Teaching Resource for Dixie Style to a Wave
Updated: August 2026
Links: Standard – Analyze – Module – Teach – Other – Extend
CALLERLAB Program: Plus
Teaching order: After Teacup Chain
Recently taught calls: Scoot and Dodge, Pair Off
Background: Dixie Style to a Wave was written in 1957 by Madeleine Allen from Larkspur, California. It is listed as Dixie Style in the 1972 Extended Basics Program of American Square Dancing which also lists Dixie Chain. By 1976 Dixie Style was listed in the CALLERLAB Mainstream Program. Moved to Plus in 2026.
Definition:
Starting formation: Facing Couples, Facing Tandems
Command examples:
— Dixie Style to a Wave
— Dixie Style to an Ocean Wave
— Put the Ladies in the Lead, Dixie Style to a Wave (from Normal Facing Couples)
— Ladies Lead, Dixie Style to an Ocean Wave (from Normal Facing Couples)
— On a Double Track, Dixie Style to a Wave (from a Double Pass Thru)
— Boys Lead, Dixie Style to a Wave (from Sashayed Facing Couples)
Dance action:
From Facing Couples, do half of Half Sashay (that is, dancers slide inward until they form a Tandem, with the original right-hand dancer in front) and Centers Right Pull By; all Left Touch a Quarter.
From Facing Tandems, Centers Right Pull By; all Left Touch a Quarter.
Ending formation: Left-Hand Ocean Wave
Timing: 6
Styling:
From Facing Couples, the left-hand dancers take a full step back and to the right. This prepares for the Left Touch a Quarter while giving the right-hand dancers room to Right Pull By.
From Facing Tandems, the trailers step slightly to the right to prepare for the Left Touch a Quarter.
Comments:
From a Double Pass Thru, it is confusing to simply call Dixie Style to an Ocean Wave because of the following ambiguity: The Center Four could do the call starting from Facing Couples, or each Tandem could do the call with the Tandem they are facing. The caller should clarify by using extra words before “Dixie Style to a Wave” such as: “On a Double Track”, “Single File”, or “Each Column of 4″ if all 8 dancers should be involved, or Center Four” if only the Centers are active.
“Double Track” is used to describe the action when there are two side-by-side Facing Tandems dancing separately along their own “Track.”
From a Normal Squared Set, “All 4 Ladies Lead, Dixie Style to a Wave” is an extended application (and is likely to be called immediately after Four Ladies Chain). The Right Pull By is replaced by Right-Hand Star 1/2, similar to Four Ladies Chain. After the Left Touch a Quarter, dancers end in a Thar with men in the center. Callers should expect that this will need a workshop.
Facing Couple or Ocean Wave Rule: The Ocean Wave Rule applies to this call (from a Single 1/4 Tag).
Reverse Dixie Style to a Wave: Do half of a Reverse Half Sashay, Centers Left Pull By, all Touch a Quarter.
Link to Taminations: Taminations Dixie Style to an Ocean Wave