Rich asked for dances with one or zero swings. These are some of mine, many
aimed at beginners.
Duck! (by John Sweeney)
Contra; Improper; Double Progression
A1: Neighbour Dosido
Neighbour Two Hand Turn - open into a circle
A2: Circle Left; Circle Right
B1: Men Dosido
Ladies Dosido
B2: Balance the Ring; #2s Arch, #1s Duck Through to New Circle
Balance the New Ring; #2s Arch, #1s Duck Through to face New
Neighbours
Do a quick California Twirl when you reach the end of the line
Finding Your Balance (by John Sweeney)
Contra; Becket (CW)
A1/A2: Four Changes all with Balances - Start Right with Partner and
alternate hands
B1: Balance the Ring; Men Cross
Balance the Ring; Ladies Cross
B2: Half Promenade
Yearn on the Left Diagonal to New Neighbours
Life is But A Melancholy Flower (by John Sweeney)
Contra; Improper
A1: Neighbour Dosido
Neighbour two hand Balance & Petronalla Turn for Two (Men now back to
back in the middle)
A2: Take Two Hands with Neighbour:
All Gallop* Down; All Gallop Up
B1: Start a Neighbour Gypsy; Men leave and Half Left Shoulder Gypsy with
each other
Partner Swing
B2: Balance the Ring; Petronella Turn
Balance the Ring; California Twirl
* Americans often say "sashay" - but that word doesn't give the right feel -
I mean gallop!
Rotafl (by John Sweeney)
Contra; Becket (CW)
A1: Yearn on Left Diagonal to a New Couple
Ladies' Chain
A2:Long Lines Go F & B - Men Roll the Ladies from Right to Left
Long Lines Go F & B - Ladies Roll the Men from Right to Left
B1: Tapsalteerie Hey:
Ladies Half Hey, Men Ricochet
Ladies Ricochet, Men Half Hey
B2: Flutterwheel and sweep the Men in to:
Men Dosido
Pestchye (by John Sweeney)
Contra; Becket
A1: Balance the Ring; Petronella
Balance the Ring; Petronella
A2: Hands Across: Star Left; Star Right - Men Drop Out
B1: Ladies' Chain x 2
B2: Half Promenade
Yearn to the Left
Dixie Doo-Dah (by John Sweeney)
Contra; Improper
A1: Neighbour Dosido & Swing - finish facing Down
A2: Down the Hall in Lines of Four; Dixie Twirl*
Up the Hall in Lines of Four; Bend the Line
B1: Balance the Ring; Men Cross
Balance the Ring; Ladies Cross
B2: Neighbour Two Hand Turn
Long Lines Go Forward & Back
* Dixie Twirl: No letting go: middle couple arch; end lady leads through the
arch to the other end facing up; end man goes straight across to the other
end facing up.
The Mad Gypsy (by John Sweeney)
Contra; Becket (CW)
A1: Ladies' Chain
Mad Robin - AC - Ladies through the Middle
A2: Full Hey - Ladies start Right Shoulder
B1: Ladies Gypsy
Neighbour Two-Hand Turn (or Swing)
B2: Balance the Ring; Ladies Cross
Yearn on the Left Diagonal
Someone mentioned that they didn't like the term "cross over". Whenever I
use it I mean pass by the right shoulder and turn right to face each other.
I also describe it as "half a gypsy to change places".
I hope you find some of those useful. Please let me know if you use them or
have any feedback.
Thanks.
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England [email protected] 01233 625 362
http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
