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Bush dance is a style of dance fromAustralia, particularly where the music is provided by abush band. The dances are mainly based on the traditionalfolk dances of the UK, Ireland and central Europe.
Dances can be grouped by the formations of the dancers.
Alternate men and women in a circle or horse shoe (exampleStockyards)
Men and women in a ballroom or similar hold arranged around the room (exampleBrown Jug Polka)
3 to 8 couples in two lines, ladies face the band, men face the ladies. Top couple on the band's left. If up and down the hall, ladies on band's left, top couple nearest the band (exampleGalopede)
Couples facing each other at right angles to the line-of-dance around the room. Usually a progressive dance, so half the dancers will progress clockwise and half anti-clockwise. Double Sicilian is 2 couples, facing 2 couples (exampleCottages)
Lines of three, a man and two women or two women and a man facing a similar line. Sets arranged around the room (exampleDashing White Sergeant)
Four couples arranged on the sides of a square (exampleColonial’s Quadrille).
For more details refer toQuadrilles.
Tunes are mostly traditional UK and Irish tunes. UK, Irish and USA session players would know variations of most of the tunes.
Rhythms include –Reel,Jig,March,Waltz andHornpipe.
Instruments –Fiddle,Piano,Accordion bothPiano andMelodeon,Concertina; both English and Anglo,Tin whistle,Bush bass,Guitar,Banjo and all types ofPercussion, includinglagerphone. Electric amplified instruments, such aselectric bass guitar orelectric guitar have been used since the 1970s.
Bush dances are similar to Americanline dances or Americansquare dances, in that all dancers know certain steps and execute them together. Partners are often changed in the course of the dance. There are many standard dances that dancers are either taught or expected to know, such as The Ninepins Quadrille (nicknamed TheDrongo byThe Bushwackers)in which one person is excluded from the group when they have no partner and are 'mocked' by the others. Another popular, simple, progressive dance, often used with children, is the Heel-Toe Polka (also known as the Brown Jug Polka), where partners slap their knees, hands and partners' hands.