Dances ¦ Dances of central france
Polka
The universal European folk dance. The French dance a lighter, more graceful polka than their neighbours across the channel.
Form of the Dance
As the English polka, but with far less running around and far more spinning. Getting the hold right is essential to spinning gracefully: your shoulders should be parallel to those of your partner and you should have a good firm hold (without gripping hard).
Steps
The step can be counted 1, 2, 3, and 1, 2, 3, and ...
All steps should be as close as possible to your partner to enable you to spin as much as possible.
Music
Similar to the English polka but lighter and airier, it is written in 4/4 or 2/4 and is faster than the scottische.
Variations and Improvisation
The leader in the waltz has unlimited options in terms of speeding up, slowing down, dancing on the spot for a while, spinning backwards, etc. The follower also gets to have a say in this and can take the lead for a time.
Copyright
Text and images copyright (2004) Graham Knapp/Les Panards Dansants. Please contact graham@frenchdanceleeds.co.uk to arrange permission for copying and reproduction of any kind. Many thanks.
