CONTRA DANCES (mostly) by Michael Fuerst
(Last updated 5 January 2015 --Update history at end of document)
Clicking the word Top anywhere in this document, returns you here.
Questions and comments appreciated. Send to mjerryfuerst@yahoo.com
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CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION
End Effects
DANCES
Title; Formation; Difficulty
CW means Clockwise and CCW means Counterclockwise
(*) indicates suggested for first review.
(!) transcription has video link to dancers doing the dance
Ordered by date written.
Star Birth Improper; Intermediate-Advanced
Should Have Danced with Nancy Becket CW, Double Progression; Intermediate-Advanced
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Reheated Becket CW, Double Progression; Advanced
E.J.M.J.F. in Cincinnati Improper; Intermediate (*)
Where is Tim's Cup? Becket CCW; 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 CW; Advanced (*)
A Third Easy Dance Becket CW Double Progression; 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? Becket CCW; Advanced (*)
Valparaiso Becket CW, Double Progression; 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 or Becket; Intermediate-Advanced (*)
Near Chaos in the Cosmos Improper; Intermediate (*)
Carina Improper; Intermediate (*)
Carina's Variation Improper; Intermediate
Stars, No Stops Forever Becket CCW; Advanced
George's Neat Reel Becket; Intermediate (*)(!)
Hoots and Shouts Becket CW; Intermediate (*)
WOW !! Becket CW; Intermediate (*)
Rory O'Star Becket CW; Intermediate (*)
Doubly Good Ideas Becket CW Double Progression; Advanced (*)
Mr. Johnson's Jig Becket CW; Intermediate-Advanced (*)
Say Go to the Do-si-do Becket CW; Intermediate-Advanced
Mr. Johnson's Second Jig Improper; Intermediate-Advanced
Geometric Discretion Becket CW (Very Advanced) or Becket Sicilian Circle (Intermediate-Advanced) (*)
Morning Pages Improper; Intermediate (*)
More Morning Pages Improper; Intermediate (*)
Hmmmm........ Becket CW or CCW; Intermediate-Advanced (*)
Even Heaven Knows a Hey No-No Improper; Intermediate-Advanced (*)
Not Quite Fifty Becket CCW; Intermediate-Advanced (*)
It Started on Facebook Becket CCW; 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.
End Effects Top
In all contra dances, when a couple (either a dancer with partner or
a dancer witth shadow) is out at the end, members of that couple
are simultaneously both neighbors and partner/shadow. This can result in interesting
(and sometimes confusing) end effect, espeically in dances having either multiple
temporary visits by dancers to foursomes containing either a shadow, previous neighors,
or future neighbors.
Often a simple rule can enable dancers to negotiate the end effects,
for example:
(i) At the end of the set face in, but with the women on the
left, men on the right), or
(ii) Dance around the ends, or
(iii) Do {something} on the diagonal if someone is there, or
(iv) Face back in with the man on the right, woman on the left.
Dances with sufficiently complex end effects are best reserved for experienced dancers
or called as Sicilian circles.
Sorting out the geometry of dances with complicated end effects requires
following a couple's movements near the end of the set during two or more times
through the dance sequence.
Several dances include geometric analyses of end effects.
Geometric Discretion, A Chance Encounter and
Promises and Pearls should be of most interest
to those interested in this subject.
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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 (not across)
the set, finishing back to back, with man 1 facing down,
woman 1 facing up.
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 (sponsored by St Louis' contra dancers in late May).
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.
Teaching Suggestions: 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, 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]
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.
Note:
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
In sets with an odd number of couples, the end effects differ at the top
and bottom of the set. To avoid this, the caller could insist that
each set have an even number of couples
At beginning walk through introduce dancers to their 1st shadow, the
person next to them who is not their partner, and to their 2nd shadow,
the person of opposite gender in the couple to the man's right and woman's left.
Tell the dancers: "If out at the end with either
shadow directly across the set from each other, dancers face back into the
set with the man on the left.
A1 Neighbors and 1st shadows star left (hands across).
Do-si-do partner 1 1/2 to face 2nd shadow
A2 With 2nd shadow, allemande left (4).
1/2 hey across (with 2nd shadow, but not without partner),
women start passing right shoulders (8).
Upon passing left shoulder with 2nd shadow on other side of
set, all turn sharply left and walk along 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 all walk along set to
meet 1st shadow. (12)
(Near the bottom of the sets with and odd number of couples
the men will have to scurry across the set to join the star of A1.)
Alternative (more forgiving):
B2 Right and left through on the right diagonal.
Long lines forward and back.
Notes:
(1) End effects details (for those interested):
(a) In sets with and odd number of couples, at the bottom of the set,
the diagonal 1/2 hey will send partners off the set w/o a couple across. When this
occurs
(i) The men must scurry across the set to join their first shadow and
partner in the star of A1
(ii) Partners should do-si-do each other across the set to allemande
their second shadow, and then be in a the 1/2 hey across with their partner
(iii) After the partner swing, position themselves to re-enter
the dance on the right diagonal with the men's allemande
(b) The advice
"If out at the end with either shadow directly across the set from you,
dancers face back into the set with the man on the left."
and
"If no couple on right diagonal, face across, and wait through B2"
apply at the top of the set and at the bottom of sets with an even number of couples.
In such circumstances:
(i) Dancers out at the end with their first shadow can star left with ghosts
or just turn in alone.
(ii) Dancers out with 2nd shadow should exchange places across set with 2nd shadow,
and wait for partner to balance and swing.
(iii) After a partner balance and swings, If there is no couple on the
right dagonal, dancers just wait through B2, and (i) will apply at the
start of A1
(2) The song "Me and My Shadow," matches the flow of the dance
(especially B1), and reminds the dancers to seek their
shadows.
(3) My 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, I 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 counterclockwise Intermediate
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
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 for B2:
Hey, men start passing left shoulders, until neighbors
meet on side they started dance. Pass right
shoulders with neighbor and progress to next.)
Note:
The dance can end with a partner swing by as a Becket dance
starting with B2
The preceding three dances were named to 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
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
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) Note the timing in B1.
(2) End Effects
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).
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. (Dancers will discern this without direction.)
(3) 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.
(4) Having mentally tagged this dance difficult, this dance remained unused
until August 2012, when reviewing my dances, this
one appeared quite straightforward for experienced dancers. So I
called it without difficulty at the Sugar Hill dance weekend
outside of Bloomington IN later that month. Due all the new choreography
since 1990, dances considered difficult then today are quite tractable.
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, turn sharply left
and walk along 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
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.
Notes:
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 !!
Dancers, who, with partners, are out at the end at the start of A1 really
are both partners and "neighbors", and will get an extra partner swing
in A2, while facing across from their shadows.
Summer Haze Top
Becket Counterclockwise Intermediate
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
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
Michael Fuerst June, 1993
A1 Hey, men start left shoulders, until meeting neighbor for
second time. Pass right shoulders with neighbor, and
all turn right and walk along set to face next neighbor.
A2 Next neighbor do-si-do. (Optional: left shoulder gypsy instead)
Original neighbors swing, 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 partners swing.
Notes:
(1) At beginnng of walk through have dancers note that the
couple on the left diagonal will be their next neighbors.
This will help dancers orient correctly at end of the hey
Dancers reaching the end of the set just face back in with
the men on the left and await the right hand star.
(2) The star right in B1 will runs into the first 2-4 beats of
B2. Debuted at the August 1993 Sugar Hill dance
weekend outside Bloomington Indiana. The dance as named
after Al Olson's objection to this overflow from B1, despite
the very positive reaction of other dancers.
A Fuerst Second Third Time's the Charm Top
Becket Counterclockwise Advanced
Michael Fuerst July 3, 1995
At beginning of walk through, have dancers note their
current neighbors straight across, their previous neighbors
on the left diagonal and their next neighbors on the right diagonal
A1 Promenade and loop (i.e. after courtesy turn slide right
to face previous neighbors)
Right and left through
A2 Circle left 3/4 and swing with previous neighbor
B1 Men exchange places by walking across set and
and around partner WHILE women allemanderight 1 1/2.
AND everyone finish facing current neighbors (8)
With current neighbors, left hand star 1/2
With next neighbors right hand star 3/4 to put
all on side of set they started the dance
(will run into first 2-4 beats of B2)
B2 Partners swing (or gypsy and swing) on side of set they
started the dance and end facing across from
new neighbors.
Alternative (requires ample room up and down set)
B2 As star turns one more place, men release joined hands
and turn over their left shoulder to courtesy turn
neighbor in middle of set, and eend facing partner
up and down the set. (Men are facing clockwise,
women counterclockwise, arond the longways set.)
Partners swing 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 two places, making the dance single progression.
(2) The caller should warn dancers that they will pass the
the same neighbors several times.
(3) Everyone ends up neutral three times at each end, but
the end effects are not difficult.
(5) Despite all the stuff, this dance is deceptively easy for
experienced dancers.
(6) Roger Diggle's dance '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.
Second corners will be on side of set they started the dance
B1 Long lines forward and back
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 turn sharply left to progress to a
new same sex neighbor.
More Summer Haze Top
Becket Counterclockwise Intermediate
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 longways set to face new
neighbors across.
Where's Alex? Top
See (*) below Advanced
Michael Fuerst November, 1996
Video: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1565557309038
Note: The foreground of the video is at the head of a set, where some interesting end effects occur,
so also watch the line in back. This dance requires a few times through for the dancers to master.
(One may have to be logged into Facebook to view the video)
(*) Dancers line up improper but then have everyone exchange places
with their opposite sex neighbor, so the 1's are below the 2's.
After exchanging places with their neighbors, have dancers note the new person
now next to them (on men's left and women's right) as both their next neighbor,
and the most important other person in the dance. Also mention they will encounter
a third person beyond this next neighbor
A1 Men allemande left 1 1/2, partners swing
A2 Promenade across
Women chain to neighbor, but at end of courtesy turn
roll away with 1/2 sashe (Everyone now in the position
of a normal improper dance, bur facing across.)
B1 1/2 hey, men start right shoulders, everyone finish facing their next
neighbor. (Everyone now on opposite side of set from which they started the dance.)
With these next neighbors, men start 1/2 hey passing left shoulders,
finish facing a third neighbor. (Everyone now on side of set they started the dance.)
B2 Left shoulder gypsy the third neighbor.
Swing the second neighbor.
Teaching suggestions:
Emphasize several times during the walk-through, 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.) Failure to tell the dancers this at best augments the
confusion at each end, and at worst will cause the whole set to break.
Make sure to have dancers identify their next neighbor, as noted above. Teach A1-A2.
Have dancers do the first 1/2 hey of B1, men starting right shoulders, asking them to finish by finding and
facing the noted next neighbor. Have dancers do the 2nd 1/2 hey of B1, men starting left shoulders,
asking them to finish by facing a third neighbor.
After swinging their second neighbor, have dancers note that the person they gypsied is their new
second neighbor the next time through. Then walk through the dance once more
Technical Notes:
Actually, dancers reaching the end of the set after the first 1/2 hey of B1, should
turn alone, wait during 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 only results 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 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 then teenage son Alex to many contra dance weekends.
In a surprisingly short time, Alex became a most skilled dancer, and a favorite partner for all the women.
Alex, Martha and I maintained a running joke about the impossible task of my writing a dance which everyone
in the hall except Alex could understand. On Saturday afternoon during the above weekend, I advised Alex
and Martha that I'd call such a dance that evening. Alas, Alex was missing from the dance floor
at the critical moment, so hence the dance now had a name. As of January 2015, Alex has never danced this.
Alex is Where? Top
Becket Counterclockwise Advanced
Michael Fuerst November, 1996
Teaching Hint: Once dancers have lined up, have them note the couple on the right diagonal as
their next neighbors.
A1 Forward and Back
Women chain to neighbor.
A2 1/2 hey, women start right shoulders, end facing their next neighbor
With these new (second) neighbors, 1/2 hey women
start left shoulders, and end facing a third neighbor.
B1 Left shoulder gypsy the third neighbor.
Swing the second.
B2 Circle left 3/4 and swing partner
This a more straightforward variant of "Where's Alex?"
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
Michael Fuerst November, 1996
A1 Partners promenade across, but during the courtesy turn shift
counterclockwise around the longways set to face 1st new neighbors.
Circle left 3/4
A2 Do-si-do this 1st new neighbor 1 1/2 to face original neighbor
(one promenaded by at start of A1)
Swing original neighbor
B1 Start 1/2 hey, women start passing right shoulders. Upon facing original
neighbor veer right to face 1st new neighbor (from the do-si-do).
With 1st new neighbor, start 1/2 hey women start passing **left** shoulders,
end facing a 2nd new neighbor.
B2 With this 2nd new 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
Michael Fuerst January 1997
A1 Star left, hands across
Women orbit by turning back over their right
shoulder and walking clockwise half way around the men.
WHILE the men pull into a 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
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 passing right shoulders and swing partner (12)
Notes: This dance, is a somewhat disorienting dance, having a lot of movement
without connection to others (the do-si-do and the two half heys), is
somewhat disorienting
Emphasize the timing in A1 And B1
This should not be danced to excessively fast music due to the tightness of A1 and B1
An alternative to B2 is balance in a circle,
a reverse Petronella turn (i.e. moving clockwise one place while
spinning alone), and partners swing.
Feel free to substitute gypsy for do-si-do in A1
One Shy of Twenty Top
Becket Counterclockwise Intermediate-Advanced
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 second neighbor 1 1/2 to face a third neighbor
Swing the third neighbor
B1 Hands across left had star with 3rd neighbor
Hands across right hand star with 2nd neighbor
B2 With second neighbors,
Men do-si-do each other, WHILE
Women exchange places by turning back over their left
shoulders and orbiting counterclockwise 1/2 way
around the do-si-do'ing men
Partners swing
End Effects:
Couples out at the end at the start of A1 face in with the man on
the right an woman 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 1998 19th Swing into Spring dance weekends, all organized
at McCormack's Creek State Park in Spencer IN
by Tom and Andrea Morrison of Bloomington IN
Allen Ortep's First Contra Top
Becket Counter Clockwise Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst February 1998
A1 Star left
Right and left 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 right and left of A1
B1 Balance and swing this neighbor.
B2 Allen Ortep turn (balance in a circle, then move as an individual
to the left one place in the circle while twirling counterclockwise)
Partners swing.
Alternatives for B2 are
Men allemande left 1 1/2, partners swing, or
Star left 3/4, men turn back, partners swing
Those unfamiliar with the famous dance composer Allen Ortep,
should spell his name backwards
Promises and Pearls Top
(See (*) below) Advanced
Michael Fuerst November 27, 1998
(*) Dancers line up improper but then have everyone exchange places
with their opposite sex neighbor, so the 1's are below the 2's.
After exchanging places with their neighbors, have dancers note the new person
now next to them (on men's left and women's right) as both their next neighbor,
and the most important other person in the dance. Also mention they will encounter
a third person beyond this next neighbor
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 shoulders, everyone finish facing their next
neighbor. (Everyone now on opposite side of set from which they started the dance.)
A2 With these next neighbors, men start 1/2 hey passing left shoulders,
finish facing a third neighbor. (Everyone now on side of set they started the dance.)
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.
End Effects:
Dancers they will pop off each end three times at each end of the set
Advise dancers that whenever they reach the end they should turn alone
and face in, ready to particpate for whatever move next needs
them. Dancers at the end of the set must participate in the
forward back and, with partner, roll away across the set.
For those interested in details of the end effects:
As dancers approach an end of the set,
(a) They will first pop off the end after the second half hey in A2.
Here they turn alone and wait to swing a neighbor at the end of B2
(b) Dancers next pop off the set after the first hey at the end of A1,
where they turn alone and wait to swing a neighbor at the end of A2.
(c) Dancers pop off the set for the third time after the the 3/4 star in B2.
Dancers turn alone, ready to particpate in A1's long lines forward,
but rolling away with partner across the set, and the waiting to
participate in the half hey at the start of A2
Notes: For dancers to progress correctly, the most important person
is their next neighbor, whom they meet for the 2nd half hey and
swing at the end of the dance.
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 or Becket Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst November 27, 1998
Improper version (for Becket version, start at B1 and read notes below)
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 left, end in long wavy lines with
the men facing out, women facing in, neighbors'
right hands joined
Balance towards your neighbor (right),
then away (left), then 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 exchange places during their B1 do-si-do
so that the neighbor allemande occurs on the side of the set.
The Becket version allows the women a bit more time to effect
the transition from the partner swing to the do-si-do, due to the
short (actual or perceptual) musical pause between the end and
restart of the tune.
Hoots and Shouts, WOW!!, Rory O'Star and Doubly Good Ideas in this
document also have dancers progress by spinning to a new neighbor.
Near Chaos in the Cosmos Top
Improper Intermediate
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, end facing new neighbors.
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
Carina Top
Improper Intermediate
Al Olson (appears in the book "Zesty Contras"; probably written in the 1970's.)
I've reversed the A and B parts of Al's dance, so it ends with a partner swing.)
A1 Circle left, neighbors swing
A2 Women chain over and back
B1 Partners 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
partner, men's left hands joined with their next male neighbor,
women's left hands joined with current female neighbor).
Balance right, then left, partners allemande right once around.
B2 Left shoulder gypsy same sex person who had been in left hand
Partners swing in center, end facing new neighbors.
Carina's Variation Top
Improper Intermediate
Al Olson, modified by Michael Fuerst on December 20, 1998
(a variation of the Al Olson dance referenced above)
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 Left shoulder gypsy same sex person who had been in left hand,
men gypsy once around, women gypsy 1 1/2 around
Partners swing in center, end facing new neighbors.
Stars, No Stops Forever Top
Becket Counterclockwise or Clockwise Advanced
Michael Fuerst August, 1999 - November 1999
Counterclockwise version (preferred) November 25, 1999
A1 Forward and back, roll away.
Right hands across.
A2 Men do-si-do while women turn back over left shoulder and orbit counterclockwise 1/2 way
Neighbors swing
B1 1/2 hey, men start left shoulder, go to new neighbor.
Left hands across.
B2 Women see-saw, while men turn back over right shoulder and orbit clockwise 1/2 way.
Partners swing.
Clockwise version August, 1999
A1 Hands across star left
Men see-saw WHILE women exchange places by turning back over right shoulder
and walking clockwise 1/2 way around the see-saw'ing men
A2 Neighbors swing
Long lines forward, on the way back roll away with a half sashe
B1 1/2 hey, men start right shoulder, end facing a new neighbor
Hands across right hand star
B2 Women do-si-do WHILE men exchange places by turning back over left shoulder
and walking counterclockwise 1/2 way around the do-si-doing women
Partners swing
Notes: When out at the end, face back in with the man on the right, women on the left
(applies only to clockwise version, and is why the clockwise is preferred)
Dancers should keep their do-si-do's and see-saw's tight.
Advise men that they always swing on the side of the set they started the dance.
George's Neat Reel Top
Becket Counterclockwise Advanced
Michael Fuerst August, 1999
Video link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1564652206411
(One may have to be logged into Facebook to view the video)
A1 Promenade across
Hands across left hand star
A2 Men see-saw WHILE
women exchange places by turning back over right shoulder and
walking clockwise 1/2 way around the see-saw'ing men
Neighbors swing
B1 Long lines forward and on the way back, roll away to advance to a new neighbor,
at end of which partners catch right hands across set so they can,
With new neighbors, right and left through
B2 Circle left 3/4, partners swing
Notes: When out at the end, dancers must face back in with the man on the left,
women on the right.
Warn men to keep their see-saw's tight.
This was first called this at the barn (outside of Urbana, IL) of Kathy and Tom
Anderson--during one of the occasional Sunday potlucks and dances they host.
Susan Burt, who thought the dance quite "neat," asked me its name.
Not having named it yet, I invited her to suggest one, and without hesitation
she replied "George?"
Hoots and Shouts Top
Becket Clockwise Intermediate
Michael Fuerst November 25, 1999
A1 Forward and back, and roll away.
Right hands across
A2 Men do-si-do and return to where they started the do-si-do, but facing out;
WHILE women continue forward (clockwise) 1/2 around the do-si-doing men,
Everyone finishes joining right hands with neighbor to form long wavy
lines, women (men) facing in (out).
Balance toward and away from neighbor; spin (or slide) by neighbor
to face new neighbor.
B1 New neighbors balance and swing
B2 Circle left 3/4; partners swing
Notes: Initially have dancers line up improper, and make long waves, with the
men facing in and the women out. Advise dancers that they will momentarily
reach that position, and finally have dancers circle left one place to
Becket position.
Some men seem to have trouble positioning themselves correctly for the long wavy lines.
Emphasize to the men, that they do-si-do each other, return to where they started,
and form long wavy lines, holding right hands with the neighbor they last swung.
A motivation this was to sequence the following figures: right hands across,
orbit, long wavy lines, spin to a new neighbor.
Dancers at 1999 Breaking Up Thanksgiving applauded this then unnamed dance's debut. Hence the name.
WOW !! Top
Becket Clockwise Advanced
Michael Fuerst November 25, 1999
A1 Circle left
Women do-si-do once and end face out, WHILE men orbit clockwise 1/2 around
do-si-doing women, with all finishing in long waves, men facing in,
neighbors having right hands joined
A2 Balance towards and away neighbor, spin past neighbor to face new neighbor
New neighbors swing
B1 Right and left through, roll away (men now on right of neighbor)
Hands across right
B2 Men do-si-do WHILE women turn back over left shoulder and
orbit counterclockwise 1/2 around do-si-doing men
Partners swing
Notes: Initially have the dancers line up improper and form long wavy lines as
with the men facing out, and announce this as the position they
will soon be in.
At ends, dancers must face in the wrong way, i.e., man on right, woman on left !!
Rory O'Star Top
Becket Clockwise Intermediate
Michael Fuerst November 25, 1999
A1 Right hands across 3/4, finish in long waves,
men (women) facing out (in), neighbors right hands joined.
Balance to and from neighbor, spin (or slide) to new neighbor.
A2 Balance and swing new neighbor
B1 Hands across left
Men see-saw
WHILE women turn over right shoulder and orbit clockwise 1/2 way
around the see-sawing men
B2 Partners balance and swing
Note: Written for the following sequence: Right hands across collapses into waves,
balances and spin to a new neighbor.
Doubly Good Ideas Top
Becket Clockwise Double Progression Advanced
Michael Fuerst December 11, 1999
A1 Circle left
Women do-si-do, and end facing out, WHILE
men orbit clockwise 1/2 around the do-si-doing women, everyone
finishing in long wavy lines, men facing in, women out,
neighbors right hands joined
A2 Balance to and from neighbor, spin (or slide) right to new neighbor
Swing new neighbor
B1 Women chain to partner
Women chain to neighbor with a extra bit of a courtesy turn to
form long wavy lines with the men facing in, women out, new neighbors
left hands joined (and second new neighbor right hands joined).
B2 Balance forward and back, men cross the set to partner's place,
while women turn over right shoulder to 2nd new neighbor's place
Partners swing, end facing 2nd new neighbors
Note: Warn dancers that couples out at ends after B2 should face back in with
women on right, men on left !!
Mr. Johnson's Jig Top
Becket Clockwise Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst December 11, 1999
A1 Circle left
Women do-si-do, while men orbit clockwise 1/2 way around do-si-doing
women to other man's place
A2 Neighbors swing
Right and left through, roll away
B1 1/2 hey, men start right shoulder, finish in long waves, men facing in,
neighbors left hands joined
Balance forward and back, men cross set to partner's place,
women turn over right shoulder to place of man in her right hand
(new neighbor).
B2 Partners balance or do-si-do and swing, end facing new neighbors
Notes: These should be fun with rowdy jigs.
Advise women to really turn to new neighbors place in B2, so dancers will be facing
a new neighbor at the end of B2
In A2, having neighbors balance and swing pushes all subsequent figures back
one place, with partners getting a short swing at the end of B2
Say Go to the Do-si-do Top
Becket Clockwise Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst December 11, 1999
A1 Circle Left 3/4
Neighbors do-si-do 1 1/2, ending with men facing in, women out
A2 1/2 hey men start left shoulder, finish in long waves on opposite side,
men facing in, neighbor's right hands joined.
Balance to and way current neighbor, spin (or slide) past this neighbor
to face new neighbor
B1 New neighbors balance and swing
B2 Star left 3/4, partners swing
Note: At ends, dancers must face in the wrong way, i.e. man on right,
woman on left !!
Mr. Johnson's Second Jig Top
Improper Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst December 11, 1999
A1 Neighbors balance and swing
A2 Circle left 3/4, partners swing
B1 Women chain to neighbor
Half hey, women start right shoulder, finish in long waves,
men facing out, women in, neighbors' left hands joined
B2 Balance, women cross set to take partner's place,
while men turn over left shoulder to take neighbor's place.
Dancers are now in long waves, men facing in, partners left hands joined
Balance; men cross set while women shift to partner's place.
All now face a new neighbor.
Geometric Discretion Top
Becket Counterclockwise Very Advanced (Messy end effects)
or Becket Sicilian Circle Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst December 18, 1999
Initially have dancers note current neighbors across the set,
the couple on the on left diagonal as previous neighbors, and
the couple on the right dagonal as next neighbors.
A1 Forward and back with current neighbors
Promenade across, but at end of the courtesy turn shift
to face couple who had been on left diagonal (previous neighbors).
A2 Star left 3/4 with these previous neighbors
See-saw this previous neighbor, finishing in long waves,
men facing in, women out, previous neighbors' left and current
neighbors' right hands joined.
B1 Balance towards and the away person in right hand (current neighbor faced at
start of A1), and spin or slide by this current neighbor to face a new neighbor.
New neighbors swing.
B2 Circle left 3/4, partners swing.
Alternative: In the second part of A2, instead of a see-saw with previous neighbor,
do-si-do with current neighbor. (When I have time I will see if this simplifies
the end effects.)
Notes:
Each time through, this dance progresses one place back (to previous neighbors),
then two places forward (to new neighbors), resulting in a single progression.
The end effects are messy, so a Sicilian circle is probably best for this dance.
Dancers near the ends must be ready at all times to rejoin the set in one of three ways
(a) promenading across the set on a left diagonal, or
(b) joining in for long wavy lines, taking another person hands with partner across the set
and with another person as needed, or
(c) swinging with someone
For those interested in details of the end effects, if danced as a contra:
When the a couple is the last couple on their side (i.e., facing a couple
across, but with no couple to their right, they will experience end effect
three times through the dance
(a) The first time through they will pop off the end with the spin in B1. Partners can either
wait or swing each other during the second half of B1 (as next neighbors)
and all of B2 (as partners)
BUT must be ready to promenade on the left diagonal at the start of A1
(b) The next time through the dance, after A2's see-saw, partners will
be at the end of long wavy lines, left hands joined with previous neighbor,
and no new neighbor for right hand.
Dancers can either
(i) Join right hands with partner across set, balance and spin
across set to meet new neighbor for a swing
(ii) Just face back into the set backwards (with the man on the right)
and wait a new neighbor swing
(c) Partners next pop off the end after the promenade at the end of A1.
Dancers should face back into the set with the man on the right, and join
in on the long wavy lines, taking rght hands with an approaching person,
and spin by that person for a swing with a new neighbor
Morning Pages Top
Improper, Double Progression Intermediate
Michael Fuerst April 17, 2000
A1 Neighbors do-si-do 1 1/2, finish with men (women) facing in (out)
1/2 hey, men start left shoulder, finish in long, wavy lines on
opposite side of the set, men (women) facing in (out), right
hands joined with current neighbor
A2 Balance right, then left and spin to a new neighbor
New neighbors swing
B1 Circle left 3/4, partners swing
B2 Promenade across, women chain.
Alternative:
B1 Men allemande left 1 1/2, partners swing
B2 Long lines forward and back, women chain
More Morning Pages Top
Improper Intermediate
A1 Men do-si-do while women exchange places by walking counterclockwise
half way around the men.
Partners swing
A2 Circle left 3/4, neighbors swing.
B1 Long lines forward and back. Women chain to partner.
B2 Neighbors do-si-do 1 1/2 across the set.
Promenade single file three places in a little circle of four,
finish facing new neighbors.
Alternative:
A1 Women left shoulder gypsy, while men exchange places by orbiting
clockwise half way around the do-si-doing women
Partners swing
A2 Circle left 3/4, neighbors swing (but now swing is on side of set
women started the dance)
B1 Promenade across, chain to partner
B2 As above
Note: A caller could switch between the versions during the dance.
Either version can be individually done as Becket by starting with A2
Hmmmm...................? Top
Becket Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst Summer, 2000
Counterclockwise Version
(At beginning of walk-thru, have dancers note the couple on the right diagonal as their next neighbors.)
A1 Circle left 3/4, neighbors swing
A2 Long lines forward and back
1/2 hey men start left shoulders, end facing a new neighbor
B1 New neighbors hands across left.
Women see-saw while men turn back over their right shoulder
and orbit 1/2 way clockwise around the do-si-do'ing women.
B2 Partners balance and swing.
(Suggestion: Balance with man's right and women's left hands joined.)
Clockwise Version
(At beginning of walk-thru, have dancers note the couple on the left diagonal as their next neighbors.)
A1 Circle left 3/4, neighbors swing
A2 Long lines forward and back, roll away
1/2 hey men start right shoulders, end facing a new neighbor
B1 New neighbors hands across right.
Women do-si-do while men turn back over their left shoulder
and orbit 1/2 way counterclockwise around the do-si-do'ing women.
B2 Partners balance and swing.
Even Heaven Knows a Hey No-No Top
Improper Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst October-November, 2000
A1-2 Neighbors do-si-do 1 1/2 (8)
Hey, men start left shoulder (16)
Neighbors swing (8)
B1 Star left 3/4, partners swing.
B2 Right and left through
Circle left 3/4, pass neighbor along set by right shoulder to face
a new neighbor
Alternatives for B (Suggestion: Switch among the B alternatives during the dance.)
B1 Men allemande left 1 1/2, partners swing
B2 Circle left 3/4. Balance and California twirl.
B1 Circle left 3/4, partners swing.
B2 Women chain. Star left.
(With this, you may want to substitute a gypsy 1 1/2
for the do-si-do 1 1/2 in A1)
Not Quite Fifty Top
Becket Counterclockwise Intermediate-Advanced
Michael Fuerst November 24, 2001
After dancers have lined up Becket,
(i) Introduce dancers to their shadow--person dancing opposite gender role
in couple to men's right and women's left
(ii) Have dancers note the couple on the right diagonal as their next neighbors
(iii) Have women note the other woman in their current foursome
A1 Circle left 3/4, neighbors swing
A2 Chain to partner
Start 1/2 hey, women start right shoulders, but partners, upon facing each other
on other side of set, veer right to face shadow.
B1 Right hands across star with a shadow, neighbor (and shadow's neighbor)
SIMULTANEOUSLY:
Men, with the man in his star, RIGHT shoulder gypsy 1 1/2 around
Women, with the woman across the set in her partner's star
(her original same sex neighbor), LEFT shoulder gypsy 1 1/2 around
B2 Partners balance (with man's left and woman's right hands) and swing.
First danced at the Breaking Up Thanksgiving weekend in November 2001.
Intended as my birthday present to me.
It Started on Facebook Top
Becket Counterclockwise Intermediate
Michael Fuerst January 10, 2015
A1 Right and left through (or promenade)
Women chain on left diagonal
A2 Star left 3 places
Partner do-si-do, end in long wavy lines, men facing in,
partners right handes joined, men facing back of a new neighbor
B1 Balance, circulate (men walk forward to take neighbor's place,
women loop over right shoulder to take partner's place;
but do not form long way lines)
Promenade single file three places around the circle of four
B2 Partners balance and swing on original side
(or
Star left with a shadow, partner swing)
Note: A1 and the first half of A2 was posted by Nicolas Rockstroh as
part of a Facebook discussion of a dance he was writing
For the alternative B2, at begining of walkthrough introduce dancers
to the non-partner next to them as their shadow.
With the alternative B2, the dance has a surpsise partner
meeting at the end of each of the two stars
Update history Top
10-11 Jan 2015 - Added dance "It Started on Facebook"
2-5 Jan 2015 - simplified the discussion of end effects; clarified many descriptions;
better attributed the Carina dances to Al Olson, who passed away a week or so earlier
11 Nov 2014 - simplified instructions for "Maybe You Should Write and Easy Dance"
and corrected various misspellings
1 Aug 2014 - corrected "More Carina" and "Carina's Variation" from having a gypsy to having a
left shoulder gypsy (although I've always called them with a left shoulder gypsy)
6 July 2014 - simplified teaching instructions for "Where's Alex?", "Alex is Where?", and
"Promises and Pearls"
18 May 2014 - Added that either version of More Morning Pages can be done as Becket
To several dances, added that at beginning of walk through, dancers
should note their next neighbors on an appropriate diagonal.
3 July 2013 - various minor changes
2 January 2012 – added youtube video link for “George's Neat Reel”
other minor corrections
23 July 2011 - correctly designated “Morning Pages” as double progression
29 Aug 2010 - Changed A2 and rewrote teaching hints of “Where's Alex?”
2005-2010 - Various minor changes, which I neglected to document
4 July 2005 - Several rewordings and spelling corrections
Inserted contact information
25 November 2001 – Modified “What Would Gene Think", and renamed it "Not Quite Fifty"
18 November 2000 - Miscellaneous typos corrected and clarifications made.
"Hmmmm........" and "Even Heaven Knows a Hey No-No" added.
Repaired "What Would Gene Think?"
Rewrote teaching notes for "Where's Alex?"
23 May 2000 - Added "Morning Pages", "More Morning Pages" and "What Would Gene Think?"
18 January 2000 - Correctly noted "Where is Tim's Cup" as Becket counterclockwise
and "Mr. Johnson's Second Jig" as Improper.
Added section on "Teaching Tips for Roll-Aways and orbits"
Improved discussion of end effects.
Miscellaneous typos corrected.
19 December 1999 - Added "Geometric Discretion", discussion of geometric analyses of
end effects, and miscellaneous typos.
12 December 1999 - Added "Hoots and Shouts", "WOW !!", "Rory O'Star", "Doubly Good Ideas" ,
"Mr. Johnson's Jig", "Say Go to the Do-si-do", and "Mr. Johnson's Second Jig"
25 November 1999 - Added a set of dances called where dancers spin to a new neighbor.
Improved "Stars, No Stops Forever"
2 October 1999 - added "George's Neat Reel" and "Stars, No Stops Forever"
26 May 1999 - Corrected errors in "More Carina" and "One Shy of Twenty."
Realized "Alex is Where?" also works well as Becket.
Several minor typos corrected.