Fan Dance

A recent post on the Sewing Academy brought up one of my pet peeves, the Fan Dance. This dance is popular at many of the north-eastern events. I love cotillions (dance games). But, most of the time I see this dance done, it isn’t done the way it is described in mid-century dance manuals. At events I see it danced in long lines rather than in a circle as described. I’ve seen the dance done in a circle. This format makes it far more fun for all involved.

Below are period versions of the fan dance.

From The Prompter by William DeGarmo (New York, Raymond & Caulon, Printers, 1865.)

“L’ÉVENTAIL–(THE FAN.)

“The first couple perform a Tour de Valse or Galop. The gentleman conductor seats his lady upon a chair in the centre of the room, and brings two gentlemen (one by each hand) in front of the lady, who offers to one of the two her fan, and dances with the other. The gentleman who receives the fan must follow the dancing couple round, fanning them at the same time.”

From American Dancing Master, and Ball-room Prompter by Elias Howe (Boston 1862)

The Fan–L’Eventail. (Waltz, Polka, or Mazourka Step.)

“Three chairs are placed in the middle of the room upon the same line. The two at the ends should be turned contrariwise to that in the centre, as in the figure of the Glass of Champagne. The first couple sets out in waltzing. The gentlemen seats his lady upon the centre chair, and seeks two other gentlemen, whom he places in the two other chairs. The lady offers her fan to one of the gentlemen at her side, and waltzes with the other. The gentleman with the fan must follow the waltzing couple, fanning them and hopping about the circle.”

From The Art of Dancing, by Edward Ferrero (New York, 1859)

“The Fan Three chairs are placed in the centre of the room on a line. The two at the extremities must be turned contrariwise to that in the centre. The first couple leads off in a waltz. The gentleman seats his lady on the centre chair, and gives her a fan; he proceeds to select two other gentlemen, whom he seats on the other two chairs. The lady offers the fan to one of the two gentlemen seated at her side, and waltzes with the other. The gentleman who holds the fan must follow the dancing couple, fanning them, while hopping on one leg.”

From The Drawing-Room Dances by Henri Cellarius (London, 1847)

“The Fan–L’Eventail. (Waltze, polka.)

Three chairs are placed in the middle of the room upon the same line. The two at the ends should be turned contrarywise to that in the centre, as in the figure of the Glass of Champagne. The first couple sets out in waltzing. The gentleman seats his lady upon the centre chair, and seeks two other gentlemen whom he places in the two other chairs. The lady offers her fan to one of the gentlemen at her side, and waltzes with the other. The gentleman with the fan must follow the waltzing couple, fanning them and hopping about the circle.”