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of the West and Southwest |
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The lady in the couple to his right in the set formation is always his Right Hand Lady, and the lady who is directly opposite him in the set formation is always his Opposite Lady, regardless of the individual identity of the ladies who are in these positions in relation to the gentleman (or gentlemen) answering the call.
In the Square Dance a gentleman's Partner is never called a "Lady." This is for the sake of clarity in the calls and to avoid any confusion between the terms of "Right Hand Lady" and "Partner." The gentleman's Partner is often called his "Taw," "Honey," "Sweetheart," and his "Pretty Baby," but never a "Lady."
The gentleman's "home place" is the position he took when the set was formed, and unless otherwise directed, he always returns to this position in the set after completing a figure. The numbering of the couples as well as the designations of "Head Couples," or "Side Couples," and of the "First Four," and the "Side Four," remain constant as applied to the gentlemen and whichever lady may be dancing as a Partner with the gentleman answering the call. Partners and the positions of the ladies change often in the Square Dance, but each dance always finishes with all dancers in their original positions.
The Circle
The simple figure of "Circle left" would seem at first glance to require only the call of "Join your hands and circle left," with no detailed explanation, but this movement, with the Promenade, makes up a very important part of the Square Dance, and merits discussion.
The hands should be held at an easy, natural angle, with the dancers moving directly forward in the circle, not sideways, with the same easy Square Dance step used in all figures; feet on the floor, shoulders level, and in time with the music. The time required to make a complete circuit of the set is sixteen beats of music. This is important, for all calls and figures are |
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