This week's dance is the Paul Jones. I was unable to find any historical footage of this dance, possibly because it is merely a variation on dances such as the foxtrot.
Next Weeks Dance: The Grand March
The Paul Jones is the name of a "mixer dance" (a dance where partners are changed during the dance) that was very popular during the early part of the 20th century. The dance was named "after John Paul Jones (1747-1792), Scottish naval officer known for his victories in the American Revolution".
The Instructions (click to enlarge):
huh..not at all seeing where a foxtrot type movement would come in. What are the dancers' feet doing as the dancers are spinning about and switching partners? Odd!
ReplyDeleteah ha! when I took a couple of scottish social dance lessons, we did similar formations. Now I see what's going on. We also have to get into large circles with men on the inside facing the women on the outside when we attend our dance class's social parties. Men move clockwise, women counterclockwise doing merengue moves until the instructor says "stop." (we repeat this five times). Each person we "stop" in front of becomes our partners for other pair dances throughout the night.
ReplyDelete@Baroness: Thanks for the further clarification! I couldn't quite follow the instructions myself. The author needed to add a bit more instructions to this one I think.
ReplyDelete"Keep your respective circle inviolate!!!" Too funny. I'm loving All the Latest Steps.
ReplyDeleteI am writing my Grandad's memoirs and just found out that he and my Grandma met in 1951 - dancing the Paul Jones! If it were not for this "mixer" dance pushing them together, I might not be here today!
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