Hi Dugan,

Here is one with the zipper on steroids:

http://dancevideos.childgrove.org/contra/contra-modern/57-xyz

XYZ by Bob Green      Duple Minor improper      used by permission

A1 Ladies allamande by the right 1 1/2 (8)
Partner Swing (8)

A2  Ladies chain (8)
Long lines forward and back (8)

B1 With partner, pull by left, on right diagonal pull by right  (8)
On the left diagonal next pull by left, on the right diagonal pull by right (8)

B2 Reverse with same person pull by right, then diagonal pull by left (8)
diagonal Pull by right, partner Pull by left.

This dance uses a modification of the "zipper" or "shoelace"  move used by Dan Pearl in his classic dance Beneficial Tradition, that is, I believe is based on a move in the English Country dance, Pat's Tradition.

Date of video: May 20, 2011
Dance Group: Childgrove Country Dancers (St Louis, MO)

I have never gotten a chance to confirm this with Dan, but I am guessing he was inspired by a 3-couple set dance called "Pat's Tradition" by Cor Hogendijk written for Pat Shaw. It has a compact version of the zipper:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ISyXL4575k

Bob Green
St. Louis


On Fri, Mar 3, 2017 at 12:16 PM, Bill Olson via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Dugan, Here are Dan's own notes regarding the dance.. not sure what the Steve Schnur dance is titled, someone on here certainly knows..:


"I always loved this zig-zag gimmick when I danced it in Cor Hogendijk's "Pat's Tradition", done by English country dancers. A dance by Steve Schnur that featured it motiviated me to try my own. The dance was written for and first performed at the Dance Musician's Development Fund annual benefit dance. The Fund sprung out of a one-time benefit dance to help Susan Worland, a fine fiddler in Boston, replace her stolen instruments. From that, the Fund formed as a subcommittee of the Folk Arts Center of New England. At the annual DMDF dance (12 hours of varied dancing) funds are raised to benefit research and special projects for Boston-area dance musicians. The title gives a nod to "Pat's Tradition" and the beneficial tradition of the DMDF.


"Little did I know that when the dance started getting around, people would start yelping, hooting, etc. during B2. I think this started in Philadelphia. They have my blessing! Certainly, the "pulls" in B2 should be done with strength, tension, and other good contra-type connection. Foot-stompers have my blessing, too! ;-)"


bill




From: Callers <callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net> on behalf of Dugan Murphy via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net>
Sent: Friday, March 3, 2017 6:10 PM
To: Callers List Serve
Subject: [Callers] Dances Inspired by "Beneficial Tradition"
 
Does anybody know of dances inspired by "Beneficial Tradition" by Dan Pearl that includes the "zipper" figure (B2 of "Beneficial Tradition") or variations of that figure?  I just wrote one myself, so I'm curious to see what else is out there.

Here's mine:

Dela Says Yippee by Dugan Murphy (Clockwise Becket)

A1  Long Lines Forward and Back (8) / Neighbor Left Hand Pull-by Across the Set (hopping and shouting recommended on the fourth beat) (4) - New Same-Role Dancer Across the Set Right Hand Pull-by Across the Set (hopping and shouting recommended on the fourth beat) (4)

A2  New Ladies (not the one just pulled by) Left Hand Allemande 1.5 (8) / Neighbor Swing

B1  Circle Left 3 Places (8) / Partner Di-Si-Do (8)

B2  Partner Balance & Swing (16)

This dance is also posted here: www.duganmurphy.com/dances-i-wrote

Dugan Murphy is a nationally known contra dance caller. He's written contra dances, too, emphasizing intuitive transitions and flow.




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