From a generalized Couple or other applicable formation.
The Beau is the Left-side dancer and the Belle is the Right-side dancer.
In the following diagrams,
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Beaus are denoted by magenta squares
()
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Belles are denoted by blue circles ()
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.
Notes:
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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.
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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.
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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. - From a Couple, the Beau is the dancer on the Left,
and the Belle is the dancer on the Right.
- From a R-H Mini-Wave, both dancers are Beaus.
- From a L-H Mini-Wave, both dancers are Belles.
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Beaus and Belles are important to learn
since these terms are used in the definitions of many calls.
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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.
Handholds:
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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.
-
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:
-
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). -
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).
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:
Choreographically, Beaus and Belles are
primarily used with the following calls:
Other applicable calls include:
- Roll
- 1/4 In
- 1/4 Out
- Fold
- Zoom
Examples using Beaus and Belles:
-
- 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.