Maypole

Samba Maypole

The Samba Maypole is a Silver Level figure. This online reference gives a detailed description of the dance steps, including timing, and movement, technique; a list of figures that may precede or follow the pattern; and videos providing instruction and demonstration of the figure, techniques and practice routines that include it.

Maypole Man Turning Left

This figure starts in Open PP, L to R hand hold. Use Bounce action.

Man dances a Circular Volta started with LF and turned to L circling around Lady while leading her to dance a Spot Volta turning R under raised arms.

Lady will keep R arm in front of her (never behind her) while turning under the arm. L arm is first drawn in and then extend out to side.

Maypole Man Turning Right

This figure starts in Open CPP, L to R hand hold. Use Bounce action.

Man dances a Circular Volta started with RF and turned to R circling around Lady while leading her to dance a Spot Volta turning L under raised arms.

End in Closed Position, regaining normal hold.

Timing: Maypole may be danced over two, three or four bars of music.

    • 1 a 2 a 3 a 4: Spot Volta turning 1/4, then 3/4; 1/4 then 3/4

    • 1 a 2 a 3 a 4 a 5 a 6

    • 1 a 2 a 3 a 4 5 a 6 a 7 a 8

With changing directions: 1 a 2 a 3 a 4 5 a 6 a 7 a 8.

Preceding Figures

  1. Criss Cross Bota Fogos (Shadow Bota Fogos)

  2. Criss Cross Voltas

  3. Maypole

  4. Natural Basic Movement

  5. Reverse Basic Movement

  6. Samba Locks

  7. Samba Walk: Side

  8. Samba Walk: Stationary

  9. Side Basic Movement

Following Figures

  1. Reverse Turn (Man turning R in Maypole)

  2. Whisk To Left (Man turning R in Maypole)

  3. Cruzados Walks and Locks (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  4. Samba Locks (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  5. Promenade And Counter Promenade Runs (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  6. Natural Roll (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  7. Round About (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  8. Contra Bota Fogos (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  9. Shadow Circular Volta with RF (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  10. Maypole (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  11. Plait (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  12. Back Rocks (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  13. Open Rocks (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  14. Closed Rocks (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  15. Corta Jaca (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  16. Shadow Traveling Volta commenced with RF (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  17. Solo Spot Volta to Right (Lady to Left) (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  18. Criss Cross Voltas (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  19. Traveling Bota Fogos Back (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  20. Traveling Bota Fogos Forward (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  21. Traveling Volta to Left (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  22. Rhythm Bounce (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  23. Samba Walk: Stationary (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  24. Samba Walk: Side (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  25. Samba Walk in PP: RF (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  26. Whisk To Right (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  27. Natural Basic Movement (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  28. Side Basic Movement (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)

  29. Progressive Basic Movement (when Man is turning left in Maypole; or when Man is turning right in Maypole)