Ladies Chain Family

The general action of Ladies Chain has two or more women each leave their current man, star (or right pull by) with each other, and be courtesy turned by a man. The caller indicates which women are involved and how far they star.

Two Ladies Chain (Regular & 3/4)

This definition covers the regular Two Ladies Chain. Two Ladies Chain 3/4 is described in the comments section.

Command examples

Head Ladies Chain

Right and Left Thru; Two Ladies Chain

Right and Left Thru; Ladies Chain

Side Ladies Chain Over; Side Ladies Chain Back

Comments

Two Ladies Chain is improper if either couple is sashayed or same-sex.

From a squared set with the men at home, Head Ladies Chain is danced by those currently at the Heads position, even if this involves the original Side women (e.g., after Four Ladies Chain 3/4).

The next four comments refer to uncommon or regional applications of Ladies Chain and may require workshopping.

From a Squared Set, on the call Head Ladies Chain 3/4, often called as “Head Ladies Chain 3/4, Side Men Turn Them”, the head women will do their part of a Four Ladies Chain 3/4 (see below) using a 2-dancer star. The Courtesy Turn will be with the side men, and the ending position will be lines of 3 (boy, girl, girl) at the sides of the set with lonesome head men at the heads of the set. The timing of this application is 10.
From a Squared Set, "Head Ladies Chain Right" or "Head Ladies to the Right, Chain" has each Head couple work with the Side couple on their right. These couples momentarily face, do the call, and then adjust back to a Squared Set. Head Ladies Chain Right is the same as Side Ladies Chain Left.
From Facing Lines, “End Ladies Chain on a Diagonal” has the right-end women chain with each other, to be Courtesy Turned by the adjacent men, ending in Facing Lines.
From Facing Tandems with women in front, the variation "On A Double Track, Ladies Chain" can be used: the women Right Pull By and Courtesy Turn with the far man. For example, Couples Circulate, Tag the Line, Cloverleaf, On a Double Track, Ladies Chain. This may also be called as "Single File, Ladies Chain".

Four Ladies Chain (Regular & 3/4)

Four Ladies Chain

Four Ladies Chain 3/4

All Four Ladies Chain Across

Chain Those Ladies Over and Back (i.e., twice)

Four Ladies Chain; Chain Them Home (i.e., twice)

Do Paso, partner left, corner right, partner left; Four Ladies Chain

Shoot the Star; Four Ladies Chain

StylingMen use the Two Ladies Chain styling. Women use a palm or finger tip star. If at least two women are wearing full skirts, an elegant variation is for each lady to pick up and hold a bit of the right edge of her skirt, or an arm's length of a long skirt, as she reaches into the star. This arm's-length hold can be continued through the Courtesy Turn at a comfortable height and longer if the next call is Chain Them Back.

Comments

Four Ladies Chain is improper if any couple is sashayed or same-sex.

Some callers use Four Ladies Chain from normal facing lines. This is danced as if all couples were directly facing the center of the set except that it ends in the same facing lines. In some areas this is an extended application, and in other areas it is considered a gimmick. (See "Part 4: Additional Detail: Commands: Gimmicks".)