Betty Boop 20’s Charleston Line Dance How To

Jazz age flapper Betty Boop was “The Queen of the Animated Screen.” In her dancing school she taught toons how to Charleston. So, I put together a Betty Boop 20’s Charleston Line dance. Get ready to cut a rug with this Charleston line dance how to.

Why Betty Boop?

So why would I feature Betty Boob in a princess dance? Good question. Mostly because this is the 20’s and we are seeing a revival of the trends from the 1920’s. Among the reviving trends are both Betty Boop and the Charleston.

About Betty Boop:

Betty Boop is an interesting cartoon character to research. She was created by Max Fleischer in the 30’s as a symbol of the roaring twenties. Over time she went from being a French poodle to a fully realized women. Miss Boop was the first feminist icon to fight off sexual harassment.

Boop’s Harlem Jazz Roots:

Boop was originally modeled after the thirties “it” girl Helen Kane. However, Miss Kane modeled her act after Ester Jones. Jones was a black singer at the Cottonwood Club of Harlem who was known for the boop-oop-a-doo scatt style in Jazz. That would make Ester Jones Betty Boop’s Grandmother.

20’s Charleston:

The Charleston was named after the city Charleston South Carolina where it was first danced in black clubs. It was banned after Charleston dancers were so rigorous that a building collapsed under them. You can see Betty Boop spoof that in her 1932 film “The Dancing Fool.”

Charleston Dance Moves in the 20’h Century:

So where can you find Charleston danced today? Charleston moves have been featured in the Quickstep ballroom dance, and in the electro swing movement. This year it is seeing a revival as everyone is partying like it is the 20’s.

Betty Boop’s Charleston Line Dance:

With so many requests for Charleston, I choregraphed this Charleston line dance for my groups to enjoy. It blends high impact moves with low impact moves. I did this so you can balance your energy while enjoying the Charleston.

Betty Boop 20’s Charleston Line Dance How To:

8 counts of low Charleston kicks
Beginning with your right foot free.

1, step forward right foot.
2, point your left foot in front of right foot.
3, step back on your left foot.
4, Point your left foot behind right foot
5-8 repeat 1-4

8 counts of high Charleston kicks
Beginning with your right foot free.

1, step forward right foot.
2, kick your left foot in front of right foot.
3, step back on your left foot.
4, kick your left foot behind right foot
5-8 repeat 1-4

4 counts scare crow with foot twist
Begin with feet together.

1 twist heals out bring elbows up.
2 twist heals in drop elbows.
3-4 repeat 1-2

4 counts Paddle Turn or Suzy Q
Begin on right foot with right hand lifted shaking a Jazz hand throughout.

1 lift left heal to your left hand, drop your foot on &
2-4 repeat heal lift action

4 counts scare crow with foot twist
Begin with feet together.

1 twist heals out bring elbows up.
2 twist heals in drop elbows.
3-4 repeat 1-2.

4 counts Paddle Turn or Suzy Q
Begin on left foot with left hand lifted shaking a Jazz hand throughout.

1 lift left heal to your left hand, drop your foot on &.
2-4 repeat heal lift action.

8 count Bee’s Knees, or Knees in and out with crossing hands.
Begin with feet apart hands on knees

1-2 turn toes in bring knees in, cross hands to opposite knees
3-4 turn toes and knees out
5-6 turn toes in bring knees in, change hands to original knees
7-8 turn toes and knees out

Kicks and grapevine
Begin on the left foot right foot free

1-2 with your hands above your head to the left, kick the right foot to the side 2x
3&4 cross right foot behind left foot, step left foot to the side, cross right foot in front of Left foot.
5-6 with your hands above your head to the right, kick the left foot to the side 2x
7&8 cross left foot behind right foot, step right foot to the side, cross left foot in front of right foot while turning ¼ turn to the left to face a new wall.

Repeat from the beginning until the song ends. Feel free to fit this to your skill level. If you want to amp it up, you can add more twisting action to the Charleston kicks. Or you can travel the bee’s knees to the right or the left.

Charleston Song:

Any Charleston song will work. I used “Charleston Baby o mine” by the Georgians on Speakeasy Music of the 1920’s. We filmed on location at Adventures in Dance.

Dancers:

Betty Boop Narrator – Holly Tomazin
Gatsby- William Hooker

Holly Collins Tomazin
WEDDING DANCE instruction
DANCE LESSONS.
Certified Licentiate in
Ballroom, Latin, Smooth & Rhythm
with ISTD, DIVDA, FADS, & Arthur Murrary’s
author of
Holly’s hot wedding tips,
Historically Accurate Princess Dances,
Winner of:
The Knot Hall of Fame best wedding dance instruction,
top 50 Dance Blogs
Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach
owner of
Adventures in Dance
720-276-0562
info@adventuresindance.com
www.adventuresindance.com
For dance tips,
join my email