Progress to new neighbors to start dance over.

Notes: A2/B1 Circle Left, with Next Circle Right, Back to First Neighbors Circle Left: I really like this flow, but many dancers need help getting it. I will sometimes have dancers take hands in a ring, but not go anyplace. Then drop hands, and turn to make a ring with their next neighbors. I might have them practice this a couple of times before doing it with the circles, and most come to understand that the easy (smooth) way to turn is to the inside toward your partner as you make the transition. I recently read of an even better teaching tip. After the circle left 1X, you are on the side of the set with your neighbor, and your partner is across the set from you. Now, you have one hand with your neighbor - take that hand and give it to your partner. Now, keep that hand as you turn to face your new neighbors, and make a ring with them. [Using this technique, dancers will be compelled to turn toward their partner as they make the transition.]

Bob Green came up with the title for this dance.

See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/user/johndcoffman#p/u/7/C61hCXQEQBc

or here:  http://dancevideos.childgrove.org/contra/contra-modern/150-beauty-and-the-bees.html

The Beekeeper                           by John Coffman     Re-Written 12/10

Duple, Becket, COUNTERCLOCKWISE

 

A1       Circle Left ¾  (8)

Long Lines Forward and Back, Men Roll their Neighbor Ladies Away with ½ Sashay as they back up from the Long Lines (8)

 

 A2      Circle Right ¾ (8)

Allemande Partner Left 1 ½ (8)

 

  B1     Left Diagonal Ladies Chain (8)

Star Left ¾  (8)

 

  B2     Partner Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

The dance starts over with the neighbors now across from you.

 

Notes: I have not called or danced this dance; I am not sure about the flow.  It might be helpful to help dancers identify their shadows.  Before teaching the dance, have dancers line up in Becket formation and make long lines; in one hand is their partner; in the other hand is their shadow.  Your shadow will be across from you after the left diagonal ladies chain in B1.  The Star Left ¾ in B1 is with your neighbor and your shadow.

 

All should look for their partner when completing the Star Left ¾ in B1.

 

 

Bees in a Becket       by John Coffman           approx 4/10
Duple, Becket - COUNTERCLOCKWISE

 

 

Duple, Becket, Counterclockwise

 

A1       Ladies Chain  (8)

Promenade Up/Down Set {see notes} (8)

A2      Lady walks forward and weaves to inside of man directly in front WHILE man rolls out over right shoulder to

           meet the lady immediately behind him {the lady does NOT pass the man in front of her during the

           promenade – she weaves TO this man} (2) and Swing this neighbor (14) {see notes}

 

B1       Take hands in one large oval {Everbody in the line holds hands – I call this a Chainsaw}, and {big} circle

             (Chainsaw) to the Left (8)

Ladies look for the lady that just swung your partner, these ladies allemande right 1 ½ to their partner (8)

 

 B2      Partner Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

Notes: In A1, after the ladies chain, have dancers face up and down the set in promenade position with men’s left shoulder to the center.

 

To teach A2, I would have dancers pause after they promenade. While still in promenade position, have ladies identify their next neighbor, who is the man directly in front of them.  I like to use the word “weave” to have the ladies move to the inside of her next neighbor man while this same neighbor (man) rolls out over his right shoulder to the outside; however, the word (weave) may imply to some that she is to pass the man in front – not so.  She simply walks to his inside while he rolls back to her outside.

 

I like use the words “chainsaw left” to prompt the big oval circle left because the dance will flow more nicely if the lines do not move too far apart.  I like to tell the men they can point the lady he just swung (now on his personal right) to his partner for the ladies allemande right 1 ½.

See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfMhaXCZY0E&feature=related

 

See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNLQ1J6MQGo

or here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRvKi93nzOw

Bob’s Good & Plenty                by John Coffman     2/11  

Duple, Becket, COUNTERCLOCKWISE                      {Written for Bob Green}

A1    Right Diagonal Ladies Chain with a Courtesy Fling {see notes}  (8)
        Pull by with left hands to next Neighbor; with this next Neighbor, Allemande Right 1X to return to the first Neighbor {see notes}(8)

A2   First Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

B1   Right and Left Through {across} (8)
        Left Hand Star 3/4 (8)

B2    Partner Balance and Swing (16)

 

Notes: It might be helpful to have dancers identify their shadow before teaching the dance.  While standing next to your partner in becket formation, have dancers take hands in long lines.  Your partner is in one hand; your shadow is in the other hand. 

 

A1: Jim Hemphill choreographed the “courtesy fling” move mentioned in A1.  In Jim’s words: “The move I call the courtesy fling starts out like the courtesy turn.  With the courtesy turn after a ladies chain the man does a full 360 degree turn to face back in.  In the courtesy fling, the man stops his turn 3/4 of the way around then sends the lady out with a gentle push by the right hand while retaining the left hand connection.  The momentum of the turn lets the lady swing out comfortably around the left hand connection.  The move ends with the couple facing each other and up and down the set holding left hands and ready to . . .” pull by up and down the set.  I would call this neighbor you do the courtesy fling with your “first neighbor” – you will come back to him/her.  After the courtesy fling, pull by up and down the set to your next neighbor and allemande right this next neighbor 1X to return to your first neighbor for a balance and swing.

 

B1: All should look for their partner when completing the Left Hand Star ¾.

 

 

Bob’s High Quality Bologna             by John Coffman     3/11

Duple, Improper                                                                           {Written for Bob Green}

A1      Circle Right 1X
          Zag Right (2), Zig Left (2) to meet new neighbors {see notes}, With these new neighbors, Circle Left ½ (4)

A2     Ladies Turn In, Neighbor Gypsy and Swing (16)

B1     Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)
          Partner Swing (8)

B2      Ladies Chain (8)
          Long Lines Forward and Back; on the way back out, ladies roll their neighbor man away with ½ sashay. (8)
 

          The dance starts over with these same neighbors.

 

Notes: The progression takes place in A1.  The Zag and Zig is done by holding inside hands with your partner {man’s right joined to lady’s left}; couples move {Zag} to their individual right with men passing left shoulders as they move past their current neighbors.  Then all move {Zig} to their individual left to come face to face with new neighbors.

See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFaXbhloe-k

Duple, Becket

A1    Left Diagonal Ladies Chain  (8)

         Left Hand Star 1X (8)

A2    Ladies Turn Out, Neighbor Gypsy and Swing (16)

B1      Right and Left Through {across} (8)
           Men Roll their Neighbor Ladies Away with ½ Sashay on the side of the set {see notes} (2), Right Hand Star ¾ (6)

 

 B2      Partner Balance and Swing (16)

 

Notes: It might be helpful to have dancers identify their shadow before teaching the dance.  While standing next to your partner in becket formation, look at your partner; your shadow is beyond your partner (in the next minor set). 

 

In A1, after the left diagonal ladies chain, your shadow is across from you.  The neighbor gypsy/swing in A2 is with your neighbor (not your shadow).  [On the ends, if you don’t lose your partner with a left diagonal ladies chain, your partner becomes your neighbor.  That is, the gypsy meltdown is with the same person you end up with after the left diagonal ladies chain.]

 

In B1, after the right and left through, men roll the ladies away with ½ sashay on the side of the set.  [That is, men roll away the same neighbor they did the gypsy/swing with in A2.]

 

At the end of B1, all should look for their partner coming out of the star Right 3/4

 

 

 

 

Bow Legged Cat                     by John Coffman                2/11

Duple, Improper

A1   Neighbor Allemande Right 1 ¼ to make short wavy lines across   {men on outside; all have right hands with neighbor; ladies have

        left hands in center of wavy line} (8)

        Balance the Wave {R, L} (4), Box the Bat {see notes} (4)

A2   ½ Hey {Neighbors pass right shoulders to start – see notes} (8)

        Neighbor Swing (8)

B1   Circle Left ¾ (8)
        Partner Swing (8)

B2    Long Lines Forward and Back (8)
        Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

        Progress to next neighbors to start the dance over.
 

Notes:  A1: After the neighbor allemande right 1 ¼ , all will end up in a short wavy line across the set; all will have right hands with their neighbor, and ladies will have left hands in the center.  After balancing the line (R, L), ladies should drop left hands, and dancers should box the gnat (bat) from this wavy line position so that men end up back to back in the center facing their neighbor.  Because this is not the usual starting position of box the gnat, I am calling it “box the bat,” and I would demonstrate the move for the dancers.

 

A2: Ladies do exactly ½ hey; men do slightly more than ½ hey to meet their neighbor (ladies) on the other side to swing.

See it danced here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSh13NgUNGE&feature=BFa&list=UUF_ExFYC6eUgoCdNsFQ0ADg&lf=plcp

The Boys from Urbana                   by John Coffman   12/11

Duple, Becket

 

A1       Circle Left 3/4 (8)

            Zig Left (2), Zag Right (2) to meet new neighbors; Men Allemande Left 1/2 to face (same new) neighbor (4)

 

A2       Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

 

B1       Long Lines Forward and Back  (8)

            Ladies Allemande Right 1 1/2 (8)

 

 

  

 

 

A1     Circle Left ¾ (6), Men Roll Neighbor Lady Away with a Half Sashay on the side of the set (4),

         Ladies Allemande Right 1X in the middle to return to Neighbor (6)

 

A2     Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

 

B1     Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

         Pass Through to an Ocean Wave (4), Balance the Wave (4)

 

B2     Swing Through {Neighbor Allemande Right ½, Men Allemande Left ½ }(4), Partner Swing (12)

         Slide Left with Partner to Next Neighbors

 

Notes: This dance is not recommended for inexperienced dancers or novice callers. Timing is tight in A1; I encourage dancers to think of the circle left/roll away as one fluid move. After the men roll their neighbor ladies away, the man should have the lady’s left hand in his right hand. I like to encourage the men to give the ladies a little tug to help them into the ladies’ allemande right.

　 

 

 

A1     Neighbor Allemande Left 1 1/2 (8)

         1/2 Hey {Ladies Pass Right Shoulders to Start} (8)

 

A2     Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

 

B1     Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)
         Partner Swing (8)

 

B2     Right and Left Through, and Men Roll the Lady {partner} Away with 1/2 Sashay (10)

         Right Hand Star 3/4 (6)

 

A1    Circle Right 1X  (8)
        Men Allemande Left 1 ½  (8)

A2    ½ Hey {partners pass right shoulders to start – see notes} (8)
        Partner Swing (8)

B1    Circle Left 3/4 (8)
         Neighbor Swing (8)

B2    Long Lines Forward and Back (8)
         Ladies Chain (8)

 

A1     As a Couple {holding inside hands with your partner}, Dos-Si-Dos your Neighbors (8)

         Circle Left 1X (8)

 

A2     Neighbor Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

B1     Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

         Partner Swing (8)

 

B2     Balance the Ring (4), Petronella Twirl 1 Place to Right (4)

         Balance the Ring (4), California Twirl to face new neighbors and start dance over (4)

A2     Hands Across Star Left 1X (8)

         Ladies keep left hands to Allemande Left 1 ½ WHILE the Men push off and Loop over their own right shoulder (8)

B2     Long Lines forward and back (8)

         Ladies Chain across (8)

 
See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukIGaOiDTnM

 

Duple, Becket     Revised 9/14/2010

 

A1     Circle Left ¾ (6), Men Roll Neighbor Lady Away with ½ Sashay on the side of the set (2) Men Allemande Left 1 ½ WHILE Ladies

         Orbit clockwise ½ way to cross to the other side of the set to meet her Neighbor. {see notes} (8)

 

A2     Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

 

B1     Ladies Chain (8)

         ½ Hey {ladies pass right shoulders to start} (8)

 

B2     Partner Balance and Swing (16)

 

Slide Left with Partner to meet next Neighbors

 

Notes: After the men roll their neighbor lady away in A1, The man’s right hand will be holding his neighbor’s left hand. Ask the man to keep that connection as he takes left hands with his neighbor man in the center. Ask the men to give a little tug to his neighbor lady’s hand to start her on her clockwise orbit. {Men and ladies travel in different directions as the ladies orbit – the ladies travel clockwise while the men travel counter-clockwise.} As ladies orbit, they will come face to face with another lady from the next minor set. Though it is counter-intuitive, the ladies should pass RIGHT shoulders with the lady she meets. {No real harm is done if she passes left shoulders, but she will arrive at her destination early.} The sequence in A1 also occurs in "Venus and Mars."

 

A1     As a Couple, Dos-Si-Dos Neighbors (8)

         Circle Left 1X (8)

 

A2     Ladies Curl In to stand back to back in the middle facing their Neighbor. Pass Neighbor by Right Shoulders to start ½ Hey.

         {Men do exactly ½ Hey, Ladies do slightly more than ½ Hey} (8)

         Neighbor Swing (8)

 

B1     Circle Left 3/4 (8)

         Partner Swing (8)

 

B2     Long Lines (8)

         Men Allemande Left 1X {to pick up partner's inside hand and face the next set of neighbors - man's right hand

         and lady's left hand are joined} (8)

 

 

 

Communist Plot                      by John Coffman       approx 10/10

Duple, Improper

 

A1       ½ Hey {men pass left shoulders to start}(8)

            Neighbor Swing (8)

 

A2       Men Pull Across with Left Hands (2), Partner Allemande Right 1X (6), Men Pull Across with Left Hands (1), Neighbor Allemande Right 1X (6), Men Pull Across with Left Hands (1)

 

B1       Partner Balance and Swing (16)

 

B2       Ladies Chain (8)

With New Neighbors, Allemande Right 1 ½ (8)

 

Notes:  New dance; not sure of flow in B2; I recommend teaching this dance by starting at the bottom of B2; that is, have dancers allemande their neighbor right 1 ½ so men are in correct position to start the ½ hey.  I would also be sure to tell dancers that you are actually starting {the teaching} at the end so they will be in correct position to start the dance.  After the walk through, dancers should be in correct position to start the dance.  That is, dancers will have exchanged places with their opposite gender neighbors after the new neighbor allemande right in B2 – this will put the men in correct position to start the ½ hey by passing left shoulders as they will when the dance/music begins.

 

 

Congress of Bunkbeds      by John Coffman     approx 6/10
Duple, Improper

 

A1        Star Through, Circle Right 1X (10) 
            Neighbor Allemande Left 1X (6)

 

A2        1/2 Hey {ladies pass LEFT shoulders to start}  (8) 
            Neighbor Swing (8)

 

B1        Men Allemande Left 1 1/2  (8) 
            Partner Swing (8)

 

B2        Long Lines forward and back (8) 
            Circle Left 3/4  (6), Pass Through to face new neighbors (2) 
 

 

 

 

 

Duple, Becket – COUNTERCLOCKWISE

 

A1     Right Diagonal Ladies Chain (8)

         1/2 Hey Across {Ladies Pass Right Sh} (8)

 

A2     Ladies Right Shoulder Gypsy {1X back to neighbor} (8)

         Neighbor Swing (8)

 

B1     Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

         Left Hand Star 3/4 (8)

 

B2     Partner Balance and Swing (16)

 

Notes: It is important to help dancers identify their shadow. After taking hands four, have dancers start by taking hands in long lines - in one hand is their partner, in the other hand is their shadow.

 

 

Duple, Becket – COUNTERCLOCKWISE

 

A1       Right Diagonal Ladies Chain (8)

1/2 Hey Across {Ladies Pass Right Sh} (8)

 

A2       Ladies Right Shoulder Gypsy  {1X back to neighbor} (8)

            Neighbor Swing (8)

 

B1       Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

            Left Hand Star 3/4 (8)

 

B2       Partner Gypsy Meltdown (16)

 

Notes: This is really just a minor variation of “Counterbalance.”  It is important to help dancers identify their shadow.  After taking hands four, have dancers start by taking hands in long lines - in one hand is their partner, in the other hand is their shadow.

 

In A1, all will lose their partner and their current neighbor with the right diagonal ladies chain.  The person you Right Diagonal Chain to is your new neighbor.  After the right diagonal ladies chain, your shadow is across from you in your current group of four.  The 1/2 hey in A1 is with this new neighbor and your shadow.

 

In A2, Ladies gypsy 1X to return to neighbor (not shadow) for a neighbor swing.

 

In B2, Ladies must look to their right when coming out of the star left to find their male partner in the star behind them for a Partner Gypsy and Swing

 

End Effects: On ends, your partner may become your neighbor.  Also, when your partner is in a different star and you are waiting out for the Partner Gypsy and Swing, stand out with the lady on the left, man on the right.

 

 

 

Duple, Improper

 

A1     Square Through Two (Rt hands to Partner, pull by; give left hand to current neighbor and

         pull by to face a new neighbor) (4); New Neighbor Swing (12)

 

A2     Right and Left Through (8)

         ½ Hey (Ladies Pass Rt Sh) (8)

 

B1     Circle Left 3/4 (8)

         Partner Swing (8)

 

B2     Left Hand Star (wrist hold star) 3/4 (8)

         Neighbor Allemande Left 1X (8)

 

 

Start dance over with New Neighbors

Notes:  A1: Mad Robin is with NEW NEIGHBORS - men on inside first.  The Pousette 1 1/8 ends with couples on the ladies' original side, and flows into a partner gypsy meltdown.

 

Dance Freak      by John Coffman    approx 6/10
Duple, Becket

 

A1       Right and Left Through (8)

           Left Diagonal Ladies Chain to new neighbor (8)

 

A2       Ladies Right Shoulder Gypsy 1X  (8)

           Neighbor Swing (8)

 

B1       Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

           NEW MEN Allemance Left 1 ½  (8)

 

B2       Partner Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

Notes: Once in Becket formation, have dancers make long lines; their partner is in one hand, and their shadow is in the other hand.

 

All lose their partner and their current neighbor with the left diagonal ladies chain in A1.  After the left diagonal chain, your shadow will be across from you and your new neighbor will be beside you. All will swing this new neighbor in A2.

 

The progression takes place at the top of B1, when NEW men allemande left 1 ½.  {That is, men look slightly to their left for the next man (new minor set) to allemande left with.}

See it danced here:  http://dancevideos.childgrove.org/contra/contra-modern/88-dance-of-the-honeybees.html

 

 


                


                
See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUTEMSjkl7s

 

Duple, Improper

A2     Down the Hall in Lines of 4 (8)

         Bend the Line and Circle Left ¾ (8)

 

B1     Partner Gypsy and Swing {end facing up hall} (16)

 

B2     Up the Hall in Lines of 4 (8)

         Circle Right 3/4 (6), California Twirl (2)

 See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPGkAGUrbdM

 



B1   Star Right 1X (8)
        Partner Swing (8)

B2 Long Lines Forward and Back (8)
        Ladies Chain (8)

        Progress to next neighbors to start the dance over.
 
Notes: The figure "inside turn to a right hand star" was choreographed by Ron Buchanon, who borrowed it from swing dance.  After balancing the ring, the man is holding hands with both his partner and his neighbor lady.  The man should let go of his neighbor's hand, and keep hands with his partner.  That is, his left hand is connected to his lady partner's right hand.  With his left hand, the man brings his partner's right hand in front of her face as he twirls her and exchanges places with her.  He then places her right hand on his own right wrist to form the right hand star.

See it danced here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShLG4wfYKrg

Edgy Knitter     by John Coffman    approx 7/10
Duple, Improper

 

A1       Neighbor Balance and Star Through (8)

           ½ Hey {men pass LEFT shoulders to start} (8)

 

A2       Neighbor Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

B1       Men Allemande Left 1 ½  (8)

           Partner Swing (8)

 

B2       Long Lines forward and back (8)

           Circle Left ¾ (6) {Pass Through to face new neighbors} (2)

           

Notes: At the end of the star through in A1,the lady’s left hand will be connected to the man’s right hand.  I encourage the ladies to give the men a little tug to start them on their left shoulder ½ Hey. 

See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGtYwZlHsm8


                

Notes: It might be helpful to have dancers identify their shadow before teaching the dance.  When standing in Becket formation, have dancers face their partners on side of set; their shadow is beyond their partner on same side of set. After the left diagonal ladies chain, your shadow is across from you.  In B1, men roll away their neighbor lady (not their shadow).

A1: To teach the Mad Robin, I like to ask dancers to do a left shoulder Dos-Si-Dos (See Saw) with their neighbor on the side of the set (without twirling), and note the elliptical path their feet trace around the dance floor.  Now, have them face their partner across the set, and let their feet take the same elliptical path while looking at their partner - ladies take the inside path first.

 

Fall Down Cat           by John Coffman    approx 8/10

Duple, Becket

A1       Left Diagonal Right and Left Through (8)

            Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

 

A2       Ladies Chain Across (8)

            Left Hand Star 1X (8)

 

B1       Look for your "old” neighbors behind you.  With this “old” Neighbor, Balance and Swing  (16)

 

B2       Men Allemande Left 1 ½  (8)

Partner Swing (8)

           

Notes:  All will progress two places with the left diagonal right and left through in A1.  In B1, all will un-progress one place when they balance and swing their “old” neighbor.

 

To teach the dance, I would have dancers take a hard look at the dancers on their left diagonal – call these dancers their old neighbors, and tell them they will come back to them.  Now, have dancers do a left diagonal right and left through with these old neighbors.

After the ladies chain in A2, and before the star left 1X, I would have dancers turn around to identify the "old" neighbor behind them; these should be the same neighbors they did the left diagonal right and left through with.  After identifying these “old” neighbors, I would have them turn back to their current neighbors to complete the star left 1X.

Field House Mouse           by John Coffman   7/11

Duple, Improper

A1       Neighbor Allemande Right 1 ½ (8)

            1/2 Hey {Men pass LEFT shoulders to start}(8)

A2       Neighbor Gypsy and Swing (16)

           

B1       Men Allemande Left 1 1/2 (8)

            Partner Swing (8)

B2       Ladies Chain (8)

               Star Left 1X (8)

           The dance starts over with new neighbors.

 

Floating on Air           by John Coffman   4/11

Duple, Becket

A1       Zag Right (2), Zig Left (2) to meet new neighbors {see notes}, With these new neighbors, Circle Left ½ (4)

            Neighbor Swing (8)

A2       Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

            ½ Hey {pass partner by right shoulder to start – see notes} (8)

B1       Partner Gypsy and Swing (16)

B2       Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

               Right and Left Through (8)

           The dance starts over with these same neighbors.

 

Notes: The progression takes place in A1.  The Zag and Zig is a little different in this dance; it is done by holding inside hands with your partner {man’s right joined to lady’s left}.  Couples move one place to the right in their minor set, so they are now in normal improper position {with the ladies on the right as they face their neighbors up and down the set.}  Then all will {Zag} to their individual right with men passing left shoulders as they move past their current neighbors.  Then all move {Zig} to their individual left to come face to face with new neighbors.

 A2: After the men allemande left 1 ½, I would have the men stand back to back in the middle {facing their partner}.  All will now be in place to start the ½ hey by passing right shoulders with their partner.  The ladies do exactly ½ hey; the men do slightly more than ½ hey.

Frog Mouth Retro              by John Coffman     approx 10/10

Duple, Improper, REVERSE PROGRESSION {see notes}

 

A1       Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

           

A2       Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

            Partner Swing (8)

 

B1       Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

Circle Left ¾ (8)

 

Notes:  This is a REVERSE PROGRESSION dance; that is, ones will progress up the hall, and twos will progress down the hall.  During B2, all will progress backwards 2 places, then progress forward one place {for a net progression of one place backwards}.  Not recommended for beginners

 

To teach this dance, I would have dancers take hands four, and face their current neighbor.  Then, tell them they will progress backwards; that is, their next neighbors are behind them.  You might have dancers drop hands and turn around to meet their next neighbors behind them.  {I will call these Neighbors #2.} After introducing dancers to their next neighbors {#2}, ask them to turn back around to take hands four with their current neighbors.

 

At the bottom of B1, dancers will circle left ¾.  I would pause dancers after the circle left ¾; at this point, all should be facing their direction of progression, which is opposite the normal direction of progression.  That is ones are facing up the hall, and twos are facing down the hall.

 

In B2, Ones will make an arch while the twos dive through {under the arch}.  All will now be facing their next neighbors {neighbors #2}.  Now, the Twos will make an arch, as the ones dive through {under the arch}.   All will now be facing yet another set of neighbors. {I will call these neighbors #3.}  With these neighbors #3, make a ring, and balance the ring (4), California Twirl (4) to face neighbors #2, and the dance will start over.

 

When kicked out on the ends, California Twirl to face back in with the lady on the right.  {If kicked out in the middle of the dip and dive, the California Twirl should be done quickly.}

 

 

 The Girls of Saint Louis         by John Coffman     3/11

Duple, Becket

 

A1       Pass Through to an Ocean Wave (4), Balance the Wave {R,L} (4)

            Partner Allemande Right ½ (3), Men Allemande Left ½ (2), Neighbor Allemande Right ½ (2) Walk Forward to New

            Neighbors (1)

 

A2       New Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

B1       Long Lines (Forward and Back) (8)

            Circle Left ¾ (8)

 

B2       Partner Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

            Start dance over with the neighbors now across from you.

 

Notes:  The {unusual} progression takes place at the end of A1.  To teach this dance, I would have dancers take hands four in improper formation.  Tell the dancers this dance has an unusual progression, and it will help if they identify their next neighbors by looking past their current neighbors.  Then have dancers move one place to the left so they are in Becket formation.

 

In A1, the Pass Through to an Ocean Wave is achieved by passing right shoulders with the person (neighbor) across the set; as women pass left shoulders with each other, they take left hands in an allemande grip and turn ¼ to make a short wavy line across the set.  When the short wavy line is complete, all have right hands with their partner, and ladies have left hands in the middle.  Partners will be facing opposite directions.  {If you have a foursome demonstrate, it might help to cue dancers to look at the person standing in their spot.}

 

The second part of A1 is a modified swing through; that is, it is a swing through with one extra allemande.  After the ladies allemande their partner Right ½, they should stand in place for a moment so they will be ready to allemande their neighbor man Right ½.  After the final allemande, all should be facing their direction of progression.  Advise dancers that timing is tight with the modified swing through, so they don’t want to get too far spread apart (lengthwise); otherwise it will be difficult to make it to their new neighbor on time for the balance and swing.

See it danced here:  http://dancevideos.childgrove.org/contra/contra-modern/113-girls-of-st-louis.html

 

 

Duple, Improper

 

A1       Circle Right 1X (8)

            Ladies Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

 

A2       Partner Balance and Swing (16)

 

B1       Men Allemande Left 1 ½  (8)

            Neighbor Swing (8)

 

B2       Right and Left Through (8)

            Circle Left 1X (8)

 

Face new neighbors to start dance over.

  

He Said, She Said      by John Coffman    Revised 8/11
Duple, Becket

 

A1     Circle Left 1X (8)
         Ladies Roll their Partner Man Away with 1/2 Sashay (4), Men Roll their Partner Ladies Away with 1/2 Sashay (4)         

A2     Ladies Chain (8)
         1/2 Hey {Ladies Pass Right Shoulders to Start} (8)

 

B1     Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)
        

 

B2     Men Allemande Left 1 1/2 (8)

Slide Left to meet new neighbors

Notes:  I have not called or danced this dance.  The sequence in A1 is unusual.  After the men roll their partner lady away, he will have his right hand in her left hand.  I like to encourage the men to give the ladies a little tug with that hand to help the ladies as they go into the center for the ladies chain.

 

 

Duple, Improper

 

A1     Neighbor Allemande Left 1X (8)

         Old {previous}Neighbor Right Shoulder Gypsy (8)

 

A2     First {current} Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

 

B1     Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

         Partner Swing (8)

 

B2     Right and Left Through (8)

         Circle Left ¾, Pass Through by Right Shoulders to face next neighbor (8)

 

 

Duple, Improper                      {written for Jim Hemphill}

 

A1       Neighbor Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

A2       Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

            Circle Left ¾ (8)

 

B1       Partner Gypsy and Swing (16)

           

B2       Ladies Chain {to neighbor}(8)

            Mad Robin {ladies on inside first} (8)

 

            Look for new neighbors to start the dance over.

 

Notes: Martha Edwards came up with the name for this dance.

 

 See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH_2wvv7iEU

 

Duple, Improper

 

A1     Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

A2     Ladies Chain (8)
         Pass Through to an Ocean Wave (4), Balance the Wave {R, L} (4)

 

B1     1/2 Hey {pass partner by right shoulders to start - see notes} (8)

         Partner Swing (8)

 

B2     Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

         Circle Left ¾, Pass Through by Right Shoulders to face next neighbor (8)

 

 

 

Duple, Becket

 

A1       Left Diagonal Right and Left Through (8)

            Straight Across, Ladies Chain (8)

 

A2       With the neighbors now across from you, Circle Right 1X {all the way} (8)

With old {previous} neighbors, Circle Left 1X {these old neighbors are the same neighbors dancers did the left diagonal right and left through with in A1 – see notes} (8)

 

B1       Old Neighbor Gypsy and Swing {same old neighbor dancers did the left diagonal right and left through with in A1 – see

            notes}(16)

 

B2       Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

            Partner Swing (8)

 

Notes:  All will progress two places with the left diagonal right and left through in A1.  In B1, all will un-progress one place when they circle left with their old neighbors for a net progression of one forward

 

To teach the dance, I would have dancers take a hard look at the dancers on their left diagonal – call these dancers their old neighbors, and tell them they will come back to them.  Now, have dancers do a left diagonal right and left through with these old neighbors.

 

In A1, the ladies chain is with the neighbors now across from you.  I really like the circle right, circle left transition, but many dancers may need help understanding how to make it flow smoothly.  After the ladies chain, have dancers take hands in a ring AS IF they were going to circle right, but don’t go anyplace.  With hands in a ring, you are on the side of the set with your neighbor, and your partner is across the set from you.  Now, you have one hand with your neighbor - take that hand and give it to your partner so you now have both hands with your partner.  Now, keep that second hand and turn to face your new neighbors, and make a ring with them to circle left.  Notice that you turned toward your partner as you made the transition.  [Using this technique, dancers will be compelled to turn toward their partner as they make the transition.]  I might then have dancers drop hands, and turn to make a ring with their current neighbors.  I might have them practice this a couple of times before doing it with the circles, and most come to understand that the easy (smooth) way to turn is to the inside toward your partner as you make the transition.

When you do the transition with circles, it is important to make sure dancers make a ring with the neighbors they did the ladies chain with (not the old neighbors they did the left diagonal right and left through with).

 

The Old Neighbor Gypsy and Swing in B1 is with the neighbor dancers did the left diagonal right and left through with.

 

End Effects: Dancers are never really out in this dance.  If a couple finds themselves alone after the left diagonal right and left through, they should stand out with the lady on the right (as in most duple improper dances) so they can be ready for the circle left with their old neighbors.  When waiting for the left diagonal right and left through, dancers should position themselves accordingly.

 

 

 

A1     Circle Left 3/4 (8)

         Ladies Curl In to stand back to back in the middle facing their Neighbor. Pass Neighbor by Right

         Shoulders to start ½ Hey. {Men do exactly ½ Hey, Ladies do slightly more than ½ Hey} (8)

B1     Circle Left 3/4 (8)

         Ladies Curl In to stand back to back in the middle facing their Partner. Pass Partner by Right

         Shoulders to start ½ Hey. {Men do exactly 1/2 Hey, Ladies do slightly more than ½ Hey} (8)

 

B2     Partner Balance and Swing (16)

 

         Slide Left to start dance over again with new neighbors.

or here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnjNe6jZOSM

 

 

Duple, Improper

 

A1     Neighbor Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

         Promenade Across (8)

 

A2     Ladies, Rt Sh Gypsy 1X in middle to return to Neighbor (8)

         Neighbor Swing (8)

 

B1     Circle Left ¾ (8)

         Partner Swing

 

B2     Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

         Neighbor Allemande Right 1 ½ to face direction of progression (8)

 

B1    Partner Balance and Swing (16)
       
B2    Promenade Across {with partner} (8)
        Push Back Hey {ladies start by passing right shoulders; see notes} (8)

        Progress to next neighbors to start the dance over.
 
Notes: This is a complex dance.

It might be helpful to have dancers identify their shadow before teaching the dance.  Though this is NOT a becket dance, you might have dancers temporarily get into becket position.  If they look at their partner beside them, their shadow is beyond their partner.  Once dancers have identified their shadows, don't forget to have them move back into normal improper formation.

The figure "inside turn to a right hand star" was choreographed by Ron Buchanon, who borrowed it from swing dance.  After balancing the ring, the man is holding hands with both his partner and his neighbor lady.  The man should let go of his neighbor's hand, and keep hands with his partner.  That is, his left hand is connected to his lady partner's right hand.  With his left hand, the man brings his partner's right hand in front of her face as he twirls her and exchanges places with her.  He then places her right hand on his own right wrist to form the right hand star.

In A2, all will courtesy turn their shadow.  keep left hands with your shadow to allemande left 1 1/2 to find your partner.

B2: After the promenade, have the men note where they are standing; they will return to this spot. During the Push Back Hey, ladies start by passing right shoulders, and ladies do 1/2 hey as usual.  The men start the 1/2 hey as usual, but when the men meet in the middle, they push back into their spot.  All then turn to face new neighbors to start the dance over.

 

Interspecies Bonding                      by John Coffman   approx 10/10

Duple, Becket

 

A1       Left Diagonal Right and Left Through (8)

Circle Right ¾ (6) California Twirl (2)

 

A2       Face the “wrong way” neighbors behind you.  That is, face OPPOSITE  your direction of progression.

            With this “wrong way” Neighbor, Balance and Swing  {see notes} (16)

 

B1       Men Pull Across with Left Hands (2), Partner Allemande Right 1X (6), Men Pull Across with

            Left Hands (1), Neighbor Allemande Right 1X (6), Men Pull Across with Left Hands (1)

 

B2       Partner Balance and Swing (16)

 

Notes:  All will progress two places with the left diagonal right and left through in A1.  In A2, all will un-progress one place when they balance and swing their “wrong way” neighbor.

 

After the California Twirl in A2, all will face opposite their direction of progression.  The balance and swing with the “wrong way” neighbors is with the same neighbors they did the diagonal right and left through with. After the partner swing in B2, all should be across from these same “wrong way” neighbors – the couple they did the diagonal right and left through with.

 

Duple, Improper

A1     Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

B1     Partner Gypsy and Swing {meltdown} (16)

Notes: A very easy dance with a {somewhat} unusual progression.  When teaching the dance, I recommend having dancers look at their neighbors after they take hands 4; then look past these current neighbors to find their next neighbors.  This should help new dancers orient when they progress at the end of the dance.

Start dance over with New Neighbors

Notes:  A1: Mad Robin is with NEW NEIGHBORS - men on inside first.  The Pousette 3 places ends with ladies standing back to back in the center; all are facing their partner; men are on their original side.

A2: 1/2 Hey: Pass partner by right shoulders to start; men do exactly 1/2 hey; ladies do slightly more than 1/2 hey

B1: The ladies curl at the bottom of B1 sets up the 1/2 hey that follows. I like to tell dancers that as they come out of the circle left 3/4, men should give the neighbor ladies a little tug {as they would do when rolling the ladies away - but you only do a partial roll away so the ladies end up back to back in the middle. That is, men roll the ladies away about 1/4 so the ladies end up back to back in the middle. {I like to instruct men to put their right hand in their pocket as I teach the curl (or ¼ roll away) figure. If men attempt to use their right hand (and many may), it will make this smooth figure clunky.} During the actual dance, this should happen fluidly, and the ladies don't actually have to line up exactly, back to back with each other.

See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r9RL-cW3Ho

 

Kathy's Conundrum      by John Coffman    approx 8/10

Duple, Becket

 

A1      Circle Left 3/4  (8)
          Neighbor Swing (8)

 

A2      Right Diagonal Ladies Chain {to shadow} (8)
          Chain Across (8)

 

B1      Long Lines forward and back (8)
          Circle Left 3/4 (6),  Pass Through {up & down} (2)

 

B2      Partner Balance and Swing (16)
 
Start the dance over with the new neighbors now across from you.

 

Notes: It might be helpful to have dancers identify their shadow before teaching the dance.  When standing in Becket formation, have dancers face their partners on side of set; their shadow is beyond their partner on same side of set.

In B, after the circle left 3/4 in B1, you are on the side of the set with your shadow.  Pass your shadow by right shoulders to find your partner for a balance and swing; this is where the progression takes place. After the partner balance and swing, dancers should find themselves across from new neighbors to start the dance over.

When standing out waiting for the pass through to the partner balance and swing, the ladies should stand on the right as they face back in.

The dance starts over with these same neighbors.

Notes: The progression takes place in A1.  There is no time for clapping after the petronella spin in A1.  The Zag and Zig is done by holding inside hands with your partner {man’s right joined to lady’s left}; couples move {Zag} to their individual right with men passing left shoulders as they move past their current neighbors.  Then all move {Zig} to their individual left to come face to face with new neighbors.

 

 

 

Circle Left ¾ (6) Men Roll Neighbor Ladies Away with ½ Sashay {to face new neighbors} (2)

 

Notes:  In A1, ladies allemande left in the center while men orbit ½ way in a counterclockwise direction to meet their neighbor for a balance and swing {in A2}.  Men and ladies travel in different directions as the men orbit  – the ladies travel clockwise while the men travel counterclockwise; ladies on the inside while men orbit outside the ladies.

 

The roll away to face new neighbors in B2 is unusual.

 

 

Duple, Becket, Counterclockwise                         {Written for Lauren Peckman}
         
         Shadow Allemande Left 1 1/2 (8)

Notes:  It is helpful to introduce dancers to their shadows before the walk through.  In becket formation, have dancers take hands in long lines; in one hand is their partner; in the other hand is their shadow.

See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T67dFJv2IpE

or here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9qedx0Wm8c


Lavender and Lilac                 by John Coffman        3/11

 

            A1       Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

 

A2       Men Allemande Left 1 ½ {to partner}(8)

            Partner Swing (8)

 

B1       Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

            Ladies Chain (8)

 

B2       Balance the Ring (4), Petronella Twirl 1 Place to Right (4)

            Balance the Ring (4), Petronella Twirl 1 Place to Right {with a little extra twirl} to face new neighbors and start

            dance over (4)

See it danced here:  http://dancevideos.childgrove.org/contra/contra-modern/168-lavender-and-lilac.html

 

Progress to new neighbors to start dance over.

Notes:  A1: After the Neighbor Allemande Right ¾, all will end in a short wavy line; men will have left hands in the center, and all will have right hands with their neighbor; all will be facing opposite their direction of progression.  During the ½ Hey, ladies will go exactly ½ Hey; men will go slightly more than ½ Hey.

See it danced here:  http://dancevideos.childgrove.org/contra/contra-modern/167-lindas-lovely-smile.html

 

A1     Yearn Left, Long Lines (8)

         Circle Left ¾ (8)

 

A2     Nighbor Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

B1     Ladies Chain (8)

 

B2     Ladies Turn Out, Partner Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

Notes: In A1, all immediately lose their current neighbors with the "yearn left, long lines." That is, in long lines formation, all will shift one spot to their personal left as they go forward and back, so all will be across from new neighbors when they finish the "yearn left, long lines."

See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/user/johndcoffman#p/u/6/A0a0O2VHgRA

Duple, Becket

 

A1       Left Diagonal Right and Left Through (8)

            Straight Across, Ladies Chain (8)

 

A2       Star Left 1X {all the way} (8)

With old {previous} neighbor, Allemande Right 1 ½ {These old neighbors are the same neighbors dancers did the left diagonal right and left through with in A1 – see notes} (8)

 

B1       Men Pass Left Shoulders to start ½ Hey  (8)

Old Neighbor Swing {same old neighbor dancers did the left diagonal right and left through with in A1 – see notes} (8)

 

B2       Circle Left ¾ (8)

            Partner Swing (8)

 

Notes:  All will progress two places with the left diagonal right and left through in A1.  In B1, all will un-progress one place when they allemande right 1 ½ with their old neighbor [for a net progression of one forward].

 

To teach the dance, I would have dancers take a hard look at the dancers on their left diagonal – call these dancers their old neighbors, and tell them they will come back to them.  Now, have dancers do a left diagonal right and left through with these old neighbors.

 

In A1, the ladies chain is with the neighbors now across from you. 

 

The Old Neighbor Allemande Right 1 ½  in A2  is with the neighbor dancers did the left diagonal right and left through with.

 

End Effects: Dancers are never really out in this dance.  If a couple finds themselves alone after the left diagonal right and left through, they should stand out with the lady on the right (as in most duple improper dances) so they can be ready for the allemande right with their old neighbors.  When waiting for the left diagonal right and left through, dancers should position themselves accordingly.

 

 

 

A1     Neighbor, Right Hand Balance (4) Box the Gnat (4)

         Pull by Neighbor (up and down line) with Right Hands (2) to Allemande Left 1X Previous (Old) Neighbor (6)

B1     Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

         Partner Swing (8)

 

B2     Right and Left Through (8)

         Ladies Allemande Left 1 ½ to face a new neighbor (8)

End Effects: In A1,  your partner may become your neighbor on the ends when kicked out by the Neighbor Pull By.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luck Be a Lady         by John Coffman     1/12

 

The dance starts over by Zagging Right with your partner.

Notes: Progression takes place in A1.  [Dancers progress forward two places, then back one place for a net progression of one forward.]  The Zag, Zig, Zag is done by holding inside hands {man’s right joined to lady’s left}; couples move {Zag} to their individual right to move past their current neighbors {men passing left shoulders}; then move {Zig}to their individual left to move past their second neighbors {ladies  passing left shoulders}; then move {Zag}to their individual right again to come face to face with neighbors #3. All should then circle right 1X with these neighobors #3.

During the walk through, I might have dancers pause after the final Zag; dancers should be face to face with Neighbors #3.  Before having the dancers circle right, ask them to turn around to meet neighbor #2, and tell dancers they will be coming back to this neighbor #2.  Then have dancers turn back around to face their {current} neighbors {#3}.  Have dancers circle right 1X with these neighbors {#3}, and look for neighbor # 2 as they complete the circle right.  Dancers will gypsy and swing neighbor #2/

B2 The lady rolls her neighbor man away with ½ sashay when backing up from the long lines.  All should then drop hands with their neighbors, and pick up inside hands with their partners to start the dance over {with a Zag to the right}.

Duple, Becket, Counterclockwise                         {Written for Mac McKeever}
         

Notes:  It might be helpful to introduce dancers to their shadows.  In becket formation, have dancers take hands in long lines; in one hand is their partner; in the other hand is their shadow.

B1: The right diagonal ladies chain is to your shadow.  The Right and Left Through across ends just a little short of a full courtesy turn.  {This move was choreographed by Jim Hemphill.}  Here, the man stops a little short of doing the full courtesy turn, so he and his shadow end up keeping left hands and facing up and down the set ready to pull by up and down the set.

Timing is tight in B1; if dancers get too far apart, they will find it difficult to balance and swing on time.  You may also need to discourage dancers from pushing apart after the right and left through in B1.

End Effects: As the caller looks out at the dancers, dancers will stand out with their partner on the caller's right side at the top of the hall, and dancers will stand out on the caller's left side at the bottom of the hall.  All will come back in with the right diagonal ladies chain to their shadow.

Progression takes place in B2.

Duple, Improper                         {Written for Mae Ylagan}

A2     Neighbor Pull By with Right Hands (2), Men Pull By with Left Hands (2), Partner Swing (12)

         After turning the right hand star, push off to look for new neighbors to start the dance over.

Notes: A1: In my experience, the men loop right needs to be demonstrated with an emphasis on using about 6 beats of music; otherwise, men tend to stand around waiting on their neighbor lady.  In B2, men allow the ladies to allemande right 1X, then fall in behind their partner {in front of their neighbor} to start the hands across right hand star.

Duple, Becket                                                                  {Written for Jim and Mary Maginel}

A2     Return to first (original) Neighbor to Gypsy and Swing (16)

Notes: Progression takes place in B2

Duple, Becket, Coutnerclockwise                                             {Written for Jim and Mary Maginel}

A2     Return to first (original) Neighbor to Balance and Swing (16)

Notes:  It might be helpful to introduce dancers to their shadows.  In becket formation, have dancers take hands in long lines; in one hand is their partner; in the other hand is their shadow.

B1: The left diagonal ladies chain with a courtesy fling is to your shadow.  Jim Hemphill choreographed the “courtesy fling” move mentioned in B1.  In Jim’s words: “The move I call the courtesy fling starts out like the courtesy turn.  With the courtesy turn after a ladies chain the man does a full 360 degree turn to face back in.  In the courtesy fling, the man stops his turn 3/4 of the way around . . . while retaining the left hand connection.  The move ends with the couple facing each other and up and down the set holding left hands and ready to . . .” pull by up and down the set.

Progression takes place in B2.

Duple, Becket                                 {Written for Martha Edwards}

A2     Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

Duple, Improper

 

A1     Neighbor Swing {end facing down the hall} (8)

         Down the Hall in lines of Four {Twos are in the middle} (8)

 

A2     [At the bottom of the Hall} Bend the Line, and Circle Left 3/4 (8)

         Partner Swing (8)

 

B1     Pass Through Across {pass Rt Sh with Neighbor} (4) and with the Handy {inside} Hand, cast around to face back up the hall

         {Man #1 acts as a gate post, and Lady #2 acts as a gate post - so both couples take the long way around when

         casting - ladies should end up on the Right as you face back up the hall} (4)

         Up the Hall (8)

 

B2     Bend the Line to form a Ring, Balance the Ring (4) and Petronella Spin One Place to the Right (4)

         Balance the Ring {again} (4), California Twirl (4) to face a new neighbor

Not You Again?     by John Coffman    approx 4/10

Duple, Improper

A2     First {current} Neighbor Gypsy Meltdown (16)

Notes: A1: I recommend starting the walk through by having dancers put right hands in to make a right hand star, but don't turn the star. That is, don't go anyplace. Now, let me introduce you to your old (past) neighbors. Drop right hands and turn around to see the neighbors behind you; these are your old (past) neighbors. Put your left hands in as if to make a left hand star, but don't go anyplace. Now, turn back to your current neighbors, and put your right hands in to make a right hand star. I would teach the rest of the dance from here.

B2 Dancers need to keep the ½ Hey tight (on time) so all can be on time for their new neighbors. Men will be last out of the Hey.

See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3Va8qUcYmE

 

 

 




See it danced here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHLhGJpVsBY

 

 

Personality Plus          by John Coffman    11/10
Duple, Becket

Pretty Pollyanna      by John Coffman    approx 7/10
Duple, Becket, Double Progression

 

A1       Left Diagonal Right and Left Through (8)

           Ladies Dos-Si-Dos 1 ½ (8)

 

A2       Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

 

B1       Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

           Men Allemande Left 1 ½  (8)

 

B2       Partner Balance and Swing (16)

 

Notes:  Pretty pollyanna  its cousin, Persistent Paul, are double progression dances. It works better to have an extra couple out at the bottom (an uneven number of couples), because couples will dance with *new* couples after one time up or down the line. Since it is double prog., there is never a couple out at the top. The first neighbor couple is passed by during the diagonal R & L (that is all that is danced with this couple). The rest of the dance is done with the second neighbors found directly across.  I want to credit Linda Leslie for contributing to the teaching notes.

 



Prodigal Partner                    by John Coffman     7/11
Duple, Becket
In A2, the men do exactly 1/2 Hey; ladies do slightly more than 1/2 Hey.

 

(Original) Reel Macho     by John Coffman    12/09

Duple, Becket, Double Progression

A1     Left Diagonal Ladies Chain (8)

         Ladies Chain across to shadow (8)

A2     Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

         Neighbor Swing (8)

 

B1     Men walk into the middle to make a long wavy line down the center [men should be facing their shadow] (4),

         Balance the Line [R, L] (4)

         Men Reel the Line by dropping left hands; allemande Right ½ (4 counts), with the next man

         allemande left ½ (4 counts, to face Partner) WHILE the ladies slide Right to meet their Partner

 

A1     Circle Left 3/4 (8)

         Neighbor Swing (8)

 

A2     Left Diagonal Ladies Chain {to shadow} (8)

         Push Back ½ Hey (8)

 

B1     Men walk into the middle to make a long wavy line down the center [men should have their backs to their shadow] (4),

         Balance the line [R, L] (4)

         Men Reel the Line by dropping left hands; allemande Right 1/2 (3 counts), with the next man

         allemande left 1/2 (3 counts), with the next man allemande right 1/2 (2 counts), to face Partner

A1     Right Diagonal Right and Left Through (8)

         Ladies Chain Across with a Courtesy Fling {this is neighbor #1 - see notes} (8)

 

A2     Pull by Neighbor # 1 with left hands up and down the set (2), Pull by Neighbor  #2 {right hands} up and down the set (2), Pull by
         Neighbor #3 {left hands} (2), pull by Neighbor #4 {right hands} {see notes}

         With Neighbor #5, Allemande Left 1X (8)

 

B1     Back to Neighbor #4, Balance and Swing Neighbor #4 (16)

B2     Men Allemande left 1 1/2 (8)
         Partner Swing (8)

 

Progress to new neighbors to start dance over.

Variation:

Notes: I like the circle right, face new neighbors – allemande right  transition, but many dancers may need help understanding how to make it flow smoothly.  After the ladies chain, have dancers take hands in a ring AS IF they were going to circle right, but don’t go anyplace.  With hands in a ring, you are on the side of the set with your neighbor, and your partner is across the set from you.  Now, in one hand you have your partner; in the other hand you have your neighbor.  Keep hands with your partner, and drop hands with your current neighbor.  Give that second hand to your partner so you now have both hands with your partner.  Now, keep that second hand and turn to face your new neighbors.  Now, you can drop hands with your partner and give your right hand to your new neighbor. Notice that you turned toward your partner as you made the transition.  [Using this technique, dancers will be compelled to turn toward their partner as they make the transition.]  I might then have dancers drop hands, and turn to make a ring with their current neighbors.  I might have them practice a time or two before doing it with the circle right.  Most come to understand that the easy (smooth) way to turn is to the inside (toward your partner) as you make the transition.

Duple, Becket                            

Notes: This dance has two progressions; dancers are never out; all must dance around the ends.  In A1, dancers un-progress three places with the right diagonal Right and Left Through and subsequent Ladies Chain with a Courtesy Fling.  In A2, dancers progress 4 places.  The net progression is one forward.

A1: In Jim’s words: “The move I call the courtesy fling starts out like the courtesy turn.  With the courtesy turn after a ladies chain the man does a full 360 degree turn to face back in.  In the courtesy fling, the man stops his turn 3/4 of the way around . . . while retaining the left hand connection.  The move ends with the couple facing each other and up and down the set holding left hands and ready to . . .” pull by up and down the set.

A2: In the pull bys, ladies are moving clockwise, men are moving counterclockwise; pull bys should be with an opposite gender person {or someone dancing that role}.

End Effects: Remind dancers to position themselves for the right diagonal right and left through when out at the top or bottom of the set. 
Dancers at the top of the hall should stand out on caller's right side; dancers at the bottom of the hall should stand out (beside their partner) on the caller's left side.  After the right and left through, if there are no dancers across to ladies chain with, then stand out in place beside your partner; face your partner; your partner now becomes neighbor #1 for the pull bys; ladies will now be in position to travel clockwise as the men travel counterclockwise on the pull bys.

Return of the Gypsy      by John Coffman    approx 4/10
Duple, Becket

 

A1      Left Diagonal Ladies Chain (8)
          Ladies Right Shoulder Gypsy 1X (8)

 

A2      Neighbor Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

B1      Ladies Chain Across (to shadow) (8)
          Circle Right 1X (8)

 

B2      Partner Gypsy and Swing (16)

Notes: Help dancers identify shadows before the dance.  When standing in Becket formation, have dancers face their partner; their shadow is beyond their partner.

A2 - The neighbor gypsy and swing is with your neighbor, not your shadow.

B1 - During the walk through, after the ladies chain to your shadow, it might be helpful to have dancers turn around to see their partner behind them.  They will find their partner here after the circle right 1X.

End Effects are tricky:
If there is a couple across from you, but no couple on the left diagonal, then stay put; that is, do not chain on the left diagonal.  If there is no couple across from you, then stand out so you can come back in with the left diagonal ladies chain.  At the top of the hall, couples should stand out on the caller's left; at the bottom of the hall, couples should stand out on the caller's right (as the caller faces the dancers).
 

 

Rollback       by John Coffman    approx 2/10
Duple, Becket

 

A1      Circle Left 3/4  (6) Men Roll Neighbor Ladies Away with 1/2 Sashay (2);

           Ladies tug same Neighbor Man so Men are back to back in center facing Neighbor;

          1/2 Hey {pass neighbor by right shoulders to start}  (8)

 

A2      Neighbor Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

B1      Long Lines forward and back (8)
          Men by the Left 1 1/2 (8)

 

B2      Partner Balance and Swing (16)

          Slide left to new neighbors 

 

Notes: This has not yet been danced; I am not sure about the flow.  The neighbor roll away into a 1/2 Hey is unusual.  After the roll away in A1, ladies will have their neighbor man's right hand in her left hand.  I encourage the ladies to give the men a tug so this same neighbor man can pass her by right shoulders to start the 1/2 hey.  During the walk through, I might ask the men to place their left hand in their pockets while the ladies give them a little tug to line them up back to back in the center, facing their neighbor.  {If the men get their left hands involved, it will muck up the flow of the dance.}  I would also add that you are aligning the men back to back in the center for teaching purposes; during the actual dance, men will only need to curl in far enough to start the 1/2 hey.  {Actually, the ladies will do exactly 1/2 hey; the men will do slightly more than 1/2 hey.  Timing will be tight inA1.

 

 

Roll the Dice      by John Coffman    approx 10/10
Duple, Improper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A1       Long Lines Forward and Back (8)

Left Diagonal Right and Left Through (8)

 

A2       Circle Right ¾  (8)

Balance the Ring (4)  California Twirl (4)

B1       Face the “wrong way” neighbors behind you.  That is, face OPPOSITE  your direction of progression.  With this “wrong way”
            Neighbor, Balance and Swing {see notes} (16)

 

B2       Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

            Partner Swing (8)

 

Notes:  All will progress two places with the left diagonal right and left through in A1.  In B1, all will un-progress one place when they balance and swing their “wrong way” neighbor.

 

After the California Twirl in A2, all will face opposite their direction of progression.  The balance and swing with the “wrong way” neighbors is with the same neighbors they did the diagonal right and left through with. After the partner swing in B2, all should be across from these same “wrong way” neighbors – the ones they did the diagonal right and left through with.

 

 

 

Sawdust Liquor                       by John Coffman     approx 8/10

Duple, Becket

 

A1       Men Allemande Left 1 ½ (8)

Neighbor Swing (8)

 

A2       Left Diagonal Ladies Chain {to shadow} (8)

Promenade Across with shadow {men pass left shoulders} (8)

 

B1       Ladies Allemande Right 1 ½ (8)

Circle Left ¾ {6} Men Roll Ladies {shadow} Away with ½ Sashay on the side of the set (2) {see notes}

 

B2       Partner Balance and Swing (16)

 

Start the dance over with the neighbors now across from you.

Notes: It is important to help dancers identify their shadow before the dance starts.  In becket formation, have dancers face their partner; their shadow is beyond their partner.

 

After the left diagonal ladies chain in A2, all will be dancing with their new neighbor and their shadow.

 

B1:  As the ladies allemande right 1 ½, they trade places {to end up on the opposite side from where they began the dance}.  Tell the Men to fall in BEHIND their SHADOW as they start the circle left 3/4.  After the circle left 3/4, all are on their original side standing next to their shadow.

 
The {unusual} progression takes place in B1 with the {shadow} roll away.

Notes:  After taking hands four, have dancers step 1 place to the right to get in Becket formation.  You might want to let dancers know they will be progressing to their individual right. 

In B1, men should look slightly to their left for a new man to allemande left ½ to form a long wavy line of men down the center.  After forming the wavy line, men will be looking away from their partner.

The Silent Type      by John Coffman    approx 7/10
Duple, Becket

 

A1      Men Allemande Left 1X (6)
          Men keep left hands as they pick up Partner Ladies inside hand {men's right hand joined to ladies' left hand}, face NEW 

          NEIGHBORS in direction of progression {ones face down, twos face up}, Men drop left hands, As a couple, Dos-Si-Dos with these

          new neighbors (10)

 

A2      Circle Left 1X (8)
          Neighbor Swing (8)

 

B1      Ladies Chain {to partner} (8)
          Hands Across Left Hand Star 1X (8)

 

B2      Ladies Turn Out, Partner Gypsy and Swing (16)

 

Notes:  I have not called or danced this; not sure how it flows.  The (unusual) progression takes place in A1.  The men allemande left 1X, keeping left hands while picking up partner's inside hand {men's right hand joined to ladies' left hand}; men then turn by the left 1/2 more to face new neighbors in direction of progression; this is a little like a star promenade.  Timing is tight in A1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmoK67oShHc

 

Duple, Becket

 

A1     Ladies Chain (8)

         ½ Hey {ladies pass right shoulders to start} (8)

 

A2     Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

 

B1     Circle Left ¾ (8)

         Partner Swing (8)

 

B2     Men Allemande Left 1X (6)

         Men Scoop Up Partner and Star Promenade Across; Butterfly Whirl with Partner WHILE shifting Left

         to get across from New Neighbors {to start dance over} (10)

 
See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VbDNjErWPE

 

 

Stimulus Package     by John Coffman    9/11
See it danced here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZw0Wd5zZig

 Strange Bird    by John Coffman    approx 4/10

 

A1       Balance the Ring (4), Spin over LEFT Shoulder, and move one place to the LEFT {as in Petronella} (4)

            Balance the Ring (4), Spin over LEFT Shoulder, and move one place to the LEFT {as in Petronella} (4)

           

 

A2       Balance the Ring (4) California Twirl to face New Neighbors (4)

            With these New Neighbors, Circle Right 1X (8)

 

B1       With the First {original} Neighbors, Circle Left ¾   (8)

            Partner Swing (8)

 

B2       Ladies Chain {to Neighbor} (8)

            Mad Robin {ladies on inside first} (8)

 

C1       Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

 

C2       Men Allemande Left ½ (2) Partner Allemande Right 1X (6)

            Men Allemande Left ½ (3) Neighbor Allemande Right ½ to face New Neighbors (5)

 

Notes: In A1, the balance the ring and petronella spin over the LEFT shoulder while moving one place to the left is very unusual; I am not sure how it will be accepted.

 

There are two circles in this dance; a circle left ¾, and a circle right 1X.  Because the circles are unequal, it is especially easy for dancers to become disoriented and circle too far or two little.  It is important to teach clearly, and tell the dancers how far to go (for awhile) during the prompting.

 

A2/B1 Circle Right, with Next Circle Left; I really like this flow, but many dancers need help getting it.  I will sometimes have dancers take hands in a ring, but not go anyplace. Then drop hands, and turn to make a ring with their next neighbors.  I might have them practice this a couple of times before doing it with the circles, and most come to understand that the easy (smooth) way to turn is to the inside toward your partner as you make the transition.  I recently read of an even better teaching tip.  After the circle left 1X, you are on the side of the set with your neighbor, and your partner is across the set from you.  Now, you have one hand with your neighbor - take that hand and give it to your partner.  Now, keep that hand as you turn to face your new neighbors, and make a ring with them.  [Using this technique, dancers will be compelled to turn toward their partner as they make the transition.]

 

Sunday Night at the Monday Club         by John Coffman   6/11
Duple, Improper

A1      Circle Right 3/4 (8)
          Men Allemande Left 1 1/2 (8)

A2      Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

B1      Circle Left 3/4 (8) 
          Partner Swing (8)

B2      Right and Left Through {across} (8) 
          Ladies Chain {across} (8) 

Start the dance over with new neighbors.

 

Three Old Cat                       by John Coffman      7/11
Duple, Improper, 3 Part Dance for 3 Part Tunes

A1        Pousette 1X {Men start by pushing partner}   (8)
            Circle Right 1X (8)            

A2        Neighbor Allemande Left 1 1/2  (8)
            Ladies Chain {to Partner} (8)

B1        Full Hey {Ladies pass Right Shoulders to start} (16)

B2        Partner Balance and Swing (16)

C1        Long Lines Forward and Back (8)
            Circle Left 3/4 (8)

C2       Neighbor Gypsy and Swing (16) 

Start dance over with new neighbors; men push to start the Pousette

 

Note: Pousette in A1 is all the way around - 4 places.

Three Sisters                  by John Coffman   9/11
Duple, Becket

A1        Circle Left 3/4  (8)
            Neighbor Swing (8)            

A2        Long Lines Forward and Back (8) 
            Left Diagonal Ladies Chain {to shadow} (8)

B2     Partner Balance and Swing (16)

Slide Left with partner to meet new neighbors {to start dance over}

Notes:  In Becket formation, ask dancers to take hands in long lines; in one hand is their partner; in the other hand is their shadow.  In B1, ladies will step into a long {ladies only} wavy line down the middle; ladies will have their backs to their shadow.  After the ladies form this long wavy line during the walk through, I would tell them to think LEFT, then have them balance the lines Left, then Right. 

Three Strikes                  by John Coffman   approx 6/10
Duple, Improper, 3 Part Dance for 3 Part Tunes

A1        Circle Right 1X  (8)
            Neighbor Allemande Left 1X (8)            

A2        Hey {Men pass right shoulders to start}  (16) 

B1        Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

B2        Right and Left Through (8) 
            Hands Across Left Hand Star 1X (8)

C1        Men keep left hands to Allemande Left 1X WHILE the Ladies push off and Loop over their own right shoulder (6)  Ladies come back to give their Neighbor their Right hand to Pull By; then Ladies give each other Left hands to Pull By across the set to their Partner for a Partner swing (10)

C2      Balance the Ring (4), Petronella Spin One Place to Right (4)
          Balance the Ring (4), California Twirl {to face new neighbors} (4)

 

 

Triple Play      by John Coffman    approx 5/10
Duple, Improper, 3 Part Dance for 3 Part Tunes

A1      Neighbor Balance (4) Star Through (4)
          Circle Right 1X (8)            

A2      Neighbor Left 1 1/2  (8) 
          1/2 Hey {men pass right shoulders to start} (8)

B1      Neighbor Balance and Swing (16)

B2      Ladies Chain {to partner} (8) 
          Hands Across Left Hand Star 1X (8)

C1      Ladies Turn Out {over right shoulder}, Partner Gypsy & Swing (16)

C2      Balance the Ring (4), Petronella Spin One Place to Right (4)
          Balance the Ring (4), California Twirl {to face new neighbors} (4)

Notes: In A1, “star through” is man’s right hand to lady’s left hand; lady walks under man’s raised right hand; both finish the star through trading places and facing across the set.

 

 

 

Duple, Improper

 

A1     Neighbor Allemande Left 1 ½ to make long wavy lines with Men Facing Out, Ladies Facing In (8)

         Balance the Lines {R, L} (4), Slide Right as in Rory O'More (4)

 

A2     Balance the Lines {L, R} (4), Slide Left as in Rory O'More (4)

         Neighbor Swing (8)

 

B1     Circle Left 3/4 (8)

         Partner Swing (8)

 

B2     Ladies Chain (8)

         Ladies Rt Sh Gypsy 1X to end facing new neighbors

The progression is a little unusual for the ladies.  Before teaching the dance, I like to have dancers look past their current neighbors to identify their next neighbor.　

 

 

A2     Circle Left ¾ (8)

         Partner Swing (8)

 

B1     Ladies Chain (8)

         Mad Robin {ladies on inside first} (8)

To teach the Mad Robin, I like to ask dancers to do a left shoulder Dos-Si-Dos (See Saw) with their neighbor on the side of the set (without twirling), and note the elliptical path their feet trace around the dance floor. Now, have them face their partner across the set, and let their feet take the same elliptical path while looking at their partner – ladies take the inside path first.

 
See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8YgQU6bqa8&feature=related

 or here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyDig27V08k

Wrong Way John     by John Coffman    approx 2/10
Duple, Improper

 

A1     Neighbor Balance, Star Through (8)
         Circle Right 1X (8)

 

A2     1/2 Hey {men pass LEFT shoulders to start} (8)
         Neighbor Swing (8)

 

B1     Men by the Left 1 1/2  (8)
         Partner Swing (8)

 

B2     Long Lines Forward and Back (8)
         Circle Left 3/4, Pass Through to New Neighbors (8)

 

Notes: In A1, "star through" is man's right hand to lady's left hand; lady walks under man's raised right hand; both finish the star through trading places and facing across the set.  A busy dance.

Ying and Yang      by John Coffman     9/11
Duple, Becket

 

A1     Ladies Allemande Right 1 1/2 (8)
         Neighbor Swing (8)

A2     Ladies Chain to Partner
         Zag Right (2), Zig Left (2) to meet new neighbors {see notes}, With these new neighbors, Circle Left ½ (4)
        

B1     Men Roll Neighbor Lady Away with 1/2 Sashay (4), Ladies Roll Same Neighbor Man Away with 1/2 Sashay (4)
         Men Allemande Right 1 1/2 (8)

B2     Partner Balance and Swing (16)

Notes:  I have not called or danced this dance.  The progression takes place in A2.  The Zag and Zig is done by holding inside hands with your partner {man’s right joined to lady’s left}; couples move {Zag} to their individual right with men passing left shoulders as they move past their current neighbors.  Then all move {Zig} to their individual left to come face to face with new neighbors.
The sequence in B1 is unusual.  After the ladies roll their neighbor man away, she will have his left hand in her right hand.  I like to encourage the ladies to give the men a little tug with that hand to help the men as they go into the center to allemande right with each other.

See it danced here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGCfTBQ9LM0