~ The Desert Song ~
Website Workshop Page
Waltz
Released: 1978
Choreo: Leach
A classic Phase IV waltz
now RAL-designated as
Phase III + 2
Sample from
National Square Dance Convention 2015, Springfield, Mass. source: J.Miller Channel
Note Arlene and Jim center stage at the start.
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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
the French 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
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Learning the Dance
Link to cue sheet: HEAD CUES
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
BOX FINISH = TURN, SIDE, CLOSE (usually ending DIAGONAL)
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 source: J.Miller
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 [caution: sample is to SEMI, not BJO] 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.
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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.