In the MWSD Flutter Wheel that I have learned (I'm still new to MWSD), we do a kind of one-handed lead across the set when we pick up the person across, which takes more time than the contra version.
The contra version, where you pick up your partner around the waist, is more compact so the move takes less time. When I'm the one being picked up, I often start moving before the star gets all the way to me (especially if it's late getting started), so that I already have the momentum necessary to get to the other side and around the butterfly whirl in time. M E On Wed, Apr 28, 2010 at 12:18 AM, Liz and Bill <[email protected] > wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I'd like your advice on the timing and teaching of "flutter wheel > with a butterfly whirl." > > Lots of dances use the following in a 16 beat section: > Gents Allemand Left 1 1/2, scoop up Partner star Promenade, Butterfly whirl > or > Ladies Allemand Right 1 1/2 scoop up Neighbor for star Promenade 1/2, > Butterfly whirl > > In Butterflies by Cary Ravitz, A2 is > > A2 Men allemand left 1/2 . Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star > promenade across, and butterfly whirl 1/2 to put the ladies in the middle. > Ladies allemand right 1/2 Ladies keep right hands, pick up your > neighbor, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl 1/2 (men go forward, > ladies go backward) to put the men in the middle > > so allemande left 1/2, star promenade, butterfly whirl is done in a 8 > beat phrase. > > However in American Gothic by Nathaniel Jack which starts > A1 (around Neighbor) Mad Robin Ladies Allemand Left 1 1/2 (Scoop up > Partner) > A2 Star Promenade 1/2 (Ladies in the center) w/ whirl Gents start 1/2 > hey by Right > > Allemand Left 1 1/2 is done in a 8 beat phrase, and star promenade, > butterfly whirl is done in a 8 beat phrase. > > > I tried this dance earlier this year with experienced contra dancers > and many were having trouble > getting through A2 in time. > > A1 Circle Left 3/4, Partner Swing > A2 Promenade across, Ladies Allemand Right 1/2, scoop up Neighbor for > star promenade 1/2, butterfly whirl > B1 Pass Thru across (right shoulder), Neighbor Swing (face down four > in line) > B2 down the hall four in line, Turn alone, come back four in line, 2's > in the middle make an arch and pop the 1's Thru to the next couple. > > How do you help people with the timing? I've tried to suggest that those > getting scooped up need to be ready. > > Thanks. > Cheers, Bill > PS - in MWSD, right hand dancer allemand right 1/2, pick up person > across, star promenade back, is called Flutter Wheel > and left hand dancer allemand left 1/2 , pick up person across, star > promenade back is called Reverse Flutter Wheel. Both are > meant to take 8 beats. I have square dancers in my regular contra group and > need to get them used to > contra dance timing. > > > _______________________________________________ > Callers mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers > -- For the good are always the merry, Save by an evil chance, And the merry love the fiddle And the merry love to dance. ~ William Butler Yeats
