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American Square Dances |
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Do-si-do is that the "visiting couple," the couple leading the figure, always "breaks" into the Do-si-do with their backs to the center of the set, with the "visited" or "standing couple" in their home place. Otherwise, the "visiting couple" will not be able to dance to the next couple in the set without having to dance around the "visited couple" with which they just danced the Do-si-do; both couples will be out of place for the next call or movement, and "traffic jams" will ensue. When the Do-si-do is danced by all four couples at once the movement usually occurs when all are at their home place in the set unless otherwise directed by the call, which sometimes directs the dancers to Do-si-do when in the position directly opposite their home place.
The call for the Do-si-do is usually given two beats ahead of its execution. It takes that long to say "Do-si-do," and the dancers should not rush the figure and dance it as they hear the call, but should wait until they are in the proper place and position before breaking into the Do-si-do movement, otherwise they will not only be out of position for the next movement called, but will be ahead of the caller and have to wait for the next call. The Do-si-do is practically always prompted ahead of its actual execution.
The Dos-a-dos
(The Eastern Do-si-do)
The Eastern United States has called this figure by its colloquial pronunciation of "Do-si-do" for over three hundred years. In the West we have another movement with the same name and pronunciation. It is only necessary to recognize the fact that there are two different movements in the Square Dance with the same name, and that these two movements may always be recognized by their use and by the way the call is given. There is no confusion if both figures and their use are understood and if the caller uses the proper phrases beforehand. |
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