Dance History Archives: DANCE
INDEX
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Home
You Are here:
The Big Apple Is a group participation dance that uses swing dance as a host. The Big Apple has some roots in the Square Dance as well. Sometimes a solo or couple would perform in the center of the circle (like today's modern jams) as the rest of the dancers would dance in a circle around them. Most people think of New York when they hear the name, but the Big Apple actually originated at the "Big Apple Night Club" in the Palmetto state of Columbia, South Carolina around 1936.
The night club was actually a abandoned African-American church (Synagogue) converted into a nightclub. The club used
a "Nickelodeon" for its music and had a balcony around the floor.
The Big Apple spread all over the states and soon the smaller taverns and dance halls were posting apologetic signs: "Sorry, No Big Apple. Not enough room". Some ballrooms who had balconies or dance floors on the second story collapsed due to the weight of the people doing the Big Apple. Many people where hurt in the collapse and some establishments refused to allow people to do the Big Apple due to insurance reasons and fear that someone might get hurt.
Some of the names of steps were called "Spank The Baby, Praise Allah, Rusty Dusty, Charleston, Suzy-Q, Pose & A Peck, Boogie Back, Shorty George, Truckin, The Little Apple., The Little Peach"-- (Little Peach-Invented by Collage Kids in So. Carolina) and more, were all swing type fad dances of the time, these Fad or Novelty dances lasted only a couple years. Over time most of these steps have resurfaced as the same dance or a variation of the dance.
"Swing As Away Of Life" states : (book) The Big Apple started when the band leader (or any dancer) cried out, "Cut The Apple!" and dancers formed circles of 8 to 10 people each. At the callers cry of " Come on and swing," the dancers would break into the Charleston swing (Lindy Hop), a more violent version of the previous decades CharlestonEach dancer would step forward on his left foot and kick the right foot up, then step back on the right foot to the rear. Soon the whole circle would be a flurry of flying feet and counter-flying arms and elbows. When the caller yelled "Truck To the Right!", each dancer would face right, raise the admonitory index finger, step forward and pivot .. etc
"Down Memory Lane" states : (book) The Big Apple was a group participation dance that included all the earlier swing steps and required a caller. The dance started off with a march; as the couples formed into a ring, the caller would shout "Shine" and ask for one of the swing steps listed above. A single couple would take the initiative, step into the center of the ring, and perform the Jive gyrations. During the "Shine" episode the on-looking dancers remain in the circle, clapping hands, beating time, and shouting and catcalling in loud enthusiasm.
Columbia, South Carolina
1936
Big Apple Night Club
Swing
Keep Punchin'
Big Apple
Juke Joint
Stealin Apples
Big Apple Night Club (Carolina)*
n/a
California
Fat Sam's Big Apple Club (Carolina)*
Carolina
Savoy Ballroom (NY)
New York
San Francisco
1938 - Liberty Deferred
1937 - Thrill Of A Lifetime (Daniels & Matthews)
1937 - From the Minuet to the Big Apple
$ 1937 - The Spirit Of Youth
12/4/1937 - Colliers Mag
1938 - Carl Deacon Moore and His Orchestra
12/20/1937 - Life Magazine
1938 - Policy Man (Count Basie)
2/19/1938 - Liberty Magazine
1938 - Two Shadows [Vitaphone]
9/21/1938 - Lowell Sun (Lambeth Vs Big Apple)
1939 - Keep Punchin' (Arthur White Choreog)
$ 1948 - A Song Is Born (stealin apples) (+ Buck and Bubbles)
Picture - Swing As A Way Of Life - 1971 Time Pub.
$ Read more about the Savoy Ballroom
Bunny Hop
Jitterbug
Lindy
Peelin' The Peach
Shim-Sham
Charleston
Hokey Pokey
Little Apple
Posin'
Suzy-Q
Chicken Dance
Little Peach
Shag
Truckin'
Big Apple Dancers, the
Billy Daniels
Johnny Downes
Betty Grable
Joyce Matthews
Leroy Prinz (Chor)
Savoy Big Applers
Frankie Manning
Whitey's Lindy Hoppers
From Turkey Trot to Big Apple
Crowther, Bosley
11/7/1937
N.Y. Times
How To Become A good Dancer
Murray, Arthur
1938
Simon & Schuster
Swing As A Way Of Life
Time
1971
Time/Warner
Down Memory Lane
1950s
Teddy Wilson
Group Dance
Mixer Dance
Swing Dance
Palmetto
Whitey's
The Mess Around: Hands On Hips, Knees Bent, Move Hips in circle with slight bounce for 8 counts. ~ Stomp Off: One Hand up, Other on Stomach, Then Stomp Left Foot (1) and drag the other together (2-3) Step (4), Then repeat with Right Foot ... repeat another 8 counts. ~ Apple Jacks: Pigeon Toe walk forward, Hands pointed down, opposite shoulders lift up and down, Hop Step on &8. ~ Truckin': Hand pointed up, shaking finger, delayed type walks forward ... Can make silly faces ! ~ Rusty Dusty (Rubber Legs): Basically a "Knock Knee Walk, while holding pants with index and forefinger forward 8, then back 8 counts. ~ Fall Off The Log: Kick-Step (side), Hook-Step (behind), Step Step, then repeat other direction. 8 cts. Charleston: See Charleston page. ~ Boogie Back: Kick-Step-Step (1&2), Repeat till count 8, Clap hands on counts 2,4,6,8. Usually followed by Shorty George. ~ Shorty George (Boogie Walks): Kick ball change, then walk, walk, walk, walk, walk, walk forward on outside edges to inside edges of feet, hips sway back and forth. a type of Downward elevator walks. ~ Spank The Baby: Similar to the stomp off except tummy hand spanks hip on 2,4,6,8, while moving (angled) sideways. ~ Suzy - Q: Step, then Cross over in front of other foot. While crossing, front foot - use heel and swivel in opposite direction. Hands are clasp together in front and moving in "contra-body Motion". Slight forward bend to body. Repeat 8 counts other direction.
Note: The above steps can be done in a routine just like above or can be called out by a caller, that is dancing in any order called. Other steps can be added to this routine or taken away.
Ballrooms