[Callers] Does a 1/2 figure 8 and cast off exist in ECD? In Contra?

[Luke Donforth]

Hello all,

I've been thinking about half figure eights, and variations on them. Is
anyone familiar (in ECD, contra, or other traditions), where instead of the
1s or 2s half figure eight, having the gents or ladies do the move from
improper formation?

As soon as you have something like the ladies do a half figure eight from
duple improper; they're either going to have to shift where they land, or
the gents are going to have to get out of the way. It seems to me (during
my insomnia, not with actual dancers in a house party) that you could have
the gents cast off and over to a ladies place. i.e.:


*Ladies half figure eight, passing left shoulder in the middle to take
neighbor gents' place*

*Meanwhile, gents cast over left shoulder to take partner's place*

Which takes
(head of hall)
W1 M1
m2 w2

to
(head of hall)
M1 W1
w2 m2

Which ends in the same place as everybody doing a half figure eight, but
without 4 people trying to go through the middle at the same time. I think
it can still happen in 8 beats of music, with nobody standing around.

Is that a sequence people have danced or used?

Here's a wrapping to put the whole thing in context.

Calliope's Cross
Improper contra by Luke Donforth
A1
Long lines forward and back
Ladies half figure eight, passing left shoulder in the middle to take
neighbor gents' place
Meanwhile, gents cast over left shoulder to take partner's place
A2
Neighbor Right Shoulder Gyre and Swing
B1
Circle Left 3/4
Partner Swing
B2
Promenade across set with partner, courtesy turn
Ladies chain to neighbor

The name, and idea, comes from my older daughter (4), who wanted a
"Calliope's Cross" dance for herself after hearing about "Tamlin's Cross"
for her sister. Calliope like riding figure 8s on her bicycle.

I've deliberately kept this simple, instead of trying to get a gents figure
8 while ladies cast in for symmetry. I'm not sure how I'd teach that from
the stage; and think I'd have to use a demo.

I look forward to hearing the experience of the group!
Thanks

-- 
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth at gmail.com <Luke.Donev at gmail.com>
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