You might use "Star right, Star left" (or vice versa) to replace the rights and lefts. One dance that has at least some link to the era that I have used often is "Jefferson's Reel." It is a variation on "Jefferson and Liberty" so is from around the time you are looking at. Jefferson's Reel Dudley Briggs; adapted from Jefferson and Liberty duple proper or improper 1 - Circle left 2 - Circle right 3 - Star right 4 - Star left 5 - 1's down the outside 6 - Return to place 7 - Down the hall 4 in line, 1's in the center 8 - All back up, 1's arch joined hands, 2's duck through the arch to meet new neighbors You don't need to worry about ladies and gents or proper or improper. It is always very satifying the first time when they meet their new neighbors and everyone realizes how the dance works. I've had big groups of people with no previous experience all exclaim when they all "get it." The version of "Rural Felicity" by Dudley Laufman is also a good one. Rural Felicity Traditional dance simplified by Dudley Laufman Longways set, 5-8 couples A1 Long lines forward and back, Top couple chassé to the bottom of the set A2 Long lines forward and back, Same active couple chassé back to the top B1 All Dos-a-do partner All two-hand turn with partner B2 All, except top couple, make a two-hand arch. Top couple pass down the tunnel to the bottom, all others move up one place. Also no need to worry about who is partnering with whom or proper or improper. Jonathan ________________________________ From: Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Sent: Friday, November 7, 2025 10:07 AM To: Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] Rights and Lefts I am tasked with calling a Colonial Dance with mostly novices. Most of the dances I have are Triple Minors and contain Rights and Lefts. I am converting the dances to Duple Minors in most cases, or perhaps to a Triplet if need be. I have two questions. Do you have a favorite replacement for the 16 count Rights and Lefts that will leave dancers facing their new neighbors? Do you have any Regency period or colonial flavored dances for a group of novice dancers? Thanks! Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT, USA

Hi Rich, Some options: Half Promenade x2 First Corners Cross; Second Corners Cross x2 Full Poussette This is not from the period, but may be useful to get some of the concepts across: https://youtu.be/Zuas_3MVcv4 Lots more about Right & Lefts here: https://contrafusion.co.uk/RightAndLeft.html Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England <mailto:john@modernjive.com> john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 <http://www.contrafusion.co.uk> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent From: Rich Sbardella via Contra Callers &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> > Sent: 07 November 2025 16:07 To: Contra Callers &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:contracallers@lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: [Callers] Rights and Lefts I am tasked with calling a Colonial Dance with mostly novices. Most of the dances I have are Triple Minors and contain Rights and Lefts. I am converting the dances to Duple Minors in most cases, or perhaps to a Triplet if need be. I have two questions. Do you have a favorite replacement for the 16 count Rights and Lefts that will leave dancers facing their new neighbors? Do you have any Regency period or colonial flavored dances for a group of novice dancers? Thanks! Rich Sbardella Stafford, CT, USA