Teaching Resource for ALLEMANDE THAR
Updated: August 2026
Links: Standard – Analyze – Module – Teach – Other – Extend
CALLERLAB Program: Plus
Teaching order: After Cut the Diamond
Recently taught calls: Flip the Diamond, Follow Your Neighbor
Background: Allemande Thar was created by Dr. Lloyd Shaw, Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1938. This was during the beginning of the new era in square dancing when many new figures were introduced. Moved to Plus in 2026.
Definition:
Minimum number of dancers needed: Eight
In the Thar Family, Allemande Thars and Wrong Way Thars are formations in motion. The four Center dancers form a Pack-Saddle Star and walk backward. In a Pack-Saddle Star, each dancer turns the palm down and holds the wrist of the dancer ahead, so that all four are linked. Each Center dancer also holds a forearm grip with the adjacent Outside dancer, who walks forward.
The calls in the Thar Family are some of the oldest. They are traditionally delivered in a more verbose fashion, blurring the division between the actual command words and the helping words. As always, it is the caller’s responsibility to deliver these calls so the dancers understand what is desired.
Timing numbers in the Thar Family do not count turning the Thar.
Allemande Thar
“Allemande Thar” refers to a Thar Star (Left-Hand Thar) in motion. This definition lists several command examples that callers use when describing actions that result in a Thar Star in motion. It also describes how dancers form and turn the Allemande Thar.
(A Left-Hand Thar consists of four dancers with their right hands in a Pack-Saddle Star and each of those dancers holding another dancer with a left-forearm hold.)
Starting formation: Blended from a Left Arm Turn
Command examples:
— Walk Around the Corner; Turn Partner Left and Make an Allemande Thar
— Walk Around Your Corner; Turn Partner Left for an Allemande Thar, Men in the middle of a backup Star
— Walk Around the Corner; Turn Partner Left a Full Turn, Girls in the middle of an Allemande Thar
— Do Paso, Turn Partner Left, Corner Right, Partner Left, Boys Swing In to a Thar
— Boys Make a Right Hand Star, Turn it once around, find your Corner, turn Corner Left to an Allemande Thar Star with the Girls in the Center
— Right And Left Grand, but on your Fourth Hand Make an Allemande Thar, Men Back In
Dance action: Dancers continue to Left Arm Turn 1/2. The Centers form a Right-Hand Star and Back Up. Outside dancers hold the left forearm of a center dancer and walk forward.
Ending formation: Thar in motion
Timing: 2 (for the Left Arm Turn 1/2)
Styling: The dancers in the center, backing up, will form a Pack-Saddle Star. These Center dancers must remember to allow those on the outside, who travel farther, to set the pace. Ladies, if on the outside, may use skirt work.
Comments: Callers often specify who become center dancers. This is particularly helpful in non-standard applications.
In most cases, dancers Left Arm Turn 1/2. That is, if the dancers take forearm holds when shoulder-to-shoulder, the dancer who begins on the outside will become a Center dancer. Callers may specify a different amount of turning. For example: Circle Left, Turn Your Corner Left all the way around to an Allemande Thar, Men in the Center.
Allemande Thar is part of circle choreography. It is improper from Left Hand Waves to call Turn Partner Left to an Allemande Thar.
“Allemande Left to an Allemande Thar” has a specific meaning described separately. It does not mean to Left Arm Turn with Corner and continue to a Thar. For that action “Allemande Left, Hang on to Corner, Girls Wheel In to an Allemande Thar” could be used.
Facing Couples or Ocean Wave Rule: Does not apply
Link to Taminations: Taminations Thar Family