The Chestnut of Ballrooms

The Chestnut of Ballrooms is a performance partner dance for a single pair originating in The Cylindrical Entity. The form guides dancers during improvised performances. The dance is accompanied by The Offbeat Cashew. The dancers perform in a single line, moving very quickly with the music. The partners maintain open contact, communicating intent by pushing together. There are partner changes throughout the dance with the lead turning out counterclockwise. This dance is a refined artform, with three specific moves to be mastered. The spirited dance is punctuated by softly percussive footwork.

• The dance begins with the theme of the music. The dancers perform to the tipoa rhythm. This twisting section is punctuated by the independent body movement of the follower.
• The dance enters a new section with the variations on the theme of the music. The dancers perform to the qapoaq rhythm. This section is punctuated by sharp-edged counterclockwise half turns.
• The dok is one of the fundamental dance moves. There is a high right kick with a body level change.
• The pofid is one of the fundamental dance moves. There is a raised arm from the follower with a forward bend.
• The itoq is one of the fundamental dance moves. There is a strong leap with a clockwise eighth turn, a raised arm and a jerking right leg lift.

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