Yes, this is a visiting big circle dance, as was done in the Southeast (I believe). There is an initial lead couple that starts the shoofly swing, which is the allemande turning figure that progresses from couple to couple. After the lead couple has passed about 3 or 4 couples, the next couple starts dancing the move and it travels around the circle. The man follows along the inside of the circle and turns his partner as she returns to him.
If I were to call this, I would start with a big circle, possible circle left and right, into the center and back, swing partner and promenade, grand right and left, and then when that's all done, get the lead couple started with the shoofly swing. At the end (when you have decided that it has gone on long enough), you can do a similar ending with the whole circle. I probably wouldn't do this at a "contra dance" but there are many one night stands, parties, and square dances where this would be totally appropriate and fun. Suzanne -----Original Message----- >From: Jack Mitchell <[email protected]> >Sent: Apr 30, 2008 10:19 AM >To: Suzanne Girardot <[email protected]>, Caller's discussion list ><[email protected]> >Subject: Re: [Callers] Shoofly Swing > >Ok. Having a little trouble picturing this. > >a) Is the whole dance the shoefly swing? >b) If the women are visiting, does her partner >just follow her along the circle on the inside of the circle? > >Thanks, > >Jack > > >At 01:02 PM 4/30/2008, you wrote: >>Gretchen, I have seen this dance called by Phil >>Jamison. In a big circle, this dance goes on >>for a while, but many people can be dancing at >>one time. Once the women have danced all the >>way around, the women can turn the men and the >>men can do the visiting. This would indeed be a >>long dance, but back in the day, this would have >>been extremely fun and not at all boring. What I >>enjoy about this dance is the chance to turn >>smoothly with your partner, and then turn the >>next person in the circle with the left, >>smoothly going around into the allemande with >>your partner again. It can be really rhythmic >>and did I mention smooth? You can get a nice >>groove going with it. It would be a fun dance >>for newer dancers, especially with a driving >>old-time band. It sounds as though you have the >>entire dance. Once you get the dancers going >>("Turn your partner with a shoofly swing") there >>is no more calling necessary until you want to >>bring that part of the dance to a close and >>perhaps finish with a big circle or grand right >>and left. Suzanne Girardot Seattle, WA >>-----Original Message----- >From: Gretchen >>Caldwell <[email protected]> >Sent: Apr >>29, 2008 12:12 PM >To: >>[email protected] >Subject: [Callers] >>Shoofly Swing > >I'm looking for a circle dance >>called, I believe, "Shoofly Swing". Cubby >>Whitehead used to end every evening with it in >>Bradenton Florida in the late 1980s. It >>involves one couple starting with an allemande >>right, lady then allemandes next gent by left, >>then partner by right, next gent by left, and so >>on. After the allemanding partners have passed >>you by, you and your partner join until the >>whole circle is peeling off in one amazing mass >>of allemandes. >Anyone have it? >I've just >>joined the list, have been calling for two >>years, and appreciate the support of the >>community. I plan to try Microchasmic soon for >>our weekly Monday night dance, where the level >>of dancing is, surprise surprise, improving as >>we three local callers try more challenging >>dances. Not a lot of contracorners going >>on. This triplet might be just the >>thing. >Gretchen Caldwell >Charlotte >>NC >_____________________________________________ >>__ >Callers mailing >>list >[email protected] >http://www.shared >>weight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >>_______________________________________________ >>Callers mailing list [email protected] >>http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers >
