Progressive Three Mixer

{1949}

Introduction

The Progressive Three Mixer is an easy mixer for trios described by Ed Durlacher in his 1949 book Honor Your Partner.

Of the three "Progressive Three Circles" described in that book, this one, labeled "Progressive Three Circle No. 2," is the most compelling.

The Position

A set of three dancers, side by side, facing LOD, opposite a set of three dancers, side by side, facing against LOD.

The Dance

Part I - Circle Left and Swing Right (8 bars): As a circle of six, take hands and circle halfway around to the left eight steps, trading places with the other trio (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). Then the center dancer swings (buzz-step) eight counts with the partner on their right, i.e., the one following them in the circle (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).

Part II - Circle Right and Swing Left (8 bars): Repeat opposite, i.e., circle halfway around to the right, returning home (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), then the center dancer swings (buzz-step) with the partner on their left, i.e., the one following them in the circle (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).

Part III - Allemande Right and Allemande Left (8 bars): The center dancer and the one on the right allemande right, i.e., take right-in-right hands and circle each other clockwise (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), then the center dancer and the one on the left allemande left, i.e., take left-in-left hands and circle each other counterclockwise (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).

Part IV - Forward and Back and Pass Through (8 bars): Approach opposites (1, 2, 3, 4) and retreat (5, 6, 7, 8), then pass through by the right shoulder to meet a new trio (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8).

Repeat from the beginning.

The Music

Sheet music is provided in the source, but any square, walking tempo tune will do.

Sources

Ed Durlacher. (1949). Honor Your Partner. New York.

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.

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