26 Oct
2019
26 Oct
'19
11:50 a.m.
Hello all. I'm reposting in memory of Rich, who used to play bass
clarinet and call at the East Putney Dance that's still happening,
tonight in fact.
His dances are idiosyncratic and fun and often proper and don't always
work in today's halls/culture, but I think this one's a quirky gem.
Garfield's Escape -- rebranded as "Werewolves and Zombies"
Circle of couples PLUS ONE EXTRA in the center (Garfield),
A1 All into the center EIGHT steps and back, menacing the Garfield
A2 Circle left, circle right
B1 Women (werewolves) continue promenading/prowling single file to
the right/ccw,
while men (zombies) "star" by the right -- each man puts his right
hand on right shoulder of the man in front - including Garfield.
B2 Caller hollers "Escape!" ("Boo!", or maybe "Braaaiiins")
and all
men run to the outside and swing with a woman in the outer circle. A
new Garfield remains in the center.
Rich himself named this after Garfield the comic-strip cat, way back
when he was cynical and funny (the cat, not Rich).
"The single man remaining at the end of the dance is entitled to a pan
of lasagna and some fresh kitty litter".
My favorite normal tune for this is the minor jig Coleraine played at
a slightly slower lurch-y tempo, but if I'm lucky the band'll do the
Alfred Hitchcock theme.
I'd love to hear how it goes if you do it, and what variations emerge.
Cheers,
Amy