Teaching Resource for CIRCULATE – COUPLES
Links: Standard – Analyze – Module – Teach – Other – Extend
CALLERLAB Program: Basic Part 1
Teaching order: After Bend the Line and before Right and Left Thru
Recently taught calls: Lead Right, Veer Left
Background: The following information is from The Handbook of Modern Square Dancing by Jay King. “The term “Circulate” was coined by Chuck Raley from Lakewood, California in late 1963. The idea of Circulate was presented in its first useful form by Larry Dee of Rosemont, Pennsylvania in early 1963 with his call “Acey Deucey” which is still in use today although it can be called directionally as “Ends Circulate, Centers Trade” for parallel waves or two-faced lines. I still remember the impact that Acey Deucey had on us when this idea of moving across the set from one wave to another was first workshopped by Les Gotcher. Later in 1963, Glenn Hinton of Stockville, Nebraska conceived the notion of both ends and centers “circulating” and he called the move “Jokers Wild” (= All Eight Circulate).”
Definition:
In general, all Circulates have each dancer move forward along a defined path (called the “circulate path”) to the next dancer position. The definitions below will refer to the following diagrams.
No call in the Circulate Family can be used with the Ocean Wave Rule or the Facing Couples Rule (see “Part 1: General: Conventions and Rules”).
Fractions are proper and occasionally used with calls in the Circulate family. See “Part 4: Additional Detail: Fractions”.
Timing: The timing for all Circulates is 4, but if the Circulate has the effect of a Pass Thru, the timing is 2.
21.b. Couples Circulate
Minimum number of dancers needed: Eight
Starting formations: Two-Faced Lines
Command examples:
— Couples Circulate
Dance action: Each couple works as a unit to move forward to the next position, following the General Box circulate path (see above). Example:
Ending formation: Two-Faced Lines
Styling: All dancers maintain a couple handhold for Couples Circulate. Couples traveling the shorter distance should adjust with shorter steps to coincide with those traveling the longer distance. Those traveling the longer distance should not rush. Arms should be held in natural dance position and ready to assume appropriate position for the next call.
Comments: None
Facing Couple or Ocean Wave Rule: Neither rule applies to Circulate.
Link to Taminations: Taminations Circulate Family