The Society of Folk Dance Historians states that the Alley Cat is a “novelty dance derivative” of jazz dance and has folk dance origins. Dosado.com suggests the Alley Cat could have begun as a line dance in the 1980s.
According to the New York Times article, “In the Footsteps of the Conga and the Alley Cat,” by Daisann McLane, the dance is popular at wedding receptions.
According to Dosado.com, the Alley Cat is performed to country music.
Some versions of the Alley Cat, like the one by choreographer Donna Aiken, contain 64 beats and begin with a toe spread. Other versions begin with a right toe touch to the right side and contain 32 beats.
In St. Louis, dancers use Aiken's version, but change beats 57 to 60, according to Keepondancin.net. Dancers step forward with the left foot, drag the right foot to meet the left, repeat once and make a left quarter turn, according to the website.