Mondo Mazurka Mixer

by Richard Powers

Based on the Oriental Mazurka by Tom Almond, circa 1905.

Mondo (adj, "remarkable") is also short for amondo, Japanese for almond, named after Tom Almond. Created for Harumi Kunimoto's Tokyo group.

Tom Almond's Oriental Mazurka sequence dance was described by Sidney Thompson, shown at the right, in his Old Time Dance Book, 1956. Tom Almond's sequence was difficult because the mazurka step was on the second bar (waltz on the first bar), when back-to-back with one's partner. Mondo Mazurka exchanges the first and second measures, making it easier and more musical, matching the music, and matching the second halfM of ondothe dance as wellMazurka, which also begins Mixer with a mazurka.

Music: Oriental Mazurka Sidney Thompson specified 138 bpm.

Description is for men. Women step opposite.

Begin in Open Hold, facing LOD, man's L hand akimbo (on his hip) as shown above.

Part 1 bars 1 Mazurka Step: slide side L, cut R under L, bring L back closed above R ankle, without weight, with a slight bounce. 1 Waltz-Close Step: Forward L, diagonal side R swinging the held hands forward, close L to R. 1 Waltz-Close Step traveling LOD: forward R, side L facing partner, close R to L. 1 Side-Close: Partners join both hands open inclining to RLOD, side L, close R to L without weight, hold on count 3, M bring his R hand to akimbo.

Part 2

Repeat in the opposite direction, on opposite feet. Close into Waltz Position at the end.

Part 3

1 Mazurka Step in Closed Promenade Position, toward LOD, M beginning L foot. Start to rotate CW on count 3. 2 Rotary Waltz toward LOD, rotating CW, one full turn. 1 Side-Close: side L, close R to L, transfer weight to R on count 3.

Part 4

2 Rotary Waltz CW toward LOD. 1 Outside Turn: M stays in place raising his L arm and woman waltzes under the arch of his arm. 1 Woman completes the second half of her solo waltz progressing to the man ahead of her.