This is a subject dear to my heart. At least half my gigs lately are one-nighters, and whole-set longways are almost literally my bread and butter. Although squares were my first love and I push constantly for my right to call squares at contra-series dances, there are plenty of times when squares just don't make sense: The numbers aren't right, or folks have had enough trouble with other dances that I don't want to give them more things to learn. And there are also times when people don't look like they want to change partners, or there are a lot of itties dancing, so circle mixers are out. So I've had to fall back on a diet of longways more than once. Here are the whole-set longways that Beth and I use most frequently. (For these descriptions I'll call the line on the caller's right Line 1. Feel free to coin your own role names or use positional terms.) Galopede (trad. English, modified) Any number of couples; I try for 8 to 10 A.1 Lines forward and back; Line 1 make arches and both lines cross over (Line 2 duck under, passing partner by R shoulder) A.2 Repeat A.1 with Line 2 arching (so it's "the line facing the scoreboard [or whatever]" both times) B.1 All turn partner with right arm; repeat with left arm B.2 Couple 1 go down center to foot and stop; others move up one place We make a big deal of how Couple 1 can choose their own way to go down the middle: sashay, arm turn, polka, tango, piggyback, wheelbarrow. I saw a couple do leapfrog the other night. Kingston Flyer (Noeline O'Connor) Intended for 4 couples, but can be done with more, esp. if phrasing is disregarded A.1 Line 2 go around Line 1 (apparently the author wanted single file, but can be done with hands joined) A.2 Line 1 go around Line 2 B.1 Couple 1 lead down center and return B.2 Couple 1 (only) cast to foot; Couple 1 turn partner with right hand (we learned it as do-si-do) Beth calls "The line over here go round over there" and vice versa. Over the Top (Beth Parkes - assembled from trad. moves, but you could say the same about most new dances, e.g. Shadrack's Delight) About 6 to 10 couples A.1 Lines forward and back; keep hands joined, ends take partner's free hand, and all "oval" to the left A.2 "Oval" to the right; all do-si-do partner B.1 Couple 1 arch over one line to the foot (about 12 beats); begin to arch over the other line to the head (4) B.2 Finish the arch to the head (8); Couple 1 sashay to the foot and stop (8) Obviously, if the phrasing slips, let it. Wheelbarrow Reel (Don Armstrong) About 6 couples A.1 Lines forward and back; all turn partner with right hand or arm A.2 All turn partner with left hand or arm; all turn partner once around with two hands, keeping hands joined at end B.1 Couple 1 poussette to foot; other couples counter (when #1 zigs, they zag) B.2 Finish the poussette; all do-si-do partner (if time) Boston Tea Party (Jean Butler, 1982) A bit more complicated; works best with 5 or 6 couples A.1 Couple 1 sashay to foot; arch over Line 2 to head A.2 Couple 1 arch over Line 1 to foot; sashay to head B.1 Couple 1 face down, others up, #1 dip and dive to foot (#2 make first arch); other couples cast to foot after #1 has passed them B.2 Couple 1 make a two-hand arch, others pass it and lead their partners up through For my first (and usually only) "hands four" dance, I use this: Sanita Hill Circle (Ed Durlacher, before 1949) Couple facing couple, either around a big circle ("Sicilian circle formation") or scattered around the floor (scattered works well if there are fewer than 5 or 6 two-couple sets) A.1 Circle left; circle right A.2 Do-si-do neighbor; do-si-do partner B.1 Right-hand star; left-hand star B.2 Forward and back; pass through to next (If doing the scatter version, change B.2 to "promenade anywhere and look for another couple") If the group is receptive to a bit of yakking, I tell them this is a simple form of a contra dance (many New Englanders have heard of contras, even if they've never seen or done one). I almost never use straight-line contras at a one-nighter; the progression, waiting out, and change of roles add up to too much new stuff to learn. If I need a nearly bombproof contra, I'll use one of these two. Both are genderless. Family Contra (Sherry Nevins) A.1 Balance the ring twice; circle left A.2 Balance the ring twice; circle right B.1 Do-si-do neighbor; do-si-do partner B.2 As couples, do-si-do once and a half to next Andy White's (Amy Cann) A.1 Circle left; as couples, do-si-do neighbor couple A.2 Do-si-do neighbor; two-hand turn neighbor once B.1 With neighbor, clap hands together, R, together, L, repeat; repeat all with partner B.2 Going forward: Couple 2 arch, Couple 1 duck under Backing up: Couple 1 arch, Couple 2 duck under Going forward: Couple 2 arch, Couple 1 duck and on to the next Enjoy! Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com/> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (available now) From: Erik Hoffman via Contra Callers &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Sent: Monday, October 9, 2023 5:39 PM To: Shared Weight - Contra Callers &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Subject: [Callers] Favorite One Night Stand Dances I'd love to collect a few more whole set dances for one night stands. I have done my version of the Virginia Reel, of course. Some Running Set figures (though not in a big circle, but, "find another couple and circle left), Sasha, the Broom Dance and/or the Fan Dance, Blobs, and possibly teach Jefferson & Liberty, or a slightly simplified version of Haste to the Wedding and the first "Hands Four" dance. So, I've been collecting the Simple Contra Dances, and adding them to my repertoire with thanks to all sharing them! I am looking for Whole Set Dances. Here's one from me: Building a Tunnel I put some figures together after looking at dancing in Douglastown, Quebec, that I found from Laura Risk's wonderful collection of music and notes she coproduced with Brian Morris, the Douglastown cd (https://www.laurarisk.com/recordings.html). I call this Building a Tunnel. Then I stole part of what I think is The Flying Scottsman (which I learned from the wonderful Sandy Bradley) or is it Kingston Flyer as Tony Parkes mentioned. Building a Tunnel Longways set a Whole Set dance Not too phrased to the music In long lines, Head Person of Line One leads their line all the way around Line Two Then Head of Line Two leads line around Line One All Partner Do Si Do, Swing (any way: elbow, 2-hand, ballroom) Top Couple arch over one line to the bottom-Mow The Lawn... Top Couple arch over the other line back to the top-Cut Their Hair... Top Couple Sashay to Bottom, Make an Arch The two lines face down, go down and around the Top (soon to be Bottom) Couple Through the arch, and, as the line goes under, make an Arch when couples go through the last arch (made by the couple they've been following). In other words, Building a Tunnel. When teaching the Top Couple to make an arch I teach taking one hand as they face the line. By the second or third time, couple start doing the arch with two hands, thus, I don't know why I bother... Like other dances as the Virginia Reel, sets can easily get out of sync. If they do, I watch and stop calling except to remind un-sync-ed if they forgot something. So many times when teaching the Virginia Reel, dancers want to do the "build a tunnel" and I (and most likely most of you) have to teach promenading up and not passing anyone. Now they get to build it! Thinking of making the first Hands Four dance Easier For years I've called the dance at the Full Belly Farm's "Hoes Down" where they put their hoes down and dance. I've used Jefferson & Liberty, but, in sets on an empty field where sets can easily get 20-couples long or longer, and not wanting to take even more time bi and trifurcating sets into shorter sets. I think I presented Barbarella earlier, and it got me thinking: would it be easier to teach a phrased progressive dance in Becket Formation ending by sliding left to a new couple? So, I'm going to try a couple of ideas at my next One Night Stand: Start getting lines in becket formation. My first thought is to star with Long Lines going forward and back, to reinforce that we are dancing with everyone, but I can also starting by teaching a slice and then putting that slice as B2. That said, these just thinking right now: My First Try: A1 LLF&B; Neighbor across Do Si Do A2 Partner Do Si Do, Swing (any way) B1 Face Down for Line of Four Down the Hall, Turn as a Couple (or, uh, not), Return B2 Circle Left, Circle Right, Slide Right to next couple to A1 LLF&B Or A1 w/ Couple Across: Circle Left, then Right A2 w/ Neighbor Across: DSD, Two Hand Turn B1 Back on Own Side: Ptnr DSD, Two Hand Turn (or Swing any kind) B2 Looking to the Left: Long Lines go Forward to a New Couple, then Straight Back, to A1 with New Nbr I think these might be easier to explain to complete novices. Any thoughts? ~Erik Hoffman Oakland, CA

Hi Erik and all. This is my "tunnel dance" The Loon Dance, Bill Olson, longways, "whole set" dance A1 LLF&B, DSD partner A2 Head couple sashay to bottom of set, NEW head couple make arch with 2 hands*, remaining couples face UP the set B1 couples (who are separated) walk up the set single file, go past the arch (one line on each side), couples meet and dive through arch with partner (moving down the set as they go through the arch(s)), immediately making new arch when they pop out to form long "tunnel"** B2 as last couple passes through arch, partners swing and swing 'til dance begins again. *move up a little but leave a little room at the top ** tell dancers not to pack too tightly The inspiration for this dance came from a YouTube video which showed a school cafeteria space FULL of high school kids in Quebec having a really great time!! A little analysis showed me the dance actually didn't progress, but I thought the "tunnel part" was pretty cool!! The swing propagates down the set in B2 so the top couples get more swing than bottom couples, but everyone gets their turn. 7-9 couples seems about optimum if you want to stay on the phrase of the music. This dance has been through a few changes but has pretty much ended up here. First premiered at Maine Fiddle Camp where the loons call quite persistantly! ________________________________ From: Erik Hoffman via Contra Callers &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Sent: Monday, October 9, 2023 9:38 PM To: Shared Weight - Contra Callers &lt;contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; Subject: [Callers] Favorite One Night Stand Dances I’d love to collect a few more whole set dances for one night stands. I have done my version of the Virginia Reel, of course. Some Running Set figures (though not in a big circle, but, “find another couple and circle left), Sasha, the Broom Dance and/or the Fan Dance, Blobs, and possibly teach Jefferson & Liberty, or a slightly simplified version of Haste to the Wedding and the first “Hands Four” dance. So, I’ve been collecting the Simple Contra Dances, and adding them to my repertoire with thanks to all sharing them! I am looking for Whole Set Dances. Here’s one from me: Building a Tunnel I put some figures together after looking at dancing in Douglastown, Quebec, that I found from Laura Risk’s wonderful collection of music and notes she coproduced with Brian Morris, the Douglastown cd (https://www.laurarisk.com/recordings.html). I call this Building a Tunnel. Then I stole part of what I think is The Flying Scottsman (which I learned from the wonderful Sandy Bradley) or is it Kingston Flyer as Tony Parkes mentioned. Building a Tunnel Longways set a Whole Set dance Not too phrased to the music In long lines, Head Person of Line One leads their line all the way around Line Two Then Head of Line Two leads line around Line One All Partner Do Si Do, Swing (any way: elbow, 2-hand, ballroom) Top Couple arch over one line to the bottom—Mow The Lawn… Top Couple arch over the other line back to the top—Cut Their Hair… Top Couple Sashay to Bottom, Make an Arch The two lines face down, go down and around the Top (soon to be Bottom) Couple Through the arch, and, as the line goes under, make an Arch when couples go through the last arch (made by the couple they’ve been following). In other words, Building a Tunnel. When teaching the Top Couple to make an arch I teach taking one hand as they face the line. By the second or third time, couple start doing the arch with two hands, thus, I don’t know why I bother… Like other dances as the Virginia Reel, sets can easily get out of sync. If they do, I watch and stop calling except to remind un-sync-ed if they forgot something. So many times when teaching the Virginia Reel, dancers want to do the “build a tunnel” and I (and most likely most of you) have to teach promenading up and not passing anyone. Now they get to build it! Thinking of making the first Hands Four dance Easier For years I’ve called the dance at the Full Belly Farm’s “Hoes Down” where they put their hoes down and dance. I’ve used Jefferson & Liberty, but, in sets on an empty field where sets can easily get 20-couples long or longer, and not wanting to take even more time bi and trifurcating sets into shorter sets. I think I presented Barbarella earlier, and it got me thinking: would it be easier to teach a phrased progressive dance in Becket Formation ending by sliding left to a new couple? So, I’m going to try a couple of ideas at my next One Night Stand: Start getting lines in becket formation. My first thought is to star with Long Lines going forward and back, to reinforce that we are dancing with everyone, but I can also starting by teaching a slice and then putting that slice as B2. That said, these just thinking right now: My First Try: A1 LLF&B; Neighbor across Do Si Do A2 Partner Do Si Do, Swing (any way) B1 Face Down for Line of Four Down the Hall, Turn as a Couple (or, uh, not), Return B2 Circle Left, Circle Right, Slide Right to next couple to A1 LLF&B Or A1 w/ Couple Across: Circle Left, then Right A2 w/ Neighbor Across: DSD, Two Hand Turn B1 Back on Own Side: Ptnr DSD, Two Hand Turn (or Swing any kind) B2 Looking to the Left: Long Lines go Forward to a New Couple, then Straight Back, to A1 with New Nbr I think these might be easier to explain to complete novices. Any thoughts? ~Erik Hoffman Oakland, CA

Thanks for this thread. I'm always on the lookout for new community dances. This is one of my favorites that I learned from Susan Michaels at a square dance caller's workshop. It's a variation of the Boston Tea Party so I call it Susan's Tea Party. *Susan’s Tea Party* Susan Michaels Type: Longways Formation: Duple-Improper Level: Beginner-Easy Music: Doesn't need to be square A part Down the road part: Everyone sashays down the set with partner, drops to the bottom until top couple is back to the top. B part Toaster time: Top couple forms an arch to go over the left hand line, switches hands at the bottom and toasters back up the right hand line C part Peel the banana: top couple casts off to the bottom Follow the leader, top couple forms an arch at the bottom everyone else ducks under the arch reforms lines and there is a new top couple. Notes: If lines are really long do a double toaster with top two couples each going over one of the lines trading at the bottom and coming back up. and Double Peel the banana with a 4 person arch at the bottom. On Mon, Oct 9, 2023 at 2:39 PM Erik Hoffman via Contra Callers < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote: -- twirls, Frannie

One of my favorites that hasn't been mentioned is Linda Leslie's "Do-Si-Three" There are several more promising ones here: https://lindalesliecaller.contracorner.com/dances/very-easy-dances.html *Do Si Three Beginner/Three face three in lines facing up/down the hall (10/23/1993 Boston, MA)*A1 Circle Left once Circle Right once A2 Ends do si do your opposite neighbor Middles do si do your opposite neighbor B1 Ends swing your opposite Middles swing your opposite B2 Lines of three forward & back Pass thru to a new line of three *(if they get ahead of the music here, I suggest they march in place until the A 1)* On Mon, Oct 9, 2023 at 5:39 PM Erik Hoffman via Contra Callers < contracallers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote: