Callerlab Basic & Mainstream Definitions
MAINSTREAM MOVEMENTS 50-59
50. CLOVERLEAF: Starting formation -completed double pass thru, or a single
couple(s) on the outside of the square, facing out. The lead dancers separate and move
away from each other in a three quarter (270°) circle. When each lead dancer meets
another lead dancer from the other side of the square, they become partners and step
forward to the center of the square. Each trailing dancer follows the dancer in front of
him and ends directly behind that same dancer. A single couple facing out does the lead
dancer's part as described, but they may not step all the way into the center at the end
of the call.
STYLING: Arms are held in natural dance position, skirt work optional. It is important
to move slightly forward before turning away. When lead dancers meet and become partners,
use couple handhold. Trailing dancers should follow footsteps of the lead dancers and not
cut the corners. When trailing dancers become partners, use couple handhold. TIMING: 6-8
beats from a completed double pass thru. If CLOVERLEAF is called for only four people, the
timing is 6 beats.
51. TURN THRU: Starting formation -facing dancers. Each
dancer steps forward to join right forearms with the other dancer. They turn by the right
one half (180°), release armholds and step forward, ending back to back with each other.
STYLING: Use normal forearm position. Men's free hand in natural dance position.
Ladies' skirt work desirable for free hand. TIMING: 4 steps from point of contact.
52. EIGHT CHAIN THRU -1-8 hands: Starting
formation -eight chain thru. Facing dancers join right hands and pull by (this completes
an eight chain one). The center facing dancers join left hands and pull by while the
outside dancers do a courtesy turn (this completes an eight chain two). Repeat these
actions in sequence to achieve eight chain three, eight chain four, etc. Eight chain thru
is the same as eight chain eight. Even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8) end in an eight chain thru
formation. Odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7) end in a trade by formation.
STYLING: Use same styling as in courtesy turn and right and left grand. Emphasis should
be placed on the courtesy turn in that portion of the basic so that dancers can maintain
an eight chain thru formation and not be allowed to drift into a right and left grand type
of movement. TIMING: Box, 8 hands, 20 steps; 4 hands, 10 steps.
53. PASS TO THE CENTER: Starting formation
-eight chain thru, parallel waves. All pass thru. The dancers now on the outside partner
trade. Ends in double pass thru formation.
STYLING: Same as pass thru and partner trade. TIMING: Box, couples facing in, 2 steps;
couples facing out, 6 steps.
54. SPIN THE TOP: Starting formation -ocean wave.
Each end and the adjacent center dancer turn one half (180°). The new center dancers turn
three quarters (270°) while each outside dancer moves forward in a quarter circle to meet
the same center dancer with whom he started. Ends in an ocean wave which is at right
angles to the original starting wave.
STYLING: Use same styling as in swing thru. Dancers who become new ends should have
arms in natural dance position and hands ready to assume appropriate position for the next
call. TIMING: 8 steps from point of contact.
55. CENTERS IN: Starting formation -whenever there is a
couple with their backs to the center of the set facing or standing behind another couple
(e.g. eight chain thru, completed double pass thru). The outside dancers step apart as the
centers step forward and between them to form a line.
STYLING: The active couple should use couple handhold and, if stepping in between
couples facing the same direction, join hands in a line of four. If the active couple
steps in between a couple facing in the opposite direction, use hands-up position with the
end dancers. TIMING: 2 steps.
56. CAST OFF THREE QUARTERS: Starting formation -any
wave or line. Each half of the line or wave works as a unit and moves forward around a
pivot point three quarters (270°). If the adjoining dancers are facing the same
direction, the end dancer becomes the pivot while the other dancer moves in a semi-circle
around the pivot. If the adjoining dancers are facing in opposite directions, the pivot
point is the handhold between them and they move equally around that pivot point.
STYLING: If joined dancers are in opposite facing directions, the handhold should be
hands-up position as in swing thru. If joined dancers are in the same facing direction,
handholds are as in couples handhold position. TIMING: 6 steps.
57. WALK AND DODGE: Starting formation -box
circulate or facing couples. From box circulate formation, each dancer facing into the box
walks forward to take the place of the dancer who was directly in front of him. Meanwhile,
each dancer facing out of the box steps sideways (dodges) into the position vacated by the
"walker" who was formerly beside him. Dancers end side by side, both facing out.
If walk and dodge is called from facing couples, the caller must designate who is to walk
and who is to dodge (e.g., "men walk, ladies dodge"). Ending is a box circulate
formation.
STYLING: Arms in natural dance position. Skirt work for the ladies is optional. Hands
should be ready to assume appropriate position for the next call. TIMING: 4 steps.
58. SLIDE THRU: Starting formation -facing dancers.
Dancers pass thru. A man always turns right one quarter (90°); a lady always turns left
one quarter (90°). Dancers end side by side with each other.
STYLING: Arms in natural dance position with skirt work optional for ladies. Hands
should be rejoined in the appropriate position for the next call. TIMING: SS, heads, or
sides, 6; Box, 4 steps.
59. FOLD FAMILY: Starting formation -any two dancer formation
in which the directed dancer has a shoulder directly adjacent to the other dancer. GENERAL
RULE: Directed dancers step forward and move in a small semi-circle to end facing toward
an adjacent dancer or position. The adjacent inactive dancer may be facing in any
direction and does not move. If not specified, centers fold toward ends and vice versa.
(a) BOYS FOLD, (b) GIRLS FOLD, (c) ENDS FOLD, (d) CENTERS FOLD: Directed active dancers
fold toward the inactive dancers using the general rule. (e) CROSS FOLD: Starting
formation -line, two-faced line, or wave. The directed (active) dancers who must either
both be centers or both be ends, fold toward the farthest inactive dancer by walking in a
semi-circle to end facing toward that same dancer. When the active dancers are both facing
the same direction, they move forward in a semi-circle, pass each other and fold toward
the inactive dancer.
STYLING: Hand position depends on starting formation, i.e., hands up from a wave,
couple handhold from a line or circulate. Using appropriate hand position, the inactive
dancer should exert slight pressure to adjacent dancer and assist in initiating folding
action. TIMING: Fold, 2 steps; cross fold, 4 steps.
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SILVER
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