Teaching Resource for STAR PROMENADE
Links: Standard – Analyze – Module – Teach – Other – Extend
CALLERLAB Program: Basic Part 1
Teaching Order: The Promenade Family is listed after Swing and before Allemande Left. However, the Promenade Family contains four calls and the last two are italicized to indicate that they may be deferred until later in the teaching sequence. Star Promenade is the fourth in the list and teaching it usually is delayed until after teaching Left-Hand Star and Right-Hand Star.
Recently Taught Calls: Promenade, Grand Right and Left, Left-Hand Star, and Right-Hand Star.
Background: This is a good call to use when doing demonstrations because it pulls all the dancers into a single cohesive and pleasing unit. Star Promenade has a long history in traditional square dancing with several variations on the Texas Star.
Definition:
A promenade is a walk of some distance around the set by some or all dancers. The active dancers may go as individuals or as couples. They may go in promenade direction (counterclockwise) or wrong way promenade direction (clockwise). When not all dancers promenade, there is a further choice of traveling around the inside or outside of the set. Star Promenade is one of four calls in the Promenade family.
Star Promenade
Minimum number of dancers needed: Usually eight
Starting formation: 4-dancer star in the center of the set and 4 dancers around the outside of the set
Command examples:
— Men make a Left-Hand Star, go once around; pick up your partner with an arm around, Star Promenade; back out at home
— Four Ladies make a Right-Hand Star; pick up your partner, Star Promenade; Boys Backtrack
— Heads make a Right-Hand Star; pick up your corner with an arm around, Star Promenade; Centers back out with a full turn around and a little bit more; join 16 and Circle Left
Dance action: Directed dancers (e.g., men) form (or are already in) a star and turn it. When they encounter the indicated dancer (e.g., partner) they become a couple, and promenade while retaining the center star.
Ending formation: Promenade or Wrong Way Promenade with centers forming a star; the dancers will be closer together than usual because of the star and arm around the waist.
Timing: 1/2: 6, 3/4: 9, Full: 12, Full plus a back out at home: 16
Styling: The centers use the same styling as in Right- or Left-Hand Stars (#9). Couples in the star have their adjacent arms around each others’ waists. Any women on the outside use their outside hand for skirt work. Any men on the outside have their outside hand on their waists or at their sides.
Comment: Star Promenade is occasionally used with a 2-dancer star. For example, Head Men make a Left-Hand Star; pick up your partner with an arm around and Star Promenade; she picks up her corner with an arm around and keep on moving; now he picks up his partner; all Bend The Big Line.
Link to Taminations: Taminations Promenade Family