The modern Charleston is danced in many permutations: solo, with a partner, in groups of solo dancers and in groups of couples. The basic step allows for a vast range of variations and improvisation. For instance, when dancing the Charleston with a partner, you can dance side by side, facing your partner or in tandem with your partner. 

Both the 1920s and Swinging Charleston styles are popular today, though swinging Charleston is more commonly integrated into Lindy Hop dancing. You can learn the Charleston in our Monday night East Coast Swing / Lindy Hop Group Dance Class.

History of Charleston

Just like the song says, the Charleston is named after a city in South Carolina. While the Charleston developed in African-American communities in the United States, it became a popular dance craze in the wider international community in the 1920s. Despite its African-American origins, Charleston is most frequently associated with flappers and speakeasies. Prior to the 30s the music for the Charleston was ragtime jazz, in quick 4/4 time with syncopated rhythms. Charleston was one of the dances from which Lindy Hop developed in the 1930s. In this later Charleston form, the hot jazz timing of the 1920s Charleston was adapted to suit the swing jazz music of the 30s and 40s.