This dance is for a processional line of couples (i.e. one behind the other).
Count | Steps |
---|---|
16 | Four alman doubles forward, starting on the left foot. At the end of the last double, turn and face your partner. |
4 | Alman double backward on the left foot, away from your partner. |
4 | Alman double forward on the right foot, toward your partner. At the end of this double, turn to your left. You will be facing in the opposite direction from your partner. |
4 | Alman double in this new direction on the left foot, away from your partner. At the end of this double, turn around (“about face”). |
4 | Alman double toward your partner on the right foot. Turn to face your partner. |
8 | Men set and turn single. |
8 | Women set and turn single. |
4 | Take both hands with your partner and trade places, turning clockwise. |
4 | Slip 4 steps up the hall (to the man’s right and the woman’s left). |
4 | Trade places with your partner, turning clockwise again. |
4 | Slip 4 steps back down the hall (to the man’s right and the woman’s left). |
4 | Face your partner and back away with an alman double on the left foot. |
4 | Meet your partner again with an alman double on the right foot. |
Take hands and face forward again. The dance repeats 4 times total. One the 1st and 3rd repeats, the man does the set and turn single first. On the 2nd and 4th repeats, the woman does the set and turn single first. |
Step Descriptions
Alman Doubles
A double consists of three steps with a pause at the end. An alman double ends with the free foot held slightly off the ground and forward (Arbeau calls this a “greve”). So a left alman double would go “left, right, left, end with right foot in the air”.
Set and Turn Single
The “set” is a single sideways step, bringing the feet together at the end (the same as a bransle step). The “set and turn single” figure is a set to the left, a set to the right, and a complete turn over the left shoulder with a double, starting on the left foot. Sometimes this may be done starting on the right foot (set right, set left, turn to the right), though direction is usually not specified. Start in whatever direction feels comfortable based on which foot is free.
Slips
A slip is a sideways skipping step.