Callerlab Basic & Mainstream Definitions
BASIC MOVEMENTS 1-9
1. CIRCLE FAMILY: Starting formation -two or more dancers. (a) CIRCLE LEFT, (b)
CIRCLE RIGHT. Dancers join hands to form a circle, face slightly left or right as directed
and move forward around the circle the distance directed. When left or right is not
specified for circle, it is a circle to the left.
STYLING: All dancers walk (dance) forward with joined hands, men's palms up and ladies'
palms down, elbows bent comfortably so that hands are above the elbow. TIMING: Standing or
static square (SS) 8 people, full around, 16 steps; three quarters, 12 steps; one half, 8
steps; one quarter, 4 steps.
2. FORWARD AND BACK: Starting formation -single
dancer. Each dancer steps forward three steps and pauses while bringing the free foot
forward and touching it to the floor without transferring weight. Each steps back three
steps beginning with the free foot and pauses while touching the free foot beside the
weight-bearing foot. From facing lines of four or similar situations where eight counts
are not appropriate, each dancer steps forward and pauses while bringing the other foot
forward and touching it to the floor without transferring weight. Each steps back on the
free foot and pauses while touching the other foot beside it.
STYLING: Couples have inside hands joined. As couples meet in the center, outside hands
may be touched palm to palm. As the foot is brought to the touch (on the 4th and 8th
counts), it should remain on the floor. TIMING: SS (static square) all, 8 steps, heads or
sides, 8 steps; rock forward and back, 4 steps; balance, 4 steps.
3. DOSADO: Starting formation -facing dancers. Dancers
advance and pass right shoulders. Without turning, each dancer moves to the right passing
in back of the other dancer. Then moving backwards, each passes left shoulders returning
to starting position.
STYLING: Men -arms in natural dance position, right shoulders forward as right
shoulders pass, left shoulders forward as left shoulders pass. Ladies -both hands on
skirt, moving skirt forward and back to avoid opposite dancer, right hand forward as right
shoulders pass, left hand forward as left shoulders pass. TIMING: SS with corner, 6 steps;
with partner, 6; from a Box formation , 6; SS across the set, 8.
4. SWING: Starting formation -facing dancers (man and
lady). Dancers step forward ending right side to right side and move around each other
turning in a clockwise direction four or more counts. Dancers break out of the swing. The
lady continues turning to her right until facing the same direction as the man, they form
a couple.
STYLING: Men -left arm bent at the elbow, palm slightly up, right hand on lady's back
slightly above the waist, posture should be erect. Ladies -right hand palm down on man's
left hand, left hand on man's right shoulder, arm resting on man's right arm. Footwork:
WALK AROUND -use short walking or shuffling steps around the central point. BUZZ STEP
-right foot moves in small steps around the pivot point between the two dancers while the
left foot pushes, as in a scooter motion. Ending position: Lady rolls off man's right arm
blending smoothly to position for the next call or twirls (to a promenade position only
-lady's option). To twirl, the man raises his left hand over the lady's head, holding
lady's right hand loosely. Her hand revolves around his for stability as she turns
clockwise moving down line of dance three steps, into a promenade position, joining inside
hands on the 4th step. While the lady turns, the man will move forward down the line of
dance to be in position for the promenade. TIMING: Advancing skill, usually 4 to 8 beats
of music, used at caller's discretion.
5. PROMENADE FAMILY -full, 1/2, 3/4: (a) COUPLES
PROMENADE: Starting formation -promenade. As a unit the couple walks forward around the
circle counterclockwise. Unless otherwise specified, they promenade until reaching the
man's home position. At the end of the promenade the couple turns, as a unit, to face the
center of the set. If promenading to the man's home position, the couple always goes at
least one quarter around the square. If need be, they continue past the man's home
position for another full time around. (b) SINGLE FILE PROMENADE: Starting formation
-single file promenade. Dancers move forward in single file counterclockwise or clockwise
around the circle, as directed.
STYLING: In promenade position the man's hands are palm up, right forearm over the
lady's left arm. Lady's hands are palm down in man's hand. Joined hands should be
positioned equally between partners. In single file promenade man's arms are held in
natural dance position; lady's hands on skirt, working with the natural swinging motion.
TIMING: SS, couples promenading full around, 16; three quarters, 12; one half, 8; one
quarter, 4; 4 people promenading inside, 8.
6. ALLEMANDE FAMILY: Starting formation -any position
where dancers can conveniently turn 90° or less to face their corner. (a) ALLEMANDE LEFT:
Dancers face their corners and turn by the left forearm. Releasing armholds and stepping
forward, each dancer ends facing his partner. (b) LEFT ARM TURN: Starting formation
-facing dancers. Dancers join left forearms and walk forward around each other the
distance specified; e.g. half (180°), three quarters (270°), full (360°), etc. (c)
RIGHT ARM TURN: Like left arm turn except dancers turn with the right forearm.
STYLING: The arms are held past the wrist but not past the elbow joint. Each dancer
places his hand on the inside of the arm of the person with whom he is to work. The
fingers and thumb are held in close. The center of the turn will be at the joined arms,
so, while turning, each dancer is moving equally around the other. TIMING: Full around, 8;
three quarters, 6; one half, 4; one quarter, 2.
7. RIGHT AND LEFT GRAND FAMILY: Starting
formation -square or circle or any position where dancers may conveniently turn 90° or
less (if necessary) to face opposite sex, men facing counterclockwise, ladies clockwise.
(a) RIGHT AND LEFT GRAND: If necessary, dancers turn 90° or less to face opposite sex
(men counter-clockwise, ladies clockwise) join right hands, if not already joined, and
pull by. Each moves ahead, around the circle, and gives the left hand to the next, a right
to the next and a left to the next until each dancer meets the person with whom he
started. (b) WEAVE THE RING: A right and left grand without touching hands. (c) WRONG WAY
GRAND: Like right and left grand, but men move clockwise and ladies move counterclockwise.
STYLING: In the right and left grand for all dancers, hands are involved with
alternating pull-by movements, no twirls. Arms should be held in natural dance position
and the handhold position should be released as dancers pass each other. Men particularly
should stand tall and resist the temptation to lean over and stretch out their hand to the
next person. Just a comfortable extension of the arm and hand is all that is necessary. In
the weave the ring, the ladies will work their skirt with both hands as they move around
the square, not exaggerated but with both hands on skirt. Men hold hands in natural dance
position. The motion is one with the circle not too large and with the dancers leading
with their right shoulder as they pass the dancer on the right, then with the left
shoulder as they pass the dancer on the left. Brief eye contact should be made as they
meet each dancer. TIMING: Until you meet your partner on the other side, 10 steps.
8. STAR FAMILY: Starting formation -facing dancers, facing
couples, square, circle. (a) LEFT HAND STAR, (b) RIGHT HAND STAR. The directed dancers
step forward and extend designated hands to form a left or right hand star. Dancers turn
the star by walking forward in a circle around the center of the star. Turning distance of
the star may be specified in fractions of one quarter, one half, three quarters, or a
complete revolution.
STYLING: In a forward moving star inside hands should be joined in a "palm
star" position (hands of those making the star at about average eye level -palms
touching), arms bent at elbow. Men's outside arms in natural dance position, ladies'
outside hands work skirt. TIMING: 4 people, full around, 8; three quarters, 6; one half,
4; one quarter, 2. 8 people, full around, 16; three quarters, 12; one half, 8; one
quarter, 4.
9. STAR PROMENADE: Starting formation -star,
promenade. Directed dancers form a star and place the other arm around the waist of
another directed dancer. Turn the star and promenade the distance specified.
STYLING: Men's inside hands joined the same as in a right or left hand star, outside
arm around the lady's waist. Lady's inside arm around man's waist under his arm, outside
hand works skirt. TIMING: 4 couples full around, 12; three quarters, 9; one half, 6; one
quarter, 3. 4 couples full around with back out at home, 16.
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SILVER
GEM Country Dances 
