ROUND DANCING

A Detailed Explanation. (from the Sears web site-see below)

Round dancing is choreographed and cued ballroom dancing.
We dance most of the popular ballroom rhythms, such as foxtrot and waltz, cha-cha and rumba, and many others . There is certainly no need to get bored with round dancing.
The exciting difference between round dancing and free-style ballroom dancing is that each round dance has been fully choreographed ahead of time.

A beautiful piece of music is selected, and the different steps or figures are chosen to fit the music exactly. If the music swells and pauses briefly, then a dance step that rises and stretches is put into that place. If there is a little syncopation in another part of the song, then a quick little step is inserted. The creation of a piece of choreography is like engineering a machine, with every gear and lever in just the right place to give smooth and flowing motion. The step-by-step instructions on how to dance this choreography are written out in what is called a "cue sheet."

Secondly, there is a cuer or leader at the front of the ballroom who tells the dancers what steps to do. As the music plays, and just ahead of the beat, so the dancers have time to respond, the cuer names each dance figure in the choreography. The cueing lets us dance lots and lots of dances without having to memorize the choreography. You may recognize that this is the way square dancing is done, with a caller telling the couples what to do: “swing your partner, do-si-do.” In round dancing, the cuer might say: "open telemark, pick up, and diamond turn." But compare this round dancing with free-style ballroom.

In ballroom dancing, the man has to think of what figures he wants to do to this music and then he has to lead the woman to do those figures. Not all men are sharp enough to do at least three things at the same time: think up the choreography, make his feet do what he has thought up, and lead the lady to do it with him. When I ballroom dance, I can usually think of maybe a half-dozen different things to do, and then we do them over and over. Meredith whispers, “Let’s do something different,” but my mind is a blank.

So, for the man, the round dance cuer is a saviour. Someone else has thought up what steps should be done to this particular piece of music. The choreographer has carefully studied the music ahead of time and has selected just the steps that best fit each measure of music, and the cuer reminds us what we should do as we dance. Instead of only 6 or 8 different steps, that I could think of myself, a round dance might easily have 30 or 40 different figures. No, we certainly don’t get bored doing the same steps, over and over again.

And then the next dance of the evening will contain a different selection of figures, arranged in ever varying combinations. Literally thousands of round dances have been choreographed over the years, and every one is unique.

What other hobby provides such richness, such mental and physical challenge, and at the same time allows you to hold a beautiful (or handsome) partner in your arms all the while?

This article is a portion of the Sears web site; "What is Round Dancing".

	Round Dance Association of Victoria Inc, Australia. Contact us at : rdav@vsda.org.au
Roundalab What is Round Dancing ? RDAV Constitution	Round Dancing in Victoria The Round Dance Association of Victoria works closely with the Victorian Square Dancing Association Inc As many Square Dancers are participants of and enjoy both forms of dancing. Round Dancing is programmed at all VSDA functions and the programming and cueing for this is done primarily by the RDAV under a joint agreement with the VCA and VSDA Round Dance News From the "Australian Round Dance Association" (ARDA) Phase Levels in Round Dancing

	Round Dance Clubs In Victoria RDAV Membership Application Form


	At the AGM a presentation was made to Beryl and Mike Harcourt who are retiring from future committees and special function commitments. The Round Dance Association of Victoria thanked them for the valuable contribution they have made to Round Dancing in Victoria over the past ten years and wish them well for the future What is Round Dancing? Round dancing is couple dancing using choreographed routines to definite arrangements of music, with all couples doing the same steps at the same time. All rhythms are covered such as:- Waltz, Jive, Two Step, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Tango, Bolero, Merengue, Pasa Doble, etc. While round dancing is historically related to square dancing, it also has developed its own program. It gives everyone the joy and delight of moving to music and the opportunity to have fun with new friends. Though formal dance training is not necessary, as with any new skill, Round Dance lessons are required in order to understand the figures and language used. Once the figures are learned, the dancers are led through the routines by verbal prompting (cueing). After lessons have been completed, dancers have the opportunity to join a Round Dance club where they can continue to develop their proficiency of figures and increase the repertoire of dances. Many Square Dance clubs include round dancing in their program. Round Dance Clubs are listed in our "Clubs" Page . A more Detailed explanation is available here Back

	RDAV SPRING 8^th FESTIVAL
	Listed below the Sub Committee for the 8^th Spring Festival 3rd & 4th September 2011 Featuring Alex & Jennifer Kennedy from New Zealand CONVENOR Mike Harcourt DEPUTY CONVENOR Beryl Harcourt SECRETARY Mike Harcourt TREASURER George Ansell REGISTRATIONS Fiona Callaghan RIBBONS / TICKETING Fiona Callaghan PUBLICITY Beryl Harcourt CATERING Ella Whyte & Marj Dickson PROGRAMME MANAGERS Ella Whyte & Beryl Harcourt VENUE MANAGER/HOSTESS Pat Saunder SOUND MANAGER Phillip Poile Plus many other behind the scene helpers for whom the committee are truly grateful. Watch this page for details of our Christmas In July Dance Dancing for all levels including the “Square Dancer Round Dancer” All Showcases from the National will be on the program Back

	ROUND DANCING A Detailed Explanation. (from the Sears web site-see below) Round dancing is choreographed and cued ballroom dancing. We dance most of the popular ballroom rhythms, such as foxtrot and waltz, cha-cha and rumba, and many others . There is certainly no need to get bored with round dancing. The exciting difference between round dancing and free-style ballroom dancing is that each round dance has been fully choreographed ahead of time. A beautiful piece of music is selected, and the different steps or figures are chosen to fit the music exactly. If the music swells and pauses briefly, then a dance step that rises and stretches is put into that place. If there is a little syncopation in another part of the song, then a quick little step is inserted. The creation of a piece of choreography is like engineering a machine, with every gear and lever in just the right place to give smooth and flowing motion. The step-by-step instructions on how to dance this choreography are written out in what is called a "cue sheet." Secondly, there is a cuer or leader at the front of the ballroom who tells the dancers what steps to do. As the music plays, and just ahead of the beat, so the dancers have time to respond, the cuer names each dance figure in the choreography. The cueing lets us dance lots and lots of dances without having to memorize the choreography. You may recognize that this is the way square dancing is done, with a caller telling the couples what to do: “swing your partner, do-si-do.” In round dancing, the cuer might say: "open telemark, pick up, and diamond turn." But compare this round dancing with free-style ballroom. In ballroom dancing, the man has to think of what figures he wants to do to this music and then he has to lead the woman to do those figures. Not all men are sharp enough to do at least three things at the same time: think up the choreography, make his feet do what he has thought up, and lead the lady to do it with him. When I ballroom dance, I can usually think of maybe a half-dozen different things to do, and then we do them over and over. Meredith whispers, “Let’s do something different,” but my mind is a blank. So, for the man, the round dance cuer is a saviour. Someone else has thought up what steps should be done to this particular piece of music. The choreographer has carefully studied the music ahead of time and has selected just the steps that best fit each measure of music, and the cuer reminds us what we should do as we dance. Instead of only 6 or 8 different steps, that I could think of myself, a round dance might easily have 30 or 40 different figures. No, we certainly don’t get bored doing the same steps, over and over again. And then the next dance of the evening will contain a different selection of figures, arranged in ever varying combinations. Literally thousands of round dances have been choreographed over the years, and every one is unique. What other hobby provides such richness, such mental and physical challenge, and at the same time allows you to hold a beautiful (or handsome) partner in your arms all the while? This article is a portion of the Sears web site; "What is Round Dancing". Back