How to Do the Chicken Dance

The Chicken Dance is danced to a polka-like song written by Swiss accordion player Werner Thomas in the 1950s. Often done at weddings and dances, the Chicken Dance is a sure way to get everyone on the floor acting ridiculous. It's a great way to bond through the power of polka.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Form a circle, or if everyone is too excited to get in formation, just find yourself some space on the dance floor.

2. Put your hands together palm to palm, forming a beak. Put the beak in front of your face and open and close it four times in time with the music.

3. Create wings by sticking your hands in your armpits. If you're really sweaty under there, don't dig in too deeply. Flap those wings up and down several times.

4. Give yourself some tail feathers by sticking your hands behind your back at your waist. Do the twist about four times up and down if you can go that fast. If you can't, pace yourself so that you don't fall over. Not keeping time is far less embarrassing then being a spread eagle during the chicken dance; that's a dancing foul, or fowl if you prefer.

5. Come up and clap your hands together four times. Now repeat the beak, the wings, and the twisting tail feathers three more times.

6. Check the room for cues, as this next part varies. If you're in a circle, grab hands and move around in a circle as a group, then move in the opposite direction. Another option is to dosi-do your way around the room until the music repeats the chicken dance steps. Often your DJ offers instruction; watch him for the changes or find the best dancer in the room and follow her lead. If you are the best dancer in the room, trust your inner Shakira and go with it.

Tips & Warnings

• The Chicken Dance and the Funky Chicken are two separate dances with different music. If you hear accordion, go for the Chicken Dance; if it sounds funky, start the Funky Chicken.