Big Apple: the Swing Circle Dance with a Caller

The Big Apple is a late-1930s group dance performed in a circle, following a caller's calls: truckin', suzie q, shorty George, praise allah or boogie back. Students learn the figures solo, and the group strings them together based on what the student caller sings out.

How to play

1. Introduce the Big Apple's origins with a short historical clip and explain the caller's role (3 min).
2. Teach five solo figures: truckin', suzie q, shorty George, praise allah and boogie back (8 min).
3. Form one or two circles; the teacher acts as caller and calls each figure for eight counts (5 min).
4. Three students take turns as callers, each with a figure card and a section of the song (7 min).
5. Finish with a final shine: everyone moves into the center over four counts, then a group round of applause (2 min).

Rules

• No partner contact; keep the circle and the direction of travel.
• The caller announces each figure four counts early so nobody is caught off guard.
• Bent-knee figures are done only as deep as each student is comfortable with.
• If you get lost, keep triple-stepping until the next call.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: adapts each figure with the arms and torso and can be the first caller.
• Hearing impairment: the caller holds up a sign with a drawing of each figure.
• Overweight or fatigue: does the figures in place without traveling and recovers with the triple step.

Learning goals

• Memorize and link vernacular jazz figures.
• Lead a group with early calls.
• Appreciate the Big Apple as part of swing's cultural heritage.

Equipment for a class of 25

• speaker: 1
• cards: 3

Teacher tip

There are faithful filmed re-creations of the original Big Apple that help with learning the figures. Shy callers can call in pairs.

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