How to Dance Rita’s Waltz- Line Dance

How to Dance Rita’s Waltz- a Country Western Line Dance

Country western line dances are fun to do, and a great line dance out of Texas is Rita’s waltz. Jo Thompson Szymanski choreographed this waltz for her mom, Rita. It can be danced to a variety of songs like Scooter Lee songs “Waltz Across Texas”, “What The World Needs Now”, “Love Lifted Me,”
“Let There Be Peace On Earth”, “Someone Must Feel Like A Fool Tonight”, “East of Jerusalem”, “Rock and Roll Waltz.” Also to Tracy Lawrence “Stars Over Texas”, Tracy Byrd “Tucson Too Soon” and Jason Cassidy “Sweet Memories.” I used the Ernest Tubb version of Waltz Across Texas in the video below.

How to Dance Rita’s Waltz- Solo (simple version)

Left Foot Forward Hesitation ( a hesitation is one weight transfer and the free foot is drawn to the standing foot for the remaining two beats)
Right Foot Back Hesitation
Left Foot Side Hesitation
Right Foot Side hesitation
Left Foot Forward Spiral (Forward hesitation, with the right foot pointed side for beats 2,3)
Right Foot Forward Spiral (Forward hesitation, with the left foot pointed side for beats 2,3)
Left Foot Forward Spiral (Forward hesitation, with the right foot pointed side for beats 2,3)
Turn one quarter turn to left and Run forward for 3 beats, right, left, right
Repeat from step 1

How to Dance Rita’s Waltz- Partnership

Commence in shadow position with the lady on the gentleman’s right side placing her left hand in his left hand, Gentlemen placing their right arm behind the ladies back catching her shoulder or her right hand. Together dance left Foot Forward Hesitation ( a hesitation is one weight transfer and the free foot is drawn to the standing foot for the remaining two beats)
Right Foot Back Hesitation
Left Foot Side Hesitation
Right Foot Side hesitation
Left Foot Forward Spiral (Forward hesitation, with the right foot pointed side for beats 2,3)
Right Foot Forward Spiral Gentlemen step outside your partner on the Right Side (Forward hesitation, with the left foot pointed side for beats 2,3,)
Left Foot Forward Spiral (Forward hesitation, with the right foot pointed side for beats 2,3)
Turn one quarter turn to left and run forward turning the lady under the joined left hands to her left for 3 beats, Right, Left, Right
Repeat from step 1

How to Dance Rita’s Waltz- Partnership with additional actions

Commence in shadow position with the lady on the gentleman’s right side placing her left hand in his left hand, Gentlemen placing their right arm behind the ladies back catching her shoulder or her right hand. Together dance Left Foot Forward Hesitation ( a hesitation is one weight transfer and the free foot is drawn to the standing foot for the remaining two beats)
Right Foot Back Hesitation
Left Foot Side Hesitation
Right Foot Side hesitation
Left Foot Forward Twinkle or Botofogo action (1-Left foot Forward, 2-Right foot side partial weight, 3-Replace weight to Left foot.)
Right Foot Forward Twinkle or Botofogo action Gentlemen step outside your partner on the Right Side (1-Rght foot forward, 2-Left foot side partial weight, 3-Replace weight to Right foot.)
Left Foot Forward Twinkle or Botofogo action (1-Left foot Forward, 2-Right foot side partial weight, 3-Replace weight to Left foot.)
Turn one quarter turn to left and run forward turning the lady under the joined left hands to her left for 3 beats, Right, Left, Right
Repeat from step 1

I hope you enjoyed this how to by Holly. Leave a comment and tell me what you think. For more fun and dancing, join my email

For adult dance classes and lessons and dance history in Littleton located South of Denver, North of Highlands Ranch, West of Cherry Hills & Greenwood Village, East of Ken Caryl,
contact:

Holly Collins
WEDDING DANCE instruction
DANCE LESSONS.
author of
Holly’s hot wedding tips,
Historically Accurate Princess Dances,
Winner of the Knot best wedding dance,
Winner of top 50 Dance Blogs
Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach
owner of
Adventures in Dance
720-276-0562
info@adventuresindance.com
www.adventuresindance.com