The Dance

Printer friendly dance instructions.

This dance can be done by any even number of dancers from four to twenty, though it works best for around eight dancers.

Forward and Back (A)

Start dance around the edge of the audience in a large circle.

Count	Moves
1–4	Four steps in to form a smaller circle.
5–8	Four steps back.
9–12	Four steps into smaller circle.
13–16	Four steps to form into two lines.

Chorus (B)

Hold stick two-handed. No stepping. Feet shoulder-width apart. If there is no dancer in the position described, then strike your stick on the ground.

Where it says ‘tap’, you bounce back in the direction the stick came from, rather than following through beyond your partner’s stick.

Count	Moves
1–8	Forehand tap with dancer opposite you on your left.
	Backhand strike, forehand tap with partner
	Backhand tap with dancer opposite you on your right.
	Backhand tap with dancer opposite you on your right.
	Forehand strike, backhand tap with partner.
	Forehand tap with dancer opposite you on your left.
9–16	Repeat 1–8

Across the Set (A)

Count	Moves
1–4	Pass right shoulder with partner to cross the set.
5–8	Right hand turn on spot, three steps on the spot.
9–12	Starting with a good ‘whoosh’ movement, go back across the set, passing right shoulder with partner about half-way across.
13–16	On the first count, right hand turn to face across set. Two steps to get back to place, one step on the spot facing partner.

Chorus (B)

See chorus

Step Up (A)

Count	Moves
1–4	Turn out to face up the set, towards the band.
	Go four steps up the set with your partner.
5–8	Go four steps backwards with your partner.
9–11	Four steps up the set.
12–16	Four steps back to place.

Chorus (B)

See chorus

Step Down (A)

Count	Moves
1–4	Turn in to face down the set, away from the band.
	Go four steps down the set with your partner.
5–8	Go four steps backwards up the set.
9–11	Four steps down the set.
12–16	Four steps back and end up in place.

Chorus (B)

See chorus

Cast Down (A)

Count	Moves
1–4	Face up the set and take four steps forward
5–12	Dancers 1 and 2 cast out, taking eight steps to get to the bottom of the set and turn in with everyone else following them. 1 and 2 will need to use some initative to vary their speed and how far out they go depending on the number of dancers in the set.
13–16	Take four steps back to place.

Chorus (B)

See chorus

Cast Up (A)

Count	Moves
1–4	Face down the set and take four steps forward
5–12	Dancers 1 and 2 cast out, taking eight steps to get to the top of the set and turn in with everyone else following them. 1 and 2 will need to use some initative to vary their speed and how far out they go depending on the number of dancers in the set.
13–16	Four steps back to place.

Chorus (B)

See chorus

Circle and Finish (AB)

Count	Moves
1–2	Right hand turn on spot until facing out, moving forwards as you do so. Some dancers will have to turn further than others.
3–4	Move out two steps to form a large circle facing clockwise.
6–16	Circle round clockwise. Squire will do a twirl and each dancer in turn will do a twirl after him.

Count	Moves
1–15	Squire (dancer 1) breaks the circle and dances inside it to lead the dancers in a spiral that gets smaller and smaller.
16	Everyone faces inwards, raises their sticks and gives a loud yell.

Lead Off (A)

The last person into the spiral turns left and leads off. Everyone else follows, uncoiling the spiral as they go.