Round Dance Tips by Tim Eum—

Bolero

TURNING BASIC — On the first step turn right face into a picture pose, and then do steps 2 and 3 like a pivot two to face the center of hall (COH). 

Some people do the Turning Basic in Bolero as if it were a Cross Body; followed by a Half Basic Forward. While this is okay, you lose some very nice styling that is supposed to go with this figure. 

You should begin the Turning Basic by turning right face (not left face as you would in the Cross Body) with the man taking a medium side step diagonally towards LOD-WALL and the lady doing almost a closing step. Then both should stretch their upper bodies and head to look up and away towards LOD-WALL. This is a pose that is sometimes referred to as a Challenge Line. Hold this pose for the slow of the measure. 

Then man recovers back onto his right while the lady rotates back into the man with slipping action on her left. This rotation begins what should feel like a left face pivot two. With the lady firmly in closed position, continue the pivot with the man stepping forward onto his left and the lady stepping back on her right, rotating until the man is facing COH. Finish the Turning Basic by now doing a Half Basic Forward (Side, - , Fwd, Bk). The Turning Basic is a two-measure figure that includes the Half Basic Forward. 

Note that when doing the Half Basic Forward you can use Contra Body action when the man steps forward. Doing so gives the figure that extra bit of elegance. 

MORE ON THE TURNING BASIC — Don't rotate early and the man should not step forward as many do. Instead men should step side or even side and back, then only after taking weight rotate upper body. If man stretches right side it should lead lady to open her head, while if man stretches his left side it should lead lady to retain closed head during this first step upper body rotation. 

LUNGE BREAK — Men should not lean their upper bodies forward but instead stay "up." 

FORWARD BREAK — Men should take their second step forward. Believe it or not many don't (because we've done so many open breaks). 

OPEN BREAK — Stay "connected' on the first step so that there is comfortable room to step apart.  Many people are so far apart after the first side step that on the apart step they are uncomfortably stretching their arms. 

LEFT PASS — Man should definitely not step back. Men should close instead. 

RIGHT PASS — Men should think of doing this like a Natural Top (crossing behind and side on second and third steps going around partner). Ladies should turn a little on the first step, but do most turn on the second step (definitely don't turn too early as some do).

Tim Eum originally prepared these Tips for
Calls 'n' Cues, (WASCA);
reprinted in the Dixie Round Dance Council
(DRDC) Newsletter, September 2009