ABSOLUTE ZERO
Five Couple 48 bar
| A1 | Lines forward and back |
| RHT your partner 1½ | |
| A2 | Lines forward and back |
| LHT your partner 1½ | |
| B1 | Top man cast to the bottom |
| Do Si Do your opposite | |
| B2 | Top lady cast to the bottom |
| Swing your partner | |
| C1 & C2 | Face the bottom couple and dip and dive to place |
| Swing your partner |
A SLICE OF LIFE
Long, Becket
| A1 | LHT your corner 1½ (first shadow) |
| Swing the next (second shadow) | |
| A2 | Ladies chain over to a circle of four |
| Balance ; Petonella Twirl to two long waves on the side of the set, men facing in, ladies out giving RH to first shadow | |
| B1 | Balance ; Rory O Moore style roll to the right |
| Swing partner | |
| B2 | Double slice to the left i.e. forward to the left diagonal couple and continue moving to the left as you back out to face the next couple (double progression) |
| RHS |
THE BLIZZARD CHIMNEY CONTRA
Long, Becket
| A1 | Circle L ¾ and pass through |
| RHT the next person 1½ and join hands in a long wave on the sides, men face in ladies face out | |
| A2 | Balance ; Box Circulate Balance ; Box Circulate |
| B1 | Swing neighbour (the one from the RHT) |
| Men LHT 1½ | |
| B2 | Balance and swing partner |
CALIFORNIA STAR BOXING FLEA
Long, 1s Impr, Triple progr.
| A1 | Give RH to neighbour, Balance ; Box the Gnat |
| RHS | |
| A2 | Give LH to second neighbour, Balance ; Swat the Flea |
| LHS | |
| B1 | Swing next neighbour |
| Lines forward and back | |
| B2 | Star Through across the set with partner ; Circle L, California Twirl with partner to face the next neighbour |
I was asked once about the difference
between a Box the Gnat and a Star Through. After
demonstrating the various moves I wanted to see if it was
possible to write a contra that automatically put
you in the correct place so that it was impssible to use the wrong
hand! I'm not quite sure I achieved my goal but this useful teaching
dance
was the result.
THE FOSSE WAY CONTRA
Long, PROPER
| A1 | 1s cross down, 2s cast up into a double figure of eight |
| A2 | 1s cross to neighbour and swing |
| B1 | Lines forward and back |
| 1s 2HT 1½ | |
| B2 | With the same couple circle L |
| 1s lead up through 2s and cast 1 place |
Lots of journeys on the Fosse Way
THE FRUITS OF MY LABOUR
Long, 1s Impr
| A1 | In lines balance towards neighbour and away ; Men roll away neighbour |
| Men LHT 1½ to an O.W. (RH to partner). | |
| A2 | Balance ; Chassey past partner, reform O.W. |
| Balance ; Chassey past partner, reform O.W. | |
| B1 | Balance and swing partner |
| B2 | R and L thru |
| Ladies chain over |
Written outside the Marquee before the start of a “Home Grown” workshop at Sidmouth. Named by Henry Morgenstein
GARDEN PARTY
Circle
| A1 | Do Si Do partner |
| Do Si Do corner | |
| A2 | Walk past your corner and RHT the next |
| LHT you original corner 1½ | |
| B1 | Walk past your original partner and swing the next |
| B2 | Promenade |
HUNTERS CONCEPTION
Five Couple in lines
| A1 | RHT your partner |
| Do Si Do on the L diagonal | |
| A2 | LHT your partner |
| Do Si Do on the R diagonal | |
| B1 | 2s and the 4s turn contra corners |
| B2 | Top couple slip down the centre of the set |
| Swing your partner |
JACKIE'S EIGHT
Square
| A1 | All four ladies chain |
| Heads circle L ¾ and pass through | |
| A2 | Full double figure eight with the side couple ( heads cross thru sides to start) |
| B1 | Heads lead through the sides and separate around one to lines of four |
| Lines forward and back | |
| B2 | Ladies cross and swing your partner to a square set |
JACKIE'S THREE
3 Couple in lines
| A1 | 2s turn contra corners |
| A2 | 2nd man face 3rd man, 2nd lady face 1st lady for a reel of 3 on the sides of the set. Pass left shoulder to start |
| B1 | 2nd man with 3s, 2nd lady with 1s for a LHS |
| 2s cross for a RHS with the other couple | |
| B2 | All circle left half way ; 2HT partner ½ way |
| 2s lead to the bottom WHILE bottom couple (1s) cast up to the middle |
Jackie's Seventh
Circle Men inside
| A1 | Do Si Do partner to O.W. |
| Balance ; LHT | |
| A2 | RHT partner 1½ |
| LHT corner | |
| B1 | Balance and swing partner |
| B2 | Promenade ; Ladies cast back past two men or however many needed for a decent progression |
JAY'S SQUARE
Square
| A1 | Men LHS |
| Pick up your partner and star promenade ½ way | |
| A2 | Head ladies chain |
| Heads go to the R and circle to a line | |
| B1 | Lines forward and back |
| Pass through to an ocean wave ; Balance | |
| B2 | Swing through and balance ; Step forward, swing partner one position |
| to the L |
LARRY'S DANCE
Square
| A1 | Heads walk past your partner ; around one and in through the sides |
| Heads circle L ½ way and pass through | |
| A2 | R and L thru with the side couple |
| Heads dive through ; Pass through | |
| B1 | LHT your corner ; RHT your partner |
| Swing your corner | |
| B2 | Promenade to the man's original position |
LOUGHBOROUGH POLKA
Four couple, 2s and 4s Impr
| A1 | With your neighbour Dip and Dive the set, RH couples of the line arch first |
| A2 | Centre four people RHS |
| LHS with the opposite couple | |
| B1 | First corner couples swap places on the diagonal ; Second corner couples swap places on the diagonal |
| All promenade one place round the set | |
| B2 | All four ladies chain |
| Lines forward and back |
MELTDOWN
Four couple, 1s and 3s Impr
| A1 | 2s and 3s ½ fig 8 though the end couples |
| 2s and 3s circle left half way and pass through to original places | |
| A2 | Face neighbour along the sides and Pass The Ocean ;
Balance (do not join the two separate wavey lines together) |
| Swing through ( ½ RHT, ½ LHT) ; Balance | |
| B1 | Step forward out of the wave and swing your partner |
| B2 | In circles of four Balance ; Circle left ¾ |
| Centre four (1s and 4s) california twirl and pass through each other up and down the set |
THE NANPANTAN CIRCLE DANCE
Circle men inside facing out
| A1 | Gypsy R shoulder around your partner to a circular wave (men facing out RH to partner) |
| Balance ; RHT ½ way | |
| A2 | Pull by partner to start a grand chain till you get to the seventh person |
| B1 | Balance and swing this one |
| B2 | Promenade ; Ladies cast back one place |
PARALLEL TURNS
Long, 1s Impr
| A1 | Pass your neighbour R shoulder and LHT the next |
| Pass your neighbour R shoulder and LHT the next | |
| A2 | Balance and swing your neighbour |
| B1 | 1s ½ fig 8 up through 2s |
| 1s turn contra corners | |
| B2 | 1s finish contra corners |
| 1s swing and face down |
PAT AND TERRY'S CONTRA
Becket CORRECTED
| A1 | Circle L ¾ |
| Swing neighbour | |
| A2 | R and L thru |
| Ladies chain over | |
| B1 | “Push Off Hey” |
| B2 | Balance and swing partner |
| For next turn of dance start with cpl on L diag |
| “Push Off Hey” | Ladies start hey by passing Rsh, Lsh with N. Men push off each other in centre and back out of the set to the same side passing man's R to Ladies L as the ladies go in and push off two hands in the centre and back out the same as the men, who then pass R with each other to meet their partner on their original side 1st time through start with opposite couple and then couple on L diagonal |
PITTER PATTER
Square
| A1 | All circle L ½ way |
| Heads forward and back ; Sides forward and back | |
| A2 | Head ladies chain |
| Heads circle L ¾ and pass through | |
| B1 | Swing the one you meet to side lines |
| Lines forward and back | |
| B2 | Pass through to an ocean wave ; Balance |
| Box circulate ; Balance | |
| C1 | & Box circulate ; Balance |
| C2 | Step forward and swing your partner |
| Promenade home to original positions |
SHOWTIME REEL
Sicillian circle
| A1 | Swing your opposite |
| Circle L and slip L one place to the left | |
| A2 | Circle L ¾ with new couple (not with partner) |
| Square through 3 hands (start opposite) | |
| B1 | LHT partner 1½ |
| Ladies chain | |
| B2 | Forward and back to partner |
| Star through partner ; Pass through along |
SWING SWANG SWUNG
Long, 1s Impr Double Progr.
| A1 | Swing your neighbour |
| R and L thru and roll away with neighbour | |
| A2 | Gypsy new neighbour (# 2) |
| Swing this neighbour (# 2) | |
| B1 | Men LHT 1½ |
| Swing partner | |
| B2 | Long lines forward and back |
| Ladies LHT 1½ |
SWITCH ON YOUR BRAIN
Long, 1s Impr
| A1 | Balance to neighbour ; Box the gnat to a long wave, men facing in |
| Balance ; Box circulate | |
| A2 | Balance ; Box circulate |
| Swing original neighbour | |
| B1 | Circle L |
| Ladies lead a flutter wheel | |
| B2 | Ladies chain over |
| LHS |
TRY A BECKET
Long, Becket
| A1 | Circle L ¾ to an O.W. |
| Balance ; Ladies walk forward to a new wave * | |
| A2 | Balance ; Men walk forward to partners wave**WHILE the ladies LHT ½ way |
| RHT partner ½ | |
| B1 | Reel of 4 men pass L shoulder to start |
| B2 | Balance and swing partner |
*Ladies pass one other lady before taking hands in the wave. At the end of the sets ladies loop L to other ladies place to reform wave. MEN DO NOT MOVE !
**At the end of the sets Men loop to the other end of the wave.i.e. nobody is ever out.
WHERE WHEN AND WHY
Square
| A1 | Head ladies chain |
| Heads circle L ¾ and pass through | |
| A2 | Swing the one you meet to side lines |
| Lines forward and back | |
| B1 | Pass through to an ocean wave ; Balance |
| In fours box circulate ; Balance | |
| B2 | In fours start a box circulate but men make a LHS while ladies single file promenade C.W. |
| C1 | Pass your partner by and RHT the next |
| Swing your partner | |
| C2 | Promenade to place |
WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY
Long, 1s Impr
| A1 | 1s cross down, 2s cast up into a double figure of eight |
| A2 | 1s LHT, Swing neighbour |
| B1 | Men LHT 1½ |
| Swing your partner | |
| B2 | Circle L ¾ |
| 1s cross up through while 2s cast for a double ½ figure of eight |
WILDCAT SQUARE
Square
| A1 | Heads forward and on the way back ladies roll away |
| Heads star through with your opposite ; Circle L ½ way with side couple | |
| A2 | Heads dive through (sides california twirl) ; Pass through in the centre |
| RHS with the new side couple | |
| B1 | Heads LHS |
| Swing your corner | |
| B2 | Promenade to the man's original position |
|
ZAYAT CONTRA Long, 1s Impr Dbl progr |
|
| A1 | LHT neighbour 1½ |
| Swing the next neighbour | |
| A2 | R and L through |
| On the left diag ladies chain and roll away | |
| B1 | Pass through across and swing partner |
| B2 | Circle L ¾ |
| RHT neighbour 1½ | |
|
LINES ENTWINED Long, 1s Impr Line the sets up so that minor sets are in line across the room |
|
| A1 | RHT neighbour ¾ to a O.W. ; Balance |
| Men LHT 1½ WHILE the ladies LHT another lady from adjacent minor set | |
| A2 | Balance and swing partner |
| B1 | Ladies chain over |
| Ladies lead a ricochet hey ½ way (men push off) | |
| B2 | Balance the ring ; Petronella twirl |
| Balance the ring ; California twirl | |
|
MORE LINES ENTWINED Long, 1s Impr Line the sets up so that minor sets are in line across the room |
|
| A1 | RHT neighbour 1½ |
| Men LHT 1½ WHILE the ladies LHT 1½ a lady from adjacent minor set | |
| to swap sets | |
| A2 | Balance and swing this neighbour from adjacent set and end facing in, |
| in man's original set | |
| B1 | Ladies lead a reel of four as the ladies finish the reel they pull past the lady |
| from A1 back to their original minor set | |
| B2 | Swing partner |
| Men LHT 1½ | |
|
LAST OF THE HITCHIKERS Long, Becket |
|
| A1 | Ladies chain on L diag |
| Ladies chain on R diag | |
| A2 | Give and take (men take ladies back) |
| Swing | |
| B1 | Circle L ¾ |
| Do Si Do the one you are facing up and down the line | |
| B2 | ½ RHS, ½ LHS |
| Swing partner | |
|
MORE THAN A FEELING Long, Becket |
|
| A1 | Pass the ocean ; Balance |
| Swing through ; Step forward to next neighbour | |
| A2 | Swing new neighbour |
| Circle L 7/8 till ladies in the centre men, on the outside. | |
| B1 | Tug partner to pass them R sh for a reel of four |
| B2 | Swing Partner |
|
NEW HORIZONS Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | Balance and swing your neighbour |
| A2 | R and L through |
| Ladies chain over | |
| B1 | Pull by partner up and down the set RHT the next |
| Pull by your partner LH and RHT the next | |
| B2 | Swing your partner |
| Circle L ¾, California twirl | |
|
PEACOCK RAG Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | Balance to your neighbour ; Star through |
| Long lines forward and back | |
| A2 | Pass the ocean ; Balance |
| Swing through ; Balance | |
| B1 | Reel of four start partner R shoulder |
| B2 | Swing your partner |
| Circle L ¾ and pass through | |
|
FOUR RING CIRCLE Double Contra 4 face 4 |
|
| A1 | Lines forward and back |
| In 4s RHS | |
| A2 | Single file promenade ( In 4 lines) |
| Return LHT your partner into | |
| B1 | All 4 ladies chain |
| Ladies chain back | |
| B2 | Face partner start a grand chain LH for four changes |
| Swing your partner | |
|
IS THIS REEL? Impr Minor sets lined up across room and note people in minor set behind you |
|
| A1 | RHS |
| With couple behind you (next to you on the side) LHS lady leads man into star. | |
| If you are not involved in a LHS then LHT neighbour 1½ | |
| A2 | In orig. Minor sets ladies lead a reel of four |
| But as they pass partner on ladies orig. Side they RHT lady | |
| from adjacent set WHILE the men RHT back to partner | |
| B1 | Gypsy partner |
| Swing partner | |
| B2 | Circle L ¾ |
| Balance ; California Twirl | |
|
Coleman's Reel Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | LHT neighbour 1½ |
| Ladies chain over | |
| A2 | Ladies chain back and rollaway |
| Men RHT 1½ | |
| B1 | Balance and swing partner |
| B2 | Pass the Ocean ; Balance |
| Ladies LHT ½ way ; All RHT neighbour | |
|
Hand play Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | Ladies pull by RH, Swat the flea with partner, (men back to back in the centre) |
| look diag R and RHT shadow, LHT partner | |
| A2 | Ladies cross, swing neighbour |
| B1 | Circle ¾ |
| Swing partner | |
| B2 | Slice L one place |
| Ladies chain | |
|
Meg's Golden Allstar (Alcester) Long, Becket |
|
| A1 | Circle L |
| Pass Thru across; Calif. Twirl | |
| A2 | Single slice L |
| RH to opp and Bal ; Square thru 2 hands and look along the line to a shadow | |
| B1 | RHT 1½ next (shadow) to TW (Men face in, Ladies out) |
| Bal; Rory roll to the R and look for partner | |
| B2 | Bal and swing partner |
| Written for the 50th Alcester dance organised by Meg Winters | |
|
Soar Valley Reel Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | Circle L |
| Pass Thru LHT neighbour | |
| A2 | Bal and swing neighbour #1 |
| B1 | Men LHT 1½ |
| Swing partner | |
| B2 | Bal ring ; Petronella twirl |
| Bal ring ; Calif twirl | |
|
Trade the Wave Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | Bal and swing neighbour |
| A2 | Pass the ocean ; Bal |
| Trade the wave ; L swing thru (½ LHT, ½ RHT) | |
| B1 | Bal and swing partner |
| B2 | Ladies chain over |
| LHS TRADE THE WAVE: Dancers facing the same direction in the wave swap places with each other. A RH wave becomes a LH wave(ie in this dance LH to neighbour, men taking RH) . End people become centers and centers become end dancers in a new wave. |
|
|
Swing One, Swing All Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | Take nearest hand with neighbour and Bal to each other ; Men roll neighbour away, |
| Ladies roll men away, Ladies cross the set to partner | |
| A2 | Bal and swing partner |
| B1 | Men lead hey for 4, 2nd time ladies meet ricochet back to neighbour |
| B2 | Bal and swing neighbour |
|
King Kontra Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | Dosido N to OW |
| Bal; Trade the wave | |
| A2 | LHT neighbour 1½ |
| Ladies reel ½ way and men ricochet back | |
| B1 | Bal and swing partner |
| B2 | Circle L ¾ |
| Bal; Calif Twirl TRADE THE WAVE: Dancers facing the same direction in the wave swap places with each other. A RH wave becomes a LH wave. End people become centers and centers become end dancers in a new wave. |
|
|
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | Star Twirl partner (Star thru then Calif twirl) |
| Bal; Petronella twirl to a tidal wave LH to partner | |
| A2 | Bal; ½ LHT partner |
| Men lead a reel ½ way | |
| B1 | Bal and swing partner |
| B2 | Ladies chain over |
| Lines fwd and back | |
|
The Glorious Twelth Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | LHT neighbour 1½ |
| Ladies lead ½ a reel but when men meet in the centre they RHT back to their partner | |
| A2 | Gypsy and swing partner |
| B1 | Men lead ½ a reel but when ladies meet in the centre they RHT back to their neighbour |
| Swing neighbour | |
| B2 | Pass the ocean; Balance |
| Do Si Do next neighbour L sh | |
|
Geoff's Over the Hill and still Chased (Chaste?) Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | RHT neighbour 1½ |
| 1st lady round 2, gent fall thru | |
| A2 | Circle L ¾ |
| Dosido partner | |
| B1 | Bal and swing partner |
| B2 | Ladies chain over |
| LHS | |
|
Who's in Charge? Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | Ladies give LH and Bal ; Swat the flea |
| Dosido partner (along the side of the set) | |
| A2 | Men give RH Bal ; Box the gnat |
| Swing neighbour | |
| B1 | Men LHT 1½ |
| Swing partner | |
| B2 | Circle L ¾ and pass thru |
| Dosido neighbour #2 | |
|
Remember, Remember the 5th of November Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | Star twirl partner (Star thru then Calif twirl) |
| Join hands 4 and bal ring; Roll neighbour away | |
| A2 | Join hands 4 and bal ring; Roll partner away across the set |
| Swing neighbour | |
| B1 | Circle L ¾ |
| Swing partner | |
| B2 | Ladies Dosido WHILE men cross the set and loop around neighbour to progressed places |
| Lines fwd and back | |
|
Everyone's a Star Square |
|
| A1 | All into the centre and out |
| Circle L | |
| A2 | Circle R |
| LHT partner as far as you want | |
| B1 | One of each couple RHS |
| LHT partner 1½ | |
| B2 | The other person RHS |
| Swing partner | |
| C1 | All hold hands 3s arch 1s lead across the set through the arch and separate back to place pulling the others through the arch(next time 4s arch and 2s lead across etc) |
| C2 | Balance and swing partner |
|
EYE TO EYE Long, 1s Impr |
|
| A1 | Facing partner across the set take nearest hand with neighbour |
| Bal towards neighbour and away, ladies rollaway, gents half sashay, | |
| Mad Robin figure men start inside ladies outside | |
| A2 | Pousettes - half way - with gents pushing, |
| Ladies passing left lead a reel - Half way for men, ¾ for ladies | |
| B1 | Balance and swing partner on ladies original side or Gypsy and swing |
| B2 | Circle L ¾ |
| Balance the ring ; California twirl | |
| The figures above are a rewrite of ErikWeberg's wonderful dance “Joyride” with a bit more eye contact with your partner | |