Quadrille (2 figures)
Title
Quadrille (2 figures)
Subject
Quadrille
Description
This is part of a lengthy presentation of historical dances by "Veronica's Vagabonds," Veronica McClure, director; recorded May 19, 1985, at Kramer's Hayloft, South Weymouth, Massachusetts.
The narrator introduced the dance with these words: "In the first quarter of the nineteenth century, the quadrille, a square dance, became popular. The couples take turns dancing, showing off their fancy French steps while the others wait, perhaps bored, perhaps chatting, perhaps flirting. Jane Austen's books tell us about these dances and their importance in the social order.
"Since there are usually four or five parts, each with repeats, a complete quadrille could easily take twenty minutes to dance. Dancers were supposed to memorize their parts and pay attention so they could remember when it was their turn.
"In our sample, we will do only one repeat of the part called Pantalon and one repeat from Poule, so bear in mind that this is a very short version of the dance."
(These are the standard first and third figures of a quadrille.)
The narrator introduced the dance with these words: "In the first quarter of the nineteenth century, the quadrille, a square dance, became popular. The couples take turns dancing, showing off their fancy French steps while the others wait, perhaps bored, perhaps chatting, perhaps flirting. Jane Austen's books tell us about these dances and their importance in the social order.
"Since there are usually four or five parts, each with repeats, a complete quadrille could easily take twenty minutes to dance. Dancers were supposed to memorize their parts and pay attention so they could remember when it was their turn.
"In our sample, we will do only one repeat of the part called Pantalon and one repeat from Poule, so bear in mind that this is a very short version of the dance."
(These are the standard first and third figures of a quadrille.)
Creator
Veronica McClure
Source
Square Dance Foundation of New England
Date Created
May 19, 1985
Contributor
Square Dance Foundation of New England
Spatial Coverage
USA, Massachusetts, South Weymouth
Temporal Coverage
18th century - early