This page looks at calls that we've been learning recently so class members (and even angels) can brush up on their moves during the week.
Different people have different learning styles. If this page is a help to you, great! If it doesn't help you, ignore it! You'll learn everything you need to know in class. There is NO homework.
Fancy animations of the moves are at THIS WEB SITE. I'll also link them below on the call names.
If you can't view those, there are simple animations of these moves at THIS WEB SITE.
Currently we are learning the MAINSTREAM program.
Here's what we've been working on . . .
Quick definition: Everyone does a Trade and then the Centers Cast Off 3/4 while the ends move up 1/4 to meet the person they started with. Unless told otherwise, they Step to a Wave with that person.
Hints: You always end up with the person you started with. The 3/4 move that the centers do plus the 1/4 move that the ends do amounts to a whole circle, which is why you meet the same person. Think of this as a simplified Spin Chain Thru. Like all the other "Spin" moves, it starts with everybody doing a Trade.
Quick definition: Same thing as a fold except that the directed dancers cross the center of the set first. (E.g., if "Boys Fold" would have put each boy facing the girl he is next to, "Boys Cross Fold" would put each boy in front of the girl on the opposite side of the set.
Hints: The center line of the set is the same line that you DON"T CROSS when doing a Split Circulate. "Cross" calls are the opposite of "Split" calls. With Splits, you musn't cross the center line. With Cross calls, you must cross that line. Note that we've already learned one Cross call: Cross Run (where, instead of running aroudn the person you're next to, you cross the center of the set and run around the person on the far side).
Quick definition: Everyone does a Pass Thru. If you end up facing out, do a Partner Trade.
Hints: It's something like a Dive Thru only without hands (so nobody makes an arch). Don't forget to do the Partner Trade to face to the center. That's why it's called Pass to the Center. Everbody does a Pass Thru and then those facing out automatically Partner Trade so that they face to the Center.
Quick definition: The easy way to explain this is, "Directed dancers fold to stand in front of or behind the person you're told (usually your current partner)."
Hints: It's easier to see this one in action. You almost don't need to teach this. Just saying "Boys Fold in front of the Girls" or "Girls Fold behind the Boys" will get the dancers where they need to go. It's so simple, it shouldn't be made over-hard. Once the dancers have the folding motion down you can just say "Boys Fold" or "Girls Fold" and they'll know what to do.
Quick definition: With the person you're facing (or directed to), step forward and do a right arm turn so that you've turned around 180 degrees and then drop the arm hold and step forward.
Hints: It's basically an Allemande Right or Right Arm Turn that turns you around. It puts you on the same spot on the floor as if the caller had said, "U Turn Back." It's called Turn Thru becaue you do the Right Arm Turn and then finish like a Pass Thru.
Quick definition: Everyone scoots forward and then comes back into their partner's place.
Those facing out only scoot forward a little bit, turning and coming right back (essentially doing a Run into their partner's place).
Those facing in step forward, do a Turn Thru (Right Arm Turn), and end up coming out into their partner's former spot.
Hints: Since you end up in your partner's spot, this is in essence a fancy Trade. Just remember that you're suppose to end up in your partner's spot and you'll be fine.
It helps the in-facing dancers know what to do you if you make/maintain eye-contact with the person you're doing the Arm Turn with. Look them in the eyes. Point at them. Do something to grab their attention. Remember to come back to your own side of the set.
Quick definition: Like a Single Hinge except done as a couple. Think of it as 1/2 of a Couples Trade.
Quick definition: Those facing in (or those directed to do so) walk across the set to take the spot of the person they are facing (or whose back they are looking at). The others allow their spot to be taken by dodging--that is, sliding to the side without turning around.
Hints: No dancers EVER turn around at any time in this move.
Quick definition: Girls U Turn Back + Wheel & Deal.
Hints: Done from Ocean Waves with girls in the center. The U Turn back turns your end of the wave into one couple of a Two-Faced Line, making the Wheel & Deal possible. In practice this is danced as one smooth, flowing motion, but "Girls U Turn Back then Wheel & Deal" is a good teaching summary.
Quick definition: Pass Thru + Boys face Right and Girls face Left
Hints: You end up as a couple. Think of it as a "no hands" Star Thru.
Quick definition: Do 1/2 of a Trade.
Hints: Done from Ocean Waves or Mini-Waves. The end dancer and the center dancer start to do a Trade with each other (half a circle, so they'd be standing in each others' previous spot) but they only do half of the Trade (that is, move one quarter of a circle).
Quick definition: There are two main versions of this call.
1) When the dancers are facing in opposite directions (as in an Ocean Wave) the directed dancers use the hand between them as a pivot point and walk forward 3/4 of a circle.
2) When the dancers are facing in the same direction (e.g., in a Line Facing Out) the dancers turn 3/4 of a circle as a couple using the end dancer as a pivot with the center dancer walking away from the center of the previous line.
Hints: Think of the first version of this call as a Trade (1/2 circle) + a Single Hinge (1/4 Circle).
Quick definition: Starts in Ocean Waves (usually) and has four parts: (1) All dancers Trade, (2) Center dancers Cast Off 3/4, (3) Very center two dancers Trade, (4) Center dancers Cast Off 3/4.
Hints: Think of this as a Trade + a Cast + a Trade + a Cast. Note that after the first Trade half of the dancers have nothing to do. Unless told to do something, they remain in place while the new centers finish the rest of the call.
