How to Do the Electric Slide

Boogie down with the Electric Slide, at a community center or a dance club

The Electric Slide has been around, believe it or not, for more than 30 years. Choreographer Ric Silver developed the now classic four-wall line dance in 1976.

Things You'll Need

• Comfortable, dance-able shoes (not rubber soled)
• Electric boogie music

Instructions

1. 

   Grapevine, Right, Touch. Step to the right on the right foot. Step the left foot behind the right foot;

2. 

   Step to the right on the right foot. Touch the left foot next to the right foot (clap).

3. Grapevine, Left, Touch. Step to the left on the left foot then step the right foot behind the left foot. Step to the left on the left foot and touch the right foot next to the left foot (clap).

4. 

   Walk back, touch. Walk back stepping right, left and right. Touch the left foot next to the right foot (clap).

5. Step, Touch, Step, Touch, Step, Touch, Step, Touch, Step with 1/4 Turn, Hop. Step forward on the left foot and touch the right foot toe to the left heel (clap). Step backward on the right foot; touch the left foot toe to the right toe (snap). Step forward on left foot and touch the right foot toe to the left heel (clap). Step backward on the right foot and touch the left foot toe to the right toe (snap). Step forward on the left foot, turning 1/4 turn to your left then hop.

6. Once you've gotten the steps down pat, you can jazz up to make your version more "electrifying." More advanced dancers can vary steps with turns (single and double) in place of grapevines or slide, slide, slide (The Electric Slide). Charleston kicks touch behind or hand to floor. The hop may be substituted with Tour en l'air (turn in the air) or double tour.

Tips & Warnings

• As long as dancers stay within the basic framework, there's plenty of room for personal creativity.

Resources

• Here's a look at kids doing the original choreography for "The Electric Slide"