Anisette

See http://dance.rulise.net/anisette.html

c. 1997 Lise M. Dyckman

Tune: “Pernod Waltz” c. 1984 Johnny Cunningham, as

published in Bill Matthiesen’s Waltz Book II, played (AABB)*4

Formation - Two-couple Sets, couple facing couple. Designate one couple as C1

Chorus = B1B2 each time (rather brisk!)

B1  Pass opposite by the R hand, pass partner by the L hand,
    pass opposite by the R shoulder (no hands), turn partner
    halfway with both hands; first couple lead through the
    other couple and cast back to place.
B2  Pass opposite by the R hand, pass partner by the L hand,
    pass opposite by the R shoulder (no hands), turn partner
    halfway with both hands; second couple lead through
    the other couple and cast back to place.

Part I.
A1  With partner, lead forward a double to meet the opposite
    couple; with opposite lead away a double; facing
    opposite set and turn single (usual R) to end alongside
    opposite but facing partner. (so 3/4 turn single for one
    person, 1 1/4 for the other).
A2  With opposite, lead forward a double to meet partner;
    with partner lead away a double; facing partner set and
    turn single (usual R) to end alongside partner, facing
    opposite. (so 3/4 turn single for one person, 1 1/4 for 
    the other).
Chorus (B1 & B2)

Part II.
A1  Gypsy opposite person (R shoulder as usual); facing
    opposite set and turn single [wide] to end facing partner.
A2  Gypsy partner (R shoulder as usual); facing partner set
    and turn single style [wide] to end facing opposite.
Chorus: B1 & B2

Part III.
A1  Side-by-side siding ["Pat Shaw" siding] R shoulder to
    opposite; facing opposite set and turn single [wide] to
    end facing partner.
A2  Side-by-side siding ["Pat Shaw" siding] L shoulder to
    partner; facing partner set and turn single [wide] to end
    facing opposite.
Chorus: B1 & B2

Part IV.
A1  With opposite, R arm in 18C. allemande style [or in
    usual Playford style]; disengage, and facing opposite, set
    and turn single [wide] to end facing partner.
A2  With partner, L arm in 18C. allemande style * [or in
    usual Playford style]; disengage, and facing partner, set
    and turn single [wide] to end facing opposite.
Chorus: B1 & B2

Notes:

1) 18th Century allemande arming is: aim the requisite shoulder at the person to allemand and place the back of the hand of that requisite arm next to the small of that person’s back, waist height and linking arms. Place your other hand behind your back so as to take hands with this person behind your back, and revolve once around.

2) The chorus figure is a much more brisk version of the changes in the B figure of “Fair and Softly”. The thematic structure (narrative) for this dance is that you're getting progressively closer to your opposite: first an acknowledgement, then making extended eye contact in a gypsy figure, then coming side to side, and finally linking in a close hold. It would probably be kind to end the dance with another section I for farewell closure. It is tempting to play this tune as a jazzy waltz (especially as it was originally written in French cabaret musette style), but the dancers appreciate a more relaxed, American-style waltz tempo. Besides the obvious pun, the name is also a reference to Bay Area dancer Anise Feldman’s lively setting.

The web page from which this was modified was designed by and copyright to Ruth Temple and Lise M. Dyckman ©2004, and licensed under a Creative Commons License for non-commercial use with credit.