Right and Left Grand
Encyclopedia
'Right and Left Grand', also known as 'Grand Right and Left', is a square dance
move
in which all eight dancers in the set, moving in a circular fashion, execute a series of four alternating hand pull-bies (right pull by, left pull by, right pull by, left pull by). Men (or gents) travel counter-clockwise around the ring, and ladies travel clockwise. The result is that all dancers end up half way across the set facing the same person they started with.
It is perhaps one of the most well-known calls in square dancing along with the "Promenade
" or the "Dosado
".
at the start of the move. If they are not, they should adjust by turning 90° or less to face them.
It takes about 10 counts to complete the move.
There are a number of styling flourishes which might accompany the basic moves.
Note:Partner may not be original partner but usually is.
, the largest international association of square dance callers. They are:
Square dance
Square dance is a folk dance with four couples arranged in a square, with one couple on each side, beginning with Couple 1 facing away from the music and going counter-clockwise until getting to Couple 4. Couples 1 and 3 are known as the head couples, while Couples 2 and 4 are the side couples...
move
Dance move
Dance moves or dance steps are the building blocks of many dances.More complex dance moves are called dance patterns, dance figures or dance variations....
in which all eight dancers in the set, moving in a circular fashion, execute a series of four alternating hand pull-bies (right pull by, left pull by, right pull by, left pull by). Men (or gents) travel counter-clockwise around the ring, and ladies travel clockwise. The result is that all dancers end up half way across the set facing the same person they started with.
It is perhaps one of the most well-known calls in square dancing along with the "Promenade
Promenade (dance move)
Promenade is a basic dance move in a number of dances such as English Country Dance, contra dance, and square dance. The name comes from the French word for “walk”, and is a good basic description of the dance action.-Dance position and handholds:...
" or the "Dosado
Dosado
Dosado or Dos-a-dos or do-si-do is a basic dance step in such dances as square dance, contra dance, polka, various historical dances, and some reels....
".
Description
Dancers should each be facing their partnerPartner dance
Partner dances are dances whose basic choreography involves coordinated dancing of two partners, as opposed to individuals dancing alone or individually in a non-coordinated manner, and as opposed to groups of people dancing simultaneously in a coordinated manner.In the year 1023 the German poet...
at the start of the move. If they are not, they should adjust by turning 90° or less to face them.
- Each person extends and takes hold of right hand with the one they are facing (partner), and does a right-hand pull by (step forward with hands held, and release hand hold as passing right shoulder)
- Each person advances to the next person in the ring, extends and takes hold of left hand with the one they are facing, and does a left-hand pull by (step forward with hands held, and release hand hold as passing left shoulder)
- Each person advances to the next person in the ring (opposite), extends and takes hold of right hand with the one they are facing, and does a right-hand pull by (as described previously)
- Each person advances to the next person in the ring, extends and takes hold of left hand with the one they are facing, and does a left-hand pull by (step forward with hands held, and release hand hold as passing left shoulder)
It takes about 10 counts to complete the move.
There are a number of styling flourishes which might accompany the basic moves.
Note:Partner may not be original partner but usually is.
The Right and Left Grand family of calls
There are two other calls which comprise the Right and Left Grand family as defined by CallerlabCallerlab
Callerlab is the international association of square dance callers, and is the largest square dance association in the United States. After some initial work started in 1971, it was officially established in 1974 by several members of the Square Dance Hall of Fame.Callers from all over the world,...
, the largest international association of square dance callers. They are:
- Weave The Ring: A Right and Left Grand without touching hands.
- Wrong Way Grand: Essentially the same as a Right and Left Grand, but instead of facing the way one does in a Right and Left Grand (towards partner), one faces in the opposite direction (towards cornerCornerA corner is the place where two lines meet at an angle, and a concave corner of intersecting walls is generally thought to be the least beneficial position to be in a life-or-death situation. From this notion was born the verb to corner, which is used to mean "to back into a corner" and usually...
). Thus men (or gents) move clockwise around the ring and ladies move counter-clockwise around the ring.