Mixer Dance: Design a Circle That Changes Partners

Many social dances around the world are mixers: two circles, one inside the other, dance in pairs, and at the end of each round everyone moves on to a new partner. Students first learn a simple mixer and then the class designs its own.

How to play

1. Two circles, one inside the other, partners facing: greeting, four claps together and an elbow turn (5 min).
2. Model 32-count mixer: claps, turn, swap places and the outer circle moves on to the next partner (6 min).
3. In groups of six, design your own 32-count mixer with a greeting figure, a turning figure and the partner change (8 min).
4. Each group teaches its mixer to the whole class in the big circles (8 min).
5. Show-of-hands vote for the favorite mixer and a final dance (3 min).

Rules

• The same circle always moves on, in the same direction.
• Your partner is whoever comes next: nobody gets skipped.
• Contact is hands or elbows only, and anyone can swap it for a gesture.
• When moving on, use short steps and look at your new partner.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility: take the inner circle, which travels less, and adapt the figures to the wheelchair.
• Students with visual impairments: the outer circle says their name when arriving as the new partner.
• Students with social anxiety: greet with a no-contact gesture and start next to a friend.

Learning goals

• Stay oriented in two moving circles.
• Design a social dance with a clear structure.
• Dance with the whole class without choosing partners.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 4
• speaker: 1

Teacher tip

Mixers break up cliques: explain beforehand that nobody gets skipped. With an odd number, join the circle yourself or leave one open spot that becomes a "clap solo" turn.

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