Classic Dance Crazes
Instructions: Do you remember these dance crazes that swept the nation?
- 1.
Which dance, popularized by Chubby Checker in 1960, became one of the biggest dance crazes of the 20th century?
AThe TwistBThe Mashed PotatoCThe JerkDThe Watusi - 2.
What popular 1960s dance involved moving your fists as if mashing potatoes?
AThe Mashed PotatoBThe FrugCThe MonkeyDThe Swim - 3.
Which 1940s dance, performed to big band music, featured acrobatic moves and aerial flips?
AThe QuickstepBThe FoxtrotCThe WaltzDThe Lindy Hop - 4.
What 1960s dance craze was named after an African tribe and popularized by The Orlons' hit song?
AThe SafariBThe PygmyCThe ZuluDThe Watusi - 5.
Which disco-era dance, featured in the 1977 film 'Saturday Night Fever,' became synonymous with the disco movement?
AThe HustleBThe Electric SlideCThe Bus StopDThe Bump - 6.
What novelty dance from 1962 had dancers imitating the movements of a certain primate?
AThe MonkeyBThe DogCThe Funky ChickenDThe Pony - 7.
Which line dance, originally choreographed in 1976, is still performed at parties and weddings today?
AThe MacarenaBThe Cha Cha SlideCThe Cupid ShuffleDThe Electric Slide - 8.
What 1960s dance, popularized on American Bandstand, involved swimmers' arm movements?
AThe WaveBThe SurfCThe DiveDThe Swim - 9.
Which 1970s partner dance involved bumping hips together to the beat of the music?
AThe RobotBThe HustleCThe Funky ChickenDThe Bump - 10.
What jitterbug-style dance was popularized by servicemen during World War II?
AThe Boogie WoogieBThe CharlestonCThe Lindy HopDThe Jive - 11.
Which 1960s dance involved jerking your body in stiff, angular movements?
AThe TwistBThe JerkCThe PonyDThe Hitchhiker - 12.
What early 1960s dance mimicked riding a horse?
AThe BroncoBThe PonyCThe GallopDThe Mustang - 13.
Which 1970s dance involved mechanically stiff movements imitating a machine?
AThe RobotBThe LockCThe FreezeDThe Pop - 14.
What 1940s dance craze originated in African American communities and was performed in a line?
AThe MadisonBThe Bunny HopCThe StrollDThe Conga - 15.
Which novelty dance from the early 1960s was named after a popular Dick Clark TV show dance segment?
AThe MadisonBThe Limbo RockCThe Bristol StompDThe Bandstand Boogie
Answer Key
The Twist, performed to Chubby Checker's hit song of the same name, became a worldwide sensation in 1960. It was revolutionary because partners didn't need to touch each other while dancing.
The Mashed Potato became popular in 1962, inspired by Dee Dee Sharp's hit 'Mashed Potato Time.' Dancers moved their feet in a back-and-forth motion while making fist-twisting movements.
The Lindy Hop originated in Harlem in the late 1920s and became wildly popular during the swing era of the 1930s-1940s. It was named after Charles Lindbergh's 'hop' across the Atlantic.
The Watusi dance became popular in 1962, named loosely after the Tutsi people of Africa. The Orlons' 'The Wah-Watusi' reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sparked the dance craze.
The Hustle, popularized by Van McCoy's 1975 hit 'The Hustle,' became the signature dance of the disco era. Saturday Night Fever made John Travolta's version of partner disco dancing iconic.
The Monkey was a popular dance of the early 1960s where dancers mimicked monkey movements. Major Lance's 'The Monkey Time' (1963) helped popularize the dance across America.
The Electric Slide was choreographed by Ric Silver in 1976 to Marcia Griffiths' song 'Electric Boogie.' It became one of the most popular line dances in history and remains a staple at celebrations.
The Swim became popular in 1964, with Bobby Freeman's 'C'mon and Swim' providing the soundtrack. Dancers moved their arms in swimming-like motions, and it was frequently featured on American Bandstand.
The Bump was a simple but fun partner dance from the mid-1970s where dancers stood side by side and bumped their hips together on the beat. Its simplicity made it accessible to everyone.
The Jive evolved from the Lindy Hop and became hugely popular among American servicemen stationed overseas during WWII. GIs spread the dance throughout Europe, where it took on a life of its own.
The Jerk became popular in 1965 with The Larks' song 'The Jerk.' It involved sharp, jerking movements of the arms and body and was one of many named dances of the mid-1960s.
The Pony was popularized by Chubby Checker's 1961 hit 'Pony Time,' which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Dancers mimicked a bouncing, prancing horse movement.
The Robot (or botting) became popular in the 1970s funk era. Dancers moved in stiff, mechanical motions imitating a robot. It was popularized by performers like the mime Robert Shields and later Michael Jackson.
The Stroll became a huge craze after being featured on American Bandstand in 1958. Dancers formed two lines and couples took turns dancing down the aisle between them. The Diamonds' 'The Stroll' was the signature song.
The Bristol Stomp, named after Bristol, Pennsylvania near the American Bandstand studio, was a 1961 hit by The Dovells. Teenagers from Bristol were regulars on the show and inspired the dance.