Circle, Square and Crossways Dances
Last updated: October 2023
Alabama Jubilee
Music: 32-bar reel (Bluegrass). 35s: Matt & Tom Turino - Cuivre River Shiver, The Gilded Bats - Sals Got Mud …; 34s: The Faux Paws - Fourth Decade, Matt & Tom Turino - Scavenger’s Delight; 33s: Empty Bottle String Band - Booth Shot Lincoln.
Form: One big circle, lady on man’ s right - all facing the centre.
* * *
A1: All join hands and move four steps into the middle - and four steps out, repeat.
A2: Allemande left with corner, do-si-do partner once-and-a-half… forward to the next person - holding out right hand. (5 + 10 + 1 steps)
B1: Allemande right with the hand coming towards you, who'll be your new partner. End facing back towards your original partner, swing original partner. Both end-up facing Acw. around the circle.
B2: Promenade Acw. c. 10 steps round the circle. Men move-on to their new partner… all re-form the circle and face in. (16 steps)
Apple Tree Square
Music: 32-bar jig/reel. 37s: Tiger Moth - La Bastringue; 35s: Adam Agee & Jon Sousa - *The Maids of Holywell/Cor Pheait/… Reel set; 34s: Dominique Dupuis - Reels des Naufragés; 33s: The Gothard Sisters - Celebration Reel, Patrick Street - The Shores of Lough Gowna/Contentment is … (jig) set, Corrina Rose Logston - Charleston No. 1, Session Tunes - The Silver Spear/Gilbert Clancy's/Road to Ballymac (reel) set; 32s: Liz Carroll - The Silver Spear/The Earl's Chair/The Musical Priest, Ghurt-Yo-ghurt - The Musical Priest, Patrick Street - Killanin's Fancy/… Portobello/… (reel) set, Jenna Reid, Aly Bain and Friends - *Fiddle Blast.
Form: Four couples in a square.
* * *
A1: Head couples (‘1’s and ‘3’s) go forward & back,
‘1’s cross-trail: ‘1’s cross the set to pass between ‘3’s - changing places with each other as they go (lady in front), separate and go back to place round the outside.
A2: All do-si-do corner, do-si-do partner.
B1: Allemande left your corner, give right hand to your partner to start a R-L Grand chain (men go Acw. round the circle, ladies Cw., by pulling past with alternate hands).
B2: When you meet your partner, do-si-do and promenade home.
Repeat - but with sides leading.
The New Mrs Arrowsmith
Author: Gordon Potts
Music: hornpipe or polka or (‘step-hop' to slower hornpipes). 25s (16 bars): Steamchicken - *… Devil's Dead/In Party …, *Gobby's Christmas …; 49s: Clannad - Fairies’ Hornpipe/Off to California; 48s: Steamchicken; 45s: Patrick Street - Down by the Old Fairy Fort/The Whistler … ; 35s: Corrina Rose Logston - Honeycat Hornpipe; 34s: 422 (EFDSS) - Soldiers Joy/The Great North Run/Dunstanburgh Castle.
Polka: 21s (16 bars): Nightingale - *Newmarket Polka/Trip to Dingle; 35s: Cheviot Ranters - … Pipes/… Rocks/ … Glendaruch/ … ; 34s: Craig Duncan - Grandfather/Clarinet Polka; 33s: Ghurt-Yo-ghurt - Sean Ryan's/Irish Polka set; 32s: 422 (EFDSS) - Huntsmen’s …/Grandfathers Polka/… .
Form: Four couples in a square.
* * *
A1: Head couples take one hand with partner and lead ‘forward’ four steps in to the middle of the set and ‘back’.
Head couples forward, then separate and out, taking their ‘opposite’ by the hand and passing between their adjacent side-couple (who’ll need to separate slightly)… then each return to place.
A2: Sides ‘forward & back’ (4 + 4 steps/beats).
Side couples forward, separate and out, taking their ‘opposite’ between their adjacent head-couple (who’ll need to separate slightly)… and back to place.
B1: The four ladies ‘right hand star’. Men cast out (curling Acw.), to circulate Acw. round the outside to the next man’s place. When, after completing ¾ circle, the ladies encounter their partner, they ‘peel-off’ to meet him by the left hand and he courtesy turns (or Cw. twirls) her, Acw. around him. (5 + 3 beats)
Repeat the last figure.
B2: Repeat the ‘star’ & ‘courtesy turn’ figure, then either:
repeat it one last time (by which time, the couple should have returned to place).
or, to ‘progress’: men circulate normally, but ladies only star half-way round - to a new partner.
Reel of Ballymore
Leslie Haworth
Music: 32-bar jig. 'Welcome to the Dance', ‘WttD’, CD 2 - 01 The Ranchers - RoB (John of Paris, Lanigan’s Ball); 33s: Angelina Carberry - *Dermot Grogan’s/Hardiman’s; 32s: Trinculo - Drummond Castle/Shorty's Revenge and Any Jig Will Do; 31s: Natalie MacMaster - Mahone Bay Jig.
Form: Big circle, mixer.
Difficulty: 2
* * *
A1: All into the middle for four steps and back out. (8 beats)
Repeat. (8 beats)
A2: Promenade partner (‘Gay Gordons’-style) eight steps anti-clockwise (Acw.), then, remaining in-hold, all turn back. Men move-on to promenade the lady in front eight steps clockwise - she's his new partner (ladies have moved-on one place… or men have moved-back one place). End the promenade with partners facing - men facing out, ladies facing in. (8 beats + 8 beats)
B1: Facing your new partner, the person beside him/her on your left diagonal is your left-person (who was your previous partner), the person on the other diagonal your right-person.
You're now going to Allemande these three people. Give right hand to pass your new partner, turn the right-person halfway with the left hand. Pass partner by the right hand to turn the left person halfway by the left hand to return to partner again.
B2: Long swing with partner - alternatively Balance & Kick twice and then swing.
Belfast Duck
Music: 16-bar hornpipe. 27s: Wintergreen - Puddleglum’s … /Elsa’s …; 23s: 'Welcome to the Dance', ‘WttD’, CD 1 - 20 Woodley Yeomen - Belfast Duck (Puddleglum’s Miser, Walking Up Town); 24s: Bellowhead - Kafoozalum/Priests Miss;
32-bar: 49s: Altan - *Dance of the Honeybees; 41s: Stömp - Scan Tester’s.
Form: duple minor, comprising a large circle of couples - men form an inner circle facing out… or longways, proper. Stepping: Step-hop (vigorous) or slow walk (gentle).
Prep.: from the top, hold hands in fours. There’s a tendency for the whole set to move down the room.
* * *
A: In fours, circle left 8 steps; circle right 8 steps. (8 bars)
B: Taking inside hands, lead down the room (or Cw.) with two slow walking steps (easiest to start on the outside foot - "outside, inside… " ),
take both hands and chassé ("side-close-side") down,
ditto up the room - or Acw.,
ditto down the room,
ditto up the room but ‘1’s, stationary, make an arch and ‘2’s pass under it - so progressing. On reaching an end, swap designation and ‘wait-out’ a turn.
Summary of B:
Down 2, chassé down 2, up 2, chassé up 2.
Down 2, chassé down 2, ‘1’s arch and ‘2’s go under.
Blaydon Races
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfJGEhRWmM4
Music: 32-bar march. 30s: 'Welcome to the Dance', ‘WttD’, CD 2 - 20 Greensleeves County Dance Band - Blaydon Races/Tramp, Tramp, Tramp/Home Boys Home (.wma), Woodley Yeomen - 13 B. R. (mp3); 33s: 2nd South Carolina String Band - *Cripple Creek/Old Joe Clark/… ; 30s: Cheviot Ranters - Blaydon Races/Keep You Feet Still Geordie Hinny/Whenever Ye Can Yer Sure Tae Find a Geordie.
Form: Circassian circle or concentric circles.
* * *
A1: Join hands, go into the middle - four steps - and back, 4 bars
repeat. 4 bars
A2: In ballroom hold, double chassé in, double chassé out, 4 bars
two-turn, crossed-hands swing. 4 bars
B1: Promenade (skater’s handhold - hands in front, right over left) eight steps. During the last few steps men move-on to the lady in front. 8 bars
B2: Balance & Kick: clasp partner’s hands, feet-together jump, then, skewing hips to the left, kick/swing the right foot to the left while hopping on the left, feet-together jump, skewing hips right, kick the left foot to the right while hopping on the right… repeat, 2 + 2 bars
Cross-hand swing, 4 bars
finish with new lady on the right… ready to restart.
Borrowdale Exchange
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFHBidfCyV0
Music: 32-bar reel: 36s: Sláinte - Scully's Reel, Deanta - Scarta Glen Road set; 34s: Liz Carroll - Ronan Boys, Boden et al - 13 B. E. (mp3 is lo-res); 33s: Crannog - Red-Haired Lass/… Blacksmith/… Tulla, The Gothard Sisters - both The Bandit and Celebration Reel; Chieftans - *Ladies’ Pantalettes (speeds from 34s to 30s per 32-bars).
Polka: 35s: Cheviot Ranters - Call of the Pipes/… Rocks … /… ; 34s: Craig Duncan - Grandfather Polka/Clarinet … .
Form: 3 couples (with the lady on the man's right) in a circle. Scatter mixer - so changes of partner.
Difficulty: 1
* * *
A1: All circle left eight steps… and back.
A2: All advance into the middle four steps… and back,
do-si-do partner.
B1: Hold right-hands across, with the person opposite and nobody else. Circle left eight steps… and back. Finish by raising hands into an arch.
Undo the star: keep holding hands - the lady whose hand is lowest goes under the arches (made by the other two couples) first, then the next lady.
B2: Promenade (or polka) around the room for four bars… then form new, 3-couple sets. ‘Lost & Found’ couples to the centre and raise an arm.
The Carousel
Author: Bill Wolding
Music: reel. 36s: Country Fiddle Band - Miller’s Reel; 35s: Dominique Dupuis - *Reels des Naufragés, The Elderberries - Torn Jacket/Boy …/Toss … ; 34s: Toss the Possum & Noah VanNorstrand - *Apple Blossom; 33s: Wild Asparagus - The Big Reel/Rare; 32s: The Lost and Nameless Orchestra - Dizzy Molly/Julia Delaney/… McNeil, Hotpoint Stringband - Irish Reel/… Laxdale; 31s: Mean Lids - Waterbound.
Form: Sicilian Circle (couple facing couple).
* * *
A1: Do-si-do person opposite,
do-si-do partner.
A2: Holding hands in circles of four, Balance & Kick… repeat,
circle left eight steps.
B1: Balance & Kick… repeat,
circle right.
B2: With arm around one’s partner’s waist (or linked-elbows), Balance & Kick,
men link left elbows to form a line and swing the line Ccw. ½-around,
men release elbows, couples individually continue rotating a further ½-turn to face the next couple.
or B2: Circle left eight steps, ‘crash thru’ (going to the left of one’s ‘opposite’) on to the next couple.
Chain Double Quadrille
Music: 48-bar jig. 50s: ITMA Staff - Humours of Ennistymon; 48s: Steeleye Span - The Mooncoin Jig; Erutan (47s) or The Elderberries (45s) - Banish Misfortune; 45s: Kevin Burke - *Humours of Ennistymon/Old as the Hills; 44s: Eliza Carthy - Zycanthos Jig/Tommy’s Foot/… set; 42s: Threepenny Bit - *Coffee Zycanthos.
Form: Double Sicilian. (Need a wide room… and at least 32 dancers.) Two adjacent couples face another pair of couples to form an extended pair of spokes of a wheel.
The first 32 beats can be danced with a travelling step, the remainder is 'walked'.
Note: The degree of ‘courtesy-turn’ in the ‘Ladies’ Chain’ differs (¼ or ¾) between couples - affecting timing.
* * *
The middle four people r. h. star, then return to left arm turn their partners 1½ times - so they end-up changing places with them. 8 beats + 8 beats
The middle four people, who were the outer four people, r. h. star in the middle of the set, then return to left arm turn their partners one and a half times to all finish back in their original place. 8 beats + 8 beats
‘Balance & Kick’: feet-together jump, kick/swing the right foot to the left, two-footed jump/bounce, then kick the left foot to the right, repeat… and swing. 8 beats + 8 beats
Ladies’ Chain across the set,
Ladies’ Chain along the line, 8 beats + 8 beats
Ladies’ Chain across the set,
Ladies’ Chain along the line. 16 beats
Holding hands down the line, forward and back. 8 beats
Forward and cross through (couples part and each pass thru' to the left of the facing person) to the next set. 8 beats
La Champenoise/Chapelloise
A simple, progressive (mixer), two-hand, circle dance.
Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVEgrGl3UT0
Music: Own jig/gigue; 33s - 30s: Die Irrlichter, Duivelspack - *Chapelloise; 27s: Les Genoux - *Chapelloise/Jump at the Sun; 31s: Ensemble Tournevire - La Marmotte.
Form: A circle comprising couples - men on the inside - facing Acw., so that each couple is a ‘spoke’ in a wheel. For more than six couples.
* * *
A: In promenade hold ('Varsovienne’-style i.e. man places his right arm over his partner's shoulders, and they hold both hands), "forward (start on r. f.), two, three", still holding both hands, half-turn Cw. to back-step, two, three, close. (4 bars)
{"Hommes à gauche/interieur. Dans le sens antihoraire: marche, marche, marche, march, tourn et recule, recule, recule, touch/pause."}
Variation: the man faces Cw, round the circle holding the lady's extended left hand with his right hand and, extending his left arm to hold her right hand, he then walks backwards (starting on l.f.) for three steps. They then both half-turn Acw. - so they'll need to extend their right arms instead - and he walks forward.
Promenade three steps forward (start on l. f.), half-turn Acw., three back – returning back to place - close. (Variation continues: the man's first few steps are backwards. As he half-turns Cw, the lady under-arm twirls her last few steps back to place.) (4 bars)
{"Dans le sens horaire: marche, marche … etc.".}
B: Everyone faces Acw. around the circle - still holding adjacent hands only. Couples pull together with either a little leap & ‘tap’ or a Pas de Basque, then spring apart - again with a P. de B. step. The man then feeds his partner across (she rotates Acw.) in front of him to his left-hand side, as he slides right (across to the outside) - so they swap places. (4)
Couples pull together, spring apart… then make an arch with their ‘inside’ arms for the lady to duck Cw. under, giving her free, left hand to the following man who collects it with his l. hand. As her partner slides back to the ‘inside’ position, the lady completes her Cw. rotation allowing him to place his r. arm over her shoulders. (4)
{Les couples s’approchment, s’écartent, s'échange de place. "Tirer près ensemble, se séparer (side/côté), touche, Change de place - mais la fille passe devant le garçon, face-à-face", "En sa proche", "La fille passe en sous."}
Circassian Circle
A simple, progressive (mixer), two-hand, circle dance.
Music: 32-bar jig. The Irish Washerwoman; Cheviot Ranters - The Three Sea Captains/Lannigan’s Ball/Ellingham Hall.
Form: Circassian Circle. Couples, lady on the right, face the centre.
* * *
A1: Forward four steps & back, repeat.
A2: Ladies three steps in, clap, and back; men three steps in and kick. Return to the next lady round (Acw.).
B1: Swing.
B2: Promenade (r. hand to r. hand, either skater-style [right over left] or man’s r. arm over lady’s shoulder [‘Gay Gordons’-style]) this lady Acw. Finally, raise hand to twirl the lady ¾ Cw. to face in.
Circle/Oslo Waltz (mixer)
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWJqqreLG7A
Music: ‘WttD’, CD 2 - 13, Greensleeves County Dance Band - I Belong to Glasgow/ … /Two Lovely Black Eyes/ … ; 60Bpm: Foster & Allen - Oslo Waltz; 40Bpm: London Barndance Co. - Donna’s Waltz; 39Bpm: Bryan Sutton - Margaret’s Waltz.
Form: Circassian circle. Take hands round the circle.
* * *
A: Balance in, balance out; the man, stepping back slightly, feeds neighbour across into partner’s place to reform the circle.
Repeat three, further times.
B: Hold both hands with the fourth person (partner). Sway in, sway out, sway in and turn away from partner (man Acw., lady Cw.) to finish facing out. Take hands and repeat outwards - sway out, sway in, sway out and turn.
Take ballroom hold: two chassé steps in and two out. Waltz around the circle, then reform the circle to restart.
Cornish Six Hand Reel
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtcp0lB_sX8
Music: 32/64-bar reel.
Form: Three couples in a line across the room, all facing up the room.
* * *
A1: Hold hands in lines of six and walk eight steps up,
two pairs of Balance & Kicks (right foot to the left etc.).
A2: Turn around (Cw.) to hold hands in line again for seven steps down,
two more pairs of Balance & Kicks.
B: Turning to face partner, skip/walk a reel of six people (start by passing your partner by the right shoulder, then the person heading towards you with your left, the next person with your right etc.).
C1: Raised right hand turn and back with the left.
C2: Two hand turn,
do-si-do.
D: Everybody join hands with their partner in a promenade hold and face along the set (to the caller’s right). The couple at the ‘top’ (right-hand end) cast left and head down the set, where they arch… everyone following passes through,
swing when back to place.
Cotton-Eye Joe (Circle mixer)
Watch at: https://youtu.be/2JHCh7qdyDY
Sounds impressive on suspended, wooden floors.
Music: 16-bar (32 step) Bluegrass polka. 17s: Geslison & Groberg - Cotton-Eye Joe; 15s: Bruce Molsky, Rednex (14.5s) - C.-E. J.
Form: Not a ‘line dance’. Two, adjacent, concentric circles - all the men (in the inner circle) face Acw., their partners in the outer circle, face Cw..
Prep.: Brace/link right palms (vertically, at chest height, palm-to-palm) with one's partner.
* * *
A: With the right foot, stomp, stomp, chassé right i.e. ‘side-close-side’ - swapping hands whilst crossing in front of one’s partner. (2 bars)
With the left foot, stomp, stomp, chassé left - swapping hands. (2 bars)
Repeat. (4 bars)
For the last 8 bars, either:
B: Do-si-do one’s partner, swirly-slide to the left to right elbow-turn the next person (your new partner) once. (8 bars)
or: Right elbow-turn one’s previous partner once Cw.,
left elbow-turn one’s current partner ½ Ccw.,
right elbow-turn the next person [your next partner] once around.
or: Allemande right one’s partner, (4 bars)
advance eight steps to partner the next-but-one person. (4 bars)
Facing around the circle, brace right palms to restart.
Cumberland Square Eight
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy3PHPC1ZHk
Music: 64-bar reel. 35s: Boden et al. - C. S. E.; 33s: Jim Macleod Band - My Love She’s but a Lassie Yet/Rae Horrick’s Reel/… , Alisa Jones, Howard & Wall - Miller’s Reel; 32s: ‘WttD’, CD 2 - 17/18 Greensleeves Country Band - My Love She’s But a Lassie Yet/Cock o' North, The Cheviot Ranters - My Love She’s But a Lassie Yet/Caddam Woods/Rose Tree.
Form: Square set.
Prep.: Ensure opposite men have similar height/physique.
* * *
A1: Heads (couples ‘1’ and ‘3’) galop across the set in a ballroom hold (men back-to-back) and return (women back-to-back).
A2: Sides do the same.
B1: Heads right hand star, left hand star back.
B2: Sides do the same.
C1: Heads make a basket: ladies join both hands - keeping their arms raised in arches - men join hands across (over ladies), and lower them behind the ladies’ backs, duck their heads under the ladies’ arms, and all four circle left.
C2: Sides do the same.
D1: All circle left for 16 steps.
D2: Promenade back to place.
Repeat - but with 'side’ couples leading.
Danish Double Quadrille
Music: 64-bar reel or polka. 33s: ‘WttD’, CD 2 - (4 bar intro.) 03 D. D. Q. (Jolly Coppersmith), Cheviot Ranters - Danish Double Quadrille.
Form: Double Sicilian – two, side-by-side couples face two couples.
Difficulty: 2
* * *
A1: All four couples, in their set, circle left for sixteen steps (twice as long as you'd expect).
A2: Circle right for sixteen steps - back to place.
B1: The outside two couples take inside hands, and lead between the others towards the middle of the big circle and back. (4 + 4 bars)
B2: The inside two couples likewise lead to the outside of the circle and back.
A3: In fours: Right and left thru'… (8 steps), twice. (4 + 4 bars)
A4: In fours: circle left eight steps and circle right.
B3 and B4: Each couple polka around their opposite couple two or three times, then go half-way round again to progress and form a new line ready to restart. (16 bars)
The Dashing White Sergeant
Music: 32-bar reels. c. 31s: Crowdie House or Shoestring - The Dashing White Sergeant, The Chieftans - *Ladies' Pantalettes (speeds-up from 34s to 30s per revolution).
Form: one big circle of minor-sets each comprising three people facing three people eg. a man between two ladies or a lady between two men. (If there are more than two surplus ladies, one of them could replace one of the men in a two-man ‘threesome’. The ousted man can then make an additional threesome with two surplus ladies.)
* * *
A1: Join hands in a circle of six and circle round to the left for 8 steps (4 bars) and then back to the right. (8 bars)
A2: The person in the middle of the threesome turns to the person on their right and sets to them, then, by the right hand, turns them around Cw. once. The other partner stands still. (4)
A2: Repeat with the other partner. (4)
B1: Dance a reel of three, passing right shoulder with 1st partner to start. (Variation: link r. elbows to half-turn 1st partner, then l. elbow with 2nd partner, then 1st partner, then 2nd partner.)
B2: In lines of three, advance two skip-steps and retire… (4) alternative: forward, stomp, stomp, stomp… back, stomp, stomp, stomp.
B2: One line, say ‘1’s, raise their hands in an arch, both lines dance forward, ‘2’s duck underneath - passing to the left of their opposites. (4)
Dance-on to meet and repeat with the next advancing set of three.
If the room's not wide enough for a large circle, the dance can be done in lines. On alternate ‘goes’, a threesome will be left spare at each end… they just turn around, as individuals, to face towards the rest of the dancers, miss the circling (1–8), then carry-on as normal.
Dorset Four Hand Reel
In the 21st century, tends to be performed more for ‘displays’ than socially.
Music: 2 x 64 + 8 bars, AABB + 8 final swing; rant. ‘WttD’, CD 2 - 06 DFHR; 33s per 32 bars (sprightly!): Blowzabella - D. F. H. R. set.
Form: 2-couple cross-ways set, ladies back-to-back in the middle facing out towards their partner i.e. M-L l-m.
* * *
A1: Hey (reel of four), all start by passing right shoulders with partner. Finish after 1¾ circuits (10 places), with men in the middle (facing each other). l-m M-L
A2: Men ‘set’ to each other i.e. pas de basque (3 steps) - twice to each side.
A2: Men turn to their partner and ‘set’ to her.
B1: Hey (reel of four) again. Finish with ladies back in the middle. M-L l-m
B2: Ladies ‘set’ to each other - twice to each side.
B2: Ladies turn to partner and ‘set’ to him.
Final eight bars: swing partner.
So, first time through: walking reel, then walking reel with hands, (or: step-hop reel, then step-hop reel with hands), ranting reel (“heel” stepping), ranting reel with hands. Each reel ends-up with ‘inners’ having swapped with the previous ‘outers’.
Eightsome Reel
Music: Lively reel, played 40 bars for the first time through, plus 8 lots of 48-bar repetitions (phrased 24+24), plus a final 40 bars (464 bars: 40 + 8 x 48 + 40). The De’il Amang the Tailors (MacKay) is commonly used for the first and last 40 bars. Jim McCloud Band - Eightsome Reel.
Formation: Square, lady on the man’s right. 1st couple have their backs to the stage/band.
Chorus
1-8: All join hands to circle round to the left for eight steps (4 bars) … and back.
9-12: Ladies join right hands in the middle, partners join-in putting right hands around their partner’s waist, and all wheel in a big star.
13-16: Couples swing round (still holding around the waist) so the men join left hands in the centre, and dance back with a left hand star.
17-20: Face partner and set twice.
21-24: Turn (two, crossed hands) partner.
25-40: Giving right hand to partner, dance a grand chain around the set, i.e. keep going in the same direction giving left hand, right, left… until you get back to place. If you get back early, swing until the end of the phrase.
Main Figure – performed eight times
* * *
1-8: 1st lady goes into the centre of the set and ‘set’s i.e. pas de bas (3 steps), while the other seven circle round to the left… and back.
9-16: 1st lady sets to partner, turns him, sets to opposite man and turns him.
17-24: 1st lady dances a reel of three with partner and opposite man - starting with left shoulder to partner. Variation: lady turns partner opposite man, partner, opposite man.
25-32: Repeat bars 1-8.
33-48: Repeat bars 9-24 with 2nd and 4th men - starting reel by passing l. shoulder. 1st lady retires.
Repeat figure with, in the centre, 2nd lady, 3rd lady, 4th lady, 1st man, 2nd man, 3rd man, 4th man.
Final Chorus
Repeat the 40 bars at the start of the dance.
Gay Gordons
Traditional, Scottish.
Music: march. 33s: The Glencastle Sound - Scotland the Brave/Kelvingrove; 32s: ‘WttD’ CD2 Greensleeves Country Band - Meeting of the Waters/… .
Form: Couples are arranged in a circle facing Acw.
Prep.: Man stands slightly behind lady with his right arm over lady’s shoulders, lady holds man’s hand with her right, they hold left hands in front of the man’s right hip.
* * *
A1: Couples walk forwards for three steps then, keeping hands held, swivel Cw. to face back. Walk backwards for three steps… and close.
A2: Walk forwards for three, swivel Acw., walk backwards for three steps… and close.
B1: The lady twirls Cw. under the man’s right arm as he slowly walks forward.
B2: In ballroom hold, polka-step round.
Goathland Square Eight
Music: 32-bar rant. 35s: ‘WttD’, CD 1 - 03 - Orange and Blue - G. S. E.; 38s: Trinculo - Old Mrs Wilson.
Form: 4-couple square set, rant step.
Sing (during A1):
“Old Mrs Wilson how d'you do?
Very well thank you - how about you?
Some folk laugh and some folk cry
But you'll never do the dance if you never try.”
* * *
A1: Holding hands, circle left, (4 bars)
circle right. (4 bars)
A2: ‘1’s and ‘3’s cross, ‘3’s arching, ‘1’s dipping under. (2 bars)
‘2’s and ‘4’s cross, ‘4's arching, ‘2’s dipping under. (2 bars)
‘1’s and ‘3’s return, ‘1’s arch, (2 bars)
‘2’s and ‘4’s return, ‘2’s arch. (2 bars)
B1: grand chain (start with right hand to partner). (4 bars)
halfway round - swing partner. (4 bars)
B2 (4 bars): continue grand chain (passing partner but offering one’s left hand to the next dancer), (4 bars)
meet partner and swing. (4 bars)
Repeat from the start…
At the end of ‘WttD’, CD 1 - 03 G. S. E., there’s an extra A1 for a final swing and an A2 for a promenade.
The Heartbreaker
Author: Peter Coe
Watch us doing it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9MwKtVrZKs - video by SHOCC Organiser, Ian Nichols.
Music: 32-bar jig/reel or Charleston.
Reel: 39s: Sam Bartlett - Rumblestrip; 35s: Bellowhead - Frog’s Legs/Dragon’s Teeth, Natalie MacMaster - Stoney Lake Reels; 33s: Banter - *Corn Rigs/Seneca … .
Jig: 32s: Craig Duncan - Drummond Castle/Lads of Dunse/The Stool of Repentance; 31s: Trio - Snug in the Blanket/Drummond Castle/Stool of Repentance.
Charleston (Goodman/Steamchicken-style). 96 beats per minute (bpm): Tony Evans - *Five Foot Two, Ain’t She Sweet; 122 bpm: The Belgrade Dixieland Orchestra - Yes Sir, That’s My Baby. Randy Spendlove - Happy Feet. For slower Charlestons, one could use a swagger-step.
For a finalé: 126 bpm: Michael Holliday - *Swanee (from 0m38 [or 1m40] to 2m43).
Form: Four-couple square.
* * *
A1: All holding hands, circle left for eight steps (ranting - if proficient). (4 bars)
Circle right for eight steps (back to place). (4 bars)
A2: Three couples - not the Head couple - make a single-handed arch with their partner.
The Head couple ‘Split the Heart’: they dance in to the middle of the set, then, as individuals, leave the set - each through their adjacent arch - round the outside to meet at the bottom, where they cross over, join hands, duck under that arch and cross the set back to place (turn with a California Twirl). (8 bars)
B1: Four-Ladies’ Chain: ladies right hand star half-way round, peeling-off to meet the opposite man by the left hand. The man then courtesy turns the lady around him (or, as a flourish, the lady first underarm twirls Cw. - ‘Swat the Flea’) - leading her back to… (4 bars)
…continue the Four-Ladies’ Chain, back to her partner - who courtesy-turns her (and a ‘Swat the Flea’?) - gliding into… (4 bars)
B2: …everyone do-si-do their corner, then do-si-do their partner. (8 bars)
Repeat: Circle… then the next couple Acw. ‘Split the Heart’ etc.
To progress occasionally: for the ‘returning’ Ladies’ Chain, call “Ladies continue circling to the third man round”.
Hullichan’s (Hooligan) Jig
Music: 6/8 or 9/8 jig – but 64 bars in total. 33s: Dave Swarbrick - Hullichan's Jig/!Chorus Jig (both are very short, Chorus is too fast); 62s: Gordon Pattullo Band - Hullighan’s Jig set; 30s: Jingbang Ceilidh Band - Hullichan’s/Curlew/Skyeman’s Jig/… set, James Keane – *The Geese in the Bog.
Form: Sets of two couples crossways, ladies in the middle standing back-to-back facing their partners. - M-L l-m
Preparation: Each set should have men of similar height and physique - as swinging can get rather enthusiastic. Practise a Pas-de-Basque step and ensure that all dancers are proficient at the turn/swing hold described below*).
* * *
1-8: Pas-de-bas (P-d-b) your partner for 16 beats - i.e. 8 bars.
9-16: Link right elbows and turn partner for 16 beats, but men finish facing each other in the centre of the set. - L-M m-l
17-24: Men P-d-b each other 16 beats, ladies admire.
25-32: Men link elbows and swing each other for 16 beats, but finish facing their opposite lady. - L-m M-l
33-40: P-d-b new partner for 16 beats.
41-48: Link elbows and swing new partner for 16 beats, but finish with ladies facing each other in the centre of the set. - m-L l-M
49-56: Ladies p-d-b to each other for 16 beats, men admire.
56-64: Ladies link elbows and swing each other for 16 beats, but finish facing their original partners. - m-l L-M
Repeat - as desired.
* The secure ‘swing’ or ‘turning’ hold: facing in opposite directions, partners link right elbows, both put their left hand behind their back (palm facing outwards – as is natural). With their right hand, they grip their partner’s left hand i.e. the one behind their partner’s back.
Lucky Seven
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr2E-gpQdIg
Music: 32-bar jig/reel. ‘WttD’, CD 2 - Greensleeves Country Dance Band - 11 Lucky Seven (The Happy Cavalier/Three Scamping Rogues); 34s reel: Sharon Shannon - *The Woodchoppers, *Bag of Cats or *Bonnie Mulligan, Gerry O'Connor - *Mountain Road/Ash Plant/Josie McD., La Famille Arsenault - *La Reel Mon Oncle Albert/Whiskey Before Breakfast; 33s: Abrams Brothers - Nashville Skyline Rag, Arty McGlynn - Walter Sammon’s Grandmother/Concertina Reel/Brendan … set; 32s: Cheviot Ranters - Davy Knick-Knack/Toland Dance/Aiken Drum; 31s: Rún - *Road to Lisdoonvarna, Ceilidh Minogue - King’s Reel/… Laoish/Janine’s … /… set, The Demon Barbers - *Kiss Me Quick My Mammy’s … .
Form: circle mixer. Avoid having multiples of six couples.
Prep: start in promenade hold (lady on the right, man’s arm over her shoulder) facing Acw. round the circle.
Difficulty: 1
* * *
A1: All circle left.
or: Promenade for 14 steps - then undo the hold by raising both hands over the lady’s head and lady turns ¾ Cw.. 8 bars
A2: All holding hands in a circle, three steps in, kick, four steps out, 4 bars
Do-si-do partner. 4 bars
B1: Grand chain: all the men face anticlockwise (Acw.) round the circle, all the ladies face clockwise. Take right hands, count “One” and pass partner, hold out left hand to next person, count “Two” and go past, etc.. 8 bars
B2: Cross-hands swing the seventh person - your new partner. (One person crosses their arms and the other takes their hands). Swing clockwise for 8 bars
When dancers are proficient, call “Now swing the eighth person”.
Margaret's Waltz
composed by: Pat Shuldham-Shaw
Music: Own tune.
Form: Sicilian Circle – couple facing couple.
Note: Use "folk step" (or "one-step waltz") throughout: one travelling step - leading with the right foot - followed by two steps virtually on-the-spot (concentrate on the first step [and turn shoulders] and let the other two just follow).
* * *
A1: Holding inside hands with partner, forward (two triple-steps) & back, ½ turn contrary Cw, by right hand (& retire). Repeat the ½ turn. 4 + 2 + 2 bars
A2: ½ turn partner Ccw. by left hand. Repeat.
Ladies chain across. 2 + 2 + 4 bars
B1: With contrary adjacent, slide (chassé) diagonally right with the r. foot leading, followed by a triple-step diagonally right. Repeat to the left (l. foot leading) - so that couples pass and finish back-to-back; turn to the right and right hand star back to original place. 8 bars
B2: Do-si-do contrary, waltz-on with partner - passing to the right - to the next couple round. 8 bars
The Mouth of the Valleys
as written (and called) by Gordon Potts
Music: 32-bar, reel. 38s ("Plenty of time for some creative twirling.”): Celtic Fiddle Festival - *Loch Leven Castle/ … /Goat Island … / … set, Lissa Schneckenburger with Corey - The Old Maid of Galway; 37s: Danu - *Cameron Highlander, Liz Carroll - both *Ricky's White Face and Smokies in Arbroath; 36s: Gillian Boucher - Harem Scarem/Humours of Lissadell; 34s: Máiréad Nesbitt - *The Butterfly Reel, Jerry Holland - *Horse Tigers/Billy Macleod's Testimonial, Keith Smith - *9lb Chicken, Caladh Nua - *By Heck, Nathan Gourley - *Heights of Muingbhatha, Katie Grennan - Reels - Traditional; 33s: Solas - *Sproggies, The Gothard Sisters - Celebration Reel, Tune Makers or Shaskeen Ceili Band - Bucks of Oranmore, Brendan Block - *Flight of the Penguins/Fleur de Mandragore !(4s pause at 1m52); 32s: Kevin Griffin - *Green Mountain/… Westport/… Oranmore set, Malachy Doris - *Bonnie Kate, Lissa Schneckenburger - Melissa without the "Me"/Eric's Birthday, Wake Up Robin - *Rainy Night.
Form: Five or more couple Circassian circle (mixer) - everyone facing their partner (men face Acw.).
* * *
A1: Men dance/walk a figure-of-eight: first Cw. around their partner, then cross-over to go Acw. around their neighbour (the lady behind). 8 bars
A2: Ladies dance/walk a figure-of-eight: first Cw. around their partner, then cross-over to go Acw. around their neighbour (the man behind). 8
B1: Men half-turn their partner Cw. by either a ‘short’ right arm i.e. a forearm grip, or a ‘cupped’ elbow - but no thumbs, half-turn their neighbour Acw. by the l. arm, and then half-turn their partner again by the r. arm. 8
B2: Offering their left hand to their neighbor (& new partner), men then curl ½ Acw., placing their right arm over their new partner’s shoulders - so everyone faces Acw. around the circle.
New couples promenade (‘Varsouvienne’-style) around the circle - roughly back to place (where ladies could twirl out ½ Cw.) & face one’s (new) partner in a re-formed circle. 8
Panshanger Sicilian Circle
by Barry Goodman
Music: 32-bar jig or polka. 32s jig: Tiger Moth - Oats and Beans and Barley Grow, Alban Fuam - The Wishing Well/Apples in Winter/… set;
Polka: 38s: Lissa Schneckenburger - Jamie Allen; 35s polka: Cheviot Ranters - Call of the Pipes/Barren Rocks of Aden/… set; 32s: Art Stamper - Barndance Polka, Ronan Hardiman - *Irish Polka; 31s: Sláinte - Britches Full of Stitches/Munster Bank/Bill Sullivan’s set.
Form: Sicilian Circle.
In circles of four, holding hands. Cw.-facing couples are ‘1’s.
* * *
A1: Circle left eight quick-ish steps,
Still holding hands, circle right.
A2: Do-si-do partner,
Do-si-do opposite.
B1: Ladies’ chain.
B2: ‘1’s arch and ‘2’s duck under,
‘2’s arch and ‘1’s back under,
‘1’s arch and ‘2’s duck under to progress-on to the next couple.
Pat-a-Cake Polka
Music: 16-bar polka at c. 110bpm. 21s: Nightingale - Newmarket …/… Dingle; 19s: Lissa Schneck - Jamie Allen; ‘WttD’, CD 1 - The Blue Mountain Band - 19 Nick Nack Paddywack/Little Brown Jug/Polly Wolly Doodle/So-so Polka.
Form: Couples in a circle, the men face Acw., ladies face Cw. … or, where space is limited, two concentric circles - ladies on the outside facing in, men facing out.
* * *
With both arms out-stretched to the side, hold hands with partner.
A: ‘Heel-Toe’: ‘Heel’ into the circle (or, depending on space, Acw. around the circle) ‘toe’ - heel adjacent to the ball of the outer foot, … twice, 4 beats, 2 bars
Four sldes (8 steps to the man’s left) either into the circle or Acw. around the circle. 2 bars
With outside foot, ‘heel-toe’ twice towards the outside (or Cw.), 2 bars
Slide back 4 times - to place. 2 bars
B: Clap right hand to partner’s right hand three times (fast-ish), clap left hand to partner’s left hand three times. 2 bars
Clap both hands three times, clap own thighs/knees three times. 2 bars
Either: polka around with the same partner 4 bars
or progress: Right elbow turn once… continue-on, passing to the left of partner (men go Acw.) to the next person round. 2 + 2 bars
Optional addition to B: Change Places - cross to the left of partner while also half-turning Acw. (so pass back-to-back - using about five steps), then march on-the-spot - hands on hips. 4 bars.
Repeat to return to place.
La Russe Quadrille
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3wQ1eQ2f54
Music: 32-bar: 35s: Cheviot Ranters - Call of the Pipes/Barren Rocks of Aden/… set, Tiger Moth - Larousse; 32s: Cheviot Ranters - La Russe/Good Humour/Come Let Us Dance and Sing, Greensleeves Country Dance Band ‘WTTD’, CD 2 - 15 - Original/Jane’s Fancy/I'll Gang Nae Mair….
Form: 4-couple square.
* * *
A1: All pass their partner by the left shoulder i.e. men pass outside ladies, to meet the next person of the opposite gender - who should be coming towards them, Balance (‘set’ to the right, then left)… (4 bars) & swing. (4 bars)
A2: Return back to place with a Cw. twirl - passing to the left of partner. (2 bars)
Face partner, ‘Balance & Kick’ & swing. (2 bars + 4 bars).
B1: The leading couple (‘1’s) keep swinging, others drop-back to place.
B2: ‘1’s promenade inside the set, successively greeting (nodding/bowing) ‘2’s, ‘3’s and ‘4’s, ending back in place.
A3: Head couples cross - ‘1’s, dip, ‘3’s arch. (At the far side, couples could ‘California Twirl’ to change place and direction.) (If everyone's nifty, ‘2’s and ‘4’s could follow immediately.)
A4: Repeat A3 i.e. the ‘dip and arch’ to cross back (‘1’s arching).
B3: All join hands, circle left all the way (eight triple-steps - start on the right foot).
B4: Promenade (Acw.) back to place. Linger holding left hands to half-turn the lady ready for her to meet, balance and swing with the adjacent man.
Repeat for ‘2’s, ‘3’s, and then ‘4’s. Finally, both ‘heads’ (‘1’s & ‘3’s) dance B1, B2 and A3 at the same time (‘1’s cross first again)… , then both ‘side’ couples do B1, B2 and A3 together.
Suicide Square
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRMHMXqFYEs (a relatively relaxed execution)
Music: 32-bar double-jig (for the galop). 32s: Celtic Fiddle Festival - Maureen’s Fancy/The Ceili Jig/The Swinging Jig, Dave Swarbrick - The Swallow’s Tail/Rakes Of Kildare/Blackthorn Stick, Altan - The Gap of Dreams/Nias …/… set, Olive Hurley - Shandon Bells/Nova Scotia/Cherish The Lady; 31s: Climax Ceilidh Band - *Spike !with a 19s swing at 3m00!, Floating Crowbar - The Doberman’s Wallet/The Mouse …/Orphan/McHugh’s/Stan Chapman’s, John Whelan - *Humours Of Glendart/Leitrim Fancy/Paddy In London; 30s: FullSet - The Lost & Found, John Whelan - Francis O'Neill’s/… /… set; 29s (so slow it by c. 10%): Beòlach - Annie’s New Heart, Whapweasel - *Badunga; 28s: Blazin' Fiddles - Double Rise.
Form: A ‘squared’ circle.
* * *
A1: Everyone in ballroom hold - the head ends of the room galop eight steps across the room and back. (8)
A2: Sides do the same. (8)
B1: Two-handed Balance & Kick - twice, (4)
Swing your partner. (4)
B2: Men form an inner circle facing out, women form an outer circle facing in, all circle to the left. (6)
Face a new partner and take ballroom hold. (2) 'Lost' dancers raise their hand.
Sybil’s Roundabout
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PI2n1bDRP7s and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcd1Pgw9M0Y
Music: 32 bar jig. 35s: Sláinte - Celtic Jig/Leitrim Fancy; 32s: Kevin Burke & Cal Scott - *The Green Fields of Woodford/Seanamhac … (or 114bpm Charleston: Randy Spendlove/Piccadilly - Happy Feet).
Form: Couples in a large circle - men on their partner’s left. All hold hands, facing in. Progressive. Can also, with minor modification, be performed as a Contra.
* * *
A1: Walk four steps in to the centre of the circle, and retire (four steps back out).
Walk four steps in again, the lady then retires, whilst the man takes two steps forward and half-turns to face her.
A2: Do-Si-Do partner. (4 bars)
Chassé left twice (or, for enthusiastic participants, four galop steps i.e. a ‘Side-close’ per beat - for four beats), (2)
Chassé right twice (or four galops), (2) end with your partner diagonally to your left.
B1: Taking left hands with your partner and right hands with the person on your right diagonal (to form a wavy line), F. & B. Balance (four beats: pull/step forward, tap/kick… lean/step back, tap), (2)
Allemande left your partner to swap places. (2)
F. & B. Balance the new line, (2)
Allemande right your new partner to change places. (2)
B2: Allemande left your third partner ¾-turn to return to your second partner. Swing (buzz step) your second/previous partner, then fall-back into a circle to repeat.
The Wizard’s Walk
By Ruth Ungar
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s_Kj7YDP9M
Music: 32-bar. Own tune: Wizard’s Walk by Jay Ungar. Folk Godalkanje - W. W. after 32s & 1m05 (unstructured after 1m38), Snowflake? (also Craig Duncan); Celtic Spring - W. W.
Form: Sicilian circle - i.e. a large circle comprising couple-facing-couple… or longways lines of couples.
Preparation: Couples facing Cw. are ‘1’s, ‘2’s face Acw. … or if in a line, hands four from the top, ‘1’s are improper.
* * *
A1: In circles of four holding hands, circle left half-way (4 steps/beats),
balance the ring (raise hands to chest height, step forward into the circle, small ‘stomp’ on the other foot while pulling together. Release and back-step out, stomp). (4 beats).
Repeat the circle left to get back to place… and balance.
A2: In fours - starting with neighbour - grand chain (r. hand first - men go Cw.) four places, i.e. chain right round, then smoothly gypsy Cw. (by right shoulders) 1¼ times round your neighbour - progressing-on to a new neighbour.
B1: In circles of four, holding hands, balance (pull & step inwards, tap, step-back, tap) and swing partner (in a ballroom hold). Finish with ‘1’s facing Cw. and ‘2’s facing Acw. - men on their partner’s left. If reached an end, swap designation, turn back and wait-out a turn.
B2: Wizard’s Walk (a bit like a ‘reel of three’ - but where, throughout the ‘Walk’, participants generally keep facing in one direction round the large circle): everyone walks forward, ‘1’s separate outside the ‘2’s (twirling outwards - if there’s enough space), who'll be moving forward, together and up towards them, meet (with an optional inward twirl) and continue down to split the next ‘2’s (who'll be moving apart and up). ‘1’s separate (with a twirl again - if desired) and back up outside those ‘2’s (who’ll also be backing), meet and back-up between the ‘2’s (whom they met at ‘B1’), with whom they re-form a two-couple circle, to restart the dance.
Wring Out the Dishrag / Dive for the Oyster
Watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6lqj9B13mk with a slightly ‘busier’ B1 than below.
Music: 32-bar polka. 16 bars in 21s: Nightingale - Newmarket Polka/Trip to Dingle; 35s: Brian Roe - Sean Ryan’s Polka; 34s: Craig Duncan - Grandfather/Clarinet Polka set {Grandparent’s Polka}; 32s: Art Stamper - Barndance Polka.
Form: ‘Scatter’ version: two-couple (improper) sets - for ‘as many as will’… or, for ten couples or more, a Sicilian circle.
Difficulty: 3
* * *
A1: In fours (two-couples) holding hands, circle to the left eight steps, (4 bars)
Swap to a star left (grip right wrists at waist height) eight steps. (4 bars)
A2: Star right eight steps, (4)
Circle right eight steps. (4)
B1: Still holding hands, ‘2’s (couples facing anti-clockwise) make an arch and ‘1’s pass under it, turn away from each other, raise (and twist) their still-joined hands over their own heads.
Either: both couples (now facing into the minor set again) lower their crossed-hands in front of themselves - making a ‘four-leaf clover’. Admire! … (4 bars)
…the ‘1’s, now facing Acw., turn towards each other - without releasing hands - and raise an arch, ‘2’s pass under it and turn away from each other to unwind i.e. ‘wring out the dishrag’. (4 bars)
or: ‘2’s duck under the ‘1’s raised, joined hands and turn outwards to unwind. … (4)
…then reverse the figure: ‘2’s duck back under the ‘1’s raised joined hands and turn out… and ‘1’s duck under the ‘2’s joined, raised hands. (4)
B2: For the Sicilian Circle form: take two steps back, (1 bar) ‘2’s arch their joined hands for ‘1’s to duck under and move forward (Cw.) six steps to the next couple. (3 bars)
For the ‘scatter’ version: polka-off to find a new couple (so, need to re-designate ‘1’ & ‘2’).
Zig Zag
Music: 32-bar jig or reel.
Jig: 34s: Celtic Fiddle Festival - Old Apples in Winter; 32s: Kevin Burke & Cal Scott - *The Green Fields of Woodford/Seanamhac …, Arty McGlynn - The Humors of Kilclogher; 31s: The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra - *Jake’s Jig/Going to the Well … set, Candleford Ceilidh Band - Devon Jig set; 30s (‘slow’ it by 10%): The Gothard Sisters - *Midsummer Jigs, Brendan Block - *Kates/The Mill Roof.
Reel: 40s-34s: Natalie MacMaster - The Golden Eagle; 39s: Liz Carroll - Old Maid of Galway, Sam Bartlett - Rumblestrip; 37s: The String Sisters - *The Crow’s Visit; 36s: The Fretless - *Macleod’s Farewell /Palmers; 35s: Countercurrent - Tunes in Seattle, The Elderberries - *Torn Jacket/Boy in the Boat /Toss … set; 34s: Sharon Shannon - *Bag Of Cats, Graeme MacKay - The De'il Amang The Tailors set, La Famille Arsenault - *La Reel Mon Oncle Albert/Whiskey Before Breakfast, Fiddlestyles - MacArthur Road/…; → 33s: Airdance - MacArthur Road/… , Tidal Wave - **Reel a Bruce/Terrebonne/du Nord set, Banjo & Fiddles - *Irish Set, Alasdair Fraser & Paul Machlis - *Tommy’s Tarbukas, The Retrospectacles - *Farewell to Tchernobyl/Tommy’s Tarbukas, Caitlin Warbelow & Friends - *Father Kelly’s/Reconciliation/… /MacArthur Road set, Becky Tracy - Folan’s/Corner House/Red-haired Lass set, Brittany Haas & Friends - *Malley's/E-B-E Reel; 32s: The Faux Paws - Rainy Night, Natalie MacMaster - Space Ceilidh, → Natalie MacMaster - Three Reels, Randal Bays - Jenny’s Welcome to Charlie, Seamus Egan - Mason’s Apron (a double reel - for which a ‘walking’ step is suitable).
Form: Sicilian Circle - couple-facing-couple. For ten couples or more.
* * *
A1: Men cross the set diagonally by pulling l. h. thru' with the opposite man, then they rotate ¼ left (c. 90º) and cross diagonally - pulling r. h. thru' - to the next minor set. (4) All the men have now zig-zagged to their adjacent set.
New sets l. hand star. (4)
A2: Ladies follow their men - but they use their r. h. to cross with the opposite lady, followed by l. h. pull-through to the next set. (4 bars)
All r. h. star in new (double-progressed) sets. (4 bars)
B1: Ladies’ chain across. (4 bars)
…and back again. (4 bars)
B2: Allemande left your ‘opposite’, dance a two-couple, R-L Grand Chain (starting with your partner, pass four hands) back to place. (6 bars)
When back to place, swing your partner.