Nightclub Two Step

I love Nightclub Two Step ("Two Step" for short). I decided to introduce Nightclub Two Step on this American Folk Dance blog as my dance studio in Borivali, Mumbai teaches it every Sunday.

First you need to understand the basic step to music. Then we show you how to do that move with a partner, then we add additional basic moves like the side-cross-side traveling step and some simple turns and open breaks. We explain and demonstrate moves, technique, and style so that beginners feel comfortable and capable.

The Nightclub Two Step basic step can be counted as One & Two - Three & Four. The dance position for Nightclub Two Step is with a more relaxed hold than typical ballroom dances. The leader rocks back on his left foot, the follower on her right, for one beat. "The toe is to the heel, but not further. Don't twist your hip. If your hip opens up, you have gone too far. A gentle but noticeable resistance is maintained during the rock step. Both partners replace weight on the second part of the first beat. On the next beat, the leader takes a step to the left and the follower to the right. Then both partners repeat, but on opposite feet (the man rocks back on his right foot and moves to the right).

The quick rock steps should be matched with the quick drum beats in the music. The "slow" drum beat and slow step can occur on either the second and fourth, or the first and third beats of a measure. Although other rhythmic interpretations of the music are possible, including the use of "breaks" in the music, they are beyond the scope of this article.

Side-cross-side. Another pattern in Night Club 2 Step is the side-cross-side move. Typically, the lead starts this move by stepping side with his left foot and then crosses in front with his right foot. This is followed by another step to the side with the left foot. The rhythm, here, is Quick, Quick, Slow. The follower does the same thing, but starts with her right foot. Both partners cross in front.

1. Basic (Quick/Quick/Slow)
2. Outside turn (elbow leads out)
3. Inside turn (elbow leads in)
4. Outside to Inside turn with Elbow Lead (from both the single- and two hand hold)
5. Triple Turn (Outside single hand turn, Elbow Lead to Inside Turn with two-hand hold, unwrap on second Outside Turn)
6. "Around the World" (cross Right arm over left, lead an Outside Turn, send the Ladies around in complete circle, finish with and Outside Turn)
7. Back Slide (Outside two-hand turn, go under the Ladies Right arm, switch places while back to back, bend and come out from under the Ladies left arm, finish with Outside turn)
8. Gent's Walk
   
   • Footwork: turn to the left on Quick/Quick, cross Right leg in front on Slow, on the next Quick/Quick/Slow step on the ball of the Left foot, change weight to Right leg, and cross in front with the left leg, repeat as long as desired, turn to face the partner on a Slow;
   • Armwork: use the Left arm - turn under it or let it slide around the back of the neck as you turn, on left ball-change, put the Left arm over the head and let go on the cross; let the Ladie's hand slide behind your neck, take it back as you get to the left side and repeat again on the Left side.
9. Travel Steps:
   
   • Changing the count - step forward after Quick/Quick, twice on Slow/Slow (starting on either leg), the next Quick/Quick step remains the same (ball-change).
   • Lead Outside/Inside turns as you travel on Slow/Slow (Lead an Outside turn when you start traveling on our Left, lead an Inside turn when you start traveling on your right)
   • Changing direction - travel side ways on Quick/Quick/Slow - instead of stepping back, step to the Right or to the Left (depending on where you want to go),cross in front or back and step side again on Slow I. Lead Outside/Inside turns as you travel on Quick/Quick/Slow (Outside - going to your left, Inside - going to your right)