20. Side-by-Side Fan
Fact Sheet
| Official Name: | Side-by-Side Fan |
| Dance / Level: | Full Bronze American Style Tango |
| Aliases: | Flare Promenade, Open Fan |
Suggested
Prerequisites: | None |
The Side-by-Side Fan is the simplest and most popular method used in the bronze Tango syllabus to return to closed position from side-by-side.
Not to be confused with the "Fan" of International Cha Cha and Rumba, a Fan to an American style dancer is a swivel action on the supporting foot, while the free foot "fans" outward by extending into a sideways point. In this figure, the fan is executed starting with man and lady in side-by-side position with LH-RH hold. The man steps forward on his left foot, fanning his right foot to the side, while the lady does the mirror image, stepping forward with her right and fanning her left. After the fan, they end in open promenade position with a LH-RH hold. From there the figure continues as steps 2-5 of Promenade with Left Swivel, with man and lady resuming the normal closed position hold.
When executing the Side-by-Side Fan, one should be aware of the matter of spacing: The distance between partners must ultimately be closed if they are to return to dance position. This is typically done in one of two ways:
(1) On step 1, man and lady both step forward on a diagonally converging path, closing the gap between them, and finishing the step in a closed (or nearly closed) hold in promenade position.
(2) On step 1, man and lady step straight forward on parallel paths, and delay the closing of the position until the second step. Because the distance between partners remains on the end of step 1, the man will not yet replace his right hand on the lady's back. On step 2, the man and lady step forward in open promenade position on a diagonally converging path, closing the gap between them. The man then replaces his hand on the lady's back to lead the swivel at the end of step 2. This technique considered more difficult to properly execute, as it requires the ability to lead and follow more extensively with an open one-hand connection.
Alignments given in the man's and lady's parts are for the purpose of teaching. Other beginning and ending alignments are possible, subject to the flow of traffic.
