Suzie Q is the name of a dance step in the Big Apple

Big Apple (dance)

The Big Apple is both a partner dance and a circle dance that originated in the Afro-American community of the United States in the beginning of the 20th century.- Origin :...

, Lindy Hop

Lindy Hop

The Lindy Hop is an American social dance, from the swing dance family. It evolved in Harlem, New York City in the 1920s and '30s and originally evolved with the jazz music of that time. Lindy was a fusion of many dances that preceded it or were popular during its development but is mainly based...

, and other dances. In line dance

Line dance

A line dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows without regard for the gender of the individuals, all facing the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time. Line dancers are not in physical contact...

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

Jazz dance is a classification shared by a broad range of dance styles. Before the 1950s, jazz dance referred to dance styles that originated from African American vernacular dance. In the 1950s, a new genre of jazz dance—modern jazz dance—emerged, with roots in Caribbean traditional dance...

, and in Salsa

Salsa (dance)

Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle...

 shines.

The step originated from a novelty dance of 1930s with the same name addressed in the 1936 song Doin' the Suzie-Q by Lil Hardin Armstrong

Lil Hardin Armstrong

Lil Hardin Armstrong was a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, singer, and bandleader, and the second wife of Louis Armstrong with whom she collaborated on many recordings in the 1920s....

.

An obituary published in the Salt Lake Tribune on Sept. 21, 2008 for Susie Jane Dwyer (maiden name Quealy) (4/24/1915 - 9/17/2008) of San Francisco makes the claim that "The popular song hit of the era, 'Doin' the Susie Q' was written in her honor."

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

In Lindy Hop

Lindy Hop

The Lindy Hop is an American social dance, from the swing dance family. It evolved in Harlem, New York City in the 1920s and '30s and originally evolved with the jazz music of that time. Lindy was a fusion of many dances that preceded it or were popular during its development but is mainly based...

, Suzy Qs can be performed by couples, either facing each other in open position, or side by side.

External links

• StreetSwing dance history archives