Rounding out my little miniseries celebrating the centennial of the first burst of popularity for the foxtrot, here’s another pair of variations from Edna Stuart Lee’s Thirty Fox Trot Steps (New York, 1916) that each feature a moment when one foot crosses over the other.
The “Side Swing” starts with the usual four walking steps, followed by a pair of quick-quick-slow moves. The first quick-quick-slow moves diagonally forward to the left (back to the right for the lady), but instead of being a two-step, the sequence is step forward – cross in front – step forward. The second quick-quick-slow is an actual two-step, done to the right, with my preference being for a slight diagonal angle rather than directly out toward the wall of the room. Here’s the gentleman’s step sequence:
1234 Four walking steps (starting left)
1&2 Step diagonally forward left, cross right over left, step forward left
3&4 Two-step (step-close-step, not turning, starting right)
