Re: [Callers] High-energy dances

Another way to put energy into a dance is to do more bouncing/stepping and more movement - that is how many English ceilidh dancers use their energy. Here is a contra based on the old dance "Cumberland Square Eight": Cumberland Contra (by John Sweeney) Contra; Improper; Double Progression - 64 bars A1: #1s Gallop Down & Back A2: #2s Gallop Up & Back B1: Basket - open out into a circle B2: Circle Left; Circle Right - use the circles to reorientate the set - optionally use slip circles to use up more energy C1: Neighbour Dosido; Two Changes of a Grand R&L around the WHOLE set: Neighbour Pull By Right; New Neighbour Pull By Left - This is the Double Progression - Pull By your Partner at the ends - no-one is ever out - Keep moving forwards to make the Star C2: With Next New Neighbours: Star Right; Star Left - skip it round to use more energy D1: This Neighbour Balance & Swing D2: Long Lines Go Forward & Back - Men Roll the Ladies Away with a Half Sashay from Right to Left #1s Swing - finish facing down in Ballroom Hold ready to Gallop No room at the end of the set for the gallop? Turn left and go round the edge of the room (Lady on the outside). To gallop back just turn your heads - don't mess around with arm/body positions. Optional Styling: Balance & Swing: Step R, Kick L (hopping on R), Step L, Kick R (Hopping on L), Swing Basket: Get close together; the men put their arms around the ladies' waists and one grips the other's wrists; the ladies put their arms on the nearest shoulders (get them to put them straight up in the air then lower them onto the shoulder when teaching). Put your right foot in and everyone does a buzz-step to spin the basket. Baskets only ever go clockwise. Please let me know if you try it. Thanks. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent