The Shim Sham

This is a popular swing line dance that originated as a tap dance back in the 1930s. It is still being enjoyed by people all around the world. It is done in ten (10) phrases of thirty-two (32) counts. The song by the Bill Elliot Swing Orchestra is the best for people new to the dance, because it calls out the dance moves before you do them.

PART 0: THE BREAK

The Break is a common 8-count step that is used in other swing line dances, like the Jitterbug Stroll. Since it is repeated throughout the Shim Sham, we are putting it first. The most important thing to keep in mind about the break is that it starts on the "eight" (in fact, most of the Shim Sham sections start on the "eight") RIGHT, TOUCH, LEFT, TOUCH, STEP, STEP, STEP, STEP

PART 1: THE SHIM SHAM

This is the first phrase of the dance (which is probably why the dance is named Shim Sham. Or, it could be the other way around). Just like the break, the Shim Sham starts on the "eight." STOMP, DRAG 4 TIMES (RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, RIGHT)

STOMP, DRAG 4 TIMES (LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT, LEFT)

STOMP, DRAG 4 TIMES (RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, RIGHT)

BREAK

PART 2: THE CROSS OVER

This is the one part of the Shim Sham that starts on the count of 1. To fill in the remaining count 8 from the previous Break, you need to add the following single count before starting the Cross Over:

(RIGHT SIDE) BUMP, BACK, BUMP, BACK, BUMP, HITCH, CROSS, STEP

(LEFT SIDE) BUMP, BACK, BUMP, BACK, BUMP, HITCH, CROSS, STEP

(RIGHT SIDE) BUMP, BACK, BUMP, BACK, BUMP, HITCH, CROSS, STEP

This is one of the phrases that does not end in the break

(RIGHT THEN LEFT) BUMP, HITCH, CROSS, STEP, BUMP, HITCH, CROSS

PART 3: TACKY ANNIE

STOMP OFF, TAP-STEP, TAP-STEP, TAP-STEP, TAP

STOMP OFF, TAP-STEP, TAP-STEP, TAP-STEP, TAP

STOMP OFF, TAP-STEP, TAP-STEP, TAP-STEP, TAP

BREAK

PART 4: HALF-BREAK

HOP, HOP, KICK BALL CHANGE (TWICE)

BREAK

HOP, HOP, KICK, AND STEP (TWICE), BREAK

PARTS 5 THROUGH 8: REPEAT 1-4 WITH FREEZE

At this point, you will have completed the first full chorus of the Shim Sham (comprised of the first four phrases of the dance). For the next chorus (four phrases, or 128 counts) do everything the same, except, wherever you previously did the break, freeze for 8 counts. (By freeze, we mean stop moving completely. Stand like a statue. Don't move a muscle. We do not mean do a grapevine as the term "freeze" is used in some places.) You will then have completed 8 of the 10 phrases of the dance. And so we move on to the ninth phrase; Boogie Back And ForwardPART 9: BOOGIE BACK AND FORWARD The Boogie Back is a common swing move that is often used as a way to "play" with your partner in the middle of a dance. You'll often see Lindy Hoppers on the dance floor, facing each other as they boogie back away from one another, then boogie forward towards each other KICK BALL CHANGES MOVING BACK8Kick out with your right foot and clap at the same time

BOOGIE FORWARD

KICK BALL CHANGES MOVING BACK; BOOGIE FORWARD

And the tenth and final phrase; Boogie Back And Shorty George

PART 10: BOOGIE BACK AND SHORTY GEORGE

KICK BALL CHANGES MOVING BACK

SHORTY GEORGE

KICK BALL CHANGES MOVING BACK, SHORTY GEORGE

While doing the Shorty George, make sure your index fingers are pointed down and keep your toes and hips pointed forward. Do not twist your knees and hips. If you know Jo Thompson's dance "Shakin' The Shack", and you learned it from Jo, then you've already seen the correct form for the Shorty George steps. The steps here are exactly the same as in Jo's dance

REPEAT

It is common at Lindy Hop dances for the dancers, instead of repeating the dance, to grab the nearest partner and do a couples Lindy Hop for the rest of the song. Line dancers may just repeat the whole 10-phrase Shim Sham as a solo dance until the music ends This version of the Shim Sham is based on the original dance created back in the early thirties. Another common version taught in the swing world is one where there is no clap after the Shim Sham break, and the cross overs start on the (8) immediately following the break. When doing it this way, just shift every move back by one. For example, the first push is on the (8), the second on the (2), the third on the (4), the kick up on the (5), you step down on (6), step out on (7), then start the process again in the opposite direction, starting with the (8). The most significant difference you'll notice with this version is that when you have finished the whole phrase and completed the two quick cross overs at the end, your legs will not be crossed when you start the transition to the Tacky Annie. They will be about shoulder length apart. Since the Tacky Annie starts with a "right-left" stomp off, you'll have to push up slightly on your left foot so that you can do the first stomp on the right. This can be a little tricky since you would have just stepped down with your right foot and most of your weight will be on the right. In the "clap" version, since the last step ends on the (7) with your legs crossed (left in front of right) and your weight on the left foot, stepping down on the right to do the Tacky Annie stomp off is a little easier. As far as we're concerned, both ways are enjoyable. You should try it both ways so that no matter where you go, you'll be prepared. Here's a hint as to when you should be prepared to do the clap version and when you shouldn't. The world renowned Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association (sponsors of Swing Camp Catalina and the Harvest Moon Ball) do the Shim Sham without the "clap." If you're in southern California and you visit the Satin Ballroom dance or Camp Hollywood, be prepared to "bring back the clap!" Because this dance is so old, it has seen many, many hundreds of variations. Tap dancers have their own version that can be danced alongside Lindy Hoppers and line dancers, and they have all sorts of extra fancy stuff they throw in, including something called the BS Ending, where BS stands for pretty much what BS stands for anywhere. The history and lore of Shim Sham is fascinating and deep. Feel free to make some history of your own