In the 1950s, the dance was known as "The Madison". Inspired by Tina Turner's song, a variation of the dance emerged again as "The Nutbush" in the 1970s disco era. A comparison of the step sheets, however, does not support the conclusion the dances are the same.
The song of the same name by Tina Turner is generally recognised as being 'the song' to which the dance is performed. The dance is generally performed by a group of people both male and female at a social function where dancing is not appropriate. Also, the dance is performed with the dancers roughly in a box configuration, like that of a chess board.
The steps are fairly simple, such that one who does not know them can generally pick them up by watching other dancers. A key in the song and dance being a popular combination is that the song has a moderately long introduction before the strong dance beat starts, which allows people who are sitting down to get up and to the dance floor and for all dancers to assemble themselves in a grid. For comparison, see "Bus Stop" (song).
The steps to the dance are as follows:
- Hands are generally placed akimbo and feet shoulder-width apart in a neutral position. The following moves take place on the beat of the drum during the song.
- The right foot is moved a step to the right, and then returned to the initial stance with a step. This is repeated once, and then the same event takes place with the left foot, stepping left, and repeating once. (8 beats)
- The dancers then step back half a pace and return to the original stance twice on the right foot and twice with the left. (8 beats)
- The right knee is brought across the body to approximately the height of the left hip twice, continuing with the left knee to right hip twice. (8 beats)
- This is followed by a single kick of the right leg across the body and following with the left. (4 beats)
- And finally, the last 4 beats of the song are colloquially known as "turn-and-clap" whereupon the dancers turn counter-clockwise ¼, pause, then clap.
Variations of the final step are known to occur: For example crossing over your legs then uncrossing out to the side then placing the legs together and finally "do the clap"
- http://www.bushfirepress.com/freebies/nutbush.html Bushfirepress.com
- http://www.bushfirepress.com/freebies/nutbush.html An instruction on how to perform "The Nutbush"
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