2026-03-14 Challenging Contras

user: Moose Flores

Utah Reel

by: Jeremy Korr

introduces moves: swing, long lines, box the gnat, contra corners, hey

formation: improper

A1 16
neighbors balance & swing
A2 8
long lines forward & back
8
ones right hand balance & box the gnat
B1 16
ones contra corners (opposite role - first corners then second corners)
B2 16
ones contra corners (same role - 3rd Corners then 4th Corners)
16
ones start a left diagonal full hey - rights in center, lefts on ends (with second corners)
16
ones balance & swing - end facing next neighbors

Alternate ones and twos.

The Law Firm of Rob and Sue

by: Seth Tepfer and Rod Craighurst

introduces moves: meltdown swing, slide along set, star, allemande, pass by, petronella, balance the ring, pass through

formation: improper

A1 16
neighbors meltdown swing
A2 2
slide left along set
6
star right 3 places with 1st 1st shadows
6
1st shadows allemande right once
2
partners pass by left shoulders along
B1 6
2nd shadows allemande left once
10
partners swing
B2 8
balance & petronella
4
balance the ring
4
pass through ⁋

Our House

by: Dean Snipes

introduces moves: chain, form a long wave, Rory O'More

formation: Becket

A1 8
gentlespoons allemande left 1½
8
neighbors swing
A2 8
ladles chain
8
star left - hands across - 4 places and a little bit more
B1 0
ladles form a long wave in the center
8
balance & ladles Rory O'More right while gentlespoons Rory across
8
star right - hands across - 4 places and a little bit more
B2 16
partners balance & swing ⁋

~ ~ ~

Should Have Danced With Someone

by: Al Olson

introduces moves: form long waves, box circulate

formation: Becket

Double progression

A1 8
gentlespoons start a left diagonal half hey - lefts in center, rights on ends
8
gentlespoons start a half hey - lefts in center, rights on ends
A2 0
form long waves - gentlespoons face in, ladles face out Partner in right hand
8
balance & box circulate - gentlespoons cross while ladles loop right
8
neighbors swing
B1 8
long lines forward & back
8
ladles chain
B2 2
pass through across the set
14
partners swing ⁋

~ ~ ~

You Mess With a Moose, You Get The Antlers

by: Moose Flores

introduces moves: custom, pull by dancers, square through, do si do, right left through

formation: Becket

Double progression.
When there is no one on your right diagonal, instead wait four beats and courtesy turn with your partner.

A1 16
Left colonnade “Ones arch, colonnade” ++
A2 2
partners pull by left to face your shadow
6
square through three - shadows pull by right, then neighbors pull by left, then shadows pull by right +++
8
partners do si do once
B1 16
partners balance & swing
B2 8
long lines forward & back
8
right diagonal right left through ⁋

++ Colonnade: ones join left hands to make an arch and hold that arch for the entire figure. Ladles trade by left shoulders with ladle two going under the arch, and the arch moves. Gentlespoons trade by left shoulders with gentlespoon two going under the arch. Ladles trade back, gentlespoons trade back. Each trade has 4 beats of music, so there's no need to rush.

+++ At the ends, when your shadow is your neighbor, and there are not two other people to do the square thru, instead allemande right (once and a) half, then look for your partner.

Complicity Swing

by: Moose Flores

introduces moves: roll away, balance, custom

formation: improper

Double progression.
Make sure the Gentlespoons are rolling to their left in A1.

A1 4
long lines forward & back
4
ladles roll away neighbors with a half sashay
8
ladles chain to partner
A2 8
star left 3 places ⁋
8
next neighbors do si do 1¼ to right hand Ocean Wave, gentlespoons in center
B1 4
balance the wave
4
swing through - neighbors allemand right 1/2, ladles allemand left 1/2
8
partners swing
B2 8
gentlespoons start a half hey - lefts in center, rights on ends - ladles ricochet
8
neighbors swing ⁋

End effect: If out during the B section, reenter as usual, with the LLFB. If out during A1 (from rollaway, waiting for the next neighbor DSD), wait half-sashayed. Although, if you reenter at the wave on the "wrong side", the dance will put you back with your partner for the swing and all will be well.

Inspired by Simplicity Swing: https://contradb.com/dances/175
I Liked the LH Star to next neighbor DSD, and I moved the swings into the B sections.

Waldorf Colonnade

by: Moose Flores, Devin J. Pohly

introduces moves: custom

formation: improper

Designate 1's and 2's
Colonnade is a new sequence. It takes 16 beats and ends with everyone where they began, like a Hey. Have 2's also practice the colonnade during the walkthrough.

A1 8
star right 3 places
8
partners right hand balance & box the gnat
A2 16
Colonnade - "1's Arch, Ladles trade: Colonnade!" +
B1 16
partners balance & swing
B2 8
ladles chain
8
square through two - partners balance & pull by right, then neighbors pull by left ⁋

Coauthored with Devin J. Pohly during IndepenDance 2019 at the Waldorf school.
+ Colonnade: ones (join right hands to) make an arch and hold that arch for the entire figure. Ladles trade by right shoulders with ladle two going under the arch. Gentlespoons trade by right shoulders with gentlespoon two going under the arch. [stop here for 1/2 colonnade] Ladles trade by right, gentlespoons trade by right. Each trade has 4 beats of music, so there's no need to rush.