Chris Page for documenting YouTube contra dance videos that often don't give dance names and for pointing me to YouTube videos of my dances. And The Caller's Box.
The number of counts used by each move is noted in parentheses. These
are not necessarily rigid as the figures can trade off, especially
within a 16 count phrase. For example with the common phrase circle left
3/4 (8), partners swing (8), the dancers will often use just 6 or 7
counts for the circle.
I have tried to highlight the progressions with phrases like "and turn
to face new neighbors" and "to meet new neighbors". This implies that
subsequent figures are done with the new minor set.
I have added a note wherever a dance is reentered improperish with lady on the left.
I use "half sashay" for two dancers to trade places with a side step. Clockwise or
counter-clockwise is specified. Be sure not to read "roll away" where
there isn't one.
I use "sashay around" for two dancers to walk around each other with side steps.
Clockwise or counter-clockwise is specified.
A sashay around done by couples on both sides of a set of four, while
facing directly across the set, is referred to as a "mad robin". A half sashay
done by couples on both sides of a set of four, while
facing directly across the set, is referred to as a "1/2 mad robin".
I use the phrase "roll away with a half sashay" to refer to the common
figure with ladies rolling left and gents half sashaying right. If the gents
roll away, I use the phrase "gents roll away and ladies half sashay",
with the direction implied by the position of the dancers. If the ladies
roll away right, I use the phrase "ladies roll away and gents half
sashay", with the direction implied by the position of the dancers. The
roll away is always in front of the half sashay.
Ladies chains and right and left throughs end with a courtesy turn. This
is implied and not noted.
The term "star", as used here, covers both the wrist hold star and the
hands across star. If the type of star
is important then it is specified. Otherwise either type works well and
I suggest using whatever is traditional for the dancers.
"Push off", done within a hey, means push off in the middle and trade
roles in the hey. Dancers that push off generally stay facing across the
set. If you start on the left, you push off back and to the right. If
you start on the right, you push off back and to the left.
Gyspy is a two dancer contra figure - walk around the other dancer eye to eye.
Generally 4..8 counts followed by a swing or 8 counts to go 1+1/2 around. In a
figure name, gypsy is used to add eye to eye -gypsy star, gypsy waves (and the
common flourish, gypsy hey).
I use the following formations.
proper - line of two couple minor sets, ones face down, twos face up, ladies on the caller's left
improper - proper then the one gent and one lady trade places
Becket - improper then turn the minor set left 1/4
Becket, counter-clockwise - improper then turn the minor set right 1/4
reverse improper - improper then gents and their partner ladies trade places
diamond formation - improper then turn the minor set left 1/8
cross contra - improper then the one lady and two gent trade places
Further instructions to start may include - face across, do-si-do 1+1/4 to a wavy line across.
These are the rules that I follow when writing a dance. The first rules are rigid - I allow no exceptions unless the theme of the dance requires it.
There must be smooth flow, by position, direction, and hand hold.
The timing must be clean - not too tight or too loose and not widely varying in different phrases, and any timing sloppiness should be within a 16 count phrase.
There must be a partner swing (that means everyone, not just the ones).
Shadow swings are not allowed.
Swings end at the end of a 16 count phrase.
The dance must not be excessively clockwise.
Circles and stars should be a maximum of once around, allemandes maximum 1+3/4, and do-si-dos maximum 1+1/4.
Maximum of three balances.
Maximum of one circle left, regardless of the circle distance.
These next rules are more loosely followed.
There must be a neighbor swing or a figure that is interesting enough to make up for the lack of one.
There should be exactly one minimum 12 count swing. This includes a 16 count balance and swing, gypsy and swing, or swing. Three swing dances are excluded from this rule.
The basic figures, circle left, star left, star right, ladies chain across, right and left through across, etc. are not to be used more than once in a dance unless all uses are part of the central theme.
The total number of figures should be minimal.
Time spent standing still should be minimal.
There should be minimal filler (figures that just take up time).
And these are some artistic rules.
The partner swing should be the last swing of the dance.
There should be an interesting buildup to one or both swings.
There should be a theme or symmetry that holds the figures together as a dance.
Long lines forward and back seems to me to be an opening figure, so I will not use it in B1 or B2 (unless paired with another in A1 or A2).
Petronella turns, Rory O'More slides, and push offs in heys need to be used in pairs to feel right.
Down the hall seems to me to be an up/down and unequal figure that doesn't fit in a Becket dance.
Cross contra (from improper, the one lady and two gent trade places)
A1
-
Face across.
-
Twos pass left to start a hey (16).
A2
-
Neighbors (on the side) half sashay clockwise (ones behind the twos) (3).
-
Gypsy clockwise for four 1 (10) (circle left 1 without hands).
-
Ladies (across) half sashay clockwise (ones ladies behind the two ladies) (3).
B1
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
B2
-
Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down to meet new neighbors (8).
-
With neighbors, the one gent and two lady do-si-do, the one lady and two gent allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
After the circle and pass through, the one gents and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left.
A less dizzy start of B2 for either version - gents start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your partner, from initial positions, turn the star 1 for gents and 1/2 for ladies (8).
Cross contra (from improper, the one lady and two gent trade places)
A1
-
Face across.
-
Twos pass left to start a 1/2 hey, ones push off (8).
-
Continue the hey, twos push off, ones finish an ordinary hey (8).
A2
-
Neighbors (on the side) half sashay clockwise (ones behind the twos) (3).
-
Gypsy clockwise for four 1 (10) (circle left 1 without hands).
-
Gents (across) half sashay clockwise (ones gents behind the two gents) (3).
B1
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
B2
-
Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down to meet new neighbors (8).
-
With neighbors, the one gent and two lady do-si-do, the one lady and two gent allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
After the circle and pass through, the one gents and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left.
In typical push offs, you push off with a same role neighbor. Here you push off with your partner, so it may be useful to give this tip - facing across, you start on the left, go into the middle, push off, and back up to the right.
Long lines go forward, neighbors gypsy 1/2, and gents take neighbors back to the side (opposite the gents' home side) (2+4+2).
-
Neighbors swing (8).
A2
-
Gents pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
-
Neighbors swing (8).
B1
-
Long lines go forward, partners gypsy 1/2, and long lines go back (2+4+2).
-
Star right 7/8, ending with gents in the middle (8).
B2
-
Gents look for a new neighbor gent to allemande left 3/4 while ladies walk to meet your partner (4).
-
Partners swing (12).
As suggested by Will Mentor, you can change the timing of this dance so that the first figures of A1 and B1 takes 4 counts each. Then the gents allemande moves to the end of B1 and the partner swing (or maybe gypsy and swing now) takes all of B2.
Promenade clockwise (ladies in the middle) around the full set 1 place to meet new neighbors (2).
-
Ladies allemande right 1/2 (2).
-
Neighbors swing (12).
A2
-
Gents allemande left 1 while ladies pause and then follow your neighbor to cross the set (6).
-
Gents keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in (8).
B1
-
Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, gents push off (8).
-
Continue the hey, ladies push off, gents finish an ordinary hey (8).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
The figure at the start of A2 is the same as gents start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your neighbor except that ladies do not take hands.
An easier A1 is the common circle left 3/4, pass through up and down, new neighbors swing.
On the left diagonal walk forward to meet new neighbors (4).
-
Back up straight to form a set of four (4).
-
Ladies chain across (8).
A2
-
Ladies pass right to start a hey (16).
B1
-
Neighbors balance and swing (16).
B2
-
Circle left 3/4 (8).
-
Partners swing (8).
This is an inversion (partner and neighbor roles are swapped) of Becky's Becket by David Zinkin and/or Butter by Gene Hubert. The dances are readily medleyed. The opening figure is borrowed from Hey Man by Paul Balliet.
Gents keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl 1/2 to put the ladies in the middle (6).
-
Ladies allemande right 1/2 (2).
-
Ladies keep right hands, pick up your neighbor, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl 1/2 (gents go forward, ladies go backward) to put the gents in the middle (6).
B1
-
Gents allemande left 1/2 (4).
-
Partners swing (12).
B2
-
Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down to meet new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors do-si-do (8).
A2 might be noted as gents lead a flutterwheel by the left, ladies lead a flutterwheel by the right.
Gents keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl while shifting one place to the right to face new neighbors (10).
A2
-
Ladies allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
-
Neighbors swing (8).
B1
-
Circle left 3/4 (8).
-
Ladies pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
The 1/2 hey also works with gents pass right to start a 1/2 hey.
Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, gents push off (8).
A2
-
Neighbors balance and swing (16).
B1
-
Gents pass left to start a 1/2 hey, ladies push off (8).
-
Gents start a hands across star left and ladies join in behind partners. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for gents and 1/2 for ladies and turn to face new neighbors (8) (ending facing up and down, ladies on the right).
B2
-
Ladies start a hands across star right and gents join in behind partners. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for ladies and 1/2 for gents (8).
-
Ladies turn in and partners swing (8).
A1 can also be danced as long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8), gents push off, ladies 1/2 hey passing right in the middle (8). This may be a better setup for the balance and swing.
Gents start a hands across star left and ladies join in behind partners. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for gents and 1/2 for ladies and turn to face new neighbors (8) (ending facing up and down, ladies on the right).
-
Ladies start a hands across star right and gents join in behind partners. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for ladies and 1/2 for gents (8).
B2
-
Ladies turn in and partners gypsy and swing (16).
I traded the circle and gents allemande from the original version to try to prevent early entry into the stars, although this may make the dance dizzier. If you use a swing instead of an allemande right, this shouldn't be a issue. So a good variation would be A1 - gents allemande left 1+1/2, neighbors swing, A2 - circle left 3/4, partners swing.
Keep hands held until it's time to break the clover.
-
Face your neighbor.
-
Gents raise your right hand and ladies raise your left hand.
-
Ladies turn clockwise 1/2 while sliding to your neighbor's left to form a two leaf clover (2).
-
Turn the clover counter-clockwise 3/4 (6).
B1
-
Ladies slide back to back while gents turn in place to reverse the clover (2).
-
Turn the clover clockwise 3/4 (6).
-
Drop hands to break the clover and gents switch to a back hold with your partner.
-
Promenade to meet new neighbors (2).
-
Ladies do-si-do (6).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
In the initial two leaf clover all four people are in line across the set, ladies on the inside. The one gent and two lady are together, facing up and the two gent and one lady are together, facing down. Gents' left hands are behind their neighbor's back and right hands are across their front. Ladies' hands are crossed in front. Everyone is facing counter-clockwise to turn the clover.
Then the clover shifts. Ladies slide back to back and gents turn around in place counter-clockwise, with no raised hands. This puts partners together, facing clockwise.
As the clover ends, ones are facing down, twos are facing up. Gents' right arms are behind their partner's back, ready to start a back hold promenade to the next couple.
The two leaf clover is an old square dance figure that I borrowed for this dance. I do not know its origin.
Improper contra mixer, triple progression for ladies, single progression for gents
Complex
A1
-
Neighbors balance and swing (16).
A2
-
Circle left 3/4 (8).
-
Partners swing (8).
B1
-
Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
-
Gents' new partners are in their right hand.
-
Ladies' new partners are in their left hand.
-
Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
B2
-
With partners, circle right 3/4 and turn to face new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors gypsy 1+1/2 and turn to face new neighbors (8).
You can start this dance in B1 to make it a Becket dance. In this case you don't get to swing your original partner, but it makes the dance a little easier.
Gents allemande left 1 while ladies pause and then follow your neighbor to cross the set (6).
-
Gents keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl while shifting one place to the right to face new neighbors (10).
B1
-
Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, gents push off (8).
-
Continue the hey, ladies push off, gents finish an ordinary hey (8).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
The figure at the start of A2 is the same as gents start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your neighbor except that ladies do not take hands.
With partners, ladies lead a zigzag left and right around neighbors to face new neighbors (8).
B2
-
Ladies allemande left 1+1/4 (8).
-
Partners swing (8).
Reenter the dance with ladies on the left.
This variation on Cows are Watching by Bill Pope and Judy Goldsmith swaps the gents' and ladies' roles and the replacement setup figures (long lines to 1/2 hey, balance and roll away to circle) make the dance flowier. Also see Turtles Too and And Alligators.
Cross contra (from improper contra, the one lady and two gent trade places)
To start, face across.
A1
-
Face across.
-
Twos pass left to start a 1/2 hey, ones push off (8).
-
Continue the hey, twos push off, ones finish an ordinary hey (8).
A2
-
Neighbors balance and swing (16).
B1
-
Gents allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
-
Partners swing (8).
B2
-
Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down to meet new neighbors (8).
-
With new neighbors, the one gent and two lady do-si-do, the one lady and two gent allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
After the circle and pass through, the one gents and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left.
In typical push offs, you push off with a same role neighbor. Here you push off with your partner, so it may be useful to give this tip - facing across, you start on the left, go into the middle, push off, and back up to the right.
The one gent and two lady half sashay clockwise (gent in front of lady) (4).
-
Neighbors sashay around clockwise (starting with twos walk forward and right) (8).
-
The two gent and one lady half sashay clockwise (gent in front of lady) (4).
B1
-
Ladies allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
-
Partners swing (8).
B2
-
Gents start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your partner. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for gents and 1/2 for ladies and turn to face new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors do-si-do (8).
In A2, the one gents and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left.
A good substitution for the cross robin figure (middle of A2) is a gypsy for four.
To make the dance easier, you can change the progression (B2) to circle left 3/4, balance, pass through up and down or circle left 3/4, pass through up and down, new neighbors do-si-do.
Neighbors balance and swing (16) (or do-si-do and allemande right 1+1/2).
A2
-
Right and left through across (8).
-
Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
B1
-
Ladies start a hands across star right and gents fall in behind your neighbor. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for ladies and 1/2 for gents (8).
-
Gents turn in and partners swing (8).
B2
-
Gents pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
-
Gents start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your partner. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for gents and 1/2 for ladies and turn to face new neighbors (8).
Diamond formation (circle left 1/8 from improper), double progression
Complex
A1
-
Face your neighbor in the diamond.
-
Gents pass left to start a hey (diagonal) (16).
A2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
B1
-
Circle left 1 (8).
-
Hands across star left 1 (8).
B2
-
Gents keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl back into the diamond (8).
-
Ladies look for the lady in the next diamond (first new couple), take right hands, keep your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to a new diamond with a second new couple (gents go forward, ladies go backward) (8).
All of the moves start and end in diamond orientation.
To get into diamond formation, start in improper contra formation and each group of four turns 1/8 (1/2 place) to the left so that ladies are in the middle and gents are on the side.
No one is ever out at the top. If there is no couple to star promenade with, stay put.
Diamond formation (circle left 1/8 from improper), double progression
Complex
A1
-
Ladies pass right to start a hey (diagonal) (16).
A2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
B1
-
Circle left 1 (8).
-
Hands across star left 1 (8).
B2
-
Gents keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face out of the diamond (8).
-
Gents look for the gent in the next diamond (first new couple), take left hands, keep your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to a new diamond with a second new couple (8).
All of the moves start and end in diamond orientation.
To get into diamond formation, start in improper contra formation and each group of four turns 1/8 (1/2 place) to the left so that ladies are in the middle and gents are on the side.
No one is ever out at the top. If there is no couple to star promenade with, stay put.
To switch from one version to the other in a medley change at A2.
Face across the set, your shadow is on the left diagonal.
A1
-
Neighbors balance and swing (16).
A2
-
Gents start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your neighbor. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for gents and 1/2 for ladies and turn to face your shadow (8).
-
Shadows allemande right 1+1/2, ending in wavy lines on the sides with gents facing in (8).
B1
-
Balance right and left and slide right with a Rory O'More spin to face your partner (8).
-
Partners swing (8).
B2
-
Gents start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your partner. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for gents and 1/2 for ladies and turn to face new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors do-si-so (8).
For Diane Frank at the publishing of Yoga of the Impossible, May 2014.
Diamond formation (circle left 1/8 from improper), double progression
A1
-
Star left 3/4 so that the gents are in the middle and gents turn to face a new neighbor gent (8).
-
(New neighbor) gents allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
A2
-
Take hands in a diamond oriented circle.
-
Balance and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella (8).
-
Take hands in the diamond, balance, and spin one place to the right (8).
B1
-
Star right 3/4 so that ladies are in the middle and ladies turn to face a new neighbor lady (8).
-
(New neighbor) ladies allemande left 1+1/2, ending with everyone progressed and in a diamond (8).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing and end in a diamond (16).
To get into diamond formation, start in improper contra formation and each group of four turns 1/8 (1/2 place) to the left so that ladies are in the middle and gents are on the side.
No one is ever out at the top. For odd length lines, at the bottom, gents and ladies reenter the dance separately.
In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.
A1
-
Long lines go forward and back and, with your shadow, gents roll away and ladies half sashay (8).
-
On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
A2
-
Star left 1 (8).
-
On the right diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
B1
-
Long lines go forward and back and, with your partner, gents roll away and ladies half sashay (8).
-
Ladies do-si-do (8).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.
The fundamental figures of this dance are long lines with a roll away, chain to the left and right, and look for your partner to balance and swing, a total of 40 counts. This leaves 24 counts that can be filled
in to make a wide range of variations. Null moves that fit nicely include circle right after the roll away and star left or hey after either chain. I used star left after the chain left. After the chain to the right you can include a progression (gents progress and ladies
unprogress) to put partners in the same set of four before they balance and swing. I used another long lines with a roll away to do this because I like the symmetry and the partner interaction.
A flowier B1 - star left 1, look for your partner to do-si-do.
This dance is named after Sam Bartlett's marvelous tune Evil Diane, for Diane.
Ones cross the set by the right, turn left, pass one person and go to the middle to form a diamond, gents facing up in a new minor set, ladies facing down in their original minor set (8).
-
Take hands in the diamond, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella (8).
B1
-
Balance and spin one place to the right (8).
-
Ones turn alone to find your partner to swing and end facing down to meet new neighbors (8).
B2
-
With new neighbors, ones split the twos to start a mirror do-si-do (8).
-
Twos swing and end facing up (8).
The central figures of this dance, A2 and B1, are borrowed from Ted Sannella's Fiddleheads.
You can run this as an alternating dance (as in Alternating Corners by Jim Kitch). On even cycles, after the neighbor swing, twos cross the
set, turn left, etc. Gents face down and ladies face up in the initial diamonds, and after the partner swings (both versions), ones face down and twos face up.
Ladies chain across and turn to face new neighbors (8).
A2
-
Neighbors balance and swing (16).
B1
-
Circle left 1/2 (4).
-
Gents step forward and right to start a mad robin (6).
-
Ladies pull to start a 1/2 poussette (6).
B2
-
Gents take left hands and ladies take right hands to make a gypsy star.
-
Ladies go forward and gents go backward to turn the star 3/4 (8).
-
Partners swing (8).
Will Mentor suggests that a mad robin and full poussette fit nicely in 16
counts. This can be used in place of the B1 here, with the gypsy star
becoming men take right hands, ladies take left hands, men go forward, ladies go backward.
Face your partner, your second shadow is beyond your partner, your first shadow is beyond your second shadow.
A1
-
Long lines go forward and back (8).
-
Circle left 1 (8).
A2
-
On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
-
On the right diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain to your first shadow (8).
B1
-
Star left 1 and turn to face your second shadow (8).
-
Second shadows allemande right 1+1/2 and turn to face your partner (8).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
This dance borrows A1 and A2 from Ken Bonner's Falling in Love Again.
A1 can be replaced with long lines go forward and back, partners roll away with a half sashay, long lines go forward and back, with partners, gents roll away and ladies half sashay, from Rollin' and Tumblin' by Cis Hinkle.
Gents keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl while shifting one place to the right to face new neighbors (10).
B1
-
Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, gents push off (8).
-
Continue the hey, ladies push off, gents finish an ordinary hey (8).
Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down to meet new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors swing (8) (or allemande right 1+1/2).
A2
-
Gents allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
-
Gents keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in (8).
B1
-
Ladies pass right to start a hey (16).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
A nice variation for A1 is promenade clockwise (or slide left) 1 place to new neighbors, ladies allemande right 1/2, neighbors swing.
This dance is an easier version of Through the Looking Glass, or you might see it as Amy Kahn's Sweet Music with a different progression, or Steve Zakon-Anderson's Twirling at the Alter with the progression moved from the hey to the circle, or David Zinkin's Becky's Becket with a different A2.
Right and left through across and look on the left diagonal for second neighbors. (8).
-
(With second neighbors) ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
-
Look straight across (or slightly to the right) for third neighbors.
A2
-
(With third neighbors) ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
-
Ladies start a hands across star right and gents fall in behind your partner. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for ladies and 1/2 for gents and turn to face your second neighbor (8).
Gents start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your neighbor. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for gents and 1/2 for ladies (8).
-
Ladies turn in and partners gypsy left (6).
-
Turn alone in place clockwise (2).
B1
-
Partner balance and swing (16).
B2
-
Gents pass left to start a 1/2 hey, ladies push off (8).
-
Continue the hey, gents finish an ordinary hey, ladies push across, and all face new neighbors (8).
The push across is similar to a push off, but instead of pushing to the right and back, the push is to the left (across the set) and back, and spin to face a new neighbor.
Easy A2 - circle left 3/4 (8), partners allemande right 3/4 (3), gents allemande left 1 (5) (from Adrift).
Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down to meet new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors do-si-do (8).
This is a variation of Jubilation by Gene Hubert in which the partner allemande is replaced by a swing and the gents start the hey. And I used my preferred progression (B2).
Neighbors balance and swing (16) (or do-si-do and allemande right 1+1/2).
A2
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Circle left 3/4 (8).
-
Partners swing (8).
B1
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Gents pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
-
Partners swing (8).
B2
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Right and left through across (8).
-
Ladies chain across and turn to face new neighbors (8).
This dance started out as a variation of Jubilation by Gene Hubert in which the partner allemande is replaced by a swing and the gents start the hey. This gives the same swing / 1/2 hey / swing sequence as in Diagonal Discovery, also by Gene Hubert. The dance is further modified by replacing the gents allemande left 1+1/2 and long lines with circle left 3/4 and right and left through, which moves the middle of the dance to the opposite side of the set.
Hands across star right 3/4 (gents are in front of neighbor ladies) (8).
-
Ladies turn in and partners swing (8).
B2
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Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down to meet new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors do-si-do (8).
When the gents pass right in the middle in the second half of the 1/2 hey, rather than finishing the 1/2 hey, they can take right hands and
turn 1/2 leisurely to start the star, with ladies joining in as they finish the 1/2 hey. This makes a nice blending between the hey and star.
In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.
A1
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Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
-
Circle right 3/4 (8).
A2
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On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain to your shadow (8).
-
On the right diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
B1
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Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and gents face in and ladies face out to form wavy lines at the sides (8) (ending with your shadow in your right hand) (reenter with ladies on the left).
-
Balance right and left and slide right with a Rory O'More spin to face your partner (8) (reenter with ladies on the left).
Breakup Breakdown is my only dance where the final swing is with your neighbor. Breakdown refers to the dance. Martha Edwards pointed out that if a breakup breaks down you end up with your partner. So here the breakdown refers to the breakup.
In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your first shadow is in the other hand, your second shadow is beyond your first shadow.
A1
-
Take hands in long lines.
-
With first shadows, to the gents' left, gents roll away and ladies half sashay (4).
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With second shadows, to the gents' left, gents roll away and ladies half sashay (4).
-
With your second shadow, take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and gents face in and ladies out to form wavy lines at the sides (8).
A2
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Balance right and left and slide right with a Rory O'More spin to face new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors swing (8).
B1
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Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, and gents face in and ladies out to form wavy lines at the sides (8) (your first shadow is now in your right hand).
-
Balance right and left and slide right to face your partner (8).
B2
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Partners swing (16).
This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.
Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey and then walk straight forward to a long wavy line in the middle while gents move to stand behind your partner (8).
A2
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Ladies balance right and left (4).
-
Ladies slide right with a Rory O'More spin to a new wavy line while gents walk forward to a wavy line in the middle (4) (there are now interlinked wavy lines).
-
Ladies balance left and right while gents balance right and left (4).
-
Gents slide right with a Rory O'More spin while ladies back out (4).
B1
-
With the handy gent, gents allemande right 1+3/4 (8) (or balance and allemande right 3/4).
In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.
A1
-
Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face new neighbors (8) (reenter with ladies on the left).
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Neighbors swing (8).
A2
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Right and left through across (8).
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With your neighbor, on the right diagonal, walk forward to meet your shadow (4).
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Back up straight to form a set of four (4).
B1
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Right and left through across (8).
-
Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, and turn alone to face your partner (8) (reenter with ladies on the left).
In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.
A1
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Gents allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
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Neighbors swing (8).
A2
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Right and left through across (8).
-
On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain to your shadow (8).
B1
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Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face new neighbors (8) (reenter with ladies on the left).
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Take hands, balance, and spin one place to the right, and turn alone to face your partner (8) (reenter with ladies on the left).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
Note the similarity to Maliza's Magical Mystery Motion. The chain is to the diagonal left here, so at the end of B1 you must face a new set of four to find your partner.
Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
A1
-
Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
-
Gents' shadows are in their right hand, ladies' shadows are in their left hand, your first neighbor is directly across the set.
-
With your shadow, right and left through across (8).
A2
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Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face new neighbors (8) (reenter with ladies on the left).
-
Neighbors swing (8).
B1
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Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, and turn alone to face your partner (8) (reenter with ladies on the left).
On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
A2
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Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down to face your partner (8).
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Partners gypsy 1+1/2 (8).
B1
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Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella (8).
-
Take hands, balance, and spin one place to the right (8).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
The original version of this dance started with long lines, left diagonal ladies chain, star
left 3/4, which requires progressing/reentering the dance in A2 with ladies on the left.
Cross contra (from improper, the one lady and two gents trade places)
To start, one gent and two lady do-si-do 1+1/4, two gent and one lady allemande right 1+3/4, to a wave across, twos in the middle, gents facing down.
A1
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Neighbors allemande right 1/2 (2).
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Ones allemande left 1 while twos orbit 1/2 clockwise (6).
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Same role neighbors allemande right 1/2 (2).
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Twos allemande left 1 while ones orbit 1/2 clockwise (6).
A2
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Neighbors gypsy and swing (16).
B1
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Gents pass left (4).
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Partners swing (12).
B2
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Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
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With new neighbors, box the gnat (4).
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Spin to a wave across with twos in the middle, gents facing down, ladies facing up (4). In the spin the one gents and two ladies move forward and to the right and the two gents and one ladies move forward and to the left.
After the circle and pass through, the one gents and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left.
Neighbors pull by by the right to meet new neighbors (2).
To change from a Becket dance to Reel Easy in a medley, change Reel Easy's first figure to circle left 3/4. From a counter-clockwise Becket dance, change it to gents allemande left 1+1/2.
The second half of B2 can be danced as neighbors allemande right 1+1/4, walk straight forward to (A1) do-si-do the next. But I think it is more fun to allemande right 1, lean back a bit, and pull by.
I have deleted and restored this dance a couple of times over the years. It has two unusual transitions, swing / star left and circle left / swing (gents in front of ladies), that you might prefer to avoid.
To start, neighbors do-si-do 1+1/4 to a wave across, ladies in the middle, ones facing down.
A1
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Neighbors allemande right 1/2 (2).
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Gents allemande left 1 while ladies orbit 1/2 clockwise (6).
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Partners allemande right 1/2 (2).
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Ladies allemande left 1 while gents orbit 1/2 clockwise (6).
A2
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Neighbors gypsy and swing (16).
B1
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Give and take, ladies take partners back (8).
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Partners swing (8).
B2
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Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down to meet new neighbors (8).
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Neighbors do-si-do 1+1/4 (8).
B1 can be danced as gents pass left, partners swing.
Alternate B2 (from Real to Surreal) - circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8), new neighbors box the gnat (4), spin (forward and to the right) to a wave across with ladies in the middle, ones facing down (4).
Neighbors pass by the right to meet new neighbors (4).
Be alert on the ends. It is important that the people out at the ends reenter the dance as needed by the people in the dance.
Odd cycles of this dance start improper, double progress, and end reverse improper. Even cycles start reverse improper, progress singly, and end improper.
In the improper cycle, after the pass through across in B2, everyone faces a new neighbor and is reverse improper. In the reverse improper cycle, after the pass through across, everyone faces their current
neighbor and is improper. Kathy Anderson suggests that a call to look for current or new neighbors makes the dance go easier. The call for ones to look down and twos to look up often fails as dancers forget whether they are a one or a two.
The B version B1 stops the alternating orientation and leaves the dance as either improper (single progression) or reverse improper (double progression). You can use this as the basic B1 and use the original B1 to change orientations on any cycle of the dance.
In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.
A1
-
Long lines go forward and back and, with your shadow, gents roll away and ladies half sashay (8).
-
With your shadow and first neighbor (across), right and left through across (8).
A2
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Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face new neighbors (8) (reenter with ladies on the left).
-
Neighbors swing (8).
B1
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Right and left through across (8).
-
Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right and turn alone to face your partner (8) (reenter with ladies on the left).
B2
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Partners balance and swing (16) (or just swing).
This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.
Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
A1
-
Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
-
With your shadow and neighbor (across), right and left through across (8).
A2
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(With your shadow and neighbor) star left 3/4 and turn to face new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors swing (8).
B1
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Circle left 3/4 (8).
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Shadows allemande right 1+1/2 and turn to face your partner (8).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.
Note the similarity to Whitewater. Replacing the star with a positionally equivalent circle, the only difference is the second figure of A1 and the direction of progression.
Hands across star left 3/4 (8) (ladies are in front of partners).
B1
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Ladies allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
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Partners swing (8).
B2
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Right and left through across (8).
-
Ladies push off and gents start a hey, ladies continue with a hey and gents push across, and all face new neighbors (8).
The push across is similar to a push off, but instead of pushing to the left and back, the push is to the right (across the set) and back, and spin to face a new neighbor.
After the right and left through the ladies walk a small counter-clockwise circle with a bounce at count 2, and end where they started, progressed. The gents loop back and right to take the ladies' place then cross the set with a bounce at count 6, to end progressed.
You could start B2 with ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, but I think that right and left through flows better out of a swing.
For Benjamin, Lydia, Hannah, Sebastian, Deborah, Jacob, and Alena.
Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner, your second shadow is behind you.
A1
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Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
-
With your shadow, on the left diagonal, walk forward to meet a newcouple (4).
-
Take hands with your second neighbor and face your shadow.
-
Back up to along the right diagonal (4) (ladies are now on the left).
A2
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With your second neighbor and partner (across), star left 1 and turn to face your original neighbor (8).
-
Neighbors swing (8).
B1
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With your neighbor, on the left diagonal, walk forward to meet a new couple (4).
-
Take hands with your second shadow and face your neighbor.
-
Back up to along the right diagonal (4) (ladies are now on the left).
-
With your second shadow and second neighbor (across), star left 1 and turn to face your partner (8).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (8).
This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.
On the ends, for the left diagonal figure, if there is a couple out, that couple should participate in the figure. If there is not a couple out, the odd couple should just cross the set.
The forward to the left, back to the right with your opposite figure is simplified from Bases Loaded by Jim Saxe, Lydee Scudder, and Tom Thoreau.
With new neighbors, gents allemande left 3/4 to a long wavy line in the middle (4).
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Balance (4).
-
Gents back out and ladies walk forward into a long wavy line in the middle (4).
-
Balance (4).
B1
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Ladies allemande right 3/4 with the handy lady (4).
-
Partners swing (12).
B2
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Right and left through across (8).
-
Circle left 3/4 (8).
The first wavy line can stay in place while the second wavy line forms. Then the back out for one line happens at the same time as the allemande for the other.
Neighbors gypsy and swing (16) (or balance and swing).
B1
-
Circle left 3/4 (8).
-
Partners swing (8).
B2
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Gents pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
-
Gents start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your partner. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for gents and 1/2 for ladies and turn to face new neighbors (8).
Gents step forward and right to start a mad robin (6).
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Ladies pull partners to start a 1/2 poussette (6).
B1
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With new neighbors, gents pull partners to start a 1/2 poussette (6).
-
Gents step forward and left to start a mad robin (6).
-
Gents pass right (4).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
Renter the dance with ladies on the left.
The original version of this dance reversed the mad robin and 1/2 poussette in B1 - with new neighbors, ladies step forward and left to start a mad robin (6), (with these neighbors) gents pull partners to start a 1/2 poussette (6), gents pass right (4). This works well, but I prefer it as noted here.
Songbird was written for Janet Bertog, who asked for a different setting of the mad robin / 1/2 poussette / mad robin / 1/2 poussette sequence from Rough Ride by Tom Hinds.
On the left diagonal walk forward to meet new neighbors (4).
-
Back up straight to form a set of four (4).
-
Pass through across (4).
-
Partners allemande right 3/4 to a wave across with gents in the middle (4).
A2
-
Balance (4).
-
Gents slide right one place and spin to face in while ladies slide right two places and spin to face your neighbor (4).
-
Neighbors swing (8).
B1
-
Pass through across (4).
-
Neighbors allemande right 3/4 to a wave across with gents in the middle (4).
-
Balance (4).
-
Gents slide right one place and spin to face in while ladies slide right two places and spin to face your partner (4).
B2
-
Partners gypsy and swing (16) (or just swing).
The slide from a wave across to a swing comes from A Glimpse of Beauty by Charley Harvey, and I first danced it in Susan Moffett's dance Ted Told Me So.
Gents step forward and right to start a mad robin (8).
-
Gents pass left (4).
B1
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
B2
-
Right and left through across (8).
-
Ladies start a hands across star right and gents fall in behind your partner. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for ladies and 1/2 for gents and turn to face new neighbors (8).
B2 can be danced as right and left through across (7), partners half sashay counter-clockwise (gents behind ladies) (2), star right 3/4 (7).
Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down to meet new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors swing (8) (or allemande right 1+1/2).
A2
-
Gents pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
-
Gents allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
B1
-
Gents keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in (8).
-
Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
A nice variation for A1 is promenade clockwise (or slide left) 1 place (around the full set) to new neighbors, ladies allemande right 1/2, neighbors swing.
Gents keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl while shifting one place to the right to face new neighbors (10).
A2
-
Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
-
Ladies allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
B1
-
Neighbors balance and swing (16).
B2
-
Circle left 3/4 (8).
-
Partners swing (8).
The butterfly whirl to progress is borrowed from Charley Harvey's Amy Asked for a Gypsy. Also see Chicory.
Gents start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your partner. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for gents and 1/2 for ladies and turn to face new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors do-si-do (8).
For B2 you can substitute circle left 3/4, pass through up and down, new neighbors do-si-do.
Neighbors balance and swing (16) (or do-si-do and allemande right 1+1/2).
A2
-
Pass through across (4).
-
Neighbors allemande right 3/4 to a wave across with gents in the middle (4).
-
Balance right and left (4).
-
Slide right with a Rory O'More spin (4).
B1
-
Ladies allemande right 1/2 (4).
-
Partners swing (12).
B2
-
Circle left 3/4 (8).
-
Balance (4).
-
California twirl to face new neighbors (4).
The start of A2 could be called pass through across to a wave / neighbors allemande right 1/2. This orients people better for the allemande. But it is easier to teach as noted above.
Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
A1
-
Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
-
Long lines go forward and back and shadows roll away with a half sashay (8).
A2
-
With your shadow and neighbor, circle right 3/4 and turn to face new neighbors (8).
-
Neighbors swing (8).
B1
-
Circle left 3/4 (8).
-
Shadows allemande right 1+1/2 and turn to face your partner (8).
B2
-
Partners balance and swing (16).
This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.
There are three progressions in this dance. First, gents unprogress and ladies progress with first neighbors in the middle of A1. Then gents and ladies progress with a shadow in the middle of A2. And finally, gents progress and ladies unprogress with second neighbors at the end of B1. The second neighbor becomes the new first neighbor.
