(New England) Contra
Last updated: February 2026
Couples perform Contra-dance in longways lines, ‘as many as will’. Minor sets are ‘duple’ (comprise two-couples), usually ‘improper’, occasionally ‘Becket’ formation.
Proponents of Contra-dance cite its advantages over other social, country dance genres as:
- most participants are ‘active’ most of the time - c.f. a single ‘working couple’ in longways barn dances;
- greater interaction with ‘neighbors’;
- all couples simultaneously perform the same steps - although half of the dancers are moving in the opposite direction;
- figures are usually walked - there's no need for fancy stepping e.g. step-hop, ranting or even skipping.
Dances are particularly sociable as a new pair of dancers is encountered about every 30s.
Since it doesn't involve any taxing stepping or energetic figures e.g. ‘galop’ing down a set, ‘balance & kick’ or ‘basket’, Contra is well-suited to the more mature dancer.
Contra is amenable to ostentatious flourishes e.g. twirling when transitioning between circling and swinging… or, for uninhibited flamboyance: the "dip” - not for the novice.
However, Contra can't offer quite the variety - the ‘cherries’ - afforded by figures such as ‘Strip the Willow’, ‘Dip & Dive’ or ‘Rip & Snort’.
* * *
Contra accompaniment is usually contemporary, 32-bar reels - performed by string bands.
English country dances normally comprise five, or less, figures during a 32-bar revolution - whereas Contras have at least six individual figures, so are a smidgeon more demanding to memorize.
* * *
Particular features of Contra:
- swinging finishes with everyone’s ‘pointy’ arms facing across the set, then release them - but ‘catch’ the other hand - to end with couples facing across, lady on the right;
- star figures either use "hands across" (only to the opposite person) or wrist-grip (the person infront’s) at waist height.
The procedure when popping-out at an end of a line can be confounding, but generally, couples simply continue around the end - swapping lines - often waiting-out for one 'revolution' before continuing normally, but in the opposite line/direction.
Dances whose starting formation is ‘1s improper’ (and if ≥18 couples participate), can also be performed as a Sicilian circle (which, because there are no ‘end’s, is less taxing).
Some Contra venues host gender-fluid events, which can be a tad uncomfortable for conventional, red-blooded males. If that could be an issue, it'd be prudent to check beforehand.
You want to see a demonstration of Contra?
Here's a taster (as Engine Room assail the cat-gut). But beware - the accompaniment's insistently infectious, so if you watch this, you're at risk of contracting the Contra bug:
Trip Through the StonesDon Veino
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yw0UmCKb1o
Formation: Becket lines.
The figures that comprise a single revolution (parenthesized text in a grey font signifies an embellishment):
A1 (beats 1-8): Slice to the left to progress and back straight out.
With that couple…
(9-16): Ladies Chain.
A2 (17-24): Left hand star (wrist-grip), peel-off to adjacent set,
(25-32): right hand star, peel-off - back to previous set…
B1 (33-48): Neighbor Balance (two-handed) & Swing.
B2 (49-56): Hands four, Circle to the left three places, (twirl lady CCw. into… )
(57-64): Partner Balance & Swing.
Alternating Corners
by Jim Kitch
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8Zb2SjucM0
Music: Polaris -
Prep: Take hands in fours from the top, couples facing away from the caller are designated ‘1’s, they swap places (improper). In this dance, couples 1 and 2 take turns being active. Review 'Allemande contra corners'.
Difficulty: Tricky - Oh yes!
A1: Neighbor Balance & Swing.
A2: Long lines, forward and back.
The *active couple cross the set to curl round (outside) their (same gender) neighbor, passive couple just meet and ricochet back to place.
B1: The active couple meet in the center, hinge right to Allemande contra corners.
B2: Back in the center, Actives balance and swing, end facing their new neighbors.
* - The first time through, couple #1 is active. For A2/B1, they ½ figure-of-eight (with the ‘2’s - who are now above them), hinge right then Allemande contra corners, swing partner - end facing their new neighbors (down the set). The second time through, couple #2 is active. They curl around their neighbors (the ‘1’s - now below them), hinge right, Allemande contra corners from improper side, and end their last swing facing up the set.
The Amazing Sarah Wilcox
Author: Tom Hinds
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQHzh83-SAI
Music: The Squid and the Seagull.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘2’s improper. Reverse progression i.e. ‘2’s go downwards.
A1: Circle left three places, (8 beats)
partner swing. (8)
A2: Circle left three places, (8)
neighbor swing. (8)
B1: Long lines forward & back, (8)
Square thru’: chain three around (across first, R-L-R i.e. partner-neighbor-partner). (8)
B2: All facing out (with the man on the left) in long lines, hold hands at chest height to Balance the Line (step/lean towards current neighbor, tap, then to previous neighbor, tap), (4)
man rolls lady CCw. across to his left towards her next neighbor, (4) If waiting-out, re-join.
Balance the Line (towards next neighbor, then current neighbor), (4)
California twirl next/new neighbor - to all face-in. (4) ejected end couples swap lines, designations and wait-out a ‘go’.
Amy Absconds
by: Ted Hodapp
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8QZA5oqmvY (Called by Hank Morris)
Music: 36s: Miquel Epardo - Another One Bites The Dust; 35s jig: Rodney Miller and Airdance - October/Road to Lisdoonvarna; 31s: Mean Lids - Waterbound.
Prep: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s swap places (improper). Form a crossways, wavy line (ladies in the center).
A1: Balance the Wave - to the right, then left, (4 beats)
Rory O’Moore roll to the right, Cw., (4)
Balance the Wave - left, then right, (4)
R O’M roll left. (4)
A2: Neighbor Allemande right for men to cross the set by the left, (4)
partner swing man could raise l. hand for lady to twirl-out Cw.. (12)
B1: Promenade across the set (passing to the right of neighbors), could complete with double-handed, overhead turn (lady ½ Cw., man ½ CCw.) facing back (lady on the right), join hands in a circle to… (8)
Circle left three places. (8)
B2: R-L pull-by along the line, (4)
next person Allemande right, (4)
Left pull-by (past forthcoming neighbor) back along line, (4)
Neighbor Allemande right. Forward to a new neighbor. (4) or, if reached an end, turn-around - as a couple, changing lines, designation… and wait-out a go; if already waiting-out, re-join.
Aqueous
Author: Don Flaherty
Watch, from 4m43, at: https://youtu.be/joM0I6jEwIU
Preparation: From the top, take hands in fours. ‘1’s improper. Face neighbor.
A1: Neighbor Balance & Swing - finish with the man on the lady’s left. (16 beats)
A2: Holding hands, circle left (Cw.) three places, (8)
partner swing. (8)
B1: Long lines forward, stomp & back tap/stomp, (8)
Ladies chain across the set Cw. twirl to place? (8)
B2: Longways lines step forward to balance (meet partner by the right hand, tap, lean-back, tap), (4)
partner r. h. Pull-by across, then along the line l. h. to neighbor, (4)
longways lines step forward to balance and repeat pull-by (complete a ‘square’) to face a new neighbor. (8) if reached an end, turn-around - as a couple, change designation and wait-out a ‘go’; if already waiting-out, re-join.
Becket Reel variant
by Herbie Gaudreau
Watch at: https://youtu.be/MpcKR7rFfSA
Form: Becket Contra lines i.e. a longways line of couples (with the lady on the man’s right-hand side) facing another, similar line. The ‘shadow’, for a man (in Becket formation), is the lady on his left (in his line) - for a lady, it's the man on her right - at ends, one’s ‘shadow’ is the opposite person.
A1: Ladies chain across the set… & back…
A2: …continuing into ladies leading a Hey (reel of four) across the set (in the middle, pass to the left)… and back.
B1: Allemande left shadow, returning to:
partner swing (ballroom hold, buzz step).
B2: Right and Left thru’ with the couple diagonally left as a flourish, substitute a ‘Swat the Flea’ for the ‘Left thru'’. A top and a bottom couple wait-out these four bars (only).
Right and left thru’ with the couple across the set. (Everyone's ‘progressed’ Cw.)
Dr Bluhm’s Delight
Author: Rick Mohr
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5Okqiiiiys
Form: Becket Contra lines. Crossways adjacent minor sets may serendipitously be able to align themselves with adjacent sets - allowing wavy lines to be extended.
A1: Holding hands with neighbors, circle left three places. Couples waiting-out can rejoin.
Neighbor swing. The man could twirl his neighbor (either arm) into…
A2: Lines (lady on the right-hand side) forward and back.
Left hands-across star after ½-turn, men peel-off and face back. Ladies continue to circle a further ¾-turn to their neighbor (facing towards them), with whom they form a cross-ways wave.
B1: Balance the Wave, ladies release their l. h., Allemande right c. ⅔ (220°) Cw., so that men meet, by the l. h., a man from their adjacent, minor set. Men who are waiting-out can rejoin (with the l. hand, (8 beats)
Diagonal Balance (right then left), men Allemande left ¾ CCw. to return for “right hand to partner”. Ladies waiting-out, can rejoin. (8 beats)
B2: Partner Balance, then to the left, men acknowledge each other, and… (4)
partner swing. (12)
Slip left along the line slightly to progress.
Box the Gnat (Contra)
Author: Becky Hill
Watch at: https://youtu.be/24fwMiIUxF4 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vt8ppsd-ZU - Barefoot with Mary Wesley
Music: 34s (but sped-up): Ungar, Mason & Molsky - Shove the Pigs foot/… .
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. Duple, ‘1’s improper. Face neighbor.
A1: Right-handed neighbor Balance (along the line), ‘Box the Gnat’ with neighbor, (8 beats)
face across, right-handed partner Balance, ‘Box the Gnat’ (end-up crossed-over diagonally).
A2: Neighbor Balance & Swing.
B1: Face across, ladies Allemande right completely around,
partner swing.
B2: Pass thru' (ladies, in the center, pass by the left)… finish with a ‘Swat the Flea’ (or a courtesy turn) to swap places with partner - into:
Ladies chain across with a shortened courtesy turn (whereas the man rotates a further 180°) to progress along the line to a new neighbor.
Repeat… or, if at an end, dance A1 & A2 with partner, then, while waiting-out during B1 & B2, swap places and designation.
California Twirlin'
by Janet Levatin
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjwO9wQfYOo
Prep.: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Balance the ring, (4 beats)
partner California twirl rotating ¾ around, (4)
same four, balance the ring, (4)
neighbor California twirl (¾), (4)
A2: Same four, balance the ring, (4)
partner California twirl (½) to progress to face new neighbor, (4)
new neighbor swing. (8)
B1: Hands four, circle left three places, (8)
twirl lady CCw. into partner swing. (8)
B2: ladies chain, (8)
long lines forward, (4)
lady roll-across neighbor. (4)
Same four… (restart)
Cats… and More Cats
by Melanie Axel-Lute
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URIqlHjr9G4
Music: Buddy System - The Wiggly Bridge.
Form: Becket lines.
A1: Holding hands in fours, Circle left three places and pass thru' (along the line - men outside), (8 beats)
new neighbor Allemande right (turn ¾)… to longways waves - ladies facing out. (8)
A2: Balance the line right and left, Rory O'Moore roll right, (8)
back in a line, balance left and right, R O'M roll left. (8)
B1: Neighbor Balance & Swing. (16)
B2: Circle left three places, (8)
partner swing. (8)
Chinese New Year
Author: Chris Page
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcpi3Via1t8
Music: Chivalry and Farewell to the Taliban both by Keith Murphy.
Prep.: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper. Form a longways wavy line, only men face out (neighbor on r. h. s.).
A1: Balance the Line, (4 beats)
Box circulate, (4)
Balance the Line, (4)
Box circulate. (4)
A2: Balance the Line,
Box circulate,
partner swing.
B1: Circle left three places, (8)
neighbor swing. (8)
B2: Holding hands in long lines, forward & back, (8)
right-hand balance partner, (4)
pull-by right with partner to cross the set, left to neighbor and reform longways line - but men face out, i.e. ‘progressed’. (4)
Ejected couples could then Balance the Line (i.e. A1 - men facing out)… and, while others circulate, swap lines (but keep facing the same way) and B. the L. three times… and swing. Then (swap designation to:) rejoin for the subsequent A1.
Chuck the Budgie
Author: Rick Mohr
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KevQxr-saFw
Music: 35s: Perpetual e-Motion - Cluck Old Hen; 34s: Great Bear - *The Randomanians, Big Bandemonium → 32s: Perpetual e-Motion - *Flying Tent.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper (change places with partner). Minor sets from adjacent 'lines', may serendipitously be able to align themselves with each other - allowing crossways wavy lines to be extended.
A1: Men forward to Allemande left (turn 180°), (6 beats)
returning to neighbor swing. (10 beats)
A2: Face across and hold hands in fours, "circle three places to the left" to: (8)
partner swing. (8).
B1: Face across, holding hands in long lines, forward & back, (8)
ladies forward to Allemande right 1½. keep holding right hands, raise left to neighbor - to form a crossways wavy line. (8).
B2: Balance the Wave, (4)
ladies release r. hands and neighbor Allemande left ¾ (turn 270°) to face-in, meet a new neighbor - without releasing left hands - to make a longways, wavy line. (4)
Balance the Line (longways balance), (4)
release l. hand, and new neighbor Allemande right or Box the Gnat so lady can twirl CCw. to place. (4) End couples turn-back, change places and wait-out a ‘go’.
Circadian Rhythms
By Lynn Ackerson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Dx33kTruk1s
Music: 36s: The Faux Paws - Clare at Sea; 35s: Mean lids - Captain Nemo; 34s: The Faux Paws - *Bubwa/No Bad Ideas, Noah VanNorstrand - Queen of Catalina/Walk Around the Reservoir.
Form: ‘1’s improper, longways wavy lines - men facing out. No swing neighbor.
A1: Balance the Line, (4 beats)
Box Circ., (4)
Bal t L., (4)
Rory O'M (right), catch lefts, (4)
A2: Partner Allemande l. 1½-turns, (8)
ladies peel-off to lead a hey - passing to the l.. (8)
B1: Partner Bal & Swing, (16)
B2: Balance the Ring, (4)
men twirl (Cw.) across partner, (4)
left hands across, star, (8)
peel-off - to progress.
Coconut Cream Pie
Author: Lynn Ackerson
A variation on “Apple Pie Quadrille” by Ron Beeson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02tHRtMTO74
Music: Great Bear Trio - *Garbage in A.
Form: Quadrille i.e. two, adjacent, crossways couples facing two, crossways couples (four-facing-four people).
Prep: Hands eight.
A1: Holding hands in lines of four, forward & back, (8)
center four Star by the Right (wrist-grip)… while ‘ends’ swing - or whatever they want. (8)
A2: Partner Allemande left 1½-turns for: (8)
other center four to Star by the Right … new ‘ends’ do whatever they want. (8)
B1: Partner Balance & Swing. (4, 12)
B2: As a group of eight, Circle left ½, (8)
Balance the Ring (step-in, tap, etc.), (4)
California Twirl partner to turn-about and face a new line of four. (4)
The progression is one set forward. At ends turn-back, as couples, and wait-out a ‘go’.
Crow Flight
by Rick Mohr
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rmkCOobA60
Prep.: Take hands in fours from the top, ‘1’s improper. In longways, wavy lines, men face out, ladies face in.
A1: Balance the line, roll away right (‘Rory O'Moore’), past the retiring neighbor to… (8)
…new neighbor swing. (8)
A2: Circle left three places, (8)
men curl Cw. around their partner (turn thru' 90°) to lead a ½-Hey (passing by left shoulder). (8)
B1: Partner Balance & Swing.
B2: Men Allemande left completely around,
Allemande neighbor right completely around - into a longways wavy line.
A Different Way Forward (Original version)
or 'Friday at the Fool'
by Seth Tepfer
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MBpPUUEqpU
Formation: Becket … or, if ≥22 couples, this dance possibly works better when reconfigured as a Sicilian Circle - see 'Circle etc. Dances'.
Progression: triple, Cw.
A1: Holding hands in long lines, forward & back (tap), (8 beats)
circle left three places, (8 beats)
A2: Pass thru' along the line (ladies, in the center, pass by the left). (1)
Allemande left neighbor #2 completely around… (7)
…and on to gypsy neighbor #3 by the right 1½. (8)
B1: Balance & swing neighbor #4. (4 + 12)
B2: Ladies Allemande right 1½, completely around - to cross lines. (8)
partner swing (lady finishes on partner’s r. h. s.). (8)
Easy Peasy
by Diane Silver
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bH4VLKCMYc
Formation: ‘1’s improper.
A1: Neighbor Balance & swing, End with lady on the right. (4 + 12 beats)
A2: Holding hands in long lines, forward & back, (8)
Men Allemande left completely around - to cross lines. (8)
B1: Partner Balance & swing. (16)
B2: Circle left three places, (8)
Balance the Ring, (4)
Partner California twirl… and forward - to progress. (4)
Music: 36s: Miguel Epardo - Another One Bites The Dust; 32s: Elixir - *…Blue Eyed Lady/Back Door Slam.
Eleanor’s Reel
by Bill Olson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBwZ8q5xb_g
Music: Most jigs.
Prep: Double progression - so, best at larger/crowded events. Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper. Nudge left to start in a crossways wave - ladies, in the center, join left hands, right hand to neighbor.
A1: Bal. the Wave (to r. then l.), (4)
neighbor Pull-by right on the right diagonal. Form a new wave with neighbors #2 (left hands to neighbor, men join right hands in the center), (4)
Balance the Wave (to l. then r.), (4)
pull-by left on the left diagonal. Form a wave with neighbors #3 (right hand to neighbor #3, ladies join left hands in the center). (4)
A2: Bal. the Wave, (4)
neighbor #3 swing. (12)
B1: Circle left three places, (8)
partner swing. (8)
B2: Circle left three places, (8)
Do si do that neighbor… finishing in a wave (ladies in the center). (8).
Enchanted
by Cary Ravitz
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nlh9wXS0Cc
Form: Becket, CCw. progression.
A1: Hold hands in fours, circle left three places, (8)
Ladies lead a ½-Hey, passing by the left shoulder. (8)
A2: Neighbor Balance & Swing. (16)
B1: Long lines forward, partners gypsy ½-way round, lines reverse out (crossing-over), (3, 3, 3)
Left hands across to Star CCw. three places. (7)
B2: Ladies peel-off to Allemande right their (new) neighbor (lady), (4)
returning (with a twirl) to partner swing. (12)
Music: 32s: Lift Ticket - Gobby-O and Coffee.
Expert Bits
Author: Peter Stix
Watch at: https://youtu.be/NsV-eqS8Fk4 or: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i67cuGQmDw
Preparation: take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s ‘improper’. Facing along the set (‘1’s down, ‘2’s up), nudge right to form a crossways, wavy line - men in the center. Adjacent minor sets may, serendipitously, be able to align themselves with each other - allowing crossways wavy lines to be extended.
A1: Balance the Wave, (4 beats)
Men slide-right/R O’M roll Cw. (in front of the other man) - to… (4)
partner swing (no balance). (8)
A2: Ladies chain across, (8)
Same two ladies pull-by right, (4)
Partner Allemande l. ¾ into a crossways wavy line (ladies, in the center, meet with right hands). (4)
B1: Balance the Wave, (4)
Ladies slide/twirl Cw. across to their right, (4)
neighbor swing. (8)
B2: Couples Pass the Ocean, (4)
Balance the Wave, (4)
Pull forward (and to the right), (2) Ends swap lines and wait-out a ‘go’.
Allemande left the next neighbor all the way round… into a crossways wave - men in the center. (6)
Music: 33s: Laura Light - Tropiganda; 31s: Perpetual e-Motion - Eleanor Rigby.
Fiddler’s Fling
by Cary Ravitz
Watch at: https://youtu.be/p-vLYUngnz8
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Balance palm-to-palm & Swing neighbor. (16 beats)
A2: Neighbor Mad Robin, (8)
Ladies pull their partner to poussette Cw. ½ around their neighbors (but keep facing the same direction). (8)
B1: Smoothly transition into… a Gypsy star (men reverse) with neighbors. Turn the star three places Cw., (8)
partner swing. (8)
B2: Right and left thru’ across, (8)
Ladies’ chain across, but the courtesy turn is truncated - so ladies progress along the line to meet their next neighbor. (8) End couples swap lines and wait-out a ‘go’.
Music: 35s: The Great Bear - Shoot the Turkey Buzzard.
Gaye’s Groove
by Rick Mohr
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxM_ADBY2X8
Prep: Easiest with longish, lines (or as a Sicilian Circle) - as all the faff at ends can be particularly confounding.
Hands four, ‘1’s improper. Facing along the line, nudge left - to form a crossways wave.
A1: Balance the Wave, (4 beats)
walk forward (with a twirl?) and diagonally right - men down the center - to neighbor #2, (4) end couples eject… or ejected couples rejoin
Balance the Wave (left then r.), (4)
walk forward and diagonally left - ladies down the center - to neighbor #3. (4)
A2: Bal. the Wave, (4)
neighbor #3 Allemande right - back to neighbor #2, (4)
swing neighbor #2. (8)
B1: Revolving Door (ladies return to waiting partner), (8)
partner swing. (8)
B2: Pass thru' (across - ladies in the center, pass by the left), (4)
California twirl partner, (4)
With neighbors #1, circle left three places… into a crossways wave (ladies in center). (8)
Gypsy Madness
by Bob Isaacs
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84s_AWNnkVo
Prep.: Hands four from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Hands across to Gypsy Star Cw. - (ladies reverse) completely around. (8)
neighbor swing. (8)
A2: Long lines forward & back. (8)
Men to the middle, Allemande left completely around to cross-over. (8)
B1: Partner Gypsy/do-si-do. (8)
partner swing. (8)
B2: Circle left three places, (c. 8)
Balance the ring, (4)
California twirl partner to face new neighbors. (4)
Heartbeat Contra
Author: Don Flaherty
Watch at: https://youtu.be/K8Z2hYA1s6I
Music: 35s: C.R. Logston - *Highlanders’ Farewell jam; 34s: Pete’s Posse - The Echo, Flook - *Larry Get Out the Bin/Elzic’s … , La Bottine Souriante - Sheepskin and Beeswax; 32s: Perpetual e-Motion - Bridge the Gap.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Balance the Ring, (4 beats)
Petronella twirl, clap-clap, (4)
Repeat. (8)
A2: Balance the Ring, (4) … then the lady could twirl CCw. under neighbor’s l. arm into:
neighbor swing. (12)
B1: Ladies Allemande by the right 1½ - to cross over…, (c. 8)
partner swing. (c. 8)
B2: Holding hands in fours, circle left three places, (8)
Balance the ring, (4)
California Twirl partner to turn-about and take hands with new neighbors. (4)
…or, if at an end, turn-back as a couple, and wait-out a ‘go’.
Hey in the Barn
Author: Chart Guthrie
Watch at: https://youtu.be/J-cOGs9rCXw
Preparation: Take hands four from the top. ‘1’s improper.Memorize next neighbor. ‘B’ virtually duplicates ‘A’.-part
A1: Neighbor Balance & Swing. (16)
A2: Ladies chain across to their partner… (8)
…continuing smoothly into a ½-Hey, start with ladies passing right shoulders. (Men end-up crossed-over, ladies end-up on their ‘home’ side.) (8)
B1: Partner Balance & Swing. (16)
B2: Ladies chain across (everyone's ‘crossed-over’ now)… (8)
…continuing smoothly into a ½-Hey - ladies pass right shoulders. After men pass each other in the middle (by the right shoulder), they veer right to ‘progress’ on to a new neighbor. (8) On reaching an end, turn-back - as a couple - and wait-out a ‘go’.
Hopscotch Reel
by Chris Page and Bob Isaacs
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DizBlj9OqpY
Form: Becket lines.
Novel B1 figure.
A1: Hold hands in fours, circle left three places, (8 beats)
neighbor swing. (8)
A2: Balance the Ring, (4)
Petronella twirl, clap-clap, (4)
Balance the Ring, (4)
Petronella twirl. (4)
B1: Left hands-across star three places, (7)
Men peel-off to next star - while ladies continue to star CCw., (1)
Men left hands-across (to a future neighbor), star three places, (7)
Men peel-off to return to partner. (1)
B2: Partner Balance & Swing. (16)
Face slightly right - to progress.
Jet Lag
by Jon Greene
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDgksMpj45E
Prep: Hands four, 1's improper.
A1: Neighbor balance, (4)
Box the Gnat, (4)
pull-by along the line to… (3)
previous neighbor Swing. (5)
A2: Long lines, Forward & Back (8),
current neighbor Swing (8).
B1: Circle left three places, (8)
partner swing. (8)
B2: Ladies chain across, into… (8)
star by the left (CCw.) to peel-off and meet next neighbor by the right hand. (8)
Music: 33s: The Engine Room - Coalminer's Reel [traditional} - *Asheville’s Farewell.
Joel's In The Kitchen
Author: Sue Rosen
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk_uEyEIgFs or: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czf6_4AUTAI
Form: Becket Contra lines.
A1: Long lines forward & back, (8)
Ladies Chain across. (8)
A2: In a circle of four, Balance the Ring and release hands to… (4)
Petronella twirl, (4)
Repeat. (8)
B1: Balance the Ring, (4)
Cross thru’ the set (pass to the left of partner); then, along the line, pass to the right of neighbor, i.e. men down the center of the set, (4)
Continue-on to swing (without balance) the next neighbor. (8) or, if at an end, swing partner, and wait-out… or, to re-join, swing the approaching, new neighbor.
B2: Holding hands, Circle left three places, (8) the man’s partner is on his left, so he could twirl her CCw. into:
partner swing. (8)
Music: 34s: Mean Lids - Trip to Pakistan/La Sansonette, Michael Daves - 28th of January; 32s: Hotpoint String Band - Haphazard Breakdown.
The Last Resort
by Kathy Anderson
Watch at: https://youtu.be/mM5vNzFxxBs
Form: Becket lines. Cw. progression.
A1: In fours, holding hands, circle left three places, (8 beats)
couples Weave the Line or, if ejected at an end, the couple, as a pair, turn-back… then, after Allemande right with the following couple, wait-out a turn - until the next ‘A1’. (8 beats)
A2: Allemande right with the subsequent, advancing neighbor or, if ejected at an end, Allemande right with partner, returning to new neighbor, (8)
swing that neighbor. (8)
B1: Long lines forward & back, (8)
ladies Allemande right completely around - crossing back to their partner. (8)
B2: Men Allemande left, (6)
partner swing. (10)
Music: 34s: Great Bear - Benton’s Hallucinations.
Love at First Swing
Author: Bob Isaacs
Watch at: https://youtu.be/hxUxb7ONcqA
or: https://youtu.be/fUvT6O-rq08
Form: Becket lines.
The progression is Cw. (effectively).
Prep.: Form lines of four across the set, everyone faces down the room.
A1: Lines advance four steps, (4 beats)
the ladies holding hands with the inner man only, curl round in front of him: the ‘outside’ lady (his r. h. side) arches, the ‘inside’ lady (careful! after crossing rows at the ends) ducks under it - turning the man half-Cw., (4)
the line, facing back, takes four steps forward (returning), (4)
‘Outsides’ curl inward - dragging their line into a circle of four. (Ladies return to their partner’s right.) (4)
A2: Keeping hands joined, balance: step in, tap/stomp the other foot, step back, tap… release hands to Petronella, ‘clap-clap’… (8)
Repeat.
B1: Balance, California twirl partner, (this figure enables the Cw. progression)
meet and swing the next couple along the line. (End couples need to turn-back - as a pair - and wait-out a ‘go’.)
B2: In fours, circle left three places, the lady could twirl CCw. under her partner’s l. arm - ready to… (8)
partner swing. (8)
M.A.D. About Dancing
by Robert Cromartie
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HlfylsylXo
or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITL3G2mww4M
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper. Start in a crossways wavy line (ladies in the center).
A1: Balance the Wave, (4 beats)
Allemande right (or raise right to ‘Box the Gnat’ with neighbor), (4)
Balance the Wave, (4)
Men Allemande left "all the way" (turn thru' c.270°) - returning to… (4)
A2: Neighbor Balance & Swing. (16)
B1: (Holding hands in fours) Circle left three places, (8)
partner swing. (8)
B2: Circle left three places… to a crossways wavy line (ladies in the center - partners face the same way), (8)
Balance the Wave, (4)
Pull-thru’ (progressing). (4)
Mad, Mad World
Author: Martha Wild
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrQcayS9CrM
Music: *On the Danforth.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Long lines forward & back,
Neighbors Mad Robin. End/ejected couples swap places, wait-out a ‘go’, and rejoin at next A1.
A2: Ladies cross to partner - passing to the right,
Gypsy around partner,
partner swing.
B1: Couples Pass through across the set (ladies pass by their left),
California twirl partner,
Mad Robin Cw., man passes in front.
B2: Men cross - passing to the right,
Gypsy around neighbor… into swing neighbor.
Mad Slice variant
Author: Rick Mohr
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVstz-a6MFY
Preparation: Take hands in fours. ‘1’s improper. One’s shadow is: when facing across the set, the opposite gender person in the adjacent (to one’s left) minor set.
A1: Ladies Allemande left, swing neighbor. (8 + 8 beats) (end with lady on the r. h. s.)
A2: Couple Slice to the left diagonal (to shadow #1 - meet palm-to-palm), to ‘bounce’/back-away to the left - on to shadow #2, (4) or, if ejected, the couple swap lines as a pair
Star by the right three places, (8)
Pull-by left shadow #1, to meet partner. (4)
B1: Bal & Swing partner.
B2: Holding hands in fours - with the man on his partner’s left, Circle to the left three places, (8)
Pass thru' (ladies down the center), new neighbor Mad Robin (Cw., ladies in front). (8)
Music: Nova (Fownes) - Filling the Knot.
Maliza’s Magical Mystery Motion
by: Cary Ravitz
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55X_zv9NJPA
Formation: Becket, CCw. progression.
A1: Men Allemande left completely around, 1¼. (8)
Neighbor balance & swing. (8)
A2: Promenade (hands in-front) neighbor across the set - passing to the right. Raise hands so lady can twirl-out, Cw. into… (8)
Ladies chain. (8)
B1: In circles of four, balance in, out… and Petronella twirl (man: a complete turn… or lady: ½-turn) Cw. (clap-clap) to face the adjacent couple. (8)
Balance & Petronella one place CCw.. (8)
B2: Partner balance & swing (lady ends on the right). (16)
Mange Tak (“Many Thanks”)
Author: Ron Buchanan
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnGW9fGvIw4
Preparation: Take hands in fours. ‘1’s improper. Not dissimilar ‘A’ and ‘B’ halves.
A1: Neighbor Balance & Swing. (16) (end with lady on the r. h. s.)
A2: Couples Pass the Ocean, (4)
Balance the Wave, (4)
ladies release their l. hands, neighborAllemande right - for men to pull across the set by the left, (4)
partner hinge right - to head along the line to ‘shadow’ or if at an end, ‘shadow’ will be the person opposite. (4)
B1: Shadow Allemande l., (6)
Return along the line to partner swing. (10)
B2: Couples Pass the Ocean to form a crossways wave, (4)
Balance the Wave, (4)
ladies release l. hands to partner Allemande right - for men to pull across the set by the left, (4)
neighbor hinge right, and progress along the line to a new neighbor. (4) or, if at an end, meet partner swap lines, designation and wait-out a ‘go’.
Music: 34s: Toss the Possum - *Apple Blossom; 33s: Retrospectacles - *Catharsis/….
Maxine’s Reasonable Request
by Chuck Abell
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtAp9C3uOfo.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s swap places (improper). Face neighbors, nudge left to form a crossways, wavy line (ladies in the center).
A1: Four across… Balance the Wave, (4)
Allemande right (with neighbor) for men to pull-across the set by the left, (6)
partner swing (6).
A2: Into the middle & pass the ladies across,
Neighbor Balance & Swing.
B1: Hands four… Balance the Ring & Petronella twirl, clap-clap, (4)
Balance & Petronella again. (4)
B2: Star by the left (wrist-grip),
after passing three places, peel-off…
…to Do-si-do new neighbor.
More of a Mixer
By Al Olson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llYCYpKNl9M
Form: Circle, mixer. Two concentric circles: inside are men, facing out - ladies outside, facing in.
Prep: Nudge slightly left around the circle. Hold raised hands in a wavy line.
A1: Balance the wavy Circle/Line (to the right - then left), slip right (two chassés… or R. O'M. roll) one position. (8 beats)
Balance the Circle/Line (to the l. - then r.), slip left (or R. O'M.). (8)
A2: Allemande right-hand person by the right - twice around;
Allemande left-hand person by the left hand - twice around… (8 + 8)
B1: …gliding into Do-si-do neighbor on right, (8)
swing. (8)
B2: Promenade (hands in front) CCw.. (14)
Lady advances slightly for the re-formed circle. (2)
Music: jig, 35s: Rodney Miller and Airdance - October/Road to Lisdoonvarna; 34s: The Good Tune - Maids Of Selma/Lisnagun Jig; 31s: Alasdair Fraser & P. Machlis - Calliope House/Cowboy …, Tiger Moth - Oats & Beans; 30s: Brendan Block - Kates/Mill Roof, The Great Bear Trio - The Godwit/McGowan’s.
A New Idea
by: Michael Fuerst
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUO4yMA6CxQ.
Formation: Becket, CCw. progression.
Prep.: Hold hands in long lines. Memorize one’s ‘shadow’ (look along your line, past your partner, for the next person of partner’s gender).
A1: Long lines, forward & back, (8)
Couples cross on the half-right diagonal, pulling right (to someone of the same gender) & courtesy turn partner. (8) At ends, ladies ‘pull-by’ a ghost dancer - then the couple wait out.
A2: Ladies (who just ‘pulled by’ each other) Allemande right completely around (1½) to cross-over, (8)
(new) neighbor Swing. (8)
B1: (With that neighbor) Cross on the half-left diagonal, pulling right (to someone of the same gender) & courtesy turn neighbor, (7)
Circle left (with ‘shadow’s and neighbor) three places. (8)
B2: Along the line, pass ‘shadow’ by r. shoulder - back to partner. Partner Balance & Swing. (16)
The Nice Combination
by Gene Hubert
Relatively Contra-lite
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScnQJa_2nDc.
Prep.: Hands four from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Balance and Swing neighbor. End in a line of four facing downwards.
A2: Lines take five steps down the set, turn - as couples (or California twirl), (8)
and back - outsides bend the line into a circle, (8)
B1: Circle left three places, (8)
partner Balance and Swing. (8)
B2: Ladies Chain across, (8)
Left hand star Ccw.. Peel-off after three places - progressing. (8)
Now We Are Four
by Erik Weberg
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIMVikR16qI
Formation: Becket.
A1: Holding hands in a circle, Balance the ring, (4 beats)
Men take their neighbor (or CCw. twirl them) back to the men’s side, (2)
Neighbor swing. (10)
A2: In a line of four, down the hall (M-l-m-L), "Lines of four, go down the floor." (6)
After five or six steps, couples swap lines - the left-hand couple pass in front; turn back alone. (4)
The line of four (m-L-M-l) go up the hall… outsides bend the line into a circle. (6)
B1: Circle left three places, (8)
couples smoothly slide left along the line - to progress,
(new) Ladies do-si-do. (8)
B2: Partner Balance & Swing. (16)
Oh, Hi Turtle!
by Emily Rush
As called by Robert Cromartie
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hmanTMdXRM.
Prep.: Hands four from the top. ‘1’s improper. Men face out.
A1: Balance the line, ‘Rory O'Moore’ roll/twirl Cw. to the right,
Balance the line (left first), R.O’M. roll left across new neighbor.
A2: Facing neighbor, R-L pull-by along the line (& around any corners - men circulate Cw.), 3rd neighbor Allemande right… to pull-by left #2 neighbor,
Ladies hinge right around #1 neighbor…
B1: …to cross the set (to the left of the on-coming lady) - back to partner (meet palm-to-palm),
Balance & Swing.
B2: Ladies chain,
(lady leads the man into:) left hand star four places around to
form a longways line - men facing out (r. hand to neighbor’s right). End couples change places & wait-out… or re-join.
Music: 35s: Mean Lids - (increase tempo by c. 8% for a very danceable:) Red Prairie Dawn.
Pedal Pushers
by Bob Dalsemer
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqnoHv9ASZI. (at ContraCopia)
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Two men Allemande left 1¼, (6 beats)
Continuing in-hold, they pick up their partner around her waist, bringing her back to the man’s side, (6)
as a couple, wheel around once (CCw. - man backing). (4)
A2: Two ladies gypsy: walk around each other Cw. facing eye-to-eye, (4)
return to partner swing. (4>
B1: Balance the Ring, (4)
pass thru' (ladies, in the center, pass by the left) across the set, (4)
face Cw. in groups of four, walk/promenade (single) three places around (to progressed place). Men turn-back to face neighbor. (8)
B2: Two-handed Balance & Swing departing neighbor. (Now in new sets) End couples change designation (places) and wait-out a ‘go’.
Music: 34s: Buddy System - Breakwall; 32s: Nightingale or Graham Townsend - Pop Corn Reel.
A Pirate’s Life for Me variation
by Nathaniel Jack
Watch at: https://youtu.be/s3rfdV8M7l8.
Prep.: Hands four from the top. ‘1’s improper. Raucous!
A1: Balance (meet palm-to-palm) & Swing neighbor - end with lady on the right. (2, 6 bars)
A2: Pass the Ocean, (4)
holding raised hands, Balance the Wave, (4)
Men Rory O’Moore roll away right (across their neighbor) to catch left hands… (4)
…and Allemande left 1½ to return to their line. (4)
B1: Balance (palm-to-palm) & Swing partner. (16)
B2: Ladies do-si-do 1½, completely around twirling CCw.? - to cross-over, (8)
Gypsy twirling ¾ Cw. around neighbor (turning thru' 270°), to progress to next neighbor. (8)
Music: 34s: Barefoot - Spontaneity; 33s: Great Bear Trio - *The Randomanians.
A Ravitzingly Rosy Recombination
by Tavi Merrill
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8WjvsG3ArI
Formation: Duple Minor, Becket.
Prep.: Memorize ‘shadow’ (adjacent person).
A1: Holding hands in long lines, go forward and back (8)
Ladies chain across. (8)
A2: (Ladies lead) Circle right all the way; peel-off to adjacent set, (7 + 1)
new neighbor swing. (8)
B1: Circle left three places; partner pull-by right along the set/line, (7 + 1)
Shadow do-si-do at ends: partner do-si-do & swing, lines, then wait-out. (8)
B2: Partner Balance & Swing. (4, 12)
Music: 33s: Alycia Putnam - Willafjord/… Spear/Jackie Coleman's
Reel to Reel
Cary Ravitz
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6VBJu6q3Zc
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper. Release hands. Start in a crossways wave, ladies in the middle.
A1: Neighbor Allemande right, (4 beats)
men Allemande left 1½ while ladies orbit ½ Cw. outside them, (4 beats)
partner Allemande right, (4 beats)
ladies Allemande left 1½ while men orbit ½ Cw.. (4 beats)
A2: Gypsy neighbor (or Allemande right) and swing, (16)
B1: Give and Take: balance partner, lady takes man back to her side, (5)
partner swing. (11)
B2: Holding hands, Circle left three places, twirl lady neighbor CCw. and pass thru' to the left to meet new neighbors, (7, 1)
Do-si-do neighbor. (8)
Music: 32s: Barefoot - jam
Rock Creek Reel
by David Harris
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gipgTTjXdfo
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Men into the middle to form a longways line, (4 beats)
Balance the Line. (4 beats)
As the men back out, ladies forward to a line, (4)
Balance the Line. (4)
A2: Ladies Allemande right - twice around, (8)
partner swing. (8)
B1: Holding hands in lines of four (M, L, m, l.), go down the hall (six steps), turn-back as a couple California twirl?, (8)
return (six steps), then outsides curl-round to join hands and… (8)
B2: Circle left three places, (8)
swing neighbor. (8)
Music: Catharsis, Imperial March medley.
Rock the Cradle, Joe
Author: Ridge Kennedy
Watch at: https://youtu.be/fN4rJGBFJ9M (Caller: Darlene Underwood)
Music: 33s: Perpetual e-Motion - Turnpike Warrior.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s ‘improper’. With couple-facing-couple, nudge slightly left to form a crossways, wavy line - ladies in the middle. Minor sets from adjacent 'lines', may, serendipitously be able to align themselves with each other - allowing crossways wavy lines to be extended.
A1: Balance the Wave, (4 beats)
R O’M roll/spin) Cw. to the right, in front of your neighbor. (4)
Back in wavy lines, balance to the left, then right, (4)
R.O’M. (CCw.) back left, in front of neighbor. (4)
A2: Balance: step forward to take two hands with neighbor, tap other foot, step/lean back, pull together, & Swing. Finish holding hands in longways lines. (16)
B1: Lines forward then, taking hands with partner, the man pulls his partner back to his side for a swing. (16)
B2: With the lady on her partner’s right, holding hands in fours, circle left three places into… a crossways wavy line of four (ladies in the center) holding hands, (8)
Balance the Wave, (4)
lean back and pull through and twirl? to meet an approaching couple with whom to form a new, crossways, wavy line. (4) …or, if at an end, turn-back - as a couple - and wait-out a ‘go’.
Rocket City Romp
by Cis Hinkle
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOTuEiujFjk
Music: Perpetual e-Motion - Eleanor Rigby.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. Duple, ‘2’s improper.
A1: Balance forward & back), offer r. h. to pull-by along the line, l. pull-by (partner) across the set, (6)
neighbor swing, (10)
A2: Holding hands in long lines, forward & back, (8)
ladies Allemande right 1⅓ to cross the set to partner, (8)
B1: Balance & Swing partner,
B2: Ladies chain to cross back to neighbor, (8)
Offering r. h. across the set to partner, balance (forward & back) & pull-by, (6)
l. h. pull-by neighbor along the line to a new neighbor. (2)
Rory O’Moore
Contra-lite - as ‘2’s are relatively passive (and there's no ‘Swing neighbor’ figure).
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jPqECMr9Y8
Music: Double-jig. 35s: Lissa Schneckenburger - Rory O’Moore; 32s: Rodney & Elvie Miller, Syncopaths - Rory O'Moore/Saddle The Pony.
Form: Proper lines
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s should familiarize themselves with the neighbors on their right and left diagonal (1st and 2nd corner).
A1: ‘1’s cross the set - passing by right hands, cast down below the ‘2’s (who nudge up) and, individually, turn up the center, where, arm around waist, they single-turn the ‘2’s.
A2: ‘1’s, in the center of the set, in a longways line (with their partner on their right), Balance the Line (to the right, then left),
Rory O’Moore twirl/roll Cw. to the right,
Balance the Line (left, then right),
R O’M roll left.
B1: ‘1’s Allemande right (turn 180°), then Allemande their contra-corners:
Allemande left the person on the right diagonal (their 1st corner),
partner Allemande right,
2nd corner (left diagonal) Allemande left.
B2: ‘1’s, in the center, Balance & Swing. End couples wait-out a turn and change their designation.
The Baby Rose
by David Kaynor
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1IcCDRtiBE
Music: The Retrospectacles - Catharsis/The Red Crow.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Neighbor Balance & Swing. (16 beats)
A2: With the lady on her partner’s right, holding hands in fours, Circle left three places, (8)
Partner do-si-do twirling CCw.. (8)
B1: Partner Balance & Swing. (16)
B2: Ladies chain to neighbor, (8)
Star by the left, CCw. three places, peel-off to face the next neighbor. (7 + 1)
Salute to Larry Jennings (variant)
by Ted Sannella and Russell Owen
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMrprJLONTA
Music: 36s: Sam Bartlett - Mary Devlin’s; 34s: Celtic Fiddle Festival - The Primrose Lass.
Form: Becket Contra lines i.e. two longways line of couples (man on the lady’s left-hand side) facing each other. Consider the set as a squashed circle.
A1: Holding hands in fours, circle left three places.
Neighbor do-si-do.
A2: Facing neighbor, three R-L pull-bys. If at an end, continue round the corners… (men go Cw.),
fourth person Allemande left. Continue R-L back to neighbor.
B1: Swing neighbor.
B2: Forward to meet partner - two-handed… man takes lady back to his side… they swing.
Progress by making a new circle of four with the couple diagonally to the left. Ejected end-couples wait-out (but could try A1 with partner and then risk joining in for A2 only).
Serendipity
by Chris Page
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTO9CYt7-eU or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcHLEq0UWbo
Form: Duple minor. Becket lines. CCw. progression.
A1: Ladles Allemande right 1½ to cross-over and… (8 beats)
neighbor swing. (8)
A2: Holding hands, Circle left three places, (8)
partner Allemande right 1¼ (c. 430°) into longways wavy line - ladies face out, men face in. (8)
B1: Balance the Line, (4)
Box circulate, hinge right neighbor into a crossways wave, (4)
Balance the Wave, (4)
forward to next neighbor (or wait-out… or rejoin), hinge right neighbor into a longways wavy line - so ladies face out, men face in. (4)
B2: Balance the Line, (4)
Box circulate - men cross, ladies loop right, (4)
partner swing. (8)
Music: 34s: Nova - …/*Snow Boots (comp.: Kathleen Fownes).
Simplicity Swing
Author: Becky Hill
Watch at: https://youtu.be/X6t9qAaAPG4 or: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkY7-VblFRg
Preparation: Take hands four from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Neighbor Balance & Swing. Man could raise left arm to twirl lady Cw. into… (16 beats)
A2: Holding hands in fours (with the lady on the right of her neighbor), Circle left three places, man could twirl his partner CCw. into… (8)
partner swing. Lady could twirl Cw. into… (8)
B1: Long lines forward, stomp, & back, stomp, (8)
Ladies Chain across. (8)
B2: Left hand Star (wrist-grip, CCw.), (8)
peel-off to do-si-do CCw. twirl? around new neighbor. (8)
or, if reached an end, (do-si-do, bal. & swing one’s partner) swap rows and wait-out a ‘turn’.
Music: 36s→34s: The Faux Paws - *Guacmaster - Bubwa/No Bad Ideas; 34s: Great Bear - *The Randomanians.
Slapping the Wood
by Don Flaherty
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4czDm3Jr4xk
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper. Couples face along the line to their neighbors.
A1: Holding inside hands with their partner, couples do-si-do neighbors,
swing neighbor.
A2: Ladies chain across,
Everyone ½-Hey (ladies start by passing right shoulders) to cross sides.
B1: Balance & Swing partner.
B2: Holding hands in fours, Circle left three places,
Balance the Ring,
California twirl to turn-about and face new neighbors. Ejected end-couples change places and wait-out a ‘go’
Music: Various artists - The Road to Errogie; 30s: Anna Ludlow - *The Hurricane.
Smile with Your Voice
by Bob Isaacs
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBTYgxUSgb4
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper. Face neighbor.
A1: Neighbor Allemande left 1½ around (turn c. 550º),
ladies pass by the right to lead weave a hey across.
A2: Balance & Swing neighbour.
B1: Holding hands in fours, with the man on his neighbor’s left, Circle left three places,
Partner Balance & Swing.
B2: Couples Pass the Ocean (to the left of neighbor) - to a crossways wave,
Balance the Wave,
ladies Allemande left,
neighbour Allemande right all the way (turn 360º). Forward along the line.
End couples leave or re-join.
Music: 44s: Ernie Hawkins - Hawkins Rag
Swing into Spring - variant
by Orace Johnson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMwZ24YWqmU
Form: Becket lines.
A1: Holding hands, Circle left three places,
neighbor swing.
A2: Holding hands in long lines, Forward & Back,
men chain across - passing by the left - to their partner (so lady courtesy turns him Cw. - ending with man on the left).
(Or chain first, then F & B.)
B1: Circle left two places, (6)
lady rolls across neighbor (going around the circle to his right), (4)
Circle l. another two places to… (6)
B2: …partner Bal & Swing (14)
…and slide/slice left to form circle with new neighbors.
(2)
Theory of Mind
by David Smukler
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt50H-vb08I
Form: ‘1’s improper, wavy lines - ladies in middle.
A1: Balance the Wave, (4 beats)
Slide (or R O'M roll) right (past neighbor), (4 beats)
Balance the Wave (men in middle) to the left first, (4 beats)
Slide left. (4 beats).
A2: Neighbor balance & swing. (4 + 12)
B1: Circle to the left three places, (8)
Partner swing. (8)
B2: Ladies chain across to neighbor, (8)
Star by the left - peeling off to restart with new neighbors. (8)
Music: 32s: Elixir - Who's That Blue Eyed Lady/Back Door Slam.
There and Back Again
Author: Heather Carmichael
Watch at: https://youtu.be/-OYxzs9BnPQ
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper. Start in crossways wavy lines - ladies in the center. Minor sets from adjacent ‘lines’, may, serendipitously be able to align themselves with each other - allowing crossways wavy lines to be extended.
A1: Balance the Wave, (4 beats)
slide or Rory O’Moore roll Cw. to the right, (4 beats)
Catching neighbor to Allemande left completely around. (8) returning (behind) to:
A2: Balance & Swing previous neighbor. (4, 12)
B1: With the lady on her partner’s right, holding hands in fours, Circle left three places, (8) since his partner's on his left - the man could twirl her ½ CCw. into:
partner swing. (8)
B2: In a circle of four, Balance the Ring, (4)
ladies cross the ring (passing by the right)… for couples to form, with their original neighbors (from A1), a wavy-line, (4)
Balance the Wave, (4)
Pull forward to form a wave with new neighbors. (4) The progression comprises: back one couple, followed by forward two couples. End couples need to stay alert!
3-33 (“Three Thirty-Three”)
Author: Steve Zakon-Anderson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e4SoZZ-_cc
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper. Face neighbor. Consider the set as a squashed circle.
A1: Take right hand with neighbor, balance and pull-by right (men move Cw., ladies CCw.), (4 beats, 1 beat) If ejected at an end, balance the opposite person (i.e. one’s partner), dance A1 and A2 (continuing round the corners) - but wait-out B1 and B2 (so swing partner, ending-up in swapped places).
Pull-by left with neighbor #2 (continue round corners), (3 beats)
take right hands with neighbor #3, balance and Box the Gnat. (4, 4)
A2: Facing-back, pull-by right neighbor #3, (2)
pull-by left neighbor #2, (2)
original neighbor swing. (12)
B1: With the lady on her partner’s right, holding hands in fours, Circle left three places, (8)
partner swing. (8)
B2: Holding hands in long lines, forward & back, (8)
ladies do-si-do 1½ (twirling) - crossing lines, offering r. hand to their new neighbor. (8)
Music: 35s: Gypsy Meltdown - Vortex/Rainy Night in Montague.
Trip to Lambertville
Author: Steve Zakon-Anderson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ELyFFYhWOk
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Ladies go into the middle (advance into a longways wavy line) and Balance the Line (right and left), (8 beats)
as ladies retire, men advance into the middle and Balance the Line. (8)
A2: Men Allemande left (4),
Return with right to a "new neighbour, Balance & Swing" (12).
B1: Men return to the middle and Allemande left completely around to cross and… (8)
partner swing.
B2: R-L thru' lady could complete with a Cw. twirl under her partner’s raised left arm, (8)
ladies’ chain back to neighbor… gliding into restart. (8)
Music: 34s: Perpetual or Toss the Possum - Vladi on the Transiberian (live).
a 'B' part variation
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PTMGNgPJ6s
B1: Circle left three places, (8)
partner swing. (8)
B2: Holding hands in long lines, forward & back, (8)
Ladies’ chain back to neighbor… gliding into restart.
Triskaidekaphobia
Author: Kirston Koths
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kry9sy4dqco
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Neighbor Balance & Swing.
A2: Men Allemande 1½ around to cross-over and… (8 beats)
partner swing, end facing down the set. (8)
B1: The four in a line (m-l M-L) lead down the room, (8)
turn into a ‘cozy line’: keeping hands held, the center pair arch, turn away from each other to face upwards & reverse under their arch. The ends join free hands (behind the centers… ), the foursome, still holding hands, then returns to place; (6)
Center pair duck, ends continue moving forward to arch over the ‘centers' and form a cloverleaf. (2)
B2: The cloverleaf circles left 1¼ (five places round - until ‘1’s are above ‘2’s), (10)
Star thru'. They both end facing their neighbor along the line… (2)
to pass thru' (ladies, down the center, pass by the left) and progress. (4)
United We Dance
by Bob Isaacs
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxLe7dJIpt4
or: https://youtu.be/7F0l3s5cZY8
Prep.: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper, men face out. Holding hands in a long, wavy line…
A1: Balance the line,,
Rory O’Moore twirl/roll to the right,
Balance the line (to the left first),
R O’M twirl/roll left.
A2: Neighbor Balance & Swing.
B1: Circle to the left three places (so, ladies swap lines),
partner swing (lady could twirl out).
B2: Ladies Chain (lady could twirl out Cw. under their raised left arms) into:
left hand/wrist Star (CCw.) three places, peel-off to a longways line (progressing).
Uplift
Author: Chris Page
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO_abDgSOGY
Form: Becket Contra lines.
Prep.: Identify ‘shadow’ - the next person of one’s partner’s gender, past one’s partner.
A1: Facing across Circle left three places, (8)
Swing neighbor. (8)
A2: Long lines forward (stomp… ) & back, (8)
Ladies chain across to partner. (8)
B1: Left diagonal Ladies Chain i.e. to their impending neighbor, (8) Ejected end-couples wait-out this figure - or re-join as a pair.
Straight across, hands four, Balance the Ring, (4)
Petronella twirl (ladies cross lines). (4)
B2: Balance the Ring, (4)
ladies roll away Cw. (returning along the line, from ‘shadow’ back to partner), (4)
partner swing.
Whoosh
by Becky Hill
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQCYrsab1do
Prep: hands four. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Along the line, neighbor pull-by right, (2)
neighbor #2 by the left, (2)
neighbor #3 by the right, (2)
neighbor #4 Allemande left, (2)
neighbor #3 by the right, (2)
neighbor #2 by the left, "Hang on", (2)
Bal. the Line. (4)
A2: Men cross lines to partner swing. (8)
B1: Face across, R-L thru, (8)
Ladies chain (to the left), (8) Keep holding left hands/wrists in to…
B2: Star left, (8)
Peel-off to do-si-do new neighbor. (8)
Music: 32s: Party of Three - .
Winter in Summerland
by Jeff Spero and James Hutson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HorzLQn6PUs
Music: Polaris - Spacejump (comp.: Jesse Ball)
Formation: Duple minor. Becket lines (couple-facing-couple across).
A1: Men Allemande left completely around (1½) to cross-over, (8 beats)
neighbor swing. (8)
A2: Long lines, forward & back, (8)
Couples Pass the Ocean, (4)
Balance the Wave. (4)
B1: Pull Forward to a new neighbor, curl ¼ Cw. around neighbor, (4)
men lead a hey (passing left shoulders) across & back, while ladies only hey across. i.e. M. left, P. right, L. l., N. r., M. l., (12)
B2: Partner Balance & Swing. (16)
Zig-ochet
by: C. P.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper. Face diagonally across the set. Double-progression.
A1: Men Zig-Zag: cross the set diagonally by pulling l. h. thru' (passing to the right) with their male neighbor, they then rotate ¼ left (c. 90º CCw.) to cross diagonally again - but pulling r. h. thru' with a new neighbor from the adjacent minor set. (8 beats) Men who have reached an end, just stay in-place.
New sets i.e. original females with two, new male neighbors l. hand star. (8)
A2: Ladies Zig-Zag: cross the set diagonally, passing to the left of oncoming lady, pulling r. h. thru'… they continue to cross the set diagonally again, pulling l. h. thru' to join their partner in the adjacent minor set. (8) Ladies who have popped-out, wait-out with their partner - but they change designation and direction.
New sets r. hand star. (8)
B1: Ladies lead a hey across the set (passing to the right of oncoming lady) followed by their new neighbor, (7)
neighbor swing. (9)
B2: Circle left three places. (8)
Men hey (passing to the left), ladies follow - but ricochet… reversing back to their line, with man on their right. (8)
Flourishes - A Few Contra Twirls
Hands are held loosely - allowing relative rotation.
To embellish the courtesy turn after a ladies’ chain, couples can ‘Swat the Flea’. or instead of rotating CCw., the man could rotate Cw. - swapping his partner’s lowered left hand, behind his back, to his r. hand.
When transitioning, say from circling to swinging the lady on his left… the man raises the lady’s right hand (with his left) and leads her to twirl ½ CCw. to face him.
When exiting a swing: man raises and straightens his left arm (holding lady’s right) and applies slight rotational pressure with his right hand to his partner’s back encouraging her to twirl out, Cw., under his left.
The couple face each other - say, preceding a swing after the palm-to-palm balance or after swinging - with either hand:
- the man raises the lady’s right hand and leads her into a twirl - either Cw. or CCw.;
- the man raises the lady’s left hand and leads her into a Cw. twirl.
The couple face each other, holding crossed-hands:
- l. above r. Raise l. arms, then r., lady under-arm twirls through ½ CCw. to the left of her partner i.e. a double-handed ‘Box the Gnat’. They end-up facing each other in swapped places - but with r. above l.
- r. above l. Raise r. arms, then l., lady under-arm twirls ½ Cw. to the right of her partner - he rotates ½ CCw. They end-up facing each other in swapped places - but with l. above r. (‘Swat the Flea’ - a mirror of ‘Box the Gnat’)
- l. above r. Man raises his left arm and draws lady to roll-in CCw. to his r. arm (at shoulder height), so that she's adjacent to him, the couple rotating slowly Cw. Holding both hands, they raise their lefts so the lady can twirl-out Cw. Still holding both hands, she can circle behind her partner… and both continue a double, ‘rolling’, two-handed twirl - he CCw., she Cw.… alternately she-behind-him / he-behind-her.
California Twirl - a neat way for a couple, side-by-side, holding hands, to reverse their direction (starting and finishing with man on lady’s left): they raise their joined, inside arms into an arch, the lady turns ½ CCw. under their arch, whilst the man walks ½ Cw. round the lady.
Swings
Swinging starts with partners facing, but slightly displaced to the left of each other - so, right hip to right hip. All use Buzz-step.
- Ballroom hold
- Crossed hands
- ‘Ceilidh’ swing - place right hand on partner’s waist, left arm threaded under partner’s right arm, grip partner’s left hand
- a 'high' or 'wedding cake' swing (a less-secure swing): after a crossed-hands balance, the man twirls lady CCw. by the l. h., then keeping left hand held above head, palm facing outwards held against partner’s palm, right hand on partner’s waist, they swing. Lady could twirl-out Cw. For outrageous exhibitionism, the swing could be preceded (but after the 'Balance') by a 'Box the Gnat' followed by a 'Swat the Flea'… and smoothly into the 'high swing'.
- relaxed - clasp right hands - palms facing inwards at chest level - and cup left hand under partner’s right elbow
- exuberant - standing a bit closer than an arm's length apart, facing about 20° to the left of partner, wrap/brace straight-ish, stiff-ish, horizontal right arm (wrist over partner’s right shoulder, palm down) against partner’s shoulder (to resist outward force). Left hands are linked (fingers curled into a hook) underneath right elbow… slightly bent knees allow a boisterous, lean-back swing.
Arcadian (’Cajun) dance
Music tempo: c. 95 beats per minute.
As for so many styles of dance, the chassé forms the basis of Cajun dancing.
Two-Step footwork - in 4/4 time, all shuffle steps, upper body relatively stiff.
Chassé left: the man moves his left foot diagonally left (the lady moves her right foot diagonally back), close the right to the left, move left foot diagonally left again, close the right to the left (or slightly behind the left) with a 'touch' (or kick diagonally to the right);
change direction, chassé right: the man moves diagonally right with the right foot, close the left to the right, diagonally right, close left to right with a tap/kick-left. So, step-close-step-touch to the left… then to the right. (8 beats)
Lady’s twirl: man spreads legs, couple two-handed lean back, pull together, then the lady twirls Cw. under man’s left arm… or CCw. under his right.
A fun variation: (footwork is simply two-step.)
Starting face-to-face (perhaps after completing a lady’s CCw. spin), the lady holds the man’s right hand with her left and she rotates half CCw. to the left of her partner so that she’s standing beside him, facing the same way, on his right, with her left arm wrapped in front of her.
He puts his left hand behind his back so that his partner can hold it with her right (wrapped in front of her). They're now side-by-side, both holding each other’s hands - right to (lady’s) left. Still holding his partner’s r. hand, the man then releases his r. hand so that he can twirl once CCw., passing in front of her. They end-up side-by-side again - but now he's on the lady’s right. She holds her left hand behind her back and he wraps his right across, in front of him - so that he can hold it. Continue ad infinitum.
Cajun Music
42s: The Cajun All-Stars - Cousin Lilly, Lost Bayou Ramblers or Lee Benoit - Bosco Stomp;
40s: Lost Bayou Ramblers - Bayou Perdu, Renee Stomp, The Cajun All-Stars - *Mamou Jam;
39s: The Cajun All-Stars - *Newz Reel, Jesse Lege and Friends - Mamou Hot Step;
38s: The Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band - Evangeline Special, La Queue De Tortue, *Lacassine Special (minor vocal content), The Savoy Family Band - Tite Robe Court (some vocal content);
36s: The Balfa Brothers - Indian On A Stomp;
35s: Dewey Balfa, Marc Savoy, D. L. Menard - Liberty.