COUNTRY AND WESTERN DANCES


POLKA

When Texans claim to be doing "the polka", they are generally performing a folk dance two-step (polka without the hop). Perhaps the following will help clarify them.
FOLK DANCE TWO-STEP: (Texas "Polka")
(Can be either 2/4 or 4/4 time)
        
FOLK DANCE POLKA:
(Always 2/4, with hop done on "up" beat)
Count-4/4: 1 &  2
Count-2/4: 1 &  2
Rhythm: Q Q  S
Weight: L R  L
Direction: Fwd Cl  Fwd
 
3 &  4
1 &  2
Q Q  S
R L  R
Fwd Cl  Fwd
  
       
(ah) 1 &  2
  Q Q  S
R L R  L
(Hop) Fwd Cl  Fwd
 
       
(ah) 1 &  2
  Q Q  S
L R L  R
(Hop) Fwd Cl  Fwd


TURNING CW POLKA: This requires a 180° turn on each polka step. For continuous turning, the dancers will find the left polka step is "big" in order to come around the partner, and the right one is "little" or almost in place allowing the partner to "come around". Success requires proper foot placement, a tight position and focus.
               TURN 1              TURN 2
Count:
Rhythm:
Weight:
Direction:
180° Turns:
Focus:
1 & 2
Q Q S
(Tn)L R L
Si Cl IP
Big Polka
 
 
1 & 2
Q Q S
(Tn)R L R
IP Cl IP
Little Polka
Spot
 
1 & 2
Q Q S
(Tn)L R L
Si Cl IP
Big Polka
Hold Spot
 
1 & 2
Q Q S
(Tn)R L R
IP Cl IP
Little Polka
New Spot


COTTON-EYED JOE
(Polka Line Dance done in spoke fashion)

Dancers may start with Part I or Part II.

Part I: Kick step; dance this part twice. Some dancers begin right; this is described starting left.
Count:
Rhythm:
Weight/Foot:
Direction:
1 2
S S
(L) (L)
X K
 
1&2
QQS
LRL
BkBkBk
 
1 2
S S
(R) (R)
X(R) K(R)
 
1&2
QQS
RLR
BkBkBk
  
   
   
   
REPEAT
Part II: Eight 2-steps or polkas forward (only four are described).
Count:
Rhythm:
Weight/Foot:
Direction:
1&2
QQS
LRL
FwdClFwd
 
1&2
QQS
RLR
FwdClFwd
 
1&2
QQS
LRL
FwdClFwd
 
1&2
QQS
RLR
FwdClFwd
  
   
   
   
REPEAT


TEN-STEP POLKA

Each number = one polka step (2 counts). Stay in closed position except when turning.
Polka # MAN'S DIRECTION  LADY'S DIRECTION
1  LFwd   RBk
2  RFwd   LBk
3  LFwd (arch)   RFwd CW (right) arch turn under
4  RFwd   LFwd (finish turn)
5  LFwd (arch)   RFwd CCW (left) arch turn under
6  RBk (pull away)   LBk (pull away finishing turn)
7  LFwd (turn under)   RFwd (dance CW around man as he arches under)
8  RFwd (finish turn)   LFwd (...still dancing around man)
9  LIP (arch)   RBk CCW (left) turn under
10  RFwd (finish turn)   LBk (finish turn)


SWEETHEART SCHOTTISCHE

This is danced in a double circle in sweetheart position. The kicks (K) are done as a "scuffing" action with the heel. Both start left.
CTS ACTION  MAN  LADY LADY'S CUE
4 Grapevine Left: Si Bk Si K Si Bk Si K Left, cross, left, kick
4 Grapevine Right: Si Bk Si K 3-Step turn into circle Turn IN, 2, 3, kick
4 Grapevine Left: Si Bk Si K 3-Step turn out of circle Turn OUT, 2, 3, kick
4 Forward Right: Fwd Fwd Fwd K 3-Step turn forward Turn FORWARD, 2, 3, kick
4 Forward Left: Fwd K Fwd K Fwd K Fwd K Left, kick, right, kick
4 Backward Right: Bk Bk Bk K Bk Bk Bk K Back, 2, 3, kick
2 Side Right: Si Touch Si Touch Right, touch
REPEAT




Bk=Back     Cl=Close     CCW=CounterCW(L)     CW=Clockwise(R)     FWD=Forward     He=Heel    
Ho=Hop or Hold     IP=In Place     K=Kick     //=Parallel     Si=Side    S-O=Semi-Open    Tn=Turn    
To=Touch     X=Cross 



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