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The Suzy Q figure is almost 100 years old. It originated during the great dance-craze era of the 1930s, emerging in the swing and jazz culture of Harlem. 

Many social dance styles make use of Suzy Q but almost always as a shine or for solo dancing. It is rare to use Suzy Q in partner dancing, hand-in-hand, but that is what we are going to do in this tutorial.

First step

For solo dancing or as a shine it is very common to see both Lead and Follow starting Suzy Q by crossing over to the left. If we want to do Suzy Q as a partner figure in social dancing in Open Position, Promenade Position, etc, the Lead and the Follow should start in accordance with their basic steps.

In Cuban Salsa danced on “1”, the Lead should start by crossing over to the left and the Follow to the right.

Suzy Q as a Walk

Since this tutorial is about Casino based on natural walking, where the Follow walks forward by default, we want a forward walking Suzy Q. This tutorial presents Suzy Q as a walk.

Suzy Q as a Shine or for solo dancing is like a sideways walk changing directions at each half count. It takes a little training to step Suzy Q as a forward walking, continuing movement. But that is all the difference that makes it great as a partner figure.

If you are a back-rocking Cuban Salsa dancer you might be able to implement a stationary Suzy Q done on the spot. But I doubt that it will work as good or at all.

If our goal is flow and momentum, improvisation, musicality and playfulness, the forward walking dance mode has as always much more potential.

Same video at YouTube

Variations

Suzy Q can start from almost any positions:

1. Open Position
2. Promenade Position (Caída)
3. Caminando
4. Half Sombrero
5. Cásate, arm-in-arm

One handed, two handed, cross-handed, by the hip, by the shoulder.

The Suzy Q Walk can be one, two or more counts of eight and the pattern can be:

1. Oval
2. Circular
3. Linear
4. Free Styling

True Social

Since almost all dancers know or have learned the basics of Suzy Q as a shine or for solo dancing, the chances are hight that it will work also as a couple figure easy to lead and follow.

Advanced Suzy Q

This tutorial is about the most basic Suzy Q as a realistic, leadable figure in social dancing. But we also have more advanced variations of Suzy Q. It will be interesting to see if some of the more advanced options can also be done as True Social Dancing.

Suzy Q is an ideal figure for Connection, Musicality and Playfulness in social dancing.