~ The Desert Song ~
~ The Desert Song ~
Waltz Website Workshop Page: 431_A
Released: 1978
Choreo: Leach
A classic Phase IV waltz now RAL-designated as
Phase III + 2
CUE SHEET is at bottom of this page.
PRO DEMO
Group Sample from
National Square Dance Convention 2015,
Springfield, Mass. source: J.Miller Channel
LEARNING THE DANCE and CUE SHEET follow the BACK STORY
BACK STORY
The dance uses the title song with lush orchestrations from a 1926 operetta composed by Sigmund Romberg. During an era when Lawrence of Arabia and Valantino as "The Shiek" were popular topics, this story set in Morocco about theFrench girl Margot and the mysterious masked leader of the Arab rebels known as "The Red Shadow" became a popular entertainment.
Just for fun: To get a feeling of the musical romanticism expressed by the lead characters in context, consider viewing a clip from the motion picture version.
The main melody starts after two minutes of lead-in dialogue.
EXCERPT: "The Desert Song." Kathryn Grayson and Gordon MacRae source: YouTube
Learning the Dance
The "signature figure" of this dance is the DRAG HESITATION, BACK & BACK LOCK, BACK
Highlighted cues are followed by video teach demos.
INTRO
Standard introduction
PART A
WZ AWY; TRN IN; BK WZ; BK, DRW, TCH;
THRU TWK; THRU, FAC, CLS; VIN 3; THRU FAC CLS;
WHISK; WING; TELEMARK to SEMI; MANUEVER;
SPIN TURN; BOX FINISH; 2 L TRNS; ;
Examining the cues--
First portion of Part A is same as Part A of the very easy Phase II Mission Bell Waltz.
-- If a refresher is needed, link to Mission Bell Waltz
Part A1-- (The "Mission Bell" Routine):
WZ AWY; TRN IN; BK WZ; BK, DRW, TCH;
THRU TWK; THRU, FAC, CLS; VIN 3; THRU FAC CLS;
Part A2--
WHISK; WING; TELEMARK to SEMI; MANUEVER;
SPIN TURN; BOX FINISH; 2 L TRNS; ;
Video Teach Demo:
WHISK source: J.Miller Channel
Video Teach Demo:
WHISK and WING [ignore CROSS HOVER] source: J.Miller Channel
Video Teach Demo:
TELEMARK source: J.Miller Channel
Video Teach Demo:
SPIN TURN source: J.Miller Channel
PART B
BAL L & R; ; TWL VIN 3; THRU FAC CLS;
HVR SCP; MNVR; 2 1/4 TRNS; ;
DRAG HES; BK, BK/LK BK; IMP SCP; THRU FAC CLS;
HVR SCP; WEAVE BJO; ; FWD FAC CLS;
Examining the cues--
Part B1--
BAL L & R; ; TWL VIN 3; THRU FAC CLS;
HVR SCP; MNVR; 2 1/4 TRNS; ;
Video Teach Demo:
HOVER [to SEMI] source: J.Miller Channel
Part B2-- (This routine is the signature phrase of "Desert Song" )
DRAG HES; BK, BK/LK BK; IMP SCP; THRU FAC CLS;
Video Teach Demo:
DRAG HESITATION; BACK and BACK/LOCK BACK; IMPETUS
View the dance class video, including the special follow-up of work-shopping the DRAG HESITATION.
Exercise source: J.Miller Channel
Part B3--
HVR SCP; WEAVE BJO; ; FWD FAC CLS;
Video Teach Demo:
WEAVE 6 source: J.Miller Channel
END
HVR SCP; WEAVE 5 TO FAC-APT, PT;
Examining the cues--
The cuer may say "Weave 6; Apart, point"; but that will not allow for proper footwork.
The APART step is the sixth step.
_____________________________________________
View the class having improved on the DRAG HESITIATION.
Review source: J.Miller Channel
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LOCAL TALENT
Cues: George Gardner filmed by Ron Gracia. 2009.
BONUS
Just for fun: Gomer Pyle sings The Desert Song
CUE SHEET
CHOREOGRAPHER: Emily & Fred Leach
RECORD: Hoctor H-607 ARTIST: Romberg
FOOTWORK: Opposite TIME @ RPM: 1:57@45
RHYTHM: Waltz RAL PHASE: IV
RELEASED: 1978
SEQUENCE: INTRO A B A B (1-13) ENDING
MEAS:
1-4 OP-FCG WALL WAIT 2 MEAS ;; APT PT ; TOG BFLY TCH ;
1-16 WALTZ AWY ; TRN IN LOP RLOD ; BK WALTZ ; BK DRAW TCH ;
THRU TWKL TWICE ;; VIN 3 ; THRU FC CL [WALL] ;
WHISK ; WING ; TELE SCP ; MANUV ;
SPIN TRN ; BOX FIN ; 2 L TRNS BFLY WALL ;;
1-16 BAL L & R ;; TWRL VIN 3 ; THRU FC CL [WALL] ;
HVR SCP ; MANUV ; 2 R TRNS LOD ;;
DRAG HES ; BK BK/LK BK ; IMP SCP ; THRU FC CL [WALL] ;
HVR SCP ; WEAVE BJO ;; FWD FC CL BFLY ;
REPEAT PART A + B [1-13]
1-2 WEAVE 5 & APT PT ;;