Teaching Resource for LADIES CHAIN – FOUR
Links: Standard – Analyze – Module – Teach – Other – Extend
CALLERLAB Program: Basic Part 1
Teaching Order:After Courtesy Turn and before Do Paso
Recently Taught Calls: Turn Back Family, Separate, Split Two
Background:This movement comes from traditional square dancing. The call “Ladies Grand Chain” was sometimes used to indicate a Four Ladies Chain across and back.
Definition:
Minimum number of dancers needed: Eight
Starting formation for the minimum number needed: Squared Set, Infacing Circle of 8, or a “turning your partner left” formation (the dynamic formation obtained from a square plus all arm turn your partner by the left an indefinite amount)
Command examples:
— Four Ladies Chain
— Four Ladies Chain 3/4
— All Four Ladies Chain Across
— Chain Those Ladies Over and Back (i.e., twice)
— Four Ladies Chain; Chain Them Home (i.e., twice)
— Do Paso, partner left, corner right, partner left; Four Ladies Chain
— Shoot the Star; Four Ladies Chain
Dance action: All four women Right-Hand Star 1/2 (or 3/4, if designated). All Courtesy Turn to face the center of the set.
Ending formation: Squared Set
Timing: Regular: 8, 3/4: 10
Styling: Men use the Two Ladies Chain styling. Women use a palm or finger tip star. If at least two women are wearing full skirts, an elegant variation is for each lady to pick up and hold a bit of the right edge of her skirt, or an arm’s length of a long skirt, as she reaches into the star. This arm’s-length hold can be continued through the Courtesy Turn at a comfortable height and longer if the next call is Chain Them Back.
Comments: Four Ladies Chain is improper if any couple is sashayed or same-sex.
Some callers use Four Ladies Chain from normal facing lines. This is danced as if all couples were directly facing the center of the set except that it ends in the same facing lines. In some areas this is an extended application, and in other areas it is considered a gimmick. (See “Part 4: Additional Detail: Commands: Gimmicks”.)
Facing Couple or Ocean Wave Rule: Neither rule applies to Four Ladies Chain
Link to Taminations: Taminations Ladies Chain Family