If you have a crowd that's expecting contra dances, how well is something like a goofy three-around-three one-night-stand dance going to go over? (That sounds like a leading question, but I'm really asking it. I know a million small-set bouncy/skippy one-night-stand dances, but I didn't even think about those when I faced my teeny crowd a couple of weeks ago, because I didn't think they'd read like contra-dancing and because I'm primarily identified as an English caller, I worry about seeming to take things too far afield.) ------------------------------------------------------- A favorite of mine for ONS situations (five couples): UP THE SIDES AND DOWN THE MIDDLE (CDM, own tune or any bright jig) [_Serpentiner_ is very, very nice with this.] Long set for four to six couples. A1: Step-swing balance in lines twice; cross over with polka step. A2: Repeat to places B1: (Reel time) 1s down the middle (walking, 8 bars) while 2s lead a single cast (polka step) down, then up through the 1s moving arch. B2: Swing partners. (Repeat until 1s at top again). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Falling Masonry Easy, ceilidh 4-couple longways; 32-bar jigs. A1: Hands in lines, forward and back, drop hands, cross over, stay facing out. (Variants possible here with arching). A2: Hands in lines, backward into the set (touching glutes optional), forward, drop hands, cross backward (same shoulder) into original lines. B1: "Falling Masonry" figure (like a collapsing chimney): Tops gallop down while everyone else moves up (important); new tops the same, until all four have galloped down. (A new couple starts every two bars). B2: 1s to the bottom again, others move up, all swing when you arrive in progressed place. (From Jonathan Coxhead's calling and my memory.) Fun, easy dance. ----------------------------------------------- JANUARY JIG (Got it from Jonathan Coxhead - Easy, Ceilidh) three-couple longways. 1x= 3x32 bar jigs. ("Fair Jenny's Jig" rocks with this dance) A1:1-4: M1 sets to W2, W3, W2, W3 5-8: Those three circle left and right; M1 finishes at home A2: -- The same led by W1 with M2 and M3. B1: 1-4: 1s gallop down 5-8: 1s gallop back B2: 1s cast off to bottom place (skipping?), swing when they get there WHILE 2s and 3s right hand star, left hands back, all four drifting up to top place. ----------------------------- Leaving of Liverpool (3 couple LW - 4/4 G - but you can do it with four couples) Written by David Carpenter A1 Lines F&B Gate middles up A2 Lines F&B Gate middles down B1 Slip L; Slip R B2 Top couple cross, go below 2's, cross again, go outside below 3's (and others move up) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- These are just fine for dancers with no particular expectations. If they're expecting swings, contra dance, or complete symmetry, then not so much. -- Alan -- =============================================================================== Alan Winston --- WINSTON(a)SSRL.SLAC.STANFORD.EDU Disclaimer: I speak only for myself, not SLAC or SSRL Phone: 650/926-3056 Paper mail to: SSRL -- SLAC BIN 99, 2575 Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park CA 94025 ===============================================================================