Learn Bush dancing: ‘Merry Widow Waltz’ & ‘Tempest’ dance instructions

Bush Dancing is highly popular dance form in Australia since its earlier times of settlers and aboriginals. It has now become a social dance, danced at many social occasions like dance workshops, private functions, luncheons etc. Many Bush dance bands are there who provide music for bush dances. Shenanigans Dance CD’s are also a good source of bush music. Below are given instructions for two popular Bush dances: Merry Widow Waltz and Tempest, follow these instructions to dance like a pro before your next bush dance ceremony.

Glossary and Abbreviations

Sicilian Circle = One couple facing another couple in a circle around the room.

Double Sicilian = Two couples in a line, facing two couples in a line, arranged in a circle around room.

Abbreviations used:

R = right L = left F = foot H = hand

M = man W = woman L.O.D. = line of dance (anticlockwise) ACW = anticlockwise

CW = clockwise Fwd = forward Sh = shoulder

Merry Widow Waltz

Source: Daryl Powell (from Liverpool Plains, NSW area)

Formation: Couples in upper promenade hold, both start on left foot.

Bars Description

2 Two slow steps forward 

2 Two forward diagonal steps to the left (with right foot stepping behind the left). 

4 Point right foot : in front; then to the right; then close and; then bend knees in a dip. (One count per move) 

4 Both step back on left foot slowly, then right, then 1-2-3 (L,R,L = QQQ). 

2 Rock forward by stepping on right foot, back on left 

2 Rock forward on right, bring feet together swiveling right and ending facing out of circle towards the wall. (Maintain upper promenade hold.) 

2 Two chassé steps to the left. 

2 Two chassé steps to the right. 

4 Ladies step out and away from partner, stepping around for 3 steps and back to face partner on the 4th. 

8 Waltz four turns. 

32 bars

Music: 32 bar waltzes

Tempest

Formation: Double sicilian circle - 2 couples facing 2 couples around the floor. 

Bars Description

8 Circle left. The two lines take hands and circle left, then circle right back to places, with slip steps.

4 Galop across. Couples take ballroom hold and galop across (men passing back to back) to other side with 8 small sideways galop steps.

4 They turn and galop back to places with 8 small sideways galop steps (ladies passing back to back).

4 Star round and swing. The centre 4 people (insides) put their right hands across (ladies’ right hands on top) in a star and walk round clockwise, while the outsides swing with their opposites.

4 Star back. Insides put left hands across and walk back in anticlockwise direction while outsides swing their opposites in the reverse direction as before.

4 Advance and retire. Take hands in lines of 4, and walk 4 steps forward and 4 back.

4 Pass through.

32 Bars

Notes: This dance was very popular here from the 1860s onward, and similar versions can be found in dance books written by several dance teachers here last century. 

Music: Track 11 CD1

Source: Two Hundred Dancing Years, Shirley Andrews and Peter Ellis, p.51 

Source : Contra Dance Melbourne