History and Characteristics of Peabody
The Peabody resembles a fast Foxtrot. Legend has it that the Peabody was created by a portly police or fire chief from New York City – Captain Peabody – who was so overweight that he had to dance to the side of his partner, creating the style which is so characteristic of the Peabody.
It’s primarily a dance with long, “jogging” steps. Dancers use many intricate, quick, twisting and turning steps set against a figure called the “Open Box.” It is popular in the larger ballrooms where dance space is not a serious problem.
Peabody is danced primarily to ragtime or Dixieland jazz music. In a lot of ways, Peabody music resembles a very fast Foxtrot. So, listen for the accented 1 and 3 beats.
