Class 5 — Veer, Star Thru and the Circulate
Units covered: M17, M18, M19, M20. Units assumed: M1–M16 — in particular Lead Right, which
is how most of these figures start, and the Courtesy Turn.
The units in this class
| Unit | Call | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| M17 | Veer Left / Veer Right | moves a couple diagonally into a line |
| M18 | Star Thru | turns a facing pair into a couple under an arch |
| M19 | Circulate Family | moves each dancer on to the next dancer's spot |
| M20 | Bend the Line | folds two facing couples into a line, and back |
Before you start
- They can Lead Right and finish facing the wall they led to.
- They can walk a line facing in and out without turning their shoulders early.
- They know that a couple has an inside hand and an outside hand.
Teaching sequence
- M17 — Veer Left. Take two couples to the middle and have them veer slowly while the class watches the elbow lead. Pre-empt the dancer who walks straight instead of arcing into the line.
- M18 — Star Thru. Show the arch to the room: right hand to left, palm to palm, fingers up, at eye level. Walk the turn in pairs, then in facing couples. Pre-empt the pair who pull each other round; the arch is a hinge, not a handle.
- M19 — Circulate Family. Everybody moves to the next dancer's spot along the path. Start with a single file, then a couples circulate. Pre-empt the couple who go the right way out of time.
- M20 — Bend the Line. Point at the centre dancers: they step back, while the ends stand still and take hands. Pre-empt the end dancers bending too.
Drills
- Heads Lead Right Veer Left Couples Circulate Bend the Line Right and Left Thru Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains Veer into a line, the circulate along it, and Bend the Line from facing couples.
- Heads Star Thru Heads Pass Thru Heads Star Thru Heads Pass Thru Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains Star Thru until the arch is automatic.
- Heads Lead Right Veer Left Couples Circulate Bend the Line Pass Thru Allemande Left Promenade Home
Trains the same line work with a pass through in the middle.
Checks
- Veers fan out — steer the elbows before the line forms.
- Star Thru ends in a tangle — the arch is collapsing.
- The circulate box stretches — clap the beat while they walk it.
- Bend the Line leaves the line short — the centre pair do the moving.