Slide 'n Catch is an easy mixer described by Lois Lunt in her 1961 book Mix 'Em and Match 'Em.
In the version described below, the roles have been switched from the original description to allow dancers to start on the foot they're used to starting on (Lead's left, Follow's right). This slight modification also has the additional benefit of giving Leads the part which requires longer steps.
Facing partner, Leads facing in, Follows facing out, hands on hips.
Part I - Slide 'n Catch Clockwise (4 bars): Four slides clockwise, slide-close-slide-close-slide-close-slide (1-and-2-and-3-and-4). Then link right arms with partner and walk four steps around each other (5, 6, 7, 8), rotating one full turn clockwise, back to place.
Part II - Slide 'n Catch Counterclockwise (2 bars): Four slides counterclockwise, slide-close-slide-close-slide-close-slide (1-and-2-and-3-and-4). Then link left arms with partner and walk four steps* around each other (5, 6, 7, 8), rotating one full turn counterclockwise, back to place.
Part III - Slide 'n Slide (2 bars): Both Lead and follow slide four to the right (1-and-2-and-3-and-4), then slide four to the left (5-and-6-and-7-and-8).
Part IV - Change 'n Catch (2 bars): Slide four to the right again (1-and-2-and-3-and-4), then catch right arms with new partner facing you and walk four steps* around each other (5, 6, 7, 8).
* To comfortably transition into the next slide, the Lead will need to take either three (1, 2, 3) or five steps (1, 2, 3, 4-and) at the end of Part II. The Follow will need to do this at the end of Part IV.
Repeat from the beginning.
The recommended music is "Turkey in the Straw."
© 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.
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