Twist - With Options

Music: The Twist
Choreographer: Ascribed to Chubby Checker in 1960-1961, who counts it as the first dance of rock and roll
Written for and posted to the Internet by Ronald Lee Still on July 23, 1998.
Description: 4-count, line dance.  Once described as walking out of the shower and using a towel to dry your rear by pulling it from the left to right behind you.  Chubby Checker claims that this was the first time people danced apart to the beat of the music.
Position: Individual line dance—all dancers face same direction, feet shoulder width apart, knees bent

Copyright © 1998 by Ronald L. Still. Merida Business Group, 1413 Kenbrook Drive, Garner, NC 27529-4447; 919-772-2082. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.

Standard steps for gentleman and lady are identical. One count may be assigned to each of the four beats in fast music or the dance may be done in syncopated rhythm for slower music.

Basic

1. Pivot on toes swinging heels and hips to the right-twist upper body, arms, and elbows to the left

2. Pivot on toes swinging heels and hips to the left-twist upper body, arms, and elbows to the right

3. Pivot on toes swinging heels and hips to the right-twist upper body, arms, and elbows to the left

4. Pivot on toes swinging heels and hips to the left-twist upper body, arms, and elbows to the right

Repeat Counts 1 to 4 until the end of song.

Option 1

Intermediate

Perform the dance, bending at the knees, getting as low to the floor as you can, before returning to the starting crouch.

Option 2

Advanced

Perform the dance using one foot, raising the other off the floor.

Option 3

This may be performed as a couple's line dance. Couples stand facing each other with an arm length between them.

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