The classic Charleston step includes moving the right foot forward and
out and around in a 1/2 circle to touch forward on Count 1. At the
same time, the arms are moved first to the right to compensate for the
movement of the right foot out around to the front and back in to
touch forward. When done fast, the arm movements are almost unavoidable.
On the "& Count", one swings the right foot back out to the right and
to the back, shifting weight to the right foot on Count 2, with the arms now going to left.
On the next "& Count", begin swinging the left out around and to the
back to touch on Count 3, with arms again going right.
On the final "& Count, one swings the left foot forward out to the
left and forward, shifting weight to the left foot on Count 4, with the arms now going to left.
The Straight version given below makes a great beginner's dance. The
4-wall Charleston-style version makes a great showpiece dance. Both
can be picked up by most line dancers by just walking up and trying it.
Try it both ways. Both foot work styles are included below.
Starting with weight on left,
TWO CHARLESTON STEPS:
&1-4		CHARLESTON STYLE: (See note above about arm movements.)
&		Swing Right foot out and around forward
1		Touch right toe forward.
&		Swing Right foot back and out around.
2		Step Right back next to and slightly behind left
&		Swing Left back and out around
3		Touch left toe to back
&		Swing Left out and around forward
4		step Left forward next to and slightly in front of Right.
1-4: STRAIGHT STYLE:
1		Touch Right toe forward,
2		Step Right back next to and slightly behind Left,
3		Touch Left toe back,
4		Step Left forward next to and slightly in front of Right.
&5-8 CHARLESTON STYLE: (See note above about arm movements.)
&		Swing Right foot out and around forward
5		Touch right toe forward.
&		Swing Right foot back and out around.
6		Step Right back next to and slightly behind left
&		Swing Left back and out around
7		Touch left toe to back
&		Swing Left out and around forward
8		step Left forward next to and slightly in front of Right.
5-8: STRAIGHT STYLE:
5		Touch Right toe forward,
6		Step Right back next to and slightly behind Left,
7		Touch Left toe back,
8		Step Left forward next to and slightly in front of Right.
TWO RIGHT TOE TAPS TO RIGHT SIDE:
9-10		Touch Right toe to right side and touch twice.
VINE LEFT (RIGHT FIRST BEHIND THEN IN FRONT):
(Right Cross Behind, Left Cross in Front, Right Cross in Front - Sailor Step)
11		Step Right foot behind and next to Left,
&		Step Left foot in front of and to the left of Right,
12		Step Right foot in front of and to the left of Left.
TWO LEFT TOE TAPS TO LEFT SIDE:
13-14		Touch Left toe to left side and touch twice.
GRAPEVINE RIGHT AND 1/4 TURN RIGHT (4-WALL VERSION):
(Left Cross Behind, Right Cross in Front, Together - Sailor Step)
15		Step Left foot behind and next to Right
&		Step Right foot in front of and to the right of Left.
16		Step Left foot next to and slightly in front of Right and make a 1/4 turn right.
BEGIN AGAIN.
1-WALL VERSION: The COWBOY CHARLESTON may be done as a 1 Wall Line
Dance, so use the following for steps 15-16:
GRAPEVINE RIGHT:
15		Step Left foot behind and next to Right
&		Step Right foot in front of and to the right of Left.
16		Step Left foot next to and slightly in front of Right.