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How to Dance the Watusi

Dance crazes hit the beach and dance floors in the early 1960s, making not only recording artists successful but their songs and dances, as well. One of the first dance craze songs, the "Mashed Potato" was sung by Dee Dee Sharp and backed up by a Philadelphia quartet called the Orlons. In 1962, the group branched out and recorded the Wah-Watusi. The song spent several weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and teenagers gyrated to the beat, both on and off the beach. Dancing the Watusi is easy and involves very few steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Watusi music
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Instructions

    • 1

      Watch an online video of dancers performing the Watusi to get an idea of how the dance is done. Play the original Wah-Watusi or another song with a similar beat.

    • 2

      Place your feet about 12 inches apart. Bend both knees slightly.

    • 3

      Swing your arms back and forth, from right to left, as if you were swinging a golf club. Count to one when swinging right and then count to two when swinging left.

    • 4

      Add your hips, swinging each hip in synchronization to your arms. Move both arms and hips to the one-two rhythm. Lift up one leg and move it forward and backward to the beat of the music. Maintain the same actions on the same side of your body.

    • 5

      Include variations such as moving your head from side to side. Practice at home and then try it out in public. Dance by yourself, with a partner or in a row like a country line dance.

Dancing Basics

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