That reminds me of one of the long-favourite finishers in my group - The Wood Duck-- which we haven't done in years, but used to do often, and i've been thinking of bringing back in a modified form.

(we're trying to do less intimate-feeling holds, and also many in our group don't feel comfortable waltzing since they don't know how - so I was thinking for the end bit where the new couples traditonally waltz together, I would instead have each new couple balance with each other, then walk away from each other with slow waltzing steps, then back towards each other, coming face to face just in time for the next round of the dance).

Incidentally we always used "Muriel's Waltz" as the tune for this, and I found it the perfect fit.

As Lisa mentions about her suggestion, I loved the calming effect of this dance, on the crowd. And its beautiful symmetry which lets each Lark and Raven make a nice connection with each other at the close of the evening.

Here's a description of it from the following online source (pardon the dated terminology), with a couple of notes of what my group did differently

https://folkdancemusings.blogspot.com/2014/08/wood-duck-england.html?m=1

Use a waltz step throughout, unless specified otherwise.

Bars 1-4: Gypsy R shoulder around partner

Bars 5-8: Turn lefthand corner by the L hand

Bars 9-12: Gypsy L shoulder around partner

Bars 13-16: Turn righthand corner by the R hand

Bar 17: join both hands with partner, sashay step CCW. (Step M's L, W's R to the Left (1), close the other foot with weight (2,3))

Bar 18: sashay step again CCW

Bars 19-20: turn W under M left so that the W ends on the L of the M, with everyone facing out.

Bar 21: all balance away from the center (we would take two steps out)

Bar 22: all balance backwards back into the center (we would take two steps in)

Bars 23-24: drop hands with partner, M turns the W on his R under his right arm. Follower turn CW under the arm to end in Ballroom position.

Bars 25-32: With 8 waltz steps turning CW but progressing CCW. -we would just have the couples waltz more-or-less on the spot, rather than the more complex turning and progressing.

and as mentioned, I am now contemplating a modified version with no couple waltzing! Just a balance to greet the new partner, then solo-stepping to a waltz tempo...

The link has several video demos of it, as well as additional notes :)

https://folkdancemusings.blogspot.com/2014/08/wood-duck-england.html?m=1

this was definitely a huge crowd-pleaser in our contra group, for a decade or more!!

Kat in hfx

Nov 21, 2023 3:29:57 PM Lisa Sieverts via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net>:

My favorite end-of-the-night dance for a Family Dance is Kings and Queens. Because it’s a slower dance, it helps excited children to calm down. I love the honoring of each dancer as they walk down the center.

(Note that I use Larry Jennings notation, thus 1+2 = A1, 3+4 = A2, etc.)

Kings and Queens
By Peter Amidon (in the style of historic English country dances)
Formation: Longways lines of couples for 7-10 couples.
Music: “On the Danforth” or your favorite renaissance dance music.

Hands along lines, forward, bow & back

Right hand turn partner (palm to palm)

Left hand turn partner (palm to palm)

Right shoulder round (facing partner, walk once around partner, maintaining eye contact).

5&6. Top couple sashay down and back

7&8. Top couple face down (elbows down, hand up about shoulder height) take handy hand and walk slowly to bottom of set.
Other dancers bow to them as they pass.
Each dancer moves up one step and takes hands along lines right after the active couple passes by.

Notes from Peter Amidon:

Before I teach the children I ʻdubʼ each child a king or queen, and talk with them about how kings and queens have good posture, always take their time, bow simply and elegantly (ʻlook in your partners eyes, now look at your shoes, now look at your partnerʼs eyes againʼ), always make good decisions, etc. I often teach this with the music playing to help set and sustain the mood. B2 is simply the top couple walking together to the bottom while other folks bow to them, but I teach it carefully and specifically since it is what the dance is mostly about: each child getting honored as the king and queen that they are.

Lisa Sieverts
603-762-0235
lisa@lisasieverts.com