KERRY POLKA SETS
Revised Version

Fast polka sets from Ireland

The first generation of Kerry Polka Sets that were done at Stanford were for a small group that wanted a complicated, challenging pattern. Then when other less experienced dancers started doing that version, it often resulted in chaos. This revised version is actually closer to the original Irish Kerry Sets, which are fast but not complicated.

Formation:  Four couples in a square, taking closed dance position with partners. The two couples facing up and down the hall are head couples. The others are side couples.

The polka step is a fairly smooth leaping two-step, without a preliminary hop, but there are many regional style variations.


The Body

Polka step leaning into the center ("balance"), polka step back to place turning CW one-quarter (2 bars), then a full turning polka to progress to the next place to the right (2 bars).  Repeat for a total of four times.

Done in a small compact set, almost touching the other couples when you balance inward.  Some couples throw their inner arms into the air when they balance back.


Figure 1

Both head couples do 4 turning polka steps to cross over to the opposite side, traveling toward their right diagonal, to pass by the oncoming couple.

Side couples do the same figure.

Heads repeat then sides repeat, to return to original places.


The Body


Figure 2

Grand Star:  All 4 Leads Star Left (left handshake with opposite Lead) promenading with their partners in their right arms, traveling forward with 2 polka steps;  Leads back out and Follows wheel in on the 3rd and 4th polka steps;  All 4 Follows Star Right to original places (right handshake with opposite Follow) still in the arm of their promenading partners, with 2 polka steps.  Follows back out on the 3rd and 4th polka steps.

All couples polka around the set, to places, for 8 bars.


The Body


Figure 3

Head couples do a "Ladies Chain" to each other, with both head Follows advancing to the center to take each other's right hand, pulling by to cross over to the opposite Lead (2 bars).  Left forearm-turn their opposite partner, almost a full turn in their place (2 bars). Then those same two Follows continue with another Chain to home partners and places.

Side couples do the same figure, over and back.


The Body


For a longer version, repeat all three figures, without repeating the first Body.

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Reconstruction and choreography by Richard Powers, based on what he observed and danced in Ireland, supplemented with polka set descriptions by Larry Lynch, Tracey Powers, Pat Murphy and others.

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