The following information is published with ROUNDALAB's permission from the ROUNDALAB Reference Manual compiled by Richard & Jo Ann Lawson, 1987.

Form Your Circle, Dancers

Article from FOOTNOTES IN THE ROUND
Louisiana R/D Teachers Association
February, 1983

by Kay Woodward

Teachers could do a service by spending time to help both their new and experienced dancers understand the purpose of forming circles.

GET ON THE FLOOR QUICKLY. To wait at a club dance would give the Cuer the impression you aren't interested. At a square dance, nothing gives the Square Dancer-opposed-to Round Dancing more fuel than having the rounders straggle onto the floor, using up Square Dance time.

JOIN HANDS IMMEDIATELY, OUTSTRETCHING YOUR ARMS to establish your dance spot, using all the available space as allowed by the number of dancers. More than one circle should be formed in the same manner. Teachers should stress that being in the inner circle does NOT mean one is a better dancer but is merely a position on the floor to give comfortable space to all dancers in either circle.

THOSE ENTERING THE CIRCLE LATE should "feed themselves" into an opened area, neither forcing nor expecting couples to adjust and disrupt the area each couple has already established.

DANCE ON THE INVISIBLE LINE around the circle as you progress through the dance. Passing by another couple in your circle is not acceptable behavior. If you still "walk up their heels", either move slightly outward, continuing to maintain the circle for those following you, or move to the inside circle if you can do so without crowding those dancing in it.

LOOKING CIRCLES are valuable at large gatherings. The inner circle(s) of dancers move back toward the outer circle, who remain in place (they do NOT move further back or sit down), the inner circle(s) fit themselves between the outer circle couples, forming a solid circle of dancers. Each man stands behind his lady with his arms either around her or at his sides, thus condensing their size so no one is blocked from viewing the center floor. Once the demonstration ends, all couples return to their previously established circle and spot therein.

Another help for all couples to be able to see, learn, and dance is for organizations who sponsor events to consider their facilities, limit the number of couples allowed to attend, and never exceed that limit. Those who feel "just one more couple" won't make a difference have either never been bumped and stepped on, or they are more money-hungry than they are concerned for the dancer's pleasure. With the increased number of dancers, the increased number of good events, and the increased cost of staging such events, every consideration should be given to providing each couple space to enjoy themselves.

"FORM YOUR CIRCLE, ROUND DANCERS, BE COURTEOUS, AND SMILE!"

ROUNDALAB Journal, May, 1983