Last weekend at the Villa Marina my daughter took part in her first competition with her new dance partner Todd. (I am hoping to put some photographs up when I figure out how to do it! They were definitely the cutest couple on the floor)! Laura wore a full length white silk and chiffon number which was heavily encrusted in diamante, and Todd looked equally gorgeous in his white tie n’tails combo!

“Old Time” or sequence dancing is the sort of thing you might see when you watch a BBC period drama such as Pride and Prejudice. Forget your hips, leave your “groove thing” at home, stand tall and LOOK POSH! This type of dance originates from the days when everyone could dance a bit, but only the “elite” had the time or money for lessons where they would be taught the exacting steps that Old Time is made up of.

What you will notice straight off is everyone is following the same “sequence” of steps. So – if everyone is doing the same – how can a judge decide who is doing it better – why is the “winner” better than everyone else?

Here are my suggestions:-

Timing is very important in all dance, but even the tiniest error shows here! If a “sequence” lasts 16 bars (4 beats to a bar) and you are dancing slightly ahead of the music you will be doing your 16th bar moves, but everyone else will still be doing their 15th – this is perhaps the most obvious thing to spot

Old time dance is predominantly about the position your feet are in at any time, and you will be expected to do ballet type things like the Pas De Basque! (the first thing 4 year olds learn at dancing!)
“A step in which the dancer swings one foot to the side, springs onto it, and swings the other foot against it.
Or more precisely — Slight CCW ronde movement with left foot and arched instep on “and” count and step side with slight hop, ball-flat. Close R to L with right heel to left toe on the second “and,” soften both knees and lift left heel on an “a” count, and step L raising R slightly toe pointing down. Done over two beats of music.
And finally a little more fancifully — Jeté to Second Position with Demi-Rondé. Assemblé to Fifth Position Front. Slight Plié and Coupé in place, finishing in Fifth Position en l’air with toe pointed down. (such music!)”
(from Silvester & Whitman, 1967)
No problem!

and the bug bear of all beginners the “old time waltz” – “into 5th,” etc….. and there are many, many different things your feet need to do! However, this footwork has to be exact – this is what separates the men from the boys!

When you are not doing this “waltz” bit, you will be holding one of your partner’s hands, and both progressing forward. Throughout the dance there are times when you must look at your partner, then look away –being quite sharp in this movement. Also you need to be able to move your joined arms forward and back in the prescribed manner!! (remember to look at your partner at the back of these joined hands!)

Complicated stuff eh!!!

However if you think, “Oh, I can’t dance”, you still might want to give Old-time a try. Because it is so structured there is no guess as to what you will do, or where you will go next. This can be very relaxing, and even has some meditative qualities. And, if you get stuck, you can just follow the person in front!

I personally LOVE old time… it is exercise without the exertion – just my cup of tea!

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