Teaching Resource for SEPARATE TO MIDDLE
Links: Standard – Analyze – Module – Teach – Other – Extend
CALLERLAB Program: Basic Part 1
Teaching Order: After Turn Back Family and before Split Two
Recently Taught Calls: Pass Thru, Half Sashay
Background:
Definition:
The general case of Separate is described in the Teaching Resource in 13c. The first part of the dance action is the same for all three cases and is as follows:
First part of Dance action: The active or designated dancers turn back-to-back and start walking forward in opposite directions around the outside of the square away from each other.
Minimum number of dancers needed: Eight
Starting formation for the minimum number needed: after a Separate
Command examples:
— Heads Pass Thru; Separate Around 1 and come into the middle with a Right and Left Thru
— Heads Pass Thru; Separate Around 2 and come into the middle with a Right and Left Thru
— Heads Pass Thru; Separate Around 2 and come down the middle with a Right and Left Thru
Dance action after the first part: Initially the same as #13.a, above.
When the active dancers pass their last inactive dancers, they will either squeeze in between and through the inactive dancers (who move apart and back together to make room, as in the call Split 2) to come into the center of the set and take the next call, or will continue forward in a semicircle around their last inactive dancers to end in the center of the set, ready to take the next call.
Once the actives enter the center of the set, they are ready to take the next call. The inactive dancers finish on the outside of the set where they started and do not participate in the next call.
Ending formation:
— Separate Around 1 and Come Into The Middle: Double Pass Thru, Trade By, others possible
— Separate Around 2 and Come Down The Middle: Squared Set with one pair of couples active, others possible
Timing:
— Heads Pass Thru; Separate Around 1 and come into the middle with a: 8
— Heads Pass Thru; Separate Around 2 and come down the middle with a: 12
Styling: Those not active must counter dance. For example, moving forward to provide room when the actives are on the outside, sliding apart and together when being split, and moving back to place so as to finish on the outside. Men’s arms in natural dance position; woman’s skirt work optional.
Comment: While “Around 1” and “Around 2” are the most common numbers, higher numbers are acceptable. In all cases, the count is of inactive dancers passed by the active dancers.
Facing Couple or Ocean Wave Rule: Neither rule applies to Separate
Link to Taminations: Taminations Separate