How does this dance feel in practice, Erik? 

I like the notion of incorporating lesser-used figures. I like both the chain the line - to progress the lady early and setup for a satisfying reunion later - and the Dublin Bay. 

I am troubled by two things here though. First the courtesy turn duration will vary depending on which side of the set you are on (1/4 or 1+1/4 for the overachiever on one side, 3/4 for the other couple).

Second is the transition you mentioned to B2. 

How to get rid of chain to line of 4?

The Dublin Bay to P b&sw "might" be smoothed by the following: on the return, after 4 steps forward, do not turn and backup. Instead, do a funky whatever-we're-calling-a-gypsy just 1/2. I.e. all drop hands. Insides walk around outside person 1/2 way to face P in next 4-some. Outsides kind mad robin around the inside person 1/2 way to face P. 
Meh.







On 1/19/2017 11:49 PM, Erik Hoffman via Callers wrote:
I find, when dancing the one or two dances I?ve danced that try to steal
the Dublin Bay figure, they have a line backing up bending into a
circle. I found this transition not to my taste. So I took a stab at a
different transition. I think it works, but it?s a bit tricky:

Happy Birthday, Susan
Erik Hoffman
Becket
A1      Wm ?Chain the line? (Wm Al R ?, then to next Wm,  Al L ? to meet
Nb on R diag ?  across from Shadow);
Neighbor Swing
A2      LLF&B;  Wm Chain to Shadow
B1      Dublin Bay DH4inL ends loop back, centers step forward to
B2      Pt B&S

Given to Susan Petrick on her birthday, while on tour with the
OpporTunists in 2010 (I think).
        The Dublin Bay DH4inL: Down for 4, turn alone backing up for 4,
up for 4, turn alone, backing up for 4. From the ECD dance Dublin Bay.
Others have used the Dublin Bay  move, but ended it with a ?fold into a
circle. That backing up, then circling has never felt good to me. This
is my attempt to come up with a segue I like.
        Note, even though it?s a Becket dance, there is a difference in
roles in this dance between the ?ones? and ?twos?.

~Erik Hoffman
    Oakland, CA

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