KW 2026-01-03 Portland w/ Countercurrent

user: Koren A Wake

This is my second-half program only; Shell Stowell called the first half with Peter & the Wolf Tones

Flirtation Reel (alternating)

by: Tony Parkes

introduces moves: down the hall, up the hall, hey, gyre, swing, long lines

formation: improper

Stretch down the hall leaving space at the top. Ones step between the twos to form line of 4 facing down.

A1 8
down the hall and turn alone (ones in the middle)
8
up the hall and end facing neighbor
A2 16
neighbors start a full hey - rights on ends, lefts in center
B1 8
neighbors gyre once
8
neighbors swing, end facing across the set
B2 8
long lines forward & back
8
twos swing, end facing UP & step between the next ones
8
up the hall and turn alone (twos in the middle)
8
down the hall and end facing neighbor
16
neighbors start a full hey - rights on ends, lefts in center
8
neighbors gyre once
8
neighbors swing
8
long lines forward & back
8
ones swing, end facing DOWN & step between the next twos

Pandora's Box

by: Koren Wake

introduces moves: chain, box the gnat, right left through, allemande

formation: Becket

Have dancers note direction of progression before circling left 1 place into Becket formation. This progresses to the left but is not intuitive.

A1 8
ladles chain (to neighbor)
8
partners right hand balance & box the gnat across the set
A2 8
right left through (ladles courtesy turn this same neighbor gentlespoon)
8
gentlespoons start a half hey - rights in center, lefts on ends - exactly half, then turn away to progress ⁋
B1 16
neighbors balance & swing (this is a new neighbor)
B2 8
gentlespoons allemande left 1½
8
partners swing

Wait out with gentlespoons on the right, ladles on the left. Progression is not entirely intuitive but the dance works well if taught carefully. Dancers who swap roles may find it more challenging.

Inspired by "The Magic Box" by Jim Hemphill.

https://www.korenwake.com/choreography

Heart of Joy

by: Chris Page

introduces moves: custom, star

formation: improper

the 'single file promenade clockwise' can be drawing your neighbor/partner across the set with eye contact gravity

A1 4
neighbors gyre ½
4
single file promenade clockwise 1/2 (facing neighbor) [1]
8
neighbors swing
A2 8
long lines forward & back
8
ladles allemande right 1½ [2]
B1 4
partners gyre ½
4
single file promenade clockwise 1/2 (facing partner) [3]
8
partners swing
B2 8
ladles chain
8
star left 4 places ⁋

Chris Page notes:
[1] While looking at your neighbor. Gentlespoons backing up across the set (carefully), ladles follow them to the other side.
[2] A little different from the normal ladle's allemande, as here dancers don't adjust. Gentlespoons should stay put, and stay on the slight diagonal, rather than adjusting to be across from each other. Ladles allemande right 1 & 1/2, then ease out to the sidelines, having traded places, and now facing their partner on the side of the set.
[3] While looking at your partner. Ladles backing up across the set (carefully), gentlespoons follow them to the other side.

An auction dance written for Heather Visscher. She really liked the A2 move from "A Rare Bird" by Bob Isaacs.

Original at http://chrispagecontra.awardspace.us/dances/#heart-of-joy

Called by Andy Shore on tour with Polaris in 2018.

Leap of Faith

by: Bob Isaacs

This dance is not published.

Pigeon on the Jetway

by: Koren Wake

formation: Becket double progression

A1 8
long lines forward & back
8
gentlespoons allemande left once
A2 8
partners gyre 1½
8
ladles start a half hey - lefts in center, rights on ends, look to the right diagonal ⁋
B1 8
ladles start a right diagonal half hey - lefts in center, rights on ends, look straight across ⁋
8
ladles start a half hey - lefts in center, rights on ends - ladles ricochet, gentlespoons ricochet
B2 16
partners balance & swing

See notes & more readable choreography here:
https://www.korenwake.com/choreography#h.h5lwwkya238h

Al's Safeway Produce

by: Robert Cromartie

3- dance no-walkthrough Medley

introduces moves: circle

formation: improper

A1 8
star left - wrist grip - 4 places
8
neighbors allemande left 1½
A2 8
ladles allemande right 1½
8
partners swing
B1 6
circle left 3 places
10
neighbors swing
B2 8
long lines forward & back
8
star right - wrist grip - 4 places ⁋

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

Jubilation Permutation

by: Cary Ravitz

Medley

introduces moves: pass through, do si do

formation: improper

A1 16
neighbors balance & swing
A2 8
gentlespoons allemande left 1½
8
partners swing
B1 8
gentlespoons 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

I don't know why Cary insists on publishing the other Jubilation var. as his authoritative take on the original Gene Hubert dance -- who on earth wants to chain with their current neighbors and then immediately whip around to balance their next neighbors?

Cary, if you're reading this, put this version back on your website. It rocks and I call it all the time.

Heartbeat Contra

by: Don Flaherty

Medley

introduces moves: petronella, balance the ring, balance, California twirl

formation: improper

A1 8
balance & petronella
8
balance & petronella
A2 4
balance the ring
12
neighbors swing
B1 8
ladles gyre 1½
8
partners swing
B2 8
circle left 3 places
4
partners balance
4
partners California twirl ⁋

Chinese New Year (var)

by: Chris Page

introduces moves: box circulate, give & take

formation: improper

starts in long waves, right hand to neighbor w/ gentlespoons facing out & ladles facing in

A1 8
balance & box circulate - ladles cross while gentlespoons loop right
8
balance & box circulate - gentlespoons cross while ladles loop right
A2 8
balance & box circulate - ladles cross while gentlespoons loop right
8
partners swing
B1 8
gentlespoons give & take neighbors
8
neighbors swing
B2 8
ladles start a half hey - rights in center, lefts on ends
8
neighbors allemande left 1½ to take hands in long waves with next neighbor, ladles facing in and gentlespoons facing out ⁋

If anyone knows who wrote this variant of Chinese New Year, please let me know! I'd like to credit it appropriately.

Cows are Watching

by: Bill Pope and Judy Goldsmith

introduces moves: roll away, zig zag

formation: Becket ccw

A1 8
long lines forward & back
8
ladles allemande right 1½
A2 16
neighbors balance & swing
B1 4
balance the ring
4
gentlespoons roll away partners with a half sashay Across the set
8
zig left zag right ⁋
B2 8
gentlespoons allemande left once Next Gentlespoons, once and a bit
8
partners swing