The larks allemande R to swing transition is definitely funky. In this case, though, it matters less because it is to a balance and swing. My concern would actually be that an allemande 1x is not enough to fill the whole 8 beats. Especially because chains are also often completed in less than 8. This is not a huge deal; I imagine most folks to get there early will just balance early and swing long. But for those who are attuned to the music they might find themselves with a funny pause before the balance. An alternative could be to allemande 1.5x then pull by R. But that risks being late if both larks aren't prompt...



Agree with the previous comments. I'm a fan of the rollaway into larks RH chain sequence! I tried to compose a dance recently with it, but it was too complicated to work—nice to see it in a more accessible setting.

I sometimes get complaints when I've called a dance with that larks alle R into swing transition. The larks' right hand will be occupied and clunkier to release and get around their partners' backs on time. Larks right shoulder round could be an alternative. (Credit where it's due: it was Lisa Greenleaf's modification of Russell Owen's "Are Your 'Most Done" that revealed this substitution to me.)

Harris Lapiroff

Dance Caller and Organizer

Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates Board (Cambridge MA)

Pinewoods Camp, Inc Board (Plymouth MA)

https://chromamine.com/contra/

On Wed, Nov 27, 2024, at 9:47 AM, Alex Burka via Contra Callers wrote:

I've used this roll away as a role swap and I agree it works best as written, with the robins able to give the larks an extra push towards the allemande.

On Wed, Nov 27, 2024, 9:43 AM Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Joseph,

I think if the larks roll, it would not flow as well.  They are backing up in a rollaway, which might feel awkward, and then suddenly have to go forward for their chain across.

Rich

On Wed, Nov 27, 2024 at 1:28 AM Joseph Erhard-Hudson via Contra Callers <contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Hi all,

David Christian is a long-time dancer and stalwart event producer here in Moscow, Idaho. If you've ever worked here he undoubtedly ran the sound for your gig. He has been trying his hand at writing some contras. This one struck me as fun when we workshopped it, and worthy of trying out at a dance, but I'd like to hear your thoughts before I plunge ahead.

"Going Dutch" by David Christian

Becket  CW

A1. Slice left

      Right & Left Through

A2. Robins Chain to neighbor

      Long Lines Forward & Back - Robins roll left and Larks step right on the way back

B1. Larks right hand chain to partner

      Larks allemande right 1x

B2. Partners Balance & Swing

small question: Do you suppose the position swap at the end of A2 would work better with Larks roll right and Robins step left? 

large question: what do you think of the dance overall?

Thanks,

Joseph Erhard-Hudson

Moscow, Idaho

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