Big Circle Mountain Square Dance

Appalacian, done ABA – big circle, small circles, big circle – or just big circle figures.  Easier with a partner.  The dance usually starts with partners, but all in a big circle.  The head copule (usually the man) can call the figures from within the dance, or there can be a caller outside the circle.

Big Circle figures

Circle Left or Right- all join hands, circle left or right.

Cinnamon Twist- one member of the head couple leads the line spiraling into the middle, turns around, and comes back out.

Rip and Snort- head couple points across the circle to a pair of joined hands, they go under it and let go (only the head couple releases hands!).  he turns left and she turns right to go around the outside of the circle, bringing the lines with them, and all come back to join hands in a circle.

Thread the Needle- one of the head couple releases one hand, turns back and dives through the joined hands of any two people in the line.  Best to start closer to the head and work further to the end.

Basket- promenade, then women turn in and circle the other way, then all reverse direction and join hands in their separate circles, then stop with her on the right.  Men raise arms over womens’ heads and lower them in front to make a basket.  Circle left.  Stop, reverse the basket (men need to duck), circle right.

Grand Right and Left- promenade, single file (she walks in front of her partner), stop and shake hands with your partner.  Pull through and continue R hand, L hand around the circle.

Over and Under- promenade, head couple leads everyone into a column, turns around and joins inside hands to go over the couple behind them, ducks to go under the next couple, continue over – under – over – under until the end of the line, turn and do it again back to the front.

London Bridge- promenade, head couple leads everyone into a column, stops and makes an arch.  Everyone goes under and also makes an arch to form a bridge, then the head couple follows the foot couple through the bridge to end it.

Swing your Partner- BCMSD uses a walk-around swing, not a buzz swing.  Some people will buzz swing anyway, but the walk-around is appropriate.

Small Circle figures

Dig for the Oyster, Dive for the Clam- active couple ducks under the arms of inactives, backs out; inactives duck through, back out; actives duck through, let go of partner’s hand and walk around to come back to a circle.

Around the Couple and Take a Peek- actives let go, walk around inactives to look at each other behind them, come back and actives swing; peek again and swing all four.

Four-Leaf Clover- all hold hands, actives duck through inactives, turn and lower arms in front so all hands are in the middle, everyone is facing in.  can reverse to get out or just let go to swing.