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Charleston dancing

The cult dance of the 20s
  • Iconic kicks

    The typical back-and-forth kicks are the trademark of this global success
  • Solo or in pairs

    Charleston works wonderfully alone as "solo jazz" or as a dynamic couple dance
  • Freedom & Rebellion

    The symbol of emancipation and the exuberant parties of the 1920s

Experience Charleston

Named after the harbour city in South Carolina, the Charleston took the world by storm in the 1920s. With its isolated movements, swaying arms and X-legs, it broke all the rules of "proper" dancing at the time. Today, it is the perfect addition to any swing dancer's repertoire.

Find Charleston dance classes in your area

Discover the best dance classes for Charleson in your area and start dancing.

Discover all Charleston dance classes

What does Charleston sound like?

Think of "The Great Gatsby": ragtime, hot jazz of the 20s and later the classic swing of the 30s. The music is syncopated, cheeky and immediately invites you to tap along.
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Charleston dance steps

At the heart of the Charleston are the distinctive 8-count kick steps that give the dance its unmistakable energy. The flowing back-and-forth movement is typical, with the legs marking the rhythm with springy kicks. This is complemented by the famous "twist": the active turning in and out of the balls of the feet and heels creates the playful look that is so typical of the 1920s.

Charleston is exactly your dance if you...

  • love the flair of the "Roaring Twenties
  • want to improve your coordination and body control
  • want to shine on the dance floor without a partner

FAQ on learning to dance Charleston

Here you will find answers to the most important questions about learning to dance Charleston.

  1. 20s Charleston is usually danced to very fast hot jazz, is often more upright, and can be danced wonderfully solo (as a show dance). The Lindy Charleston from the 30s/40s is flatter, more grounded, and was integrated into Lindy Hop. In dance classes, you often learn both facets, as the typical kick steps and the "twist" movement of the feet form the common basis.