where dancers stood and watched. It's rumored that dancers got so excited one night that the Balcony collapsed!. The University of South Carolina students expanded it's popularity all the way to New York.

    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.

    This dance is cued by a caller, dancers performed moves from the Lindy Hop, Shag, and Charleston, and popular jazz steps like Trucking and Pecking. 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 Charleston. Each 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 . (Video clip on left is of a modern day Big Apple.)

"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.

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Basic Individual Steps : (Big Apple Breakdown)

• 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, just above shoulder hight, shaking fore-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 count 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.