4 Nov
2025
4 Nov
'25
6:21 a.m.
Strip the Willow is a fun figure but not simple at first. Usually
happens in with 4 couples or more. the timing is odd too because when
the actives L hand turn on th side on has further to go than the other.
Often dances like Drops of Brandy, or Orcadian Strip the willow are
danced without specifying strict timing, letting each set take their own
time. Barley Reel
<https://barndances.org.uk/detail.php?Title=Barley_Reel> is a good dance
to introduce the figure. When I call it for beginners I don't fuss if
there are more than 4couples either let the sets start again when new 1s
think they are ready, or calling the swing as long as needed for the
slowest set.
I think B1 and B2 in Anne's Dream are all one continuous figure and the
turn / swing at the end uses up any music (tell them to leave it out if
no time)
The triplet I like is *Leaving of Liverpool *not sure who wrote it.
*A1 * Lines forward and Back. Gates up (top 2 couples keep hands, middle
couple walks forward, top couple backward in a circle, to end where they
sterted)
*A2 * Lines forward and Back. Gates down (bottom couple moves backwards,
middles forward)
*B1 *All circle L& R
*B2 *Top couple cross,cast 1 place, cross cast to bottom
I ran a small group (too snall) and have called that for 3, 4,2 couple
and 3 people in a line
On 04/11/2025 13:40, Emily Addison via Contra Callers wrote:
Hi Folks :)
I have what I think is a fun ask/challenge for a few of you.... I'm
wondering if you might be up for a triplet composition brainstorm?
Here's the situation....
One of the series that I call is to a very novice group of dancers -
there are VERY few contra dancers in the mix. I do a lot of squares,
scatters, the occasional very simple contra, and mix in other
formations. Triplets work really well for this group.
I came across the dance below a while back and I love love love the A
part. Super simple but quite enjoyable. When I've workshopped it at
home though, the B part is fairly tricky to get the actives to move up
to the very top to get to that cast off. (It should work but I've
workshopped it with a few other callers+ experienced dancers and
doesn't seem intuitive/easy)
So... I was wondering if anyone might enjoy the challenge of coming up
with a fun second part to create a new dance? I thought I'd throw it
out there into the universe as I know some of you are dance composers
and enjoy taking aspects of a particular dance and playing with it.
Nooooo pressure - just a fun exploration for those who might enjoy.
:)
Emily in Ottawa
====================
Anne's Dream by Katy Heine
Triplet (can be danced no role if one wants)
A1: Top 4 circle L all the way. Balance. 2s arch & 1s thru.
A2: Bottom 4 circle L all the way. Balance. 3s arch & 1s thru.
B1: Couple 1 strips the willow back up to the top (I've played with
this a bit in terms of how many times around etc... it never seems to
settle in)
B2: 1s cross and cast to bottom. All step up and 2H turn or swing.
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