Chain reaction

The very centers Pass Thru with the dancers they are facing, while the ends of the center line/wave Promenade ¼ around the outside of the set. The original very centers and the dancers they are next to, Hinge. The centers Star (or Diamond Circulate) one spot, while the outsides Trade. Those who meet now Cast Off ¾, while the others move up (as in Hourglass Circulate) to become the ends of parallel waves. 

A Chain Reaction is just that.  Two dancers start the Chain reaction.  These would be the very centers of the central wave / line.  Those two dancers drop hands to start the call.  This starts the chain reaction by freeing the ends of the wave / line to move - leaving four dancers free to move – the two centers of the central wave / line, and the ends of that wave / line.  When the hands are dropped two things happen:  The centers pass thru with the dancers they face directly while the ends promenade ¼ around the outside of the set.  When the centers have finished the pass thru (leaving two new dancers in their place) they hinge with the dancers they meet leaving a star or diamond in the center comprising of the two dancers from the outside who completed the pass thru and the two dancers who have been hinged into the star.  It is critical that the original centers who start with a pass thru do not touch the person they are passing thru with and take the outside dancer’s hand and hinge them into the star.  We now have a central star or diamond and mini waves on each end.  Those in the mini wave trade while the star turns ¼ (or diamond circulate in some cases).  Those who meet cast ¾ (the centers  - those in the star or diamond - always go forward and the ends – those in the mini wave act as a pivot), while the other 4 move up (hourglass circulate).

John Oldfield