Lopp 1903 recommends a tempo of 76 bpm.
Below, you will find a description of the Columbia Schottische as taught by Richard Powers, followed by related descriptions of The Columbia as danced in the 19th century.
Waltz position throughout.
Begin with the held hands pointed along LOD, the Lead facing the outside wall.
1 &2: Beginning with leading foot, slide-close-slide along LOD.
3: Cut trailing foot under leading foot, slightly raising leading foot, pointed along LOD.
4 &5 6: Repeat the first three counts.
7: Cut leading foot under trailing foot, slightly raising trailing foot, pointed against LOD.
8: Cut trailing foot under leading foot, slightly raising leading foot, pointed along LOD.
9 &10, 11 &12, 13 &14, 15 &16: Two full turns of turning Two-Step (4 x "side-close-around/between").
Repeat from the beginning.
Gilbert 1890 and Lopp 1903 credit the dance to E. C. Spink.
An original description by E. C. Spink (undated), with music by G. Weingarten, can be seen below.
The Columbia is referenced as being danced to schottische music in The Alton [Illinois] Evening Telegraph from September 18, 1886, and a dance called the Columbia Schottische is listed in The Philipsburg [Montana] Mail of September 10, 1891.
The original description by E. C. Spink is accompanied by this music by G. Weingarten:
Lopp 1903 recommends a tempo of 76 bpm.
© 2015 Nick Enge
(Click to expand)
The New Dance "Columbia" (Spink, c. 1880):
The Columbia (Gilbert, 1890):
La Columbia (Lopp, 1903):
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.
For full-length teaching videos, visit: University of Dance.
For help crafting a life you love, visit: Project Quartz.
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