Cowboy Charleston
(a.k.a. Charleston Touch, Charleston Cha-Cha, Charleston Cowboy)

Description:16 count, 4 wall, line dance
Music:New York, New York by Frank Sinatra [111 bpm / CD Single]
(This Thing Called) Wantin' And Havin' It All by Sawyer Brown [221 bpm]
Sold by John Michael Montgomery [120 bpm / John Michael Montgomery / Greatest Hits / ]
Jambalaya (On The Bayou) by Eddy Raven & Jo-El Sonnier [125 bpm / CD: Line Dance Fever 8 / Cookin' Cajun]
Rompin' Stompin' by Scooter Lee [192 bpm / High Test Love ]
Any fairly fast western swing music

This dance adapts the fun Roaring Twenties Flapper Dance, the Charleston, into a great Country and Western Line Dance. It is fairly unique in that it can be done to music which is fairly fast
It is sometimes done with a straight step forward and back pattern. However, the most fun way to do it is with the real Charleston foot pattern and arm movements as it is done in the Carolinas where the Charleston originated, and where it is widely done
The classic Charleston step includes moving the right foot forward and out and around in a 1/2 circle to touch forward on Count 1. At the same time, the arms are moved first to the right to compensate for the movement of the right foot out around to the front and back in to touch forward. When done fast, the arm movements are almost unavoidable
On the "& Count", one swings the right foot back out to the right and to the back, shifting weight to the right foot on Count 2, with the arms now going to left
On the next "& Count", begin swinging the left out around and to the back to touch on Count 3, with arms again going right
On the final "& Count, one swings the left foot forward out to the left and forward, shifting weight to the left foot on Count 4, with the arms now going to left
The Straight version given below makes a great beginner's dance. The 4-wall Charleston-style version makes a great showpiece dance. Both can be picked up by experienced line dancers by just walking up and trying it. Try it both ways. Both foot work styles are included below

CHARLESTON STEPS
Charleston Style
1Swing right around to touch forward
2Swing right back around and step right together
3Swing left around to touch to back
4Swing left around and step left together
5Swing right around to touch forward
6Swing right back around and step right together
7Swing left around to touch to back
8Swing left around and step left together
Option: Straight Style
1Touch right toe forward
2Step right back
3Touch left toe back
4Step left foot forward
5-8Repeat 1-4
TWO RIGHT TOE TOUCHS TO RIGHT SIDE, SAILOR STEP
9-10Touch right to side, touch right to side
11&12Cross right behind left, step left to side, step right to side
TWO LEFT TOE TOUCHES TO LEFT SIDE, SYNCOPATED VINE RIGHT AND Ľ TURN RIGHT
13-14Touch left to side, touch left to side
15&16Cross left behind right, turn Ľ right and step right forward, step left together
Charleston Touch version: Modified Sailor Step
15&16Cross left behind right, step right to side, turn Ľ right and step left together
REPEAT