Floriade

Composition 05 February 2019

Background  This dance was inspired by a visit to Floriade in Canberra in late 2018 although the dance was not written until February 2019. The circular forms and raised ladies’ hands are intended to reflect the tulips and other flowers displayed at Floriade. The dance is intended to be suitable for general social dancing and is progressive.

Tradition       Inspired by the Australian tradition.

Formation     The dance begins with three to five couples in a circle, man with partner on his right. (Six couples may be possible but more would be impracticable).  Take note of your partner and your contra-corner (the one of opposite gender beyond your partner). The dance is progressive, your new partner will be your contra-corner, men progressing anti-clockwise and ladies clockwise.  At the start of the dance, turn to face partner.

Stepping        Waltz step is used throughout.

Music             The suggested music is Erin Shore, supplied in a recording by Carisma, 4x 32bars, duration 3 min4s at a speed of 42 bars per minute and also a 5x 32 bar version, also at 42 bars per minute.

Bars	Description

1-2         Turn partner half way with right hand

3-4         Turn next person half way with left hand

5-6         Turn 3^rd person half way with right hand (In a four couple set, your opposite)

7-8         Ladies in,  men face right:

              Ladies flow in to join hands in a circle in the centre, bringing joined hands into the centre of the circle at about waist height.

              Men turn single ¾ right shoulder back, to face anticlockwise.

9-14       Ladies circle left, men right:

Ladies bring joined hands upwards above their heads (representing the opening of a flower) and, with joined hands raised, circle left, approximately once round. At the end of the eight bars, ladies let go hands and turn to face out, ideally turning clockwise (R shoulder back).

              Men circle Indian file to their right (anticlockwise) until each man meets his original partner, and partners face.  (men represent the crowds circling the flower beds)

15-16     Partners turn left hand to bring the men in for a right hand mill:

              Men join right hands in the centre, each putting his left arm around his partner’s waist.

              Ladies put right hand on man’s left shoulder and raise their left (outside) hand above their heads.   (representing the petals of a flower)

17-24     Right hand mill. The mill rotates gently for eight bars

25-28     Men (letting go in the centre and moving out) turn partner left hand, until man faces his original contra-corner and lady hers

29-32     Dance back to back with contra-corner

              This is your new partner; face this new partner ready to start again.

Notes

The figures are intended to flow smoothly from one into the next. There is no need for individual dancers or couples to return to their original position around the circle. While a four couple set will start and end resembling a square set the figures and feeling of the dance are circular.

Bars 1 to 6 are three changes of a grand chain but described as turn half way in order to encourage the dancers to make this curvaceous. Each move should flow smoothly into the next.

Bars 14-15 in a four couple set men will dance half way round, but this will need adjusting for different numbers of couples, hence the instruction ‘until you meet original partner’.