Country: Sønderborg, Sønderjylland, Denmark
Type: longways progressive ('snowball') set
Formation: rows of 2 couples per row, (see below). More commonly danced with parallel rows of two couples per row, alternate rows facing down and
up the set. [Can also be done with sets of 4 couples arranged spoke-wise around the floor, 2 couples side by side facing LOD, and 2 couples facing RLOD,
ie pairs of couples facing]. M has partner on his R side.
Traditional formation:
Music
etc. etc.
W9b-M9b W10a-M10a facing ↓
W5b-M5b W6a-M6a facing ↓
W1b-M1b W2a-M2a facing ↓
M3b-W3b M4a-W4a facing ↑
M7b-W7b M8a-W8a facing ↑
M11b-W11b M12a-W12a facing ↑
etc. etc.
Front
Steps: polka, walk
| Bars | Part | Dance progression (traditional formation in lines facing) |
| 1-16 | (a) | 4-couples circle: Couples 1a, 2a, 1b, and 2b form closed circle, and dance 16 walking steps CW, followed by 16 walking steps CCW [to return to place].
Note: in all closed circles, arms are bent [at shoulder height] |
| 17-24 | (b) | Promenade: Dancers in couples 1b and 2b turn individually to face front, holding inside hands with vis-a-vis, and dance towards the front between couples 1a and 2a, 8 walking steps.
Couples 1b and 2b turn individually (towards vis-a-vis) with a brief nod, and holding new inside hands, return to place, 8 walking steps. Another brief nod to vis-a-vis on the 7th step. |
| 25-32 | Couples 1a and 2a repeat (b), but moving away from the front between the 1b and 2b couples. Total 16 walking steps. | |
| 17-20 | (c) | Half-chain across and back: All 4 couples half-chain with vis-a-vis (1a with 2a and 1b with 2b). 8 walking steps. |
| 21-24 | The same 4 couples half-chain back to place. 8 walking steps. | |
| 25-32 | (d) | 2-couple circles: Facing couples (1a with 2a and 1b with 2b) form closed circles, and dance 1-1/2 times round CW. 16 walking steps.
The two couples facing have now changed places. |
| 33-48 | (e) | Polka: Facing couples, which danced together in (d), take waltz hold with partner, and dance polka turning CW, and dancing twice around the opposite couple. 16 polka steps.
At the end of the polka, each couple is facing a new couple. |
| Repeat from (a) as desired.
When the dance begins again, all are dancing with a new couple: couples 1a and 1b are dancing with couples 4a and 4b respectively, and couples 2a and 2b are dancing with couples 3a and 3b respectively. |
||
| Dance progression (spoke-wise formation around the floor)
Two couples side by side in each 'spoke', 'spokes face alternatingly in LOD and RLOD around the floor. |
||
| 1-16,|:17-32:| | As (a), (b), (c), and (d) above. | |
| 33-48 | (e) | Facing couples take waltz hold with partner, and dance polka turning CW, and dancing 1-1/2 times around the opposite couple - using the last 4 polka steps to move on to meet the next oncoming couple. 16 polka steps.
At the end of the polka, each couple is facing a new couple. Note 1: couples that began in (a) facing LOD, move on in LOD to meet a new couple, while those who were facinr RLOD at the start of (a) move in RLOD. Inside couples remain inside couples, ditto outside couples. Pairs of couples continue as pairs throughout the dance. Note 2: spoke-wise formation avoids couples standing over. |
See videos from Varde 2019, Dancilla, and YouTube videos from Dansefestival Bornholm 2014, Nytårslegestue i Greve 2017, Havnedansen i Roskilde 2012 Jensen & Bugge & Os fra Stevns (at 1:13).
Source: Foreningen til Folkedansens Fremme (FFF)/ Gamle sønderjyske danse. 2 udg. København: Foreningen til Folkdansens Fremme, 2007, pp. 68-73
See also:
-- Sørensen, Per "Dobbelt kvadrille fra Sønderborg,
del 1,
del 2,
del 3,
del 4
in Dansens og musikkens rødder nr 26-29, April-Aug, 1998.
-- Eliasen, John/ Sving egen! - 40 danske folkedanse 1:st (English version). s.l.: Danske Folkdansere,
Danske Folkdanseres Spillemandskreds, Danske Gymnastik- og Ungdomsforeninger, 1993. pp.57-58.
Translation: Laine Ruus, Oakville, 2017-10-25, rev. 2022-01-27
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