Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for taking a gig like this on! It can be challenging, but it's a great way to get the word out about dancing; which is vital to having dancers :-)
Are you in the middle of the day? Or late afternoon into the evening? I ask, because I think that'll influence how many kids you get. It's a lot easier to do non-mixers if there are a bunch of kids (especially if they don't know each other). Many circle mixers can be run as circle keepers; so adjust as the crowd warrants (if I'm running a mixer as a keeper, I usually won't run it as long).
Setting up a pattern of "longways dance, circle dance, other; longways, circle, other" can be a good plan to give the feeling of variety even when the moves are similar. "Others" include squares, scatter mixers, small sets, waltzes, etc.
For a deep collection of resources, I'd like to point you towards New England Dance Masters:
their 5 books have a bunch of stuff that would be useful for this.
In terms of dance cards, here's a plethora; organized by type. I use La Bastringue, Kings and Queens, Road to Boston, Charge and Drag, Animal Parade, Scatter Shot, The Wheel, Green Mountain Ski Wedding, and Galopede the most.
Set List: 9/10/2019 at Shared ONS dances
#1 -------------------------
La Bastringue
by (Traditional)
Circle Mixer/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Circle: forward and back
(8) Circle: forward and back
A2 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
B1 -----------
(8) New Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(16) Partner Promenade
#2 -------------------------
Road to Boston (Heel Toe Polka)
by (Traditional)
Circle Mixer/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) take 2 hands with P, inside foot "heel, toe, heel toe," 4 sashays to the middle
(8) same thing, starting with outside foot, 4 sashays back out
A2 -----------
(8) take 2 hands with P, inside foot "heel, toe, heel toe," 4 sashays to the middle
(8) same thing, starting with outside foot, 4 sashays back out
B1 -----------
(mixer) walk straight past current partner (M CCW, W CW)
Swing new Partner
B2 -----------
(16) Promenade Partner
#3 -------------------------
Cabot School Mixer
by Ted Sannella
Circle Mixer/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Right
(8) all go forward and back
A2 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(6) Corner allemande Right 1x
(6) Partner allemande Left 1x
B1 -----------
(6) Corner Do-si-do
(8) Corner swing (now new partner)
B2 -----------
(16) Promenade with this new Partner
#4 -------------------------
Went and Did
by Luke Donforth
Circle Mixer/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) all the Larks forward and back
(8) all the ravens forward, turn and back facing current partner
B1 -----------
(16) partner balance and swing,
end facing around the oval (cw), Ravens on the inside
B2 -----------
(8) promenade around the oval
Ravens turn back
(8) swing the next, who is your now your new partner
#5 -------------------------
Waiting in the Swings
by Chris Page
Circle Mixer/Improper/Easy
A1 -----------
(8) forward and back
(4) circle left
(4) Larks roll person left to right (p2)
A2 -----------
(4) circle left
(4) Larks roll person left to right (p3)
(8) swing new p4 (on lark’s l, not the one you just rolled)
B1 -----------
(16) promenade counterclockwise (Larks on inside)
B2 -----------
(3) Ravens turn over right shoulder
(4) pass partner p3 by left
(9) partner p2 swing
#6 -------------------------
Mash-Up Mixer
by Chris Page
Circle Mixer/Improper/Easy
A1 -----------
(8) Balance and slide to the right (as in Rory O’More)
(8) Balance and slide to the left (as in Rory O’More)
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing
B1 -----------
(16) Promenade around set ccw, lark’s inside
B2 -----------
(8) ravens forward and back
(8) Larks forward, turn alone, return to circular wave (left hand to old partner, right hand to new partner)
#7 -------------------------
Grand Right & Left Mixer
by Chris Page
Circle Mixer/Improper/Easy
A1 -----------
(8) Forward and back
(8) Corner See-Saw
A2 -----------
(8) Corner allemande left 1
(Face away from corner, give right to current ptr to start the grand right and left.)
(8) Grand right and left past four (P1R, P2L, P3R, P4L)
B1 -----------
(4) New partner P5 right-hand balance
(12) and swing
B2 -----------
(16) promenade with partner ccw (Larks inside)
[re-entry point if lost]
#8 -------------------------
Sashay the Donut
by unknown
Sicilian Circle/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner allemande Right
A2 -----------
(8) Partner allemande Left
(8) Partner two hand turn
B1 -----------
Everyone make space
(16) One couple sashays around the central corridor of the circle
-Freight train variant, next couple immediately follows; etc. Get back to place and jump apart
B2 -----------
#9 -------------------------
The Wheel
by Gene Hubert
Circle Mixer/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
(16) Promenade Partner
A2 -----------
(8) 2 hand turn partner, leave Ravens on the inside
(8) facing partner, in to the middle and back
B1 -----------
Hands in Gender Rings
(16) Circle to the Left
B2 -----------
(16) New Partner swing
#10 -------------------------
Coke the Floor
by Marian Rose
Circle Mixer/Other
A1 -----------
(8) In the circle, into the middle and back
(8) Do it again, but on the way back, larks turn to face ptr with their back to middle
A2 -----------
(8) All individual sashay to right
(8) All individual sashay to left
B1 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing
B2 -----------
(8) Promenade around circle
ravens turn back over their right shoulder as larks continue to walk forward
(8) Promenade with next
#11 -------------------------
Clouds of Incense
by Maia McCormick
Circle Mixer/Other
A1 -----------
(8) Big circle go forward and back
(8) Big circle go forward and back
A2 -----------
(8) Partner allemande Right 1-1/2
(8) Neighbor allemande Left 1
B1 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing
(Or Do-Si-Do & swing)
B2 -----------
(8) promenade ccw, Ravens outside
(8) Ravens turn back and swing next
#12 -------------------------
Franklin Revival
by Luke Donforth
Sicilian Circle/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
Both circles circle left until back to your partner
two hand turn your partner
A2 -----------
Both circles circle right until back to your partner
do si do your partner
B1 -----------
One couple leads a sashay around the donut, going through the alley between the two rings. When they pass, the next couple starts off. (Not 1st couple index)
B2 -----------
#13 -------------------------
Bob Dalsemer’s Circle Mixer
by Bob Dalsemer
Circle Mixer/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(16) Promenade around
A2 -----------
(8) Larks continue single file, ravens turn back single file
(8) All turn back, promenade back past partner
B1 -----------
(8) New Partner allemande Left
(8) Partner allemande Right
B2 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
#14 -------------------------
Default circle mixer
by unknown
Circle Mixer/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left 1X
(8) Long lines, forward and back
A2 -----------
(8) Circle Right 1X
(8) Long lines, forward and back
B1 -----------
(8) Partner allemande Left 1
(8) Partner allemande Right 1
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do
(8) Neighbor swing
->new partner
#15 -------------------------
Lucky Seven
by (Traditional)
Circle Mixer/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
A2 -----------
(8) All forward and back
(8) Partner Do-si-do
B1 -----------
(16) Grand Right and Left
Count, 1 (right) 2 (left)... 6 (left), 7 (elbow) swing
B2 -----------
(16) Promenade around
#16 -------------------------
Welcome New Friends
by Dale Rempert
Circle Mixer/Improper/Easy
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Right
(8) All forward and back
A2 -----------
(8) Circle Left 1X
(8) All forward, on way back; roll partner raven away with half sashay (W move L)
B1 -----------
(16) NEW Partner balance and swing
B2 -----------
(16) Promenade
#17 -------------------------
January Mixer
by Bob Dalsemer
Circle Mixer/Improper/Easy
A1 -----------
(16) Promenade as couples
A2 -----------
(8) Larks continue single file, ravens turn back single file
(8) Everybody turn back, pass partner
B1 -----------
(8) With Next (new P) allemande Left
(8) Partner allemande Right
B2 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
#18 -------------------------
Highland Gates
by Peter Amadon
Circle Mixer/Improper
A1 -----------
Go all around the circle^3 till the highland gates are closed (Circle left, optional right)
A2 -----------
Go up and down the ladder^3 till the highland gates are closed (in and out twice)
B1 -----------
Go in and out the windows^3 till the the highland gates are closed
(make arches, inner folks duck in and out)
B2 -----------
kneel down and choose a partner^3, till the highland gates are closed
(find a partner, and kneel down in front of them)
C1 -----------
swing and turn your partner^3, till the highland gates are closed
(two hand turn your partner, then separate and dance around on the inside)
#19 -------------------------
Something (circle keeper)
by (Traditional)
Circle Mixer/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left 1X
(8) Circle Right 1X
A2 -----------
(8) in the the middle and back
(8) ___________ go into the middle
B1 -----------
(16) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(16) Promenade the ring
#20 -------------------------
Indexed
by (Traditional)
Circle Mixer/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(16) Promenade with partner
outsides turn around
A2 -----------
(8) promenade single file
all turn around
(8) promenade back
pass partner
B1 -----------
(8) Neighbor allemande Left 1
(8) Neighbor allemande Right 1
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do
(8) Neighbor swing; this is your new partner
#21 -------------------------
Grand Right and Vowel
by unknown
Circle Mixer/Improper
A1 -----------
(8) In a big ring go forward and back
(8) In a big ring go forward and back
A2 -----------
(8) Partner allemande Right
(8) Partner allemande Left
B1 -----------
Grand right and left five times
A - E - I - O - U!
B2 -----------
(16) Promenade around the ring
#22 -------------------------
Scatter Shot
by (Traditional)
Scatter Mixer/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
(16) Promenade with Partner
find neighbor couples
A2 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
B1 -----------
(8) Left hand Star
(8) Right hand Star
B2 -----------
(8) Neighbor Do-si-do (person near you who isn’t your partner)
(8) Neighbor swing or (two hand turn)
#23 -------------------------
Star Stuff
by Chris Page
Scatter Mixer/Improper/Easy
A1 -----------
(8) Individually Promenade
(8) Find someone and swing
A2 -----------
(16) Promenade as couple (in star prom style, arms around backs)
B1 -----------
(8) with some (1-4) other couples, larks star left, while still promenading partner [3]
(8) counterclockwise butterfly whirl n+1/2 times (Larks backup, ravens forward) [4]
B2 -----------
(8) ravens star promenade right with partner
(~7) clockwise butterfly whirl (ravens backup, Larks forward)
(1) Larks go forward, ravens turn over right shoulder
#24 -------------------------
Basket Chase
by Chris Page
Scatter Mixer/Improper/Easy
A1 -----------
(8) Promenade individually, then start picking up other people and [1]
(8) Promenade in lines of 3 to 6 people
A2 -----------
(8) Circle Left 1X
(8) Basket swing [2]
B1 -----------
(8) Circle Left 1X
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
B2 -----------
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella)
(8) Balance the ring and spin to the right (petronella) 1.5, face out and scatter prom
#25 -------------------------
Waltz Roll
by (Traditional)
Scatter Mixer/Other
A1 -----------
In small circles* of couples - designate movers and posts
Waltz in and out, then roll neighbor away
Waltz in and out, then roll next neighbor away
A2 -----------
Waltz in and out, then roll next neighbor away
Waltz in and out, then roll next neighbor away
B1 -----------
(Can interject other moves, stars, square throughs, etc)
Waltz with partner
B2 -----------
Waltz with partner to join in with other folks
#26 -------------------------
Silly Star Mixer
by unknown
Scatter Mixer/Proper
A1 -----------
(16) Promenade and find two other couple
A2 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
B1 -----------
(8) Right Hands across star
(8) Left Hands across star
B2 -----------
(4~6)Starting with the bottom couple, pull your new partner through
(12~10) Partner swing
#27 -------------------------
Sasha
by (Traditional)
Scatter Mixer/Other
A1 -----------
Sasha, Sasha
raz - doz - tri
right right right, left left left, both both both, knees knees knees
right right right, left left left, both both both, knees knees knees
A2 -----------
Right elbow turn
(shout) Hey!
Left elbow turn
(shout) Hey!
B1 -----------
Dosvedanya (goodbye)
Prom single the
B2 -----------
#28 -------------------------
Accretion Reel
by Chris Page
Scatter Mixer/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(4) Balance Ring
(4) Turn alone to scatter prom alone (say goodbye)
(8) Wander around the floor
A2 -----------
(16) partner gyre and swing
B1 -----------
(16) Scatter prom as couples
Find a couple
B2 -----------
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
#29 -------------------------
Bridge of Athlone (Cat and Mouse)
by unknown
Longways/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
Top couple sashay down and back
A2 -----------
Peel the banana, make an arch; rest come through
B1 -----------
Top couple is cast and mouse, mouse runs between walls (middle of set), cat runs outside walls (outside of set)
Switch at top, to couple down to bottom
B2 -----------
Partner swing
#30 -------------------------
Rural Felicity (Country drive through a coverd bridge)
by unknown
Longways/Other
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Top couple sashay to the bottom
A2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) active couple sashay back up to the top
B1 -----------
All make arches
Top couple come through the covered bridge
B2 -----------
#31 -------------------------
Galopede
by (Traditional)
Longways/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) All pass through and turn in place
A2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) All pass through and turn in place (at home)
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner 2-hand turn
B2 -----------
(16) Top Couple Sashay down to bottom (or down as far as they can go and then back up)
Other couples move up
#32 -------------------------
Animal Parade
by Rachel Nevitt & Luke Donforth
Longways/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Partner allemande Left
A2 -----------
(8) Partner allemande Right
(8) Partner two hand swing or DSD
B1 -----------
“top” couple walk to bottom, miming the animal of their choice
Come back to top
B2 -----------
Top couple peels off to outside, everyone follows
Top couple makes an arch at bottom, rest come though with partner
#33 -------------------------
Orcadia Strip the Willow
by (Traditional)
Longways/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
Top couple:
(8) Partner Right Elbow Turn 1.5
(8) Neighbor left elbow Turn
A2 -----------
(8) Partner Right Elbow Turn 1.5
(8) New Neighbor left elbow Turn
and so on to bottom
B1 -----------
Start new top couple
B2 -----------
#34 -------------------------
Kings & Queens
by Peter Amadon
Longways/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Partner allemande Right
A2 -----------
(8) partner allemande left
(8) gyre partner
B1 -----------
(8) Ones sashay the center
(8) sashay back
B2 -----------
(16) Top couple walk regally to the bottom while the rest wave
#35 -------------------------
Lines of 3
by unknown
Longways/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Circle Left 1X
(8) Circle Right 1X
A2 -----------
(8) Outsides Do-si-do
(8) Insides Do-si-do
B1 -----------
(8) Outsides Two Hand Turn
(8) Insides Two Hand Turn
B2 -----------
(8) Lines of 3 Forward and Back
(8) Lines of 3 forward and pass through (can shuffle if desired)
#36 -------------------------
Cropduster
by unknown
Longways/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Trade places with Partner (allemande R 1.5 or twirl)
A2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Trade places with Partner (allemande L 1.5 or twirl)
B1 -----------
(8) Peel Banana down outside
(8) Top couple make an arch, others pass through
B2 -----------
WITH HANDS STILL CONNECTED
(8) Top couple sashays up ravens side
(8) and Down Larks side to bottom
#37 -------------------------
Allemande Gal
by unknown
Longways/Other
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Top couple sashay down and back
A2 -----------
(8) Partner allemande Right
(8) Partner allemande Left
B1 -----------
(16) Peel Banana from top
B2 -----------
(16) Top couple makes arch, others pass through
#38 -------------------------
Low Backed Car
by unknown
Longways/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
Lead Lark leads his line, skipping, down outside of ravens line and back to place
Lead Raven repeats with her line
A2 -----------
(8) Partner allemande Right
(8) Partner allemande Left
B1 -----------
Clap 3x
Stomp 3x
Shake 3x
Clap 3x
B2 -----------
Top Couple Sashay down to the bottom
#39 -------------------------
Pousset scatter (mix or keeper)
by Luke Donforth
Scatter Mixer/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Right hand Star
(8) Left hand Star
A2 -----------
(8) Partner allemande Left 1x
(8) Partner Do-si-do 1.5x end back to back
B1 -----------
Dancers count out loud:
un, du, two, and cry Pousset, butt-push your partner
SCATTER: find a new partner and swing
KEEPER: chase your partner around and swing
B2 -----------
(16) Promenade around
Find another couple
#40 -------------------------
Charge and Drag
by Luke Donforth
Longways/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Partner Do-si-do
A2 -----------
(16) Partner balance and swing (or two hand turn), end facing up the set and separate
B1 -----------
(16) Top & Bottom couple make arches
Top couple go down over left line; Bottom couple go up over right line
B2 -----------
(8) bottom & top couples charge (sashay) the middle of the set, meet in the middle
(8) couple below drag couple above to bottom of the set
#41 -------------------------
Revive the High Five
by Luke Donforth
Longways/Proper
A1 -----------
(4) Long lines slide left
(4) long lines slide right
8) Partner allemande Left 1x
A2 -----------
(4) Long lines slide right
(4) long lines slide left
(8) Partner allemande Right 1x
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing
B2 -----------
(16) Shuffle the set
(Promenade randomly around the room, then come back to a different place to reform the long set)
#42 -------------------------
Circsplosion
by Luke Donforth
Other/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Two Hand Turn Partner
(8) Two Hand Turn Partner other way
A2 -----------
All Together
(8) Circle Left
(8) Circle Right
B1 -----------
(8) In to the middle and back
With your partner, promenade through the middle
B2 -----------
reach another spot on the opposite side of the circle
#43 -------------------------
Green Mountain Ski Wedding
by Luke Donforth
Longways/Proper/Beginner
A1 -----------
Whole Group Oval Left until across from partner again
Partner Do-si-do
A2 -----------
Bottom (was top) couple slalom (weave) back and forth up the set
B1 -----------
Whole group oval right until across from partner again
B2 -----------
Partner allemande Left
Partner allemande Right
#44 -------------------------
Skip the line
by unknown
Longways/Other/Beginner
A1 -----------
One line skips around the other line and back to place
The other line skips around and back to place
A2 -----------
Top couple sashay down and back
B1 -----------
Peel the banana
B2 -----------
swing your partner
#45 -------------------------
Ocean Sampler
by unknown
Longways/Improper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(16) Seahorses lead line around starfitheys
A2 -----------
(16) Starfitheys lead line around seahorses
B1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Long lines, forward and back
B2 -----------
(12) Partner swing
(4) top couple sashay down (seahorse be ready to jump in going around
#46 -------------------------
Un, du, twa, pousset
by (Traditional)
Longways/Proper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Partner allemande Right 1x
A2 -----------
(8) Partner allemande Left 1x
(8) Partner Do-si-do 1.5x end back to back
B1 -----------
Dancers count out loud:
un, du, two, and cry Pousset, butt-push your partner, then come back and swing
B2 -----------
top couple sashay down to the bottom, everyone else scoot up
#47 -------------------------
Felicitations
by (Traditional)
Longways/Proper/Beginner
A1 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Top couple sashay down to the bottom
A2 -----------
(8) Long lines, forward and back
(8) Top couple sashay back to the top
B1 -----------
(8) Partner Do-si-do
(8) Partner swing