SPANISH CIRCLE WALTZ (Also called the Sicilian Circle Waltz)

Formation: A circle of couples facing couples

Note: Every step is waltzed

Facing your corner (the lady or gentleman who is NOT your partner), waltz-balance forward, then back and change places, turning the lady under. Then facing your PARTNER, waltz-balance forward, then back, and change places, turning the lady under. Repeat!

Join hands with the other couple in a right hand star and waltz around (4 waltz steps), then do a left hand star (4 waltz steps). Note: The ladies' hands should be on top.

Taking inside hands with your partner, waltz two small steps forward and two small steps forward. Then waltz forward (4 waltz steps), dropping hands and letting the ladies pass through the middle. Waltz until you meet the NEXT couple in line.

Bow to your new opposite couple!

SOLDIERS' JOY

Formation: Sicilian Circle (a circle of couples facing couples). Note that the dance is similar in its progression to the Spanish Circle Waltz.

Step: The step can be a lively walking step or a polka or skip-change step.

Forward and back (8 counts)

Forward and turn your opposite by two hands all the way around (8 counts)

Swing your partner (16 counts)

Ladies' Chain (16 counts)

Forward and back (8 counts).

Forward and pass on through to the next couple, allowing the ladies to pass through the middle (8 counts).

Bow briefly to your new couple and proceed to dance the figures with them!

DUKE OF KENT'S WALTZ

Longways duple minor set (Take hands four from the top)

Note: Every step is waltzed

First & Second couples right hand star (4 waltz steps around) and left hand star (4 waltz steps around)

Second couple stands still & looks elegant while the First couple takes both hands and does 2 chassez (slide) steps down the set, 2 chassez steps up the set and casts off (Second couple takes inside hands and waltzes up into the First Couple's place.

All: Giving right hands, waltz balance "in", then "out" and change places turning the lady under. Repeat, but giving left hands.

Ladies turn their Right Diagonal (the gentleman diagonally to their right) all the way around by the right hand. (Hint: The lady looks "up" to the men while the men look down upon the lady)

Then Ladies turn their own partners by the left hand.

LA BASTRINGUE

Formation: A circle of couples, with the ladies on their partners' left

All join hands and go into the circle "a double" (three steps and a close) and back again.
Repeat.
Circle to the left, (8 counts) and then to the right (8 counts) Note: Step is a chassez or slipping circle

Take your partner in ballroom position and swing for 16 counts.

(Be sure to end with the lady on your right, in skater's or promenade position)

Promenade for 16 counts (polka step or brisk walking step).

Reform the circle.
Ladies, you will observe that you now have a new partner (the new gentleman on your right).

SHEEBEG, SHEEMORE - Another Victorian Sicilian Circle Waltz for Very Special Occasions

Formation: A Sicilian Circle, or a circle of couples facing couples

Step: Waltz step except for the balances, which are waltz balances!

Rights and Lefts (with hands), starting with your opposite. Allow two counts per change.

(Note: The French call this the Chaine Anglais; the English call it "Four Changes of a Circular Hey with Hands)

Ladies give their right hands to their partners. Waltz balance (forward and back) twice.
Then make a two-handed turn all the way around.

Ladies Chain.

Then, taking ballroom position (or even twirling your partner into ballroom position), waltz on to the next couple in the circle. You can ordinarily do 7 waltz turns, allowing 1 full measure to unwind.

(Note: The original directions call for both couples to circle each other one and a half times around. We have found this difficult to teach to the customers and, thus, have simplified it. There is, as we later discovered, a 19th century Spanish version of the dance that goes exactly as we've re-written it!).