IT WILL INTRIGUE YOU

NZ Truth, Issue 1227, 6 June 1929, Page 20

IT WILL INTRIGUE YOU

MAXWELL. STEWART worked for many weeks on this new dance, seeking to anticipate tendencies which his experienced eye could detect m modern dancing, and to develop them into an original whole. I, m common with many others m the profession, think he has succeeded. The instant success that the Sugar Step achieved has proved it. . It is a simple, novel and intriguing

dance and m keeping with the best traditions of the English ballroom. The Sugar Step is a dance of moderate pace, a little faster than the Yale Blues and a little slower than the fox trot. The ideal tempo is about 38 bars per minute. It is m 4-4 or tox trot time, but' requires a specially strong emphasis on the first and third beats. The characteristic movement of the Sugar Step is a slight outward sway of the hips, and ti relaxation of the knees, as each foot goes diagonally forward. Whichever foot advances, the corresponding hip is swayed outward, but this sway must be kept restrained and never exaggerated. In , the following' description of the steps, the gentleman's steps and the lady's are exactly opposite. All slow steps take two beats; all quick steps one beat.

fTHE NEW SUGAR STEP t ; . A ' Popular Dance In The. Ballroom This Winter ; (By Miss Margaret O'Connor— Well : known Teacher of Ballroom Dancing.) • The Sugar Step was originated by Maxwell Stewart, world's ; champion ballroom dancer 1924 to 1928. It is the result' of. the growing demand for a dance typifying the polished and restrained style, which is recognised and admired the world oyer ■ • as thoroughly English.

— : ■ ; : _ c THE SUGAR WALK Step forward with left (diagonally to left) (knees relaxed). Bring right foot up to left, at the same time rising on loft instep (quick). Drop on left heel as right brushes diagonally forward (quick). Forward right (diagonally to right) (knees relaxed). Bring left foot up* to right, at the same time rising on right instep (quick). Drop on right heel as left brushes diagonally forward, (quick). Keep on repeating until you are perfectly sure of the walk before trying variations. ■ ■ ■ . THE SUGAR STICK Step straight forward with right (slow): Bring left to right and tap with left toe (slow 1 )- Short step to side, with left (on ball of foot) (quick).

; Short step to side with right (on ball of foot) (quick). I Forward left into Sugar Walk. \ THE SIDE CHASSE Long- step to side with, right (toe turned slightly out) (quick). Close left to right (quick). Another long step to side with right (quick). Close left to right and brush forward with left into sugar walk (quick). ' THE STOMP - Forward with left and tap on the ball of the foot — no weight on tapping . foot (slow). ; Cross left over right and tap and : transfer weight to tapping- foot (slow). Short step to side with right on 1 the ball of the foot, toe turned : slightly, m (quick). Cross left m front of right (quick). Another short step to side with right

1 , ■■■■ • — — : r- — — on the hall of the foot, toe turned slightly m (quick). Cross left m front of right (quick).

Forward right into Sugar Walk. THE ROCK AND CROSSES • Short step forward on the ball of the left foot (quick).. Take all the weight on the left foot. Rock weight back on the ball of the right (quick). All the weight on right foot. Hock weight forward on the ball of the left (slow). All the weight on left foot. Short step", to side with right (toe turned slightly inward (quick).' Cross left m front of right (quick). Another short step to side with right (right -W turned slightly ,",; inward (quick). j Cross left m front of right (quick). Forward right into Sugar Walk. . hours.

The illustrations give the first four movements of the stomp. To complete the step, repeat figures 3 and -i.