United States, 1970s
DISCO
The glamour of seventies dancefloors
Disco was born in New York clubs in the early 1970s, in the wake of funk, soul, and salsa. Carried by legendary venues like the Loft, Paradise Garage, and Studio 54, it quickly became a global phenomenon with the release of "Saturday Night Fever" (1977) and the explosion of hits by the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, and Chic.
On the floor, Disco is danced mainly solo, in a highly codified aesthetic: clear body lines, theatrical poses, geometric arm work, and dynamic spins. It is also a founding dance for all of modern club culture — House, Voguing, Waacking — which would take up its sense of showmanship and its taste for groove.
How it's danced
Technique & figures
Disco is most often danced solo, to four-beat tracks between 110 and 130 bpm. Some partnered variants (like New York Hustle) codify a lead inspired by Swing and Salsa.
Styles and fundamentals
The body stays tall and stretched, with theatrical arm work that draws lines in space. Basic steps combine walks, points, kicks, and pointed-piqué turns, in a constant groove.
Main figures
- 01
The fever point
Arm extended diagonally, popularized by John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever."
- 02
Bus stop
An iconic Disco line dance, danced collectively to 70s hits.
- 03
Hustle
A partnered version of Disco, codified in New York, with a four- or six-count lead.
Reading the music
Funk, soul, disco (Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Chic, Village People).
Did you know?
Explore the rhythms
Same family
Ballroom