Suzie Q (or Suzy Q) is the name of a dance step in the

Big Apple "The Big Apple" is a nickname for New York City. It was first popularized in the 1920s by John J. Fitz Gerald, a sportswriter for the '' New York Morning Telegraph''. Its popularity since the 1970s is due in part to a promotional campaign by th ...

Lindy Hop The Lindy Hop is an American dance which was born in the Black communities of Harlem, New York City, in 1928 and has evolved since then. It was very popular during the swing era of the late 1930s and early 1940s. Lindy is a fusion of many danc ...

Salsa Salsa most often refers to: * Salsa (Mexican cuisine), a variety of sauces used as condiments * Salsa music, a popular style of Latin American music * Salsa (dance), a Latin dance associated with Salsa music Salsa or SALSA may also refer to: ...

, and other dances. In

line dance A line dance is a choreographed dance in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more lines or rows. These lines usually face all in the same direction, or less commonly face each other.Knight, ...

s this step is also known as Heel Twist (actually refers to step 2) or Grind Walk. The step is also used in

jazz dance Jazz dance is a performance dance and style that arose in the United States in the mid 20th century. Jazz dance may allude to vernacular jazz about to Broadway or dramatic jazz. The two types expand on African American vernacular styles of danc ...

, and in

shines. The step originated from a

novelty dance Novelty and fad dances are dances which are typically characterized by a short burst of popularity. Some of them, like the Twist, Y.M.C.A. and the Hokey Pokey, have shown much longer-lasting lives. They are also called dance fads or dance craze ...

of the 1930s with the same name addressed in the 1936 song ''Doin' the Suzie-Q'' by

Lil Hardin Armstrong Lillian Hardin Armstrong (née Hardin; February 3, 1898 – August 27, 1971) was an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, singer, and bandleader. She was the second wife of Louis Armstrong, with whom she collaborated on many recordings in ...

Name origin

The origin of the name "Suzie Q" is uncertain. * An obituary published in '' The Salt Lake Tribune'' on September 21, 2008 for Susie Jane Dwyer (maiden name Quealy) (April 24, 1915 – September 17, 2008) of San Francisco makes the claim that "The popular song hit of the era, 'Doin' the Susie Q' was written in her honor." * A December 12, 1936 news story claimed that the Suzie Q dance was introduced by two dancers from Georgia. The dancers had previously performed and introduced the dance at Syracuse, New York, but the audience misheard “Syracuse” as “Susie-Q.”

The step

The feet perform alternating cross steps and side steps with swivel action, as follows. *On 1, put the right foot on the heel across the left foot and put the weight on this heel, the toe being in the air. *On 2, swivel on the heel, the right toe swinging to the right, while doing a small step by the left foot to the side, almost in place or simply transferring the weight onto the left foot, or stepping slightly back. Step 1 may also be accompanied with a light swivel of the left toe. One may continue in one of the ways: *Repeat steps 1 and 2 several times. *or ** On 3, step with the right foot to the right. ** On 4, bring the left foot together or step across the right foot. ** repeat steps 1, 2, 3, 4. *or (change of direction) **On 3, step with the right foot to the right. **On 4, do nothing. **5, 6, 7, 8 do any of the three patterns from the opposite foot.

Hand movement

The hands are clasped together and pumped up and down or side to side in time to the music. The arm movements may vary. Hand movement may vary.

Partnered Suzy Qs

, Suzy Qs can be performed by couples, either facing each other in

open position In partner dancing, open position refers to positions in which partners are connected primarily at the hands as opposed to closer body contact, as in closed position. The connection is through the hands, wrists, and fingers, and relies heavily ...

, or side by side.

References

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External links

StreetSwing dance history archives
Novelty and fad dances Lindy Hop Salsa Social dance steps