Become an expert in line dancing

• The history of line...
• What is line dancing
• Line dancing terms
• Line dancing steps

What is line dancing A line dance is a formation dance in Promenade position for a few counts, and which a group of people dance in a line then move on. This has it roots in formation or in lines, and they all Square or Round Dancing. execute the same dance moves These contact maneuvers are more likely individually. in the variation where line dancing The term is applied to two different takes place in two concentric rings types of dances. which are facing each other, such as a In a number of cultures there are line Barn Dance or Indian Outlaw. dances that may be considered a Two dancers (usually partners) can dance variation of circle dances, where people together in what is known as a cape are joined by hands in chain, e.g., the dance, where the male partner stands Dabke dance of Middle East. In fact, next to the female and holds her with small numbers of dancers most corresponding hands - one arm over her circle dances, such as hora, may be shoulder, like cape. danced in a line formation, rather than Music in a circle. Line dancing has had a cowboy image, and In a small group there may be only one it was danced predominantly to line, but usually there are several country-western music. This has been parallel lines, one behind the other. A changing since the late 1990s, as more dance teacher, or more experienced young people became involved. Today, dancer, will usually perform on a stage country music may make up the minority or in the center of the first line. of a DJ's play list, with the balance Inexperienced dancers are encouraged to spread through a variety of many take positions in the middle of the different musical styles both new and group to allow watching other dancers' old. Genres including Celtic, Swing, feet in front of them. Experienced Pop, Rock, Big Band, Folk, and almost dancers are encouraged to take positions anything else that has a regular beat. on the outside edges of the group to Competition help others. The main organisation for line dance In this parallel line formation, the competition is Masters in Line dancers dance in a synchronized manner, (www.mastersinline.com). Masters in Line but independently of each other. There (MIL) run competitions all over the are usually no moves that require any world, from Asia to America and feature interaction between the dancers, other a World Championship in Blackpool, UK than they execute the maneuvers at the during August each year. Competitors same time. Each dance has a different compete throughout the year at a number sequence of movements that must be of events to qualify for the finals learned. which are held in December, named the There are several variations to this 'British Masters'. The Masters consist parallel lines set-up. There may, for of three notable line dancers, Rachael example, be two sets of lines where the McEnaney, Robert Fowler and Paul McAdam. dancers face in directly towards each Competitors compete in divisions, other. In larger groups these will including 'Newcomer', 'Division 4', become several sets of in-facing 'Division 3', 'Division 2' and 'All parallel lines. In these "contra" line Stars'. Competitors must follow strict dances, the dancers will dance with the guidelines and rules related to each others in the facing lines. The dancers particular division. Normally often weave in and out, exchanging competitions run over a number of days, places, or dance up to each other, and featuring line dance workshops, socials make momentary contact, such as a hand and demonstrations from the Masters clap, or a swing, or take hold in themselves as well as the competing. 1 A B C D 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105