DRAFT Richmond, VA-- 5/24/25

user: Thomas Begley

Family Contra var.

by: unknown

This dance is not published.

Reel Easy

by: Cary Ravitz

introduces moves: do si do, swing, long lines, allemande, circle, pull by dancers

formation: improper

A1 8
neighbors do si do once
8
neighbors swing
A2 8
long lines forward & back
8
ladles allemande right 1½
B1 16
partners balance & swing
B2 8
circle left 3 places
6
neighbors allemande right once
2
neighbors pull by right to next neighbors

https://www.dance.ravitz.us/#re :

To change from a Becket dance to Reel Easy in a medley, change Reel Easy's first figure to circle left 3/4. From a counter-clockwise Becket dance, change it to men allemande left 1+1/2.

The second half of B2 can be danced as neighbors allemande right 1+1/4, walk straight forward to (A1) do-si-do the next. But I think it is more fun to allemande right 1, lean back a bit, and pull by.

YouTube, 2, MRD

Jennifer's Whirlpool

by: Gwyn Williams

formation: Sicilian Circle

Line up improper for a Sicilian circle, then turn to face partners making 2 large circles for A1.

A1 8
circle left 6 places (2 large counter-rotating circles)
8
circle right 6 places (2 large counter-rotating circles)
A2 8
ladles allemande left 1½
8
partners swing
B1 8
circle left 3 places
8
neighbors do si do once ⁋
B2 16
neighbors balance & swing

A1 is large counter-rotating circles, ending up facing partner. B1 is hands-4 circle.

Push the Button

by: unknown

introduces moves: chain, balance the ring, pass through

formation: improper

A1 16
neighbors balance & swing
A2 8
long lines forward & back
8
ladles chain
B1 8
ladles do si do once
8
partners swing
B2 8
circle left 3 places
4
balance the ring
4
pass through ⁋

Spring Fever

by: Tony Parkes

introduces moves: star, promenade

formation: improper

A1 8
long lines forward & back ⁋
8
neighbors swing
A2 8
gentlespoons allemande left 1½
8
partners swing
B1 8
circle left 4 places
8
star left 4 places
B2 8
partners promenade
8
ladles chain to neighbor

Bob Isaacs notes: Tony Parkes of Massachusetts has long been one of America’s best callers of contras and squares, and this glossary dance is a fine way to start an evening.

Midwest Folklore

by: Orace Johnson

introduces moves: slide along set

formation: Becket

A1 2
slide left along set ⁋
8
circle left 3 places
8
neighbors do si do once
16
neighbors balance & swing
8
circle left 3 places
8
partners do si do once
16
partners balance & swing

Waltz

Happy as a Cold Pig in Warm Mud

by: Mike Boerschig

introduces moves: custom, California twirl

formation: improper

A1 16
neighbors balance & swing
A2 8
gentlespoons allemande left 1½
8
partners allemande right 1½
B1 8
The first gentlespoon and second ladle star left above, and the second gentlespoon and first ladle star left below
8
partners swing
B2 8
circle left 3 places
4
balance the ring
4
partners California twirl ⁋

Coconut Cream Pie

by: Lynn Ackerson

introduces moves: custom

formation: four face four

Have dancers note their "trail buddies" and who their corners are. The two dancers in the middle of the line of 4 are corners and the dancers at the ends have their corners in front of them.

A1 8
long lines forward & back
8
middle 4 star right 4 places
A2 8
partners allemande left 1½
8
other 4 star right 4 places
B1 16
partners balance & swing
B2 8
circle left 4 places
4
balance the ring
4
partners California twirl ⁋

In this case there are 8 places in the circle, so going 4 places is equivalent to half way.

Freylekhs

by: Isaac Banner

Alt Broken Sixpence

introduces moves: down the hall, up the hall, hey

formation: improper

A1 8
ladles allemande right 1½
8
partners swing
A2 8
circle left 3 places
8
neighbors swing, end facing down the hall
B1 8
down the hall and turn as a couple
8
up the hall and bend into a ring
B2 16
ladles start a full hey - rights in center, lefts on ends ⁋

Ladles coming out of the hey look to the right of their partner for new ladles.

Ham Wiggle Makes Me Giggle

by: Isaac Banner

introduces moves: right left through

formation: improper

A1 16
neighbors balance & swing
A2 8
right left through
8
circle left 3 places
B1 8
ladles start a half hey - lefts in center, rights on ends
8
partners swing
B2 6
circle left 3 places
2
pass through
8
next neighbors do si do once ⁋

Mad Robin in Love

by: Greg Frock

introduces moves: mad robin, pass by

formation: improper

A1 8
neighbors do si do once
8
neighbors swing
A2 8
long lines forward & back
8
mad robin, gentlespoons in front
B1 4
gentlespoons pass by left shoulders
12
partners swing
B2 8
circle left 3 places
4
balance the ring
4
partners California twirl ⁋

Dancers will try to rush the mad robin to include the gentlespoons cross in A2. Remind them there is plenty of time to complete the figure. Written for Robin Wilson in 2011

Valerie's Trip to Portland

by: Erik Weberg

introduces moves: meltdown swing, zig zag

formation: improper

double progression

A1 16
neighbors meltdown swing
A2 8
long lines forward & back
3
pass through across the set
3
neighbors allemande right ¾
2
gentlespoons allemande left ½
B1 16
partners balance & swing
B2 6
circle left 3 places
5
zig left zag right ⁋
5
zig right zag left ⁋

zig zag x2 is a weave the line -- zig left, zag all the way right to the other side of the set past N2, zig left to N3