The Matodan Toddle is a fox trot sequence dance composed by Charles J. Daniels in 1922.
Closed position, Lead facing LOD.
Part I - Lock Steps (4 bars): Back the Follow two steps (1, 2), then the Lead locks left behind right as the Follow locks right in front of left (and). Repeat with the other foot (3, 4-and). Then repeat all (5, 6-and, 7, 8-and).
Part II - Back the Follow and Lock Again (4 bars): Back the Follow four slow toddle steps* (1, 2, 3, 4), then repeat the first half of Part I (5, 6-and, 7, 8-and).
* Daniels writes that "the toddle step is done on the ball of the foot giving a double movement to each step with a slight raising and lowering of the heels, making a bouncing effect; two bounces occurring to each step." It's essentially a light step-hop.
Part III - Smooth Walk and Lift (4 bars): Back the Follow three smooth steps, with no toddle styling (1, 2, 3), then slightly raise the Lead's right foot forward (Follow's left foot back) and bounce by bending supporting leg twice (4-and). Repeat on the opposite foot (5, 6, 7, 8-and).
Part IV - Around the World (4 bars): The Lead toddle steps in place (1, 2, 3, etc.) as he drops his right hand and leads the Follow to travel clockwise around him, his left arm passing over his head. The Follow travels around the lead with a forward two-step (1-and-2, 3-and-4, 5-and-6, 7-and-8). Retake closed position at the end.
Repeat from the beginning.
"Matodan Toddle" by T. W. Thurban is the specified tune, but it doesn't appear to have been recorded, so any square, early 20th century toddle (or bouncy foxtrot) will do.
© 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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