New dances by Al Green from 2009
Many of these are for my seniors groups with such alternative titles as "first ..... ."
Circle Mixers
Stars & Stripes Mixer Usually danced to the tune of the same name Single circle facing in A1 All forward 3 stamp & return, repeat A2 Partner Dosado, circle left B1 Circle right single file, Women tap the shoulder of the man ahead Men turn around with expression of huge delight & swing her B2 Promenade Note for best results tell the men that overacting is encouraged Alamo Intro The name says it all Single circle facing in A1 Women forward 3 clap & return, men forward 3 clap turn around & return to an Alamo ring, men face out, women face in, with partner hold left hands, with neighbour right hands A2 Balance forward & back, left turn one-half, balance forward & back, left turn one-half BI Neighbour balance & swing, B2 Promenade
Sicilian Circles
Bishopthorpe Palace Pousette The York U3A group dances in the Church Hall opposite the Palace of the Archbishop of York A1 Women Chain over & back A2 Left hand star, Circle left B1 Neighbour Dosado, partner Dosado B2 With partner take 2 hands & pousette half way round that couple; Partner swing, face new couple Sicilian Balancing act More balance practice A1 Circle balance, Circle left one-half, Circle balance, Circle left one-half A2 Neighbour Dosado, neighbour swing, (face partner) B1 Partner Dosado, partner swing, (face new couples) B2 Women chain over & back
Mescolanza
(2 couples facing 2 couples also called a double contra)
On a Coastliner Bus to Whitby Folk Festival (aka first Mescolanza) The name says it all A1 All go Forward & back, corner swing to make a square A2 All go Forward & back, Men right hand star once around B1 Corner left allemande, with partner right & left grand B2 Partner Dosado & swing, face new couples (you have changed ends)
Square
Stars Galore A1 Heads forward & back, heads star right A2 With nearest sides star left, heads to the centre & star right B1 With corner left allemande, pass partner, swing the next B2 Promenade to men's home may have time for a short swing
Contras
Tuesday Night in Headingley A.K.A. Star through & Petronella Duple improper Headingley is a northern suburb of Leeds and it is the home of two celebrated organisations, Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds Contra Dance Club. A1 With neighbour, 2 hand balance & star through, women chain A2 Women star right, Partner swing B1 Circle left three-quarters, balance, Petronella turn B2 Balance, Petronella turn, balance, California twirl Permanent Wave Contra (Becket) Inspired by the Sicilian Circle of the same name by Barb Smith A1 Circle left three-quarters make a wave (men on the ends) balance, women on to the next A2 Balance, men on to the next while the women turn left one-half, partner swing B1 Men star left 1 one-half, neighbour swing, B2 Right & left through, ladies chain Driffield Drifter Duple improper The U3A dancers at Driffield decided on the name for this dance. A1 Neighbour left allemande 1 one-half, women chain A2 Lines forward & back, partner swing B1 Lines of 4 go down the hall, turn as couples, return and make a circle B2 Circle left three-quarters, Balance, pass through Heavenly Bodies Becket At every ECTA (European Callers & Teachers Association) Contra Convention the featured callers are asked TO present workshops using only dances conforming to a predetermined theme. Last year it was triplets with Hey for 3, this year it was Becket formation. I wrote this dance for that occasion with a provisional working title of Orbits for ECTA. However following a thought process going from Orbits via Planetson to constellations I ended up with Heavenly Bodies and on the day dedicated the dance to all the ladies present. They seemed to like it A1 Circle left three-quarters, pass through, neighbour swing (face across) A2 Right & left through, circle left three-quarters make a wave (men on the ends) BI Partner right one-half, men star left once around while the women walk clockwise one-half way around the men (women orbit) to meet their neighbour. Neighbour right one-half Women star left once around while the men walk clockwise one-half way around the women (men orbit) to meet their partner. B2 Partner Balance & swing
DEDICATION
I would like to dedicate these dances to my good friend, mentor and webmaster Thomas Green (no relation) without whose constant help & encouragement I would probably have given up by now. Thanks again Thomas.