GKW Mixer

{1970s}



Introduction

The GKW Mixer is an easy mixer by Doogso L. Trebor, described by Jack and Helen Todd in their 1976 book Quick-Teach Fun Dances for Recreational Groups.

The beginning is the same as the All American Promenade, commonly danced today as 't Smidje.

More recently, Cal Campbell, who in the 1970s adapted the GKW Mixer into the C. J. Mixer, revealed that the GKW in the title means "God Knows What."



The Position

Couples in a circle facing LOD, holding inside hands.


The Dance

Part I - Forward and Back Along LOD (8 counts): Holding inside hands, walk four steps forward along LOD (1, 2, 3, 4), then turn to face partner and, holding other inside hands, walk four steps back along LOD (5, 6, 7, 8).

Part II - Repeat Against LOD (8 counts): Repeat Part I against LOD (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).

Part III - Turn by the Right (8 counts): Turn to face partner and take right-in-right hands with them in a upright grip, and walk forward 3/4 of a turn around them, ending with Lead facing LOD and Follow facing against LOD (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).

Part IV - Turn Away Left to Find a New Partner (8 counts): Leads circle solo counterclockwise towards the center of the room to progress back against LOD to a new partner, as Follows circle solo counterclockwise to the outside wall to progress forward along LOD to a new partner (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). Note that the Lead will make a 360° circle, while the Follow will only make a U-turn. Also note that as you leave your current partner, you'll briefly catch a glimpse of your previous partner and can greet or flirt with them. In any case, both partners should make sweeping circular paths so as to fill all the time and get their new partner just in time for the repeat.

Repeat from the beginning.


The Music

Any walking-tempo tune with continual eight counts will work.


Sources


© 2019 Nick Enge


For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.


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