In American Style WALTZ Bronze, can someone tell me what a twinkle is? I know a basic twinkle and turning twinkle and progressive etc. However in the move: Two Way Under Arm Turn - it starts with a quarter Lt Turn, then back half of a box, then, on 3 messure is the question? At this point it feels like and looks like another q Lt box but was referred to as a twinkle??? Prior to the second turn. So, what distinguishes a twinkle from another move is the real question. Please answer only if you know the answer. Thanks, Larry

I dance American Waltz, too. I was first taught that a twinkle (man's part) began with Left foot forward, then R foot slilghtly, diagonally (!), to the side, and then an opening into promenade as the left foot moved forward in promenade.

More recently I was taught that the 2nd step does not go side or diagonal, but goes forward in closed position (not outside partner) Step 3 still is a promenade step which is actually side and somewhat diagonal to the left.

Thus, if you initiate the twinkle facing Diagonal Wall, you do two steps that are DW, and then a third that is LOD.

Anyway, that's my description. I'll be interested to see how others, especially the int'l style folks tear it apart.

Jerry

Jerryblu: thanks for taking the time. Hmmm dancing is fun, but all these serious terms makes it kind of difficult. Thanks, for the reply.

The only thing that makes a twinkle a twinkle is your teacher calling it that. There is no governing authority for American style - there are associations with system wide step lists, but they are incosistent in naming with those of other associations. There are indeed those who will call the basic turning movements (particularly in their foot passing forms) twinkles.

Even international style has at least two slightly different syllabi for the basics, and assorted names for the open variations. Though the language is far, far more common there.

The saving grace is that it doesn't matter what you call it: if you dance it well, a partner can follow it without needing to know it's name or even recognizing the step as anything more than a series of movements that make sense together.