Circle and Swing is an easy mixer described by Fran Riel and Buleah Davis in their 1966 book Happy Dancing, Handbook of Dance Mixers. The version described below is as adapted by Nick Enge.
Single circle facing in, Follows on the right.
Part I - Lead's Circle (4 bars): Leads walk forward four steps to form a Lead's circle (1, 2, 3, 4), and circle left eight counts (5, 6, 7, 8, 1, 2, 3, 4). Then peel off the circle to the left and take four steps forward to new partner (5, 6, 7, 8).
Part II - Swing (4 bars): Swing* partner for sixteen counts, ending in original orientation (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16). [The second eight was originally four slow claps, but a continued swing is much more satisfying.]
* Riel and Davis describe "Swing" as turning clockwise, "pivoting on right foot and pushing with left as if riding a scooter," but as usual, a walking swing will also work for beginners.
Part III - Follow's Circle (4 bars): Leads walk forward four steps to form a Follow's circle (1, 2, 3, 4), and circle left eight counts (5, 6, 7, 8, 1, 2, 3, 4). Then peel off the circle to the left and take four steps forward to new partner (5, 6, 7, 8).
Part IV - Swing (4 bars): Swing* partner for sixteen counts, ending in original orientation (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16).
Repeat from the beginning.
The recommended music is "When the Saints Go Marching In."
© 2019 Nick Enge
For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.
For full-length teaching videos, visit: University of Dance.
For help crafting a life you love, visit: Project Quartz.
Home About Dances Manuals Search