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 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

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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