From Parallel Waves or Eight Chain Thru (in which case dancers
first step to Parallel Waves).
- Arm Turn 1/2;
- Center 4 Cast Off 3/4 as Outsides U-Turn Back;
- Very Centers Trade as the Outsides slide inward to form two Stars;
- Turn each Star 3/4;
- New Very Centers walk forward around the other Star (like a figure "S")
as the Others in their Star follow them in Single File;
- After the Leaders (#1 dancers in the Stars) have gone 3/4 around the other Star,
the #1 and #3 dancers in the Star do a U-Turn Back (turning toward the Center of the Star) and
form a Wave with the dancers behind them.
Ends in Parallel Waves.
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Alternative definition (for C2 dancers):
-
Arm Turn 1/2; Centers Cast Off 3/4 as Outsides U-Turn Back;
Very Centers Trade;
Diamond Circulate 3 spots; 3/4 Exchange The Diamond;
Interlocked Flip The Diamond.
Notes:
-
After the Outsides U-Turn Back and form a Star, the Out-Facing dancer should raise their
outside hand to let others in the Star know who is leading.
-
Don't forget to do a Very Centers Trade
-
Wait until there are four dancers in the Star before you turn it. If you turn the Star without
someone, it is practically impossible for them to catch up. It's better to wait an extra beat
or two to get them into the Star than to turn the Star without them.
-
Count the positions in the Star as you turn it (i.e., do 3 Star Circulates). Counting is important
in case the caller modifies the amount of the Star turn (e.g., Spin Chain & Exchange
The Gears, Turn the Stars 1/2).
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After turning the Star, the new Very Centers lead the Exchange. Styling: Very Centers
can lightly tap hands with each other as they pass by each other.
-
When wrapping around the other Star, keep the formation tight so that 1) you don't have to take
a lot of steps; and 2) the resulting Waves do not end up too far apart.
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"Spin" generally means 'Arm Turn 1/2 followed by Centers Cast Off 3/4'. For example,
Spin The Top, Spin Chain Thru, Spin Chain The Gears.
Spin Chain Thru [Mainstream] (Rod Blaylock 1967):
From Parallel Waves, Eight Chain Thru, or other applicable formations.
Arm Turn 1/2; Centers Cast Off 3/4; the Very Centers Trade; Centers Cast Off 3/4.
Ends in Parallel Waves.
This is a 4-part call.
Spin Chain The Gears [Plus] (Whit Whitcomb and Jay King 1971):
From Parallel Waves or Eight Chain Thru (in which case dancers first step to Parallel Waves).
Arm Turn 1/2; Centers Cast Off 3/4 as Outsides U-Turn Back; Very Centers Trade;
all Star 3/4; Very Centers Trade; Center Wave Cast Off 3/4 as
Others U-Turn Back by turning away from the center of the set.
Ends in Parallel Waves.
See also Exchange The Diamond [C2].
FAQ | 
Ceder Chest Definition Books | Multilingual | administrator 
Old Calls | 
Experimentals 
Choreography for Spin Chain & Exchange The Gears
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