In addition to Jamaica, quadrilles (kwadril) (apparently derived from 18th or 19th century
French quadrilles) are danced in Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, and Saint Lucia. One
of their multi-part suites is even named “Lancers”. They are most often danced to live
Antillean music, with a wonderful swaying step. A search on the term ‘quadrille’ and the
name of any of the islands will quickly turn up numerous videos. There are probably the
most from Guadeloupe….
The dances are performed at public events by clubs that practice the sequences.
Occasionally they seem to have open dances in public settings, or in a party setting with
food. In some of the videos, the moves from the quadrilles are danced with long lines of
facing couples (in Beckett formation, as someone pointed out), without progression. These
events bring together dancers from more than one club.
I should warn you that you may well be delighted by watching these videos, and find it
hard to stop.
Richard
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Richard Hopkins
Middlebury, VT
850-544-7614
hopkinsrs(a)comcast.net <mailto:hopkinsrs@comcast.net>