I think "The Tempest" is the only tempest formation dance I've ever danced, and that was many years ago. Carol Ormand has written some fun Mescolanza (4 facing 4) dancing that might fill a similar program slot. There's one at her website: http://carolormand.com/dances.html and three more in her "The Lizard Research Institute & other dances" book. Although I'm guessing if you'd wanted Mescolanza, you'd have said Mescolanza. The sewing project I had planned on doing tonight is going poorly, so I thought I might take a stab at writing a tempest formation dance instead of futzing with that. This has not been tested with dancers. This is at the doodles on paper stage, but I'll toss it out to the list (and fb) for feedback and discussion. I will say there's a little more challenge to this one than just the formation... Plate o' Spaghetti Tempest Formation (wide n shape, two sets of 1s facing down in the middle, two 2s on the sides facing in) A1 (4) all walk forward 4 steps (ladies in front of gents), in foursomes on the sides, turn in to take hands in a diamond (2s at top and bottom, 1s on sides) (4) balance diamond (4) twirl one place to the right, all reach in left hands (no clap!) (4) left hand star 5/8ths A2 (4) center four (the two inactive gents, one active lady, and the active gent that isn't her partner) right hand star 1/2 while the couples on the sides allemande left 1/2 (4) in fours on the sides, left hand star 1/2 (4) center four (inactive ladies, the other active lady, and the active gent who isn't her partner) right hand star 1/2 while the couples on the sides allemande left 1/2 (4) in fours on sides, left hand star 1/2 B1 (6~8) 1s drop out of star, 2s allemande partner left to neighbor (for one couple this is 1x, for the other couple it's 1&1/2 (10~8) neighbor swing on the side of your foursome (there are four couples swinging in a line across the set at this point, not in a square formation) end facing across at partner (the inner couples face out, the outside couples face in). B2 (8) Gents allemande left 1 & 1/2 (8) Partner swing. 2s adjust up-set a bit and end facing across (below new 1s). 1s end facing down. Overall, I think it would need a fair bit of space (swinging four abreast), but the dancers have to stay close enough to make the star transitions work in A2 (which are pretty fast). I'm not terribly enamored with a balance in A1, but it serves as a moment to regroup after the interdigitated walk forward, and it's kind of fun to do a petronella in a diamond instead of a square. If I can track down volunteers in the area, I'll try to walk it through during a break or such. I'll let folks know if I discover anything (although I might take the discussion to a facebook thread). Anyway, I look forward to seeing what other Tempest formation dances turn up. Take care.

On Tue, Jun 29, 2010 at 6:57 PM, The Witful Turnip <wturnip(a)sympatico.ca> wrote: David Smukler's website has several of them -- I'm fond of "Another Part of the Island." Also, "K&E" by Pat Shaw is in Tempest formation. -Chris Page San Diego

Hi Bev, The only two I've called are Ted's Tempest (agree with David Millstone), and Plaza Arts Tempeste by Linda Mrosko. In Plaza Arts, I changed the A1 to down the hall, turn as couples, return only part way up to new neighbors and face closest sides. Original has the line backing up the hall which dancers had a little trouble with. This dance has both a neighbor and partner swing.   Lynn --- On Tue, 6/29/10, The Witful Turnip <wturnip(a)sympatico.ca> wrote: From: The Witful Turnip <wturnip(a)sympatico.ca> Subject: [Callers] Anyone have a "tempest" formation dance ?? To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Date: Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 6:57 PM HI all, Anyone have a tempest formation dance they can share with me? Tempest formation is a line of 4 facing down between 2 side couples facing in. I've found one, called The Tempest, but other than the formation itself, there's nothing particularly challenging about it. I wonder anyone knows of others. Please let me know. Thanks in advance! Bev *************************************************************************** The Witful Turnip               wturnip(a)sympatico.ca "Ambition is the last refuge of failure."                                                      - Oscar Wilde *************************************************************************** _______________________________________________ Callers mailing list Callers(a)sharedweight.net http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers