[Callers] Two New Dances

Hi All, These two proved popular at Eastbourne International Folk Festival. I would be interested in any comments on them, and on whether the Double Gypsy I have used is common. Rogue's March has the same first half as Devil's Dream, but without the awkward hand change at the end of A2. The second half is different and, I believe, flows more smoothly, and includes a Swing. Rogue’s March (by John Sweeney) Contra; Improper A1: #1s Face Down in the Middle; #2s Face Up on the Outside: Dance Forwards, Turn Alone, Dance Back, Neighbour Handy Hand Allemande 1/2 - #2s now in the Middle A2: Dance Forwards, Turn Alone, Dance Back, Neighbour Handy Hand Allemande 1/4 - #2s let go and face back in B1: Double Gypsy: #1s Gypsy wide and separate into Neighbour Gypsy Meltdown B2: Long Lines Go Forward & Back – Men Rolling the Ladies from Right to Left on the way back Balance the Ring; Pass Through - #1s Down the Middle – check out your New Neighbours Teaching Notes: In A1 and A2 every dancer starts off heading the same direction each time. In B1 the #1s start a Right Shoulder Gypsy with each other but as soon as they can see their Neighbour they change it into a Gypsy with the Neighbour then melt down into a Neighbour Swing. #1 Lady needs to go wide around #1 Man and avoid the temptation to weave into a Left Shoulder Gypsy with her Neighbour. The Pass Through is unusual in that the #1s stay together and go between the #2s. This sets everyone up beside their New Neighbour and ready to start A1 again. The Slithy Serpent (by John Sweeney) Double Contra - Four Facing Four - Mescolanza A1: Lines of Four Go Forward & Back - Men Roll the Ladies from Right to Left on the way back Lines of Four Go Forward & Back - Ladies Roll the Men from Right to Left on the way back A2: With your Partner: Slip Sideways (4) - Left Hand Couples through the Middle; Set to Neighbour With your Partner: Slip Sideways (4) - Left Hand Couples through the Middle; In Fours: Balance the Ring B1: Serpentine Hey: Ladies leading their Neighbour Men: 2 x [In Fours Circle Left Half Way (4); Middles Open Back Ring Half Way (4)] B2: Partner Gypsy Meltdown - Finish facing a New Line Teaching Notes: In the Serpentine Hey the four ladies are basically dancing a ladies’ hey, dragging their neighbour along behind them. As they circle left they have to very quickly change direction to dance around the back of the next couple. An Open Back Ring is a circle with your backs to the middle of it, open because you don’t take hands with the other couple, you just keep dragging your neighbour along. It should flow smoothly! If you are not in the Back Ring then rest! You can see the move at 0.26 in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc3Bd9Rymp8 I practice the direction by getting the four ladies to dance a full hey dragging their neighbour men behind them. Then make sure they understand that that is not part of the dance, just where they go.             Happy dancing,                    John John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent