(Last updated 16 Feb 1999)
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CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION
DANCES
Title; Formation; Difficulty
CW means Clockwise and CCW means Counterclockwise
(*) indicates suggested for first review.
Ordered by date written.
Star Birth; Improper; Intermediate-Advanced
Should Have Danced with Nancy; Becket CW, Dbl Prog; Intermediate-Advanced
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Reheated; Becket CW, Dbl Prog; Advanced
E.J.M.J.F. in Cincinnati; Improper; Intermediate (*)
Where is Tim's Cup?; Becket CW; Intermediate (*)
Dave Found the Missing Coffee Cup; Becket CW; Intermediate (*)
And Thinking About Coffee Cups; Improper; Intermediate
The Mystery of Edwin Drood; Becket CW; Advanced
Maybe You Should Write an Easy Dance; Becket Clockwise; Advanced
A Third Easy Dance; Becket CW Dbl Prog; Intermediate-Advanced
A Chance Encounter; Becket CW; Advanced (*)
Summer Haze; Becket CW; Intermediate (*)
A.O.'s No-No; Becket CW; Intermediate (*)
A Fuerst Second Third Time's the Charm; Becket CCW; Advanced
A Proper Potpourri; Proper ; Intermediate/Advanced (*)
More Summer Haze; Becket CW; Intermediate
Where's Alex?; 1's crossed, but below; Advanced (*)
Alex is Where?; 2's cross over; Advanced
Valparaiso; Becket, CW, Dbl Prog; Advanced
The Great Urbana Barn Dance; Becket CCW; Intermediate-Advanced (*)
Haven't We Met Before?; Becket CW; Advanced
One Shy of Twenty; Becket CW; Intermediate-Advanced (*)
Allen Ortep's First Contra; Becket CCW; Intermediate-Advanced
Promises and Pearls; 1's crossed, but below; Advanced (*)
Spin to Your Neighbor; Improper; Intermediate-Advanced (*)
Near Chaos in the Cosmos; Improper; Intermediate (*)
More Carina; Improper; Intermediate (*)
Carina's Variation; Improper; Intermediate (*)
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INTRODUCTION Top
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The dances in this collection range from intermediate to
quite advanced. Many require a well planned walk through, and
hence some careful study by the caller. Tips for teaching the
dances are often given. You may freely distribute, but not sell,
except for duplication costs, the contents of this document.
Correspondence with comments, suggestions, discovered
misprints, and your experiences calling any of these are
encouraged.
Definitions of some of the figures and terms used in this document:
Major set or longways set refers to all the couples in a contra
line. Considering a major set as a large circle, the
transcriptions in this document often refer to clockwise and
counterclockwise directions around the major set. Depending
on the situation we often omit the word "major," as in
"promenade as couples clockwise around the set."
Shadow refers to a person of the opposite gender, neither
partner, nor neighbor, with whom a dancer always performs
some figure throughout the dance. The term "trail buddy" is
a sometimes heard synonym for shadow. Corner is used in to
refer to contra corners.
Promenade across and during the courtesy turn, shift
counterclockwise to face a different couple. My several
experiences calling dances having this action suggest
initially describing this as "promenade across, and after
the courtesy turn shift right to face a new couple," and
then explaining (although experienced dancers will figure it
out) that the dance will flow better by shifting during,
rather than after the courtesy turn. Once the dance starts,
the calls "promenade and loop" or "promenade and shift" will
remind the dancers of the required action.
Circle left 3/4 and swing. I always dance this without concern
whether or not the circle left 3/4 takes the full eight
beats. However, some dancers prefer otherwise. Thus, the
transcriptions specify which only if the composer has done
so.
Roll away means to exchange places with an adjacent person of the
opposite gender. Unless otherwise stated, the man, while
sliding to the woman's place, assists the woman in turning
to momentarily face him as she moves into his former place
(i.e., the woman rolls in front of the man). Other terms
for "roll away" often seen or heard are "sashay" and "roll
away with a half sashay." The usage in this volume is "roll
away with partner (or neighbor) across (or along) the set,"
with the "across (or along) the set" dropped when the
context safely allows.
Scoop up (someone) around the waist. Turn the line (a designated
amount). Whirl as a couple. As used herein,
the men, after allemanding left in the
middle, keep their left hands joined and extend their free
right arm behind the waist of a designated woman (neighbor
will be used for this illustration), thus forming a line of
four with each pair of neighbors facing counterclockwise.
Women can either place their left hand on their neighbor's
right shoulder, thus assuming a "half shoulder waist
position," or partially or fully extend their left arm
behind the man's back. Dancers now turn the line a
designated amount (1/2, once or one and 1/2 times around),
after which the men release their left hands and each pair
of neighbors whirls around once, the women moving forward
and the men backwards, to finish facing across.
In principle, the genders and/or directions might be
changed. In squares this type of action starts with one
gender retaining joined hands after starring in the middle
of the square. Thus always for squares, and sometimes for
contras callers use star promenade instead of "turn the
line." Butterfly whirl or cast around are often used to
describe the whirling action.
Gypsy implies by the right shoulder (clockwise) unless otherwise
stated. The dancers' fancy determines the length of a gypsy
preceding a swing.
Double gypsy: Two persons on opposite corners of a duple minor
set (typically of the same sex), right shoulder gypsy 1/2
way around (2 counts). As soon as the first two have
cleared the center, the second two left shoulder gypsy 1/2
way around between the first two (2 counts). As soon as the
second two have cleared the center, the first two right
shoulder gypsy 1/2 way around back to place between the
second two (2 counts). Finally, the second two left
shoulder gypsy 1/2 way around back to place (2 counts). The
dancers must move smoothly and quickly to complete the
action in time for the next figure, typically a swing with
someone of the other twosome. Although it is called double
gypsy, in order to complete on time the dancers should pass
each other with minimal eye contact. This figure can also
be called with the first two starting left shoulder and the
second two starting right shoulder.
All dancers perform a figure when no particular couple is
specified. Thus, "balance and swing partner" refers to all
dancers.
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THE DANCES Top
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Star Birth Top
Duple Improper Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst June, 1989
A1 Man 1 and woman 1 turn in different right hands across
stars: man 1 with the couple and next active woman
above, woman 1 with the couple and next active man
below
As Man 1 and woman 1 approach each other in center of set,
they do-si-do once and almost a 1/2 more along the set,
finishing back to back, with man 1 facing down, woman 1
facing up (emphasize).
A2 Star left (hands across), man 1 with couple and next active
woman below, woman 1 with the couple and next active
man above.
1's meet in middle, swing, end facing down.
B1 Down the set 4 in line, 1's turn as couple, return and hand
cast off. (For less experienced dancers, just bend the
line.)
B2 Circle left. 1's 1/2 figure 8 above. (Experienced inactive
couples can do-si-do or gypsy immediately after the 1's
have crossed between them during the 1/2 figure 8,
finishing just in time to grasp partner's hand for the
star right.)
Alternative:
Do as a proper dance, in which case (i) in A1 man 1 stars
right below and woman 1 above, (ii) in A2 man 1 stars left
above and woman 1 below, (iii) 1's turn alone in B1.
Notes:
(1) Alert the dancers that (i) the 1's never star with partner and
(ii) the 2's always star with partner--first right, then
left. The 1's always join hands with one shadow for the
right hand star, and with a second shadow for the left hand
star.
(2) A1-A2 came from a dance Kathy Anderson once called at
Kimmswick dance festival (south of St. Louis). The sequence
also appears in Tony Parkes' "Here's to the Fiddler,"
published in Zesty Contras.
Should Have Danced with Nancy Top
Becket Clockwise Double Progression Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst June, 1989
Initially have each man note the man in the 2nd couple diagonally
to the left, (also identifiable as the 3rd person counterclockwise around
the set from his neighbor). This man will quickly become his new male
neighbor, whom he'll meet for an allemande left.
A1 1/2 hey with couple on left diagonal, men start passing left
shoulders, until partners meet the first time (6).
(Stay put if no couple on left diagonal.
Allemande right 1 1/2 with partner, so men meet new male
neighbor in center (6).
Men, with new male neighbor, allemande left in center of
set, and give right hand to partner to form a wavy line
of four across the set (4).
A2 Balance towards partner and away (4).
3/4 Hey, partners start passing right shoulders, until
meeting new neighbor for second time (on the side of
set where the men started dance).
B1 Gypsy neighbor. Swing neighbor, end facing across.
B2 Circle left 3/4 and swing partner, ready to hey on left
diagonal. (End swing on time!!)
Alternative:
A1 1/2 hey as above. Pass right shoulders with partner
and new male neighbors allemande right in center.
Notes:
1. Convincing the dancers of the rather busy A1's timing is
crucial to the success of the dance. For the first two or
three times through the dance, I count the beats, calling
during A1 as follows: "and 1, and 2, and 3, and 4, and 5,
partners right, and 1, and 2, 3 [on the 1st beat of the
second phrase], 4, 5, men left, 1-2-3-4-balance-now [all in
the last four beats of A1]." I eventually reduce this to
saying "partners right", "men left" and "balance now" right
before each action must start. Avoiding fast music is also
a good idea. The alternative makes the dance more
leisurely, and accessible to a crowd with less experienced
dancers.
2. At the annual Dulcimer Festival in Morris IL, I was working on
this dance's pattern. Intent on completing the details, I
declined Nancy's invitation to dance during the festival's
dusk dance, which for several years has been called by
Chicago's Tony Scarimbolo. Nancy didn't dance this until
November, 1991. I like to call this dance to the song "It's
a Sin To Tell a Lie."
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Reheated Top
Becket Clockwise Double Progression Advanced
Michael Fuerst May, 1991
A1 Neighbors and 1st shadows star left (hands across). (While
facing across in initial Becket position, men look
left, and women look right to find 1st shadow.
Do-si-do partner 1 1/2 to face 2nd shadow.
A2 With 2nd shadow, allemande left (4).
1/2 hey, women start passing right shoulders (8).
After passing left shoulder with 2nd shadow on other side of
set, men go counterclockwise and women clockwise around
the set to meet partner (4).
B1 Balance and swing partner, end facing couple on right
diagonal (if no couple on right diagonal, face across,
and wait through B2).
B2 Men allemande left with man on this right diagonal to face
partner (4).
1/2 hey on this diagonal, partners initially passing right
shoulders, until partners meet on original side of set.
Pass right shoulders with partner, and men go
clockwise, and women counterclockwise around the set to
meet 1st shadow. (12)
Alternative (more forgiving):
B2 Right and left through on the right diagonal.
Long lines forward and back.
Notes:
(1) End effects and other advise:
(a) Always at the head of the set, and also at the foot of
major sets with an even number of couples, dancers will either
star with their 1st shadow and two ghosts, or just trade places
with, rather than allemande and hey, with their 2nd shadow.
(b) At the foot of major sets having an odd number of couples,
(i) Odd couple out immediately faces into set as if an
improper dance; does 1-2 (starring with partner and
do-si-do'ing partner across); does 3-4; swings partner in
5-6; and then gets ready to enter on right diagonal.
(ii) When the odd couple pops out at the foot of the set,
the man will be facing out into space off the end of the
set and must immediately turn around and cross the set to
find his 1st shadow. Also, the woman of the odd couple
which just entered the set will also be facing into space
off the end of the set. Being the first shadow of the man
who just popped out, she likely will have to call her
first shadow over to the left hand star. Therefore, when
attempting this dance, except possibly at a dance camp,
insist on an even number of couples in each major set. If
the dancers' ability to sort this out is at all suspect,
insist on an even number of couples in the major set, or
use one of the alternatives.
(2) The song "Me and My Shadow," matches the flow of the dance
(especially B1), and reminds the dancers to seek their
shadows.
(3) Michael's first (and embarrassingly unsuccessful) attempt to
call any version of this dance occurred in 1990 at the
annual Breaking Up Thanksgiving dance weekend, which starts
the evening after the holiday and is organized by Chicago's
country dance group, the Chicago Barn Dance Company. In May
1991, after adapting the B2 from "E.J.M.J.F. in Cincinnati"
for the B2 here, Michael reluctantly selected the name.
E.J.M.J.F. in Cincinnati Top
Duple Improper Intermediate
Michael Fuerst March, 1991
A1 Balance and swing neighbor.
A2 Men allemande left 1 1/2 and swing partner.
B1 Long lines forward and back. Women chain to neighbor.
B2 Women allemande right (4).
1/2 hey, neighbors start passing left shoulder, until
neighbors on the side they started the dance (8).
Neighbors pass left shoulders and go along set to meet new
neighbors (4).
Note: Written on the Sunday morning of Cincinnati's March 1991
Pigtown Fling dance weekend.
Where is Tim's Cup? Top
Becket Clockwise Intermediate
by Michael Fuerst November-December, 1991
A1 Circle left 3/4. Swing neighbor.
A2 Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down set, passing
right shoulder with partner to face a shadow (same
person throughout dance).
Star left with shadow and neighbor.
B1 Balance and swing partner.
B2 Right and left through.
Promenade across, but during the courtesy turn shift
counterclockwise around the set to face new neighbors
across.
Notes:
(1) As an alternative, start the dance with B2 in order to end
with a partner swing.
(2) I like to call the alternative to the Beatles' "When I'm 64."
Dave Found the Missing Coffee Cup Top
Becket Clockwise Intermediate
by Michael Fuerst November-December, 1991
A1 Slide left to new neighbors, circle left 3/4. Swing neighbor.
A2 Circle left 3/4 and pass partner by right shoulder up and
down set, to face a shadow (same person throughout
dance).
Allemande left shadow (4). Allemande right partner 1/2, so
women face into center.
B1 Hey, women start passing left shoulder, continue until
partners meet on the side of set they started the
dance.
B2 Balance and swing partner.
And Thinking About Coffee Cups Top
Duple Improper Intermediate
Michael Fuerst November-December, 1991
A1 Balance and swing neighbor.
A2 Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down set, passing
right shoulder with partner to face a shadow (same
person throughout dance).
Star left with shadow and neighbor.
B1 Balance and swing partner.
B2 Circle left 3/4, pass through to new neighbor (8).
Allemande right new neighbor (4). Allemande left old neighbor (4).
Alternative:
B2 Hey, men start passing left shoulders, until neighbors
meet on side they started dance. Pass right
shoulders with neighbor and progress to next.
The preceding three dances commemorate David Cantieni's
misplacing Tim Cape's coffee cup for the whole 1991 Winter
Dance Week at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood Top
Becket Clockwise Advanced
by Michael Fuerst 1990
A1 Neighbors and their 1st shadows, star right (hands across). (To
find first shadows from initial Becket position, men look
clockwise and women counterclockwise around the set.)
Left shoulder do-si-do partner 1 1/2 to face 2nd shadow.
A2 Neighbors and their second shadows star left (hands across).
Swing partner.
B1 Men allemande left 1 1/2, and keeping their left hands joined
each man with his right arm scoops up his neighbor around
her waist, thus forming a line of four in which each
neighbor pair faces counterclockwise (8).
Turn the line 1/2 around, putting men with their neighbors on
side of the set the men started the dance (4).
Neighbors whirl once as a couple, men backing up, women moving
forward (4). Turn back on neighbor to face a new neighbor.
(Men now facing clockwise, women counterclockwise around
the set.)
B2 Circle left 3/4 (8). Everyone now on opposite side of set
from which they started.
Right and left through (8).
Alternative (a bit less difficult):
B1 Circle left 3/4, pass through. Do-si-do new neighbors.
Notes:
(1) Teaching hints:
Dancers never star with their partner, except when they are
the odd couple out at either end.
When facing off the end of the set with partner, dancers
must immediately California twirl, to face into the set as
if for an improper dance. (From experience, this is
particularly important.)
At the ends, dancers must continue to do as much of the
dance as possible.
Designating those moving down the set as actives and those
moving up the set as inactive. Then at the end of B1 the
actives will face down and the inactives up.
(2) In this dance everyone simultaneously experiences the starring
action in "Star Birth." When this dance was written, a Broadway
play "Drood," based on Charles Dickens' unfinished novel "The
Mystery of Edwin Drood," allowed the audience to vote on how the
play should end. I originally composed several endings to
discourage a friend with a penchant for revising dances from
doing so. The friend promised not to propose revisions, I
decided to present only one alternative.
Maybe You Should Write an Easy Dance Top
Becket Clockwise Advanced
by Michael Fuerst November-December, 1991
A1 Promenade across, but during the courtesy turn shift
counterclockwise around the set to face new neighbors
across.
Forward in long lines and while coming back, roll away with
partner on side of set. Men look right, women left to
note their shadow.
A2 Circle left 3/4 with shadow, neighbor and shadow's neighbor,
and swing neighbor on side of set on which the men
started the dance.
B1 Women chain across to shadow (6).
1/2 hey, women start passing right shoulders. Pass left
shoulder with shadow, and all go along set (men
counterclockwise, women clockwise) to find partner (10).
B2 Balance and swing partner.
Notes:
(1) Teaching hints:
Note the timing in B1.
Dancers out momentarily at either end with either shadow or
partner, and not swinging with partner, must face back into
the set with the man on the right (the wrong side for an
improper dance). This point is particularly helpful to the
dancers.
Partners swinging as the odd couple at the end of the set
should end facing back into the set, as if for an improper
dance.
Near the end of the set partners will swing an extra time on
the side.
(2) Named after Kathy Anderson's suggestion to me, after I tested
this at her callers' workshop during Winter Dance Week,
1991, at the John C. Campbell School in Brasstown NC. First
called on Sunday February 16, 1992 to an unsuspecting group
of very experienced dancers during Knoxville's annual dance
weekend.
A Third Easy Dance Top
Becket Clockwise Double Progression Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst November-December, 1991
A1 Women chain to neighbor (6).
1/2 hey, women start passing right shoulders. Upon passing
left shoulder with neighbor, men go counterclockwise,
women clockwise around the set to face a new neighbor (10).
A2 Balance and swing new neighbor.
B1 Forward in long lines, and while coming back, roll away with
this neighbor.
With new person next to you (2nd progression), right and
left through.
B2 Circle left 3/4. Partners swing on side of set they started
the dance.
Notes:
(1) Couples reaching the end of set (as well as any couple
initially out at the foot) must always face back into set
with man on right. (Savvy partners meeting at end of the
set after A1 can balance and swing A2, end facing into set,
with men on left, changing places during the first part of
B1.)
(2) This was originally written, and can be danced, as duple with
2's, rather than 1's, crossed, and starting with A2.
A Chance Encounter Top
Becket Counterclockwise Advanced
by Michael Fuerst February 8-9, 1992
A1 Long lines forward and back, roll away with partner while
coming back.
With shadow (person of opposite gender now on men's right
and women's left), right and left through.
A2 Circle left 3/4 and swing neighbor on the side of the set
where the women started the dance.
B1 Circle left 3/4 and turn alone to face partner (8).
(Everyone now on side of set opposite from which they
started dance.)
Swing partner (8).
B2 Star left.
Promenade across with partner, but during the courtesy turn
shift counterclockwise around the set to face new neighbors
across.
Note: Dancers out at the end, whether with partner or shadow (both
will occur), must face into set with the men on the right!!
Emphasize this several times while teaching this dance !!
Summer Haze Top
Becket Counterclockwise Intermediate
by Michael Fuerst October 29, 1992
Alternate between A1-B2 and C1-D2, or just do either one.
A1 Men allemande left 1 1/2.
Neighbors swing.
A2 Right and left through.
Circle left 3/4, pass through up or down set by partner to face
first shadow.
B1 Star left with shadow (and neighbor and shadow's neighbor)
Partners swing.
B2 Right and left through.
Promenade across with partner, but during the courtesy turn
shift counterclockwise around the set to face new
neighbors across.
C1 Women do-si-do 1 1/2.
Neighbors swing.
C2 Right and left through.
Circle left 3/4, pass through up and down set by partner to face
second shadow.
D1 Star left with shadow (and neighbor, and shadow's neighbor).
Partners swing.
D2 Star left.
Promenade across with partner, but during the courtesy turn
shift counterclockwise around the set to face new
neighbors across.
A.O.'s No-No Top
Becket Clockwise Intermediate
by Michael Fuerst June, 1993
A1 Hey, men start left shoulders, until meeting neighbor for
second time. Pass right shoulders with neighbor, and
men step clockwise, women step counterclockwise around
the set to face next neighbors.
A2 Do-si-do next neighbor.
Swing with original neighbor, end facing across
B1 Star left.
With next neighbors, star right 1 1/4, putting everyone in
progressed position on side of set they started the
dance, across from next neighbors.
B2 Men turn back and swing partner.
Notes:
(1) The star right in B1 usually runs into the first two beats of
B2. However, my experience has been that the continuous
flow of this dance is so exhilarating that hardly anyone
will notice. Debuted at the August 1993 Sugar Hill dance
weekend outside Bloomington Indiana. Named after a friend
who objected to the overflow from B1, despite the very
positive reaction of other dancers.
(2) Teaching tips to use at the start of the walk through to
help dancers move in the correct direction at the end of A1
Designate those who are moving down the set as active, and
those moving up the set as inactive. The actives step down
the set, the inactives up at the end of A1.
Have dancers note that the person of the opposite gender on
the left diagonal will become their next neighbor.
Dancers reaching the end of the set just face back in with
the men on the left and await the right hand star.
A Fuerst Second Third Time's the Charm Top
Becket Counterclockwise Advanced
by Michael Fuerst July 3, 1995
A1 Promenade and loop (i.e. after courtesy turn slide right
to face different neighbors)
Right and left through
A2 Circle left 3/4 and swing neighbor
B1 Men exchange places by walking across set and
and around partner WHILE women allemande
right 1 1/2. AND everyone finish facing
original neighbors (i.e. back to back with those
they just swung) (8)
With original neighbors, left hand star 1/2
With next neighbors right hand star 1/2
B2 Turn star one more place, partners swing
(or gypsy and swing) on side of set they
started the dance and end facing across from
those with whom they starred right.
Alternative
B2 As star turns one more place, men release joined hands
and turn over their left shoulder,
Neighbors courtesy and end facing
up and down. (Everyone is now facing
partner up and down the set and on same
side the started the dance. Men are facing
clock wise around set, women counterclockwise.)
Partners swing on side they started dance
and end facing across from couple
with whom they starred right and courtesy turned.
Notes:
(1) The promenade and loop in A1 progresses dancers backwards one place
while the two half stars in B1 progress dancers
forward one place, making the dance single progression.
The "different" neighbors whom you meet in A1
are actually previous neighbors.
(2) The caller should warn dancers that they will pass the
the same neighbors several times.
(3) The transition between the 1st and second parts of
B1 is neat as everyone ends up with the
correct momentum for 1/2 left hand star.
(4) Everyone ends up neutral three times at each end, but
the end effects are not difficult. Thus the dance
is best done when having long lines, or as a 'Becket'
Sicilian Circle.
(5) Despite all the stuff, this dance is deceptively easy for
experienced dancers.
(6) Roger Diggle's 'The Third Time's the Charm' (one of my favorite
dances) has partners swing the 3rd time they meet.
This has neighbors swing the 3rd time they meet.
A Proper Potpourri Top
Proper Intermediate/Advanced
Michael Fuerst July 3, 1995
A1 Star right (hands across)
2nd corners (M2 and W1) do-si-do WHILE
1st corners (M1 and W2) exchange places by turning over
their left shoulders and walking counterclockwise
1/2 way around the first corners.
A2 Partners balance and swing on the side of the set
first corners started the dance
B1 Women chain
Right and left through, with only the 1's rolling away
at the end of the courtesy turn. (Everyone is now
facing across from their same sex neighbor.)
B2 Hey, 1st corners start right shoulders, until meeting same
sex neighbor for the 2nd time. Pass left shoulders
with same sex neighbor and move towards a
new same sex neighbor.
More Summer Haze Top
Becket Counterclockwise Intermediate
by Michael Fuerst February, 1997
A1 Circle left 3/4, pass neighbor by right to
face a different (actually, previous) neighbor.
Left shoulder gypsy this different neighbor.
A2 Balance and swing original neighbor.
B1 Men allemande left 1 1/2
Partners swing.
B2 Star left.
Promenade across with partner, but during the courtesy turn
shift counterclockwise around the major set to face new
neighbors across.
Where's Alex? Top
See (*) Advanced
by Michael Fuerst November, 1996
(*) Dancers line up improper but the 1' s then exchange places with the
2's, so the 1's are below the 2's.
A1 Men allemande 1 1/2, partners swing
A2 Women chain to neighbor,
Right and left through, but at end of courtesy turn
roll away with 1/2 sashe (Everyone now on side of set
they started dance, facing across, men to right of their neighbor.)
B1 1/2 hey, men start right shoulders, finish facing a new (2nd) neighbor
(Everyone now on side of set opposite from which they started.)
With 2nd neighbors, men start 1/2 hey passing **left** shoulders ,
finish facing a third neighbor. (Everyone now on side of set they started dance.)
B2 Left shoulder gypsy the third neighbor.
Swing the second neighbor.
Teaching suggestions (actually essentials):
This dance is trickier for the caller to visualize and
teach than it is to dance.
Emphasize at least twice during the walkthrough, that
dancers reaching the end of the set, MUST face back
in with the men on the right, women on the left !!
(This is not quite correct, but it is
what the dancers should be told. See Technical note
below.) Neglecting to tell dancers how to position themselves
at the ends guarantees confusion at each end,
and at worst will cause the whole set to break.
Note that if the dance were to start at B1,
it could be viewed as an improper dance, i.e.,
those closest to the music would cross over and progress
away from the music. Thus the dance is best taught
as follows:
(a) Have couples closest to the music cross over
as in an improper dance. Advise dancers
that half way through the dance
they will get to this position. Designate those
facing down as actives (who move away from the
music), and those facing up as inactives (destined
to move towards the music.)
(b) Tell dancers that upon reaching the end, they
face back in with the man on the right.
(c) Teach B1 and B2
(d) Explain that this is the starting position of the
the dance.
(e) Repeat (b)
(f) Walk though the whole dance starting with A1.
(g) Repeat (b)
Technical Note:
Actually, dancers reaching the end of the set after the
first 1/2 hey of B1, should turn alone, wait for
left shoulder do-si-do, and then face back into the set,
with the men on the right. But this nuance is
more confusing than helpful, and its neglect will only
result in those near the end of the set
dos-si-do'ing a person of the same sex.
Background:
This dance borrows the two half-hey idea from
Dan Pearl's "Eye of the Storm" and the roll away before
a hey from "A Proper Potpourri." The
desired story line was a progression to a third
neighbor and a return to a second neighbor.
Dancers gave this dance a lengthy ovation after its
debut on Saturday night at the 1996 Breaking Up Thanksgiving
dance weekend outside Chicago.
Martha Edwards of St. Louis would regularly bring her
teenage son Alex to many contra dance weekends.
In a surprisingly short time, Alex became a most skilled dancer.
Alex, Martha and I maintained a running joke that I would write
and call a dance which everyone in the hall except Alex could
understand (an impossible task). On Saturday afternoon during the
above weekend, I advised Alex that I would call
such a dance that evening. Alas, Alex was missing from
the dance floor at the critical moment.
Alex is Where? Top
2's cross over Advanced
by Michael Fuerst November, 1996
A1 Circle left 3/4 and swing partner
A2 Forward and Back
Women chain to neighbor
B1 1/2 hey, women start right shoulders, end facing
a new (second) neighbor
With this new (second) neighbor, 1/2 hey women
start **left** shoulders, and facing a third neighbor.
B2 Left shoulder gypsy the third neighbor.
Swing the second.
In contrast to "Where's Alex?" in this dance
(i) the women start the half heys, and (ii) dancers
reaching the end of the set face back in normally,
i.e., with the men on the left, women on the right.
Valparaiso Top
Becket, Clockwise double progression Advanced
by Michael Fuerst November, 1996
A1 Partners promenade across, but during the courtesy
turn shift counterclockwise around the major
set to face new neighbors.
Circle left 3/4
A2 Do-si-do this neighbor 1 1/2
Swing original neighbor (one promenaded by
at start of A1)
B1 1/2 hey, women start right shoulders, end facing
the neighbor from the do-si-do.
With neighbors from the do-si-do,
1/2 hey women start **left** shoulders, end
facing a totally new (third) neighbor.
B2 With a third neighbor, star left 3/4
Men turn back, partners swing on the side.
In this dance, with half of the neighbors you swing,
and with the other half you do-si-do. As an alternative,
replace the do-si-do 1 1/2 with a gypsy 1 1/2. Dancers
reaching the ends should immediately face back in the
normal way--men on the left, women on the right.
First called in November, 1996 at the barn converted
to a dance hall on Jerry Ronneau's land in Valparaiso, IN.
The Great Urbana Barn Dance Top
Becket Counterclockwise Intermediate-Advanced
by Michael Fuerst January 1997
A1 Star left
Women exchange places by turning back over their right
shoulder, and walking clockwise half way around the men.
MEANWHILE the men left shoulder do-si-do
A2 Neighbors allemande right once (4)
Hey, men start left shoulders, until partners meet on the side
of the set they started the dance (12)
B1 Partners balance and swing
B2 Right and left through
Promenade across, but after the
courtesy turn, slide right to face a new couple.
Haven't We Met Before? Top
Becket Clockwise Advanced
by Michael Fuerst January 1997
A1 Star left 3/4 (6)
Men turn back over right shoulder and do-si-do
neighbor 1 1/2 to face a previous neighbor.
A2 Balance and swing this previous neighbor
B1 1/2 hey, men start left shoulders, until
neighbors who just swung are right shoulder
to right shoulder, with men facing in
Neighbors from A1 (!!) 1/2 hey, men start
right shoulders, until left shoulder to
left shoulder with this neighbor with men
facing in
B2 With a new neighbor allemande right once (4)
Men cross left shoulders and swing partner (12)
A good (probably better) alternative to B2 is balance
in a circle, a reverse Petronella turn
(i.e. moving clockwise one place while spinning counterclockwise),
and partners swing.
Teaching and dancing hints:
This is a somewhat disorienting dance, since
there is a lot of movement without
connection to others (the do-si-do and the
two half heys)
Emphasize the timing in A1 And B1
This should not be danced to excessively
fast music due to the tightness of A1 and B1
Feel free to substitute gypsy for do-si-do in A1
One Shy of Twenty Top
Becket Counterclockwise Intermediate-Advanced
by Michael Fuerst February, 1998
A1 Long lines F&B, roll away on the way back
Circle right 3/4, pass neighbor by left shoulder
A2 Do-si-do a 2nd N 1 1/2 to face a third N
Swing the 3rd N
B1 Hands across left had star with 3rd N
Hands across right hand star with 2nd N
B2 With 2nd N's:
Men do-si-do each other, while W turn back over left shoulder
and orbit CCW 1/2 way around the Dsd'ing men
Partners swing
Although this sequence is lots of fun, the end effects
are reasonably exciting. Couples out at the end at
the start of A1 face in with the man on the right women
on the left. When the do-si-do puts you out at the end,
star left with ghosts (or just turn alone and face in as for
a regular improper dance--man on left, women on right).
Named for the Swing into Spring dance weekends, organized for 19
consecutive years by Tom and Andrea Morrison of Bloomington IN
and always held at McCormack's Creek State Park
Allen Ortep's First Contra Top
Becket Counter Clockwise Intermediate-Advanced
by Michael Fuerst February 1998
A1 Star left
R&L through on right diagonal
A2 Long lines forward, on the way back, partners
roll away with a 1/2 sashe
Circle right 3/4, pass through along set by left shoulder
to meet couple passed during the R&L of A1
B1 Balance and swing this neighbor.
B2 Allenortep turn (balance in a circle, then move as an individual
to the left one place in the circle while twirling CCW)
Partners swing.
Alternatives for B2 are
Men allemande left 1 1/2, partners swing, or
Star left 3/4, men turn back, partners swing
Promises and Pearls Top
(See (*) below) Advanced
Michael Fuerst November 27, 1998
(*) Dancers line up improper but the 1' s then exchange places with the
2's, so the 1's are below the 2's.
A1 Long lines forward and on the way back roll away with 1/2 sashe
(This restores normal improper position)
1/2 hey men start right shoulder and finish facing a 2nd neighbor
(Everyone is now on side opposite from which they started.)
A2 With 2nd neighbor, 1/2 hey, men start left shoulder, end facing a
third neighbor. (Everyone is now on the side they started.)
Swing the third neighbor, end facing across
B1 Men allemande left 1 1/2, partners swing
B2 Start left 3/4, swing second neighbor. A1 then starts with this neighbor.
Notes:
Dancers must be told several times during the walk through,
that whenever they reach the end of the set, they face back
in with the man on the right, woman on the left !!!
Dancers swing each neighbor twice, first in A2, and then
in the next time through the dance, in B2.
The sequence of two half heys comes from Dan Pearl's
dance Eye of the Storm
The star left 3/4 and swing a previous neighbor, comes from
a dance Broken Promises (if you know the author, tell me).
Spin to Your Neighbor Top
Improper Intermediate-Advanced
by Michael Fuerst November 27, 1998
A1 Neighbors balance and swing
A2 Men allemande left 1 1/2, partners swing
B1 Women do-si-do 1 1/2 to exchange places
On the side of the set, neighbors allemande right 1 1/2
B2 Half hey, women start right, end in long wavy lines with
the men facing out, women facing in, neighbors having
right hands joined
A la Rory O'More, balance towards your neighbor (right),
then away (left), and slide past your neighbor to face a
a new neighbor. (Actually spinning past your neighbor is
much more fun, and was the motivation for the dance.)
Notes:
The women should really change places during their B1 do-si-do
so that the neighbor allemande occurs on the side of the set.
A tempting alternative for A2 is Star left 3 places, men turn back to
swing partner.
The dance also works well (maybe better) as Becket, if started with B1
Near Chaos in the Cosmos Top
Improper Intermediate
by Russell Owen (revised by Michael Fuerst) March 1998
A1 Circle left, actives 1/2 figure 8 above.
A2 With same sex person, allemande 1 1/2, men right and women left.
Inactives do-si-do 1 1/2 to face a their neighbor
B1 Neighbors balance and swing
B2 Long lines forward and on the way back roll away with neighbor.
All swing partner in center.
Note:
A1, A2 and B1 are from Russell's dance "Chaos in the Cosmos,"
posted on Russell's excellent web site
American Country Dances On-Line
More Carina Top
Improper Intermediate
by Michael Fuerst Dec 20 1998
A1 Circle left, neighbors swing
A2 Women chain over and back
B1 Neighbors do-si-do 1 1/4 to form a long wavy he-he-she-she
line in center containing all dancers (right hand joined with
neighbor, men's left hands joined with their next male neighbor,
women's left hands joined with current female neighbor).
Balance right, then left, allemande right current neighbor.
B2 Gypsy same sex person who had been in left hand
Partners swing in center, end facing new neighbors.
Carina's Variation Top
Improper Intermediate
by Michael Fuerst Dec 20 1998
A1 Circle left, neighbors swing
A2 Women chain to partner, long lines forward and back
B1 Neighbors do-si-do 1 1/4 to form a long wavy he-he-she-she
line in center containing all dancers (right hand joined with
neighbor, men's left hands joined with their next male neighbor,
women's left hands joined with current female neighbor).
Balance right, then left, allemande right current neighbor.
B2 Gypsy same sex person who had been in left hand,
men gypsy once around, women gypsy 1 1/2
Partners swing in center, end facing new neighbors.
Notes:
Do-si-dos can replace the gypsies in B2
This and the previous Based on Al Olson's dance "Carina" (published in Zesty Contras):
A1 Do-si-do partner 1 1/4 to make a single long wave
(right hand to partner, left hand to same sex)
Balance, allemande right partner
A2 Allemande left same sex person, swing partner,
end facing neighbors.
B1 Circle left, swing neighbor
B2 Women chain over and back