Arandel Formation

by Tom Halpenny

The arandel, pronounced "are-an-dell", is a new formation that is best described as "rights and lefts for three couples in eight bars." First corners cross over with partners, first corners set to each other, then cross over with the dancer opposite and set. Other dancers dance rights and lefts: leading woman in second place dances with top couple, and leading man in second place dances with bottom couple.

We can devise new dances with arandel. We can also substitute arandel in many three-couple dances that have rights and lefts. The additional activity by a third couple increases the overall dancer activity.

The diagram below shows dancer positions and movement for each two bars of arandel. According to RSCDS Standard Terminology, circles are used to represent men and squares to represent women. Each symbol contains a digit to show which man or woman is represented by the symbol.

A suggestion for first corners to face for arandel in quick time:
First corners cross over on bars 1-2, curving round by the right, and set to each other on bars 3-4.
First corners cross over on bars 5-6, curving round by the right, and pivot while setting on bars 7-8 to face the direction to begin the next formation.

    
Arandel:

This formation begins with all three couples on the sidelines facing their partners across the dance.
Steps: eight travelling steps, or four travelling steps and four setting steps.
Number of bars: eight

Bars

1-2    2nd, 1st and 3rd couples, giving right hands to partner,
         cross over to change sides.
3-4    2nd man and 3rd woman set to each other. 
         2nd and 1st women, giving left hands, change places on the sideline. 
         1st and 3rd men giving left hands, change places on the sideline.
5-6    All three couples, giving right hands to the dancer opposite, 
         cross over to change sides.
7-8    2nd man and 3rd woman set. 
         1st and 2nd women, giving left hands, change places on the sideline. 
         3rd and 1st men, giving left hands, change places on the sideline.
         All three couples are now back in their original places.
         On bar 8, 1st couple pull back by the left to dance into place (polite turn).
    

February 2016 -- The Arandel formation can be extended to five couples with the Interlocking Arandel, which is a form of Rights and Lefts for five couples in eight bars.

    
Interlocking Arandel:

This formation begins with all five couples on the sidelines facing their partners across the dance.
Steps: eight travelling steps, or four travelling steps and four setting steps.
Number of bars: eight

Bars

1-2    2nd, 1st, 4th, 3rd and 5th couples, giving right hands to partner,
         cross over to change sides.
3-4    2nd man and 5th woman set to each other. 
         2nd and 1st women, giving left hands, change places on the sideline. 
         1st and 4th men giving left hands, change places on the sideline.
         4th and 3rd women, giving left hands, change places on the sideline. 
         3rd and 5th men giving left hands, change places on the sideline.
5-6    All five couples, giving right hands to the dancer opposite, 
         cross over to change sides.
7-8    2nd man and 5th woman set. 
         1st and 2nd women, giving left hands, change places on the sideline. 
         4th and 1st men, giving left hands, change places on the sideline.
         3rd and 4th women, giving left hands, change places on the sideline. 
         5th and 3rd men, giving left hands, change places on the sideline.
         All five couples are now back in their original places.
         On bar 8, 1st and 3rd couples pull back by the left to dance into place (polite turn).