Chicken Scratch by Earl Van Horn

Let’s have some fun and revisit the day of yesterday with Inez and Earl Van Horn’s Chicken Scratch.  Chester Fried will be hosting a “Chicken Scratch Contest” sponsored by RSG Newsletter at a date in the very near future!  You can read the details in the RSG Newsletter.  This promises to be a fun and exciting blast to the past.  Maybe we’ll even have a dress your best prize for the skater dressed in 50s costume doing the chicken scratch dance!     

This dance is a “Two Step!” counting 1-2-3-4.  The tempo can be 88-92 beats per minute.  The skaters hold is Killian and the pattern is set. 

Dance notes:  Dance is to be started into the corner barrier sequence.

Corner Steps:  Step 1—LOF-2 beats, on count 1 the edge is stroked.  On count 2 the right foot extended full reach in back and touch both toe rollers on the skating surface directly in the back of the left skate.  This is the second count of the music and of the edge.

Step 2—RIF-4 beats, on count 3 cross over in front of the left skate.  On count 4 touch both left toe rollers directly in back.  On count 1 touch both left toe rollers directly in front.  On count 2 touch both left toe rollers directly in back.

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to get around the corner.

Straightaway Steps:  Step 5—LOF-4 beats on count 1 the edge is stroked.  On count 2 touch both right toe rollers directly in back, on count 3 touch both right toe rollers directly in front, and on count 4 touch both right toe rollers directly in back.

Step 6—ROF-4 beats, on count 1 the edge is stroked, on count 2 touch both left toe rollers directly in back, on count 3 touch both left toe rollers directly in front, on count 4 touch both left toe rollers directly in back.

Repeat left and right sequences of the straightaway until corner has been reached.

After count four on the straightaway steps skaters rock over in preparation for stroking the next edge.  This is not be construed as a required change-of-edge.  The touch of the toe wheels should be executed smoothly with an extended leg, by a soft knee bend of the engaged foot.  The straightaway edges coming out of the corner and gong into the corner must be aimed and traveling in the direction as indicated in the diagram.