All of the zig zag dances I can think of end with something where the timing can be "squishy".  (ie, Cows are Watching: Gents Allemande, P Sw;  Leave the Wine: N DsD, previous N Sw).  As you said in your original post, the timing can be slightly different in different dances. That being the case, I think a Do si Do or Gypsy with the new neighbor might make the dancers more likely to be able to be successful.  For experienced dancers, the balance happening late can feel really unsatisfying, but it isn't nearly as noticable with a move that has a smooth transition. 

Jack


On Wed, Jul 30, 2014 at 11:14 PM, Luke Donforth via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hello folks,

Thanks for all the insight on Grand Marches. It was a very fruitful discussion for me, so I'm going to toss another question out there.

What timing do you like for zig and zag the set? The (uncommon) move where you and someone else (usually partner) move out to one side and slip behind the couple you were facing to face a new couple, and then possibly do it again where you keep going and then cut back to face a 3rd couple (double progression).

I've got dances in my box that have a zig and zag in 8 (single progression) like Bill Pope's "The Cows Are Watching"; and I've got danced in my box that zig-zag-zig (double progression) in 8, like Rick Mohr's "Leave the Wine". 

A couple of the zig-zag dances I've seen do the zig and zag in, pairing it with a circle 1 1/4 or such (Will Mentor's "Frock's Rocking Frolic").

I've danced and enjoyed all of these dances, or they wouldn't be in my box, but it seems a squishier move on timing than most; so I'm curious what people think about it; and/or what they ask for the band when calling one of these.

This came up for me when I was playing with a new (I think) choreography. I put forth two possibilities drawing inspiration from Linda Leslie's Winter Storm and Bill Olson's 20 Below (side question, which one came first?).

Becket, double progression cw
A1
Circle Left 3/4
With Partner, zig left, zag right past a couple, zig left to face another new couple
A2
New Neighbor Gypsy and Swing
B1
Men allemande Left 1 1/2
Pass Partner Right to start 1/2 hey
B2
Partner Gypsy and Swing

Becket, single progression cw
A1
Circle Left 3/4
With Partner, zig left, zag right to face new couple
A2
New Neighbor balance and swing
B1
Men allemande Left 1 1/2
Pass Partner to start 1/2 hey by Right
B2
Partner Balance and Swing

And for those of you who have stuck with my rambling this long, I'll toss another one out there:

Becket, single progression, ccw
A1
Circle Left 1 1/4
with Partner: Zig left, zag right to face new couple
A2
New Neighbor balance and swing
B1
Promenade across set with Neighbor
Women Do-Si-Do 1 1/2
B2
Partner Balance and Swing

If I had enough dancers, I'd just medley them; using the double progression every other time so you'd always see new faces... no, wait, that's a terrible idea.

Thoughts or experience?

Thanks again!

--

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