Hi, Dugan asked about waltz contra choreographies. The music in the Allison Wonderland video is much faster than I would use for a contra waltz. Many of the dancers seem to end up almost running to keep up. The waltz at the beginning or end of an evening at a contra dance is usually significantly slower, and more the sort of speed that I would use to get the feel of a waltz. (Yes, I know the Irish like to waltz 50% faster, but that is a very different style!) Here are some contras that were written specifically for waltz music: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Tulsa Tribute (by Keith Tuxhorn) Contra; Becket - Waltz A1: Circle Left Half Way (2); Balance the Ring (2) Circle Left* Half Way (2); Balance the Ring (2) A2: Open Ladies' Chain x2 B1: Full Hey with hands - Ladies start with Right Hand B2: Partner Waltz in Place (4), Waltz Left** to face a New Neighbours (4) An Open Ladies' Chain is an old form in which you do NOT do a Courtesy Turn. I always teach it and call it as "Ladies Pull By Right, Allemande Left the Man you meet" * I go Right to make it easier for inexperienced dancers ** I go Right because my brain tells me that is the direction in which I should waltz around the room Easy B2: Ladies Gypsy (4); Yearn Left (2); Step Right & Honour (2) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = A Waltz for Terry (by Don Armstrong) Contra; Improper - Waltz A1: #1s with #2 Man: Balance the Ring twice; Circle Left A2: #1s with #2 Lady: Balance the Ring twice; Circle Right to a Line of Four facing Down the Hall (#1 Lady lets go with Right Hand; #1 Man raises Left Hand to left #2 Lady through) B1: Down the Hall in Lines of Four (2) bars, Balance Forwards (1), Turn Alone (1) Up the Hall in Lines of Four (2), #2s Gate the #1s Up to progressed positions with a wide hand-cast (2) B2: Open Ladies' Chain (the Men can do a Turn Single to the Left while the Ladies cross) Open Ladies' Chain back An Open Ladies' Chain is an old form in which you do NOT do a Courtesy Turn. I always teach it and call it as "Ladies Pull By Right, Allemande Left the Man you meet" = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Equal Opportunity Waltz Contra (by Becky Hill) Contra; Improper - Waltz A1: Star Left; Star Right A2: Neighbour Allemande Right; Partner Allemande Left B1: Ladies Cross (2); Men Cross (2) Balance the Ring; Partner Roll Away with a Half Sashay B2: Partner: Take Right Hand: Balance & Box the Gnat Partner: Take Left Hand: Balance & Swat the Flea = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = If I was going to use a standard contra then I would choose a smooth, flowing one like: The Mad Gypsy (by John Sweeney) Contra; Becket A1: Ladies' Chain Mad Robin - AC - Ladies through the Middle A2: Full Hey - Ladies start Right Shoulder B1: Ladies Gypsy (slow & wide) Neighbour Two-Hand Turn (or Waltz) B2: Balance the Ring; Ladies Cross Yearn on the Left Diagonal = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent