Bolero Full Moon

by Harold & Meredith Sears

It would be natural for us to hope that the Full Moon (non-standard, unphased) is simply two Half Moons (standard, phase V), but that would be overly optimistic. As you dance these figures, you do sense a relationship between them, but it is not identical, not a duplication. The relationship is more that of cousins.

The Half Moon is two measures and about 1/2 turn (e.g., from COH to WALL) and the Full Moon is four measures and about one full turn (e.g., from WALL around to WALL again), so, in duration, the Full Moon is two Half Moons. Similarly, the Half Moon consists of a lunging action, followed by a whipping action, and the Full Moon alternates a whipping measure, a lunging measure, a whip, and a lunge. But in the details, the relationship gets more distant. In the Half Moon, the lunging actions are handshake new yorkers. In the Full Moon, they are varsouvienne chairs. In the Half Moon, the whipping actions are fairly standard whips to the wall. In the Full Moon, they are swivel whips to varsouvienne.

Again, the Half Moon is a two-measure figure that turns LF 1/2 over those two measures. Very briefly, it consists of something like a New Yorker, followed by something like a Whip. Often, in facing position, man facing COH, with a R-R handshake, step side R beginning to turn RF with right side stretch (lady steps side L beginning to turn LF with left side stretch). At the end of the first "slow" count, you are in a slight "V" position with lead shoulders close. Continue turning RF (lady LF) and step forward L like a New Yorker in handshake, and recover R (lady recover L) turning to face partner (SQQ). In the second measure, turn 1/4 LF and step side and forward L with left side stretch (lady turns 1/4 RF, steps sd and fwd R, and raises left arm, turning slightly away from partner but looking at and shaping toward partner). On the fifth step, the man slips back R shaping to partner and leading her to step forward L in front of him turning LF 1/2. Partners have traded sides. On the last step, he steps forward L turning 1/4 LF to face partner (lady steps back R and turns 1/4 LF to face partner) (again, SQQ).

The Full Moon is a four-measure figure that turns LF a full turn. It is sort of a handshake whip to a varsouvienne chair and then repeat. Often, in facing position, the man facing WALL, with a R-R handshake (and R hands will remain joined throughout), step side & forward L (lady trns RF and steps sd & fwd R) both toward LOD, turning LF step back R (lady fwd L beginning to cross in front of man toward COH), cont LF turn forward L (lady fwd R toward COH) bringing R hands up behind lady to lead her to spiral 7/8 LF; In this first measure, the man has whipped her across and she has spiraled to a shadow position facing COH (SQQ).

In the second measure, the man steps forward R joining left hands in varsouvienne position COH (lady continues to turn LF and steps fwd L facing COH), forward L (lady fwd R) with a small chair-like lunge, he releases left hands and steps back R (lady bk L beginning to turn RF); At this point, the man is facing COH and the lady is in the process of turning and maybe facing LOD or even DLW (SQQ).

In the third measure, the man steps back L beginning to turn 1/8 LF and preparing for another whip-like action. The lady continues to turn and steps small forward R toward DLW at the man's right side, and continues to turn in a hip-twist-like way, brushing her L foot to her R until she is facing RLOD. This is tricky. Notice that her third step of the second measure was back L toward the wall, and her first step of the third measure was forward R, almost toward wall again. Over these two steps, she has turned 3/4 RF. Now, the man continues his LF turn and steps back R toward LOD (lady fwd L toward wall). He continues his LF turn and steps forward L bringing R hands up behind lady to lead spiral (lady fwd R toward wall and spirals 7/8 LF); In this third measure, the man has whipped her across and she has spiraled to a shadow position facing wall (SQQ).

In the fourth measure, the man steps forward R toward the wall joining left hands in varsouvienne position again (lady continues her LF turn and steps fwd L toward the wall), forward L (lady fwd R) with the little chair-like feel, back R releasing left hands (lady bk L beginning to turn RF);

As in many bolero figures, we do not end this figure at any kind of stopping point but are flowing into another hip-twist-like figure.

Examples of the Full Moon are in Feel My Love by the Worlocks. Here, we have just done an Open Break to handshake, man facing partner and wall. Part B then begins with a side ronde lady spiral and syncopated twisty vine to DLW, again with lead feet free. We do a Full Moon around to the wall again;;;; Hip Twist overturned to a Facing Fan LOD; to a Forward Break. In On Days Like These by the Preskitts, there is a Spot Turn; Contra Break; Full Moon;;;; Hip Twist to a Fan; to a Hockey Stick.

More bolero figures here, or go to index.

This article was published in Footnotes In the Round, LRDTA,  November/December 2011; and in Round Notes, Colorado Round Dance Association, Dec 2011/Jan 2012.

Past DRDC Educational Articles by
Jim & Barbara German, ca. 2000-2001
Chris & Terri Cantrell, 2001-2005
Harold & Meredith Sears, 2005-present