The Charleston: Kicks, Swivels and a Very Big Grin
Few dances are as instantly recognisable as the Charleston – or as cheerful. Here is where it came from, how it works, and why swing dancers keep coming back to it.
What is the Charleston?
The Charleston is a lively jazz dance built on a swinging, twisting basic step: feet swivel in and out while the legs kick forward and back, and the arms swing in opposition. Picture the flapper on the cover of every Jazz Age novel and you are most of the way there. Today it is danced in two main ways – as a solo dance with its roots in the 1920s, and as a partnered swing-era version that lives happily inside Lindy Hop.
It is fast, a little silly and enormously good fun. It is also one of the best ways to build the bounce, rhythm and leg strength that make every other swing dance easier.
Where it came from
The dance takes its name from the port city of Charleston, South Carolina, and grew out of African-American dance traditions – historians link it to the challenge and "star" dances of the Juba tradition. The pianist and composer James P. Johnson said he first heard its characteristic rhythm from Charleston dockworkers, and that he had seen the dance itself in New York's San Juan Hill neighbourhood, at a venue called the Jungles Casino, as early as 1913.
The step reached Broadway in 1923, first in Irving C. Miller's show Liza and then, famously, in the all-Black revue Runnin' Wild, which opened in October 1923. Johnson's tune "The Charleston", sung in the show by Elisabeth Welch, became one of the defining songs of the decade.
From there it went everywhere. Film magazines printed step-by-step guides, Hollywood stars danced it on screen, and its peak came in 1926–27. As fashions changed and the 1920s ended, the craze faded – but the dance didn't disappear. In the 1930s and 1940s Harlem's Lindy Hoppers adapted it to swing music, creating the partnered "swing-era" Charleston that you'll meet in almost every Lindy Hop class today.
The solo 1920s style enjoyed its own revival in swing scenes in the early 2000s, helped along by high-profile competitions. The UK has played its part too: in 2018 a Shrewsbury dance school set a world record for the largest Charleston dance, with more than a thousand people kicking together.
How it feels and looks
Charleston is bouncy and light, with a strong down-up pulse through the knees. The classic basic goes like this: step forward, kick forward, step back, touch back – repeat. Your heels swivel as you go, and your arms swing naturally. Once you have that, the vocabulary opens up:
- Kicks and flicks – forward, back and to the side.
- Swivels and knee slaps – the "bees knees" and crossing-hand tricks people love.
- Travelling Charleston – moving the basic across the floor.
- Hand-to-hand and side-by-side – partnered positions where both dancers face the same way.
- Tandem Charleston – one partner directly behind the other, holding hands, kicking in unison. A crowd favourite.
The 1920s solo version is often upright and playful, with lots of character. The swing-era version is lower, more grounded and rides the eight-count swing phrase, so it slips straight into Lindy Hop.
Music and tempo
Solo 1920s Charleston loves hot jazz – early New Orleans and Chicago-style bands, ragtime-influenced piano, tunes with a bright, driving two-beat feel. It is usually danced quick: often above 200 beats per minute, with anything past 300 counted as properly fast. Swing-era Charleston sits comfortably in the medium-to-fast range that Lindy Hoppers use, roughly 140–220 BPM, though a slower "crawl" style is lovely at gentler tempos.
If tempo numbers are new to you, our guide to swing music and tempo explains how to hear the beat and pick songs to practise with.
How it relates to Lindy Hop
Charleston is Lindy Hop's lively older relative and constant companion. Most Lindy Hop teachers introduce partnered Charleston within the first few weeks, and social dancers drop into it mid-song whenever the band picks up. Hand-to-hand Charleston, side-by-side Charleston and the swingout all share the same eight-count structure, so moving between them feels seamless once you know both. If you want to understand Lindy's signature move, read our guide to the swingout.
Many dancers also take solo Charleston classes on their own – it builds stamina, sharpens footwork and gives you something fun to do when you are sitting out a partnered song. See our article on solo jazz for more on that side of things.
What a first class is like
A beginner Charleston class usually starts with a warm-up and some bouncing to the beat – literally. Then you'll learn the basic step slowly, without music, before adding arm swings and trying it to a gentle song. Expect a few variations by the end of the hour: perhaps kicks, a travelling step or a simple partnered version.
Partnered classes normally rotate partners every few minutes, so you don't need to bring anyone. Solo classes are, naturally, partner-free. You will probably be a bit out of breath and a bit giggly; that's normal. Charleston has a way of making grown adults grin.
Tips for a happy first session:
- Bring water – Charleston is a cardio workout in disguise.
- Keep your knees soft. Locked legs make kicks jarring and tiring.
- Small kicks are fine. Height comes with time and is less important than rhythm.
- Don't panic if the swivels feel odd. Most people get them after a few weeks.
Our first class guide covers what to expect at any swing dance class, from booking to the end-of-night social.
What to wear
Comfortable clothes you can kick in are the only must. Avoid tight skirts or stiff jeans that limit your leg movement – ironically, it was long, narrow evening dresses that helped end the original Charleston craze. A swishy skirt, wide-leg trousers or anything with a bit of stretch works well.
Shoes matter more than outfit. You want something that lets you pivot on the ball of your foot: suede or leather soles are ideal, and smooth-soled trainers can work on a good floor. Grippy rubber soles make swivels hard on your knees. Some dancers add a little heel; most beginners are happier flat. Our guide on what to wear to swing dancing has more ideas, and our shop listings point to UK retailers of dance shoes and vintage-style clothing.
Find a Charleston class near you
Many UK Lindy Hop schools teach Charleston as part of their beginner courses, and some run dedicated solo or 1920s Charleston classes. Search our classes near you, browse all classes or look for a beginners' course starting soon. You can also compare it with other swing styles on our styles page.
Understand it better: Lindy Hop Instruction: Every Style, Every Level · 6-Count and 8-Count: Lindy Hop Rhythm Explained · Bounce and Pulse: How Lindy Hop Feels
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Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-23.