and her hip with his hand... like a skaters position, but I've seen it done often in cuddles position.. hope it helps and I haven't confused you too much. I'm sure there are other kinds of Charleston too, or other names for the charleston I just told you about... If you need extra help, I can give you a contact for the charleston expert in Cleveland! She's great!
Swingin out until next time
Jess

I might have misunderstood you. When you wanted to learn Charelston, did you mean Lindy Charelston (like what I described), which came from the Charelston in the 20's... or like the 20's Charelston? There isn't anyplace on the net that teaches the 20's Charelston that I know of (I've looked I really want to learn more about that)... I only know the basic. For the guy it is: first of think like dorthy in the Wiz. of Oz and the clicking heals thing... ok do that on one but put your right foot in front (girl starts by putting left foot behind), than on two put your right foot behind (your weight is on your left for these one and two)... than on three shift your weight to your right foot and put your left foot behind (again doing the dorthy thing every time)... and on four put your left foot back in front (weight still on right).. than shift your weight back and start again... when i say "one" I actualy mean two musical beats... the girl part starts on with left going back and follows the guys feet (left back, left front, right front, right back, etc.) Hope this helps.

Matt Brogan (snow8517@email.com)

The Charelston is a great little move with like billions of different variations. There is a great Flash (macromedia's web plug-in) instruction on how to do the basic at http://www.zazouswing.com This will teach you the basic basic... to get into it from lindy or ECS: in lindy, on your swing out, bring the girl in and let her fall into your whole arm, like not just your hand on her back, and go around in the circle but don't let go of her, you should than be side by side and ready for "one". In east coast on your back step just step side by side (for the lead) and start into it (on one usualy). I think there is a movie of it also on https://www.ballroomdancers.com but I can't remember. If you still need more help I can look for more on the internet (there is a text explination somewhere, I just learned a long time ago and I forgot from where) or I can just explain it. Hope this helped.

Matt Brogan (snow8517@email.com)

When I was in Austria last year, the 20's Charleston was really big, some women even dressed like 'flappers' to go to the Policeman's Ball. So maybe you could contact a Viennese dance school to ask about it. (Hope your German's not too rusty!