Contra Dances by Cary Ravitz

Notes | Contents | Index | Notation | Choreography



Notes

This is my page of dances, snapshot from 2013.



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Contents

Index Enchanted Mary Keith's Harmo.. Star Trick
Notation The Enchanted Forr.. Megadance Starburst
My Rules of Choreo.. Entranced The Millennium Hug Starcrossed
Evil Diane Oh More Snakes Stardust
Fiddle Tales One Way or Another Starfire
Amy's Harmonium Fiddlers' Fling (1-13) Passion Breakdown Star's End (3-12)
Andes Anomaly Fiddlers' Frolic (revised 12-12) Pigtown Breakdown Stephanie's Star
Around the Sound Flip-Flop Pigtown Petronella Strawberry Swirl
Autumn Air Flirting with Love.. Pigtown Swing Streetsboro Daisies
Becket Eyes (9-12) Flying Flamingos Presto Petronella Susan's Slide
Between the Lines Four on the Floor raDar Love Susan's Snafu
Bev's Becket Fractal Fling Rat Race Susan's Swing
Breakup Breakdown Fractal Frolic Reel Easy Sweet Summer (2-12)
Butterflies Fudge Swirl Reel to Reel Swing Fever
Call Me (10-12) Galax Reflections Sync or Grin
Carried Away Gypsy Star Rhyme or Rhythm Tara's Trip
Chicory Gypsy Waves (5-13) Riding Whisky Terry and Sherry
Contra Clovers Heart of Glass Roadkill Through the Lookin..
Contra Currents Hey Weaver Rocky Road Trillium
Contrablend Interstate 75 Roll Around Trinity 2
Cookies and Cream Into the DMZ (4-13) Run Around Susie Waterfall
Crosswalk Janet's Gypsy Sealed with a Keith Wavefront
Daisy Chain Janet's Journey (6-12) Serenade (6-13) Wedding Contra for..
Dance Kentucky Unh.. Jubilation Variation Slice and Dice Where Will I Be
Dance Symmetry Judy's Journey (6-13) Slip and Slide Whim's Gym
Dancing Spell Jump Start The Slippery Slope Whirl of Fortune
Dar Trek Laura's Lilt Slipstream Whirlaway
Deanna's Dance Living in Zen Snake in the Garden Whitewater
Debra's Dance Looking for Love A.. Snake in the Hey Wildcats
Decade (4-13) Mad Max Songbird (1-12) Wildflowers
Dianne's Dance Maliza's Magical M.. Southern Spring (1-12) Winter Wind
Double Whirl (2-12) March of the Coffe.. The Squeaking Reel Woven Waves
Dreaming Martha's Breakup B.. (5-13) The Squeaking Wheel


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Index

Diamond Formation   Deanna's Dance, Dianne's Dance
 
Easy Between the Lines, Dancing Spell, Reel Easy, Reflections B, Roll Around, Starburst, Woven Waves
 
Last Dance of the Evening Becket Eyes, Call Me, Gypsy Star, Heart of Glass, Jubilation Variation, Trillium, Whim's Gym, Woven Waves
 
Lost and Found Andes Anomaly, Carried Away, Dance Kentucky Unh.., Dar Trek, Dreaming, Evil Diane, Fiddle Tales, Flirting with Love Again, Looking for Love A.., Mad Max, Megadance, Pigtown Breakdown, Pigtown Petronella, Pigtown Swing, Presto Petronella, Rat Race, Roadkill, Rocky Road, Sealed with a Keith, Serenade, Slice and Dice, Starcrossed, Stardust, Where Will I Be
 
Mixers Contrablend
 
My Favorites Breakup Breakdown, Dar Trek, Galax, Gypsy Star, Heart of Glass, Jubilation Variation, Jump Start, Mary Keith's Harmo.., Passion Breakdown, Pigtown Petronella, Reel Easy, Reel to Reel, Roadkill, Sealed with a Keith, Snake in the Hey, The Squeaking Wheel, Starburst, Trillium, Whitewater, Woven Waves
 
No Walk Through Autumn Air, Becket Eyes, Bev's Becket A, Call Me, Dancing Spell, Heart of Glass, Reel Easy, Starburst, Streetsboro Daisies, Through the Lookin.., Whim's Gym B, Wildflowers
 
Partner/Neighbor Symmetry Mad Max, Megadance, One Way or Another, Pigtown Swing, Roadkill, Slice and Dice, The Slippery Slope, Starcrossed, Susan's Slide, Where Will I Be
 
Reverse Improper Judy's Journey, Living in Zen, Reflections, Rhyme or Rhythm, The Squeaking Reel
 
Symmetric Pairs Dance Symmetry, Deanna's Dance, Fractal Fling/Fractal Frolic, Gypsy Star/Woven Waves, Hey Weaver, Passion Breakdown, raDar Love, Snake in the Garden, Wildflowers
 
Very Complex Andes Anomaly, Megadance, Oh More Snakes, Rat Race, Reflections A, Run Around Susie, Slice and Dice

 
Clover Contra Clovers, The Squeaking Wheel
 
Contra Corners Flip-Flop
 
Gypsy Star Decade, Fiddlers' Fling, Fiddlers' Frolic, Gypsy Star, Gypsy Waves, Starfire, Stephanie's Star, Trinity 2, Woven Waves
 
Hey into Star Dar Trek, Entranced, Interstate 75, Jump Start, Living in Zen, Rhyme or Rhythm, Starfire
 
Lines Forward, 1/2 Gypsy, Back Around the Sound, Enchanted, The Enchanted Forr.. B, Terry and Sherry
 
Mad Robin Decade, Fiddlers' Fling, Fiddlers' Frolic, Janet's Gypsy, Mad Max, Passion Breakdown, Songbird, Southern Spring, Star's End B, Sweet Summer
 
Orbit Amy's Harmonium, Mary Keith's Harmo.., Reel to Reel, Riding Whisky, Run Around Susie, Sync or Grin
 
Partner Gypsy, Balance and Swing Laura's Lilt, Presto Petronella, Sealed with a Keith, Serenade, Stardust, Wedding Contra for..
 
Pousette Decade, Fiddlers' Fling, Fiddlers' Frolic, Songbird
 
Petronella Turn Carried Away, Dianne's Dance, Fiddle Tales, Looking for Love A.., Maliza's Magical M.., Megadance, The Millennium Hug, Pigtown Breakdown, Pigtown Petronella, Pigtown Swing, Presto Petronella, Roadkill, The Squeaking Reel, Star Trick, Susan's Snafu, Where Will I Be, Winter Wind
 
Push Off Hey Bev's Becket B, Decade, Galax, Hey Weaver, Into the DMZ, Mad Max, The Millennium Hug, One Way or Another, Sync or Grin, Whirl of Fortune
 
Rory O'More Slide Andes Anomaly, Debra's Dance, Four on the Floor, Looking for Love A.., March of the Coffe.., Megadance, Oh More Snakes, Slip and Slide, The Slippery Slope, Starcrossed, Susan's Slide, Wavefront
 
Star Promenade Butterflies, Chicory, Deanna's Dance, Double Whirl, Fractal Fling, Fractal Frolic, Galax, Heart of Glass, Sync or Grin, Through the Lookin.., Trillium, Wedding Contra for.., Whirl of Fortune, Whirlaway, Wildflowers
 
Synchronous Left/Right Allemandes The Enchanted Forr.., Rat Race
 
Three Swings Around the Sound, Breakup Breakdown, Carried Away, Jubilation Variation, Martha's Breakup B.. Pigtown Swing, Swing Fever, Trinity 2
 
Wavy Lines in the Middle Andes Anomaly, Four on the Floor, Gypsy Star, Gypsy Waves, Oh More Snakes, Snake in the Garden, Snake in the Hey, Woven Waves


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Notation

The number of counts used by each move is noted in parentheses. These are not necessarily rigid as the figures can trade off, especially within a 16 count phrase. For example with the common phrase circle left 3/4 (8), partners swing (8), the dancers will often use just 6 or 7 counts for the circle.

Ladies chains and right and left throughs end with a courtesy turn. This is implied and not noted.

The term star, as used here, covers both the wrist hold star and the hands across star (also called just "hands across"). If the type of star is important then it is specified. Otherwise either type works well and I suggest using whatever is traditional for the dancers.

I use the phrase "men roll away with a half sashay" to refer to the common roll away with a half sashay with roles reversed, i.e. men roll and ladies half sashay.

I use the phrase "reverse improper" for the contra formation with the twos crossed (from proper) instead of the ones.


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My Rules of Choreography

These are the rules that I follow when writing a dance. The first rules are rigid - I allow no exceptions unless the theme of the dance requires it.
-There must be smooth flow, by position, direction, and hand hold.
-The timing must be clean - not too tight or too loose and not widely varying in different phrases, and any timing sloppiness should be within a 16 count phrase.
-There must be a partner swing (that means everyone, not just the ones).
-Shadow swings are not allowed.
-Swings end at the end of a 16 count phrase.
-The dance must not be excessively clockwise.
-Circles and stars should be a maximum of once around, allemandes maximum 1+3/4, and do-si-dos maximum 1+1/4.
-Maximum of three balances.
-Maximum of one circle left, regardless of the circle distance.

These next rules are more loosely followed.
-There must be a neighbor swing or a figure that is interesting enough to make up for the lack of one.
-There should be exactly one minimum 12 count swing. This includes a 16 count balance and swing, gypsy and swing, or swing. Three swing dances are excluded from this rule.
-The basic figures, circle left, star left, star right, ladies chain across, right and left through across, etc. are not to be used more than once in a dance unless all uses are part of the central theme.
-The total number of figures should be minimal.
-Time spent standing still should be minimal.
-There should be minimal filler (figures that just take up time).

And these are some artistic rules.
-The partner swing should be the last swing of the dance.
-There should be an interesting buildup to one or both swings.
-There should be a theme or symmetry that holds the figures together as a dance.
-Long lines forward and back seems to me to be an opening figure, so I will not use it in B1 or B2 (unless paired with another in A1 or A2).
-Petronella turns, Rory O'More slides, and push offs in heys need to be used in pairs to feel right.
-Down the hall seems to me to be an up/down and unequal figure that doesn't fit in a Becket dance.


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Amy's Harmonium     Cary Ravitz     10-1999

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Men allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Ladies chain across (8).
- Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down to a new couple (8).
 
B2 - Ladies allemande left 1 while men orbit 1/2 clockwise (6).
- Partners swing (10).

YouTube, MRD


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Andes Anomaly     Cary Ravitz     9-1997

Becket, counter-clockwise, double progression
Complex

A1 - Dancers in the line to the caller's right are ones.
- Long lines go forward and back and just the ones roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Hands across star right 7/8 (3+1/2 places) so that a man and woman from each set of four are in the middle (8).
 
A2 - Keep hands in the star and take hands in a long wavy line in the middle.
- People on the sides balance in and out while people in the middle balance to a new neighbor and away (4).
- Slide past the person that you balanced to with a Rory O'More spin (4).
- Hands across star left 3/4 with the handy group of four (8).
 
B1 - Keep hands in the star and take hands in a long wavy line in the middle.
- People on the sides balance in and out while people in the middle balance to a new neighbor and away (4).
- Slide past the person that you balanced to (4).
- Hands across star right 7/8 with the handy group of four, ending on the side with your partner (8).
 
B2 - Partners gypsy and swing (16).

If there is no one to slide with in A2 or B1, turn to face the other direction and wait for the next star.

No one is ever out at the top. For odd length lines, at the bottom, men and women reenter the dance separately.

The roll away in A1 is not necessary for the dance to work, but it makes the wavy lines man/woman.


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Around the Sound     Cary Ravitz     8-2009

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward, neighbors gypsy 1/2, and men take neighbors back to the side (opposite the men's home side) (3+2+3).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Long lines go forward, partners gypsy 1/2, and long lines go back (3+2+3).
- Star right 3/4 (8).
 
B2 - Men look for the next man to allemande left 1 while ladies walk to meet your partner (4).
- Partners swing (12).

B1/B2 can also be danced as B1 - pass through across (4) / star right 3/4 (8) / men look for the next man ... (4) / B2 - partner swing (16).

YouTube, MRD


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Autumn Air     Cary Ravitz     8-2009

Becket

A1 - Ladies chain across (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partner swing (8).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (7).
- Pass through up and down (2).
- With a new couple, circle right 3/4 (7).

MRD


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Becket Eyes     Cary Ravitz     9-2012

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
A2 - Star left (8).
- Look away from the star for a new neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
 
B2 - Partners gypsy and swing (16) (or balance and swing).

MRD


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Between the Lines A     Cary Ravitz     2-2008

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Long lines go forward (4).
- Ones swing in the middle and end facing down while twos back up and face up (12).
 
B1 - New neighbors do-si-do (8).
- Circle left 1 (8).
 
B2 - Partners do-si-do (across the set) (8).
- Twos swing in the middle and end facing up, ones face down (8).

The twos may cut short the do-si-do before the swing by a couple of counts to start the swing early.

Between the Lines B - alternate B1/B2.

MRD


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Between the Lines B     Cary Ravitz     2-2008

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Long lines go forward (4).
- Ones swing in the middle and end facing down while twos back up and face up (12).
 
B1 - With new neighbors, ones split the twos to start a mirror do-si-do (one men and two ladies see-saw, two men and one ladies do-si-do) (8).
- Twos swing and end facing up (8).
 
B2 - Circle left 1 (8).
- Neighbors do-si-do (8).

The twos may cut short the do-si-do before the swing by a couple of counts to start the swing early.


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Bev's Becket A     Cary Ravitz     7-2005

Becket

A1 - On the left diagonal walk forward to meet a new couple (4).
- Back up straight to form a set of four with this couple (4).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
A2 - Ladies pass right to start a hey (16).
 
B1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).

This is an inversion (partner and neighbor roles are swapped) of Becky's Becket by David Zinkin and/or Butter by Gene Hubert. The dances are readily medleyed. The opening figure is borrowed from Hey Man by Paul Balliet.

Bev's Becket B - alternate version.

MRD


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Bev's Becket B     Cary Ravitz     4-2010

Becket

A1 - On the left diagonal walk forward to meet a new couple (4).
- Back up straight to form a set of four with this couple (4).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
A2 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, men push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (8).
- Continue the hey, ladies push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey, men finish an ordinary hey (8).
 
B1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners swing (8).

MRD


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Breakup Breakdown     Cary Ravitz     12-1999

Improper contra
Complex

A1 - Pass through across (4).
- Neighbors balance and swing (12).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B1 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- With a new couple, star left (8).
 
B2 - Look away from the star for your original neighbor to do-si-do (8).
- Same neighbors swing (8).

MRD


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Butterflies     Cary Ravitz     4-2001

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 1/2 (2).
- Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl 1/2 to put the ladies in the middle (6).
- Ladies allemande right 1/2 (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 (6).
 
B1 - Men allemande left 1/2 (4).
- Partners swing (12).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors do-si-do (8).

A2 might be noted as men lead a flutterwheel by the left, ladies lead a flutterwheel by the right.


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Call Me     Cary Ravitz     10-2012

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
A2 - Star left (8).
- Look away from the star for a new neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Ladies pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

MRD


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Carried Away     Cary Ravitz     1-2004

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.

A1 - Star left 3/4 (8).
- Look away from the star for a new (old) neighbor to swing (8).
 
A2 - Right and left through across (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain to your shadow (8).
 
B1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face a new neighbor (8).
- New neighbors swing (8)
 
B2 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, and turn alone to face your partner (8).
- Partners swing (8).

Men and women reenter the dance three times on each end with ladies on the left, to swing. Ladies also reenter the dance with a left diagonal chain.

MRD


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Chicory     Cary Ravitz     7-2008

Becket

A1 - Men allemande left 1 (6).
- Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in while shifting to the right one place, to face a new couple (10).
 
A2 - Ladies allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Ladies pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

The 1/2 hey also works with men pass right to start a 1/2 hey.

YouTube, MRD


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Contra Clovers     Cary Ravitz     5-1995

Becket
Complex

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
A2 - Circle left 1 (8).
- Keep hands held until it's time to break the clover.
- Face your neighbor.
- Men raise your right hand and ladies raise your left hand.
- Ladies turn clockwise 1/2 while sliding to your neighbor's left to form a two leaf clover (2).
- Turn the clover counter-clockwise 3/4 (6).
 
B1 - Ladies slide back to back while men turn in place to reverse the clover (2).
- Turn the clover clockwise 3/4 (6).
- Drop hands to break the clover and men switch to a back hold with your partner.
- Promenade to the next couple (2).
- Ladies do-si-do (6).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

In the initial two leaf clover all four people are in line across the set, women on the inside. The one man and two woman are together, facing up and the two man and one woman are together, facing down. Men's left hands are behind their neighbor's back and right hands are across their front. Women's hands are crossed in front. Everyone is facing counter-clockwise to turn the clover.

Then the clover shifts. Women slide back to back and men turn around in place counter-clockwise, with no raised hands. This puts partners together, facing clockwise.

As the clover ends, ones are facing down, twos are facing up. Men's right arms are behind their partner's back, ready to start a back hold promenade to the next couple.

The two leaf clover is an old square dance figure that I borrowed for this dance. I do not know its origin.


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Contra Currents     Cary Ravitz     4-1997

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Go down the hall (5).
- Turn as a couple (3).
- Come back up (5).
- Ones cast around the twos (3).
 
B1 - Ones half figure eight around the twos (8).
- Ones swing and end facing down (8).
 
B2 - With a new couple, circle left 1 (8).
- Twos swing and end facing up (8).

Use a back hold with neighbors in A2 to make the cast easier and quicker.

YouTube


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Contrablend     Cary Ravitz     11-1995

Improper contra mixer, triple progression for women, single progression for men
Complex

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Men's new partners are in their right hand.
- Ladies' new partners are in their left hand.
- Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
 
B2 - Circle right 3/4 (with partners) (8).
- Look away from the circle for a new neighbor to gypsy 1+1/2 (8).
- Look for another new neighbor.

You can start this dance in B1 to make it a Becket dance. In this case you don't get to swing your original partner, but it makes the dance a little easier.

Be alert on the ends.

MRD


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Cookies and Cream     Cary Ravitz     9-1998

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
A2 - Circle left 1/2 (4).
- Neighbors swing (12).
 
B1 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Next ladies allemande right 1+1/2 while men slide left 1 step (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

Facebook


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Crosswalk     Cary Ravitz     12-2011

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey ending in long wavy lines with men facing out (8).
- Balance (4).
- Men move one place to the right while turning to face in while ladies cross the set to face out (4).
 
B1 - Balance (4).
- Ladies move one place to the right while turning to face in while men cross the set to face out (4).
- Balance (4).
- Men move one place to the right while turning to face in while ladies cross the set to face out (4).
 
B2 - Partners gypsy and swing (16).

MRD


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Daisy Chain     Cary Ravitz     10-2008

Becket, double progression
Complex

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, men chain by the right hand (8) (men are on the right).
 
A2 - Star left 3/4 (8).
- On the right diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
 
B1 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Ladies allemenade right 1+1/2 (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

MRD


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Dance Kentucky Unhinged     Cary Ravitz     4-2000

Becket, counter-clockwise, double progression
Complex

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.

A1 - Right and left through across (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
 
A2 - Star left (8)
- Look away from the star for a new neighbor to do-si-do (8).
 
B1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Shadows allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
B2 - Look for your partner to balance and swing (16).

Be alert on the ends.

YouTube


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Dance Symmetry A     Cary Ravitz     1-2002

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
A2 - Star left (8).
- Look away from the star for a new neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - Men chain across by the left hand to a mirror courtesy turn (8).
- Star right (8).
 
B2 - Men turn in and partners gypsy and swing (16).

Dance Symmetry B - inverted version, can be medleyed.


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Dance Symmetry B     Cary Ravitz     1-2002

Becket, clockwise

A1 - Men chain across by the left hand to a mirror courtesy turn (8).
- Star right (8).
 
A2 - Men turn in and neighbors gypsy and swing (16).
 
B1 - Right and left through across (8).
- On the right diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
 
B2 - Star left (8).
- Look away from the star for your partner to swing (8).

To switch from one version to the other in a medley replace the next right and left through with a long lines forward and back.


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Dancing Spell     Cary Ravitz     9-1998

Improper contra
Easy

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Circle left 1 (8).
- Hands across star left (8).
 
B1 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).

MRD


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Dar Trek A (for Darlene)     Cary Ravitz     5-2002

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.

A1 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Look away from your partner for your shadow.
- With your shadow and first neighbor, star left 3/4 (8).
 
A2 - Look away from the star for a second neighbor to do-si-do (8).
- Second neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - With your second neighbor and shadow, circle left 3/4 (8).
- Balance (4).
- Second neighbors California twirl (4).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. You always reenter the dance with ladies on the right.

Dar Trek B - alternate A1/A2.

MRD


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Dar Trek B (for Darlene)     Cary Ravitz     5-2002

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
A2 - Look away from your partner for your shadow.
- With your shadow and first neighbor, star left 3/4 (8).
- Look away from the star for a second neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - With your second neighbor and shadow, circle left 3/4 (8).
- Balance (4).
- Second neighbors California twirl (4).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. You always reenter the dance with ladies on the right.

MRD


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Deanna's Dance A     Cary Ravitz     6-1997

Diamond formation (circle left 1/8 from improper), double progression
Complex

A1 - Face your neighbor in the diamond.
- Men pass left to start a hey (diagonal) (16).
 
A2 - Partners balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Circle left 1 (8).
- Star left using a hands across star (8).
 
B2 - Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl back into the diamond (8).
- Ladies look for the lady in the next diamond (first new couple), take right hands, keep your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to a new diamond with a second new couple (men go forward, ladies go backward) (8).

All of the moves start and end in diamond orientation.

To get into diamond formation, start in improper contra formation and each group of four turns 1/8 (1/2 place) to the left so that ladies are in the middle and men are on the side.

No one is ever out at the top. If there is no couple to star promenade with, stay put.

Deanna's Dance B - alternate A1/B2, can be medleyed.


Idx   ToC
Deanna's Dance B     Cary Ravitz     6-1997

Diamond formation (circle left 1/8 from improper), double progression
Complex

A1 - Ladies pass right to start a hey (diagonal) (16).
 
A2 - Partners balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Circle left 1 (8).
- Star left using a hands across star (8).
 
B2 - Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face out of the diamond (8).
- Men look for the man in the next diamond (first new couple), take left hands, keep your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to a new diamond with a second new couple (8).

All of the moves start and end in diamond orientation.

To get into diamond formation, start in improper contra formation and each group of four turns 1/8 (1/2 place) to the left so that ladies are in the middle and men are on the side.

No one is ever out at the top. If there is no couple to star promenade with, stay put.

To switch from one version to the other in a medley change at A2.


Idx   ToC
Debra's Dance A     Cary Ravitz     5-2006

Becket

A1 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Pass through across (4).
- Neighbors allemande right 3/4 to a wave across with men in the middle (4).
 
B1 - Balance right and left and slide right with a Rory O'More spin (8).
- Balance left and right and Slide left with a Rory O'More spin (8).
 
B2 - Men allemande left 1/2 (2).
- Partners swing (14).

Debra's Dance B - inverted version, can be medleyed.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Debra's Dance B     Cary Ravitz     5-2006

Becket

A1 - On the left diagonal walk forward to meet a new couple (4).
- Back up straight to form a set of four with this couple (4).
- Pass through across (4).
- Partners allemande right 3/4 to a wave across with men in the middle (4).
 
A2 - Balance right and left and slide right with a Rory O'More spin (8).
- Balance left and right and Slide left with a Rory O'More spin (8).
 
B1 - Men allemande left 1/2 (2).
- Neighbors swing (14).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Decade     Cary Ravitz     4-2013

Becket

A1 - On the left diagonal walk forward to meet a new couple (4).
- Back up straight to form a set of four with this couple (4).
- Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey, ladies push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Men step forward and right to start a mad robin (8).
- Ladies pull to start a 1/2 pousette (8).
 
B2 - Men take left hands and ladies take right hands to make a gypsy star.
- Ladies go forward and men go backward to turn the star 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).


Idx   ToC
Dianne's Dance     Cary Ravitz     7-1996

Diamond formation (circle left 1/8 from improper), double progression

A1 - Star left 3/4 so that the men are in the middle (8).
- Next men allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
A2 - Take hands in a diamond oriented circle.
- Balance and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella (8).
- Take hands in the diamond, balance, and spin one place to the right (8).
 
B1 - Star right 3/4 so that ladies are in the middle (8).
- Next ladies allemande left 1+1/2 so that you are progressed and in a diamond (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing and end in a diamond (16).

To get into diamond formation, start in improper contra formation and each group of four turns 1/8 (1/2 place) to the left so that ladies are in the middle and men are on the side.

No one is ever out at the top. For odd length lines, at the bottom, men and women reenter the dance separately.


Idx   ToC
Double Whirl     Cary Ravitz     revised 2-2012

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Turn to a new neighbor and circle right 3/4 (8).
 
A2 - With partners, men roll away with a half sashay into a butterfly whirl hold (2).
- Butterfly whirl 3/4 so that men are in the middle (4).
- Star promenade across and butterfly whirl to face in (10).
 
B1 - Ladies pass right to start a hey (16).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Dreaming     Cary Ravitz     8-2005

Becket
Complex

Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
A2 - Look away from your partner for your shadow.
- With your shadow and neighbor, star right 3/4 (8).
- Men turn in and neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Shadows do-si-do (across the set) (8).
- Look away from your first neighbor for your second neighbor.
- With your shadow and second neighbor, star left 3/4 (8).
 
B2 - Look away from the star for your partner to balance and swing (16).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. You always reenter the dance with ladies on the right.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Enchanted     Cary Ravitz     9-2008

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Ladies pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Long lines go forward, partners gypsy 1/2, and long lines go back (3+2+3).
- Star left 3/4 (8).
 
B2 - Ladies look for the next lady to allemande right 1 while men walk to meet your partner (4).
- Partners swing (12).

This is a makeover of Entranced.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
The Enchanted Forrest A     Cary Ravitz     11-1998

Becket
Complex

A1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Hands across star left 7/8 (3+1/2 places) so that men are in the middle (8).
 
B1 - Men look for a new man to allemande right 1+1/2 while ladies allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Star left 7/8 with the handy group of four (8).
 
B2 - Look away from the star for your partner to balance and swing (16).

The Enchanted Forrest B - alternate A2/B1, can be medleyed.


Idx   ToC
The Enchanted Forrest B     Cary Ravitz     11-1998

Becket
Complex

A1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Long lines go forward, partners gypsy 1/2, and long lines go back (3+2+3).
- Hands across star left 7/8 (3+1/2 places) so that ladies are in the middle (8).
 
B1 - Ladies look for a new lady to allemande right 1+1/2 while men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Star left 7/8 with the handy group of four (8).
 
B2 - Look away from the star for your partner to balance and swing (16).


Idx   ToC
Entranced     Cary Ravitz     5-1997

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
A2 - Star right 3/4 using a hands across star (men are in front of partners) (8).
- Ladies turn in and neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Pass through across the set and turn alone to face in (4).
- Star left 3/4 (8).
- Ladies look for the next lady to allemande right 1 while men walk to meet your partner (4).
 
B2 - Partners swing (16).

I changed to wording of B1 to make it easier to teach, but this does not change the dance. The wording was: pass through across the set and turn alone to face in (4) / star left 7/8 to put the ladies in the middle (8) / ladies look for the next lady to allemande right 3/4 while men walk forward to meet your partner (4).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Evil Diane     Cary Ravitz     11-2000

Becket, double progression
Complex

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and with your shadow, men roll away with a half sashay (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
 
A2 - Star left (8).
- On the right diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
 
B1 - Long lines go forward and back and with your partner, men roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Ladies do-si-do (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.

The fundamental figures of this dance are long lines with a roll away, chain to the left and right, and look for your partner to balance and swing, a total of 40 counts. This leaves 24 counts that can be filled in to make a wide range of variations. Null moves that fit nicely include circle right after the roll away and star left or hey after either chain. I used star left after the chain left. After the chain to the right you can include a progression (men progress and ladies unprogress) to put partners in the same set of four before they balance and swing. I used another long lines with a roll away to do this because I like the symmetry and the partner interaction.

This dance is named after Sam Bartlett's tune Evil Diane, for Diane.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Fiddle Tales     Cary Ravitz     1-2001

Improper contra
Complex

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Ones cross the set by the right, turn left, pass one person and go to the middle to form a diamond, men facing up in a new minor set, ladies facing down in their original minor set (8).
- Take hands in the diamond, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella (8).
 
B1 - Balance and spin one place to the right (8).
- Ones turn alone to find your partner to swing and end facing down (8).
 
B2 - With new neighbors, ones split the twos to start a mirror do-si-do (8).
- Twos swing and end facing up (8).

The central figures of this dance, A2 and B1, are borrowed from Ted Sannella's Fiddleheads.

You can run this as an alternating dance (as in Alternating Corners by Jim Kitch). On even cycles, after the neighbor swing, twos cross the set, turn left, etc. Men face down and women face up in the initial diamonds, and after the partner swings (both versions), ones face down and twos face up.

YouTube


Idx   ToC
Fiddlers' Fling     Cary Ravitz     1-2013

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Men step forward and right to start a mad robin (8).
- Ladies pull to start a 1/2 pousette (8).
 
B1 - Men take left hands and ladies take right hands to make a gypsy star.
- Ladies go forward and men go backward to turn the star 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).

This is a relaxed and simplified adaptation of the central figures of Fiddlers' Frolic.


Idx   ToC
Fiddlers' Frolic (for Pam and Fred)     Cary Ravitz     3-2012

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Circle right 3/4 and turn alone to find new neighbors (8).
 
A2 - (New) neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Circle left 1/2 (4)
- Men step forward and right to start a mad robin (8).
- Ladies pull to start a 1/2 pousette (4).
 
B2 - Men take left hands and ladies take right hands to make a gypsy star.
- Ladies go forward and men go backward to turn the star 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).

The original A1 was long lines, men start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your partner, from initial positions, turn the star 1 for men and 1/2 for ladies, look for a new neighbor. A1 can also be done as long lines, roll away with a half sashay, star left 3/4, look a new neighbor (in this case, the ladies don't finish a normal roll, but end in star position with left hands in the middle). (For now) I have settled on the A1 noted in the dance because it has the best timing of the three and is the least difficult to teach and dance.

YouTube


Idx   ToC
Flip-Flop     Cary Ravitz     8-2000

Improper contra, 128 count
Complex

A1 - Neighbors do-si-do (8).
- Neighbors swing and end facing down (8).
 
A2 - Go down the hall (4).
- Twos cast around the ones (4).
- Twos half figure eight below the ones (8).
 
B1 - Twos turn contra corners (16).
 
B2 - Twos balance and swing in the middle and end facing up (16).
 
A1 - Neighbors do-si-do (8).
- Neighbors swing and end facing up (8).
 
A2 - Go up the hall (4).
- Ones cast around the twos (4).
- Ones half figure eight above the twos (8).
 
B1 - Ones turn contra corners (16).
 
B2 - Ones balance and swing in the middle and end facing down (16).

This is an alternating contra corners dance, inspired by Jim Kitch's Alternating Corners.


Idx   ToC
Flirting with Love Again A     Cary Ravitz     10-1997

Becket, double progression
Complex

Face your partner, your second shadow is beyond your partner, your first shadow is beyond your second shadow.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Circle left 1 (8).
 
A2 - On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
- On the right diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain to your first shadow (8).
 
B1 - Star left (8).
- Look away from the star for your second shadow to allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
B2 - Look away from your second shadow for your partner to balance and swing (16).

This dance borrows A1 and A2 from Ken Bonner's Falling in Love Again.

Flirting with Love Again B - alternate version.

YouTube, 2, MRD


Idx   ToC
Flirting with Love Again B     Cary Ravitz     10-1997

Becket, double progression
Complex

Face your partner, your second shadow is beyond your partner, your first shadow is beyond your second shadow.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Long lines go forward and back and with your partner, men roll away with a half sashay (8).
 
A2 - On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
- On the right diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain to your first shadow (8).
 
B1 - Star left (8).
- Look away from the star for your second shadow to allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
B2 - Look away from your second shadow for your partner to balance and swing (16).

This dance borrows A1 from Cis Hinkle's Rollin' and Tumblin' and A2 from Ken Bonner's Falling in Love Again.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Flying Flamingos     Cary Ravitz     6-1997

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
- Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors gypsy and swing (16) (or balance and swing).
 
B1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Star left 3/4 using a wrist hold star (8).
- Neighbors allemande left 1+1/2 (8).

With fond memories of "the flamingo affair" at Buffalo Gap, June 1997.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Four on the Floor     Cary Ravitz     1-1999

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Right and left through across (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
 
A2 - Hands across star left 7/8 (3+1/2 places) so that men are in the middle (8).
- Keep hands in the star and men take hands in a long wavy line in the middle.
- Men balance right and left and ladies balance left and right (4).
- Men slide right and ladies slide left with a Rory O'More spin (4).
 
B1 - Men balance left and right and ladies balance right and left (4).
- Men slide left and ladies slide right (4).
- Hands across star left 7/8 (8).
 
B2 - Look away from the star for your partner to balance and swing (16).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Fractal Fling     Cary Ravitz     4-1996

Becket

A1 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Men keep left hands, pick up your neighbor, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl until the ladies are in the middle (8).
 
A2 - Ladies take right hands, keep your neighbor, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl out (men go forward, ladies go backward) (8).
- Melt from the whirl into a swing (8).
 
B1 - Right and left through across (8).
- On the right diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

It is important for the man's arm to be below the woman's arm in the star promenade. This allows for a smooth melt from the whirl to a swing.

Tell the dancers to keep a close hold in the middle of the star promenades, so that the outside people don't run into the next group.


Idx   ToC
Fractal Frolic     Cary Ravitz     3-1996

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl until the ladies are in the middle (8).
 
B1 - Ladies take right hands, keep your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl out (men go forward, ladies go backward) (8).
- Melt from the whirl into a swing (8).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).

It is important for the man's arm to be below the woman's arm in the star promenade. This allows for a smooth melt from the whirl to a swing.

Tell the dancers to keep a close hold in the middle of the star promenades, so that the outside people don't run into the next group.

The sequence of figures in Fractal Fling is almost identical to that of Fractal Frolic, but partner and neighbor roles are reversed. To change from Fractal Fling to Fractal Frolic in a medley, change Fractal Frolic's first A1 to ladies allemande right 1+1/2, neighbors swing. To change from Fractal Frolic to Fractal Fling, change Fractal Frolic's last B2 to right and left through across, long lines go forward and back and shift left one couple.


Idx   ToC
Fudge Swirl     Cary Ravitz     10-1997

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Long lines go forward and back and neighbors roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Star right (8).
 
B1 - Look away from the star for a new neighbor to allemande left 1+3/4, to put the men in the middle (8).
- Men take right hands to start a hands across star right.
- Ladies join in behind your neighbor.
- Star right 3/4 using a hands across star (8).
 
B2 - Ladies turn in and partners gypsy and swing (16).

Reenter the dance with ladies on the left.


Idx   ToC
Galax     Cary Ravitz     9-2008

Becket

A1 - Circle left 1 (8).
- Hands across star left (8).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 1 (6).
- Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in while shifting to the right one place, to face a new couple (10).
 
B1 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, men push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (8).
- Continue the hey, ladies push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey, men finish an ordinary hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Gypsy Star     Cary Ravitz     5-1999

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Men walk forward to a wavy line in the middle (4).
- Balance (4).
- Men stay in place while ladies walk forward to a wavy line in the middle (4) (there are now interlinked wavy lines).
- Balance (4).
 
B1 - Ladies drop left hands and men drop right hands to form a gypsy star with a new couple.
- Ladies go forward and men go backward to turn the star 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Circle left 3/4 (8).

I suggest that dancers look into their partner's eyes during the wavy line balances (rather than looking in the direction of the balance).

Also see Woven Waves.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Gypsy Waves     Cary Ravitz     5-2013

Becket

A1 - Ladies walk forward to a wavy line in the middle (4).
- Balance (4).
- Ladies stay in place while men walk forward to a wavy line in the middle (4) (there are now interlinked wavy lines).
- Balance (4).
 
A2 - Men drop left hands, ladies drop right hands to make a gypsy star.
- Men go forward and ladies go backward to turn the star 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - All walk forward and take hands to make interlinked wavy lines (4).
- Balance (4).
- Men drop right hands, ladies drop left hands to make a gypsy star.
- Men go forward and ladies go backward to turn the star 3/4 (8).
 
B2 - Partners gypsy and swing (16).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Heart of Glass     Cary Ravitz     10-2000

Becket

A1 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in (8).
 
B1 - Ladies pass right to start a hey (16).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

This dance is an easier version of Through the Looking Glass, or you might see it as Amy Kahn's Sweet Music with a different progression, or Steve Zakon-Anderson's Twirling at the Alter with the progression moved from the hey to the circle, or David Zinkin's Becky's Becket with a different A2.

YouTube, 2, MRD


Idx   ToC
Hey Weaver A     Cary Ravitz     9-2009

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B1 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
B2 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, men push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (8).
- Continue the hey, ladies push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey, men finish an ordinary hey (8).

This is a variation on Hey Fever by Tony Parkes with push offs in the hey and men allemande left 1+1/2 replaced with circle left 3/4.

Hey Weaver B - inverted version.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Hey Weaver B     Cary Ravitz     9-2009

Becket

A1 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
B1 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, men push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (8).
- Continue the hey, ladies push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey, men finish an ordinary hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

This is a variation on Becky's Becket by David Zinkin with push offs in the hey and long lines replaced by right and left through. Or if you replace the circle 3/4 / pass through with slide left / circle 3/4 it is a similar variation on Gene Hubert's Butter.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Interstate 75     Cary Ravitz     8-1995

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

A1 - Right and left through across (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey and note the neighbor that you pass (8).
 
A2 - Straight across ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Hands across star right 3/4 (men are in front of partners) (8).
 
B1 - Look away from the star for the neighbor that you passed in the diagonal 1/2 hey to balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners swing (8).

Be alert on the ends.

YouTube


Idx   ToC
Into the DMZ     Cary Ravitz     4-2013

Improper contra

A1 - Take hands in a circle and balance (4).
- With partners (across) men roll away with a half sashay (4).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey, ladies push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (8).
- Circle left 1 (8).
 
B1 - With neighbors (across) ladies roll away with a half sashay (4).
- Partners swing (12).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, men push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (8).

While this dance seems repetitive at first glance, men and women take different roles in the two roll aways and the two push off heys.

This was written at the suggestion of Dugan Murphy for a new dance with roll away across the set to a swing.


Idx   ToC
Janet's Gypsy     Cary Ravitz, Janet Bertog     6-2011

Becket

A1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies step forward and left to start a 1/2 mad robin (4).
- With new neighbors, men step forward and right to start a 1/2 mad robin (4).
 
B1 - Ladies pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Ladies allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
 
B2 - Partners gypsy and swing (16).

Reenter the dance with ladies on the left.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Janet's Journey A     Cary Ravitz     6-2012

Becket
Complex

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and with shadows men roll away with a half sashay (8).
- (With shadows) circle right 3/4 (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors allemande left 1 (6).
- Look for a new neighbor to swing (10).
 
B1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Ladies pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B2 - Look for your partner to balance and swing (16).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. To reenter the dance at either swing the ladies are on the left.

Unlike some of my other dances with long lines / roll away, to set up the circle right, the men must do the rolling.

Janet's Journey B - easier version.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Janet's Journey B     Cary Ravitz     6-2012

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Circle right 3/4 (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors allemande left 1 (6).
- Look for a new neighbor to swing (10).
 
B1 - Circle left 3/4 (7).
- Neighbors pull by by the right (3).
- Partners pull by by the left (3).
- Neighbors pull by by the right (3).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

The pull bys here can alternatively be done as pass bys.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Jubilation Variation     Cary Ravitz     3-2006

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B1 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).

This dance started out as a variation of Jubilation by Gene Hubert in which the partner allemande is replaced by a swing and the men start the hey. This gives the same swing / 1/2 hey / swing sequence as in Diagonal Discovery, also by Gene Hubert. The dance is further modified by replacing the men allemande left 1+1/2 and long lines with circle left 3/4 and right and left through, which moves the middle of the dance to the opposite side of the set.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Judy's Journey     Cary Ravitz     6-2013

Reverse improper contra (from proper line, twos cross)

A1 - Neighbors do-si-do (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Circle left 3/4 (7).
- Neighbors pull by by the right (3).
- Partners pull by by the left (3).
- Neighbors pull by by the right (3).
 
B1 - Partners balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Star left 3/4 (8).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Jump Start     Cary Ravitz     10-1998

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Right and left through across (8)
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B1 - Hands across star right 3/4 (men are in front of neighbor ladies) (8).
- Ladies turn in and partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors do-si-do (8).

When the men pass right in the middle in the second half of the 1/2 hey, rather than finishing the 1/2 hey, they can take right hands and turn 1/2 leisurely to start the star, with women joining in as they finish the 1/2 hey. This makes a nice blending between the hey and star.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Laura's Lilt     Cary Ravitz     10-2009

Becket

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.

A1 - Promenade across and shift right one place to face a new couple (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
A2 - Star left 1+1/4 (10).
- Look away from the star for your shadow to allemande right 1 (6).
 
B1 - Look away from your shadow for your partner to gypsy left 1+1/2 (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

A2 is taken (mirrored) from The Ritz by Gene Hubert.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Living in Zen (for Liz)     Cary Ravitz     6-10

Reverse improper contra (from proper line, twos cross)

A1 - Neighbors gypsy and swing (16) (or balance and swing).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners gypsy 1+1/2 (8).
 
B1 - Ladies pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8) (or right and left through across).
- Hands across star left 3/4 (men are behind partners) (8).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Looking for Love Again     Cary Ravitz     9-2000

Becket, counter-clockwise, double progression
Complex

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Circle right 3/4 (8).
 
A2 - On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain to your shadow (8).
- On the right diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
 
B1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and men face in and ladies face out to form wavy lines at the sides (8) (your shadow is now in your right hand).
- Balance right and left and slide right with a Rory O'More spin (8).
 
B2 - Look for your partner to swing (16).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Mad Max     Cary Ravitz     11-2011

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.

A1 - Pass through across (4).
- With your shadow, gate 1/2 (or whirl 1+1/2), men going forward, ladies backward, to face in, men on the right (4).
- Men step forward and left to start a 1/2 mad robin (4).
- With a new couple, ladies step forward and right to start a 1/2 mad robin (4).
 
A2 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey, ladies push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Men step forward and right to start a 1/2 mad robin (4).
- With a new couple, ladies step forward and left to start a 1/2 mad robin (4) (men are on the right).
- Men start to pass right for a 1/2 hey, men push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey, ladies 1/2 hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Maliza's Magical Mystery Motion     Cary Ravitz     12-1996

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Promenade across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
B1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face a new neighbor (8).
- Take hands with the new couple, balance, and spin one place to the right (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
March of the Coffee Zombies     Cary Ravitz     9-2011

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- March single file in the path of a circle right 3/4 (8) and turn to meet new neighbors.
 
A2 - March single file in the path of a circle left 3/4 (8) to a wave across, men in the middle, one men facing down, one women facing up.
- Balance (4).
- Men slide right one place and spin to face in while ladies slide right two places and spin to face your neighbor (4).
 
B1 - Neighbors gypsy and swing (16) (or just swing).
 
B2 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners swing (8).

You can substitute a circle right 3/4 for the first half of the march (A1.9) and a circle left 3/4 for the second half of the march (A2).

You can substitute the slide to swing figure with swing through - allemande right 1/2, in the middle allemande left 1/2.

This was written to go with the wonderful tune March of the Coffee Zombies, by Tom Cunningham.

YouTube, 2, MRD


Idx   ToC
Martha's Breakup Breakdown     Cary Ravitz     5-2013

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Men allemande left 1 (6).
- Partners swing (10).
 
A2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Right and left through across (8).
- Star left 1 (8).
 
B2 - With a new couple, hands across star right 3/4 (8).
- Men turn in and partners swing (8).

Breakup Breakdown is my only dance where the final swing is with your neighbor. Breakdown refers to the dance. Martha Edwards pointed out that if a breakup breaks down you end up with your partner. So here the breakdown refers to the breakup.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Mary Keith's Harmonium     Cary Ravitz     1-2002

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Pass through across (4).
- Circle left 1 (8).
- Pass through up and down (4).
 
B2 - Ladies allemande left 1 while men orbit 1/2 clockwise (6).
- Partners swing (10).

This variation on Amy's Harmonium borrows its B1 from Boomerang by Gene Hubert.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Megadance (for Meg)     Cary Ravitz     8-1999

Becket, counter-clockwise, double progression
Complex

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your first shadow is in the other hand, your second shadow is beyond your first shadow.

A1 - Take hands in long lines.
- With first shadows, to the men's left, men roll away with a half sashay (4).
- With second shadows, to the men's left, men roll away with a half sashay (4).
- With your second shadow, take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and men face in and ladies out to form wavy lines at the sides (8).
 
A2 - Balance right and left and slide right with a Rory O'More spin (8).
- Look for a new neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, and men face in and ladies out to form wavy lines at the sides (8) (your first shadow is now in your right hand).
- Balance right and left and slide right (8).
 
B2 - Look for your partner to swing (16).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.

MRD


Idx   ToC
The Millennium Hug     Cary Ravitz     12-1999

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face a new neighbor (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right (8).
- Star left using a wrist hold star (8).
 
B1 - Partners allemande left 1/2 (4).
- Ladies pass right to start a 3/4 hey, men push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (12).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

Reenter the dance with ladies on the left.

A nice dancer's choice variation for B1 is partners allemande left 1 / men pass right to start a 3/4 hey, ladies push off in the middle.


Idx   ToC
Oh More Snakes     Cary Ravitz     9-2002

Becket, double progression
Complex

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey and then walk straight forward to a long wavy line in the middle while men move to stand behind your partner (8).
 
A2 - Ladies balance right and left (4).
- Ladies slide right with a Rory O'More spin to a new wavy line while men walk forward to a wavy line in the middle (4) (there are now interlinked wavy lines).
- Ladies balance left and right while men balance right and left (4).
- Men slide right with a Rory O'More spin while ladies back out (4).
 
B1 - With the handy man, men allemande right 1+3/4 (8) (or balance and allemande right 3/4).
- Partners pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).


Idx   ToC
One Way or Another A     Cary Ravitz     8-2009

Improper contra

A1 - Circle right 3/4 (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, men push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (ladies do a 1/2 hey while men do a 1/2 push off hey) (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey, ladies push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (men do a 1/2 hey while ladies do a 1/2 push off hey) (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).

One Way or Another B - alternate version.

MRD


Idx   ToC
One Way or Another B     Cary Ravitz     8-2009

Becket

A1 - Promenade across (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, men push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (ladies do a 1/2 hey while men do a 1/2 push off hey) (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey, ladies push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (men do a 1/2 hey while ladies do a 1/2 push off hey) (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (7).
- Pass through up and down (2).
- With a new couple, circle right 3/4 (7).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Passion Breakdown A     Cary Ravitz     2-2008

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Ladies step forward and left to start a mad robin (see-saw neighbor facing partner) (8).
 
B1 - Ladies walk straight across the set (2).
- Partners swing (14).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Balance (4).
- California twirl (4).

At the start of B1 the men should not step forward into the swing, but should wait for their partner to cross the set.

Men can turn around in the 1/2 hey to lengthen the eye contact with their partner.

Passion Breakdown B - alternate version, can be medleyed.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Passion Breakdown B     Cary Ravitz     2-2008

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Men step forward and right to start a mad robin (do-si-do neighbor facing partner) (8).
 
B1 - Men walk straight across the set (2).
- Partners swing (14).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Balance (4).
- Pass through to a new neighbor (4).

At the start of B1 the ladies should not step forward into the swing, but should wait for their partner to cross the set.

Ladies can turn around in the 1/2 hey to lengthen the eye contact with their partner.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Pigtown Breakdown     Cary Ravitz     12-2008

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.

A1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face a new neighbor (8).
- (New) neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Right and left through across (8).
- With your neighbor, on the right diagonal, walk forward to meet your shadow (4).
- Back up straight to form a set of four (4).
 
B1 - Right and left through across (8).
- Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, and turn alone to face your partner (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

Be alert on the ends.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Pigtown Petronella     Cary Ravitz     11-1997

Becket, counter-clockwise, double progression

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.

A1 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Right and left through across (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain to your shadow (8).
 
B1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face a new neighbor (8).
- Take hands with the new couple, balance, and spin one place to the right, and turn alone to face your partner (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

Note the similarity to Maliza's Magical Mystery Motion. The chain is to the diagonal left here, so at the end of B1 you must face a new set of four to find your partner.

YouTube, 2, 3, MRD


Idx   ToC
Pigtown Swing     Cary Ravitz     8-2008

Becket
Complex

Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Men's shadows are in their right hand, ladies' shadows are in their left hand, your first neighbor is directly across the set.
- With your shadow, right and left through across (8).
 
A2 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face a new neighbor (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, and turn alone to face your partner (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Partners swing (8).

Be alert on the ends. You always reenter the dance with ladies on the left.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Presto Petronella A     Cary Ravitz     12-1996

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
 
A2 - Star left 3/4 (8).
- Look away from the star for your partner to gypsy 1+1/2 (8).
 
B1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella (8).
- Take hands, balance, and spin one place to the right (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

Reenter the dance in A2 with ladies on the left.

Presto Petronella B - alternate version.

YouTube


Idx   ToC
Presto Petronella B     Cary Ravitz     12-1996

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Right and left through across (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
 
A2 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- Partners gypsy 1+1/2 (8).
 
B1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella (8).
- Take hands, balance, and spin one place to the right (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).


Idx   ToC
raDar Love A     Cary Ravitz     3-2002

Becket

A1 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B1 - Neighbors allemande left 1 (4).
- Hands across star left 3/4 (8).
- Men (or ladies) allemande left 1 (4).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

raDar Love B - inverted version, can be medleyed.


Idx   ToC
raDar Love B     Cary Ravitz     10-2008

Becket

A1 - On the left diagonal walk forward to meet a new couple (4).
- Back up straight to form a set of four with this couple (4).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
A2 - Partners allemande left 1 (4).
- Hands across star left 3/4 (8).
- Men (or ladies) allemande left 1 (4).
 
B1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Rat Race     Cary Ravitz     12-1998

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

A1 - Pass through across and face your partner (4).
- Ladies stand still while men pass your partner by the right to join a new group of four (4).
- Hands across star left 7/8 (3+1/2 places) so that ladies are in the middle (8).
 
A2 - Next ladies allemande right 1+1/2 while men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Hands across star left 3/4 with the handy group of four (8).
 
B1 - Next men allemande right 1+1/2 while ladies allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Hands across star left 7/8 with the handy group of four.
 
B2 - Look away from the star for your partner to balance and swing (16).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.


Idx   ToC
Reel Easy     Cary Ravitz     10-1995

Improper contra
Easy

A1 - Neighbors do-si-do (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Ladies allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
B1 - Partners balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors allemande right 1 (6).
- Neighbors pull by by the right (2).

To change from a Becket dance to Reel Easy in a medley, change Reel Easy's first figure to circle left 3/4. From a counter-clockwise Becket dance, change it to men allemande left 1+1/2.

YouTube, 2, MRD


Idx   ToC
Reel to Reel     Cary Ravitz     5-2003

Improper contra
Start with the final figure, neighbors do-si-do 1+1/4, to put the ladies in the middle, ones facing down, twos facing up.

A1 - Neighbors allemande right 1/2 (2).
- Men allemande left 1 while ladies orbit 1/2 clockwise (6).
- Partners allemande right 1/2 (2).
- Ladies allemande left 1 while men orbit 1/2 clockwise (6).
 
A2 - Neighbor gypsy and swing (16).
 
B1 - Give and take, ladies take partners back (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors do-si-do 1+1/4 (8).

YouTube, 2, MRD


Idx   ToC
Reflections A     Cary Ravitz     6-2001

Improper/reverse improper contra, double/single progression
Complex

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B1 - Promenade across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
B2 - Pass through across (4).
- Ones look down and twos look up.
- Circle left 1 (8).
- Neighbors pass by the right (4).

Be alert on the ends. It is important that the people out at the ends reenter the dance as needed by the people in the dance.

Odd cycles of this dance start improper, double progress, and end reverse improper. Even cycles start reverse improper, progress singly, and end improper.

In the improper cycle, after the pass through across in B2, everyone faces a new neighbor and is reverse improper. In the reverse improper cycle, after the pass through across, everyone faces their current neighbor and is improper. Kathy Anderson suggests that a call to look for current or new neighbors makes the dance go easier. The call for ones to look down and twos to look up often fails as dancers forget whether they are a one or a two.

The B version B1 stops the alternating orientation and leaves the dance as either improper (single progression) or reverse improper (double progression). You can use this as the basic B1 and use the original B1 to change orientations on any cycle of the dance.

Reflections B - easy version.

YouTube, 2, MRD


Idx   ToC
Reflections B     Cary Ravitz     6-2001

Improper/single progression or reverse improper contra/double progression
Easy

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).
 
B2 - Pass through across (4).
- Ones look down and twos look up.
- Circle left 1 (8).
- Neighbors pass by the right (4).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Rhyme or Rhythm     Cary Ravitz     10-2009

Reverse improper contra (from proper line, twos cross)

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B1 - Hands across star right 3/4 (men are in front of neighbor ladies) (8).
- Ladies turn in and partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Hands across star left 3/4 (men are behind partners) (8).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Riding Whisky     Cary Ravitz     03-2007

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Pass through across and turn alone to face in (4).
- Star left (8).
- Look for a new neighbor to box the gnat (4).
 
B1 - Ladies allemande left 1 while men orbit 1/2 clockwise (6).
- Partners swing (10).
 
B2 - Men trade places by the right and face in (4).
- Circle left 1 (8).
- Pass through across and face your neighbor (4).

Reenter the dance with ladies on the left.

For an easier B2, use circle left 3/4 / neighbors do-si-do.

The box the gnat to orbit transition is from A Good Feeling by Bill Pope.

YouTube


Idx   ToC
Roadkill     Cary Ravitz     1-1998

Becket
Complex

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and with your shadow, men roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Right and left through across with your shadow (8).
 
A2 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face a new neighbor (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Right and left through across with your neighbor (8).
- Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, and turn alone to face your partner (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16) (or just swing).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.

YouTube, 2, MRD


Idx   ToC
Rocky Road     Cary Ravitz     7-1999

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Men's shadows are in their right hand, ladies' shadows are in their left hand, your first neighbor is directly across the set.
- With your shadow, right and left through across (8).
 
A2 - With your shadow and first neighbor, star left 3/4 (8).
- Look away from the star for a second neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - With your second neighbor and shadow, circle left 3/4 (8).
- Shadows allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
B2 - Look away from your shadow for your partner to balance and swing (16).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.

Note the similarity to Whitewater. Replacing the star with a positionally equivalent circle, the only difference is the second figure of A1 and the direction of progression.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Roll Around A     Cary Ravitz     1-2001

Improper contra

A1 - Take hands in a circle and balance (4).
- Partners (across the set) roll away with a half sashay (4).
- Take hands in a circle and balance (4).
- Neighbors (on the side) roll away with a half sashay (4).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).

Roll Around B - alternate A1.

YouTube


Idx   ToC
Roll Around B     Cary Ravitz     2-2012

Improper contra

A1 - Take hands in a circle and balance (4).
- Partners (across the set) California twirl and turn alone to face in (4).
- Take hands in a circle and balance (4).
- Neighbors (on the side) California twirl and turn alone to face in (4).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).

The California twirl and turn alone to face in figure is from California Twirlin' by Janet Levatin.


Idx   ToC
Run Around Susie     Cary Ravitz     4-2007

Becket, counter-clockwise, double progression
Complex

Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.

A1 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Stand back to back with your partner to face your shadow.
- Shadows do-si-do 1+1/4 (8).
 
A2 - Ladies turn around and take inside hands with your shadow.
- Walk forward to meet the next couple across the set (2).
- Ladies allemande right 1 while men orbit clockwise 1/2 (6).
- Neighbors take inside hands.
- Walk forward to meet the next couple across the set (2).
- Ladies allemande right 1 while men orbit clockwise 1/2 (6).
 
B1 - Partners take inside hands.
- Walk forward to meet the next couple across the set (2).
- Partners gate (whirl) to face across (6).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

Be alert on the ends.


Idx   ToC
Sealed with a Keith     Cary Ravitz     7-1997

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.

A1 - Right and left through across (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies chain (8).
 
A2 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- Partners gypsy 1+1/2 (8).
 
B1 - Look away from your partner for your shadow to allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

Be alert on the ends.

In this dance you lose your partner, find them for a gypsy, lose them again, and find them for a balance and swing.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Serenade     Cary Ravitz     6-2013

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, men chain by the right hand (8) (men are on the right).
 
A2 - Star left 3/4 (8).
- Look away from the star for your partner to gypsy 1+1/2 (8).
 
B1 - Look away from your partner for your shadow to allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).


Idx   ToC
Slice and Dice     Cary Ravitz     12-2010

Becket
Complex

Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner, your second shadow is behind you.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- With your shadow, on the left diagonal, walk forward to meet a new couple (4).
- Take hands with your second neighbor and face your shadow.
- Back up to along the right diagonal (4) (ladies are now on the left).
 
A2 - Star left (8).
- Look away from the star for your first neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - With your first neighbor, on the left diagonal, walk forward to meet a new couple (4).
- Take hands with your second shadow and face your first neighbor.
- Back up to along the right diagonal (4) (ladies are now on the left).
- Star left (8).
 
B2 - Look away from the star for your partner to balance to swing (8).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.

On the ends, for the left diagonal figure, if there is a couple out, that couple should participate in the figure. If there is not a couple out, the odd couple should just cross the set.

The forward to the left, back to the right with your opposite figure is simplified from Bases Loaded by Jim Saxe, Lydee Scudder, and Tom Thoreau.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Slip and Slide     Cary Ravitz     12-1999

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Neighbors pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Pass through across to a wave (across) with ladies in the middle (4).
- Balance right and left (4).
- Slide right with a Rory O'More spin to a fleeting wave (4).
- Walk forward to a new wave (across) (4).
 
B2 - Balance right and left (4).
- Men slide right with a Rory O'More spin (4).
- Partners swing (8).


Idx   ToC
The Slippery Slope     Cary Ravitz     4-2011

Becket

A1 - Right and left through across (8).
- Pass through across (4).
- Partners allemande right 3/4 to a wave across with men in the middle (4).
 
A2 - Balance (4).
- Men slide right one place and spin to face in while ladies slide right two places and spin to face your neighbor (4).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Pass through across (4).
- Turn alone to find a new neighbor to allemande right 3/4 to a wave across with ladies in the middle (4).
- Balance (4).
- Ladies slide right one place and spin to face in while men slide right two places and spin to face your partner (4).
 
B2 - Partners gypsy and swing (16) (or just swing).

Also see Susan's Slide.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Slipstream     Cary Ravitz     6-2010

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Ladies allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies start a hands across star right and men fall in behind your neighbor. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for ladies and 1/2 for men (8).
 
B2 - Men look for the next man to allemande left 1 while ladies walk to meet your partner (4).
- Partners swing (12).

The unusual entry into the star in B1 is taken from Spice of Life by Bob Dalsemer.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Snake in the Garden A     Cary Ravitz     7-2008

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - With new neighbors, men allemande left 3/4 to a long wavy line in the middle (4).
- Balance (4).
- Men back out and ladies walk forward into a long wavy line in the middle (4).
- Balance (4).
 
B1 - Ladies allemande right 3/4 with the handy lady (4).
- Partners swing (12).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Circle left 3/4 (8).

After the allemande in B1, partners can swat the flea before the swing.

The first wavy line can stay in place while the second wavy line forms. Then the back out for one line happens at the same time as the allemande for the other.

Snake in the Garden B - alternate version, can be medleyed.


Idx   ToC
Snake in the Garden B     Cary Ravitz     7-2008

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - With new neighbors, ladies allemande right 3/4 to a long wavy line in the middle (4).
- Balance (4).
- Ladies back out and men walk forward into a long wavy line in the middle (4).
- Balance (4).
 
B1 - Men allemande left 3/4 with the handy man (4).
- Partners swing (12).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors do-si-do (8).

After the allemande in B1, partners can box the gnat before the swing.

The first wavy line can stay in place while the second wavy line forms. Then the back out for one line happens at the same time as the allemande for the other.


Idx   ToC
Snake in the Hey     Cary Ravitz     1-1998

Improper contra

A1 - Ladies allemande right 3/4 to a long wavy line in the middle (4).
- Balance (4).
- Ladies back out while men walk forward to a long wavy line in the middle (4).
- Balance (4).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 3/4 (4).
- Partners box the gnat (4).
- Partners pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B1 - Partners balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).

YouTube, 2, MRD


Idx   ToC
Songbird     Cary Ravitz     1-2012

Becket

A1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Circle left 1/2 (4).
- Men step forward and right to start a mad robin (8).
- Ladies pull partners to start a 1/2 pousette (4).
 
B1 - With new neighbors, ladies step forward and left to start a mad robin (8).
- (With these neighbors) men pull partners to start a 1/2 pousette (4).
- Men pass right (4).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

You can reverse the mad robin and 1/2 pousette in B1 - with new neighbors, men pull partners to start a 1/2 pousette (4), (with these neighbors) men step forward and left to start a mad robin (8).

Songbird was written for Janet Bertog, who asked for a different setting of the mad robin / 1/2 pousette / mad robin / 1/2 pousette combination from Rough Ride by Tom Hinds.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Southern Spring A     Cary Ravitz     1-2012

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing(16).
 
A2 - Men step forward and right to start a mad robin (8).
- Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8)
 
B1 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors do-si-do (8).

Southern Spring B - alternate version, can be medleyed.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Southern Spring B     Cary Ravitz     1-2012

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors do-si-do (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Men step forward and right to start a mad robin (8).
- Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
 
B1 - Partners balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).

To switch from one version to the other in a medley change at A2.

This is similar to Solstice Special by Tony Parkes.

MRD


Idx   ToC
The Squeaking Reel     Cary Ravitz     5-2005

Reverse improper contra (from proper line, twos cross)

A1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella (8).
- Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face a new neighbor (8).

YouTube


Idx   ToC
The Squeaking Wheel     Cary Ravitz     4-2002

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Go down the hall (6).
- Keeping hands, twos turn back to back to face up while ones take hands behind the twos (2).
- Go up the hall (6).
- Twos duck and ones bring joined hands over the twos to form a four leaf clover (2).
 
B1 - Turn the clover left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies chain across (8).

This dance is a simple setting of the creation of a four leaf clover as in Symmetrical Force by Fred Feild and the transition from the clover to a swing as in Corners at Dawn by Peter Stix. Also see Lalah's TriskadekaMania by Seth Tepfer and The Connectrix by Rick Mohr.

YouTube, 2


Idx   ToC
Star Trick     Cary Ravitz     10-1997

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
- Star right 3/4 (8).
 
A2 - Ladies turn in and partners gypsy and swing (16).
 
B1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella (8).
- Take hands, balance, and spin one place to the right (8).
 
B2 - Star left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors allemande left 1+1/2 (8).


Idx   ToC
Starburst     Cary Ravitz     7-1995

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors take right hands and balance (4).
- Neighbors box the gnat (4).
- Hands across star right (8).
 
A2 - Ladies chain across to your partner (8).
- Star left (8).
 
B1 - Ladies turn out and partners gypsy and swing (16).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors do-si-do (8).

A nice ladies' choice variation for B1 is ladies turn in and partners gypsy left / partners turn alone clockwise and swing.

YouTube, 2, MRD


Idx   ToC
Starcrossed     Cary Ravitz     3-1998

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.

A1 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Look away from your partner for your shadow.
- With your shadow and first neighbor, star right 3/4 using a wrist hold star (8).
- Form wavy lines at the sides with men facing in.
 
A2 - Balance right and left (4).
- Slide to the right with a Rory O'More spin (4).
- Look for a new neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - Star right 3/4 using a wrist hold star (8).
- Form wavy lines at the sides with ladies facing in.
- Balance right and left (4).
- Slide to the right (4).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16) (or just swing).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Stardust     Cary Ravitz     12-2008

Becket
Complex

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your first shadow is in the other hand, your second shadow is beyond your partner.

A1 - On the left diagonal men allemande left 3/4 to meet another neighbor man in the middle (4).
- (Next) men allemande right 3/4 (4) (diagonal men have now traded places).
- (Ladies join in for a) hands across star right 3/4 (6) (you are now on the side with your first shadow).
- First shadows pass by the right (up and down) (2).
 
A2 - Partners gypsy 1+1/2 (8).
- Look away from your partner for your second shadow to allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
 
B1 - Ladies chain across (8).
- Star left 3/4 (6).
- Second shadows pass by the left (up and down) (2).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

Be alert on the ends.


Idx   ToC
Starfire     Cary Ravitz     12-2008

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Ladies allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Look for new neighbors for a hands across star left 1 (8).
 
B2 - Ladies turn alone and take right hands while men keep left hands to make a gypsy star.
- Ladies go forward and men go backward to turn the star 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Star's End A     Cary Ravitz     3-2002

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Star left 3/4 using a hands across star (8).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 1 while ladies loop to the right to face in (4).
- Neighbors swing (12).
 
B1 - Right and left through across (8).
- Star right 3/4 (8).
 
B2 - Ladies look for the next lady to allemande left 1 while men walk to meet your partner (4).
- Partners swing (12).

Star's End B - alternate version.

YouTube


Idx   ToC
Star's End B     Cary Ravitz     3-2012

Becket

A1 - Right and left through across (8).
- Star left 3/4 using a hands across star (8).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 1 while ladies loop to the right to face in (4).
- Neighbors swing (12).
 
B1 - Men step forward and right to start a mad robin (8).
- Star right 3/4 (8).
 
B2 - Ladies look for the next lady to allemande left 1 while men walk to meet your partner (4).
- Partners swing (12).


Idx   ToC
Stephanie's Star     Cary Ravitz     4-2010

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Hands across star left (8).
 
B1 - Men turn alone and take right hands while ladies keep left hands to make a gypsy star.
- Men go forward and ladies go backward to turn the star 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Balance (4).
- California twirl (4).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Strawberry Swirl     Cary Ravitz     5-1998

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Right and left through across (8).
 
A2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Star left (8).
- With a new couple, hands across star right 3/4 (8).
 
B2 - Men turn in and partners gypsy and swing (16).


Idx   ToC
Streetsboro Daisies     Cary Ravitz     10-1995

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors allemande right 1+1/2 (8).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Susan's Slide     Cary Ravitz     3-2011

Becket

A1 - On the left diagonal walk forward to meet a new couple (4).
- Back up straight to form a set of four with this couple (4).
- Pass through across (4).
- Partners allemande right 3/4 to a wave across with men in the middle (4).
 
A2 - Balance (4).
- Men slide right one place and spin to face in while ladies slide right two places and spin to face your neighbor (4).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Pass through across (4).
- Neighbors allemande right 3/4 to a wave across with men in the middle (4).
- Balance (4).
- Men slide right one place and spin to face in while ladies slide right two places and spin to face your partner (4).
 
B2 - Partners gypsy and swing (16) (or just swing).

The slide from a wave across to a swing comes from A Glimpse of Beauty by Charley Harvey, and I first danced it in Susan Moffett's dance Ted Told Me So.

Also see The Slippery Slope.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Susan's Snafu     Cary Ravitz     3-2000

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.

A1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella, and turn alone to face a new neighbor (8).
- Take hands with the new couple, balance, and spin one place to the right, and turn alone to face your shadow (8).
 
A2 - Star right 3/4 (8).
- Ladies turn in and neighbors swing (8).
 
B1 - Ladies chain across (8).
- Star left (8).
 
B2 - Look away from the star for your partner to balance and swing (16).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Susan's Swing     Cary Ravitz     3-2008

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Long lines go forward and back and with partners ladies roll right while men half sashay left (8) (you are now at home).
 
A2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Turn alone to your right to find a new neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

Reenter the dance with ladies on the left.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Sweet Summer     Cary Ravitz     2-2012

Improper contra

A1 - Men allemande left 1 (6).
- Neighbors swing (10).
 
A2 - Circle left 1/2 (4).
- Men step forward and right to start a mad robin (8).
- Men pass left (4).
 
B1 - Partners balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies start a hands across star right and men fall in behind your partner. From initial positions, turn the star 1 for ladies and 1/2 for men (8).


Idx   ToC
Swing Fever     Cary Ravitz     2-2009

Improper contra, double progression

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Pass through across and face a new neighbor (4).
- (New) neighbors gypsy and swing (4+8).
 
B1 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors do-si-do (8).

Facebook, MRD


Idx   ToC
Sync or Grin     Cary Ravitz     11-2009

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Partners promenade counter-clockwise around the set to the next couple (2).
- Men allemande left 1 while ladies orbit counter-clockwise 1/2 (6).
- Men keep left hands, pick up your neighbor, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in (8).
 
A2 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey, men push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (8).
- Continue the hey, ladies push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey, men finish an ordinary hey (8).
 
B1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (end facing along the set counter-clockwise) (8).


Idx   ToC
Tara's Trip     Cary Ravitz     2-2008

Becket

A1 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Long lines go forward and back (8).
- Star left (8).
 
B1 - Look away from the star for a new neighbor to box the gnat (4).
- Men pass left to start a 3/4 hey, ending on your home side with your partner (12).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

Facebook


Idx   ToC
Terry and Sherry     Cary Ravitz     10-2008

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward, neighbors gypsy 1/2, and long lines go back (3+2+3).
- Long lines go forward, neighbors gypsy 1/2, and men take neighbors back to the side (the men's home side) (3+2+3).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16) (or gypsy and swing).
 
B1 - Ladies chain across (8).
- Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
 
B2 - Next ladies allemande left 1/2 (4).
- Partners swing (12).


Idx   ToC
Through the Looking Glass     Cary Ravitz     10-2000

Becket

A1 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Men pass left to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
 
B1 - Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Trillium     Cary Ravitz     7-2008

Becket

A1 - Men allemande left 1 (6).
- Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in while shifting to the right one place, to face a new couple (10).
 
A2 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Ladies allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
B1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).

This variation of Wildflowers uses the butterfly whirl to progress, borrowed from Charley Harvey's Amy Asked for a Gypsy. Also see Chicory.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Trinity 2     Cary Ravitz     9-03

Becket, double progression

A1 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Partners do-si-do (across the set) (8).
- Look for another new neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - Ladies chain across (8).
- Hands across star left 1 (8).
 
B2 - Ladies turn alone and take right hands while men keep left hands to make a gypsy star.
- Ladies go forward and men go backward to turn the star 1 (8).
- Partners swing (8).

This is a variation of Trinity by Gene Hubert, replacing long lines forward and back with do-si-do across the set, star right with a gypsy star, and shifting the phrases to end with the partner swing. You can also delete the pass through in A1 to make the dance single progression (and swing each neighbor twice).


Idx   ToC
Waterfall     Cary Ravitz     3-2008

Becket

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Circle right 3/4 and turn alone to your left to find a new neighbor (8).
 
A2 - (New) neighbors allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Men allemande left 1+1/2 (8).
- Partners swing (8).

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Wavefront     Cary Ravitz     9-2002

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Pass through across (4).
- Neighbors allemande right 3/4 to a wave across with men in the middle (4).
- Balance right and left (4).
- Slide right with a Rory O'More spin (4).
 
B1 - Ladies allemande right 1/2 (4).
- Partners swing (12).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Balance (4).
- California twirl (4).

The start of A2 could be called pass through across to a wave / neighbors allemande right 1/2. This orients people better for the allemande. But it is easier to teach as noted above.


Idx   ToC
Wedding Contra for Debbie and John     Cary Ravitz     5-1996

Becket, double progression
Complex

A1 - Right and left through across (8).
- Star left using a hands across star (8).
 
A2 - Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in (8).
- On the left diagonal, only if there is someone there, ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B1 - Partners gypsy left 1+1/2 (8).
- Men pass right to start a 1/2 hey across (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).


Idx   ToC
Where Will I Be     Cary Ravitz     12-2010

Becket, counter-clockwise
Complex

In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and with your shadow, men roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella (8).
 
A2 - Star left (8).
- Look away from the star for a new neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right (8).
- Star left (8).
 
B2 - Look away from the star for your partner to gypsy and swing (16).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.

You can replace the Petronella turn / star left figures with right and left through across / star left 3/4. This is positionally equivalent, flows well, and has relaxed timing.

The Petronella turn into a star left transition is from Discombobulation by Jim Kitch.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Whim's Gym A     Cary Ravitz     9-2002

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors do-si-do (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies allemande right 1+1/2 (8)
 
B1 - Partners balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (7).
- Neighbors pull by by the right (3).
- Partners pull by by the left (3).
- Neighbors pull by by the right (3).

B2 here is from Jim's Whim by Rich MacMath.

Whim's Gym B - easy version.

MRD


Idx   ToC
Whim's Gym B     Cary Ravitz     9-2002

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors do-si-do (8).
- Neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Right and left through across (8).
- Ladies allemande right 1+1/2 (8)
 
B1 - Partners balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Balance (4).
- California twirl (4).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Whirl of Fortune     Cary Ravitz     4-1999

Becket

A1 - Partners roll away with a half sashay into a butterfly whirl hold (4).
- Butterfly whirl 3/4 (ladies go backward, men go forward) (3).
- Star promenade across (ladies in the middle) (4).
- Butterfly whirl 1+1/4 to face in (ladies go backward, men go forward) (5).
 
A2 - Men pass right to start a 1/2 hey, ladies push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey (8).
- Continue the hey, men push off in the middle to trade roles in the hey, ladies finish an ordinary hey (8).
 
B1 - Partners balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (7).
- Pass through up and down (2).
- With a new couple, circle right 3/4 (7).

B2 here is taken from Gene Hubert's Reunion.


Idx   ToC
Whirlaway     Cary Ravitz     5-2001

Becket

A1 - Slide left to a new couple (2).
- Circle left 3/4 (6).
- Circle right (8).
 
A2 - With neighbors, men roll away with a half sashay into a butterfly whirl hold (4).
- Butterfly whirl 3/4 (ladies go forward, men go backward) so that men are in the middle (4).
- Star promenade across and butterfly whirl to face in (8).
 
B1 - Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
- Ladies allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Whitewater     Cary Ravitz     2-1997

Becket
Complex

Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Men's shadows are in their right hand, ladies' shadows are in their left hand, your first neighbor is directly across the set.
- Long lines go forward and back and shadows roll away with a half sashay (8).
 
A2 - Circle right 3/4 with your shadow and first neighbor (8).
- Look away from the circle for a second neighbor to swing (8).
 
B1 - Circle left 3/4 with your second neighbor and shadow (8).
- Shadows allemande right 1+1/2 (8).
 
B2 - Look away from your shadow for your partner to balance and swing (16).

This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends.

There are three progressions in this dance. First, men unprogress and women progress with first neighbors in the middle of A1. Then men and women progress with a shadow in the middle of A2. And finally, men progress and women unprogress with second neighbors at the end of B1. The second neighbor becomes the new first neighbor.

YouTube, 2, MRD


Idx   ToC
Wildcats     Cary Ravitz     1-2005

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners allemande right 1+3/4 to put the men in the middle (8).
 
B1 - Men allemande left 1 while ladies loop left or allemande left with a lady in the next line (6).
- Partners swing (10).
 
B2 - Men pass left to start a 3/4 hey, ending at home (12).
- Neighbors gyspy by the right 1/2 (4).


Idx   ToC
Wildflowers A     Cary Ravitz     7-2008

Becket

A1 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors swing (8).
 
A2 - Men allemande left 1 (6).
- Men keep left hands, pick up your neighbor, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in (10).
 
B1 - Ladies chain across (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B2 - Partners balance and swing (16).

This is similar to Heart of Glass but modifies the entry to the star promenade to relax the timing.

Wildflowers B - inverted version, can be medleyed.

YouTube, MRD


Idx   ToC
Wildflowers B     Cary Ravitz     7-2008

Becket

A1 - Men allemande left 1 (6).
- Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl to face in (10).
 
A2 - Ladies chain across (8).
- Ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey (8).
 
B1 - Look for a new neighbor to balance and swing (16).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).


Facebook (I'm playing fiddle), MRD


Idx   ToC
Winter Wind     Cary Ravitz     12-2011

Becket, counter-clockwise

A1 - Long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8).
- Circle right 3/4 (8).
 
A2 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
B1 - Take hands in a circle, balance, and spin one place to the right, as in Petronella (8).
- Take hands, balance, spin one place to the right, and turn alone to face a new neighbor (8).
 
B2 - (With new neighbors) star right 3/4 (8).
- Men turn in and partners swing (8).

MRD


Idx   ToC
Woven Waves     Cary Ravitz     5-1999

Improper contra

A1 - Neighbors balance and swing (16).
 
A2 - Ladies walk forward to a wavy line in the middle (4).
- Balance (4).
- Ladies stay in place while men walk forward to a wavy line in the middle (4) (there are now interlinked wavy lines).
- Balance (4).
 
B1 - Men drop left hands and ladies drop right hands to form a gypsy star.
- Men go forward and ladies go backward to turn the star 3/4 (8).
- Partners swing (8).
 
B2 - Circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8).
- New neighbors do-si-do (8).

I suggest that dancers look into their partner's eyes during the wavy line balances (rather than looking in the direction of the balance).

In A2, men taking (right) hands below the ladies' hands makes the eventual transition to a swing easier (a good tip from Jackie Green).

Also see Gypsy Star.

YouTube (I'm playing fiddle), 2, 3, MRD