Hi Luke,
I called it tonight. We had low numbers so I tested it during the interval with some volunteers as a Four Couple Dance. At the end of the Partner Swing we just faced back to the same line. Or changed it from Head Lines to Side Lines if we wanted different people to go through the arches.
I wanted all the Box the Gnats at the same time, so I did Balance & Box the Gnat. They may have been very slightly late getting through the tunnel, so, to avoid the possibility of the Balance being late or random, I changed the Balance & Swing to Dosido & Swing which worked fine.
I indicated who should go through the tunnel first via a geographic reference: pick a feature of the room and let people know that you are going to use it. I called “Window People Tunnel” – that worked well.
We had lots of room, so the first swing tended to end up with the set as a square, which meant that the four steps into the middle were fine, but with less room the “Head Couples” might not have very far to travel, but I don’t think it would be a problem.
The dancers said that they liked it. I will definitely use it again.
Does it have a name?
Thanks.
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
From: Callers <callers-bounces(a)lists.sharedweight.net> On Behalf Of Luke Donforth via Callers
Sent: 02 August 2018 19:36
To: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] New 4x4 composition with a tunnel, and related questions
Hello all,
I've had an idea for a 4 facing 4 dance rattling around, and it seems unlikely I'll have enough dancers to house-party it anytime soon, so I'd appreciate feedback on an untested dance.
4 facing 4 contra
A1
(4) Lines of 4 go forward, take right hand with the one in front of you
(4) box the gnat, keep and lift right hand to make a tunnel
(4) couple at stage right side of line of couples duck through to far side
(4) couple that was at stage left side of line of couples duck through to far side
A2
(16) Initial corner balance and swing
(end couples, it's the one they tunneled with, middle folks it's their trail buddy)
B1
(4) All 8 go into the middle
(4) On the way out, gents roll the one they swung with away with a half sashay
(8) Gents right hand star ~1x (ladies adjust position as needed, stepping a little to left)
B2
(16) Partner balance and swing, end facing new couple
Questions for those so inclined:
Would you be interested in dancing and/or calling this dance? Why, or why not?
The inspiration for the tunnel came from "plow the row", a (to my knowledge) traditional square (at least, it's traditional enough to have lots of variations). Anyone know of a tunnel figure in a 4x4 contra?
In the B1, I wrote it as the gents roll the ladies, and the gents star. It could instead be the ladies roll the gents and ladies star. Preferences?
There are two places where what would normally be "balance+move" have been replaced with "in to the middle+move"; is the four steps forward before the box the gnat and the roll away going to throw folks?
How would you prompt the couples on the end going through the tunnel so that there's only one couple in the tunnel at a time? Or would you prompt it as both going through and let them figure it out inside the tunnel?
Thanks for feedback.
--
Luke Donforth
Luke.Donforth(a)gmail.com <mailto:Luke.Donev@gmail.com>
All,
I wrote Rip and Snort which includes the move of that name, although when I looked in taminations recently I couldn't find it, but I definitely picked it up from a square dance. I've called this multiple times with good success.
https://contradb.com/dances/571
I wrote the following dance which has some of the feel you've mentioned and also has the unique transition from a circulate to a hey which is why I wrote it.
Mentoring Mentor - indecent
Ben Werner
Starting with larks facing in
A1: (8) Long Waves Balance & Box Circulate
(8) Long Waves Balance & Box Circulate
A2: (16) Long Waves Balance, ¾ hey: larks start with left shoulder
B1: (16) Partner B&S (on ladies home side)
B2: (4) Pass the ocean with larks RH in the middle,
(6) Partner allemande L ½ way, ravens Allemande R ½
(6) Neighbor allemande L 1 ¼ to long wavey lines
* the pass the ocean is actually a mirror of the typical pass the ocean which normally has Left Hands in the middle and pass a person by right shoulder. In this one, You pass Neighbors by Left Shoulder and have larks with right hands in the middle.
** I've gotten some feedback that the pass the ocean thing would be less confusing as a pass through across and face your partner but I haven't brought myself to actually changing it yet... But that would probably be the right thing to do.
I've called this a few times with mixed results. B2 seems to be the spot that always causes issues because we're trained to pass by the right shoulder.
Cheers,
Ben
Sent from my iPhone
> On Aug 7, 2018, at 3:56 AM, Chris Page via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
> If it can be done with four people, it's likely been put in a contra
> by _someone_.
>
> Some other moves that I don't think anyone's mentioned yet:
>
> Cloverleaf
> Grand right and left
> Lady around two/gent cut through
> Orbit (many dances) (derived from Spin the Top via Fenterlarick)
>
> And some more obscure ones:
>
> Two-leaf clover
> Dip and dive
> Roll the barrel
> Mountain style do-si-do
> All eight spin the top
> Spin the top
> Catch all Eight (as in "Dancing Bear")
> Do paso
> Dixie style to a wave
> Scoot back
> Half sashay
> Veer
>
> In some contras written by Contralab folks, you have all sorts of
> stuff, including
>
> Run
> Trade the wave
> Sweep a quarter
> Walk and dodge
> Wheel and deal
> Shuffle the deck
> Diamond circulate
> Explode
>
> And plugging some of my own really weird dances, I've got:
>
> Not Your Average Joe: Birdie in the cage
> Rufty Rainbows: Rainbow stroll
> TLC Tempest: Three ladies chain
> Two Steps Forward: Ladies center/gents sashay
> Wagon Reel: Wagon wheel
>
> (One could even argue "Ladies chain" is this fancy new quadrille
> figure that got introduced into contras.)
>
> -Chris Page
> San Diego
>
>
> On Sat, Aug 4, 2018 at 12:51 PM, Rachel Shapiro via Callers
> <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>> Hi all,
>> I'm in search of contras that have borrowed interesting figures from
>> traditional and modern western square dances. Do you have any favorites
>> you're willing to share? I've got Rang Tang Contra and some dances with
>> Dixie Twirls. Lots with Box the Gnat and Swat the Flea. Any others you love?
>> Thank you!
>> Rachel Shapiro Wallace
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> List Name: Callers mailing list
>> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
>> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
If it can be done with four people, it's likely been put in a contra
by _someone_.
Some other moves that I don't think anyone's mentioned yet:
Cloverleaf
Grand right and left
Lady around two/gent cut through
Orbit (many dances) (derived from Spin the Top via Fenterlarick)
And some more obscure ones:
Two-leaf clover
Dip and dive
Roll the barrel
Mountain style do-si-do
All eight spin the top
Spin the top
Catch all Eight (as in "Dancing Bear")
Do paso
Dixie style to a wave
Scoot back
Half sashay
Veer
In some contras written by Contralab folks, you have all sorts of
stuff, including
Run
Trade the wave
Sweep a quarter
Walk and dodge
Wheel and deal
Shuffle the deck
Diamond circulate
Explode
And plugging some of my own really weird dances, I've got:
Not Your Average Joe: Birdie in the cage
Rufty Rainbows: Rainbow stroll
TLC Tempest: Three ladies chain
Two Steps Forward: Ladies center/gents sashay
Wagon Reel: Wagon wheel
(One could even argue "Ladies chain" is this fancy new quadrille
figure that got introduced into contras.)
-Chris Page
San Diego
On Sat, Aug 4, 2018 at 12:51 PM, Rachel Shapiro via Callers
<callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm in search of contras that have borrowed interesting figures from
> traditional and modern western square dances. Do you have any favorites
> you're willing to share? I've got Rang Tang Contra and some dances with
> Dixie Twirls. Lots with Box the Gnat and Swat the Flea. Any others you love?
> Thank you!
> Rachel Shapiro Wallace
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
Let's not forget the great Chinese New Year! box circulate
Chinese New Yearby Chris PageImproper (long wave) [1] A1 Balance long waves Box circulate [2] Balance long waves Box circulate [3] A2 Balance long waves Box circulate [2] Partner swingB1 Circle left 3/4 Neighbor swingB2 Long lines forward and back Square through (right-hand balance partner, pull right by partner, left by neighbor) to long waves [4]
[1] Starts in long waves, right hand to neighbor, men face out, women face in.[2] Circulate: Women cross the set to their partner's place, men loop right to their neighbor's place.[3] Circulate: Men cross the set to their neighbor's place, women loop right to their partner's place.[4] With the pull-by left, keep left hands and take right hands with a new neighbor to reform long waves. For better entry, consider an allemande left 1/2 rather than a pull-by left so that everyones' hands are at the correct height for long waves.
Laurie
~ When I dance, I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole, that is why I dance. ~Hans Bos~ ~
On Sunday, August 5, 2018, 4:23:43 PM EDT, Mark Hillegonds via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi, Rachel,
Below that are four contras with box circulates:
24th of Octoberby Don LennartsonContra/Becket-CW/Int
A1 -----------(8) LL F & B(8) Ladies chain (to Neighbor)A2 -----------(8) LH star 1x(8) (W/ next) Neighbor alle R 1+1/2 (to long waves, G face in, L out)B1 -----------(4,4) Waves balance, Circulate (G cross, L loop)(4,4) Waves balance, Circulate (L cross, G loop)B2 -----------(4,4) Waves balance, Circulate (G cross, L loop)(8) Partner swing
Du Quoin Racesby Orace JohnsonContra/Becket-CW/Int
A1 -----------(4,4) Rings balance, Pass through to a wave(4,4) Waves balance, Partner alle R 3/4 (to long waves, G face out, L face in)A2 -----------(4,4) Waves balance, Box circulate (Ladies cross, Gents loop R)(4,4) Waves balance, Box circulate (Gents cross, Ladies loop R)B1 -----------(8) Partner swing (on same side as started on)(4,4) Circle L 1/2, Neighbor roll away (across) with half sashayB2 -----------(4,4) Circle L 1/2, Partner roll away (along) with half sashay(4,4) Circle L 1/2, Slide L (to face new Neighbors)
Pecan Pieby Jim HemphillContra/Proper/Int
A1 -----------(8) Neighbor DSD to wave across (Same gender N in RH)(4,4) Wave balance R & L, Neighbor alle R 3/4 (to long waves)A2 -----------(4,4) Long waves balance R and back, Box circulate (people facing in cross to P)(8) Partner swingB1 -----------(8,8) Circle L 3/4, Neighbor swingB2 -----------(4,4) Partner RH balance, Box the Gnat(8) 2s swing (2s face up, 1s face down)
Waving Wheatby Dotty WelchContra/Improper/Easy-Int
A1 -----------(8) Neighbor do si do to wave across (Neighbor RH, Ladies LH)(8) Wave balance R & L, Neighbor alle R 3/4 (to long waves, Gents OUT, Ladies IN)A2 -----------(8) Long waves balance F & B, Box circulate (Ladies cross, Gents loop R)(8) Partner swing (on Gent’s side)B1 -----------(8) LL F & B(8) R & L thruB2 -----------(8) Circle L 1-1/4 (FAST, to home)(8) 2s arch, 1s duck thru, all forward to next Neighbor
On Sat, Aug 4, 2018 at 3:51 PM Rachel Shapiro via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi all,I'm in search of contras that have borrowed interesting figures from traditional and modern western square dances. Do you have any favorites you're willing to share? I've got Rang Tang Contra and some dances with Dixie Twirls. Lots with Box the Gnat and Swat the Flea. Any others you love?Thank you!Rachel Shapiro Wallace
_______________________________________________
List Name: Callers mailing list
List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
--
Mark Hillegonds
Cell: 734-756-8441
Email: mark.hillegonds(a)gmail.com
_______________________________________________
List Name: Callers mailing list
List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
As someone who came to contra from MWSD, here's my list of things that come
from MWSD or have that feel:
box circulate
pass the ocean (especially with no balances, especially followed by Swing
Thru)
square thru (with no balances) Chris Page's Square Route comes to mind
box the gnat (& swat the flea)
star thru
california twirl
do-si-do 1.25 to a wave
cross trail thru (aka cross trails)
hinge (as in Chris Page's Serendipity, Bob Isaacs' Hinge Binge)
all 8 circulate (Bob Isaacs' 4x4 "Circulate Eight")
Hope that helps!
/Andy Shore
On Sat, Aug 4, 2018 at 12:51 PM, Rachel Shapiro via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm in search of contras that have borrowed interesting figures from
> traditional and modern western square dances. Do you have any favorites
> you're willing to share? I've got Rang Tang Contra and some dances with
> Dixie Twirls. Lots with Box the Gnat and Swat the Flea. Any others you love?
> Thank you!
> Rachel Shapiro Wallace
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
>
--
/Andy Shore
http://andyshore.com/
best email - andyshore(a)gmail.com
Hi, Rachel,
Below that are four contras with box circulates:
*24th of October*
by Don Lennartson
Contra/Becket-CW/Int
A1 -----------
(8) LL F & B
(8) Ladies chain (to Neighbor)
A2 -----------
(8) LH star 1x
(8) (W/ next) Neighbor alle R 1+1/2 (to long waves, G face in, L out)
B1 -----------
(4,4) Waves balance, Circulate (G cross, L loop)
(4,4) Waves balance, Circulate (L cross, G loop)
B2 -----------
(4,4) Waves balance, Circulate (G cross, L loop)
(8) Partner swing
*Du Quoin Races*
by Orace Johnson
Contra/Becket-CW/Int
A1 -----------
(4,4) Rings balance, Pass through to a wave
(4,4) Waves balance, Partner alle R 3/4 (to long waves, G face out, L
face in)
A2 -----------
(4,4) Waves balance, Box circulate (Ladies cross, Gents loop R)
(4,4) Waves balance, Box circulate (Gents cross, Ladies loop R)
B1 -----------
(8) Partner swing (on same side as started on)
(4,4) Circle L 1/2, Neighbor roll away (across) with half sashay
B2 -----------
(4,4) Circle L 1/2, Partner roll away (along) with half sashay
(4,4) Circle L 1/2, Slide L (to face new Neighbors)
*Pecan Pie*
by Jim Hemphill
Contra/Proper/Int
A1 -----------
(8) Neighbor DSD to wave across (Same gender N in RH)
(4,4) Wave balance R & L, Neighbor alle R 3/4 (to long waves)
A2 -----------
(4,4) Long waves balance R and back, Box circulate (people facing in
cross to P)
(8) Partner swing
B1 -----------
(8,8) Circle L 3/4, Neighbor swing
B2 -----------
(4,4) Partner RH balance, Box the Gnat
(8) 2s swing (2s face up, 1s face down)
*Waving Wheat*
by Dotty Welch
Contra/Improper/Easy-Int
A1 -----------
(8) Neighbor do si do to wave across (Neighbor RH, Ladies LH)
(8) Wave balance R & L, Neighbor alle R 3/4 (to long waves, Gents OUT,
Ladies IN)
A2 -----------
(8) Long waves balance F & B, Box circulate (Ladies cross, Gents loop R)
(8) Partner swing (on Gent’s side)
B1 -----------
(8) LL F & B
(8) R & L thru
B2 -----------
(8) Circle L 1-1/4 (FAST, to home)
(8) 2s arch, 1s duck thru, all forward to next Neighbor
On Sat, Aug 4, 2018 at 3:51 PM Rachel Shapiro via Callers <
callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm in search of contras that have borrowed interesting figures from
> traditional and modern western square dances. Do you have any favorites
> you're willing to share? I've got Rang Tang Contra and some dances with
> Dixie Twirls. Lots with Box the Gnat and Swat the Flea. Any others you love?
> Thank you!
> Rachel Shapiro Wallace
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
>
--
*Mark Hillegonds*
Cell: 734-756-8441
Email: mark.hillegonds(a)gmail.com
Hi Rachel,
Some of the moves that have been mentioned are actually English country dance moves that have been used in squares.
Grand Square:
1648: http://sca.uwaterloo.ca/~praetzel/sca/lansdowne.html
And a few years later in Playford’s Hunsdon House. This is, of course, a Square Dance, and, yes, they were called Square Dances back then!
Right Hand High, Left Hand Low:
This is the third figure of Pepper’s Black (1650): http://www.izaak.unh.edu/nhltmd/indexes/dancingmaster/Dance/Play0944.htm
Square Through N:
This is “N Changes”, a very common figure from the 17th century onwards. MWSD’s contribution was to give it a new name and specify that when that name is used the dancers must NOT turn after the last change, finishing back to back with the last person you passed (as happens in many country dances). The term ”Square Through” is often misused in contra dancing, as there are many contra dances with “Square Through” where you turn after the last change. The term “N Changes” would be better used in those circumstances. But people use words to mean what they want them to mean, so I doubt we will ever get any standardisation on that! :-)
Some other “square dance” figures come from Appalachian Big Set. Cecil Sharp published these dances as Running Set (a name he made up) and he says, “The Running Set is most effective when the number of couples is limited to four couples, although, if certain Figures by omitted, that number may be exceeded.” Because of this decision by Sharp to publish Running Set as dances for four couples in a circle, i.e. a square dance, it has come to be believed that these are square dances and therefore the figures are square dance figures. Sharp also believed that these dances were ”the sole survival of a type of Country-dance which, in order of development, preceded the Playford dance”. So, many of the figures did not really originate in square dancing.
Anyway, enough about history. Here are some dances that probably meet your criteria:
Box Circulate:
Chris Page’s Chinese New Year
My Irish New Year – with a different ending: http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/IrishNewYear.html
Pass the Ocean, Extend, Swing Through:
Balancing Act: http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/BalancingAct.html
Figures from the traditional English Square Dance Cumberland Square Eight:
Cumberland Contra: http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/CumberlandContra.html
Mountain Dosido and Georgia Rang Tang:
DosiWhat? http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/DosiWhat.html
Flutterwheel:
FlutterRing: http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/FlutterRing.html
Flutterwheel and Sweep a Quarter:
Hothfield Hey: http://contrafusion.co.uk/Dances/HothfieldHey.html
Note: many of my dances are designed for beginners or for dancers in England who don’t demand multiple swings in every dance, so there may not be enough swings for you in some of the dances above.
I hope that helps.
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574
http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
From: Callers <callers-bounces(a)lists.sharedweight.net> On Behalf Of Rachel Shapiro via Callers
Sent: 04 August 2018 20:51
To: callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] Contras with square dance figures
Hi all,
I'm in search of contras that have borrowed interesting figures from traditional and modern western square dances. Do you have any favorites you're willing to share? I've got Rang Tang Contra and some dances with Dixie Twirls. Lots with Box the Gnat and Swat the Flea. Any others you love?
Thank you!
Rachel Shapiro Wallace
Rachel, do you have Circulate 8/ Bob Isaacs? 4x4 with well, circulate 8
Let me know if you haven’t found it.
Laurie
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
On Saturday, August 4, 2018, 3:51 PM, Rachel Shapiro via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
Hi all,I'm in search of contras that have borrowed interesting figures from traditional and modern western square dances. Do you have any favorites you're willing to share? I've got Rang Tang Contra and some dances with Dixie Twirls. Lots with Box the Gnat and Swat the Flea. Any others you love?Thank you!Rachel Shapiro Wallace
_______________________________________________
List Name: Callers mailing list
List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Here's a 4-facing-4 I wrote way back in the 1970s. Given when it was
written and the fact it was written in the UK it doesn't have a swing!!
PLAZA REEL
A1 1-4 Lines forward & back, ladies half-sashay at the end
5-8 Lines forward & back, men half-sashay at the end
A2 1-8 Dip and dive around the set (couples at the right hand end
of each line arch first)
B1 1-8 Four ladies chain (over & back)
B2 1-4 Couples forward & back
5-8 (In fours, men holding onto partner and linking left
arms) couples wheel round each other (ccw) 1½ to progress
Michael Barraclough
www.michaelbarraclough.com
On 08/04/2018 12:51 PM, Rachel Shapiro via Callers wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm in search of contras that have borrowed interesting figures from
> traditional and modern western square dances. Do you have any
> favorites you're willing to share? I've got Rang Tang Contra and some
> dances with Dixie Twirls. Lots with Box the Gnat and Swat the Flea.
> Any others you love?
> Thank you!
> Rachel Shapiro Wallace
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
Hi Rachel,
Mike Richardson of Seattle wrote the dance "Now We Are Three" that uses
Tag-the-Line. Erik Weberg of Portland adjusted that dance and called it
"Now We Are Four." He replaced the A1 LLFB and Half-Hey with a
Give-and-Take and Swing Neighbor. But both use Tag-the-Line. Here is
Erik's "Now We Are Four":
https://www.erikweberg.com/now-we-are-four/
Woody Lane
Roseburg, OR
On 8/4/2018 12:51 PM, Rachel Shapiro via Callers wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm in search of contras that have borrowed interesting figures from
> traditional and modern western square dances. Do you have any
> favorites you're willing to share? I've got Rang Tang Contra and some
> dances with Dixie Twirls. Lots with Box the Gnat and Swat the Flea.
> Any others you love?
> Thank you!
> Rachel Shapiro Wallace
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List Name: Callers mailing list
> List Address: Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net
> Archives: https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/
