Master The Art of 60’s Twist Dance Quickly

Learn how to master the art of the 60’s twist dance quickly with our step-by-step tutorial. Find out where the Twist came from and how it rose in popularity! Then get ready to twist and shout on the dance floor!

Where did the 60’s Twist Dance Come From?

Did you ever wonder where dance trends come from? I like to question everything. From a one hit wonder to a dance trend that rocked the world, the twist is an awesome dance to pick up quick!

The Twist began with hip kids on the street. In the 50’s Ray Anthony saw some San Francisco High schoolers doing their own conga, so he wrote the bunny hop to go with the moves. In the late 50’s Hank Ballard saw some kids twisting and gyrating, so he wrote the original version of the twist.

Chubby Checker and the Twist

You can’t talk about the twist without mentioning Chubby Checker. Born as, Ernest Evans and he was re-branded Chubby Checker by Dick Clark’s wife as a hat tip to Fats Dominoe. After re-writing the twist at the request of Dick Clark for his show, the song and dance became a worldwide hit.

The twist hit the top of the billboards twice, once in 1960, then again in 1962. It inspired the Pony, Watusi, Mashed Potato, and Funky Chicken. Although they were not as popular as the twist, they featured a breaking away from traditional partnership dances.

How to Dance the Twist

The basic description is to stand with feet hip width apart with elbows bent and twist like you are grinding a cigarette out with both toes and pulling a towel across your behind.

Step 1 Twist center
twist both heals right and left with hands pulling forward and back in time to the music. For fun add an elevation change and get down low, then come back up.

Step 2 Twist right and left.

Shift weight to the left and twist with right foot tapping the ground or in the ait. Repeat to the right

Step 3 Toe heal swivel
Twist tapping right toe in, right heal out, step across slow. Repeat to the left.

Step 4 Twist turning right and left.
stand on your right foot turning to your right as you twist on one foot. Repeat to the left.

Holly Tomazin
WEDDING DANCE instruction
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