The basic movement of the St. Louis Shag is very similar to the Side Charleston, and the two can be
readily intermingled. The leader and the follower both face in the same direction, with the follower
standing at the leader's right hand side. This allows the follower to feel the lead both from the leader's
right arm around her back, and through the contact between the sides of their bodies.
The Rhythm Structure of the dance is the same as the Charleston rhythm; the distinguishing feature of the
dance is the stomp of the feet on beat 8. This difference from the Side Charleston does not change the
underlying rhythm—beats 7 and 8 still have an odd number of steps—but it does change the style of
the move, as the kick-step becomes step-stomp.
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left side view |
right side view |
facing view |
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1. M:BL W:BR Start with the follower standing on the leader's right, side by side, facing in the same direction. The leader takes a step backward on his left foot. The follower takes a step backward on her right foot.
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2. M:RR W:RL The leader replaces his weight on his right foot. The follower replaces her weight on her left foot.
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3. M:KfL W:KfR The leader performs a kick forward with his left foot. The follower performs a kick forward with her right foot.
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4. M:eFL W:eFR The leader takes a step slightly forward on his left foot. The follower takes a step slightly forward on her right foot.
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5. M:KfR W:KfL The leader performs a kick forward with his right foot. The follower performs a kick forward with her left foot.
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6. M:StR W:StL The leader lifts his right foot next to his left foot, with the right knee bent. The follower lifts her left foot next to her right foot, with the left knee bent.
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7. M:BR W:BL The leader takes a step backward on his right foot. The follower takes a step backward on her left foot.
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8. M:TbFL W:TbFR The leader stomps forward with his left foot. The follower stomps forward with her right foot.
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