Alternate Duples
Circles and Stars
BARRED OWL HOOT
By Dottie Welch, August 22, 2012, Prince Albert National Park
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
Music: "Ellwyn's Fairy Glen" on Caledonian Ball, (Reels)
A1 (8) Allemande Left 1 1/2;
(8) Ladies Dosado;
A2 (8) Circle Left (full around);
(8) Gents Dosado;
B1 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Forward and Right Turn Single (in 4 steps solo turn to right);
B2 (8) Star Left;
(8) Star Right;
POR QUE' NO? (WHY NOT?)
By Len Cannell (Mona's husband))
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Waltz -- "Chrysanthemum Waltz" from Waltzing with Jimmy Shand
A1 (8) All Chainsaw Circle Left;
(8) Chainsaw Circle Right;
A2 (8) Partner Dosado;
(8) Gents with Lady on Right Two-hand Swing;
B1 (8) Same four Circle Left;
(8) Same four Left-hand Star;
B2 (8) Gents with Lady in front Half Promenade out wide;
(8) All Pass Thru and Turn Alone;
Chainsaw Circle = Join hands across ends of contra lines to make one long circle.
Two-hand Swing -- no progression -- put her back where you got her.
TEXAS STAR CONTRA
Author: Pat Kelm (2006)
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: “Rose of San Antone”, TOP 25195
A1 (8) Ladies center and back to the bar;
(8) Two gents make a Right-hand Star;
A2 (8) Back by the left, Star Promenade your maid (original partner);
(8) Now inside Out and Outside In (full turn);
B1 (8) Star Promenade to the gent’s own line;
(8) Lines Forward Up and Back in time;
B2 (8) Circle Left three-quarters round and Pass Thru;
(8) Dosado new one below and face in;
Balance and Swing
ARDOISE SWINGS
By Dottie Welch, February 2012
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
Music: Mouth Tobique & John Howett's (Reels from Any Jig or Reel CD)
A1 (8) New Opposite Swing;
(8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
A2 (8) New Gentlemen Dosado;
(8) Ladies Dosado 1 1/2 (or Ladies Crossover);
B1 (8) Partner Swing;
(8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
B2 (8) Circle Left 3/4;
(8) Veer Left and Veer Right;
HEMLOCK GROVE AT LITTLE BAY DE NOC
By Dottie Welch, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, July 2018
Alternate Duple, begin facing up or down (Beginner)
A1 (16) Neighbor Balance and long Swing
A2 (8) Gents Left Arm Turn once and a half to Partner
(8) Partner Swing (8)
B1 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back
(8) Ladies Dosado
B2 (8) Gents Dosado
(8) Circle Left one-quarter and Pass Thru
DUNLIN AT MARTINIQUE
By Dottie Welch, Nova Scotia, January 2016
Formation: Alternate Duple Contra Lines
Music: Reels
A1 (8) Ladies Left turn once and a bit;
(8) Turn Partner Right once;
A2 (8) Gents Left turn once and a bit;
(8) Neighbors Swing;
B1 (8) Circle Left three places;
(8) Partner Swing;
B2 (8) Circle Left one place, Pass Thru and Face In;
(8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
ANNIVERSARY REEL
Author: Jean & Ted Sannella
Formation: Longways; Duple Minor: First Couples Improper
Music: "Jumping Cactus"
Published in "English Dance & Song", Winter 1966, Vol. XXXVIII No. 5
And also in "Balance and Swing" where Ted suggests that during the B1,
dancers should move up a bit while swinging.
This dance was also published in “Zesty Contras” (1983)
where the Handy Hand Allemande is specified. Also an alternative A1 was printed.
A1 (8) Neighbour Allemande Right and #1s Allemande Left;
(8) Neighbour Dosido;
A2 (16) #1s Balance and Swing – finish Facing Down;
B1 (8) #1s Lead Down (4), with Next Neighbor: Handy Hand Allemande;
(#1s down the middle passing Neighbor and turning next with adjacent hand.)
(8) Back to current Neighbour; Neighbour Swing;
B2 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Star Left;
Down in Four Promenade Up and Down
SHARON'S WEDDING CONTRA
Author: Pat Kelm (2006)
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Braveheart on GMP 507
A1 (8) Long lines forward and back;
(8) Actives (1s) Swing in the middle;
A2 (8) Lines of four go down;
(8) Turn alone, Come back;
B1 (8) Bend the Line, Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
B2 (8) *Star Right;
(8) *Star Left:
Note: This was written on the spot when asked to call a contra at a friend’s
wedding reception which included both square dancers and other guests.
Depending on experience of the group, at the *asterisks,
"Ladies Chain over and back"” could be substituted.
DRYAS FLATS OF SUNWAPTA RIVER
By Dottie Welch, July 2016 (Twisted seed pod, star burst seed head, blown away)
Formation: Alternate Duple (1, 3, 5, etc. couples active and crossed over)
Music: Reel such as "Hudie Gallagher's and McDonald's" on Picassiette with Betsy Branch
A1 (16) Neighbor Balance and Swing;
A2 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Star Right;
B1 (8) Circle Right to Line (Lady #1 on right end);
(8) Line of four go down and Turn Alone;
B2 (8) Come Back and Bend the Line;
(8) Couple #1 Swing down between couple #2;
WASKESIU RIVER WALLEYE
By Dottie Welch, August 21, 2012, Prince Albert National Park
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
Music: "Enid's Delight" on Lloyd Shaw 346
A1 (8) (new) Ladies Dosado;
(8) Gents Dosado;
A2 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
B1 (8) Lady 1 pull to Line, Four Go Down;
(8) Turn Alone, Come Back (partners together but lady on gent's left);
B2 (8) Bend and Circle Left 3/4;
OKLAHOMA MEMORY
By Dottie Welch, October 2013
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down, easy
Music: "Cowboys's Jig & Rock Valley" on Golden Griffon CD
A1 (8) Opposites Dosado;
(8) Opposites Swing (put her on the right facing down);
A2 (8) Lines of four go down the hall;
(8) Turn alone and come back, Bend the Line;
B1 (8) Long lines go Forward and Gent Pull original Partner back;
(8) Partner Swing;
B2 (8) Long lines go forward and back;
(8) Circle Left 3/4 and Pass Thru;
McNABB'S HORNPIPE CONTRA
By Dottie Welch, August 2006 (Idea from Canyon Contra and Fiddle Hill Jig)
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "McNabb’s Hornpipe" or "Forrester Hornpipe Medley"
A1 (8) Long Lines Go Up and Back;
(8) New Ladies Dosado;
A2 (8) Gents Dosado;
(8) Actives Swing ending with lady on the gent's right and facing down;
B1 (8) Lines of four go down the hall 8 steps;
(8) Turn Alone, Come back;
B2 (8) Gent on end pull it in, Circle Left;
(8) With the music Left-hand Star;
SCOUT HOUSE FORGIVING
By Dottie Welch November 2015 using idea from Ted Sannella (see below)
Formation: Alternate Duple Contra Lines (1, 3, 5, etc. active and crossed over)
Music: "Indian Reel & Dublin Hornpipe" on Southerners Plus Two
Intro: Actives into the center ready to go down in 4;
A1 (8) Down the Center 4 in line;
(8) Turn alone and Come Back, Face Neighbor;
A2 (16) Balance and Long Swing;
B1 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
B2 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Actives Partner Swing;
BROKEN SIXPENCE
By Don Armstrong
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Dosado the one below;
(8) Just the Gents Dosado;
A2 (8) Just the Ladies Dosado;
(8) Active Swing in the middle;
B1 (8) Down the center four in line;
(8) Turn alone, come back to place;
B2 (8) Bend the Line and Circle Left;
(8) Left-hand Star to new Neighbor;
CANYON CONTRA
By Don Armstrong
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Dosado the one below;
(8) Just the Actives Dosado;
A2 (16) Actives Balance and Long Swing; - ;
B1 (8) Put her on the right, go down in fours;
(8) Turn alone, come back to place;
B2 (8) Bend the Line and Circle Left;
(8) Left-hand Star to new Neighbor;
California Twirl
ESSEX REEL
By Tony Parkes
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Neighbor Dosado;
(8) Neighbor Swing;
A2 (8) Put her on the right, Down in Four;
(8) California Twirl and Come Back;
B1 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
B2 (8) Star Right ;
(8) Star Left to new Corner;
Wheel Around
BUFFALO RIVER
By Dottie Welch, June 2014, Arkansas
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up or down
Music: Reel such as "Reilly's" or "Pigeon on the Gate / Derry Reel"
on A Portland Selection 2
A1 (16) Neighbor Balance and Swing; - ;
A2 (8) Lady on right, Gent inside Promenade up and down;
(8) Wheel Around and return;
B1 (8) Ladies right pass by to partner and Balance;
(8) Partner Swing;
B2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Circle Left three-quarters and Pass Thru;
Dive Thru
WEDDING RINGS
By Dottie Welch, for Groves' Wedding September 2010
Formation: Alternate Duple, Begin facing up and down
Music:
A1 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
A2 (8) Ladies Dosado;
(8) Gents Dosado;
B1 (8) Facing Up Split 2, Separate around one to Line facing down;
(8) Line of Four go down 8 steps;
B2 (8) Lines Back Up 4 steps and Centers Arch;
(8) Ends Dive Thru and bow to next (ends crossover);
PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE
By Dottie Welch, Lake Superior, Michigan, July 2018
Alternate Duple, begin facing up or down
A1 (8) Neighbor Swing;
(8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
A2 (8) Circle Left three-quarters;
(8) Partner Swing;
B1 (8) Left line arch over, others Dive Thru (all are moving forward), all California Twirl;
(8) Left line arch over again (new dancers arching), and all California Twirl;
B2 (8) Circle Left three-quarters;
(8) Dosado and Pass Thru (may omit the Dosado);
TONTO NATURAL BRIDGE
By Dottie Welch, April 2017, Arizona
Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
A1 (8) Neighbor right pull by;
(8) Turn next left, back to Neighbor to Swing;
A2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Gents Dosado;
B1 (8) Ladies Dosado once and a half;
(8) Partner Swing ;
B2 (8) Circle Left three-quarters;
(8) Those facing up Arch, Others Dive Thru to new four;
A1 Easier option: Neighbor Balance and Swing;
Cast Down or Cast Off
MAJORIE DAW
Author: Pat Kelm (9-6-2012)
Formation: Improper Duple
Music: Contra Music, track 9
A1 (8) 1s Down Center, U-Turn Back;
(8) Come Back, Cast Around the 2s;
A2 (8) Right-hand Star above with the 2s;
(8) Left-hand Star;
B1 (8) Ladies See Saw (left-sided Dosado);
(8) Gents Dosado (regular);
B2 (16) 1s Balance & Swing ending facing down;
ASPEN AND SPRUCE
By Dottie Welch, August 23, 2012, Prince Albert National Park
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
Music: "New Waterloo Reel" on Caledonian Ball
A1 (8) (new 4) Star Right;
(8) Star Left;
A2 (8) Each Four Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
B1 (8) Gent #2 pull out to line, Lines of 4 down the hall;
(8) Turn Alone and Come back;
B2 (8) Slow Cast Off 3/4;
(8) Long Lines Forward and individually turn to face new group;
BOLD HIGHLANDER SIMPLE HYBRID
Dottie Welch, November 2012
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
Music: "Cock O North & Hundred Pipers"
A1 (8) Actives Right-hand Star below;
(8) Same Four Left-hand Star;
A2 (8) Actives Down the Outside 8;
(8) Actives Come Back up and in to the middle between those below;
B1 (8) Lines of Four down;
(8) Turn Alone and Come Back;
B2 (8) Slow Cast Off;
(8) Forward and Back and face new;
330 BLUES
By Paul Moore
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: 32 bar ("Limehouse Blues" on Hi Hat)
A1 (8) Swing Neighbor;
(8) Men Turn Left once and a half;
A2 (16) Partner Balance and Swing;
B1 (8) Down in Four, Wheel Around;
(8) Come back, Cast Off three-quarters;
B2 (16) Circle Left once and a quarter and Pass Thru;
CASTING SIXPENCE
By Don Armstrong
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "Scotland Draws a Sword" on LS 156
A1 (8) With the one below Dosado;
(8) Just the men Dosado;
A2 (8) Just the ladies Dosado;
(8) Active couples Swing in the middle;
B1 (8) Actives only go down in two's short steps and Turn Alone;
(8) Come back and Cast Off;
B2 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Star Left to a new neighbor;
Ladies Chain
A NICE COMBINATION
By Gene Hubert
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Neighbor Dosado;
(8) Neighbor Swing;
A2 (8) Four in line go down, Wheel Around;
(8) Come Back and Cast Off;
B1 (8) Crcle Left three-quarters
(8) Partner Swing;
B2 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) Left-hand Star;
UMBRELLAS FOR APRIL
By Pat Kelm
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Actives Swing in the middle;
(8) Actives go down the center;
A2 (8) Turn alone, come back and around one;
(8) Lines Forward up and Back;
B1 (8) Ladies Chain across;
(8) Circle Left three-quarters and Pass Thru;
B2 (8) Right-hand Star with couple below;
(8) Left-hand Star with couple above;
JUDY'S CONTRA
By Leif Hetland
Submitted by Gordon Smith, 62nd National, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2013
Formation: Alternate Duple, Double Progression
Music: "The Bonnets Of Bonnie Dundee", Lloyd Shaw, Speed 40
A1 (8) Everyone Forward and Back;
(8) Swing your Corner;
A2 (8) Ladies Chain over;
(8) Circle Left three-quarters;
B1 (8) Pass Thru, step into an ocean wave and Swing Thru;
(8) Swing your Partner;
B2 (8) Half Promenade;
(8) Ladies Chain back;
ANNE'S ADVICE
Author: Heiner Fischle
Provider: Heiner Fischle
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "Ross´ Reel No. 4" (New England Chestnuts)
A1 (8) Your corner Dosado;
(8) Your corner Swing;
A2 (8) Right hand across, Right-hand Star;
(8) Ladies Chain;
B1 (8) Same four Left-hand Star;
(8) Ladies flare, partner Swing;
B2 (8) In your lines go Forward and Back;
(8) Circle Left 3/4; Pass Thru;
SCOUT HOUSE REEL
By Ted Sanella
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "Laura Susan Reel"
Intro: Actives into the center ready to go down in 4;
A1 (8) Down the Center 4 in line;
(8) Turn alone and Come Back, Face Neighbor;
A2 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Two Ladies Chain;
B1 (8) Ladies Dosado once and half;
(8) Swing the opposite gent;
B2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Actives Swing (finish by facing down);
FEBRUARY ROBINS
By Dottie Welch, February 2012
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
Music: "Galope Malbaie & Picnic & Rare" (Reels from Any Jig or Reel CD)
A1 (8) Corner Swing;
(8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
A2 (8) Circle Left 3/4, Veer Left;
(8) Promenade up and down 6 steps (ladies center);
B1 (8) California Twirl and Come Back;
(8) Bend the Line and Ladies Chain;
B2 (8) Chain Back;
(8) Into a Left-hand Star to new Corner;
BIG SOMBRERO CONTRA
By Bob Ruff
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
Music: "Big Sombrero Contra" Wagon Wheel 919
A1 (8) Corner Dosado;
(8) Same Lady Swing;
A2 (8) Four in line Down the set and Wheel as a Couple;
(8) Come back, Bend the Line;
B1 (8) Go forward and Dosado (across);
(8) Make a Right-hand Star and turn it full around;
B2 (16) Two Ladies Chain over and back;
DEEP WATER
By Paul Moore
Formation: Alternate Duple, Double Progression
Music: 32 bar
A1 (8) Neighbor Dosado to Ocean Wave;
(8) Balance Double (forward and back);
A2 (8) Swing Partner;
(8) Down in Four and California Twirl;
B1: (8) Come back and Bend the Line;
(8) Ladies Chain;
B2 (8) Star Left;
(8) Star Right to second Neighbor;
GRAPEVINE CONTRA
By (Unknown) (similar to Aston Polka Contra)
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "Oyster Shucker's Jig, Lloyd Shaw 342
Face corner and join both hands;
A1 (8) Vine out and Vine In;
(8) Vine out and Ladies Vine In;
A2 (8) Single file March (6 steps) Turn Alone;
(8) Come back, Allemande Left;
B1 (8) Two Ladies Chain;
(8) Chain Back;
B2 (8) Same four Left-hand Star;
(8) Star Right to face new corner in Butterfly;
Right and Left Thru
IRISH WASHERWOMAN
From American Dancing Master and Ball-Room Prompter, by Elias Howe, Boston, 1862
Formation: Alternate Duple
(Originally listed as a proper triple but more easily danced today as an Alternate Duple.)
The choreography is listed as originally given except it originally said “first three couples forward and back”.
A1 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Turn Partners half around;
A2 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Turn Partners half around;
B1 (8) Actives Down the center;
(8) Come back and Cast Off around one;
B2 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Right and Left Back;
PADDY ON THE TURNPIKE
Author: Traditional
Provider: Jeff Smith
Formation: Improper Duple (1, 3, 5, etc. couples active and crossed over)
Music: "Paddy on the Turnpike", Folkraft, FK 1151B
Start with actives facing down and the inactives facing up.
A1 (8) Active couples and the couple below circle four to the left.
(8) Same two couples circle to the right back to place.
A2 (8) Same two couples do a Right and Left Thru up and down the set.
(8) Same two couples do a Right and Left Back.
B1 (8) Actives go down the outside of the set.
(8) Actives turn alone and come back to place and cast into the center to
make a line of four. The active couple is in the center of the line of four.
B2 (8) Actives and the couple below go down in a line of four.
(8) Insides (actives) make an arch with their joined hands and the ends (inactives)
duck under the arch (toward the head). The actives back up to place while the
inactives walk forward to end facing a new couple. Progression has been made.
WASHINGTON QUICKSTEP
Author: Traditional
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) With couple below Star Right;
(8) Star Left;
A2 (8) Actives (1's) down the middle and Turn alone;
(8) Come back, Cast Off with 2's;
B1 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Right and Left Back;
B2 (8) Long lines Forward and Back;
(8) Actives (1's) Swing and face down;
YUCCA JIG
Author: Don Armstrong
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: LS 196 "Major Mackey's Jig"
A1 (8) With couple below Left-hand Star;
(8) Same four Star Right;
A2 (8) Actives couples down the center;
(8) Below two then up the outside;
B1 (8) Actives Dosado in the middle;
(8) With the one below Swing;
B2 (8) Put her on the right and Half Promenade;
(8) Right and Left Thru;
Note: Active couples near the bottom should pretend there is a second
inactive couple and move far enough down to make space for the active
couple coming behind them.
OUTBOUND PLANE CONTRA
By Gordon Smith (Submitted for 43rd National, Portland, Oregon, 1994)
Formation: Improper Duple
Music: “Outbound Plane”, CAR 13-A
A1 (8) Corner Dosado;
(8) Same lady Swing;
A2 (8) Left Couples Arch Over and all California Twirl;
(8) Right Couples Arch Over and all California Twirl;
B1 (8) Make a Left-hand Star;
(8) Back with the Right;
B2 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Half Promenade;
AFTERNOON GYPSY EYES
(revised from An After Lunch Swing by Art Harvey)
Author: Pat Kelm – 2006; Alternate Duple - Double Progression
Music: "Blue Spanish Eyes"
A1 (8) Gypsy your Neighbor/Corner;
(8) Ooze into a Swing (put her on your right);
A2 (8) Star Left with couple across (go to new corner);
(8) Turn half by the Right, Men turn half by the Left;
B1 (8) Gypsy your Partner;
(8) Ooze into a Swing;
B2 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Circle Left 3/4, and Pass Thru;
FOGGY ROAD
By Dottie Welch, February 2012 after thick fog to Ardoise on January 8th
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
Music: Broken Lantern, Mist Over Tennessee (Jigs from Any Jig or Reel CD)
A1 (8) New Opposite Swing;
(8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
A2 (8) Right and Left Thru and Turn 1/4 More;
(8) Promenade up and down 6 steps (ladies center);
B1 (8) Wheel Around and Come Back;
(8) Bend the Line, Ladies Crossover:
B2 (8) Partner Swing;
(8) Men Crossover to new Opposite (gents go diagonally to the right);
Ladies Chain and Right and Left Thru
COLORADO BOUND
By Gordon Smith, submitted for 53rd National, Denver, Colorado, 2004
Formation: Alternate Duple
* Local name for California Twirl. Gordon used this idea for several conventions.
A1 (8) Actives roll out and down below one;
(8) Come up in fours and California Twirl;
A2 (8) Go down in fours and Denver Twirl*;
(8) Come back up and Bend the Line;
B1 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Ladies Chain over;
B2 (8) Half Promenade;
(8) Ladies Chain back;
CHICO, CHICO
By Paul Moore, Created on the fly at a dance in Chico, California
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: 32 bar ("Iko Iko")
A1 (8)Neighbor Dosado;
(8) Neighbor Swing;
A2 (8) Across Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
B1 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) Ladies Chain;
B2 (8) Star Left;
(8) Star Right;
A PENNY SAVED
By Stew Shacklette, printed in CD Journal May 2001
Music: "Honey Harbour Two-Step"
Set up: Alternate Duple, 1, 3, 5 etc. active and crossed over
A1 (8) Just the Actives Dosado (might replace with Long Lines Forward and Back);
(8) Actives Swing;
A2 (8) Actives center, go down four in line;
(8) Turn alone, come back to place;
B1 (8) Down the line Ladies Chain;
(8) Straight across Right and Left Thru;
B2 (8) Same four Star Right;
(8) *Ladies slide across and men turn around, Star Left to progressed position;
Notes: As the Star Right ends the Ladies slide across nose-to-nose as the men turn around
and those four dancers form a Left-hand Star.
SEPTEMBER CONTRA
By Heiner Fischle
Submitted by Gordon Smith, 64th National, Springfield, Massachusetts, 2015
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Corner Lady Swing;
(8) Circle Four Left 3/4 around and Veer Left;
A2 (8) Promenade Up and Down, California Twirl;
(8) Come Back, Bend the Line;
B1 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) Right and Left Thru;
B2 (8) Circle Right 3/4 around;
(8) Pass Thru and Dosado New Corner;
THE CALLER'S WIFE
Author: Ted Sannella
Formation: Improper contra, double progression
Music: Grenn 16005 "The Caller's Wife"
Published in Balance and Swing: "Reel du Petit Minou"
A1 (8) Allemande Left and a little bit more;
(8) Two Ladies Chain across the floor;
A2 (8) Those four go Forward and Back;
(8) Circle Left, three-quarters round, then Pass Thru;
B1 (8) Dosado the one you meet;
(8) Same lady Swing;
B2 (8) Half Promenade;
(8) Right and Left Thru;
Weathervane
BALTIMORE WEATHERVANE
Author: Grant Logan
Formation: Duple Improper
Music: "I Don’t Love Nobody Medley" on Contratoons
A1 (8) Balance Corner and Box Gnat;
(8) Swing;
A2 (8) Half Promenade;
(8) Right and Left Thru and 1/4 more;
B1 (16) Weathervane and Cast off; - ;
B2 (8) Ladies turn Right once around;
(8) Turn Corner Left 1 and 3/4 to new Corner;
WINDMILL CONTRA
By Gordon Smith, Submitted for 63rd National, Little Rock, Arkansas, 2014
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Any 64-count music such as “SLA Contra”
A1 (8) Long lines Forward and Back;
(8) Corner Dosado;
A2 (8) Swing your corner, place her on the right;
(8) Right and Left Thru;
B1 (8) Right and Left Back and Courtesy Turn 1/4 more;
(8) Ladies hook arms for Weathervane Turn (across);
B2 (8) Sweep Left, Men hook arms for Reverse Weathervane;
(8) Turn across then Sweep Right to lines;
YUCAIPA WEATHERVANE
By Art Seele (From Gordon Smith, 64th National, Springfield, Massachusetts, 2015)
Music: “Hollywood”, Cross Country Records, Speed 42
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Corner Dosado;
(8) Same lady Swing;
A2 (8) Face across, Right and Left Thru;
(8) Right and Left back;
B1 (8) Courtesy Turn and 1/4 more to a Weathervane, Turn it full around;
(8) and then Cast Off 3/4;
B2 (16) Ladies Chain over and back;
PELICANS ON THE ASSINIBOINE RIVER
By Dottie Welch, August 26, 2012
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
Music: "Frisky Solomon Medley" on Caledonian Ball, (Jigs)
A1 (8) Opposite Dosado;
(8) Each Four Circle Left Half and Veer Left;
A2 (8) Weathervane across;
(8) Slow Cast Off 3/4;
B1 (8) Ladies Dosado;
(8) Gents Dosado;
B2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Circle Right 1/4 and Pass Thru;
Heel and Toe
Add bounce by using contras featuring a Heel and Toe sequence!
In addition to the recorded music listed with each dance, live musicians might be able to play a medley
of “Gig de Capuchon” (alternate order of part A and B), “Gig de Sucre”, and “Smash the Windows”.
Otherwise look for a jig with a good “Heel and Toe” feel at the start.
BALSAM REEL
By Roger Whynot (of Pride’s Crossing, Massachusetts, Sets In Order 9/83)
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
Music: Irish Washerwoman
A1 (8) Face Corner for Heel and Toe (out and in);
(8) Heel and Toe out you go, Heel and Toe just the Men in;
A2 (8) Men Turn by Right Arm all the way around;
(8) Turn the Ladies by the Left all the way;
B1 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) All join hands go Forward and Back;
B2 (8) With the opposite pair Circle Left 3/4;
(8) Pass Thru and Dosado (may omit Dosado);
BANJO CONTRA
By Jerry Helt
Music: “Banjo Contra”, Blue Star 1994 (music is “Old Joe Clark”) or "Torpedo", C-Bar-C 561
Formation: Alternate Duple (Couples 1, 3, 5 etc., active and crossed over)
A1 (8) Banjo with the one below, men forward go (Butterly handhold with right hips adjacent, men forward, ladies back up);
(8) Sidecar back to place you know, face the girl (Pivot in place to Butterfly handhold with left hips together, return);
A2 (8) Heel and Toe out you go; Heel and Toe back you come;
(8) Again;
B1 (8) With same one Dosado;
(8) Swing and face across;
B2 (8) Each four Circle Left;
(8) Left-hand Star to new corner; (Cross at ends when neutral)
MANDOLIN CONTRA
By Glen Nickerson
Music: Lloyd Shaw 331 is prompted by Glen Nickerson, Lloyd Shaw 332 is the instrumental.
The music is the medley for “The Isle” played by Stan Hamilton and the Flying Scotsmen.
Formation: Alternate Duple
Mandolin Contra was based on “Banjo Contra” and is almost the same choreography.
The difference is in the A1 section and in the formation during the Heel and Toe.
A1 (8) Actives, with the one below, Dosado;
(8) Butterfly Banjo Wheel once and a quarter to put ladies back-to-back;
A2 (8) Heel and Toe, Side Two-Step, twice; (start with gent’s left and lady’s right foot)
(8) Heel and Toe, Side Two-Step, twice;
B1 (8) Same ones Dosado;
(8) Same ones Swing;
B2 (8) Put her on the right, each four Circle Left;
(8) Left-hand Star to new corner; (Cross at ends when neutral)
ASTON POLKA
By John Findlay
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Lloyd Shaw 187, "Sweet Georgia Brown"
A1 (8) With your Corner Heel and Toe (out and in);
(8) Heel and Toe out, Heel and Toe, just Ladies In;
A2 (8) All March (6 steps) Turn Alone;
(8) Come back, Allemande Left;
B1 (8) Two Ladies Chain;
(8) Chain Back;
B2 (8) Same four Left-hand Star;
(8) Star Right to face new corner in Butterfly;
THRU THE WHITE AND DRIFTED SNOW
by Bob Howell
This is another simplified version of “Callison Hall Jig”.
An even simpler version is shown in parentheses.
Music: Grenn 16021-A, "Thru the White & Drifted Snow", 124 b/m
Formation: Contra Lines with 1, 3, 5 active and crossed over, Double Progression
Begin facing neighbor in Butterfly;
A1 (8) New Corner Heel and Toe (out and in);
(8) Do it again;
A2 (8) Dosado and pass her by;
(8) Swing the next and put her on the right;
B1 (8) Two Ladies Chain;
(8) Chain Back;
B2 (8) Same four Left-hand Star;
(8) Star Right to face new corner in Butterfly;
Easier Part B for THRU WHITE AND DRIFTED SNOW
B1 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
B2 (8) Star Right;
(8) Star Left;
Cross at the head and cross at foot when out which won't be very long
CALLISON HALL JIG
By Don Armstrong and Group at Callison Hall in Stockton, California, 1979
Music: Lloyd Shaw 320, "Callison Hall Jig", intro is one long chord, the medley includes
"The Steamboat" and "Syd Chalmers", played by Stan Hamilton and the Flying Scotsmen
Formation: Contra Lines with 1, 3, 5 active and crossed over
Double Progression
A1 (8) New Corner Heel and Toe;
(8) Do it again;
A2 (8) Same lady Dosado;
(8) Pass Thru and Swing;
B1 (8) Put her on the right and Half Promenade;
(8) Same two Right and Left Thru;
B2 (8) Same four Circle Left;
(8) Left-hand Star;
(Cross at the Head and Cross at the foot), (New corner Heel & Toe)
Notes:
Heel and Toe starts with outside feet for Heel, Toe, Side, Close, Side.
Then use the other foot for Heel, Toe, Side, Close, Side in the opposite direction.
Cue as “Heel, Toe, out you go; Heel, Toe, in you go;”
After Dosado, Pass Thru with same dancer and Swing the next (Double Progression)
CALLISON HALL JIG MODIFIED FOR BEGINNER PARTIES
(Listed on the recent Lloyd Shaw cue sheet)
A1 (8) Heel and Toe;
(8) Do it again;
A2 (8) Dosado;
(8) Pass Thru and Swing (or Right Pull By, Left Pull By, Face In);
B1 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back (1, 2, 3, clap; back, 2, 3, clap);
(8) Pass Thru and Turn Alone, Clap 3 times on counts 7 & 8;
B2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back (1, 2, 3, clap; back, 2, 3, clap);
(8) Pass Thru and face new Corner;
Note: At the ends do the Swing or Left Pull By with Partner to accomplish the crossover ready to face in for the Long Lines Forward and Back.
CALLISON HALL FOR SWINGERS
by Dottie Welch
This is a modification for those who want two Swings.
Music: “Callison Hall Jig”, Lloyd Shaw 320
Formation: Contra Lines with 1, 3, 5 active and crossed over, Double Progression
A1 (8) New Corner Heel and Toe;
(8) Do it again;
A2 (8) Dosado;
(8) Pass Thru and Swing;
B1 (8) Put her on the right and Half Promenade;
(8) Ladies Dosado once and a half;
B2 (8) Partner Swing;
(8) Each four Circle Left 1/4 and Pass Thru;
Swing at the head and at the foot when neutral then put the lady on the right.
Dixie Twirl
FOR BOB
Author: Paul Moore
Formation: Improper Duple
Music:
A1 (8) Face Neighbor, Circle Left 3/4;
(8) Partner Swing;
A2 (8) Down Center 4 in Line;
(8) Dixie Twirl**- Come Back;
B1 (8) Bend Line to a Right and Left Thru;
(8) Ladies Chain;
B2 (8) Ladies Lead 1/2 Hey for 4;
(8) New neighbor Dosado;
** Dixie Twirl - A California Twirl for couples. The Center 2 dancers make an arch,
*the right-hand couple walks under the arch while the left-hand couple walks around the arch.
*Ends facing in the opposite direction with the couples in the same relative position.
DixieReel
Author: Paul Moore
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: 32 bar
A1 (8) Neighbor Dosado;
(8) Neighbor Swing;
A2 (8) Down in four and Dixie Twirl; *
(8) Come back and Cast Off three-quarters;
B1 (8) Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Right and Left Thru;
B2 (16) Hey for four;
Rory O'More Balance
FALL COLORS
Author: Pat Kelm
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: CD-Contra Music, the Sound of New England.
Track #9 "O'Donal Abhu/Rocks of Brae/Meeting of the Waters"
from New England Chestnuts Vol. 2 - Rodney Miller, Randy Miller & Friends.
Or "New Waterloo Reel"
Starting with a wave of 4 (women with left hands joined)
A1 (8) Balance Right and Left, Slide Right nose to nose;
(8) Balance Left and Right, Slide Left nose to nose;
A2 (8) Turn half by Right, Men turn half by Left (Swing Thru);
(8) Swing Partner;
B1 (8) Right and Left Thru across;
(8) Circle Left 3/4;
B2 (8) Face Neighbor and Dosado;
(8) Pass Thru and Step to Wave;
Basic Square Dance Calls
WESER FUN CONTRA
(The Weser is a river in north western Germany.)
Author: Heiner Fischle
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Neighbor Dosado;
(8) Neighbor Balance and Star Thru;
A2 (8) Circle Left three-quarters;
(8) Partner Swing;
B1 (8) Circle Left three-quarters;
(8) Neighbor Swing;
B2 (8) Long lines Forward and Back;
(8) Star Thru and California Twirl;
BALANCING BILLY
Author: Don Armstrong
Formation: Alternate Duple, Double Progression
Music: suggest Lloyd Shaw 318 ("The January 7th Jig")
A1 (8) Balance Corner, Star Thru;
(8) Balance Across, Star Thru;
A2 (8) Balance Up and Down, Star Thru;
(8) Balance Across, Star Thru;
B1 (16) Actives Full Figure Eight with Couple below;
(Lady 1 leads down between and around man 2)
B2 (8) Same four Circle Left;
(8) Actives dive under one and arch over the next;
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Author: Betsy Gotta
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music:
A1 (8) Corner DoSaDo;
(8) Turn corner by the right 1 and 1/4 to long Ocean Waves * (Ladies Face Out);
A2 (8) Balance - Box Circulate (Men walk forward/Ladies fold right);
(8) Swing Partner;
B1 (8) Down the Center 4 in Line;
(8) California Twirl - Come Back;
B2 (8) Bend the Line - Ladies Chain;
(8) Star Thru - Pass Thru;
* Note: If the arm turn takes your dancers too long, you can use Touch 1/4.
REDPOLL RAMBLE
By Dottie Welch, February 2015
Formation: Alternate Duple Facing Up and Down
Music: “Maxwell’s Rant medley”, on Caledonian Ball
A1 (8) Opposite Dosado;
(8) Same two Touch 1/4, Each four Box Circulate;
A2 (8) Partners Swing;
(8) With Gents inside and Lady on right, Promenade up and down;
B1 (8) California Twirl, and Promenade back to the same pair;
(8) (Bend the Line) and Circle Left 3/4;
B2 (8) Opposites Swing;
(8) With Partner Balance (forward and back) and Square Thru Two;
SCOUT HOUSE SQUARED
By Dottie Welch November 2015 using idea from Ted Sannella (see above)
Formation: Alternate Duple Contra Lines (1, 3, 5, etc. active and crossed over)
Music: "Indian Reel & Dublin Hornpipe" on Southerners Plus Two
Intro: Actives into the center ready to go down in 4;
A1 (8) Down the Center 4 in line;
(8) Turn alone and Come Back, Face Neighbor;
A2 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Star Left;
B1 (8) Right hand to Partner across for a Square Thru Three;
(8) Neighbor Swing;
B2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Actives Swing and end with lady on the right facing down;
CLASSIC OLD JOE
Author: Pat Kelm, February 2014
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "Old Joe Clark", Blue Star 1994-B
(Begin facing corner/neighbor)
A1 (8) With your corner Balance and Star Thru;
(8) Pass Thru, California Twirl;
A2 (8) Lines go Forward and Back;
(8) Pass Thru, California Twirl;
B1 (8) With those across Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
B2 (16) Slow Square Thru;
S.D.A.W. CONTRA
Author: Pat Kelm
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Any well-phrased contra music
Actives face the ones below and step to an ocean wave
A1 (8) Swing Thru, Boys Run;
(8) Promenade up or down;
A2 (8) Wheel around and come back;
(8) Bend the Line and Ladies Chain;
B1 (8) Pass Thru, California Twirl;
(8) Lines go Forward and Back;
B2 (16) Slow Square Thru;
MAY DAY CONTRA
Author: Pat Kelm
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Any well-phrased contra music
A1 (8) Dosado the one below;
(8) Circle Left 3/4 and face across;
A2 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Ladies Chain across;
B1 (8) Left-hand Star;
(8) Right-hand Star;
B2 (16) Slow Square Thru;
JLM CONTRA
By Mona Cannell
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music:
A1 (8) With Corner Dosado;
(8) Same four Circle Left;
A2 (8) Veer Left, Chain Down the Line;
(8) Same Ladies Chain across;
B1 (8) Courtesy Turn a Quarter More and Promenade Up or Down;
(8) Wheel Around and come back to same two;
B2 (8) Wheel and Deal to face those two, Pass Thru and Star Thru;
(8) Lines go Forward and Back;
KEEP THE DEVIL OFF BALANCE
Author: Pat Kelm - 2011
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "Up Jumped the Devil" on LS
A1 (8) With the couple below Circle Left;
(8) Balance Neighbor and Star Thru;
A2 (8) Circle Left 3/4;
(8) Swing Partner;
B1 (8) Long lines go Forward and Back;
(8) Ladies Chain across;
B2 (8) Flutterwheel & Sweep 1/4*;
(8) Pass Thru, Balance the Ring;
*Note - Flutterwheel should be done with the girls using forearms,
not handholds, to get a tighter turning circle.
INDIANA SPECIAL
Author: Pat Kelm - 1999
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "I'll Buy Boots for Maggie & O'Conner's Polka" on LS 350
A1 (8) Active couples Swing;
(8) Actives down the center in two's and Turn Alone;
A2 (8) Come back to place and Cast Off;
(8) Right and Left Thru;
B1 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) Flutterwheel;
B2 (8) With that couple Circle Left;
(8) Long lines go Forward and Back;
Flutterwheel = Ladies turn by the right forearm picking up the opposite
gent by his nearest hand and pushing him back to their line.
BEAUTIFUL LADY
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: 32 bar ("Beautiful Lady" on Blue Star)
A1 (8) Dosado Neighbor;
A2 (8) Actives Swing;
A2 (8) Down in four and Turn Alone;
(8) Come back and Cast Off three-quarters;
B1 (8) Across Star Left;
(8) Star Right;
B2 (16) Slow Square Thru;
CASTING IN LAKE ARROWHEAD
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: 32 bar ("Red, Red Robin" on MacGregor)
A1 (8) Neighbor Balance and Star Thru;
(8) Across Square Thru Three;
A2 (8) Partner Trade and Roll*;
(8) Swing;
B1 (8) Down in four, Wheel Around;
(8) Come back and Cast Off three-quarters;
B2 (8) Across Circle Left;
(8) Star Left;
*And Roll: stolen from the Plus square dance program.
At the end of the previous figure, all dancers rotate more without going anywhere.
In this case, the dancers trade then roll to face each other.
DAVID'S MANDOLIN
By Paul Moore (Named for a 1915 Gibson flat-back mandolin inherited from Mary's
disreputable Grandmother who played it in an all-girl mandolin band.
Destined to be passed along to a young mandolin player who needs a good instrument.)
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: 32 bar
A1 (8) Neighbor Dosado;
(8) Circle Left three-quarters;
A2 (16) Balance and Swing Partner;
B1 (8) Slant Right, Right and Left Thru;
(8) Across Flutterwheel;
B2 (8) Reverse Flutterwheel;
(8) Circle Right three-quarters;
BANJO PICKER'S CONTRA
By Paul Moore
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: 40 bars ("Banjo Picker’s Ball")
A1 (8) Neighbor Dosado;
(8) Neighbor Swing;
A2 (8) Down in four and California Twirl;
(8) Come back up and Bend the line;
B1 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Ladies Chain;
B2 (8) Flutterwheel;
(8) Lines Forward and Back;
C1 (16) Slow Square Thru;
Notes: This 80 count dance was written specifically for the music.
Flutterwheel = Ladies turn right fore-arm, pick up the opposite
man and push him back ahead of you.
Mainstream Square Dance Calls
FRACTION CONTRA
By Dottie Welch, 2005
Formation: Contra Lines of Couples Facing Couples,
If there is a spare couple place them at the bottom facing up.
Music: Jigs or Reels or “Snow Deer and Golden Slippers”
A1 (8) Long Lines go Forward and Back;
(8) Corner Allemande Left;
A2 (8) Partner Dosado (or Partner Swing);
(8) Face In, Circle Left once around and;
B1 (8) continue a Quarter More; Balance Four;
(8) Opposite Dosado;
B2 (8) Eight Chain Two;
(8) Each 4 Star Right 3/4 to Long Lines;
Eight Chain Two = Those facing Right pull by, with the next dancer left pull by,
while couples at the ends Courtesy Turn.
CB CONTRA
Author: Walt Cole
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Swing Left-hand Lady;
(8) Flutterwheel and Sweep a Quarter;
A2 (8) Step to a Wave and Balance;
(8) Swing Thru and Balance;
B1 (8) Spin the Top;
(8) Right and Left Thru;
B2 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) Chain them back;
WINTER WALK
By Dottie Welch, January 2014
Formation: Alternate Duple (begin facing Up and Down)
Music: Reels or Jigs with a marching feel
or try “Let It Snow” on Silver Sounds 166
A1 (8) Touch 1/4; Walk and Dodge;
(8) Partner Trade; Pass Thru;
A2 (8) Partner Swing;
(8) Circle Left 3/4;
B1 (8) Opposite Swing;
(8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
B2 (8) Star Right;
(8) Star Left to new Opposite;
Touch 1/4 = Those facing touch right hands palm to palm and turn 1/4;
Walk and Dodge = Those facing in (boys) walk across, while those facing out
(girls) dodge sideways to their right.
FOLD AND FOLLOW
By Dottie Welch, January 2014
Formation: Alternate Duple (begin facing Up and Down)
Music: Reels or try “Waltzing Matilda”
A1 (8) Touch 1/4; Girls Fold;
(8) Double Pass Thru; Individually Face Right;
A2 (8) Forward March;
(8) California Twirl and come back;
B1 (8) Bend the Line and Ladies Dosado 1 1/2;
(8) Partner Swing;
B2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Circle Left 1/4 and Pass Thru;
Touch 1/4 = Those facing touch right hands palm to palm and turn 1/4.
This ends with the girls facing out;
Girls Fold = The girls turn half to their right to stand behind the boy who was beside them.
Double Pass Thru = All walk forward passing by two dancers to the other side.
FISHING LINE
Author: Pat Kelm – 2002
Formation: Improper Duple
Music: "Three Little Fishes", Chicago Country 55B
A1 (8) Face your corner Dosado;
(8) Same one Swing;
A2 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) Send her back Dixie Style, make your wave and Balance;
B1 (8) March (4 rows - boys on inside, girls outside lines);
(8) Turn around, go back;
B2 (8) Swing Thru Double;
(8) Boys Run, Bend Line, Star Thru, Pass Thru;
Dixie Style to a Wave = Ladies right hand pull by, join left hand with Gent
and Left Turn 1/4 to make a Left-hand Wave across the set.
(Everyone's Active - only have to worry about doing an automatic
crossover at the head and foot as needed.
It's a quick mover and should be used with the above music.)
TAGGERS DELIGHT
Author: Betsy Gotta
Formation: Improper Duple
A1 (8) Actives (1’s) Swing in the center;
(8) (Face down and pick up neighbor [corner]);
Down the Center 4 in Line;
A2 (8) Tag the Line – face up;
(8) Come up the set, Bend the Line (Men check where you are);
B1 (8) Star Left;
(8) Star Right;
B2 (8) Men flare away, Ladies Chain*;
(8) Ladies Chain;
* Men make sure you drop out of the star on the side where you were after Bend the Line.
* Ladies – the first Ladies Chain takes you to your original partner.
TAG AND TURN
Dottie Welch, January 2008
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Reels or "I Don't Love Medley" from Sound of New England CD
A1 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) New Gents Left Arm Turn 1 1/2;
A2 (8) Partner Swing;
(8) Circle Left 3/4;
B1 (8) Facing Up Split Two around One to line of four;
(8) Down in Four (6 steps);
B2 (8) Tag the Line; Face Up and Come Back;
(8) Cast Off (3/4);
Tag the Line and Face Up = All dancers individually turn to face toward the center
of their line, single file pass right shoulders by two dancers to reach the other side
and then individually face up the hall (couples now have the girl on the right side of the boy).
Figure Eight
WHIRLING MAPLE LEAVES
By Dottie Welch, October 2013
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "Maple Leaf Jig and Old Rocking Chair" on Southerners Plus Two
A1 (8) Actives Swing;
(8) Actives below Half Figure Eight;
(lady down around the lady, gent down around the gent)
A2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Inactives above Half Figure Eight;
(lady up around the gent, gent up around the lady)
B1 (8) Each Four Circle Left Halfway, Balance Four;
(8) Neighbors Swing;
B2 (8) Ladies Dosado;
(8) Gents Dosado;
FIGURE SKATING CONTRA
By Pat Kelm, 2012
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "Old Spinning Wheel, Bonapartes Retreat"
A1 (8) Actives down the center, U-Turn Back;
(8) Come back, Cast down around one;
A2 (8) Right-hand Star;
(8) Left-hand Star;
B1 (16) Actives full Figure Eight above;
B2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Actives Swing and face down;
Petronella Turn
EASY PETRONELLA
Author: (Unknown) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X13Ekv3wD3c
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Traditional Petronella tune
A1 (8) Balance the ring (4), Petronella Turn to right and clap (4);
(8) Balance the ring (4), Petronella Turn to right and clap (4);
A2 (8) Balance the ring (4), Petronella Turn to right and clap (4);
(8) Balance the ring (4), Petronella Turn to right and clap (4);
B1 (8) Dosado Neighbor (8)
(8) Swing Neighbor (ending with lady on the gent’s right) (8);
B2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back (8);
(8) Actives Swing Partner and face down to new couple (8);
EASYNELLA
Author: Heiner Fischle
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Balance the ring, Petronella Turn right;
(8) Balance the ring, Petronella Turn right;
A2 (8) Balance the ring, Petronella Turn right;
(8) Balance the ring, Petronella Turn right;
B1 (8) Actives down the center; U-Turn Back;
(8) Come Back and Cast Off;
B2 (8) Long Lines go Forward and Back;
(8) New Corner Dosado, join hands in circle of four;
PETRONELLA ALTERED
Author: Pat Kelm – January 2013 (Also in Spring 2013 Quarterly)
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Petronella on LS CD-003, track 5, or other suitable music such as Major Mackey’s Jig on LS 196
A1 (8) 1’s & 2’s together Balance the Ring, Petronella Turn;
(8) Repeat;
A2 (16) Repeat two more times until all are back in place; - ;
B1 (8) 1’s Down the Center, Turn Alone;
(8) Come Back, Assisted Cast Off;
B2 (16) Slow Square Thru;
WHIRLING MARCH WIND
Author: Pat Kelm (March 2017)
Formation: Improper Duple
A1 (8) With neighbors below Balance the Ring, Petronella Turn;
(8) Balance the Ring, Petronella Turn;
A2 (8) 1’s Half Figure 8 above (with the 2’s)
(8) 2’s Half Figure 8 below (with the 1’s)
B1 (8) Ladies Chain across;
(8) Ladies Chain back;
B2 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Star Left to new neighbor;
FAREWELL WALTZ CONTRA
Author: Pat Kelm - 2012
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "My Own House Waltz"
A1 (8) With Neighbors Balance the Ring, Petronella Turn;
(8) Balance the Ring, Petronella Turn;
A2 (8) Balance the Ring, Petronella Turn;
(8) Balance the Ring, Petronella Turn;
B1 (8) Two-hand Turn Neighbor;
(8) Ladies Pass Left shoulders to Left-hand Turn Partner;
B2 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) Left-hand Star around to meet new Neighbor;
PETRONELLA SPELLA
Author: Dottie Welch, September 2015
Formation: Alternate Duple Contra Lines (begin facing up and down)
Music: "Irish Rover" Reel Medley on Caledonia Ball
A1 (8) Balance the Ring, Petronella Turn;
(8) Balance the Ring, Petronella Turn;
A2 (16) Balance the Ring, Neighbor Swing (12 beats) and end facing down;
B1 (8) Four in Line Go Down;
(8) California Twirl and Come Back;
B2 (8) Circle Left Halfway (to progressed position), Actives Balance;
(8) Actives Swing and face new two.
Hey for Three or Four
MAY MADNESS
By Dottie Welch, May 3, 2008
Music: Aunt May's Canadian Jig
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) New Gents Left Dosado once and a half;
A2 (8) (Begin with right shoulder) Half a Hey;
(8) Swing Partner;
B1 (8) Put her on the right, Down in Four;
(8) California Twirl and Come Back;
B2 (8) Move in and Circle Left 3/4 (#1 facing down);
(8) Swing Neighbor;
Description:
9-16 Gent look diagonally left for another gent. Beginning with a left shoulder,
Dosado once around and then another 1/2 by passing left shoulders again ending back-to-back.
Half a Hey (17-24) With original partner and working slightly on the diagonal,
begin a Half a Hey with a right shoulder pass. The gents loop to their right
while ladies pass left shoulder. All pass right shoulder with opposite sex.
Gents pass left shoulders while ladies loop to their right.
All have crossed to the other side.
For a full Hey for Four repeat all of the above to return to the starting spot.
MOSTLY HEY
By Glen Morningstar Jr. 1991
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "Mostly Hey, Whistling Rufus, Oriental Dance"
A1 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Ones Swing;
A2 (8) Lines go down (ones in the middle) and Turn Alone;
(8) Come back and Bend the Line;
B1 (16) Ladies Lead Hey for Four;
B2 (16) Neighbor Balance and Swing;
INSOMNIA REEL
By Paul Moore
Submitted by Gordon Smith for 53rd National, Denver, Colorado, 2004
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Corner Dosado;
(8) Corner now Swing;
A2 (8) Face across, Half Promenade;
(8) Right and Left Thru;
B1 (16) Ladies Lead Hey for Four;
B2 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) Circle Left 3/4, Pass Thru;
CENTRAL TRUST
By Paul Moore and Yona Chock
Named for the Central Trust Bank of Cincinnati near the 1992 NSCD
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: 32 bar
A1 (8) Actives Swing and then face down;
(8) Actives down the center in twos;
A2 (8) Wheel Around and come back;
(8) Actives Cross Trail out around neighbor; *
B1 (8) Ladies Chain back;
(8) Ladies Chain back;
B2 (16) Ladies lead Hey for Four;
*Cross Trail: the right hand dancer of a couple crosses in
front and the left hand dancer crosses behind to change places –
the motion here sends the dancers out the set and around the
neighbor.
JANUARY 7TH JIG
By Don Armstrong
LS 317/318 Prompted by Don Armstrong, flip instrumental
Music: Medley including The Beaver Hat, The Church of Dromore and Pretty Jane.
Formation: Duple Improper Contra
A1 (8) Balance Corner and Star Thru;
(8) Ladies Chain;
A2 (16) Ladies Lead (right shoulder) Hey for Four;
B1 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) Same Four Forward and Back;
B2 (8) Same four, Slow Square Thru;
DON BOSCO HORNPIPE
Author: Heiner Fischle
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Lamplighter’s Hornpipe on New England Chestnuts
A1 (8) In your lines Forward and Back;
(8) Pass Thru, U-Turn Back;
A2 (8) Around the right-hand lady Full Sashay;
(8) Ladies Chain;
B1 (16) Hey for Four (ladies lead right shoulders);
B2 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) Half Promenade;
HARTLAND HEY
Author: Pat Kelm (Jan. 28, 2018)
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Any lively Jig or Reel or “Callison Hall Jig”, LS 320
A1 (8) Balance Nabor and Star Thru
(8) Lines go Forward and Back
A2 (8) Right and Left Thru,
(8) Flutterwheel,
B1 (16) Ladies Lead Right Shoulder Hey for Four;
(or Ladies Chain over and back)
B2 (8) Circle Left three-quarters
(8) Veer Left, Veer Right (or just Pass Thru and say “Hi, Neighbor”)
SHERBROOKE HEY
Author: Pat Kelm - 1999
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "Sherbrooke" on LS 302
A1 (8) Swing the one below;
(8) Lines go Forward and Back;
A2 (8) Across Right and Left Thru;
(8) Pass Thru and Partner Trade (or Promenade 1/2);
B1 (16) Ladies lead right shoulder Hey for Four;
B2 (8) Ladies begin Flutterwheel and
(8) Sweep a Quarter more, Pass Thru and Balance;
IDAHO CAMAS PRAIRIE
Author: Dottie Welch, June 2012 for Contralab Energizer Dance in Spokane, Washington
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: "Sally Garden, Colonial McBain & Culfadda Reels” played by Natalie MacMaster
A1 (8) Corner Swing;
(8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
A2 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
B1 (16) Ladies Lead Hey for Four (right shoulder);
B2 (8) (as Gent comes across) Left Arm Turn 1 1/4;
(8) New Corner Dosado;
SPRING RINGS
By Dottie Welch, March 28, 2009
Formation: Alternate Duple, Begin facing Up and Down
Music: Lord Rosslyn's Fancy Jig Medley, Caledonian Ball
Music Joe Pratt: The Green Mountain, Petronella
A1 (8) Circle Left three-quarters (to long lines);
(8) Right and Left Thru;
A2 (16) Ladies Lead Hey for Four;
B1 (8) Partner Swing;
(8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
B2 (8) To the Right Circle three-quarters;
(8) Balance Four and Partners California Twirl;
HORNPIPE HEY
By Dottie Welch, May 2006
Formation: Alternate Duple begin facing up and down
Music: Forrester's Hornpipe, Good for the Tongue, Walker Street on Lloyd Shaw E-58-A
A1 (8) Swing Corner;
(8) Gents Dosado;
A2 (16) Ladies begin Hey for Four (right shoulder);
B1 (8) Ladies Dosado once and a half;
(8) Partner Swing;
B2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Circle Left three-quarters and Pass Thru;
WASHINGTON HEY
By Ralph Sweet
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Star Right;
(8) Actives Swing;
A2 (8) Actives Center, Down Four in Line and Turn Alone;
(8) Return and Cast Off;
B1 (16) Ladies Chain over and back;
B2 (16) Ladies start right shoulder Hey for Four;
SWING 'N HEY
Al Brozek (similar to Washington Hey)
Formation: Duple improper
Suggested music: any traditional tune you like
A1 (8) Actives Right-hand Star with couple below;
(8) Girls turn back and Swing that man;
A2 (8) Down the center four in line;
(8) All wheel left, come back to place;
B1 (16) Same two Ladies Chain (over and back);
B2 (16) Then ladies pass right shoulder into a Hey for Four;
HEY HEY CONTRA
Presented by Jerry Helt at Stockton Folk Dance Camp 2011
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Turn corner right full around and a bit more to end with Ladies back-to-back;
(8) Dosado with Corner;
A2 (16) Begin with right shoulder Hey for Four;
B1 (8) Swing Corner;
(8) Half Promenade;
B2 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Left-hand Star to face new Corner;
Easier Part B for HEY HEY CONTRA
B1 (8) Swing Corner;
(8) Half Promenade;
B2 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Right and Left Thru (face new corner);
NEW ENGLAND MARCH
By Tony and Becky McUmber
Music: New England March
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Left hand lady Swing;
(8) Down in Fours;
A2 (8) Dixie Twirl;*
(8) Come back, Cast Off;
B1 (8) Half Promenade;
(8) Ladies start a Hey for Four;
B2 (8) Finish the Hey for Four;
(8) Lines Forward and Back;
Dixie Twirl: In a line of four dancers, the center pair arches.
The extreme right person leads through the arch (taking the one on
their left along for the ride) while the left person walks to the right.
This results in an inverted line now facing the other way.
MISSED MY EXIT
By Betsy Gotta, submitted to Louisville 2010 Syllabus
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Corner Swing;
(8) Circle Left 3/4, Veer Left;
A2 (8) Promenade up and down 6 steps (ladies center);
(8) California Twirl and Come Back;
B1 (16) Gents Turn Left, Hey for Four (beginning with partner);
B2 (8) Partner Swing;
(8) Men Cross Over (face up or down);
TALKING WITH BOB
By Betsy Gotta, (Idea germinating during BDPLS at
CALLERLAB in Kansas City, April 2009)
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Corner Swing;
(8) Balance and Square Thru 2;
A2 (8) Face In, Balance and Box the Gnat;
(8) Right-hand Star three places;
B1 (8) Partner Swing;
(8) Flutterwheel;
B2 (8) Men lead left Hey for Four;
(8) 1's look down, 2's look up;
Balance and Box the Gnat: Holding right hands step forward and touch,
step back and touch. Then girls turn to their left under the joined hands while
boys turn to their right to exchange places with the girl. End facing each other.
Hey for Four in "Talking With Bob": Boys pass left, partners pass right,
boys loop right while girls pass left, neighbors pass right,
girls loop right while boys pass left, partners pass right, girls pass left.
COVE LAKE OUTLET
By Dottie Welch, October 2017
Formation: Alternate Duple
A1 (8) Corner Swing;
(8) Flutterwheel;
A2 (16) Gents lead with left shoulder Hey for Four;
B1 (16) Partner Balance and Swing;
B2 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Circle Left one-quarter and Pass Thru;
CENTRIFUGAL HEY
By Gene Hubert
Formation: Alternate Duple begin facing up and down
A1 (8) Neighbor Allemande Right once and a half;
(8) Gents Allemande Left once and a half;
A2 (16) Pass Partner Right to begin Hey for Four;
B1 (16) Partner Balance and Swing;
B2 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Circle Left three-quarters and Pass Thru;
FICKLE SPRING
By Paul Moore
Formation: Alternate Duple, Double Progression
Music: 32 bar ("Flop-Eared Mule")
A1 (8) Dosado Neighbor to a Wave
(8) Balance Double (forward and back);
A2 (16) Begin with right for Handed Hey for four;
B1: (16) Step thru to Balance and Swing new Neighbor
B2 (8) Half Promenade;
(8) Half Square Thru;
Handed Hey is simply turn each dancer pigeon wing style as you go through the hey.
(This is equivalent to Swing Thru four times.)
HEY FLUTTER CONTRA
Dottie Welch, September 2005
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Vinton's Hornpipe / President Garfield's Hornpipe
A1 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) Box the Gnat, Right and Left Thru;
A2 (8) Turn a quarter more and Weathervane across;
(8) Cast Off 3/4;
B1 (16) Ladies Lead Full Hey;
B2 (8) Ladies Chain;
(8) Flutterwheel;
SUSITNA HEADWATERS VIEW
Author: Dottie Welch, August 2016, Denali Highway, Alaska
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
Music: (Jig) “Glen Echo Jig / Robin’s Bodhran / Thingama” on Larry Unger CD
A1 (8) Neighbor Swing;
(8) Ladies Chain;
A2 (16) Ladies lead Full Hey;
B1 (16) Partner Balance and long Swing;
B2 (8) Each four Balance and Petronella Turn;
(8) Balance and Pass Thru;
ALL AMERICAN PROMENADE
Author: Roger Whynot
Formation: Alternate Duple
Music: Standard Reel
A1 (8) (face corner) * Inside out Do Sa Do;
(8) Handy Hand Allemande;
A2 (16) **1’s (as a couple) Hey for 3;
B1 (8) 1s Down the centre;
(8) Comeback and Cast Off;
B2 (8) Long Lines Forward and Back;
(8) 1’s Swing – end facing down;
* This is a mirror image, so is the Allemande
** 1’s with arms around each other – start the hey by passing left shoulders around #2 lady. 2’s dance the hey individually.
Ricochet Hey
During the Zesty Contra session at the 45th Callerlab Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico,
we danced Lisa Greenleaf’s “Ricochet Hey”.
RICOCHET HEY
By Lisa Greenleaf
Warning: This requires an experienced group of dancers.
Formation: Duple Improper
A1 (8) Down 4 in line, 1s in middle, turn alone
(8) Up, face Neighbor (1s back-to-back in middle)
A2 (16) Passing Neighbor R, 1s whole hey, 2s Ricochet
B1 (16) Balance and Swing Neighbor
B2 (8) Forward and Back
(8) 1s Swing and face down
Ricochet Hey: When the designated two dancers come into the middle they meet on a diagonal
and with both hands push back to go backwards on the other diagonal.
They must then move sideways in the outside loop ready to repeat the ricochet a second time.
Here are two simpler (but not simple) applications.
RIO GRANDE GORGE #1 (Gents Ricochet)
By Dottie Welch, April 2018, Taos, New Mexico
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
A1 (8) Neighbor Swing (end facing across)
(8) Ladies Left Dosado once-and-a-half
A2 (16) Ricochet Hey (start passing right, Gents Ricochet, Ladies full Hey)
B1 (16) Partner Balance and Swing (end facing across)
B2 (8) Circle Left three-quarters (1s should be facing down)
(8) Balance Four and Pass Thru
The Hey begins with partners passing right shoulders. Each gent comes into the center from his left
and pushes back off the other gent to go backwards towards his right.
Meanwhile the lady loops to her right and passes right shoulder by the backward moving gent.
While the ladies pass each other by their left shoulders in the center, each gent slides sideways to his left.
All of this is repeated once more.
RIO GRANDE GORGE #2 (Ladies Ricochet)
By Dottie Welch, April 2018, Taos, New Mexico
Formation: Alternate Duple, begin facing up and down
A1 (8) Neighbor Swing (end facing across);
(8) Gents Left Dosado once-and-a-half;
A2 (16) Ricochet Hey (start passing right, Ladies Ricochet, Gents full Hey);
B1 (16) Partner Balance and Swing (end facing across);
B2 (8) Circle Left three-quarters (1s should be facing up);
(8) Balance Four and California Twirl;
The Hey begins with partners passing right shoulders. Each lady comes into the center from her left
and pushes back off the other lady to go backwards towards her right.
Meanwhile each gent loops to his right and passes right shoulder by the backward moving lady.
While the gents pass each other by their left shoulders in the center, each lady slides sideways to her left.
All of this is repeated once more.
Contra Corners
ON THE SPOT
Submitted by Gordon Smith for 53rd National, Denver, Colorado, 2004
Formation: Three couple set (any genders)
A (8) Lines go Forward and Back;
(12) Left ends Dosado;
(12) Right ends Dosado;
B1 (8) Centers Turn Contra Corners (Right first, then left);
(8) (Centers right, right opposite left, centers right;
left opposite left, right to place);
B2 (16) Circle six hands right full around and one more place;
Note: This creates some unexpected pairings.
YELLOW JACKET REEL
By Boyd Rothenberger
Submitted by Gordon Smith, 53rd National, Denver, Colorado, 2004
Formation: Triplet
A1 (8) 1s Swing;
(8) 1s Down Center, Cross at the foot, up around one;
A2 (8) 1s Turn Contra Corners (16) (centers right, right opposite left;
(8) centers right, left opposite left);
B1 (16) 1s Balance and Swing Partner;
B2 (8) 1s come Up Center and Cast to Foot;
(8) All Dosado Partner;