Two Aspects of French-Canadian Dance
by Pierre Chartrand
The Origin of the Gigue (Québécois Step Dancing)
In Québec, step dancing is known as the gigue. The step dancing in this show is a style from the eastern part of Canada. It is one of a number of varieties of step dancing found throughout Canada. Step dancing originated in the British Isles. Its path to Canada began with the large Irish immigration between 1832 and 1847. As a port of entry, Québec City was first to feel the Irish influence. As French-speaking Canadians adopted the dance, colonists moving northward carried the gigue with them.
Various traditions have influenced the gigue. It is difficult to distinguish between the Irish and the Scottish influence in Canada, because these populations were in close contact before they arrived. It is, however, possible to identify certain dances, such as “Brandy,” danced in this show during the New Year’s Eve party, as being of Scottish origin.
There are significant variations in the gigue that reflect cultural differences. For example, the dance is quite different in the Outaouais region (near Ottawa) and Saguenay (in Québec, 120 miles north of Québec City). English-speaking dancers in Ontario and further west dance mostly in 2/4 and 6/8 time. Particularly in competitions, English speakers often dance a fixed suite of rhythms containing a clog (4/4), a jig (6/8), and a reel (2/4); the first step dancing in this Christmas Revels is an example of such a suite. In French-speaking Québec, on the other hand, the gigue is in 2/4 and 3/2 time; one example is “Brandy.”
Vive “le Swing” and Traditional Social Dancing
Swinging (as in “swing your partner round and round”) is the essence of Québécois country dancing. In fact, it can almost be considered the inspiration for all our figure dances.
Our quadrilles, cotillions, and “sets” (the distinctively Québécois form of square dancing) represent the artistic epitome of how people can meet each other. This is particularly true of the quadrille, the first dance done in this show, which has a gradually increasing number of exchanges, first between partners, and then with all the other couples.
For a dancer, to swing well means being very aware of one’s partner and being able to adjust. The swing is the figure that reveals the most about its practitioners, whether male or female. Some dancers say, “Show me how you do the swing and I’ll tell you what you are like.” It is only a small step from that concept to the viewpoint that traditional dancing is a key element of human culture.
By taking part in a social dance like the quadrille or the set, we, as did our ancestors, express our affinity with the group and our acceptance of common rules—while still maintaining some measure of personal freedom. Social dancing continually ensures that the trend toward separation and isolation in our society is not inexorable.
November 24, 2010