Many Acadians originally came from the Poitou region of France. This dance is a variation of the 16th century “Branle du Poitou”. It is done in a large clockwise circle without partners and is typical of dances that would have been enjoyed by the Acadians. Everyone holds hands in a large circle, facing inside the circle. Swing arms back and forth to music.
Step 1: BRANLE DOUBLE
Counts 1, 2, Step Left Foot to Left Side, Step Right foot to Left, Counts 3, 4 Step Left Foot to Left Side, Touch Right next to Left Counts 5, 6 Step Right Foot to Right, Step Left Foot next to Right, Counts 7, 8 Step Right foot to Right Side, Touch Left next to Right This step would be done 3 complete times for a total of 24 counts. (Take larger steps when moving to left, and smaller ones when moving to right to make circle move in a Clockwise Circle.)
Step 2: 2 SIMPLE FORWARDS, 1 DOUBLE BACK
Counts 1, 2 Large Step Left Foot Forward, Touch Right next to Left Counts 3, 4 Large Step Right Foot Forward, Touch Left Heel next to Right Counts 5-8 4 Small Steps Back (Left, Right, Left, Right)
Step 3: DOUBLE LEFT
Counts 1, 2, Step Left Foot to Left Side, Step Right foot next to Left Counts 3, 4 Step Left Foot to Left Side, Touch Right next to Left
Step 4: SIMPLE RIGHT, SIMPLE LEFT
Counts 5, 6 Step Right Foot to Right Side, Touch Left next to Right Counts 7, 8 Step Left Foot to Left Side, Touch Right next to Left
Step 5: DOUBLE RIGHT Counts 1, 2 Step Right Foot to Right, Step Left Foot next to Right, Counts 3, 4 Step Right Foot to Right Side, Touch Left next to Right
ENJOY!
Compliments Trans World Dance Company, transworld@ns.sympatico.ca
