Archive for August 2nd, 2005

Boy: the person dancing the (traditionally) man’s part.
Girl: the person dancing the (traditionally) woman’s part.
Head Couple: the two couples in a square who either face or back to the caller
Side Couple: the two couples perpendicular to the caller.
Couple 1,2,3,4: the head couple with their back to the caller is couple number one, and the other couples are counted counter-clockwise from Couple 1.

Circle left/right: all dancers join hands and move in a circle to the left/right.
Allemande Left: Two dancers clasp left forearms and circle around to their original position counter-clockwise.
Right and Left Grand: Partners clasp right hands and pass each other on the right, dropping clasp. Then with the next dancer, clasp left hands and pass on the left. This pattern is repeated until you get back to your partner.
Promenade: dancers assume the promenade position – Partners stand side by side facing the same direction, with Boy medial to the center of the square. Boy’s right hand is in the small of Girl’s back, Left hand is out in front. Girl’s right hand is in small of her back, left hand in Boy’s left. From this position, the dancers proceed together in counter-clockwise direction to the location specified by the caller.
Head (or Side) Couples Promenade Halfway: The specified couples promenade to the opposite home, while the other couples take three steps in to the center of the square to allow the promenading couples to get there in a shorter time, then they return back out to their home position.
Head (or Side) Couples Pass Through: The specified couples move toward the center, passing on right sides, and proceed to the opposite couple’s home position.
Courtesy Turn: The Boy guides the Girl around counter-clockwise until they face the center of the square.
Do Sa Do with Partner (or Corner): the specified dancers face each other, then pass each other on the right sides, step to the right, then pass each other backward on the left sides until they face each other again.
Grand Square: Side couples turn to face their partner, then the couples that are close take three steps back, which the couples that are far that three steps toward each other. Then all couples take a quarter turn toward the center and repeat the rule: close couples step back, far couples step close. Repeat two more times, then reverse the pattern. You end up back with your partner at the end of 24 beats.
Swing your Partner (Corner): The specified dancers face and stand hip-to-hip, with Girl’s left hand on boy’s right shoulder, Boy’s right hand on Girl’s waist. The other hands are held out to the side and clasped. From here, the Boy guides the Girl around clockwise until Girl’s backside is in the promenade direction. From there, the Boy swings the Girl under his left arm and guides her to Promenade position.

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I had a fun time tonight at class. There were way too many LJers there to list, so I won’t try, but everyone there seems really friendly. We’ll see if I can afford to do it, though. It seems like a luxury when I am barely making ends meet right now.