Thread the needle is a whole set move in ceilidh and ECD using an arch at
the end of lines, I wouldn't recommend it as a replacement for a Dixie
twirl for this reason.
Bob
On Thu, 8 Aug 2019, 09:21 jim saxe via Callers, <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
I rather like the term Greg Frock's suggestion
(not claimed to be
original) of "Thread the Needle". While I've heard "Thread the
Needle"
used with other meanings, I think there's little danger of confusion in the
contra context, especially since that the action is rare enough that the
caller will presumably need to teach it.
Ric Goldman wrote:
I’ve sometimes come across this a Paired Twirl, a
Paired California
Twirl, a California Four, or an Arch and Swap (taught this
way):
In a line-of-4 facing all the same, middles raise an arch
and,
keeping hands, right-hand pair goes under the arch (led by end dancer)
while left-hand pair cross over to the other side (led by the end dancer).
End result is the same line-of-4,
facing back the other
way, much as a California Twirl does for 2 dancers.
This description also avoids any gender-specific terms in case that’s an
offense
issue for others.
In modern western square dance terminology, the figure might be called "As
Couples, California Twirl" though I don't know whether it actually is
(since it might be claimed that that would imply the right hand pair going
under the arch side-by-side--which could require quite a stretch of the
arching dancers' arms--rather than with the end dancer in the lead).
Digressing for a moment from the terminology, I'll take the opportunity to
opine that the action could be smoother if the two dancers nearest the left
end of the line are the ones who make the arch, rather than the two center
dancers. (Anyone agree? disagree?) Regardless of who makes the arch, it's
important that the dancer on the left end of the line remember to move
across the set instead standing still as if only the right hand dancers
were active.
Returning to terminology, note that if the leftmost pair of dancers make
the arch. then "As Couples, California Twirl" definitely will not bean
accurate description, but I think "Thread the Needle" would be just fine.
--Jim
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