NEW YORKER

The New Yorker is used in Latin rhythms, such as Rumba, Cha, Mambo, and Bolero. In Rumba and Mambo, we begin in a facing position, such as Butterfly. Both partners turn and step through, turning to a side-by-side position and extend joined arms in front. Free arms may be extended to side. On the second step, recover and turn back to face partner, and then step side. In Bolero, the lead feet might be free. The first step is to the side with body rise and lead arms extended. Cross in front lowering and turning to a side-by-side position facing line and extending joined trail hands through. Then step back and turn to a facing position again. A Cha-Cha New Yorker is much like the Rumba figure. We step through to the side-by-side position, recover, and then dance the Cha chassé: side/close, side.
Sometimes in Cha, we do a "New Yorker in 4" without the syncopation. In a facing position, step thru, recover to face partner, step side, recover. And yet another variation is the "Quick New Yorker" which is danced as a single "triple." We step through to the side-by-side position. Recover quickly, and step side to butterfly again (count 1a2). With lead feet free, you might dance thru to reverse, recover, side, and then thru to line, recover, side—two Quick New Yorkers in one measure of music.
Photos © A. Curths; E.Allen; F. Lepretre; P. Suba; from Dancesport UK photo gallery.