No Partner &Line Dances
Almost all line (solo) dances are taught by demonstration from floor.
For this reason cues are seldom used and are not listed here. I tend to
favor dances that takes less than five minutes to teach.
What's Here
Some line dance routines can also be adjusted to fit different popular tunes
or different groups. The original dance was done to "Little Black Book"
by Jimmy Dean (Columbia 13-33051.) The same routine works well to the singing
call tune "Pink Cadillac" (Red Boot RB-3017.) Which tune do you
think would be more popular with the younger generation? When you have enough
room, the younger people like to expand the three quick steps in counts
13-15 to three long running steps.
Hully Gully
Ben Highberger
Formation: Scattered around the floor all facing the same
wall to start.
Record: RB-3017 "Pink Cadillac " or Col 4-42529
"Little Black Book"
Description
1-8 Starting with the right foot, step to right. Step
behind with the left foot. Step to the side with the right foot (Vine Right).
The 4th step is a short kick with the left foot. The same action is repeated
moving to the left and starting with the left foot, crossing behind with
the right foot, stepping to the side with the left foot and kicking forward
with the right foot. (Vine Left)
9-20 Starting with the right foot take 2 slow steps forward,
then 3 quick steps with a right face on the 3rd quickstep & kick forward
with the left foot on the 4th count. Back up 3 steps and pause 1 beat with
the weight on the left foot.
Bob Howell and Ollie Mae Ray have published an
excellent book titled " Easy Level
Solo Dances-- The Bob Howell Collection." The book is available
from Siddle and Ray Publications for Dance, 1017 Williamsburg Drive, Charleston,
IL, 61920. One of the first dances in the book is a "Golden Oldie"
done to the tune of Ally Cat (ATCO 45-6226). The record can still be ordered
from some record shops or from Wagon
Wheel Records Even though this is an old tune, it still makes a hit
with younger generations because the music is excellent and the dance is
quite different from the usual solo routine.
Alley Cat
Formation: No partners. All start facing the same direction
in loose lines.
Record: Atco 62-6059 "Ally Cat" or Collectables
3170B "Popcorn"
Description
1-4 Point right toe to right and then touch right
toe to the instep of the left foot. Repeat a second time (Right foot twice).
5-8 Repeat the above using the left foot. (Left foot twice)
9-12 Point right toe back and then touch right toe to the
instep of the left foot. Repeat a second time. (Touch back right twice)
13-16 Repeat 9-12 using the left foot (Touch back left
twice).
17-20 Raise the right foot and cross the right knee in
front of the left knee twice. Finish with your weight on the right foot
(Right knee twice).
21-24 Raise the left foot and cross the left knee in front
of the right knee twice. Finish with your weight on the left foot (Left
knee twice).
25-28 Raise right foot and cross the right t knee in front
of the left knee. Finish with weight on the right foot. Raise left foot
and cross left knee in front of right knee. Finish with weight on both feet
(Right knee then Left knee).
29-32 Clap both hands on the first count and wait one count.
Bend knees slightly and jump 1/4 turn to the right. On the last beat of
the phrase, shift the weight to the left foot ready to begin the dance over
(Turn & Clap).
Editor's Note -- In many areas of the country, this dance is done with a
1/4 turn to the right and not 1/2 turn.
The following dance is published in "Sharing
a Treasure of Dances".
San Antonio Stroll
Formation: Dancers in a circle, facing around the hall
counterclockwise.
Record: MCA-60188 or Red Boot 195 "San Antonio Stroll"
Description
1-8 Step to the left, cross right foot behind the
right foot. Step to the left again. Swing right foot across in front of
left (Vine Left). Step to the right, cross left foot behind the right foot.
Step to the right again. Swing left foot across in front of the left (Vine
Right).
9-16 In place, step left and touch right toe to left instep.
Step right and touch left toe to right instep. Repeat again (Rock Left,
Rock Right).
17-24 Walk 3 steps toward the center of the hall the hall
(starting with left foot) and kick right foot forward (Left, Right, Left,
Kick). Backup 3 steps and touch left toe to floor. (Right, Left, Right,
Touch)
25-32 Face counterclockwise and stroll 4 slow steps forward
and finish facing the center of the hall again.
About three or four years ago I found a hoedown
record that I just couldn't seem to use as a hoedown. It had too much melody
for my limited voice. I liked the music so Judy and I wrote a solo (line)
dance for it. Since then I've found that it dances very well to Ricky Van
Shelton singing Wild Man and a couple of other CW records.
It has proved to be a very popular dance in the Denver area and has even
migrated to several other areas of the country as well. The dance teaches
the difference between touch and taking weight on a foot very nicely.
Rocky Mountain Scramble
Calvin & Judy Campbell
Formation: No partners. All start facing the same direction
in loose lines.
Record: YR 102 "Popps Hoedown" or Columbia "Wild
Man" 38-74748
Description
1-4 Step to right with right foot, step behind right
foot with left foot, step to right with right foot and touch the toe of
the left foot beside the right foot (Vine Right).
5-8 Step to left with left foot, step behind left foot
with right foot, step to left with left foot and touch the toe of the right
foot to the floor beside the left foot (Vine Left).
9-12 Starting with the right foot, take 3 steps forward
(Right, Left, Right) and swing the left foot forward.
13-16 Starting with the left foot, take 3 steps backward
(Left, Right, Left) and touch the right toe to the floor beside the left
foot.
17-20 Lightly touch the right toe to the floor 3 times,
moving in a diamond pattern (forward, to the side and on to the back). Finish
by bringing the right foot up beside the left foot and changing weight to
the right foot (Point, Point, Point, Close).
21-24 Lightly touch the left toe to the floor 3 times,
moving in a diamond pattern (forward, to the side and on to the back). Finish
by bringing the left foot up beside the right foot and touch the left toe
to the floor (Point, Point, Point, Touch).
25-28 Starting with the left foot, take 2 slow steps forward
(Left, Right) in 4 beats of music.
29-32 Take 3 quick steps (Left, Right, Left) forward and
on the 3rd step with the left foot, turn 1/4 left face to end with the weight
on the left foot and the right knee lifted slightly, ready for the routine
to begin again.
Note: This dance has more of the country or western (CW) feel and dancing
very nicely to many CW recordings.
This simple no-partner dance should work well in all age groups. It is especially
useful with children from kindergarden to 8th grade.
Blue Bird
Formation: Single circle facing the center of the hall
with adjacent hands joined to form arches.
Record: Folkcraft 1180
Description
One extra person in the middle of the set is the "blue bird".
This person weaves in an out of the arches and stops some place on the outside
and taps someone in the circle on the shoulder. The previous blue bird then
places both hands on the new leader's shoulders. The new person becomes
the blue bird and the pair weave in and out of some more arches.
The selection process is repeated and the line (train) becomes longer and
longer until there are no arches remaining.
Many CDP dances will have more of one gender
than the other. It is always good to have several dances in your case that
are done in a circle and require no partners. Line dances are fine for providing
a place for everyone to dance, but many of these dances are too difficult
for the average 'klutz.'
Bob Howell used this dance at a beginner party in Ft Worth recently. The
music is Don Williams "Stay Young and Keep Your Wheels in Motion."
The record is still available. It is mostly walking steps and the music
is excellent.
Stay Young
Jerry Helt
Formation: Single circle
Record: MCA 52310 "Stay Young"
Description
1-4 Circle Left four steps.
5-8 Face the center of the hall and side-close to the left
twice.
9-12 repeat 1-4.
13-16 repeat 5-8.
17-20 Walk diagonally left toward the center of the hall
three steps and clap your hands together on the 4th count.
21-24 Back out following the same path four steps.
25-28 Walk diagonally right toward the center of the hall
three steps and clap your hands together on the 4th count.
29-32 Back out following the same path four steps.
Note: Counts 17-32 should be danced in a V-shaped pattern.
