ANIMATIONS

All 4 Couples/All 8 concepts

From the general versions of static square, circle, and Thar: These concepts are applied to 4-dancer calls, and allow all eight dancers to do the call at once. Each group of 4 dancers work with themselves as though the other group wasn't there.

When the dancers would normally walk through the middle of the square (e.g. as part of a Pass Thru or Pull By), they walk around the perimeter instead. All the hand actions and shoulder passes are the same as for the basic call. However, passing the other dancers (e.g., heads passing sides) alternates between right shoulders and left shoulders. An example of this shoulder passing can be found in All 4 Couples Right and Left Thru.

When two dancers would normally walk through the center of the square (e.g. as part of a centers Pull By or centers arm turn), they still go through the center -- they adjust into a star as they go, to avoid collisions. Examples of this can be found in All 8 Swing Thru and All 8 Dixie Style To A Wave.

Some calls contain both traffic patterns. From a squared set, All 4 Couples Square Chain Thru would be danced as a pass your corner right shoulder, Right Pull By, pass the next left shoulder, step to left-hand wave with the next, all arm turn 1/2 by the left, center 4 star 1/2 by the right, all left turn thru and pass the next left shoulders. Ends in a squared set with everyone facing out. The dancers who started on the head spots are now on the side spots.

At the end of the call, you must adjust to the nearest static square footprints of the wall you are facing. For example, if you end facing the head walls, adjust (without turning) to the nearest head position. If you end on that spot, you don't adjust.

The initial traffic pattern determines the name of the concept. If the initial traffic pattern requires all dancers to walk around the perimeter, "All Four Couples" is used. Otherwise, "All Eight" is used.

Teaching hints to tell the dancers:
1. Based on the call, identify the 4 dancers whom you will work with.
2. Do the call as if the other 4 dancers weren't there. Avoid colliding with them either by using a star when you go through the middle of passing them on the perimeter.
3. At the end of the call you must adjust (without turning) to the nearest static square footprints of the wall you are facing.
4. If you end on Thar spots, you don't adjust.

Timing: various


ADDITIONAL NOTES