Contra (New England)
Last updated: May, 2023
Proponents of Contra-dance cite its advantages as:
- most participants are ‘active’ most of the time - cf. a single ‘working couple’ in barn dances,
- greater interaction with neighbors,
- all couples generally perform the same steps simultaneously - although half the coupkles are moving in the opposite direction,
- figures are walked, so there's no need for fancy stepping e.g. step-hop, ranting or even skipping.
Couples perform Contra-dance in longways lines, ‘as many as will’. Minor sets are normally ‘duple’, usually ‘improper’, occasionally ‘Becket’ formation… rarely quadruple minor i.e. Quadrille.
Since it doesn't involve any taxing stepping or energetic figures e.g. galoping down a set, ‘balance & kick’ or ‘basket’, Contra is well-suited to the more mature dancer (although more appealing to younger couples). Nevertheless, this doesn't imply that Contra isn't amenable to ostentatious flourishes e.g. transitions between swinging and balancing, circling or starring, which can all be embellished with twirling… or, for unashamed flamboyance: the “dip” (where the man tucks a leg behind his lady’s right, she rotates her trunk slightly Ccw., he supports her back or cradles the back of her neck with his left hand and, leaning forward, taking her weight with his right arm around her waist - her right hand around his shoulders - gently lowers her backwards, horizontally, over his thigh… “Kick that lovely leg!”) - a ‘back-breaker’ - not for the novice.
But ultimately, Contra doesn't quite offer the variety - the ‘cherries’ - afforded by figures such as ‘Strip the Willow’, ‘Dip & Dive’, or ‘Roll the Barrel’.
* * *
Contra accompaniment is usually contemporary, 32-bar reels - performed by string bands.
English country dances normally have five or less figures per 32-bar revolution - whereas Contras, usually having at least six figures, are possibly a bit more demanding to memorize.
Particular features of Contra:
the starring figure uses wrist grip at waist height;
swinging finishes with both people facing the centre, lady on the right.
* * *
Dances are particularly sociable as a new ‘neighbour’ (usually the same as one’s partner’s gender) is encountered every revolution.
Some Contra venues host gender-fluid events, which can be a tad uncomfortable for conventional, red-blooded males. So, check if considering attending.
You want to see a demonstration of Contra?
Here's a taster (more than 200 exponents giving it some welly - as Polaris assail the cat-gut): But beware - the music's relentlessly infectious, so if you watch this, you're at risk of contracting the contra bug.
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.
A1 (beats 1-8): Men Allemande left completely around (to cross-over), (4 bars)
(9-16): neighbor swing. (4 bars)
A2 (17-24): Long lines, forward & back, (4)
(25-28): Pass the Ocean: Pass thru', couples cross, ladies join left hands to hinge (a ¼-turn Allemande) left, while men ¼-turn right - to make a crossways wavy line, (2)
(29-32): Balance the Wave. (2)
B1 (33-34): Forward to a new neighbor, (1)
(35-48): ¼-turn right around neighbor, men lead a hey (passing left shoulders) across & back, while ladies only hey across. (N. right, M. left, P. r., L. l., N. r., M. l.) (7)
B2 (49-64): Partner Balance & Swing. (8)
The Amazing Sarah Wilcox
Author: Tom Hinds
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQHzh83-SAI
Music: The Squid, 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, (3 bars)
swing partner. (5)
A2: Circle left three places, (3)
swing neighbor. (5)
B1: Long lines forward & back, (4)
Square thru’: chain three around (across first, R-L-R i.e. partner-neighbor-partner). (4)
B2: All facing out (with the lady on the right) in long lines, hold hands at chest height to Balance the Line (lean towards current neighbor, tap, then to previous neighbor, tap), (2)
lady rolls away Ccw., two-handed, across to her left in front of her neighbor to a new neighbor, (2) If waiting-out, re-join.
Balance the Line (towards new neighbor, then previous neighbor), (2)
California twirl new neighbor - to all face-in. (2) end couples swap designation, lines and wait-out a ‘go’.
Amy Absconds
by: Ted Hodapp
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8QZA5oqmvY (Called by Hank Morris)
Prep: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s swap places (improper). Face neighbors to form a crossways, wavy line (ladies in the center).
A1: Balance the Wave - to the right, then left, (2 bars)
Rory O’More roll Cw. to the right, (2)
Balance the Wave - left, then right, (2)
R O’M roll left. (2)
A2: Turn right 90°, men cross the set by the left, (2)
swing partner. (6)
B1: Promenade across the set (passing to the right of one’s neighbors), could complete with a lady’s Cw. twirl, turn to face back… (4)
join hands to circle left three places. (4)
B2: R-L pull-by along the line, (2)
Allemande right next person, (2)
Left pull-by back along line, (2)
Allemande r. neighbor. Forward to a new neighbor. (2) or, if reached an end, turn-around - as a couple, change 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: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper. Face neighbor.
Suspended, wooden flooring enhances stomping.
A1: Balance & Swing neighbor - finish with the lady on the man’s right. (8 bars)
A2: Minor sets, holding hands, circle left (Cw.) three places, (3)
swing partner. (5)
B1: Longways lines forward, stomp & back tap/stomp, (4)
Ladies chain across the set & Cw. twirl to place? (4)
B2: Longways lines forward and balance (meet partner by the right hand, tap, lean-back, tap), (2)
Pull-by r. h. across to partner, then l. h. along the line with neighbor, (2)
lines forward, balance and repeat pull-by (to complete a ‘square’) (4) 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 (lady on the man’s right-hand side) facing another, similar line. For a men, his ‘shadow’ is the lady on his left - for ladies, it's the man on their right ( - at ends, one’s ‘shadow’ is the end person in the opposite line).
A1: Ladies chain across the set… & back.
A2: Continue into a Hey (reel of four) across the set (in the middle, pass to the left)… and back.
B1: Allemande left shadow, returning to:
swing partner (ballroom hold, buzz step).
B2: Right and Left thru’ with the couple diagonally left. As a flourish, ladies can finish by twirling Cw. under their man’s left arm as he rotates ¾ Ccw. A top couple and a bottom couple remain in position and wait-out these four bars.
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.
Minor sets that are adjacent crossways could align themselves with each other - allowing crossways wavy lines to be extended.
A1: In fours, holding hands circle left three places. Swing neighbor.
Since his neighbor's on his left, the man could twirl her Ccw. under his left arm, into the swing.
A2: Lines (lady on the right-hand side) forward and back.
Left hands-across star ½-turn - men have crossed-over sides - they face back. Ladies continue to circle a further ¾-turn to their neighbor (facing in alternate directions), with whom they form a wavy line.
B1: Balance the Wave, ladies release their l. h., so that neighbors can Allemande right ⅔ (240°) Cw., the man meets, by the l. h., a man from his adjacent, minor set, men who are waiting-out, rejoin, (4 bars)
Balance (right then left), men Allemande left ¾ (Ccw.) to return for “right hand to partner”. (4 bars)
B2: Balance to partner, then to the left, men acknowledge each other, and… (2)
swing partner. (6)
Slip left along the line slightly to progress. End couples can join in for ‘lines forward & back’ (A2) and from ‘B1’.
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
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. Duple, ‘1’s improper. Face neighbor.
A1: Right-handed Balance neighbor (along the line), ‘Box the Gnat’ with neighbor, (4 bars)
face across, right-handed Balance partner, ‘Box the Gnat’ (end-up crossed-over diagonally).
A2: Balance & Swing neighbor.
B1: Face across, ladies Allemande right completely around,
swing partner.
B2: Cross sides with a right to neighbor & courtesy turn (or right & ‘Swat the Flea’) partner - ready to:
Ladies chain across, but with a shortened courtesy turn (whereas man turns 450°) 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.
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 - to left of neighbor), (4 bars)
Allemande right new neighbor 1¼… to longways waves - ladies facing out. (4)
A2: Balance right and left, Rory O'Moore roll right, (4)
back in a wave, balance left and right, R O'M roll left. (4)
B1: Balance & Swing neighbor. (8)
B2: Circle left three places, (3)
partner swing. (5)
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, men face out - neighbor on his r.h.s.
A1: Balance the Line, (2 bars)
Box circulate, (2)
Balance the Line, (2)
Box circulate. (2)
A2: Balance the Line,
Box circulate,
swing partner.
B1: Circle left three places, (3)
swing neighbor.
B2: Long lines forward & back, (4)
right-hand balance partner, (2)
pull-by right with partner to cross the set, hinge left neighbor to reform longways waves (men facing out, ladies facing in - but ‘progressed’). (2)
End couples could Balance the Line (A1) and merely swap lines three times - facing the same way… and swing partner. Swap designation, men end-up facing out. Rejoin at 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; 32s: Perpetual E-Motion - *Flying Tent.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper (change places with partner). Minor sets that happen to be adjacent crossways could align themselves with each other - allowing wavy lines to be extended.
A1: Men forward to meet and Allemande left (turn 180°), (3 bars)
returning to “Swing your neighbor”. (5 bars)
A2: Face across and hold hands in fours, "circle to the left" three places, to: (3 bars)
“Swing your partner” (5 bars).
B1: In long lines, forward & back,
ladies forward to Allemande right 1⅓ around (turn thru' 360° plus c. 110°). Still holding right hands, they raise left to neighbor - to form a crossways wavy line.
B2: Holding hands, Balance the Wave, (2 bars)
ladies release r. hands and Allemande left ¾ around (turn 270°) their neighbor to meet a new neighbor, and, without releasing left hands, make a longways, wavy line. (2 bars)
Balance the Line / Longways Balance, (2 bars)
release l. hand, and Allemande right new neighbor. (2 bars) End couples turn-back, change places and wait-out a ‘go’.
Restart: men forward to Allemande left…
Coconut Cream Pie
A variation on “Apple Pie Quadrille” by Ron Beeson
Author: Lynn Ackerson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02tHRtMTO74
Music: The Great Bear Trio - *Garbage in A.
Form: Longways line comprising two adjacent, crossways couples facing two crossways couples (Quadrille), i.e. each minor set comprises four-facing-four people.
A1: Lines of four, forward & back, (4)
center four Right-Hand Star (hold wrists)… while ‘ends’ swing - or whatever they want. (4)
A2: Allemande left partner, completely around (1?), (4)
new center four Right-Hand Star … new ‘ends’ do whatever they want. (4)
B1: Balance (meet double-handed, push-back to a single-handed [man’s right] lean-back) & Swing partner. (2, 6)
B2: As a group of eight, Circle left ½, (4)
Balance the Ring (step-in, stomp, etc.), (2)
California Twirl partner to turn-about and face a new line of four. (2) The progression is forward - but everyone has swapped lines. 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. Form a longways wavy line - men facing out, ladies facing in.
A1: Balance the line, roll away right (‘Rory O’Moore’), past the retiring neighbor to a new neighbor, (4)
swing new neighbor. (4)
A2: Circle left three places, (3)
men curl round their partner to the right to lead a ½-Hey across. (5)
B1: Balance & Swing partner.
B2: Men Allemande left completely around,
Allemande neighbor right completely around - into a longways wavy line.
Enchanted
by Cary Ravitz
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nlh9wXS0Cc
Music: 32s: Lift Ticket - Gobby-O and Coffee.
Form: Becket, Ccw. progression.
A1: Hold hands in fours, circle left three places, (4)
Ladies lead a ½-Hey, passing by the left shoulder. (4)
A2: Neighbors Balance & Swing. (8)
B1: Long lines go forward, partners gypsy ½-way round, lines reverse back, (1, 2, 1)
Laft hands across to Star three places. (4)
B2: Ladies Allemande right with the adjacent (new) lady, to: (2)
return to swing partner. (6)
Expert Bits
Author: Peter Stix
Watch at: https://youtu.be/NsV-eqS8Fk4 or: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i67cuGQmDw
Music: 31s: Perpetual E-Motion - Eleanor Rigby.
Preparation: take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s ‘improper’. With couple-facing-couple, nudge slightly right to form a crossways, wavy line - men in the center. Minor sets that are adjacent crossways could align themselves with each other - allowing wavy lines to be extended.
A1: Holding raised hands Balance the Wave, (2 bars)
Men slide/roll Cw. to their right (in front of the other man) - back to… (2)
swing (no balance) partner. (4)
A2: Ladies chain across, (4)
Two ladies pull-by right, (2)
Allemande l. partner into a crossways wavy line (ladies, in the center, meet with right hands). (2)
B1: Balance the Wave, (2)
Ladies slide/twirl Cw. across to their right, (2)
swing neighbor. (4)
B2: Pass the Ocean: Couples (lady on the right) pass thru' the set (ladies meet by the left and hinge), to form a crossways wavy line, (2)
face towards neighbor to Balance the Wave, (2)
Pull forward (and slightly to the right), (1) Ends turn-back - as a couple - and wait-out a ‘go’.
Allemande left the next neighbor all the way round… into a crossways wave - men in the center. (3)
Fiddler’s Fling
by Cary Ravitz
Watch at: https://youtu.be/p-vLYUngnz8
Music: 35s, The Great Bear - Shoot the Turkey Buzzard.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Balance palm-to-palm & Swing neighbor. (8 bars)
A2: Men Mad Robin their neighbor, (4)
Ladies pull their partner to poussette Cw. ½ around their neighbors. (4)
B1: Couples make a gypsy star with their neighbors: ladies take right hands, men take left hands - other hand to partner. Turn the star three places Cw. (men reverse), (4)
Partner swing. (4)
B2: Right and left thru’ across, (4)
Ladies’ chain across, but the courtesy turn is truncated - so ladies progress along the line to meet their next neighbor. (4) End couples turn back, change places and wait-out a ‘go’.
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: Gypsy Star (Cw.) men go forward, ladies back (around once). (4)
Swing neighbor. (4)
A2: Lines forward & back. (4)
Men to the middle, Allemande left completely around. (4)
B1: Partner Gypsy/do-si-do. (4)
Swing partner. (4)
B2: Circle left three places, (4)
Balance the ring, (2)
California twirl partner to face new neighbors. (2)
Heartbeat Contra
Author: Don Flaherty
Watch at: https://youtu.be/K8Z2hYA1s6I
Music: 35s: C.R. Logston - *Highlanders’ Farewell jam; 34s: 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, (2 bars)
Petronella turn, clap-clap, (2)
Repeat. (4)
A2: Balance the Ring, (2) … then the lady could twirl Ccw. under neighbor’s l. arm into:
swing Neighbor. (6)
B1: Ladies Gypsy - to cross over…, (c. 4) or swing (symmetrical hold, say, right forearm hold with left hands joined underneath, so not ‘pointy arm’) or twirl or do something!
swing Partner. (c. 4)
B2: Holding hands in fours, circle left three places, (4)
Balance the ring, (2)
California Twirl partner to turn-about and take hands with new neighbors. (2)
…or, if at an end, turn-back as a couple, and wait-out a ‘go’.
Hay in the Barn
Author: Chart Guthrie
Watch at: https://youtu.be/J-cOGs9rCXw
Preparation: Take hands four from the top. ‘1’s improper. Notice next neighbor.
A1: Balance & Swing neighbor. (8)
A2: Ladies chain across to their partner. (4)
Continue smoothly into a ½-Hey, start with ladies passing right shoulders. (Men end-up crossed-over, ladies end-up on their ‘home’ side.) (4)
B1: Balance & Swing partner. (8)
B2: Ladies chain across (everyone's now ‘crossed-over’), (4)
(still left hand connected… ) continuing smoothly to 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. (4) 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, (3 bars)
swing neighbor. (5)
A2: Balance the Ring, (2)
Petronella turn, clap-clap, (2)
Balance the Ring, (2)
Petronella turn. (2)
B1: Left hands-across star three places, (3)
Men walk forward to next star - while ladies continue to star Ccw., (1)
Men left hands-across (to a future neighbor) star three places, (3)
Men peel-off to return to partner. (1)
B2: Balance & Swing partner. (8)
End facing slightly right - to progress.
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
Music: 34s: Mean Lids - Trip to Pakistan/La Sansonette, Michael Daves - 28th of January; 32s: Hotpoint String Band - Haphazard Breakdown.
Form: Becket Contra lines.
A1: Longways Line forward & back, (4)
Ladies Chain across. (4)
A2: In a circle of four, Balance the Ring and… (2)
Petronella turn, (2)
Repeat. (4)
B1: Balance the Ring, (2)
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, (2)
Continue-on to swing (no balance) the next neighbor i.e. men down the center of the set,. (4) 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, (3) optionally, since the lady's on the man’s left, he could twirl her Ccw. into:
swing Partner. (5)
The Last Resort
by Kathy Anderson
Watch at: https://youtu.be/mM5vNzFxxBs
Music: 34s: Great Bear - Benton’s Hallucinations.
Form: Becket lines. Cw. progression.
A1: In fours, holding hands, circle left three places, (3 bars)
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’. (5 bars)
A2: Allemande right with the subsequent, advancing neighbor or, if ejected at an end, Allemande partner right, returning to new neighbor, (4)
swing that neighbor. (4)
B1: Longways lines go forward & back, (4)
ladies Allemande right completely around (1⅓) - crossing back to their partner. (4)
B2: Men Allemande left, (3)
swing partner. (5)
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 line.
A1: Lines advance four steps, (2 bars)
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., (2)
the line, facing back, takes four steps forward (returning), (2)
‘Outsides’ curl inward - dragging their line into a circle of four. (Ladies return to their partner’s right.) (2)
A2: Keeping hands joined, balance: step in, tap/stomp the other foot, step back, tap… release hands to Petronella turn (twirl ¾ Cw., while also moving Ccw. into the next position round), ‘clap-clap’… (4)
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 (Cw.) three places, (the lady could optionally twirl Ccw. under her partner’s l. arm - ready to:)
swing partner.
M.A.D. About Dancing
Author: by Robert Cromartie
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HlfylsylXo
Formation: duple minor.
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, (2)
Allemande by the right (or a variation: ‘Swat the Flea’), (2)
Balance the Wave, (2)
Men Allemande left (turning thru' 270°) - returning to neighbour to… (2)
A2: Balance & Swing neighbor. (8)
B1: (In fours, holding hands) Circle left three places, (3)
swing partner. (5)
B2: Circle left three places… to a crossways wavy line (partners face the same way - ladies in the center), (4)
Balance the Wave, (2)
Pull-thru’ (progressing). (2)
Mad Mad World
Author: Martha Wild
Watch at: https://youtu.be/qHscaBxLW5c
Music: *On the Danforth.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Long lines forward & back,
Mad Robin - lady first. End couple turn-around - as a pair, wait-out a ‘go’, and rejoin at next A1.
A2: Ladies cross to partner - passing to the right,
Gypsy once around partner,
swing partner.
B1: Couples Pass through (to the left of neighbor) across the set,
California twirl partner,
Mad Robin (men first) around partner.
B2: Men cross - passing to the right.
Gypsy once around neighbor… into swing neighbor. (Finish with lady on the right.)
Mad Slice (variant)
Author: Rick Mohr
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzsKFz4U-Do
Music: Nova (Fownes) - Filling the Knot.
Preparation: Take hands in fours. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Balance & Swing neighbor. (8) (end with lady on the r.h.s.)
A2: Couple Slice diagonally left (to shadow #1, meet with facing-palms) to ‘bounce’ left to shadow #2, (2)
Star by the right three places to… (4)
Pull-by left shadow #1 to meet partner. (2)
B1: Bal & Swing partner.
B2: With the lady on her partner’s right, holding hands in fours, Circle left three places, (3)
Pass thru' (to the left of) neighbor and do-si-do new neighbor.
Mange Tak (“Many Thanks”)
Author: Ron Buchanan
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnGW9fGvIw4
Music: Toss the Possum - *Apple Blossom (34s), *Catharsis (31s).
Preparation: Take hands in fours. ‘1’s improper. Similar A and B halves.
A1: Balance & Swing neighbor. (8) (end with lady on the r.h.s.)
A2: Couples cross thru’ the set (to the left of oncoming partner), ladies hinging left 90°, men turn right - to form a crossways wavy line, (2)
Holding raised hands Balance the Wave, (2)
ladies release their l. hands to hinge right for men to pull across the set by the left, (2)
hinge partner right - to head along the line (to ‘shadow’). (2)
B1: Allemande l. shadow, (3) If at an end, Allemande person opposite i.e. still your ‘shadow’.
Back along the line to swing partner. (5)
B2: With lady on the right, Cross thru’ (to the left of oncoming neighbor) to form a wavy line, (2)
Balance the Wave, (2)
ladies release l. hands to hinge partner right - for men to pull across the set by the left, (2)
Hinge neighbor right, progress along the line to a new neighbor. (2) End couples change designation and wait-out a ‘go’.
Maxine’s Reasonable Request
Author: Chuck Abell
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtAp9C3uOfo.
Preparation: Take hands in fours. ‘2’s improper.
A1: Holding hands in a circle, Balance the Ring and Petronella turn, clap-clap,
Balance and Petronella turn.
A2: Star by the left,
After passing three places, peel-off…
…to Do-si-do new neighbor.
B1: Balance the Wave,
keep holding right hands (with neighbor) for men to L-R pull-across the set,
swing partner.
B2: Men pass the ladies across the set,
Balance & Swing neighbor.
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 down the set, turn as a couple (lady could twirl Ccw. under man’s right arm), and back - outsides bend the line into a circle, (5)
circle left three places. (3)
B1: Balance and Swing partner.
B2: Ladies Chain across, (4)
Left hand star Ccw. Peel-off after three places - progressing. (4)
Now We Are Four
by Erik Weberg
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIMVikR16qI
Music: Robb 'n Hood.
Formation: Duple Minor - Becket.
A1: Holding hands in a circle, Balance the ring, (2 bars)
Men take their neighbor (or Ccw, twirl them) back to the men’s side, (1)
Neighbor swing. (5)
A2: In a line of four, down the hall (M-l-m-L), "Lines of four, go down the floor." (3)
After five or six steps, couples swap lines - the left-hand couple passes in front; turn back alone. (2)
In a line of four, go up the hall (m-L-M-l), and Bend the line. (3)
B1: Circle left three places, (3)
couples smoothly slide left along the line, (1)
Ladies (new) do-si-do. (4)
B2: "Back to your partner", balance & swing. (8)
Oh, Hi Turtle!
by Emily Rush
As called by Robert Cromartie
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hmanTMdXRM.
Music: 35s: Mean Lids (increase tempo by c. 8% for a very danceable:) - Red Prairie Dawn.
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.), Allemande right 3rd neighbor… to L-R pull-by back to place,
Ladies hinge right around 1st 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,
(keeping the lady on the right) left hand star four places around.
Hold neighbor’s l. hand, pivot slightly into a longways line - men facing out. End couples change places & wait-out… or re-join.
Pedal Pushers
by Bob Dalsemer
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqnoHv9ASZI. (at ContraCopia)
Music: 34s: Buddy System - Breakwall; 32s: Nightingale or Graham Townsend - Pop Corn Reel.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Two men Allemande left 1¼, (3 bars)
Continuing in-hold, they pick up their partner around her waist, bring her back to man’s side, (3)
as a couple, wheel around once (Ccw. - man backing). (2)
A2: Two ladies gypsy: walk around each other Cw. facing each other,
return to swing partner.
B1: Holding hands in a circle of four, Balance the Ring, (2)
pass thru' (to the left of neighbor) across the set, (2)
turn individually to the right, and in groups of four, walk/promenade (single) three places around (back to place), (3)
Men turn-back to face neighbor. (1)
B2: Two-handed Balance & Swing departing neighbor. End couples change designation (places) and wait-out a ‘go’.
A Pirate’s Life for Me (variation)
by Nathaniel Jack
Watch at: https://youtu.be/s3rfdV8M7l8.
Music: 34s: Barefoot - Spontaneity; 33s: Great Bear Trio - *The Randomanians.
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 thru’ (to left of partner) across… and hinge right to form a crossways wavy line (facing opposite way to neighbor), (2)
Balance the Wave, (2)
Men Rory O’More roll away right to catch left hands… (2)
…and Allemande left once around to return to their line. (2)
B1: Balance (palm-to-palm) & Swing partner. (8)
B2: Ladies do-si-do Cw. twirling? 1? around - to cross-over, (4)
Gypsy twirling? ¾ Cw. around neighbor (turning thru' 270°), to progress to next neighbor. (4)
Reel to Reel
Cary Ravitz
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6VBJu6q3Zc
Music: Barefoot - Jam
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. Duple, ‘1’s improper. Start in a crossways wave, ladies in the middle.
A1: Allemande right neighbor, (3 beats)
men Allemande left completely around while ladies orbit ½ Cw., (5 beats)
Allemande right partner, (3 beats)
ladies Allemande left completely around while men orbit ½ Cw. (5 beats)
A2: Gypsy neighbor (or Allemande right) and swing, (8 bars)
B1: Give and Take: palm-to-palm balance partner, lady takes man back, (5 beats)
Swing partner. (11 beats)
B2: Circle left three places and pass through to meet new neighbors, (4 + 1 bar)
Do-si-do neighbor. (3)
Rock Creek Reel
by David Harris
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gipgTTjXdfo
Music: Catharsis, Imperial March medley.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. Duple, ‘1’s improper.
A1: Men forward to form a longways line, (2 bars)
Balance the Line right and left. (2 bars)
As the men back out, ladies forward to a line, (2)
Balance the Line. (2)
A2: Ladies Allemande right - twice around, (4)
swing partner. (4)
B1: Holding hands in lines of four, go down the hall (six steps), turn-back California twirl? as a couple, (4)
return, outsides curl-round to join hands and… (4)
B2: Circle left three places, (3)
swing neighbor. (5)
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 that are adjacent crossways could align themselves - allowing crossways lines to be extended.
A1: Holding raised hands across the set Balance the Wave, (2 bars)
R O’M roll/spin) Cw. to the right, in front of your neighbor. (2)
Back in wavy lines, balance to the left, then right, (2)
R.O’M. (Ccw.) back left, in front of neighbor. (2)
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. (8)
B1: Lines forward, taking hands with partner, the man pulls his partner back to his side for a swing. (8)
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, (4)
Balance the Wave, (2)
lean back and pull through twirl? to meet an approaching couple with whom to form a new, crossways, wavy line. (2) …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: Forward & back balance (offering r. h.), r. hand pull-by along the line, l. pull-by across the set, (3)
swing neighbor, (5)
A2: Long lines forward & back, (4)
ladies Allemande right once around to cross the set to partner, (4)
B1: Balance & Swing partner,
B2: Ladies chain to cross back to neighbor, (4)
Forward & back balance (offering r. h.) & pull-by partner to cross the set, (3)
l. h. pull-by along the line to a new neighbor. (1)
Rory O’Moore
A partial contra - 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 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 middle, 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),
Allemande right partner,
Allemande left their 2nd corner (left diagonal).
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. (8 bars)
A2: With the lady on her partner’s right, holding hands in fours, Circle left three places, (4)
Partner do-si-do twirling Ccw.?. (4)
B1: Partner Balance & Swing. (8)
B2: Ladies chain to neighbor, (4)
Star by the left, Ccw., (3)
After three places, peel-off to face the next neighbor. (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 (lady on the man’s right-hand side) facing each other. Consider the set as a squashed circle.
A1: Holding hands in fours, circle left three places.
Do-si-do neighbor.
A2: Facing neighbor, three R-L pull-bys. If at an end, continue round the corners… (men go Cw.),
½ Allemande left the fourth person. 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).
Serendipity
by: Chris Page
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTO9CYt7-eU or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcHLEq0UWbo
Music: 33s: Nova - …/*Snow Boots (comp.: Kathleen Fownes); 32s: Tempest - The Stride (comp.: Winifred Horan)/Man of the House/The Holly Bush.
Form: Duple minor. Becket lines. Ccw. progression.
A1: Ladles Allemande right completely around, (4 bars)
neighbor swing. (4 beats)
A2: Circle left three places, (3)
Allemande partner right 1¼ (c.430°) to form longways wavy lines - ladies face out, men face in. (5)
B1: Balance the Line, (2)
Box circulate, hinge right 90° to a crossways wave, (2)
Balance the Wave, (2)
forward to next neighbor (or wait-out… or rejoin), hinge neighbor right 90° into a longways wavy line - so ladies face out, men face in. (2)
B2: Balance the Line (to R then L), (2)
Box circulate - men cross, ladies loop right, (2)
partner swing. (4)
Simplicity Swing
Author: Becky Hill
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Czc3sqUKioE. (but not synchronised until 1m 20s) Music: Robb 'n Hood (VanNorstrand, Knuth, Zisette, Chapman) or:https://youtu.be/X6t9qAaAPG4.
Preparation: Take hands four from the top. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Balance & Swing neighbor. man could raise left arm to twirl lady Cw. into… (8 bars)
A2: Holding hands in fours (with the lady on the right of her neighbor), Circle left three places, man could then raise left arm twirl his partner Ccw. into… (3)
swing partner. Lady could twirl Cw. into… (5)
B1: Longways lines forward, stomp, & back, stomp, (4)
Ladies Chain across. (4)
B2: Left hand Star (Ccw. - holding left wrist of person in front), (4)
peel-off to do-si-do Ccw. twirl? around new neighbor. (4)
or, if reached an end, (do-si-do, bal. & swing one’s partner) swap rows and wait-out a ‘turn’.
Slapping the Wood
by Don Flaherty
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4czDm3Jr4xk
Music: Various artists - The Road to Errogie; 30s: Anna Ludlow - *The Hurricane.
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’
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: Allemande neighbor left 1¾ around (turn c. 600º),
ladies pass by the right to lead a ½-hey across.
A2: Balance & Swing neighbour.
B1: Holding hands in fours, with the lady on her partner’s right, Circle left three places,
Balance & Swing partner.
B2: Pass across (to left of neighbor), ladies hinge left, men turn right, through to a crossways wave,
Balance the Wave,
ladies Allemande left,
turn neighbour (360º) by the right. Forward to progress.
End couples leave or re-join.
Swing into Spring
by Orace Johnson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMwZ24YWqmU
Form: Becket lines.
A1: Slide/slice two chassé steps left to new neighbors.
Circle left three places.
Swing neighbor.
A2: Passing by the left, men chain across to their partner (opposite to normal - so ending with men on the left).
Long lines, forward & back. (Or F&B first, then chain.)
B1: Circle left two places, ladies roll away (right across their neighbor - across the set).
Circle l. ½, ladies roll away (along the set) to…
B2: Bal & Swing partner.
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 overlap in the center. Minor sets in adjacent rows could align themselves - allowing wavy lines to be extended.
A1: Balance the Wave, (2 bars)
slide or Rory O’Moore roll Cw. to the right, (2 bars)
Catching neighbor to Allemande left 1½ around. (4) returning (behind) to:
A2: Balance & Swing previous neighbor. (2, 6)
B1: With the lady on her partner’s right, holding hands in fours, Circle left three places, (3) since his partner's on his left - the man could twirl her Ccw. into:
Swing partner. (5)
B2: In a circle of four, Balance the Ring, (2)
ladies pass as they cross through and couples form a wavy-line with their original neighbors (from A1), (2)
Balance the Wave, (2)
Pull forward to a new neighbor. (2) 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
Music: 35s: Gypsy Meltdown - Vortex/Rainy Night in Montague.
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.), (2 bars, 1 bar) If at an end, balance the opposite person (i.e. one’s partner) then continue round the corners.
Pull-by left with #2 neighbor, (1)
take right hands with #3 neighbor, balance and Box the Gnat. (2, 2)
A2: Facing-back, Pull-by right #3 neighbor, (1)
pull-by left #2 neighbor, (1)
swing original neighbor. (6) If left at an end, swing partner - ending in swapped places. End couples wait-out during B1-B2… and, facing along the line, continue normally from the subsequent A1.
B1: With the lady on her partner’s right, holding hands in fours, Circle left three places, (3)
swing Partner. (5)
B2: Long lines, forward & back, (4)
ladies do-si-do 1½ (twirling) - crossing sides to a new neighbor. (4)
Restart - offering r. hand to the new neighbor.
Trip to Lambertville
Author: Steve Zakon-Anderson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ELyFFYhWOk
Music: Perp e-Motion - Vladi on the Trans-Siberian, 8% faster.
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. Duple minor. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Ladies advance into the middle and Balance the Line, (4 bars)
as ladies retire, men advance into the middle and Balance the Line. (4)
A2: Men Allemande left,
offer right hand to their new neighbor, Balance & Swing.
B1: Men back to the middle and Allemande left once around,
partner swing.
B2: R-L thru' lady Cw. twirling under left arm, (4)
ladies’ chain back to neighbor… gliding into restart.
Trip to Lambertville (variant ‘B’ part)
Author: Steve Zakon-Anderson
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PTMGNgPJ6s
Music:
Preparation: Take hands in fours from the top. Duple minor. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Ladies advance to a longways wavy line and Balance the Line (right and left), (4)
as ladies retire, men advance into the middle and Balance the Line.
A2: men Allemande left, (2)
"Right to a new neighbour" to Balance and Swing, (6)
B1: Circle left three places, (3)
swing partner.
B2: Long lines F & B, (4)
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. Duple minor. ‘1’s improper.
A1: Balance & Swing neighbor.
A2: Men Allemande left completely around (to cross-over), (4 bars)
swing partner, end facing down the set. (4)
B1: The four in a line (m l M L) lead down the room, (4)
turn into a ‘cozy line’: keeping hands held, the center pair arch, turn away from each other & back under their arch. The ends join free hands (behind the centers… ), the foursome then returns to place, still holding hands; (3)
Center pair duck, ends continue moving forward to arch over the 'centers' and form a cloverleaf. (1)
B2: The cloverleaf circles left 1¼ (five places round - until ‘1’s above, ‘2’s below), (5)
releasing their neighbor’s hand, partners ‘Star thru'’: the lady, still holding her partner’s right hand, twirls Ccw. under it (they ‘California Twirl’) - end facing neighbor along the line.
Pass thru' (ladies down the center) to progress. (1, 2)
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 line…
A1: Balance the line,
Rory O’Moore twirl/roll to the right,
Balance the line,
R O’M twirl/roll left.
A2: Balance & Swing neighbor.
B1: Circle left three places,
Swing partner.
B2: Ladies Chain lady could raise her left arm to twirl Cw. under man’s left arm into:
left hand Star (Ccw.). At the third place, 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.
A1: Circle left three places, (3)
Swing neighbor. (5)
A2: Long lines forward (stomp… ) & back, (4)
Ladies chain across to partner. (4)
B1: Ladies Chain across diagonally to the left man i.e. their ‘shadow’ (their next neighbor), (4) Ejected end couples wait-out this figure - or re-join as a pair.
Hands four.
Balance the Ring, (2)
Petronella turn (ladies cross lines). (2)
B2: Balance the Ring, (2)
ladies roll away Cw. to their l., along the line (from ‘shadow’ back to their partner), (2)
swing partner.
Face across.
Zig-O-hey
Author: C. P.
Form: ‘1’s improper.
A1: Men Zig-Zag: facing across the set, men cross the set diagonally by pulling l. h. thru' with the opposite man), they then rotate ⅓ left (c. 120º) and cross the set diagonally - pulling r. h. thru' to the next minor set. (4) All the men have now zig-zagged to their adjacent set.
New sets l. hand star. (4)
A2: Ladies Zig-Zag: cross diagonally (passing to the left of oncoming lady… then to the right) to join their partner in the adjacent minor set. (4)
New sets r. hand star - finally releasing right hands for ladies to progress towards their new neighbor - men peel-off to loop-back left towards their new neighbor. (4)
B1: Ladies lead a hey (passing to the left of oncoming lady) across the set… (3 bars)
…where neighbors swing. (5)
B2: Circle left 3 places. (4)
Men hey, ladies ricochet… ending on man’s left. (4)
Flourishes - A Few Contra Twirls
Hands are held loosely - allowing relative rotation.
The couple face each other:
- with either hand, the man raises the lady’s right hand and leads her into a Ccw. twirl;
- with either hand, the man raises the lady’s left hand and leads her into a Cw, twirl;
- left hand to left hand. Lady turns ½ Cw. under her partner’s left hand (‘Swat the Flea’ - a left-handed ‘Box the Gnat’) while the man rotates ½ Ccw. around her (or as he leads her around him)… or alternatively, he can rotate ½ Cw. swapping the lady’s left hand, behind his back, to his r. hand for her to twirl out, Cw., under it.
The couple face each other, crossed-hands:
- r. above l. Raise r. arms, then 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.;
- l. above r. Raise l. arms, then r., lady under-arm twirls through ½ Ccw. to the left of her partner i.e. a two-handed ‘Box the Gnat’. They end-up facing each other in swapped places - but with r. above l.;
- 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, both turning 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 ending with man on lady’s left): they raise their joined hands into an arch, the lady turns ½ Ccw. under their arch, whilst the man walks ½ Cw. outside the lady.
Twirl out of a Swing - man raises and straightens his left arm (holding lady’s right) and applies slight pressure with his right hand on lady’s back encouraging her to twirl out, Cw., under his left.
Sample country dance repertoires
Introductory
- Broken Sixpence - longways, see below
- Heartbreaker - square - see below, T. Evans - Five Foot Two…
- Zig Zag - Sicilian, reel/jig, see below
- Drops of Brandy - slip-jig (or horn) The Peacock Followed the Hen/Foxhunters/Drops of Brandy
- Thread the Needle - longways, jig, see below (*Woodford, Calliope)
- Bouquet Waltz - American square, see below (*Door)
- Country Bumpkin - longways, 4 or 5 couples, see below (*Larry …)
- Champenoise - circle (mixer), 16-bar jig
- Mouth of the Valleys - circle (mixer), 5-6 couples, see below (Sunshower/Lindsay …)
- Amy …/Chuck the Budgie/United … - Contra, see below (*Anne Lacey’s, *Dirt).
Eclectic, circa 1½ hr per session.
Each session starts sedately and ends raucously/energetically.
- Broken Sixpence: 39s: Sam Bartlett - Rumblestrip; 36s: Sam Bartlett - *Mary Devlin’s; 35s: Countercurrent - Sunshower/Lindsay …; 34s: Sharon Shannon - Woodchoppers; 33s: Altan - *The Triple T.
- The Heartbreaker: 34: The faux Paws - Birdy Thirty; 33s: Banter - *Corn Rigs/Seneca …; 32s: Andrew McNamara - Humours of Tulla/…; 108 bpm: The Viscounts - Five Foot Two; 120 bpm: The Belgrade Dixieland Orch. - Yes Sir, … ; 126 bpm: Michael Holliday - Swanee.
- Cotton Eye Joe: Geslison & Groberg, Rednex - C.E.J. - best on suspended floors.
- Country Bumpkin: 37s reel: Diatonics (EFDSS) - Speed the Plough/Staten Island, The String Sisters - *The Crow’s Visit; 35s: Fiddlers3 - Billy Thom’s/Rannie …/…, Natalie MacMaster - Stoney Lake Reels; 34s: Dominique Dupuis - *Reels des Naufragés, Flook - *Larry Out the Bin/Elzics Farewell; 33s: Banter (EFDSS) - *Corn Rigs/Seneca Square Dance, Contrasaurus (EFDSS) - *Tipsy Parson/The Breakdown; 32s jig: Steamchicken - Nobber’s New Jigs.
- Stoke Golding - Slip jig: 49s: Trinculo - Any Jig Will Do/Tall for a Night; 48s: Natalie MacMaster - *Patricia Kelso’s; 48s: Mark & Holly - The Peacock Followed the Hen/Foxhunter’s … .
- Nottingham Swing: 52s (32-bar): Steamchicken - *… Devil's Dead/In Party Mood; 25s: Martin Simpson - *The Keel Row, Bellowhead - *Kafoozalum/Priest, Steamchicken - Gobby’s Xmas … .
- Thread the Needle - reel/jig. 34s: Whapweasel - Crisps; 32s: Old School Band - Shearer’s Gem/Whittle Springs; 31s: Kevin Burke & Cal Scott - *The Green Fields of Woodford/Seanamhac …, Blazin' Fiddles - Thursday Night … ; (16-bar jig) 15.5s: Alasdair Fraser & Paul Machlis - *Calliope House/Cowboy Jig → Patrick Street - *Mrs O Sullivan’s Jig/Calliope House.
- The Rout (Alternative version) (American Square): 32s: Contrasaurus (EFDSS) - Up Jumped the Devil/Marmadukes Hornpipe, 32s: South Carolina String Band - Cripple Creek/Joe Clarke/… , Steamchicken - *Old Joe Clarke.
Break
- Mouth of the Valleys: 40s: Natalie MacMaster - Barndances; 38s: Celtic Fiddle Festival - Loch Leven Castle/… McDonald’s/…; 36s: Gillian Boucher - Harem Scarem/Humours of Lissadell; 35s: Countercurrent - Sunshower/Lindsay … , Penk, Curley - Merriweather; 35s jig: Kathleen & Jim Fownes - The Old Favorite/The !Orphan; 34s: The Faux Paws - Birdy Thirty; 33s: The Gothard Sisters - *The Bandit, Barefoot - *Jam, Brendan Block - *Flight of the Penguins/Fleur… , 32s: Airdance - *Fred Bartell/Jigjazz.
- Foula Reel - jig: 39s: Spælimenninir - Da Shaalds o Foula; 32s: The Ranchers - WttD, CD1, 17 Foula Reel, Celtic Fiddle Festival - *Maureen’s Fancy/… /Swinging Jig double-jig set, Olive Hurley - Shandon Bells/Nova Scotia/… jig set; 29s: Drams - Strip the Willow.
- Champenoise: 33s: Die Irrlichte; 31s: Duivelspack; 27s: Les Genoux - Chapelloise (& Jump at the Sun).
- Georgia Rang-Tang (American Square), (24-bar): 26s: Rattle on the Stovepipe - *Chinquapin Hunting; (16 bars in 17s): Ron Block - Devil in the Strawsack.
- M.A.D. … (Contra) (incl. B t Wave): 36s: Faux Paws - Southport, *Katy Hill; 34s: Flook - *Larry Get …/Elzic’s …, Toss the Possum & Noah - Apple Blossom; 33s: Liz Carroll & JD or Tangent - *Anne Lacey’s, Pete’s Posse - The Bunny Tree; 32s: Hanneke Cassel - Dot the Dragon’s Eyes; 31s: Great Bear - Garbage in A.
- Bouquet Waltz (American Square), (c. 40s for once thru'): 32 bars in 33s: Notorious - *Door County #2; 40 bars in 40s: David Holt & Josh Goforth - *Billy Wilson; 24 bars in 23s: Uncle Earl - Backstep Cindy.
- Suicide Square - double-jig: 32s: Dave Swarbrick - The Swallow’s Tail/Rakes Of Kildare/Blackthorn Stick, John Whelan - Dr O'Neal/Killavel; 31s: The Scottish Fiddle Orch. - *Jake’s Jig/Well for Water, John Whelan - *Humours Of Glendart/Leitrim …/… ; 30s: The Climax C. B. - *Spike with a 19s pause!; 29s: (- so slow it by c. 10%): Whapweasel - *Badunga, Beòlach - Annie’s New Heart.
Break
- T.A.G. - jig: 35s: Syncopaths - *East at Glendart/… , *Bronwyn Leigh, Kathleen & Jim Fownes - The Old Favorite/The Orphan; 31s: Kevin Burke & Cal Scott - *The Green Fields of Woodford/Seanamhac Tube … .
- Chuck the Budgie (Contra): 35s: Perpetual e-Motion - Cluck Old Hen; 34s: Great Bear - The Gardener or *The Randomanians; 32s: Perpetual e-Motion - *Flying Tent.
- Dip ‘n’ Dive (American Square), (c.36 or 56-bar!): 16 bars in 20s: Mick O’Brien & C O’R - *Rolling in the Ryegrass set; 16 bars in 17.5s: Corrina R. Logston - Highlanders’ Farewell; 16 bars in 17s: Ron Block - *Devil In The Strawstack; 20 bars in 22s: Dirk Powell - Sally Anne.
- Amy Absconds (incl. B t Wave, Pull-by, R O'M), Heartbeat (incl. Petronella), United We Dance (incl. B t Line, R O'M): 36s: The Fretless - Macleod’s Farewell/Palmers …, The Faux Paws - *Katy Hill; 34s: Flook - *Larry Get …/Elzic’s…, Toss the Possum & Noah - Apple Blossom; 32s: Dam Beavers - *Dirt, Syncopaths - Spootiskerry/Morning Haggis; 31s: Buddy System - *Ride the Wheel.
- Zig Zag: 40s (swagger) -34s: Natalie MacMaster - The Golden Eagle; 37s: String Sisters - *The Crow’s Visit; 35s: Countercurrent - Sunshower/Lindsay …; → 33s: Tangent then Liz Carroll - *Anne Lacey’s; 34s: Fiddlestyles - MacArthur Road/… → 33s: Airdance - *MacArthur Road/Gravel Walk → 32s: Natalie MacMaster - *Three Reels, Tidal Wave - *Reel a Bruce/De Terrebonne/Du Nord set, .
- Waves of Tory - 5 x 48-bar jig: WttD, CD1 - 11 WoT (Shandon Bells/Devil in Dublin/Coleraine); 44s: Eliza Carthy - Zycanthos Jig/Tommy’s Foot/… ; 42s: The House Band - Zakynthos Jig, Threepenny Bit - Coffee Zycanthos.
- Trip to Lambertville, Expert Bits (Contra): 35s: Perp. e-Motion - Vladi/Eleanor Rigby; 32s: Airdance - *Muddy Roads.
- Orcadian Strip the Willow - Slip jig: 50s: Mark Arrington - Foxhunter’s; 46s: Fiddlers Dram - Peel the Tatties/The Pig in the Kitchen/The Barony Jig; 44s: Maire Breatnach Band (or Street Fiddlers) - Nead Na Lachan/Moll Roe; 30s: (skip-step) Leahy - Wedding Day, (16-bar) Blazin’ Fiddles - Thursday Night… .
Minimal contact eg. no partner-progression; for ‘stars’ use wrist-grip (at chest height).
- The New Mrs Arrowsmith: 39s hornpipe: Blazin' Fiddles - President Garfield’s; 16-bar polka in 21s: Nightingale - *Newmarket Polka/Trip to Dingle; 34s: Craig Duncan - Grandfather Polka/Clarinet Polka.
- T.A.G. (use wrist-grip): see above.
- Virginia Reel (40-bar, non-Strip-t-W. version): Colin Dewar - V.R. Medley.
- Four Around Four: "WttD", CD1, 07 The Ranchers - Jigs; 34s: Celtic Fiddle Festival - Stan Chapman’s/… ; 33s: Mark Arrington - *The Kesh; 30s: Brendan Block - *Kate’s/Mill … .
- Thread the Needle: jig, see above.
- Boston Tea Party (single Dip 'n' Dive): The Dunne Family - Strike the Gay Harp/Jimmy Ward’s/Doberman’s.
- Bridge of Athlone: Cheviot Ranters - The Frost is all Over/Pet of the Pipers/Smash the Windows.
- The Heartbreaker (for ‘four ladies Chain’ use wrist-grip): see above.
- Bottoms Up (incl. Thread the Needle): Tiger Moth - *Oats and Beans and Barley Grow.
- Oh, Hi Turtle or Coconut Cream contra (neither have a ‘Swing neighbor’): see above.
Kids’ Programme: Cumberland Reel, Pat-a-Cake Polka, Farmers Jig, Muffin Man, Bridge of Athlone, Virginia Reel, OXO Reel, Clopton Bridge.
Cumberland Reel
Form: 4, 5, or 6 couple longways set (facing partners).
Music: 32-bar reel or jig.
A1: Top two couples right hand star, left hand star back.
A2: 1st couple galop down the centre and back to the top; lead a single cast (boys to the left, girls to the right).
B1: 1st couple make an arch at the bottom, the rest promenade up through the arch to progressed places.
B2: New top couple lead a promenade round to the left (double cast) and back to place, all follow.
Repeat for the remaining couples.
Source: EFDSS Community Dances Manual.
Farmer’s Jig
Form: 4-couple longways set (facing partners).
Music: 32-bar jig. 35s: Kathleen Fownes - The Old Favorite/…
A1: All four couples face up, hold inside hands and advance 7 steps up the set, turn (towards partner), facing back, return to place… and give two hands to partner.
A2: Couples galop up the set, then galop back to place.
B1: In groups of four, right-hand star; back with the left.
B2: First couple lead a single cast, boys to the left, girls to the right. First couple make a two-handed arch at the bottom, others, holding inside hands, pass under the arch and up the centre.
N.B. All couples remain facing up, ready to restart the dance.
Source: Everybody Dance (EFDSS 1972).
Muffin Man
Form: Circle (girls on boys’ right).
Music: 32-bar polka. 35s: Cheviot Ranters - Call of the Pipes or 16-bar in 21s: Nightingale - *Newmarket Polka.
A1: All to the centre and back twice.
A2: Face partner, take both hands for four galop steps into the centre and back, repeat.
B1: Promenade partners.
B2: Swing partners. (For a mixer: men finish on the right.)
Repeat - as desired.
Source: Everybody Dance (EFDSS 1972).