Home About Dances Manuals Search
The Mexican Mixer is an easy walking mixer of Tex-Mex origin.
The version described below is the most popular version today, which is slightly simplified compared to the original.
Side by side facing LOD, holding right-in-right over left-in-left.
Part I - Forward and Back Along LOD (8 counts): Walk four steps forward along LOD (1, 2, 3, 4), then turn toward partner to face against LOD and walk four steps back along LOD (5, 6, 7, 8).*
* I haven't done an in-depth analysis yet, but the original version appears to be a grapevine with step-swing (side, behind, side, swing through) facing partner for the second half, instead of four backing steps.
Part II - Repeat Against LOD (8 counts): Repeat against LOD (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). At the end, let go of left hands and form a circular wave, Leads facing out and Follows facing in, the Leads slightly further along LOD than the Follows.
Part III - Balance the Wave and Allemande Right (8 counts): Balance forward and back (1, 2, 3, 4), then turn partner halfway around by the right to take left hands with a new person, forming a new circular wave, Leads facing in (5, 6, 7, 8).
Part IV - Balance the Wave and Allemande Left (8 counts): Balance forward and back (1, 2, 3, 4), then turn new partner by the left into original position (Follows turn 1/4, and Leads turn 3/4).
Repeat from the beginning.
Many tunes have been recommended, but really any square, walking tempo tune 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.
For full-length teaching videos, visit: University of Dance.
For help crafting a life you love, visit: Project Quartz.
Home About Dances Manuals Search