The Charleston dancing videos and lessons

The Charleston began in the African-American communities of the Southern USA. Its earliest roots trace to a small island near Charleston, South Carolina though it was made popular in 1913 on the Harlem Stage. It became most popular after being featured in the Broadway show, “Runnin’ Wild”, where a song called “The Charleston” and the incorporated dance were performed. Composer James P. Johnson is credited with composing the song, and is given most of the credit for the popularity of the dance in the 1920s.

The Charleston was typically performed by women dancing alone or in groups and involved an up and down flapping of the arms while walking in a bird-like motion. This motion resulted in calling the women “Flappers”. The dance was the women’s way of mocking the "drys," or citizens who supported the Prohibition amendment. As such, the Charleston was considered immoral and provocative. By the 1920s, the Charleston was quite popular with the Flappers and in the speakeasies of the day. By 1925, the Charleston began appearing in films, such as “King on Main Street”.

The typical dance steps to the Charleston are done to an eight count:

(1-2) Slow, Forward Step (left)
(3-4) Slow, Forward Kick (right)
(5-6) Slow, Back Kick or Step (right)
(7-8) Slow, Point or Kick Back (left)

The Charleston influenced dances such as the Breakaway, the Lindy Hop, the Black Bottom, West Coast Swing, and Funky Swing. Many music titles were composed for the dance, including “Charleston Rag”, “The Charleston”, “I’m Just Wild About Harry”, “Charleston Crazy”, “Charleston Cabin”, and many more. The style involved in the music and dance is usually classified as Swing or Jazz.