Do you want to kick up your heals at Mardi Gras? Great jazz music calls out to be danced to. So for Mardi Gras this year I did a line dance to the signature song “When the Saints go Marching in”, or “The Saints” for short.

Brief history of Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras dates back in time to the Middle Ages. It originated as the spring and fertility festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia. With the advent of the Christian faith, the festival was re-purposed as Carnival (from epiphany to lent), then in America as Mardi Gras (a one day event the Tuesday before lent), in preparation of the abstinence of Lent.

“The Saints” or “When the Saints Go Marching In” History

Mardi Gras is celebrated by parades, masks, beads, and great jazz. ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’, is unofficially the theme song for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This traditional black spiritual song was made famous by Loui Armstrong in 1938. It is still played in the French quarter of New Orleans. It is the perfect tune to do a Mardi Gras “The Saints” Line dance.

Mardi Gras “The Saints” Line Dance How To

Viideo

https://youtu.be/wnn3c5rQXlc

Step1 Three steps back and forward with a tap.

Take three steps back beginning with the right foot, left foot, right foot, and tap left next to right foot count 1,2,3,4. Follow with three steps forward left foot, right foot, left foot tap right next to left foot, count 5,6,7,8.

Step 2 Charleston

Step forward right foot kick left foot forward count 1,2. Next step back left foot kick right foot back count 3,4. Repeat counts 5,6,7,8.

Step 3 Three steps right and left with a tap.

Move your right foot to the right, close left foot to right foot, side right foot and tap left foot next to right foot as you point your hands above your head for counts 1,2,3,4. Follow moving your left foot side, close right foot to left foot, step side left foot and tap right foot next to left foot count 5,6,7,8.

Step 4 March in a circle to the left 8 counts.

Beginning with your right foot march right then left in a circle to your left. End ¼ turn to the right at a new wall.

Song:

“When The Saints Go Marching In” by Louis Armstrong

Dancer:

Holly Tomazin

Camera:

Craig Tomazin

Location:

Adventures in Dance Club

Holly Tomazin

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References:

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mardi-gras

https://news.yahoo.com/mardi-gras-everything-know-history-172216558.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_the_Saints_Go_Marching_In

https://www.staugustine.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2014/10/24/story-behind-song-when-saints-go-marching/16098178007/

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_665505

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-rich-history-of-when-the-saints-go-marching-in/

https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/

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