View source for Redowa

{{Short description|Dance of Czech origin}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2008}}
[[File:The original Redowa waltz (NYPL b19606977-5096616).jpg|"The original Redowa waltz", by Jullien|thumb]]
A '''redowa''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|ɛ|d|ə|w|ə|,_|-|v|ə}})<ref>{{cite web|title=Redowa|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redowa|website=Merriam-Webster|access-date=3 October 2017}}</ref> is a dance of [[Culture of the Czech Republic|Czech]] origin with turning, leaping [[waltz]] steps that was popular in European ballrooms.

==History==
The name comes from the Czech name '''rejdovák''', derived from ''rej'' ("whirl").{{dubious|date=August 2016}}<ref name="Grove">{{Cite Grove |last=Tirrell |first=John |title=Redowa}}</ref> Originally a folk dance, it first appeared into the salons in Prague in 1829 and fell out of fashion by 1840, though in the meantime it had spread beyond Bohemia.<ref name="Grove"/>

Thomas Hillgrove<ref>[http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/musdibib:@field(NUMBER+@band(musdi+094)) Thomas Hillgrove, An American Ballroom Companion: Dance Instruction Manuals]</ref> states that the redowa was introduced to London ballrooms in 1846.<ref>[http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/musdi:@field(DOCID+@lit(M094131)) Thomas Hillgrove: An American Ballroom Companion: Dance Instruction Manuals]</ref> Like other popular [[ballroom]] dances of the mid-nineteenth century, including the [[polka]], it was danced in Paris prior to its appearance in London.

==Meter==
Like most dances currently described as waltzes, the redowa is danced in {{music|time|3|4}} [[Time signature|time]], with the couple performing a full rotation every six [[beat (music)|beat]]s.

==Description==
A basic redowa step contains one long reaching step and two small leap-steps. The long reaching step can be danced on either the 1 or the 2 of each bar of music, depending on what feels best with the tune that is playing.

Cellarius (1849)<ref>[http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/musdi:@field(DOCID+@lit(M03826)) (section in French) An American Ballroom Companion: Dance Instruction Manuals]</ref> describes a three-part redowa consisting of a pursuit part (''"la poursuite"''), followed by the style of [[waltz]] commonly described as the redowa, and ending with a particular type of [[valse à deux temps]]. During the "pursuit" the partners hold each other hands facing each other and moving up and down at will and doing the "balance" forward and back, with lady following the cavalier.

===The lead===
Dancers generally start in [[Closed position|closed (waltz) position]] with the outside hands pointing line of direction. (This description is for the case when the "reach" step is on count two.)  To begin a redowa, the leader will take a small leap step (count 1) around in front of his/her partner with the left foot so that the leader is backing, then take a long scooping or gliding step (count 2) straight back with the right (pointing right toe, bending the knee of the left leg, keeping the torso upright), followed by another small leap step (count 3) with the left to complete a 180-degree turn clockwise.  The second half of the six-count pattern begins with a small leaping step (count 4) along the line of dance, so the leader faces forward on the line of dance. The left leg now reaches straight forward (count 5; pointing left toe, bending right knee, etc.), directly under the partner's right leg, which is extended back.  A small leap (count 6) onto the right foot completes the pattern, completing the second half (180 degree) turn in preparation for the next six count pattern.

===The follow===
The follow is the opposite portion of the lead's sequence. The follower's movement on the first three beats are essentially the same movements the leader makes on the second set of three beats, and vice versa.

==References==
[[File:Redowa polka (NYPL b19378349-5052840).jpg|thumb|Redowa polka]]
{{Reflist}}

==See also==
*[[Vintage dance]]
*[[Historical dance]]
*[[Mazurka]]
*[[Varsovienne]]
*{{Commons category-inline}}

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[[Category:European dances]]
[[Category:Waltz]]
[[Category:Triple time dances]]
[[Category:Dance in the Czech Republic]]