Round Dance Instruction

Fig 17  Twinkles :

A family of figures which always change your position relative to your partner and facing direction.  This is a 1 measure figure comprising Cross & Turn, Side completing turn, Close;  The variations are caused by dancers crossing in front or behind.  Twinkles can begin with either foot, in different positions and facing directions. 

 

Fig 17a  Thru’ Twinkle:

This is the first in the Twinkle family, in which both dancers Cross Through.  

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In Open position facing LOD, with Trail feet free 

Man:  Thru’ Right turning ¼ Right-Faced to face partner, Side Left continuing turn, Close Right to Left finishing in a

facing V position looking towards RLOD ; 

Lady:  Thru’ Left turning ¼ Left-Faced to face partner, Side Right continuing turn, Close Left to Right finishing in a

facing V position looking towards RLOD ; 

 

In Left Open position facing RLOD, with Lead feet free 

Man:  Thru’ Left turning ¼ Left-Faced to face partner, Side Right continuing turn, Close Left to Right finishing in a

facing V position looking towards LOD ; 

Lady:  Thru’ Right turning ¼ Right-Faced to face partner, Side Left continuing turn, Close Right to Left finishing in a

facing V position looking towards LOD ; 

 

Practice 17.1:

In Butterfly position with the Man facing the Wall, with Lead feet free 

Waltz to Open ;  Thru’ Twinkle twice ;;  Thru’ Face Close (Blend to Closed position); 

Left Turning Box ;; ;; 

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Fig 17b  Thru’ Twinkle to the Wall / COH ( aka Out /In):      

We can use the same figure from a different starting position and direction ie Left Open facing position, with Man facing LOD.  This is a position where the dancers are facing, a little distance apart, with Lead hands only joined.  If the Trail hands are extended towards the wall, this will help to remind you of the direction of the first Crossing step.  

 

A commonly used “set up” figure for this position is “Forward Waltz ; Forward Waltz Drifting Apart ;  “ .  The Drift Apart occurs when the Man makes a small Forward Waltz, while the Lady makes a standard Back Waltz, releasing the Trail hand holds. 

 

Practice 17.2:

In Closed position with the Man facing LOD, with Lead feet free 

Forward Waltz ;  Forward Waltz & Drift Apart ;   

Thru’ Twinkle to wall ;Thru’ Twinkle to CP;  2 Left Turns to wall ;; 

Vine 3 ;  PickUp, Side Close ; 

 

 

Fig 17c  Progressive Twinkle to Sidecar or Banjo:

When the Man makes a crossing step in front but the Lady makes a crossing step behind, the finish position will be either Sidecar or Banjo.  In addition the crossing steps cause us to progress down Line of Dance but our facing directions are now diagonals. 

 

Progressive Twinkle to Sidecar: Closed or Banjo position Man facing DLC, Trail feet free 

Man:  Cross Right in front of Left & Turn ¼ Right-Facedd, Side Left,  Close Right to Left  to Sidecar position facing DLW ;     

Lady:  Cross Left behind Right & Turn ¼ Right-Facedd, Side Right,  Close Left to Right  to Sidecar position ;     

 

Progressive Twinkle to Banjo: Closed or Sidecar position Man facing DLW, Lead feet free 

Man:  Cross Left in front of Right & Turn ¼ Left-Faced, Side Right,  Close Left to Right  to Banjo position facing DLC ;     

Lady:  Cross Right behind Left & Turn ¼ Left-Faced, Side Left,  Close Right to Left  to Banjo position ;        

 

Frequently the “set up” to a series of Progressive Twinkles would be a “PickUp to Sidecar position”.  Instead of leading the Lady in front of the Man to Closed position with the Man facing LOD, the Man will turn slightly less to face DLW and will lead the Lady slightly to his Left side, with both feet outside his. 

 

Practice 17.3:

In Butterfly position with the Man facing the Wall, with Lead feet free 

Vine 3 ;  PickUp to Sidecar;  Progressive Twinkle to Banjo ;  Manoeuvre ; 

2 Right Turns to wall ;;  Box and blend to Butterfly ;; 

Vine 3 ;  PickUp to Sidecar;  Progressive Twinkle to Banjo ;   

Progressive Twinkle to Sidecar ;  Progressive Twinkle to Banjo ;   

Manoeuvre ;  2 Right Turns to wall ;;   

 

An equivalent Back Progressive Twinkle exists, where the Man crosses behind and the Lady crosses in front, but we will not look at it in detail here.