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Making Moves: Beginners Guide to Cajun Dance

Let’s face it, Cajun music is dance music! A good “fais do-do,” or Cajun dance party, is essential to Louisiana music and culture, and rare is the celebration, festival, backyard music jam, or social gathering that doesn’t include dancing. The music takes the slow drawl of southern life— the sultry bayou nights, the scent of magnolia blossoms and crawfish dinners– and infuses it with an abundance of swing and spice in an uptempo “joie de vivre”. If you have even an ounce of rhythm, you’ll find it impossible to sit still once you hear those joyful fiddle and accordion notes. Although you don’t really have to “know the steps” to have fun on the dance floor as long as you can keep a beat, your enjoyment will increase exponentially if you learn a few basic moves. And then, improvise to your heart’s —or feet’s—content!

Cajun dancing is partner dancing. You dance in either “closed” position, with both arms holding your partner, or “open” position with the lead’s left hand holding the follower’s right hand. The three dances that build the foundation for Cajun dancing are Two-Step, Cajun Jitterbug, and Waltz. While more intricate moves exist, think of this trio as the backbone of all dance variations. Once you master these basic moves you will be moving and grooving in no time and can graduate to variations like Mamou Two-Step, Whiskey River Two-Step, Whiskey River Jitterbug and Cajun Jig. So grab a partner and let’s get started!

The Two-Step – Step, Step, Step, Tap.

The Cajun two-step is an 8-count essentially two steps on each foot. You’ll be moving in the same direction and then switching once you repeat the movement. The directions below are for the leads, the followers use the reverse foot. It can be done in either the open or closed position, and often is done in a closed position with dancers “traveling” in a counter-clockwise flow around the dance floor.

  1. Step with your left foot.
  2. Follow with and step with your right foot.
  3. Step with your left foot(leads again.
  4. Replace the final step on your right foot with a tap while keeping the weight on your left foot. So it moves to the left this way: left, right, left, tap, and then to the right in reverse. This video shows you what it looks like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF7OpI7TtwM

The Waltz-Bigger Step, Small Step, Small Step.

The basic waltz is always done in a closed position, and is essentially one big step and two smaller steps taken with fluidity. This is often the easiest of the trio to master. Like waltzing in any other dance genre, it is a ONE, two, three, ONE, two, three movement with couples moving in a counter-clockwise flow around the dance floor. Here’s a video from a past Gator by the Bay to illustrate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xZImtkrSUI.

Cajun Jitter Bug– Step, Tap, Step, Tap, Rock, Step.

The Cajun JitterBug is similar to swing dance but with tapping after each step. Grab your partner’s hands and gently push against each other to propel your movement. Complete the step, tap, step, tap, rock and step variation while dancing around the room. Here’s a video combining the 2-step and jitterbug (with a few fancy moves thrown in for good measure!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYW8JdNC4kg .

Now that you mastered the basics you’re already a step ahead! Are you eager to get on the dance floor to move those feet to authentic Louisiana tunes? Check out Gator By The Bay’s free Cajun dance lessons at our festival celebrating authentic Louisiana culture led by industry experts covering beginner to advanced Cajun, zydeco, east coast swing, line dancing and more!

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