2026-06-09 Trolley Barn Prospective Program

user: Sam Whited

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

Ease About Mixer

by: Gene Hubert

introduces moves: promenade, custom

formation: Circle mixer

A1 16
partners balance & swing
A2 16
partners promenade counter clockwise, end facing in
B1 8
Ladles weave CC (in front of P0, behind P-1)
8
Gentlespoons weave CW (in front of P-1, behind P0)
B2 8
Big ring forward and back
8
partners allemande left 1½ to new partner ⁋

Birminghams

by: Gary Nelson

introduces moves: pass through, gyre, chain, petronella

formation: Becket

A1 6
circle left 3 places
2
pass through
8
neighbors gyre left shoulders once
A2 8
neighbors promenade
8
ladles chain
B1 8
balance & petronella
8
balance & petronella
B2 16
partners balance & swing ⁋

Break

Al's Safeway Produce

by: Robert Cromartie

introduces moves: star

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

Maliza's Magical Mystery Motion

by: Cary Ravitz

formation: Becket ccw

A1 8
gentlespoons allemande left 1½
8
neighbors swing
A2 8
neighbors promenade
8
ladles chain
B1 8
balance & petronella and turn to face the next ⁋
8
balance & petronella
B2 16
partners balance & swing

"The motion in B1 does seem magical – while the ladles Petronella over and back across the set, the gentlespoons do consecutive Petronellas along the side, in effect progressing behind his partner’s back."
- Rich Goss

Cows are Watching

by: Bill Pope and Judy Goldsmith

introduces moves: balance the ring, 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

3, 33-33

by: Steve Zakon-Anderson

introduces moves: box the gnat

formation: improper

A1 4
1st neighbors balance & pull by right
4
2nd neighbors pull by left
8
3rd neighbors right hand balance & box the gnat
A2 4
3rd neighbors pull by right
4
2nd neighbors pull by left
8
1st neighbors swing
B1 8
circle left 3 places
8
partners swing
B2 8
long lines forward & back
8
ladles do si do 1½ ⁋

Rory Amor

by: Rick Mohr

introduces moves: slice, pass by, balance, Rory O'More, California twirl

formation: Becket

A1 6
circle left 3 places
10
neighbors swing
A2 8
slice left and straight back
4
ladles pass by right shoulders
4
balance the wave
B1 4
Rory O'More right
12
partners swing
B2 4
neighbors pass by right shoulders ⁋
4
partners California twirl