A little hocus pocus has become a Halloween tradition. Watching Hocus Pocus 1 and 2 is a fun and entertaining way to celebrate Halloween. I was inspired “One Way or Another” to create a Hocus Pocus line dance to celebrate with. Scare up a good time learning this fun dance.

Why Sanderson?

What was the inspiration for the Sanderson sisters? Their last name, Sanderson was a hat tip to the sandman who puts sand on children’s eyes to put them to sleep. The idea of someone slipping into his room scared screenwriter David Kirschner.

Why Three sisters?

What about the three sisters? According to MSN, they were based on the three fates. In Greek Legend the Moirai or three fates determined a person’s destiny. In Norse mythology these goddesses were referred to as the Norns. They were also referred to as Volvas, and described as witches who used a diststaff.

What is in a name?

Do you think there is there any history behind the names of the Sanderson sisters? Happily, yes. Sarah, in her sleeping beauty inspired princess pink dress, was the name of two of the witches at the Salem Witch Trials. Mary, the chef with a nose for children, was the name of two more of the women hanged at the Salem witch trials. That leaves Winnefred who was not hanged in Salem.

Winnefred the peacemaker?

This was not the first Winnefred to grace a Disney film. It had been used previously in the Jungle book and Mary Poppins. Winnefred’s character was a reference to the Celtic witches. One Irish legend from the 14^th century is of the infamous witch Dame Alice Kyteler. After being tried for witchcraft successfully fled Ireland to live out her life. The English parliament passed the Witchcraft Act From 1542 until its repeal in 1735. Winnefred is a Celtic name of Welsh origin meaning blessed peacemaker, and fair. She did take advantage of being the fairest of them all. With Celtic red hair and a purple and green dress with symbols inspired by the rune alphabet and from Stonehenge, she was a sight.

Mother knows best?

In the Irish lore, it was said that witches could transform into wild animals and escape unnoticed. In Hocus Pocus 2 they took this legend and let Mother witch fly with this one. She took the form of a blackbird with red wings to keep an eye on things. The other fun legend was with Billy Butcherson. His costume was modeled after Ichabod Crain from Sleepy Hollow. He lost his head a couple of times with that revelation.

Spellbinding songs and dances.

Both Hocus Pocus movies were spellbinding. I had fun years ago filming a traditional dance to “I put a spell on you.” The second movie was such a fun film that I could not pass up the opportunity to take some of the moves and create a line dance to “One Way or Another.” Have an enchanting time learning this spellbinding line dance.

“One Way or Another” Hocus Pocus 2 Line Dance Description.

Frist Step Zombie Taps Looking right and left:

Look Rt, Right Foot side, tap Left Foot, (1,2) Look Left, Lf side, Tap RF (3,4) Look Rt, RF side, tap LF, (5,6) Look Left, Lf side, Tap RF (7,8)

Second Step Zombie Locks Looking right and left:

Look Right, RF forward (1), LF close behind Rf (2), RF forward (3,4), Look Left, LF forward (5), RF close behind Lf (6), LF forward (7,8)

Third Step Crab walk:

Left hand at right elbow right hand with fingers up, look right, RF side (1), LF cross in front right foot (2) side right foot (3,4) Right hand at left elbow right hand with fingers up, look left, LF side (5), RF cross in front left foot (6) side left foot (3,4).

Forth step Kick and knee slap:

Step side right foot (1) kick left knee up (2) jump down between both feet (3,4) slap you knee four times (5,6,7,8)

video

Song:

One way or another Hocus pocus 2

Characters:

Winnefred, Sarah, Mary, Mother witch, Billy,
Played by Holly Tomazin.

Film crew:

Craig Tomazin

Holly Tomazin

WEDDING DANCE instruction
DANCE LESSONS.
Certified Licentiate in
Ballroom, Latin, Smooth & Rhythm
with ISTD, DIVDA, FADS, & Arthur Murrary’s
author of
Holly’s hot wedding tips, 
Historically Accurate Princess Dances,
Winner of:
The Knot Hall of Fame best wedding dance instruction,
top 50 Dance Blogs
Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach
owner of
Adventures in Dance Club
720-276-0562
info@adventuresindance.com
www.adventuresindance.com

References

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/what-are-the-sanderson-sisters-names-in-hocus-pocus-and-do-they-bear-any-witchy-significance/ar-AA1ja0e7

https://www.glamour.com/story/hocus-pocus-costumes

https://nameberry.com/babyname/winifred

The post One Way Or Another Hocus Pocus Line Dance How To. first appeared on Adventures In Dance.

Boil toil and trouble, Halloween has returned, and with it the Sanderson sisters. With a little Hocus Pocus you can do a Halloween Line dance to “I put a spell on you.” Come little children and give it a spin!

Halloween history

Halloween started a Celtic holiday. The Samhain marked the end of the Druids year. The veil between the worlds is thin on Oct 31 and they would carve pumpkins and dress up to scare off evil spirits. Now we all get in the spirit and dress up to temp little children with treats.

Sanderson Sisters

The Sanderson sisters were based off the most sinister legends of witches. Things like consuming children, casting spells, and dancing until you die. But not all witch legends are sinister. Some of them are worth raising a glass to.

Alternate witch history

Another perspective on witches is that they were the early brewers. These Alewives wore black rimmed pointy Heinen hats. They poured hours over a large black cauldron brewing mash for a healing pot of spirits. When the beer was ready, they would put a broom over the door to signify the Ail was ready for consumption. Drink enough of this fermented delight and you would swear you were flying.  What about the green face? Consume too much and you may turn green. But the truth is summed up in one word. Oz.

Hocus Pocus Halloween Line Dance

Several years ago, I was asked to teach dance at the parade of pumpkins at the Denver botanic gardens. For this event I created this line dance from an ancient Maltese Branle to the song “I put a spell on you.” The steps are likely something the Sanderson sisters would have done as they form “a calming circle.” This dance can be done in a line or a circle.

Hocus Pocus Halloween Line Dance How To

Calming circle variation. Commence by holding hands in a circle facing the center. Can be done in a circle around a cauldron with a cat.

Basic Branle to left and right:

Side, close, side, kick (left, right, left, kick right) Side, close, side, kick (right, left, right, kick left) repeat left and right. (This can also be done as a grapevine with a crossing step.

Step tap clap and spell forward and back

Step, forward left Foot, right foot tap. Step right foot forward, left Foot tap. Step forward Left Foot, right foot tap hands clap 3 times over left shoulder.
Step back right Foot Left Foot tap. Step back left Foot, right Foot tap, Step back right Foot Left Foot tap hands to center wiggle fingers ohooo.

Repeat from the top until the song is finished.

Line dance variation facing forward, 1 wall.

Basic Branle to left and right:

Side, close, side, kick (left, right, left, kick right) Side, close, side, kick (right, left, right, kick left) repeat left and right. (This can also be done as a grapevine with a crossing step.

Step tap clap and spell forward and back

Step, forward left Foot, right foot tap. Step right foot forward, left Foot tap. Step forward Left Foot, right foot tap hands clap 3 times over left shoulder.
Step back right Foot Left Foot tap. Step back left Foot, right Foot tap, Step back right Foot Left Foot tap hands to center wiggle fingers ohooo.

Location:

We filmed at Adventures in Dance using the song “I put a spell on you” sung by Robyn Adel Anderson on Postmodern Jukebox. Special thanks to the dynamic trio, Rhonda, Peggy, and Jane for dancing in this tutorial. They were inspired to dress up as the Sanderson sisters for Halloween and willing to put this dance on film. They were good sports for staying up for a spell to put this on film. Dance with happy feet!

Cast:

Cat– Holly Tomazin

Winnifred– Pegy Boben

Sarah– Rhonda Underhill

Mary– Jane Braithwaite

Camera:

Craig Tomazin

Holly Tomazin
WEDDING DANCE instruction
DANCE LESSONS.
Certified Licentiate in
Ballroom, Latin, Smooth & Rhythm
with ISTD, DIVDA, FADS, & Arthur Murrary’s
author of
Holly’s hot wedding tips, 
Historically Accurate Princess Dances,
Winner of:
The Knot Hall of Fame best wedding dance instruction,
top 50 Dance Blogs
Champion Ballroom Dancer & Coach
owner of
Adventures in Dance
720-276-0562
info@adventuresindance.com
www.adventuresindance.com

References:

https://screenrant.com/hocus-pocus-2-sanderson-sisters-kids-flashbacks-worse/

https://www.looper.com/1005791/the-untold-truth-of-the-sanderson-sisters/

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/the-history-of-witch-costumes/5-why-is-she-green

https://lazyhistorian.com/alewives-brewsters-and-the-birth-of-the-witch/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/women-used-dominate-beer-industry-until-witch-accusations-started-pouring-180977171/

https://www.transceltic.com/pan-celtic/celtic-origins-of-halloween

The post Hocus Pocus Halloween Line Dance How To first appeared on Adventures In Dance.