The "Time Warp" originates from the musical "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", which is still performed after forty years! It's a fun and easy dance to do, with the instructions practically sung. Try to have even more fun by dressing like in the movie after you understand the steps.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Dancing the Time Warp
Step 1. Jump left
Keep your legs closed, with your feet straight or slightly apart. Jump off the ground with both feet, landing slightly to your left. Always keep facing the same direction.
If you want to make jumping more fun, wave your hands in the air as you jump, or swing to the beat of the music when you land
Step 2. Move right (four times)
Keep your feet planted on the ground, always facing the same direction during this step. Move your right foot to the right, and then bring your legs together again. Typically, dancers repeat this step four times, standing on tiptoe the first three times. The fourth time, place your feet on the ground so that you are in a wide stance.
If you want, wave your hands out and then withdraw them in time with your feet
Step 3. Put your hands on your hips
Raise your hands over your head. Drop your hands on your hips by wiggling them exaggeratedly.
Step 4. Squeeze your knees
Stay still for a moment, until someone sings "bring your knees in–". When he says "tight", quickly turn your knees towards each other, without moving your feet. Keep your hands on your hips, bending slightly if you need to keep balance.
Don't worry too much about keeping time with this step as you practice. It's easier to keep time with music, or practicing in sync with other people
Step 5. Do the pelvic (twice)
Move your butt back, then quickly snap forward with your pelvic. Move your legs forward and head and shoulders back slightly as you push forward to exaggerate the movement. Repeat this move one more time.
Keep your hands on your hips
Step 6. Roll your hips
This passage is not part of the lyrics of the song, but it is still part of the dance. Keep your hands on your hips, and rotate your hips and pelvic in a circle. You can do this in one smooth motion, as if you're spinning a hula hoop, or wiggle as you rotate to the beat of the song.
If you are listening to the song, do this movement when they sing "that really drives you insa-a-ane"
Step 7. Finish by jumping back and forth, waving your hands to the beat of the music
Jump on the spot, turning right 90º, so that you are facing right. Jump once more, turning 180º, so that you are turned all the way around and face the opposite direction. Move your arms and legs back and forth following the rhythm as the choir ends.
- If you are listening to the song, make the first jump happen during "Let's do", the second jump during "the Time Warp", and move your arms and legs during "Again".
- You can create your own moves for this part of the song, as there are no specific instructions. You can also just wave your arms and jump into this part.
Step 8. Fall to the ground
At the end of the song, after doing the Time Warp during all the choirs, you drop to the ground in an exaggerated way as the music fades.
Part 2 of 2: Dressing up for the Prom
Step 1. Put on a Halloween costume
From zombies to princesses, Halloween costumes are perfect for Time Warp. The crazier and shinier the better, whether it's filled with pink and glitter ruffles, or with a skull makeup look.
Step 2. Put on glitter and sequins
One of the characters in the Rocky Horror movie, Columbia, has the shiniest costume of them all. Cover yourself in gold sequins or all colors with a glitter makeup to imitate it. Even better if you wear a hat with glitter and fishnets, or if you cover your brows with makeup.
Step 3. Put on one of the easiest costumes from the show
The characters of Janet and Brad are the quiet, "normal" people who find themselves in the midst of a group of absurd people, which means that their costumes are easier to imitate. Dress like Janet in a pale pink dress and a white sweater, plus a wide-brimmed hat. Dress like Brad in "hipster" clothes, like a buttoned shirt tucked into his pants, khakis, and hair pulled back.
Step 4. Avoid lines if you go to a Rocky Horror show
At many performances on the Rocky Horror Picture Show, where the Time Warp dance comes from, people might make fun of you for wearing stripes. It should refer to a scene in the movie where a guy in a striped shirt is shot by mistake, but it has now become a tradition of its own.
Advice
- If you go to see a live performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, audiences typically join the actors for the Time Warp dance.
- Try dancing to this clip from the Rocky Horror Picture Show movie, or this audio track of the song, when the choir starts with "Jump to the left!"
