[Callers] Non-Alternate Formats

In a recent post I defined a contra dance as: - longways for as many as will - first couples Improper, or Becket formation - flowing choreography - no-one stationary for more than 16 beats (e.g. First Couple Balance & Swing, finish facing down to make Lines of Four) - containing at least one swing - 95% of the moves to be from a set of well-know moves that they know already Is that what most Americans understand by a "contra dance"? I asked: Are you allowed to do Proper dances at a "contra dance"? Or a four-couple dance that has all the other characteristics listed above? Or a Sicilian Circle (space allowing)? But got no answer. Taking it a step further - this is a popular dance over here in the UK: Childgrove (Playford 1701) A1: Partner Siding; Partner Dosido A2: Neighbour Siding; Neighbour Dosido B1: Neighbour Two-Hand Turn 1 & 1/2 (skip step) Partner Two-Hand Turn B2: #1s Full Figure Eight up through the #2s (who can cast to turn it into a double-figure-eight if they like) (skip step) It has all the characteristics defined above apart from the swing being replaced by a skipped two-hand turn. And of course the moves may not be all familiar to contra dancers. If I called that at an American contra dance, to great music from a live band, what reaction would I get? Thanks. Just trying to understand. :-) Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent