Hi all,

              I think it is best to retain names like Petronella and Mad Robin because it means that half the people in the room know what you mean and can help the other half.  If I start teaching the move without giving the name I often find that some of the experienced dancers get confused and do something different, perhaps thinking that they need to interpret my teaching words in some new way because if I had meant a Mad Robin then I would have said so!

              What you call during the dance is completely different.  During the dance, when a Mad Robin is coming up, I prompt with “Slide”.

              I never say, “As in the dance Petronella” because it isn’t!  Four people instead of two, holding hands instead of not, and balancing before the spin instead of afterwards!  But “Petronalla” is a good name for the modern move since it is now well-known.

              I wouldn’t use “Shuttle” (or “Shuffle” as I think the handwriting in the Lovelace document says!) as that is normally two people sliding in the same direction down the middle.  Could cause confusion.

              If it ain’t broke, don’t mend it! :-)

            Happy dancing,

                   John                      

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574

http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent