The bunny hop is a novelty dance that was created at Balboa High School of San Francisco in 1952. [1] It is a social mixer dance, sometimes also referred to as a "party" or "dance party" dance.
The dance has been generally done to Ray Anthony's big band recording of the song.[1] It was a vocal hit in 1952, and instrumentally re-recorded c. 1958. The song has been re-recorded by others, including musical updates of the style, for example, a Salsa version. Duke Ellington recorded "Bunny Hop Mambo" in 1954. Other popular music of the era is also used, such as "The Glow Worm."
Ray Anthony's single release of the "Bunny Hop" featured another novelty dance classic, the "Hokey Pokey" on the B side.
The dance is a variation on a conga line. Participants dance in a line, holding on to the hips of the person in front of them. They tap the floor two times with their right foot, then with their left foot, then they hop forwards, backwards, and finally three hops forward to finish the sequence, which continues throughout the tune. The first person in the line leads the group around the floor.
The Finnish dance style called "Jenka" has essentially the same steps. Originating from the 19th century, jenka is actually the same dance style as the German slow tempo polka called schottische or rheinländer. It is characterised by three quick steps and a hop and is danced to music in 2/4 time. Finnjenka, also known as letkajenkka and letkis, is one of the many variations of jenka. Typical to it is that all the people dancing form a line and hold on to the one in front by the waist.
In the Friends episode "The one in Massapequa", guest star Alec Baldwin asks Phoebe if she wants to do the Bunny Hop in Monica's parents anniversary party.
In the The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episode "Fresh Prince After Dark", Carlton is seen doing the Bunny Hop at the Playboy Mansion.
Cave Story uses the Jenka music