Latonka

(La-Ton-Ka, La Touka)

(New York, 1903)

General Description

This is a trivially easy, but nonetheless satisfying, two-step sequence devised by H. L. Walker of Buffalo, NY in 1903 and described in several newspaper in the summer of that year.

One of the descriptions calls the dance Latonka, while another calls it La Touka. Other articles from the time advertise the teaching or dancing of Latonka (or La-Ton-Ka), so that's likely the original name.

The Position

Side-by-side facing LOD, holding inside hands.

The Steps

Part I - Promenade (4 counts): Starting outside feet, walk four steps forward (1, 2, 3, 4), turning to face partner on the fourth step.

Part II - Slow Chassé (4 counts): Closing up to waltz position, Lead facing out, Follow facing in, step side along LOD (1), close (2), side along LOD (3), and close (4).

Parts III & IV - Two-Step (8 counts): Two full turns of turning Two-Step (1, and, 2, 3, and, 4, 5, and, 6, 7, and 8).

The Music

While no specific music is suggested, the dance is said to be in schottische time.

Sources

H. L. Walker (dance). (1903, June 19). "Only One New Dance." The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, MD).
H. L. Walker (dance). (1903, November 2). "A New Dance..." Dayton Daily News (Dayton, OH).

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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