[Callers] Two New Dances

John Sweeney via Callers callers at lists.sharedweight.net
Sat May 6 05:18:15 PDT 2017


Hi All,
	These two proved popular at Eastbourne International Folk Festival.
I would be interested in any comments on them, and on whether the Double
Gypsy I have used is common.

	Rogue's March has the same first half as Devil's Dream, but without
the awkward hand change at the end of A2.  The second half is different and,
I believe, flows more smoothly, and includes a Swing.

Rogue’s March (by John Sweeney)
Contra; Improper

A1: #1s Face Down in the Middle; #2s Face Up on the Outside: Dance Forwards,
Turn Alone, Dance Back, Neighbour Handy Hand Allemande 1/2 - #2s now in the
Middle
A2: Dance Forwards, Turn Alone, Dance Back, Neighbour Handy Hand Allemande
1/4  - #2s let go and face back in
B1: Double Gypsy: #1s Gypsy wide and separate into Neighbour Gypsy Meltdown
B2: Long Lines Go Forward & Back – Men Rolling the Ladies from Right to Left
on the way back
       Balance the Ring; Pass Through - #1s Down the Middle – check out your
New Neighbours

Teaching Notes: 
In A1 and A2 every dancer starts off heading the same direction each time.
In B1 the #1s start a Right Shoulder Gypsy with each other but as soon as
they can see their Neighbour they change it into a Gypsy with the Neighbour
then melt down into a Neighbour Swing.  #1 Lady needs to go wide around #1
Man and avoid the temptation to weave into a Left Shoulder Gypsy with her
Neighbour.
The Pass Through is unusual in that the #1s stay together and go between the
#2s.  This sets everyone up beside their New Neighbour and ready to start A1
again.

The Slithy Serpent (by John Sweeney)
Double Contra - Four Facing Four - Mescolanza

A1: Lines of Four Go Forward & Back - Men Roll the Ladies from Right to Left
on the way back
       Lines of Four Go Forward & Back - Ladies Roll the Men from Right to
Left on the way back
A2: With your Partner: Slip Sideways (4) - Left Hand Couples through the
Middle; Set to Neighbour
       With your Partner: Slip Sideways (4) - Left Hand Couples through the
Middle; In Fours: Balance the Ring
B1: Serpentine Hey: Ladies leading their Neighbour Men:  2 x
       [In Fours Circle Left Half Way (4); Middles Open Back Ring Half Way
(4)]
B2: Partner Gypsy Meltdown - Finish facing a New Line

Teaching Notes:
In the Serpentine Hey the four ladies are basically dancing a ladies’ hey,
dragging their neighbour along behind them. As they circle left they have to
very quickly change direction to dance around the back of the next couple.
An Open Back Ring is a circle with your backs to the middle of it, open
because you don’t take hands with the other couple, you just keep dragging
your neighbour along.  It should flow smoothly! If you are not in the Back
Ring then rest!  You can see the move at 0.26 in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc3Bd9Rymp8
I practice the direction by getting the four ladies to dance a full hey
dragging their neighbour men behind them.  Then make sure they understand
that that is not part of the dance, just where they go.

            Happy dancing,			
                   John			
			
John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john at modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
940 574			
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs			
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent			





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