Send Contra Callers mailing list submissions to contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net To subscribe or unsubscribe via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to contracallers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net You can reach the person managing the list at contracallers-owner(a)lists.sharedweight.net When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Contra Callers digest..."Today's Topics: 1. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Charles Abell) 2. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Jonathan Sivier) 3. Do you add a 'do anything' move into a contra? OR other playful strategies? :) (Emily Addison) 4. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Winston, Alan P.) 5. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Amy Cann) 6. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Winston, Alan P.) 7. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Amy Cann) 8. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Joe Harrington) 9. Re: Do you add a 'do anything' move into a contra? OR other playful strategies? :) (Qui Ann) 10. Re: Sicilian Circle question (David Harding) 11. Rompin' Stompin' (Amy Wimmer) 12. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Jonathan Sivier) 13. Re: Rompin' Stompin' (Chris Page) 14. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Charles Abell) 15. Re: Sicilian Circle question (Elizabeth Bloom Albert) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Charles Abell &lt;chuckabell(a)hotmail.com&gt; To: &quot;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&quot; < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Cc: Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 20:06:37 +0000 Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question Hello group, It's been a while since I called a Sicilian Circle, but I may soon - two questions: 1. Typically, one couple isn't considered the "ones" and the other "twos", right? 2. If there *are* ones and two, which couple would be considered the "ones" - CW or CCW? 3. If there *are not *typically ones and twos, has anyone tried ascribing those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea for a dance that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to arch first, thus the need for separate numbers. I did attempt to find an answer online and was not initially successful. Thoughts? Chuck ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jonathan Sivier &lt;jsivier(a)illinois.edu&gt; To: New Contra Callers List &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Cc: Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 14:23:42 -0600 Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question I have a Sicilian Circle dance in my collection called Dip for the Oyster which designates 1's and 2's to determine who ducks or arches first. In my notes I have 1's facing CCW and 2's facing CW. However, I imagine this is totally arbitrary and you could do it whichever way you like. In most of the Sicilian Circles I'm aware of there is no need to designate 1's and 2's. Jonathan On 2/4/2023 2:06 PM, Charles Abell via Contra Callers wrote: may soon - two questions: "twos", right? "ones" - CW or CCW? ascribing those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea for a dance that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to arch first, thus the need for separate numbers. Thoughts? contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Emily Addison &lt;emilyladdison(a)gmail.com&gt; To: callers(a)sharedweight.net Cc: Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 15:47:02 -0500 Subject: [Callers] Do you add a 'do anything' move into a contra? OR other playful strategies? :) Hey folks, After a number of relatively quiet caller years (parenting; pandemic), I've started to dig deep to expand my repertoire and up my skills. It feels like it's time for lots more dance fun! :) One dance that I've really enjoyed is Heartbeat Contra (by Don Flaherty - see below). Tom Calwell called it in Ottawa way back in 2010 and at the top of the B1, he called Al R 1.5 or ANYTHING (R shoulder round, swing, DSD). *Do any of you throw in a 'do anything' moment in an evening of contra programming?* I'm always looking for fun, playful moments that make dancers smile and this feels like a lovely one. If you throw in an anything moment, how do you choose when? *And do you have other strategies for adding playfulness to an evening?* I've got some dances which I find super playful and fun (e.g., Three's Company - Altered & Alternating - Paul Balliet) Thoughts on this? Thanks! Emily in Ottawa ------------------------------- Heartbeat Contra (Don Flaherty) A1 Bal Ring & Petronella Twirl Bal Ring & Petronella Twirl A2 Bal Ring & N Sw B1 ROB Al R 1.5 *OR ANYTHING! *(Al R, Rshoulder round, swing, DSD... original was RH round) P Sw B2 Cir L 3/4 Bal Ring & California Twirl ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Winston, Alan P." &lt;winston(a)slac.stanford.edu&gt; To: &quot;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&quot; < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt;gt;, Charles Abell < chuckabell(a)hotmail.com&gt; Cc: Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 20:47:32 +0000 Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question To your questions: 1: Right, the vast majority of Sicilians are completely symmetrical. 2: Because of this, I don't think there's a default for whether CW or CCW are the "1s". You can just pick which one you want. 3. Yes, there are non-symmetric Sicilians -= I'm looking at notes for "The Molly Andrew", a waltz Sicilian; it has the 1s ("those facing clockwise") do the figure through the 2s and then the 2s through the 1., and it's fine so long as you get across who goes first. Way better to indicate that visually rather than just say it. -- Alan ________________________________________ From: Charles Abell via Contra Callers < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 12:06 PM To: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question Hello group, It's been a while since I called a Sicilian Circle, but I may soon - two questions: 1. Typically, one couple isn't considered the "ones" and the other "twos", right? 2. If there are ones and two, which couple would be considered the "ones" - CW or CCW? 3. If there are not typically ones and twos, has anyone tried ascribing those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea for a dance that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to arch first, thus the need for separate numbers. I did attempt to find an answer online and was not initially successful. Thoughts? Chuck ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Amy Cann &lt;acann(a)putneyschool.org&gt; To: "Winston, Alan P." &lt;winston(a)slac.stanford.edu&gt; Cc: &quot;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&quot; < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 16:11:52 -0500 Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question Here's how I learned: "Everybody promenade the usual way, two-by-two around the room - now stop where you are." "Starting from this point right in front of me (gesture to where head couple of center set usually stands for contras), you're going to count off in pairs of couples and take hands four in this big ring. "Half of you can just stay facing the usual promenade direction - you're 1s" "Half of you will need to turn as a couple and face the 'wrong' direction - you're 2's". It links the role of 1s/2s to the familiar line-of-direction we use for promenading and coupledancing -- who feels most "normal", and who feels as if they're accommodating/supporting. On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. via Contra Callers &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote: "The clockwise") do so > long as you get across who goes first. Way better to indicate that > visually rather than just say it. > -- Alan > ________________________________________ > From: Charles Abell via Contra Callers > &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; > Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 12:06 PM > To: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question may "ones" ascribing dance > that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to arch first, > thus the need for separate numbers. > Thoughts? > Chuck > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Winston, Alan P." &lt;winston(a)slac.stanford.edu&gt; To: Amy Cann &lt;acann(a)putneyschool.org&gt; Cc: &quot;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&quot; < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 21:19:50 +0000 Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question Any — That’s great! I hadn’t encountered that, and I really have to put it in my toolbox for ONS - way faster/more fun than getting people who have no idea what a Sicilian *is* to pair up and form one. (The best I had up to this point was make a big circle, pick a pair and make them face, and then (in Susan Michael’s words), say “Chain Reaction - pair up like this all the way around.). So this’ll be good even for symmetric Sicilians. — Alan ________________________________________ From: Amy Cann &lt;acann(a)putneyschool.org&gt; Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 1:11 PM To: Winston, Alan P. Cc: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net; Charles Abell Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question Here's how I learned: "Everybody promenade the usual way, two-by-two around the room - now stop where you are." "Starting from this point right in front of me (gesture to where head couple of center set usually stands for contras), you're going to count off in pairs of couples and take hands four in this big ring. "Half of you can just stay facing the usual promenade direction - you're 1s" "Half of you will need to turn as a couple and face the 'wrong' direction - you're 2's". It links the role of 1s/2s to the familiar line-of-direction we use for promenading and coupledancing -- who feels most "normal", and who feels as if they're accommodating/supporting. On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. via Contra Callers &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote: "The clockwise") do so > long as you get across who goes first. Way better to indicate that > visually rather than just say it. > -- Alan > ________________________________________ > From: Charles Abell via Contra Callers > &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; > Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 12:06 PM > To: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question may "ones" ascribing dance > that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to arch first, > thus the need for separate numbers. > Thoughts? > Chuck > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Amy Cann &lt;acann(a)putneyschool.org&gt; To: "Winston, Alan P." &lt;winston(a)slac.stanford.edu&gt; Cc: &quot;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&quot; < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 16:39:39 -0500 Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question Glad you like it! For what it's worth, at a ONS I often do a scatter mixer that's basically half of "Haste to the Wedding" - Circle L, circle R Star R star L everybody bow, promenade and find someone else for a little, then turn the scatter promenade into the big ring and go from there. On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. &lt;winston(a)slac.stanford.edu&gt; wrote: > Any — > That’s great! I hadn’t encountered that, and I really have to put it in my idea way > around.). So this’ll be good even for symmetric Sicilians. > — Alan > ________________________________________ > From: Amy Cann &lt;acann(a)putneyschool.org&gt; > Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 1:11 PM > To: Winston, Alan P. > Cc: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net; Charles Abell > Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > Here's how I learned: > "Everybody promenade the usual way, two-by-two around the room - now > stop where you are." > "Starting from this point right in front of me (gesture to where head > couple of center set usually stands for contras), you're going to > count off in pairs of couples and take hands four in this big ring. > "Half of you can just stay facing the usual promenade direction - you're 1s" > "Half of you will need to turn as a couple and face the 'wrong' > direction - you're 2's". > It links the role of 1s/2s to the familiar line-of-direction we use > for promenading and coupledancing > -- who feels most "normal", and who feels as if they're > accommodating/supporting. > On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. via Contra Callers > &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote: >> To your questions: >> >> 1: Right, the vast majority of Sicilians are completely symmetrical. >> >> 2: Because of this, I don't think there's a default for whether CW or CCW clockwise") so may ascribing contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net >> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Joe Harrington &lt;contradancerjoe(a)gmail.com&gt; To: Amy Cann &lt;acann(a)putneyschool.org&gt; Cc: &quot;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&quot; < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 16:49:36 -0500 Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question Newbie question: Why is it called a "Sicilian" circle? While certain dances came from long ago with that label, wouldn't many/most contras work, as long as the circle isn't too small and the 1s and 2s are comparably active? --jh-- On Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 4:39 PM Amy Cann via Contra Callers < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote: > Glad you like it! > > For what it's worth, at a ONS I often do a scatter mixer that's > basically half of "Haste to the Wedding" - > > Circle L, circle R > Star R star L > everybody bow, promenade and find someone else > > for a little, then turn the scatter promenade into the big ring and go > from there. > > On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. &lt;winston(a)slac.stanford.edu&gt; wrote: > > Any — >> > That’s great! I hadn’t encountered that, and I really have to put it > in my >> idea > > what a Sicilian *is* to pair up and form one. (The best I had up to > this > > point was make a big circle, pick a pair and make them face, and then > (in > > Susan Michael’s words), say “Chain Reaction - pair up like this all the > way > > around.). So this’ll be good even for symmetric Sicilians. >> > — Alan >> > ________________________________________ > > From: Amy Cann &lt;acann(a)putneyschool.org&gt; > > Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 1:11 PM > > To: Winston, Alan P. > > Cc: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net; Charles Abell > > Subject: Re: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question >> > Here's how I learned: >> > "Everybody promenade the usual way, two-by-two around the room - now > > stop where you are." >> > "Starting from this point right in front of me (gesture to where head > > couple of center set usually stands for contras), you're going to > > count off in pairs of couples and take hands four in this big ring. >> > "Half of you can just stay facing the usual promenade direction - > you're 1s" >> > "Half of you will need to turn as a couple and face the 'wrong' > > direction - you're 2's". >> > It links the role of 1s/2s to the familiar line-of-direction we use > > for promenading and coupledancing >> > -- who feels most "normal", and who feels as if they're > > accommodating/supporting. >>>> > On 2/4/23, Winston, Alan P. via Contra Callers > > &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote: > >> To your questions: > >> > >> 1: Right, the vast majority of Sicilians are completely symmetrical. > >> > >> 2: Because of this, I don't think there's a default for whether CW or > CCW > >> are the "1s". You can just pick which one you want. > >> > >> 3. Yes, there are non-symmetric Sicilians -= I'm looking at notes for > >> "The > >> Molly Andrew", a waltz Sicilian; it has the 1s ("those facing > clockwise") > >> do > >> the figure through the 2s and then the 2s through the 1., and it's > fine so > >> long as you get across who goes first. Way better to indicate that > >> visually rather than just say it. > >> > >> -- Alan > >> ________________________________________ > >> From: Charles Abell via Contra Callers > >> &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; > >> Sent: Saturday, February 4, 2023 12:06 PM > >> To: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > >> Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question > >> > >> Hello group, It's been a while since I called a Sicilian Circle, but I > may > >> soon - two questions: > >> > >> 1. Typically, one couple isn't considered the "ones" and the other > >> "twos", right? > >> 2. If there are ones and two, which couple would be considered the > >> "ones" > >> - CW or CCW? > >> 3. If there are not typically ones and twos, has anyone tried > ascribing > >> those roles for a Sicilian circle dance. That is, I had an idea for a > >> dance > >> that ends with a square dance figure requiring one couple to arch > first, > >> thus the need for separate numbers. > >> > >> I did attempt to find an answer online and was not initially > successful. > >> Thoughts? > >> > >> Chuck > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > >> To unsubscribe send an email to > contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net > >> >> _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > To unsubscribe send an email to > contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Qui Ann &lt;quiann2(a)gmail.com&gt; To: Emily Addison &lt;emilyladdison(a)gmail.com&gt; Cc: callers(a)sharedweight.net Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 14:29:41 -0800 Subject: [Callers] Re: Do you add a 'do anything' move into a contra? OR other playful strategies? :) I call Hot Buttered Rolls by Perry Shafran and sometimes modify the B1 to “pass P, shadow DSD” and then invite them to sort out with their shadow as to what they want to do. https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=7821 Same with "Vote with Your Feet" by Bob Isaacs. https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=1956 In this video you can hear me say “do something” when it comes to that part. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKP1xR-fjgk&ab_channel=albatrossace101 Jacqui On Feb 4, 2023, at 12:47, Emily Addison via Contra Callers < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote: Hey folks, After a number of relatively quiet caller years (parenting; pandemic), I've started to dig deep to expand my repertoire and up my skills. It feels like it's time for lots more dance fun! :) One dance that I've really enjoyed is Heartbeat Contra (by Don Flaherty - see below). Tom Calwell called it in Ottawa way back in 2010 and at the top of the B1, he called Al R 1.5 or ANYTHING (R shoulder round, swing, DSD). *Do any of you throw in a 'do anything' moment in an evening of contra programming?* I'm always looking for fun, playful moments that make dancers smile and this feels like a lovely one. If you throw in an anything moment, how do you choose when? *And do you have other strategies for adding playfulness to an evening?* I've got some dances which I find super playful and fun (e.g., Three's Company - Altered & Alternating - Paul Balliet) Thoughts on this? Thanks! Emily in Ottawa ------------------------------- Heartbeat Contra (Don Flaherty) A1 Bal Ring & Petronella Twirl Bal Ring & Petronella Twirl A2 Bal Ring & N Sw B1 ROB Al R 1.5 *OR ANYTHING! *(Al R, Rshoulder round, swing, DSD... original was RH round) P Sw B2 Cir L 3/4 Bal Ring & California Twirl _______________________________________________ Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: David Harding &lt;dharding101(a)comcast.net&gt; To: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Cc: Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 16:52:30 -0600 Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question There is a specific old dance bearing the name "Sicilian Circle". You can find it in, for instance, this 1857 instruction book from the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/musdi.094/ The name has come to imply the formation and general pattern. On 2/4/2023 3:49 PM, Joe Harrington via Contra Callers wrote: > Newbie question: Why is it called a "Sicilian" circle? > While certain dances came from long ago with that label, wouldn't > many/most contras work, as long as the circle isn't too small and the > 1s and 2s are comparably active? > --jh-- ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Amy Wimmer &lt;amywimmer(a)gmail.com&gt; To: "Caller's discussion list" &lt;callers(a)sharedweight.net&gt; Cc: Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 15:04:59 -0800 Subject: [Callers] Rompin' Stompin' Hey All, What are your favorite barn burner contras? I have a few, but they get old. -Amy ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jonathan Sivier &lt;jsivier(a)illinois.edu&gt; To: New Contra Callers List &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Cc: Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 17:18:12 -0600 Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question It appears that in that book the dance formation is given as a longways, duple, improper set. Not the circle of couple facing couple that we typically connect to the Sicilian circle formation. The dance just before it is the Spanish Dance and gives as the formation, "The first couple at the head of the room, with their backs to the wall; the next couple facing the first; the third couple with their backs to the second; the fourth couple facing the third; and all the rest are formed in the same manner, every two couples facing each other, without regard to numbers." Then it says, "As each couple arrives at the end of the room, they must turn round and wait for the next couple to meet them, the gentlemen being careful to have their ladies always on the right hand. This seems to be describing a longways dance instead of a circle. Under Sicilian Circle it says, "This dance is formed precisely the same as the Spanish Dance," so that would seem to be a longways dance as well. I think I have read that Spanish Dance was also used in the 19th century as the generic name for the circle of couples facing each other. So were these dances described somewhere with the circle formation, or was that just something that someone did at one point and it stuck? Jonathan On 2/4/2023 4:52 PM, David Harding via Contra Callers wrote: can find it in, for instance, this 1857 instruction book from the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/musdi.094/ The name has come to imply the formation and general pattern. > On 2/4/2023 3:49 PM, Joe Harrington via Contra Callers wrote: >> Newbie question: Why is it called a "Sicilian" circle? >> >> While certain dances came from long ago with that label, wouldn't many/most contras work, as long as the circle isn't too small and the 1s and 2s are comparably active? contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Chris Page &lt;chriscpage(a)gmail.com&gt; To: Amy Wimmer &lt;amywimmer(a)gmail.com&gt; Cc: "Caller's discussion list" &lt;callers(a)sharedweight.net&gt; Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 16:09:37 -0800 Subject: [Callers] Re: Rompin' Stompin' What do you mean by "barn burner contra"? Confused, -Chris Page Los Angeles, CA ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Charles Abell &lt;chuckabell(a)hotmail.com&gt; To: New Contra Callers List &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt;et>, Jonathan Sivier &lt;jsivier(a)illinois.edu&gt; Cc: Bcc: Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2023 00:13:28 +0000 Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question Thanks for the comments, everyone. Very helpful, especially the tip about promenading into the proper formation. I noticed no one has responded yet to the question about whether a large number of contra dances could be run as Sicilian circles. I'd be curious to hear what others say, but my instinct is that it would maybe be problematic. The curvature of the format would seem to make heys and other figures more challenging to execute - the spacing between minor sets might also be impacted in that formation. So, for instance, when doing a sequence like "alle right N1 1/2x along the side then alle left next N 1x", the distance between N #1 and N#2 might easily be greater than in a regular contra. Anyway, this is just an initial gut reaction - let's see what the hive mind thinks. As for "barnburner" dances, that's a broad term, and there are so many to choose from. How about, as a starting bid, "From Here to Infinity" by Bob Isaacs... Chuck ------------------------------ *From:* Jonathan Sivier via Contra Callers < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; *Sent:* Saturday, February 4, 2023 11:18 PM *To:* New Contra Callers List &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; *Subject:* [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question It appears that in that book the dance formation is given as a longways, duple, improper set. Not the circle of couple facing couple that we typically connect to the Sicilian circle formation. The dance just before it is the Spanish Dance and gives as the formation, "The first couple at the head of the room, with their backs to the wall; the next couple facing the first; the third couple with their backs to the second; the fourth couple facing the third; and all the rest are formed in the same manner, every two couples facing each other, without regard to numbers." Then it says, "As each couple arrives at the end of the room, they must turn round and wait for the next couple to meet them, the gentlemen being careful to have their ladies always on the right hand. This seems to be describing a longways dance instead of a circle. Under Sicilian Circle it says, "This dance is formed precisely the same as the Spanish Dance," so that would seem to be a longways dance as well. I think I have read that Spanish Dance was also used in the 19th century as the generic name for the circle of couples facing each other. So were these dances described somewhere with the circle formation, or was that just something that someone did at one point and it stuck? Jonathan On 2/4/2023 4:52 PM, David Harding via Contra Callers wrote: can find it in, for instance, this 1857 instruction book from the Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/item/musdi.094/ The name has come to imply the formation and general pattern. > On 2/4/2023 3:49 PM, Joe Harrington via Contra Callers wrote: >> Newbie question: Why is it called a "Sicilian" circle? >> >> While certain dances came from long ago with that label, wouldn't many/most contras work, as long as the circle isn't too small and the 1s and 2s are comparably active? contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net _______________________________________________ Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Elizabeth Bloom Albert &lt;ealbert75(a)gmail.com&gt; To: Charles Abell &lt;chuckabell(a)hotmail.com&gt; Cc: &quot;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&quot; < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Bcc: Date: Sat, 4 Feb 2023 22:01:30 -0600 Subject: [Callers] Re: Sicilian Circle question Offering up the following: *Burning Ring of Arches **by Elizabeth Bloom Albert* Sicilian Circle. QUADRUPLE Progression dance *Key: 1’s = Couples who are facing CW around circle* * 2’s = Couples who are facing CCW around circle* A1 1’s Arch, 2’s Duck under; 2’s Arch, 1’s Duck under; 1’s Arch, 2’s Duck under; 2’s Arch, 1’s Duck under A2 Ladies Chain (to Neighbor) Ladies Chain (to Partner) B1 Ladies Alle-R 1 and ½ Swing Neighbor End swing facing partner. B2 Circle Left 3/4 Swing Partner End swing facing original direction. On Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 2:06 PM Charles Abell via Contra Callers < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote: -- * Elizabeth Bloom Albert * _______________________________________________ Contra Callers mailing list -- contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net To unsubscribe send an email to contracallers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net