Prospective Next Beginner Dance Program

Author's Notes:
The transition from left hand star to allemande left is especially nice if a New England style (hand on wrist) star is used. This is the only dance I can think of for which I specifically request that type of star in those parts of the country where the default is hands-across.
Unfortunately, the origin of the name is lost in the mists of time. All I can say is that "Al" is not Al Olson, although had I known who he is when I wrote this, it might have been. Composed sometime around 1989.

This dance is from William Watson's mirror of American Country Dances On Line
All rights reserved by the author; used by permission.
Added to database 9/14/1997; last revised 3/5/1999; edited by Russell Owen

The title is a play on words. Robin + Orbit = Orbin

Julian Bee notes that swapping the promenade for a R+L Thru is Linda Leslie's "Old Time Elixir #2", written in 1998. It's unclear when Dean wrote TTT, so both deserve a cross-reference. https://contradb.com/dances/474

For beginners, have the gentlespoons just cast off and stay put in B1 without the ricochet and the ladles pull by into a swing. Oval left/right is a major set (ie. long lines with wrap around) circle left and right. Identify next neighbor (left diagonal) before starting the circle left. This dance still works if you rotate the A1 to be the B2 instead and start the dance with the oval right to new neighbors in A2. This may make it easier to teach since the transition isn't in the middle of the dance, but also means you have to start with the lines out of position, which doesn't feel great so I left it starting with the balance. Depending on the crowd and how teaching has gone, it may be easier to start with the oval right though.

Notes from Bob Isaacs: Written on August 7, 2012 as a smushing together of the B2/A1 of "A Sure Thing" and A2/B1 of "Trust," to put both transitions in the same dance. Chris learned to dance and call at Glenside before moving to San Diego a decade ago. This dance has it all; a new transition, good flow into both swings, and the beautiful/circle R/pousette progression.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm97m2mcduA

Written in 1985 for the 20th anniversary of her parents' wedding, these being their wedding flowers.

The A1 balance LEFT then right is editorial; I think it flows better but as far as I can tell it wasn't specified in the original dance. (Also, experienced dancers often balance to the right here out of instinct, so either really emphasize the balance left or don't bother.)