Spanish Dance

Music: 32 measure waltz: Form is CRITICAL: Spanish Waltz

Position: Couple

Formation: Sicilian Circle
(Double circle, sets of four, couples facing, along circumference)

Count* Steps

2 Forward and back

2 Reach across and turn your opposite
Take inside hands (gents R, ladies L) with the opposite, lady turn under gent's R arm, trading places and turning 1/4 to face the other couple

12 Repeat 3 times to home

4 Right hand star
AKA Hands Across, Gents join right hands, ladies join right hands. Gents' hands should be above the ladies'.

4 Left hand star

8 Promenade position (skaters' or Varsouvienne) - waltz CCW all the way round
opposite couple and on to the next

Source: Adapted from the Ball Room Instructer (sic), 1841.

History note: On forward & Back couple may swing inside arms.

Style note: On turning your opposite, it is confusing what to do with the handhold. Gent should hold his hand palm up while the lady holds palm down. Through this figure both should hold palm to palm. As the hands turn through the figure, gent remains palm up and the lady should adjust to place her palm back on top of the gent's palm. Neither should ever clamp down with the thumb on the other's hand.

* Waltz count = 1-2-3, 2-2-3, 3-2-3, etc.