Mr. Newman's Two-Step Variations

• Era: circa 1900

Given the popularity of the two-step in the early years of the 20th century, it is surprising how few variations were recorded for the dance.  But in his 1903 dance manual, A Complete Practical Guide to Modern Society Dancing, Philadelphia dancing master Albert W. Newman included two short and easy two-step sequences, the "Glide Two Step" and the "Military Two Step."

The basic turn of the century two-step (not the same as either today's country western "Texas Two-Step" or today's "Nightclub Two-Step") is a slide-close-slide, similar to the polka but performed smoothly with no hop, turning to the left or right as desired.  Newman specified that the "close" of the feet should be to third rear position, which happens fairly naturally if the leading foot is turned so that the toe points along the line of dance.  The steps are described below for the gentleman; the lady dances on opposite feet.

Glide Two Step (eight bars)
Starting position: normal ballroom hold, gentleman facing the wall and lady the center.
2b    Four-slide galop along line of dance ending with a half turn
        (slide-close-slide-close, slide-close-turn-pause; L-R-L-R, L-R-L; rhythm 1&2&1&2)
2b    Two-step, making one complete turn
        (slide-close-turn, slide-close-turn; R-L-R, L-RL; rhythm 1&2, 1&2)
4b    Repeat entire sequence beginning on right foot, moving "over elbows" along line of dance

Note that this sequence is identical to the mid-19th century polka sequence known as the "Esmerelda" but performed with a two-step rather than a polka.

Military Two Step (eight bars)
Starting position: side by side, facing line of dance, his right arm around her waist, her left hand on his shoulder.  ("military position")
2b    Walk forward four steps starting with outside foot (gent's left, lady's right)
        (then close up into normal ballroom hold, gentleman facing the wall and the lady the center)
2b    Two-step, making one complete turn (as above)
4b    Two four-slide galops along the line of dance (as above), turning halfway after each four-slide
        (then release joined hands and open up side by side to restart the sequence)

Newman credits himself with inventing the sequence:

Composed and introduced by Albert W. Newman in 1900.

This sequence follows an existing tradition of dances with "military" in the title and a side-by-side starting position, as discussed in a previous post, so Newman was not exactly a model of originality here.