12 September 2010
Samena Newsletter #1
09/17/2010
Welcome one and all to the Samena Squares New Dancer Class! I am glad that you decided to join us!
I am continuing something that I started last year. After each class I will be sending out an email newsletter. I will include a brief summary definition of the calls that we learned new that night. I will also list the calls that I expect to teach the following week. In a couple of weeks, you will receive a book with complete definitions as well as pictures and diagrams.
Everyone learns in different ways. If you learn by reading, you will find the books and definitions helpful. If you learn by watching, listening, or doing, you may find reading the books ahead of where we are confusing. Don’t do it! Wait until you have learned the call. Use the list I send as a way to refresh your memory before coming to class the following week.
I will occasionally include other tidbits about square dancing, the calls we are learning, the history, styling tips, fun facts, etc.
If you do not want to get these class newsletters please let me know and I will make sure that your name is removed from the email list.
This week a bit of history: Square dancing is an American folk dance. Square dancing is popular around the world. You can square dance almost anywhere, most recently in Russia. Square dances are always called in English.
Below you will find the definitions of the calls you danced last Thursday night, followed by a list of the new calls that I expect to teach this week. Don’t be afraid! I will re-teach all of the calls that we danced Thursday night before we add any new ones.
Don’t forget that next week is another open enrollment week. Feel free to bring friends, family, co-workers, etc. to class.
Happy dancing,
Susan
PS Be sure to save these dates, October 1 and October 22. More information next week.
WEEK #1
DANCER NAMING:
i, Couple: people standing side by side; for universal understanding of square dance commands the dancer on the left dances the boy/man part of commands, the dancer on the right dances the girl/lady part of commands.
ii. Heads, Sides, Couple Numbers: couples have their back to or face the caller/music; Sides are the other two couples; Couple numbers – #1 back to caller, #2 to their right, #3 to the right of #2 or face the caller, #4 to the right of #3.
iii. Boys, Girls: Boys and Girls or those dancing the Boy/Girl part of the move.
1. Circle Left & Right: Join hands in a circle and move left or right as indicated; circles can be made with 2 or more people. CIRCLE LEFT & RIGHT – 8 dancers full around, 16 steps; 4 dancers full around, 8 steps.
2 a. Forward & Back: Join hands in a line and move forward 1 step, touch and move back 1 step.FORWARD & BACK – 4 steps.
2 b. Forward & Back: In a squared set for heads or sides, it is 3 steps and touch then back 3 steps. FORWARD & BACK – 8 steps.
3 a. Dosado: With person you are facing, step slightly left, walk forward to pass right shoulders, slide back to back, back up past left shoulder, slide to face to face start position. DOSADO – with corner/partner 6 steps, across square – 8 steps.
5. PROMENADE FAMILY:
5 a. Promenade: With partner walk together counter-clockwise to home position; right hands joined over joined left hands. PROMENADE – couples full around 16 steps.
5 b. Single File Promenade: Specified dancers walk single file counterclockwise inside the square or where indicated by the caller. SINGLE FILE PROMENADE – 4 dancers inside to home – 8 steps.
6. Allemande Left: Turn toward corner, left arm turn 180 degrees, let go and step through, end back to back with corner, facing partner. ALLEMANDE LEFT – 8 steps.
7. Arm Turns: Turn designated dancer by the indicated arm to next call; let go. The turn is 180 to 360 degrees. ARM TURNS – same as ALLEMANDE LEFT.
8. RIGHT AND LEFT GRAND FAMILY:
8 a. Right & Left Grand: Start facing partner, take right hands, walk by, offer left hand to next, walk by; continue alternating hands to the 5th hand (should be the dancer you started with). Boys are going counterclockwise; girls are going clockwise.RIGHT & LEFT GRAND – 10 steps.
8 b. Weave the Ring: Same as RIGHT AND LEFT GRAND without hands. Hint: pass same shoulder as the hand you would be using.WEAVE THE RING – 10 steps.
9. Right/Left Hand Star: Indicated dancers step to the center of the formation to join the designated hand in a loose star; walk forward to starting position of next call. It is often a full turn but can be fractionalized. RIGHT/LEFT HAND STAR – 4 dancers full around 8 steps.
10. Pass Thru: With person you are facing step ahead passing right shoulders. STOP as soon as you pass by. End back to back. Same as 1/2 DOSADO. PASS THRU – 2 steps.
18. Lead Right: couples (Heads, Sides), with a couple handhold, will walk forward as a couple to face the couple to the right. LEAD RIGHT – 4 steps
19. Veer Left/Right: as a couple, slide left or right as directed, maintaining facing direction with a small forward motion as well. VEER LEFT/RIGHT – 2 steps.
20. Bend The Line: Couples, as a unit, turn 90 degrees to face center. Like folding a piece of paper. Each end moves forward to meet the other end. The centers need to back up a little to accommodate. This creates new lines facing in. As a couple, you will ALWAYS be facing the other couple that was in your line.BEND THE LINE – 4 steps.
Next week: Courtesy Turn, Ladies Chain, Ladies In Men Sashay, Named Dancers Circulate, Couples Circulate, and Grand Square
I am continuing something that I started last year. After each class I will be sending out an email newsletter. I will include a brief summary definition of the calls that we learned new that night. I will also list the calls that I expect to teach the following week. In a couple of weeks, you will receive a book with complete definitions as well as pictures and diagrams.
Everyone learns in different ways. If you learn by reading, you will find the books and definitions helpful. If you learn by watching, listening, or doing, you may find reading the books ahead of where we are confusing. Don’t do it! Wait until you have learned the call. Use the list I send as a way to refresh your memory before coming to class the following week.
I will occasionally include other tidbits about square dancing, the calls we are learning, the history, styling tips, fun facts, etc.
If you do not want to get these class newsletters please let me know and I will make sure that your name is removed from the email list.
This week a bit of history: Square dancing is an American folk dance. Square dancing is popular around the world. You can square dance almost anywhere, most recently in Russia. Square dances are always called in English.
Below you will find the definitions of the calls you danced last Thursday night, followed by a list of the new calls that I expect to teach this week. Don’t be afraid! I will re-teach all of the calls that we danced Thursday night before we add any new ones.
Don’t forget that next week is another open enrollment week. Feel free to bring friends, family, co-workers, etc. to class.
Happy dancing,
Susan
PS Be sure to save these dates, October 1 and October 22. More information next week.
WEEK #1
DANCER NAMING:
i, Couple: people standing side by side; for universal understanding of square dance commands the dancer on the left dances the boy/man part of commands, the dancer on the right dances the girl/lady part of commands.
ii. Heads, Sides, Couple Numbers: couples have their back to or face the caller/music; Sides are the other two couples; Couple numbers – #1 back to caller, #2 to their right, #3 to the right of #2 or face the caller, #4 to the right of #3.
iii. Boys, Girls: Boys and Girls or those dancing the Boy/Girl part of the move.
1. Circle Left & Right: Join hands in a circle and move left or right as indicated; circles can be made with 2 or more people. CIRCLE LEFT & RIGHT – 8 dancers full around, 16 steps; 4 dancers full around, 8 steps.
2 a. Forward & Back: Join hands in a line and move forward 1 step, touch and move back 1 step.FORWARD & BACK – 4 steps.
2 b. Forward & Back: In a squared set for heads or sides, it is 3 steps and touch then back 3 steps. FORWARD & BACK – 8 steps.
3 a. Dosado: With person you are facing, step slightly left, walk forward to pass right shoulders, slide back to back, back up past left shoulder, slide to face to face start position. DOSADO – with corner/partner 6 steps, across square – 8 steps.
5. PROMENADE FAMILY:
5 a. Promenade: With partner walk together counter-clockwise to home position; right hands joined over joined left hands. PROMENADE – couples full around 16 steps.
5 b. Single File Promenade: Specified dancers walk single file counterclockwise inside the square or where indicated by the caller. SINGLE FILE PROMENADE – 4 dancers inside to home – 8 steps.
6. Allemande Left: Turn toward corner, left arm turn 180 degrees, let go and step through, end back to back with corner, facing partner. ALLEMANDE LEFT – 8 steps.
7. Arm Turns: Turn designated dancer by the indicated arm to next call; let go. The turn is 180 to 360 degrees. ARM TURNS – same as ALLEMANDE LEFT.
8. RIGHT AND LEFT GRAND FAMILY:
8 a. Right & Left Grand: Start facing partner, take right hands, walk by, offer left hand to next, walk by; continue alternating hands to the 5th hand (should be the dancer you started with). Boys are going counterclockwise; girls are going clockwise.RIGHT & LEFT GRAND – 10 steps.
8 b. Weave the Ring: Same as RIGHT AND LEFT GRAND without hands. Hint: pass same shoulder as the hand you would be using.WEAVE THE RING – 10 steps.
9. Right/Left Hand Star: Indicated dancers step to the center of the formation to join the designated hand in a loose star; walk forward to starting position of next call. It is often a full turn but can be fractionalized. RIGHT/LEFT HAND STAR – 4 dancers full around 8 steps.
10. Pass Thru: With person you are facing step ahead passing right shoulders. STOP as soon as you pass by. End back to back. Same as 1/2 DOSADO. PASS THRU – 2 steps.
18. Lead Right: couples (Heads, Sides), with a couple handhold, will walk forward as a couple to face the couple to the right. LEAD RIGHT – 4 steps
19. Veer Left/Right: as a couple, slide left or right as directed, maintaining facing direction with a small forward motion as well. VEER LEFT/RIGHT – 2 steps.
20. Bend The Line: Couples, as a unit, turn 90 degrees to face center. Like folding a piece of paper. Each end moves forward to meet the other end. The centers need to back up a little to accommodate. This creates new lines facing in. As a couple, you will ALWAYS be facing the other couple that was in your line.BEND THE LINE – 4 steps.
Next week: Courtesy Turn, Ladies Chain, Ladies In Men Sashay, Named Dancers Circulate, Couples Circulate, and Grand Square