Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts -- Beau

Beau | Belle [A1]
(Lee Kopman)

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From a generalized Couple or other applicable formation. EN: 10

The Beau is the Left-side dancer and the Belle is the Right-side dancer. EN: 20

In the following diagrams, EN: 30

Beaus are denoted by magenta squares EN: 40

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Belles are denoted by blue circles EN: 50

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The identifiers Beau and Belle are occasionally used from setups in which you have no defined partner. In this case, you are a Beau if your right-hand is toward the Center of your 4-dancer formation, and conversely, you are a Belle if your left-hand is toward the Center of your 4-dancer formation. EN: 60

Notes:

Beaus and Belles are not the same as Boys and Girls. Beaus and Belles identify positions within formations, whereas Boys and Girls identify dancer roles. When you square up, you are assigned the role of a Boy or a Girl. This role remains in effect for the entire tip. On the other hand, as you dance, your formation and position within that formation constantly changes. Hence, while dancing, you may change whether you're a Beau or Belle, a Leader or Trailer, an End or a Center, etc. EN: 70
At A1 and A2, the usage of Beau | Belle is restricted to a Couple. At C1 and above, Beau | Belle can be used from other formations such as Mini-Waves, T-Bones, etc. EN: 80
If your partner's position is to your Right, then you are a Beau.
If your partner's position is to your Left, then you are a Belle. EN: 90
- From a Couple, the Beau is the dancer on the Left, and the Belle is the dancer on the Right. EN: 100
- From a R-H Mini-Wave, both dancers are Beaus. EN: 110
- From a L-H Mini-Wave, both dancers are Belles. EN: 120
Beaus and Belles are important to learn since these terms are used in the definitions of many calls. EN: 130
Identify yourself whenever the caller names you. That is, if the caller says 'Beaus' and you're a Beau, then raise your hand. This lets the other dancers in the square know who is active. Sometimes the caller will say something like 'Beaus (pause) Trade' - the caller paused so that the Beaus can identify themselves (raise your hand!), find the other Beau, and then do the Trade. If you don't identify yourself, the other Beau may have a hard time locating you. EN: 140

Handholds: EN: 150

From a Couple, the Beau holds the R-H palm up and the Belle places the L-H palm down into the Beau's palm. EN: 160

From a One-Faced Line of 3 or more dancers, each dancer should hold their R-H palm up, L-H palm down. This is done so that: EN: 170
1. There is a consistent handhold protocol for same sex partners
  (this is in contrast to handholds at the Mainstream level where Boys typically keep both hands palm up, Girls keep both hands palm down). EN: 180
2. Using handholds in this manner, it is easier to quickly identify Beaus and Belles when subsets of dancers are activated (e.g., as in Center 4 Beaus Run). EN: 190

Beaus and Belles tend to be infrequently used by callers. Hence, below is a list of possible uses for Beaus and Belles at A1 and A2: EN: 200

Choreographically, Beaus and Belles are primarily used with the following calls: EN: 210

Run
Trade
U-Turn Back

Other applicable calls include: EN: 220

Roll
1/4 In
1/4 Out
Fold
Zoom

Examples using Beaus and Belles: EN: 230

From Out-Facing Lines:: Beaus Run; Beaus U-Turn Back; Beaus Trade
From In-Facing Lines:: Belles Crossover Circulate
From Double Pass Thru:: Belles only Zoom
From Facing Couples:: Beaus do your part Wheel Thru & Roll
From Completed Double Pass Thru:: Beaus only Checkmate The Column; Belles only Peel Off
From Completed Double Pass Thru:: Beaus Right Roll To A Wave as Belles Zig-Zag
From Facing Couples:: Beaus Walk, Belles Dodge
From Parallel Two-Faced Lines:: Ferris Wheel, Beaus Roll

Leader | Trailer [MSV]:

From a generalized Tandem (a 1x2), a 2x2, or other applicable formation. The Leader is the out-facing dancer and the Trailer is the in-facing dancer. EN: 15

CALLERLAB definition for Beaus and Belles Naming Convention

Choreography for Beau | Belle

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

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