"Discotheque
Dances"
by Dick Blake
The World Publishing Co., 1965
Have you ever walked onto the dance floor
and felt ashamed because you don't know the latest moves? Well, don't fret
because your pal Dick Blake is here to show you how easy it is to dance
all the latest dance crazes. There are the classics like the "Jerk," the
"Pony," "Mashed Potatoes," "Walking the Dog," and the "Watusi." But what
if all your friends have just learned the "Cha Jerk" or the "Boomerang"
or even the "Hully Gully?" Well, don't worry, 'cause ol' Dickey has got
you covered. With easy to follow dance steps, and pictures for you
less literary types, you too will be the hit of the dance floor in no time.
Want proof? Well, check out a few of his dance instructions:
How To Dance the Dick Blake Way!
The
Watusi (Dance to moderate tempo)
Stance
Stand with your feet about 12 inches apart. Jeep both
knees bent at all times. Pretend you are going to take a golf swing.
Hip Movement
On the count of one, shift weight to right foot, making
right hip move out to the right. On the count of two, shift weight to left
foot, making left hip move out to the left. Move from side to side with
hips swinging right to left to a 1-2, 1-2 rhythm.
Arm Movement
Hold arms out in front of you as if you were holding
a golf club. Swing hands to your right, then down in a semicircular motion
to your left, back to right, then to left, counting 1-2, 1-2.
Putting Them Together
Now do the hand and hip movements simultaneously from
right to left on a count of 1-2.
The
Hitch-Hiker
1. Stand in upright position with feet apart, doing the
frug movement.
2. Hitch-hike with right thumb on the counts 1-2-3, to
you right side.
3. Clap on the fourth beat on the right side of your body.
4. Hitch-hike with the left thumb on the count 1-2-3,
back to the left side.
5. Clap on the fourth beat on the left side of your body.
Repeat over and over.
The
Monkey
1. Taking a fighter's crouch, face your partner and stand
with feet apart, knees bent. Bend arms and close fists, thumbs up.
2. Bend forward from waist to the left, raising right
arm. As your body bobs, your head also bobs forward on each count. The
whole effect is jerky.
3. Straighten up to original position.
4. Bend forward from waist toward your partner, facing
center, switching arms as you do so.
5. Straighten to original position. Hands and head should
give impression of monkey holding two bananas.
6. Bend forward from waist to the right. Straighten to
original position.
7. Bob back to center, bending at waist and again switching
hands.
8. Repeat entire pattern. Counts are double time, hitting
every accent in the music.
The
Chicken
1. Stand with feet together and put right heel out.
2. Jump back into place with right foot, landing with
left toe on ground, left heel raised.
3. Put heel of left foot out to left side.
4. Jump back in place with left foot, landing with right
toe on ground, right heel raised.
Repeat over and over in place.
The body moves easily from side to side by dropping the
opposite shoulder each time the foot goes out. The counts are 1-2-3-4.
Repeat it over and over
Note: The hands are raised, the fingers snapping on the
beat.
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