Grapevine Twist

Background Sources

Probably the earliest source for this figure is a Quadrille: Newport Quadrille where it is the second figure of the dance. This quadrille was published by Henry Ford / Benjamin Lovett in 1925 in the book Good Morning.

Figure 2

Head couple leads to the right and around that lady with the Grapevine Twist (Head gentleman takes partner's left hand in his right and leads her between the side couple and around the lady to the center of set, still retaining hands he takes a few steps backward, waits until his partner has passed between him and the side couple, and again leads her between same couple and around the gentleman. Both couples then take hands.)	12 bars
Circle four hands around	4 bars
Leads to the next couple and around that lady with the Grapevine twist (Same two couples, still joining hands, lead between the next couple and repeat the movement.)	14 bars
Circle six hands around	6 bars
Leads to the next couple and around that lady with the Grapevine twist (Repeat the movementm six persons passing between the last couple.)	28 bars
Circle eight hands around	8 bars
Turn the left hand lady with the left hand around and right to your partner (Merely give right hand to partner and pass by.)	4 bars
Turn right hand lady with the left hand round	4 bars
And promenade with partner (all promenade around the set.)	8 bars

Continue until each couple has completed movement.

Unlike most quadrilles that I have seen this one only had three figures (instead of the original five), and the figures were very different in style from the ones from 1810. This figure is a "visiting couple" figure, also unlike the early quadrille figures.

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The next example comes from Cecil Sharp & Maud Karpeles's Running Set, only they call the figure "The Wild Goose Chase". The name may change but the movement does not.

First man, taking his partner's left hand in his right and leading her behind him, passes between second man and second woman, turns to his left and moves, counter-clockwise, round the second woman.

First man, still leading his partner behind him, moves in front of, and a step or two beyond, second man, casts back, making a half-turn to his right, passes between second man and second woman, turns to his right clockwise, round second man, and then goes hands-four with the second couple; while the second man, as the 1st couple passes by him, breaks away, moves clockwise round his partner to his place, timing his movements so that he shall reach his station just as the four-ring is being formed.

Releasing his left hand, first man breaks away from second woman and, followed by bis partner and the second couple, passes between third man and third woman and repeats the same movements with the third couple that he had previously done with the second (the third man doing as the second man did), concluding with hands-six with the third couple.

Releasing his left hand, first man breaks away from third woman, and followed by his partner and second and third couples, passes between fourth man and fourth woman and once again repeats the same movements concluding with hands-eight with the fourth couple.

Upon the conclusion of the hands-eight, the first man, breaking away from the fourth woman, casts back, making half a turn to his left, and, leading the other seven dancers behind him, moves round in a circle (back to centre), counter-clockwise to his place.

First man casts back, making half a turn to his right, and leads the other dancers round in a circle (faces to centre), counter-clockwise to places.

During the performance of this figure each dancer must be careful to follow exactly in the track of the dancer in front.

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Ida Levin, in Kentucky Squares, 1928 calls it "Chase the Goose" and gives both calls, and an explanation:

1. Way to the left around the first lady.
2. Back to the right around the gent.
3. Circle four.
4. On to the next.
5. Swing home, corners too.

and meaning...

1. First gentleman, taking his partner's left hand in his right hand, leads her to the couple on the right, between this couple and around the lady.
2. First gentleman continues leading her in a figure eight as follows: he leads to the left, then, turning to the right, leads her between this couple again and around the second gentleman.
3. All four join hands in a circle and walk to the left completely round.
4. These four then go to the next couple on the right and repeat 1, 2 and 3. (No. 3 call must then be changed to "circle six").
   First couple continues in this manner until the entire group is dancing, a new couple joining the line each time.
5. Each gentleman, joining both hands with his partner swings her once around, then joining both hands with the corner, that is, the lady on his left, swings her once around.

*This dance is the same as Figure Eight with the exception that in Chase the Goose the couples join on until all are dancing.

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Lloyd Shaw, in Cowboy Dances calls it "Grapevine Twist" again:

THE CALL:

1. Honors right and honors left.
   All join hands and circle to the left,
   Break and swing and promenade back
2. 1. First lead his partner
      Through the couple on the right
      And around that lady for a grapevine twist.
   2. Out to the center with a how and a gee.
      And around the gent with a twiddle-de-dee.
   3. Now circle four and lead to the next.
   4. And around that lady with a grapevine twist
      Out to the center and loop right back,
      Around the gent on a crooked track,
      Now circle six and lead to the next
   5. And around that lady with a grapevine twist
      Out to the center with a figure eight,
      Then around the gent, he'll have to wait,
      Now circle eight.
3. Now allemande left with your left hand
   Right hand to partner and right and left grand
   Meet your partner and promenade.
Repeat 2 and 3 for the second, third and fourth couples.

* * * *

This change is obviously derived from a New Englnd Quadrille. And yet, it is the favorite square in Anson, Texas, where each circle is ended with a do-pas-o.

Examples

Newport Quadrille

The Running Set

Kentucky Square Dances

Cowboy Dances

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