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Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts
 
Definitions of Square Dance Calls and Concepts
 
 
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Cast A Shadow [A1]
   (Lee Kopman 1973)
A1:     
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From Parallel Lines with the Ends in Tandem or from Promenade (in which case designated dancers act as Leaders in Parallel Two-Faced Lines). EN: 10

 
Ends:
1/2 Zoom, Cast Off 3/4 and Spread
(to become Ends of Lines); EN: 20

Out-Facing Centers:
Cloverleaf;

In-Facing Centers:
Extend, Arm Turn 1/4, and Extend.

Adjust as necessary to end in Parallel Lines. EN: 30

The following illustrates the Ends part of Cast A Shadow: EN: 40

 
before
Ends Cast A Shadow
 
   
after
1/2 Zoom		 after
Cast Off 3/4		 after
Spread to become Ends of Lines EN: 50
(done)
From Parallel Two-Faced Lines:

 
before
Cast A Shadow
 
   
after
Ends 1/2 Zoom
as Lead Centers 1/3 Cloverleaf
as Trailing Centers Extend		 after
Ends Cast Off 3/4
as Lead Centers complete the Cloverleaf EN: 60

as Trailing Centers Arm Turn 1/4		 after
Original Ends Spread
as Original Centers step into the vacated space EN: 70
(done)
From Parallel Waves:

 
 
before
Cast A Shadow		 after
From Parallel 3 & 1 Lines:

 
 
before
Cast A Shadow		 after
From Promenade:
(see note below): EN: 80

 
   
before
Heads (lead) Cast A Shadow		 after
Heads Step Forward
as Sides bend in behind EN: 90
 after
Cast A Shadow
(done)

Notes:
  • Ends remain Ends, Centers remain Centers. EN: 100
  • Cast A Shadow converts Parallel Two-Faced Lines into Parallel Waves and vice-versa. EN: 110
  • Ends meet with original outside hands. EN: 120
  • The Ends' part is EN: 130
    1. 1/2 Zoom (Lead End flip away from the Center & Extend as Trailing End 1/2 Circulate to meet with original outside hands); EN: 140
    2. Cast Off 3/4 (think "half, then a quarter more"); EN: 150
    3. and Spread (allow enough space for two dancers). EN: 160
  • Out-Facing Centers (the "Shadowers") should make a wide arc for the Cloverleaf so at not to interfere with the Ends. Out-Facing Centers end in the near center position. EN: 170
  • In-Facing Centers Extend to join inside hands, Arm Turn 1/4 with each other, wait for about two beats to allow the Ends to finish their Cast Off 3/4, and then Extend. Be sure to use only one hand for the Extend & Arm Turn 1/4. We have frequently seen overly-excited dancers step forward, join both hands, whoop and kick, and then forget which way to turn and consequently have no idea where they belong. EN: 180
  • When Cast A Shadow is called from Promenade, the designated Couple (Leaders) should continue Promenading until they are squared off to a wall and then Step Forward as the others bend in behind them to form Parallel Two-Faced Lines; then everyone Cast A Shadow. Executing the call in this manner guarantees that the ending formation (Parallel Waves) is squared off to the walls. EN: 190

    How to dance Cast A Shadow from Promenade: EN: 200
    1. If you are designated, identify yourself; EN: 210
    2. Square off to a wall; EN: 220
    3. Do the call. EN: 230
  • If all Centers start facing out, they do a Cloverleaf. If all Centers start facing in, they do their part of the call (danced as a Pass Thru & Partner Tag). EN: 240
  • It is considered inappropriate for the caller to call Cast A Shadow from formations in which the Ends start facing or back-to-back. EN: 250
  • Cast A Shadow has a tendency to expand the size of the square. Therefore, after completing the call, tighten up your formation. EN: 260

Variations:

  • Ends Cast A Shadow But Don't Spread
  • Cast A Shadow, Trailing Centers Cast 3/4

Criss Cross The Shadow [C2] (Ross Howell 1974):
From Parallel Lines with the Ends in Tandem or from Promenade (in which case designated dancers act as Leaders in Parallel Two-Faced Lines). Ends 1/2 Zoom & Slide, Cast Off 3/4 and Spread as Out-Facing Centers Cloverleaf and Slither as In-Facing Centers Cross Extend, Arm Turn 1/4, & Extend. Adjust as necessary to end in Parallel Lines. EN: 149

Relay The Shadow [C1] (Lee Kopman 1975):
From a Tidal Wave, Facing Lines, or other applicable formations. Arm Turn 1/2; Center 6 Cast Off 3/4 as Very Ends Counter Rotate 1/4; resulting Center Wave Arm Turn 1/4 & Spread (to become Ends of Parallel Waves) as Others do the Centers part of Cast A Shadow (Leaders Cloverleaf as Trailers Extend; Arm Turn 1/4; Extend). Ends in Parallel Waves. EN: 150

Shadow The Column [C4] (Jack Lasry):
From Columns. #1 and #3 dancers act as Ends while #2 and #4 dancers act as Centers of Parallel Two-Faced Lines, and all Cast A Shadow. EN: 151

Shadow To A Diamond [C4]:
From applicable Parallel Lines. Ends Cast A Shadow as Lead Centers Run & Extend (making a wide arc as in Cast A Shadow) as Trailing Centers 1/2 Circulate & Trade. Ends in Twin Diamonds. The Centers' part of Shadow To A Diamond is an exaggerated Peel & Trail. EN: 152

Shadow formation anything [C4]:
From applicable Parallel Lines, applicable Twin Diamonds, or other applicable formations. Outsides Cast A Shadow But Don't Spread (1/2 Zoom, Cast Off 3/4) as Centers do the anything call. Formation is the name of the center formation. For example, from Twin Diamonds, a Shadow Wave Spin The Top has the Ends Cast A Shadow But Don't Spread as the Center Wave does a Spin The Top. EN: 153

CALLERLAB definition for Cast a Shadow

Choreography for Cast A Shadow

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
 
A1:     

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30-October-2025 18:41:28
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