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Teacup Chain
Links: Define – Standard – Analyze – Module – Other – Extend
Choreography for Patter Teaching with Singing Call Options:
Teaching Tips:
Teacup Chain
A) One approach is to do head ladies only, then side ladies only, then all.
B) Another way is to do All 4 Ladies Center, then All 4 Ladies to the Right, then mix them, this keeps all dancers active during the teach.
C) The girls will visit the boys in “promenade order” (have them single file promenade inside, and pay attention to the boys.
D) All Right-Hand Stars are three-quarters, All Left-Hand Stars are one and a quarter (or five-quarters works better for some).
E) Girls control which hand/arm to use… girls should alternate hands between the stars and the arm turns.
F) Head boys can whisper “into the center” as they turn a girl, Side boys can whisper “off to a head man (Joe, Steve, etc.).”
More teaching suggestions:
— Precede the action with something that sets up the body flow.
— Completing this in 32 beats of music requires both a compact square and well-coordinated transitions by the ladies from outside to inside.
— Be aware of the dizziness factor and avoid working too long on this call at one time.
Quick quote: “Head Ladies Center Teacup Chain, Side Ladies to the Right with the right, new Head Ladies in with the left, new Head Ladies in with the left, new Head Ladies in with the right to your partner.”
Teaching Standard Applications:
These are all Break Figures:
Note: Actually dancing Teacup Chain in 32 steps requires experience and cooperation.
Consider replacing the Promenade full around with Forward and Back.
Walk Around the Corner, Turn Your Partner Left,
Head Ladies Center Teacup Chain, Side Ladies to the Right,
– – – -, – – – -,
– – – -, – – – -,
– – – -, – – – -,
– – – -, – – Promenade Home (or Forward and Back)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
All Four Ladies Chain over and back,
– – – -, – – – -,
Head Ladies Center Teacup Chain, Side Ladies to the Right with the right,
(new Head Ladies in with the left turn once and a quarter,)
(new Head Ladies in with the left,)
(new Head Ladies in with the right to your partner for a Courtesy Turn)
Forward and Back
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Four Boys Star Right back to your partner,
Turn your Partner by the Left,
Head Ladies Center Teacup Chain, Side Ladies to the Right,
– – – -, – – – -,
– – – -, – – – -,
– – – -, – – – -,
– – – -, – – – -,
Forward and Back
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Head Ladies Center Teacup Chain, Side Ladies to the Right,
– – – -, – – – -,
– – – -, – – – -,
– – – -, – – – -,
Turn Your Partner Left, Men Wheel in to an Allemande Thar,
Slip the Clutch, Left Allemande, Promenade Home.