A promenade is a walk around the set by some or all dancers. The active dancers may go as individuals or as couples. They may go in promenade direction (counterclockwise when viewed from above) or wrong way promenade direction. They may travel all the way around the set or a shorter distance. When not all dancers are active, there is a further choice of traveling around the inside or outside of the set.
5a. Couples (Full, 1/2, 3/4)
Command examples
- Promenade Home
- Heads Promenade Half (or Halfway)
- Promenade, Keep Walking
- Promenade, Don’t stop, don’t slow down
- Sides Promenade 3/4
- Heads Pass Thru, Promenade 3/4, while Sides Right and Left Thru
- All Promenade to the ladies home position
If necessary, adjust to a Promenade formation as follows:
- A couple will turn as a unit to face promenade direction (counterclockwise)
- From a Right and Left Grand Circle, women turn around in a comfortable direction while men step forward (and to the inside) to form normal couples.
As a unit, each couple walks in a circular path around the center of the set. If certain couples are named, they promenade around the outside of the set unless directed otherwise.
Couples walk the designated amount, if specified. On the command “Promenade Home” the couples promenade to the man’s home position. In both these cases, each couple ends by turning as a unit to face the center of the set. On the other hand, if directed to Keep Walking, couples do not turn in but rather continue walking until the next command is given.
Styling
When all Promenade, the inside dancer’s distance from the center of the set is slightly greater than that of a Star Promenade (#5d). If the formation becomes too spread out, the outside dancers will have to walk too far and too fast for proper timing.
The styling for Promenade varies widely. CALLERLAB recommends a certain styling (described below), but new dancers should also be taught the popular styling for their club and their region. Experienced dancers may choose among the various alternatives based on club and regional standards, the previous call, the caller’s timing, and their partners’ preferences. For simplicity, the following descriptions are given assuming a normal couple. There are several alternative handhold positions used while promenading. While CALLERLAB recommends the Skater’s position (described below), new dancers should be taught the handhold position in popular use in their region and at their club.
Dancers’ left hands are joined in front, with the woman’s left hand, palm down, resting on the man’s left hand, palm up. Some common alternatives for placement of the right hands are:
Skater’s position (CALLERLAB recommended): Right hands are similarly joined with the man’s right forearm over the woman’s left forearm. Some dancers move their hands in time to the music.
Skirt Skater’s position: The man’s right arm is behind the woman’s back, right hands joined at the right side of the woman’s waist. In a variation, the man’s right hand is placed in the middle of her lower back while the woman’s right hand holds and works her skirt. (See “Skirt Work” in “Part 4: Additional Detail: Styling: Other styling terms and issues”.)
Varsouvienne position:The woman’s right arm is bent, and her hand is palm up near her shoulder while the man’s right arm is behind her, his right hand palm down in her right palm.
In addition to the alternatives mentioned above, when designated dancers Promenade a specified distance from a Squared Set (e.g., Heads Promenade 1/2), the couple handhold is also acceptable. This is also common when couples are sashayed or same-sex.
When dancers are not directed to Keep Walking, there are several ways in which they can finish. In all cases, handholds should blend smoothly to end with a couple handhold. Sometimes they simply turn as a couple to face in. At other times they end with a twirl (see “Twirls” in “Part 4: Additional Detail: Styling: Other styling terms and issues”), in which case the twirl should finish as the couple arrives at their destination. There are two alternatives:
- Right hands, if joined, are dropped. Then the man leads the twirl by raising their joined left hands, gently guiding the woman through a clockwise twirl underneath.
- Only from the CALLERLAB-recommended position, left hands can instead be dropped. Then the man leads the twirl by raising their joined right hands, gently guiding the woman through a clockwise twirl underneath.
5b. Single File Promenade
Command examples
- Four Girls Promenade inside the ring; come back and give your guy a Swing
- Men Promenade inside, go single file
- All Promenade Single File; girls Backtrack
- Couples Promenade; put the lady in the lead, go single file
- Circle Right; drop hands; Single File Promenade
- Couple 1, turn your back on your partner and Promenade this way around the outside of the set
- Promenade Single File; men turn in and Star by the Right
- Left Touch 1/4; Single File Promenade Home (from Facing Lines)
- Circle Left; drop hands, go single file (i.e., Wrong Way Single File Promenade)
Dance action
When some dancers are designated from a Squared Set (e.g., Ladies Single File Promenade), they will initially step forward into the center.
Designated dancers turn, if necessary, to face promenade direction and move forward around the center of the set, in single file (one behind another). The next call determines when the dancers stop and what they do next.
Styling
In Single File Promenade man’s arms are held in natural dance position; woman’s hands on skirt, working with the natural swinging motion.
When only some dancers promenade single file, the inactive dancers counterdance, i.e., make room for them, returning to their position after the others have passed.
Comments
If dancers facing out are designated to Single File Promenade (e.g., Heads Pass Thru, Promenade Single File), they step forward and promenade outside.
Dancers moving individually and in the opposite direction from Promenade is called Wrong Way Single File Promenade (e.g., Walk Around Your Corner; See Saw; four boys Wrong Way Single File Promenade inside).
Some callers use fractions with Single File Promenade (e.g. Heads Single File Promenade 1/2). The dancers will stay in this single file formation until the next command is given.
5c. Wrong Way Promenade
Command examples
- Wrong Way Promenade Home
- Wrong Way Promenade, keep walking
- Heads Lead Right; Veer Left; Promenade Wrong Way, don’t slow down; Heads Wheel Around
- Veer Left; Couples Circulate; Promenade this way home
- Heads Wrong Way Promenade 3/4
- All Promenade; All Wheel Around; Wrong Way Promenade; girls Star Right, boys Backtrack
- Allemande Left; turn partner right a full turn to a Wrong Way Thar; boys Run; Wrong Way Promenade
- Wrong Way Grand; Wrong Way Promenade Home
Comments
Wrong Way Promenade is infrequently called and is usually used from normal couples, i.e., the girls will be on the inside.
Some callers omit “Wrong Way” or say “This Way” if dancers are already moving in or facing in wrong way promenade direction.
Also see the comments for Promenade (#5a). Couples (Full, 1/2, 3/4)
5d. Star Promenade
Command examples
- Men make a Left-Hand Star, go once around; pick up your partner with an arm around, Star Promenade; back out at home
- Four Ladies make a Right-Hand Star; pick up your partner, Star Promenade; Boys Backtrack
- Heads make a Right-Hand Star; pick up your corner with an arm around, Star Promenade; Centers back out with a full turn around and a little bit more; join 16 and Circle Left
Comments
Star Promenade is occasionally used with a 2-dancer star. For example, Head Men make a Left-Hand Star; pick up your partner with an arm around and Star Promenade; she picks up her corner with an arm around and keep on moving; now he picks up his partner; all Bend The Big Line.
ARC Decisions
(July/August 2005)
Q: The following calls were used from a Static Square: “Heads Square Thru Three, Face Right and Single File Promenade 1/4.” After the dancers have executed the call “Single File Promenade Outside One Quarter”, are they to remain in Single File or should they face in?
A: The last command was to promenade Single File and the dancers should stay in this formation until the next command is given. The definition states that the dancers will move forward around the circle as directed.
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Comments
Especially in singing calls, Promenade Home is usually more than a quarter of the way around the set. If not, dancers are often expected to add a full promenade. As necessary, callers should make it clear what is desired.
On Heads Promenade 1/2, the Sides momentarily step toward the center of the set to make room for those promenading. On Heads Promenade 3/4 (or 1/4), the Sides step into the center and remain there.
When couples Promenade, it is usually as normal couples. Other applications may require workshopping.
When couples are sashayed or same-sex, Promenade Home can be ambiguous (unless everyone is paired with their original partner), and the caller must further specify where couples should end (e.g., Promenade to the girl’s home).
The previous call can blend into Promenade. For example, from Facing Lines, Reverse Flutterwheel, Promenade Home. See “Part 4: Additional Detail: Blending one call into another”.