There are thousands of dances! To be fair, however, most are adaptations or different versions of just a few hundred. Most dances fall into one of the following categories.
Longways Sets for as many as will:This is a long set where couples stand opposite their partner with a gap between them. The number of couples in the set is determined by the size of the dance floor, but is almost always an even number of couples.
Longways Sets:The same formation as for as many as will, but with restricted numbers. i.e. 3,4,5 or 6 couples.
Rounds:Various formations, but all involve a large circle around the room.Grand Circle: Couples stand side-by-side facing into the centre of the circle.2 Facing 2 or Sicilian Circle formation: Couples face another couple so that there are groups of 4 dancers. One couple facing clockwise, and one facing anticlockwise, but still in a big circle around the room.3 Facing 3: The same as '2 facing 2', but instead of dancing as a couple, you dance as a threesome. As in 'The Dashing White Sergeant', which has 2 Ladies and 1 Man.2 In Line: couples stand side-by-side facing anticlockwise.3 Hand Circle: Treesomes face anticlockwise.Concentric Circles: Couples stand facing their partner. Men on the inside facing out. Ladies on the outside facing in.
Squares, or Square Sets:A 4-couple set. Couples stand side-by-side. One couple with their backs to the top of the room. One facing the top of the room, and a couple on either side to form a square.All face into the centre of the square.
The dances are made up of a number of figures or movements.Some, such as Do-Si-Do, or Right Hand Star, will be familiar to most people. Others, such as, Ladies Chain, Hay or Half-Gyp will be less so. You don't need to know, or learn the figures, as the caller will walk the dancers through each element of the dance before the music starts and the dance gets under way.
There are other formations such as single couple dances, and there are sub divisions of the four formations mentioned here.
The Dances
Laz Gilbert. Barn Dance / English Ceilidh Caller
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