Emily-- Swings in the middle work fine if there's only one couple doing them. In your Jefferson and Liberty (which is Dudley Briggs' "Jefferson Reel" rather than the historical Jefferson and LIberty), the 1s don't swing at all and the 2s only swing if they cheat while the 1s are going down the outside and back. (Which is fine). Anyway, no worries on vertical space in that one. In "Taking Liberties" I'd address your concern by hvaing the 2s do the cheat swing and having the 1s only swing (but that still makes a swing that lasts through the entire B2, which is a long time for the 2s to just stand there and also a long time to swing - usually there's a balance in a 16-count swing. It makes sense for it to be the ones because it's awkward for the 2s, who've just been popped through the arch, to turn and face each and get organized for the swing, while the 1s arch action leaves them already holding a hand and not having to fight momentum to get into the swing. (A balance would be awkward, though.) It looks like Bob Dalsemer's "Jefferson Revisited" addresses concernsl a different way. It replaces "down the outside and back" with "neighbor dosido, neighbor swing", which means the swings are on the side. No partner swing in the dance. https://www.ibiblio.org/contradance/thecallersbox/dance.php?id=10515 Hope this helps! -- Alan ________________________________________ From: Emily Addison via Contra Callers <contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> Sent: Friday, April 14, 2023 12:37 PM To: contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Subject: [Callers] Does P swings (across set) work for you? Hi All, I've been looking at a couple of simple simple contras. One is Jefferson and Liberty (below) and the other is Taking Liberties with Jefferson. I do like the fact that the stars are in Taking Liberties. However, in my somewhat limited calling career, I've haven't found that swings in the middle/across the set have really worked well in contras. (Can get away with in in longways dances but contras are a bit tighter). I just don't get enough calling practice to be testing this stuff out a lot. I'm looking for other perspectives on this! What do you think? Thanks! Emily in Ottawa Jefferson & Liberty (improper) �� L ��R RH�� LH�� 1s down outside �� eye contact! And back up �� step in between the 2s ALT: 2s swing partner in middle something fun here? Finish with 1s in middle, a N in outer hands �C all face down Down hall 4 in line Back up �� as doing so 1s arch & 2s duck thru ��to NEW N Taking Liberties with Jefferson (improper) �� L ��R 1s down outside �� eye contact! And back up �� step in between the 2s ALT: 2s swing partner in middle something fun here? Finish with 1s in middle, a N in outer hands �C all face down Down hall 4 in line Back up �� as doing so 1s arch & 2s duck thru P Swing [