Thanks for the input! 

That was originally right shoulder from when I had the Ravens go in, and I didn't think about switching it when I changed the role. I was thinking that keeping it right shoulder would flow nicely, because the direction of rotation is the same as the direction of the swing. But this switch was based on feedback after the last time we danced it, so it hasn't been danced yet. Maybe my thought was wrong, and left shoulder actually works better here.

Emma

On Wed, Jul 18, 2018 at 4:25 PM Tom Hinds <twhinds@earthlink.net> wrote:
Emma,

Thanks for sharing your new dance.  I believe it’s always best to have larks, men or first corners gypsy, walk around or allemande by the left.  One reason is that the dancers keep their positioning better especially if there’s a swing.

Of course a large number of dances follow this rule so I also believe that it’s a good idea to do something out of the ordinary once in a while.  So which hand/shoulder you use may also depend on one’s program.

Tom

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 18, 2018, at 3:17 PM, Emma Azelborn via Callers <callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

Hi Everyone,


I'm writing to share a contra dance I've written. We've tried it out twice, once at the Camp Sturtevant weekend and once at our 5th Saturday advanced dance. The interesting part is the progression, from a hey into a circle with new neighbors.


Switching the 2nd half of A1 to Raven instead of Lark also works, it just flips the direction the dance progresses. I ended up choosing Larks because of the Raven alamande at the end.


Any feedback or thoughts are welcome!


Emma Azelborn

Los Angeles


Hey Dreaming

Contra Dance by Emma Azelborn


Beckett, progresses to the left

Works best with ample floor space for the orbit


Teaching notes:

  • It helps to identify future neighbors before starting, so dancers know who to be looking for in the progression out of the hey (they're on the left diagonal)

  • Ravens turn over their left shoulder to progress & circle instead of looping right at the end of the hey

  • Larks keep going the same direction of travel into the orbit


A1

8

Long lines fwd & back


8

Larks right shoulder round 1½

A2

16

Neighbor balance and swing

B1

8

Larks in for half a left shoulder hey


8

Circle right 3 places with new neighbors  (this is the progression)

Larks assist Ravens to center

B2

8

Ravens alamande right 1½ while Larks orbit halfway counterclockwise


8

Partner swing



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--
Emma