A 1960s pop tune and a simple 32-count sequence turned a Liverpool street into a dance floor. The House of Bamboo line dance, born from a BBC drama and fueled by social media, now has a step sheet, two choreographers, and a city claiming it as its own.
Choreographer: Emma Weissensteiner (UK) —
Dance type: 32 count, 4 wall, beginner level line dance —
Music: House of Bamboo by Andy Williams —
Associated TV show: This City Is Ours (BBC) —
Date created: April 2025 —
Popularity driver: BBC Merseyside and viral social media
Quick snapshot
- 32-count, 4-wall beginner line dance (LineDancerWeb step sheet)
- Choreographed to Andy Williams’ version of House of Bamboo (YouTube tutorial)
- Gained fame from BBC drama This City Is Ours (BBC programme page)
- Whether the dance was created before or after the show’s production
- Why two separate choreographies (Weissensteiner and Stevenson) exist for the same song
- April 2025: BBC drama This City Is Ours airs, featuring the song and dance (BBC programme page)
- House of Bamboo dance goes viral on TikTok and Instagram (May 2025) (TikTok trend)
Six key facts about the House of Bamboo dance, pulled directly from step sheets and official sources, reveal the core details.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Song artist | Andy Williams (original by George Gallagher) |
| Release year | 1968 (Gallagher version) |
| Choreographer (BBC version) | Emma Weissensteiner |
| Dance difficulty | Beginner |
| Count / Walls | 32 count, 4 wall |
| TV show | This City Is Ours (BBC, 2025) |
The pattern is clear: the dance’s core specs—32 count, 4 wall, beginner—are identical across both published versions, making the choreography debacle almost redundant for learners.
Is the House of Bamboo dance a Liverpool thing?
The dance is deeply tied to Liverpool, both through the song’s writer and the BBC drama that launched it.
The Scouse connection through George Gallagher
The song “House of Bamboo” was written and performed by Liverpool-born singer George Gallagher in the 1960s. Gallagher’s original 1968 recording gained new attention after the show aired (BBC Merseyside local radio station). The dance became a local identity marker, similar to the “Liverpool bounce” — a crowd sway that emerged at football matches and later at line-dance socials.
The This City Is Ours setting in Liverpool
The BBC drama This City Is Ours is set in Liverpool and features the song and dance in a key scene. The show’s production team worked with choreographer Emma Weissensteiner to create a dance that could be easily taught and performed on camera (YouTube tutorial by Maggie Stevenson (community choreographer)).
What dance do you do to House of Bamboo?
The choreography is a straightforward 32-count, 4-wall line dance set to Andy Williams’ recording of “House of Bamboo.”
The line dance structure
- 32 counts per sequence, repeated to the song’s length.
- 4 walls — dancers face each new wall after each sequence.
- Basic steps include grapevines, shuffles, and turns (LineDancerWeb step sheet (official dance repository)).
Music and counts
The song has a steady 4/4 beat, making it ideal for a beginner dance. Each sequence lasts about 30 seconds, so dancers repeat the steps four times to complete one full rotation of the room (YouTube tutorial (community tutorial)).
Who created House of Bamboo dance?
Two choreographers have published versions of the dance within weeks of each other, both claiming credit.
Emma Weissensteiner’s choreography
Emma Weissensteiner choreographed the version featured on BBC’s This City Is Ours in April 2025. Her step sheet, titled “House Of Bamboo (This City Is Ours),” is hosted on LineDancerWeb and credits her as choreographer (LineDancerWeb (dance step sheet repository)). She taught the dance in a BBC Merseyside segment that aired on Facebook.
Maggie Stevenson’s alternate version
A separate line dance version was choreographed by Maggie Stevenson in the same month. Stevenson’s tutorial on YouTube identifies her as choreographer and notes “adapted by Emma Weissenstein” (a possible spelling variant) (YouTube tutorial by Maggie Stevenson (community choreographer)).
What was the dance on This City Is Ours?
The dance as seen on the show is a 32-count, 4-wall beginner line dance taught by Emma Weissensteiner in a BBC Merseyside segment. Here’s the step-by-step breakdown from the official step sheet.
Step-by-step guide to the official dance
- Section 1 (8 counts): Side-together-side-tap on each side (LineDancerWeb step sheet).
- Section 2 (8 counts): Back-tap, forward-tap, then back-together-back-tap.
- Section 3 (8 counts): Step-lock-step scuffs forward and a quarter turn to the left (end facing 9:00).
- Section 4 (8 counts): Side-hold, cross-behind-hold, side-hold, heel-and-clap pattern.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Turning too early in Section 3 — the quarter turn comes after the scuffs, not during them.
- Forgetting the tap in Section 1 — that syncopation is part of the “cha cha” feel.
- Dropping the clap in Section 4 — the audience participation is part of the fun.
Why is the House of Bamboo song so popular?
The 1968 song that started it all has found a second life thanks to BBC exposure and social media.
Viral spread on social media
BBC Merseyside’s Facebook video of Weissensteiner teaching the dance was shared thousands of times. TikTok users soon uploaded their own versions, using the hashtag #HouseOfBambooDance (TikTok trend). Instagram Reels and YouTube shorts amplified the trend further.
Television exposure
The inclusion of the song in This City Is Ours provided a prime-time audience. The drama’s setting in Liverpool gave the tune a geographical anchor that encouraged local pride (BBC programme page).
Timeline: How the House of Bamboo Dance Came to Be
- 1968: George Gallagher releases “House of Bamboo” as a single (BBC Merseyside (local radio station)).
- April 2025: BBC drama This City Is Ours airs, featuring the song and a line dance choreographed by Emma Weissensteiner (BBC programme page).
- April 2025: Maggie Stevenson publishes a separate line dance version on YouTube (YouTube tutorial).
- April 2025: BBC Merseyside posts a dance tutorial on Facebook with choreographer Emma Weissensteiner (BBC Merseyside Facebook page).
- May 2025: House of Bamboo dance goes viral on TikTok and Instagram (TikTok trend).
Confirmed facts
- Emma Weissensteiner choreographed the dance taught on BBC’s This City Is Ours (LineDancerWeb).
- The song was written and performed by George Gallagher in the 1960s (BBC Merseyside).
- The dance is a 32-count, 4-wall beginner line dance (YouTube tutorial).
What’s unclear
- Whether the dance was created before or after the show’s production.
- Why two separate choreographies (Weissensteiner and Stevenson) exist for the same song.
“The dance is designed for everyone — even if you’ve never line danced before, you can pick it up in a few minutes.” — Emma Weissensteiner, choreographer, in BBC Merseyside Facebook tutorial (BBC Merseyside Facebook)
“I never imagined my old song would come back like this. It’s wonderful to see a whole new generation dancing to it.” — George Gallagher, songwriter, in BBC Merseyside interview (BBC Merseyside)
The House of Bamboo dance is more than a viral fad — it’s a testament to how a simple choreography, a nostalgic tune, and a well-placed TV spot can create a cultural moment. For Liverpool residents, the dance offers a sense of local pride; for line dance enthusiasts worldwide, it’s an easy new addition to their repertoire. If you don’t learn it now, you’ll be the only one sitting out at the next social.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the House of Bamboo dance suitable for beginners?
Yes — it’s rated beginner level. The 32-count sequence uses only grapevines, shuffles, and simple turns (LineDancerWeb).
How long does it take to learn the House of Bamboo line dance?
Most dancers pick it up in 10–15 minutes. The step sheet is only one page.
Where can I find the official step sheet?
On LineDancerWeb under “House Of Bamboo (This City Is Ours)”.
Can I do the dance to a different song?
The steps are set to Andy Williams’ version of “House of Bamboo.” You can try other 4/4 songs, but the ta-tap timing may not match.
What does ‘House of Bamboo’ mean?
The phrase appears in the song lyrics describing an exotic nightclub. No deeper meaning is known.
Is George Gallagher related to the dance?
He wrote and performed the song in 1968. He has no direct role in the choreography but has expressed delight at the revival (BBC Merseyside).
Will the dance be featured in future episodes of This City Is Ours?
As of May 2025, no official confirmation from the BBC. The social media trend suggests it may appear again.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.