92. ALL 8 SPIN THE TOP:

Starting formation - Wrong Way Thar, Right & Left Grand Circle and Thar Star. If started from a Thar Star, the handholds forming the center star are released as each center dancer and the adjacent outside dancer Arm Turn one-half (180 degrees). Those now in the middle Star three-quarters (walking forward), while the new outsides move forward one-quarter around the perimeter of the circle to join hands with the same person again in a Thar Star formation. If started from a Right & Left Grand Circle, everyone turns by the right halfway (180 degrees) with the person they are facing, then completes the call as above (new centers Star left three-quarters. etc.)

Teaching Hints

If one reads the definition of this call, it is almost self teaching. As the name indicates all eight dancers will execute the call working together. One word of caution to the caller. When done from a regular Allemande Thar, it is not called "Left" All 8 Spin the Top. So the instructor should explain this to the dancers. Note the definition when in a Allemande Thar. It is the center dancer and the "adjacent dancer" that turns 1/2 regardless of which hand those dancers have joined.

To teach from a right & Left Grand formation, have the dancers face as if to start a Right & Left Grand. Have them to step right shoulders together, join hands, and turn 1/2. This will place four people in the center to form a star. Tell them to start walking forward, turning the star 3/4. There will be four dancers on the outside that are free. Tell them to wrong way Promenade or Circulate 1/4. Since the centers are turning 3/4 and they are Circulating 1/4, this will mean they will connect hand holds with the same person they started the movement with.

When starting the call from a Thar Star or Wrong Way Thar Star, tell the dancers that are making the Star to drop their inside hand. Now they will turn the adjacent dancer 1/2 or trade places. The old outside dancers will now form a star and turn it 3/4 while the new outside person will move around the Star 1/4 or until they meet the same person for the next call.

Callers should NEVER call All 8 Spin the Top and expect the dancers to end the call with a stop at the end of the movement.

Clark Baker Wrote:
An interesting question in teaching this call, is do you explain anything at all about the general "all 8" concept and "spin the top", or just teach it as if "all 8 spin the top" is a set of words and a brand new movement, unrelated to anything previously learned.

For example, from a squared set, you could have everyone face their partner and step to a wave. Heads raise your hands. See that you have a wave. You could do a spin the top. Don't do it yet. Sides raise your hands. You also have a wave. You could do a spin the top. Don't do it. We are all going to do our spin the top at the same time. He we go. End and adjacent center arm turn half. Girls star 3/4 in the center. Boys move up 1/4 around the outside. Lets do it again ...

Later, you might tell them that it is usually not danced this precisely and that dancers arm turn half and all move forward until they meet the same dancer.

For some, this motivation and explanation may help. For others, it will leave them cold.

Routine Examples:
Circle Left
Allemande Left
All Eight Spin the Top
Turn Thru
L.A.

Allemande Left
Go forward Two
Like an Allemande Thar
All Eight Spin the Top
Slip the Clutch
Skip One
L.A.

Walk around the Left Hand Lady
See Saw Your Taw
Back to the Corner
Wrong Way Thar
All 8 Spin The Top
Slip the Clutch
Turn Thru
L.A.