4 Apr
2018
4 Apr
'18
3:33 a.m.
On Tue, 3 Apr 2018 22:27:19 -0400, Luke Donforth wrote:
I'd appreciate feedback on flow (would it work),
timing (is it too much?) and how you'd teach it.
I think the "Bent 4x4" is an unnecessary complication. People expect to finish
the figure facing the next line, not facing into
the centre of the next set, so I would say:
A1: Lines of four forward; gents roll partners away as you fall back. Do-si-do the
next.
I agree with Rick that the star figure will take longer than a regular half hey, so just
let it flow into B2 with a partner swing
- leave out the balance.
I'm especially curious if something similar exists
in the square dance repertoire; specifically the figure used in B1
People have mentioned two great dances: Hey-mania and Dutch Crossing. I'm sure there
are others. There's also a nice dance by
Frances Richardson, which I'm planning to call at the final session of Lichfield Folk
Festival in June. She wrote it when a
friend gave birth to female quadruplets, and around the quads' 13th birthday they all
danced it in the same set (very
successfully).
The Dixon Quadrille
Frances Richardson, 1993
Music: 4 x 48 bar reels
A1: Allemande left corner, grand chain all the way.
A2: Finish the chain. Swing partner.
B1: Men left-hand star three-quarters to corner (new partner). Right-hand turn once, and
face (in a cross formation, men in the
middle).
B2: Interlocking reels of four with hands (making a left-hand star in the middle each
time).
C1: Finish the reels (still in cross formation), give right hand to new partner, balance
forward & back and swing.
C2: Promenade to the _lady's_ place. (naturally)
And here's one of mine. "Reel" is English for "Hey".
A Reel Challenge
Colin Hume, 1995
Music: 48-bar reels
Figure:
A1: Heads forward and back. Head ladies chain across.
A2: Head ladies start a reel of four.
B1/2: Sides the same.
C1: Gipsy right new corner. Swing.
C2: Promenade to the man's place. [Ladies have moved one place left.]
Double Figure:
A1: All in to the middle and back. All four ladies chain.
A2: Ladies start interlocking reels of four.
B1: Extra time to finish the reels, and two more changes. Swing partner at home.
B2: Promenade.
Suggested sequence: Break, Figure twice for Heads, Break, Figure twice for Sides, Break,
Double Figure, Final Break.
Colin Hume