4 May
2015
4 May
'15
11:35 p.m.
--snip--
If you call Chinese Fan such that the mini stars are
longer, folks end up
back with their partners. With skilled dancers you can do that
intentionally just by adding an extra four counts of patter in. At speed,
the ladies wind up turning 1 and 1/2 times, the men go all the way around,
and that is perfectly legitimate for the caller to do.
--snip--
Just thinking about the elbow hold as a mini star will confuse some
dancers. It certainly confused me. Having this duo hang out (or
migrate rotationally) while the center star rotates all the way around
sounds to me like a disaster. I'd have difficulty doing it. I can keep
oriented while swinging, and I have good timing. I'm not sure what
you'd gain by doing the long girl's spin.
I have danced the Chinese Fan many times, and called it twice to
teenagers - some of whom have never danced anything before. Aiming for
the next spoke is easy. When first teaching, coach the one who rolled
back to hook elbows with the next.
The Chinese Fan works because the Turn Back / Pickup / Drop off /
Catch are so close in space and well in sync. The only times I've seen
it totally fall apart is when the center star stops turning.
Once the dancers have the basic fan, you can do a butterfly whirl and
put the girls in the center. (Texas Star)
If things are going really well, you can do the Chinese Fan with half
sashayed couples alternating with standard couples. (or with same sex
couples). Set it up again. Maybe: Heads make a Star. turn it once
around, then Pick up your Corner for a Star Promenade. Side [Boy /
Girl] Roll Back for a Chinese Fan.
Both the Chinese Fan and Texas Star work for 6 couples. You should be
able to call at the same time to groups with both 4 and 6 couples.
---
I had problems trying to call the Chinese Fan to the phrase, contra
style. This is a good time to have the band play a crooked tune.
Gloria Krusemeyer