Notes
Contents
Index
Notation
Choreography
Links
This is my page of dances, snapshot from 2017.
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- | 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. |
- | 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). |
- | 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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Across Nottingham A
Cary Ravitz
11-2013
Cross contra (from improper, the one lady and two man trade places)
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After the circle and pass through, the one men and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left. A less dizzy start of B2 for either version - 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 (8). Across Nottingham B - alternate version. MRD |
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Across Nottingham B
Cary Ravitz
11-2013
Cross contra (from improper, the one lady and two man trade places)
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After the circle and pass through, the one men and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left. In typical push offs, you push off with a same sex neighbor. Here you push off with your partner, so it may be useful to give this tip - facing across, you start on the left, go into the middle, push off, and back up to the right. MRD |
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Across the Ohio
Cary Ravitz
6-2014
Becket Note ones and twos before turning from improper to Becket formation.
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After the ladies chain, the one men and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left. |
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Across the Wave
Cary Ravitz
7-2014
Cross contra (from improper, the one lady and two man trade places) To start, step forward and left to a wave across, twos in the middle, men facing down.
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After the circle and pass through, the one men and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left. Use all 4 counts for the men allemande right 1/2 so that the slide starts at A2. This is a cross contra version of Where is My Wave. |
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Adrift
Cary Ravitz
8-2015
Becket, counter-clockwise
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Reenter the dance with ladies on the left. B1 can be replaced with men pass left to start a 1/2 hey / men allemande left 1+1/2. B1, B2 can be replaced with men allemande left 1+1/2 / partners swing / men pass left to start a 1/2 hey / partners swing. MRD, 2, 3 |
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Amy's Harmonium
Cary Ravitz
10-1999
Becket, counter-clockwise
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YouTube, DVA, MRD |
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And Alligators
Cary Ravitz
7-2015
Becket Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
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Be alert on the ends. B1 plus men allemande can be danced entirely in B1 with a small zigzag. |
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Andes Anomaly
Cary Ravitz
9-1997
Becket, counter-clockwise, double progression Complex
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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. YouTube |
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Around the Sound
Cary Ravitz
8-2009
Becket
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As suggested by Will Mentor, you can change the timing of this dance so that the first figures of A1 and B1 takes 4 counts each. Then the men allemande moves to the end of B1 and the partner swing (or maybe gypsy and swing now) takes all of B2. YouTube, MRD, 2 |
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Autumn Air
Cary Ravitz
8-2009
Becket
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YouTube, MRD |
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Azure Aster
Cary Ravitz
3-2015
Becket
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The figure at the start of A2 is the same as men start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your neighbor except that ladies do not take hands. An easier A1 is the common circle left 3/4, pass through up and down, new neighbors swing. |
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Barbara's Becket
Cary Ravitz
5-2014
Becket, counter-clockwise
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Easier B1 - right and left through across, ladies allemande right 1+1/2. MRD, 2 |
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Becket Eyes
Cary Ravitz
9-2012
Becket
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YouTube, 2, MRD |
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Between the Lines
Cary Ravitz
2-2008
Improper contra
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MRD |
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Bev's Becket A
Cary Ravitz
7-2005
Becket
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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. YouTube, MRD |
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Bev's Becket B
Cary Ravitz
4-2010
Becket
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YouTube, MRD |
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Breakup Breakdown
Cary Ravitz
12-1999
Improper contra Complex
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YouTube, MRD |
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Butterflies
Cary Ravitz
4-2001
Improper contra
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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
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MRD |
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Chicory
Cary Ravitz
7-2008
Becket
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The 1/2 hey also works with men pass right to start a 1/2 hey. YouTube, MRD |
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Chrissie Stars Again
Cary Ravitz
12-2013
Becket, counter-clockwise
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A1 can also be danced as long lines go forward and back and partners roll away with a half sashay (8), men push off, ladies 1/2 hey passing right in the middle (8). This may be a better setup for the balance and swing. MRD, 2 |
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Chrissie's Stars
Cary Ravitz
11-2013
Becket, counter-clockwise
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I traded the circle and men allemande from the original version to try to prevent early entry into the stars, although this may make the dance dizzier. If you use a swing instead of an allemande right, this shouldn't be a issue. So a good variation would be A1 - men allemande left 1+1/2, neighbors swing, A2 - circle left 3/4, partners swing. MRD |
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Contra Clovers
Cary Ravitz
5-1995
Becket Complex
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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
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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
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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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Cosmos
Cary Ravitz
4-2015
Becket
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The figure at the start of A2 is the same as men start a hands across star left and ladies fall in behind your neighbor except that ladies do not take hands. |
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Cows are Watching Variation
Cary Ravitz
3-2014
Becket, counter-clockwise
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This variation on Cows are Watching by Bill Pope and Judy Goldsmith swaps the men's and women's roles and the replacement setup figures (long lines to 1/2 hey, balance and roll away to circle) make the dance flowier. Also see Turtles Too and And Alligators. |
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Cross Hey
Cary Ravitz
5-2013
Cross contra (from improper contra, the one lady and two man trade places)
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After the circle and pass through, the one men and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left. In typical push offs, you push off with a same sex neighbor. Here you push off with your partner, so it may be useful to give this tip - facing across, you start on the left, go into the middle, push off, and back up to the right. See Proper and Cross Contra Formations and Chris Page's contrachoreography for information on cross contra formation (referred to as diagonal formation). MRD |
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Cross Robin
Cary Ravitz
11-2013
Improper contra
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In A2, the one men and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left. A good substitution for the cross robin figure (middle of A2) is a gypsy for four. I changed the progression here (B2) to a new progression. To make the dance easier, i.e. more familiar, you can use circle left 3/4, balance, pass through up and down or circle left 3/4, pass through up and down, new neighbors do-si-do. YouTube, MRD, 2 |
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Crosswalk
Cary Ravitz
12-2011
Becket, counter-clockwise
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MRD |
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Daisy Chain
Cary Ravitz
10-2008
Becket, double progression Complex
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MRD |
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Dance and Dream
Cary Ravitz
1-2014
Improper contra
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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.
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Be alert on the ends. YouTube, MRD |
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Dance Symmetry A
Cary Ravitz
1-2002
Becket, counter-clockwise
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Dance Symmetry B - inverted version, can be medleyed. |
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Dance Symmetry B
Cary Ravitz
1-2002
Becket, clockwise
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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
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YouTube, MRD |
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Dar Trek (for Darlene)
Cary Ravitz
5-2002
Becket, counter-clockwise Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
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This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. You always reenter the dance with ladies on the right. You can start this dance with long lines forward and back and delete the do-si-do. MRD, 2 |
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Deanna's Dance A
Cary Ravitz
6-1997
Diamond formation (circle left 1/8 from improper), double progression Complex
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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. |
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Deanna's Dance B
Cary Ravitz
6-1997
Diamond formation (circle left 1/8 from improper), double progression Complex
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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. |
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Debra's Dance
Cary Ravitz
5-2006
Becket
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MRD |
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Diane's Dream
Cary Ravitz
5-2014
Improper contra Face across the set, your shadow is on the left diagonal.
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For Diane Frank at the publishing of Yoga of the Impossible, May 2014. |
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Dianne's Dance
Cary Ravitz
7-1996
Diamond formation (circle left 1/8 from improper), double progression
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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. |
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Double Whirl
Cary Ravitz
revised 5-2015
Becket
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MRD |
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Dream of Spring
Cary Ravitz
6-2014
Becket
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A more symmetric but less connected A2 - men allemande left 1+1/2, partners pass right to start a 1/2 hey. |
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Dreaming
Cary Ravitz
8-2005
Becket Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
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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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Enchanted
Cary Ravitz
9-2008
Becket, counter-clockwise
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This is a makeover of Entranced. YouTube, 2, MRD |
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The Enchanted Forrest A
Cary Ravitz
11-1998
Becket Complex
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The Enchanted Forrest B - alternate A2/B1, can be medleyed. |
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The Enchanted Forrest B
Cary Ravitz
11-1998
Becket Complex
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Entranced
Cary Ravitz
5-1997
Becket, counter-clockwise Complex
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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). YouTube, MRD |
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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.
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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. A flowier B1 - star left 1 (8), look for your partner to do-si-do (8). This dance is named after Sam Bartlett's marvelous tune Evil Diane, for Diane. YouTube, MRD, 2 |
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Fatal Attraction
Cary Ravitz
6-2013
Becket Note ones and twos before turning from improper to Becket formation.
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After the circle right, the one men and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left. YouTube, Vimeo, MRD |
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Fiddle Tales
Cary Ravitz
1-2001
Improper contra Complex
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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 |
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Fiddlers' Frolic (for Pam and Fred)
Cary Ravitz
3-2012
Becket
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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. I have also used long lines, roll away with a half sashay, circle right 3/4, turn alone and look a new neighbor. (For now) I have settled on the A1 noted in the dance because of it's simplicity. Will Mentor suggests that a mad robin and full poussette fit nicely in 16 counts. This can be used in place of the B1 here, with the gypsy star becoming men take right hands, ladies take left hands, men go forward, ladies go backward. YouTube, MRD |
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Finding Fire
Cary Ravitz
1-2015
Becket, counter-clockwise
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MRD |
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Flip-Flop
Cary Ravitz
8-2000
Improper contra, 128 count Complex
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This is an alternating contra corners dance, inspired by Jim Kitch's Alternating Corners. |
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Flirting with Love Again
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.
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This dance borrows A1 and A2 from Ken Bonner's Falling in Love Again. A1 can be replaced with long lines go forward and back, partners roll away with a half sashay, long lines go forward and back, men roll away and ladies half sashay, from Rollin' and Tumblin' by Cis Hinkle. YouTube, 2, 3, MRD, 2 |
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Flying Flamingos
Cary Ravitz
6-1997
Improper contra
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With fond memories of "the flamingo affair" at Buffalo Gap, June 1997. YouTube, 2, MRD |
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Formation Rotation
Cary Ravitz
9-2014
Proper contra
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This dance starts in proper formation, switches to cross contra, and then switches to Becket. |
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Four on the Floor
Cary Ravitz
1-1999
Becket, counter-clockwise
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MRD |
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Galax
Cary Ravitz
9-2008
Becket
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YouTube, 2, MRD |
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Gypsy Star
Cary Ravitz
5-1999
Improper contra
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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 |
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Gypsy Waves
Cary Ravitz
5-2013
Becket
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This dance might be confusing at the beginning of the gypsy stars. In both stars you stay with your partner, men go forward, women backward. In the first star, you are facing your neighbor - stay with your partner and turn clockwise. In the second star, you are facing your partner - drop hands with your current neighbors and turn counter-clockwise with new neighbors. MRD |
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Heart of Glass
Cary Ravitz
10-2000
Becket
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A nice variation for A1 is promenade clockwise (or slide left) 1 place (around the full set) to new neighbors, ladies allemande right 1/2, neighbors swing. 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, 2 |
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Heart of Glass Variation
Cary Ravitz
1-2014
Becket
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The neighbor gypsy 1/2 is optional. And you can add a neighbor gypsy 1/2 after the circle 1/4. MRD |
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Interstate 64
Cary Ravitz
2-2014
Becket, counter-clockwise Complex
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Be alert on the ends. |
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Interstate 75
Cary Ravitz
8-1995
Becket, counter-clockwise Complex
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Be alert on the ends. YouTube |
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Into the DMZ
Cary Ravitz
4-2013
Improper contra
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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. MRD |
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Jan's Reel
Cary Ravitz
7-2014
Becket
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Janet's Gypsy
Cary Ravitz, Janet Bertog
6-2011
Becket
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Reenter the dance with ladies on the left. The right and left through can be replaced with ladies pass right to start a 1/2 hey. YouTube, MRD, 2 |
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Janet's Journey
Cary Ravitz
6-2012
Becket
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The neighbor allemande left can be 1+1/2, which makes the dance Becket counter-clockwise and you reenter the dance with ladies on the left. B1 can be replaced with men pass left to start a 1/2 hey / men allemande left 1+1/2. YouTube, MRD, 2 |
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Jubilation Variation
Cary Ravitz
3-2006
Improper contra
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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, 2, MRD |
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Judy's Journey
Cary Ravitz
6-2013
Reverse improper contra (from proper contra, twos cross)
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YouTube, MRD |
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Jump Start
Cary Ravitz
10-1998
Improper contra
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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. YouTube, MRD |
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Laura's Lilt
Cary Ravitz
10-2009
Becket In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.
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On the ends, in A1 the ladies should be on the right, ready to lead a slide right into the dance, and in A2 the ladies should be on the left, ready for a shadow allemande. A2 is taken (mirrored) from The Ritz by Gene Hubert. YouTube, MRD |
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Living in Zen (for Liz)
Cary Ravitz
6-2010
Reverse improper contra (from proper contra, twos cross)
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MRD |
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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.
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MRD |
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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.
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YouTube, MRD |
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Maliza's Magical Mystery Motion
Cary Ravitz
12-1996
Becket, counter-clockwise
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YouTube, 2, MRD |
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March of the Coffee Zombies
Cary Ravitz
9-2011
Becket
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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, 3, MRD |
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Martha's Breakup Breakdown
Cary Ravitz
5-2013
Becket, counter-clockwise
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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 |
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Mary Keith's Harmonium
Cary Ravitz
1-2002
Becket, counter-clockwise
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This variation on Amy's Harmonium borrows its B1 from Boomerang by Gene Hubert. YouTube, 2, MRD |
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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.
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This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. MRD |
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Oh More Snakes
Cary Ravitz
9-2002
Becket, double progression Complex
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One Way or Another
Cary Ravitz
8-2009
Improper contra
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YouTube, MRD |
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Passion Breakdown A
Cary Ravitz
2-2008
Improper contra
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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 |
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Passion Breakdown B
Cary Ravitz
2-2008
Improper contra
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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 |
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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.
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Be alert on the ends. MRD |
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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.
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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 |
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Pigtown Swing
Cary Ravitz
8-2008
Becket Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
|
Be alert on the ends. You always reenter the dance with ladies on the left. YouTube, MRD |
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Presto Petronella
Cary Ravitz
12-1996
Becket, counter-clockwise
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The original version of this dance started with long lines, left diagonal ladies chain, star left 3/4, which requires progressing/reentering the dance in A2 with ladies on the left. YouTube, 2, MRD |
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Rachel's Roll
Cary Ravitz
1-2015
Becket
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Reenter the dance with ladies on the left. MRD |
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raDar Love
Cary Ravitz
10-2008
Becket
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MRD |
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Rat Race
Cary Ravitz
12-1998
Becket, counter-clockwise Complex
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This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. |
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Real to Surreal
Cary Ravitz
7-2014
Cross contra (from improper, the one lady and two man trade places) To start, neighbors do-si-do 1+1/4 to a wave across, twos in the middle, men facing down.
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After the circle and pass through, the one men and two ladies are in the line to the caller's left. This is a cross contra version of Reel to Reel. |
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Real to Unreal
Cary Ravitz
2-2015
Becket, counter-clockwise
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Reenter with ladies on the left. This is an inverted version of Reel to Reel. A1 can be danced as men pass left (4), neighbors swing (12). YouTube, MRD, 2 |
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Reddie to Roll
Cary Ravitz
12-2016
Becket, counter-clockwise
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MRD |
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Reel Easy
Cary Ravitz
10-1995
Improper contra
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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. The second half of B2 can be danced as neighbors allemande right 1+1/4, walk straight forward to (A1) do-si-do the next. But I think it is more fun to allemande right 1, lean back a bit, and pull by. YouTube, 2, MRD |
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Reel Time
Cary Ravitz
8-1997
Becket, counter-clockwise
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I have deleted and restored this dance a couple of times over the years. It has two unusual transitions, swing / star left and circle left / swing (men in front of women), that you might prefer to avoid. MRD |
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Reel to Reel
Cary Ravitz
5-2003
Improper contra To start, neighbors do-si-do 1+1/4 to a wave across, ladies in the middle, ones facing down.
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B1 can be danced as men pass left (4), partners swing (12). Alternate B2 (from Real to Surreal) - circle left 3/4 and pass through up and down (8), new neighbors box the gnat (4), spin (forward and to the right) to a wave across with ladies in the middle, ones facing down (4). YouTube, 2, MRD, 2 |
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Reeling from Love Again
Cary Ravitz
7-2014
Becket, counter-clockwise, double progression Complex In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is beyond the person in your other hand.
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Reflections A
Cary Ravitz
6-2001
Improper/reverse improper contra, double/single progression Complex
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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 |
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Reflections B
Cary Ravitz
6-2001
Improper/single progression or reverse improper contra/double progression
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MRD |
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Rhyme or Rhythm
Cary Ravitz
10-2009
Reverse improper contra (from proper contra, twos cross)
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MRD |
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Riding Whisky
Cary Ravitz
03-2007
Improper contra
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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 |
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Roadkill
Cary Ravitz
1-1998
Becket Complex In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.
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This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. YouTube, 2, MRD |
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Rocky Road
Cary Ravitz
7-1999
Becket, counter-clockwise Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
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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 |
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Roll Around A
Cary Ravitz
1-2001
Improper contra
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Roll Around B - alternate A1. YouTube, 2 |
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Roll Around B
Cary Ravitz
2-2012
Improper contra
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The California twirl and turn alone to face in figure is from California Twirlin' by Janet Levatin. MRD |
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Run Around Susie
Cary Ravitz
4-2007
Becket, counter-clockwise, double progression Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
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Be alert on the ends. |
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Sealed with a Keith
Cary Ravitz
7-1997
Becket, counter-clockwise Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
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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 |
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Serenade
Cary Ravitz
6-2013
Becket Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
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Be alert on the ends. MRD |
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Slice and Dice
Cary Ravitz
12-2010
Becket Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner, your second shadow is behind you.
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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. YouTube, MRD |
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Slip and Slide
Cary Ravitz
12-1999
Becket, counter-clockwise
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YouTube |
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The Slippery Slope
Cary Ravitz
4-2011
Becket
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MRD |
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Slipstream
Cary Ravitz
6-2010
Becket
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I changed the start of B1 to a hey to help prevent starting the star early. B1 can be danced as pass through across to a California twirl (7), neighbors trade places, men in front of ladies (2), star right 3/4 (7). The unusual entry into the star in B1 is taken from Spice of Life by Bob Dalsemer. YouTube, MRD |
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Snake in the Garden
Cary Ravitz
7-2008
Improper contra
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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. |
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Snake in the Hey
Cary Ravitz
1-1998
Improper contra
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YouTube, 2, MRD |
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Soaring Storks
Cary Ravitz
12-2013
Improper contra
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MRD |
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Solstice Special Variation
Cary Ravitz
6-2014
Improper contra
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This dance started out as a variation on Southern Spring, but it ended up closer to Solstice Special by Tony Parkes. YouTube |
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Songbird
Cary Ravitz
1-2012
Becket
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Renter the dance with ladies on the left. The original version of this dance reversed the mad robin and 1/2 poussette in B1 - with new neighbors, ladies step forward and left to start a mad robin (6), (with these neighbors) men pull partners to start a 1/2 poussette (6), men pass right (4). This works well, but I prefer it as noted above. Songbird was written for Janet Bertog, who asked for a different setting of the mad robin / 1/2 poussette / mad robin / 1/2 poussette sequence from Rough Ride by Tom Hinds. MRD, 2 |
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Southern Spring
Cary Ravitz
1-2012
Improper contra
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YouTube, MRD |
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Southern Summer
Cary Ravitz
8-2016
Improper contra
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The 1/2 hey and mad robin can be swapped. B2 was originally right and left through, ladies chain. Mad robin into allemande/orbit is from Mad Orbin by Jacqui Grennan. MRD |
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The Squeaking Reel
Cary Ravitz
5-2005
Reverse improper contra (from proper contra, twos cross)
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YouTube |
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The Squeaking Wheel
Cary Ravitz
4-2002
Improper contra
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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 |
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Star Trick
Cary Ravitz
10-1997
Improper contra
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The star to allemande transition is borrowed from Al's Safeway Produce by Robert Cromartie. |
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Starburst
Cary Ravitz
7-1995
Improper contra
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A nice ladies' choice variation for B1 is ladies turn in and partners gypsy left / partners turn alone clockwise and swing. YouTube, 2, MRD |
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Starcrossed
Cary Ravitz
3-1998
Becket, counter-clockwise Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
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This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. YouTube, MRD |
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Star's End
Cary Ravitz
3-2012
Becket
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Stephanie's Star
Cary Ravitz
4-2010
Improper contra
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YouTube, MRD |
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Strawberry Swirl
Cary Ravitz
5-1998
Becket, counter-clockwise
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YouTube |
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Streetsboro Daisies
Cary Ravitz
10-1995
Improper contra
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B1 can be danced as men pass left (4), partners swing (12). YouTube, MRD |
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Susan's Slide
Cary Ravitz
3-2011
Becket
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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 |
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Susan's Snafu
Cary Ravitz
3-2000
Becket, counter-clockwise Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
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This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. YouTube, MRD |
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Susan's Swing
Cary Ravitz
3-2008
Becket, counter-clockwise
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Reenter the dance with ladies on the left. MRD |
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Sweet Summer
Cary Ravitz
2-2012
Improper contra
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B2 can be danced as right and left through across (7), partners trade places, ladies in front of men (2), star right 3/4 (7). |
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Swing Fever
Cary Ravitz
2-2009
Improper contra, double progression
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MRD |
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Tara's Reel
Cary Ravitz
6-2014
Becket
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A2 plus ladies pass right can be danced entirely in A2, depending on the tempo, so you could make B1 neighbors gypsy and swing. |
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Tara's Trip
Cary Ravitz
2-2008
Becket
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YouTube |
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Terry and Sherry
Cary Ravitz
10-2008
Becket
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YouTube |
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Through the Looking Glass
Cary Ravitz
10-2000
Becket
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A nice variation for A1 is promenade clockwise (or slide left) 1 place (around the full set) to new neighbors, ladies allemande right 1/2, neighbors swing. YouTube, MRD |
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Trillium
Cary Ravitz
7-2008
Becket
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The butterfly whirl to progress is borrowed from Charley Harvey's Amy Asked for a Gypsy. Also see Chicory. MRD |
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Turtles Too
Cary Ravitz
6-2015
Becket, counter-clockwise In long lines, your partner is in one hand, your shadow is in the other hand.
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Be alert on the ends. Reenter the dance in the zigzag with ladies on the left. B1 plus ladies allemande can be danced entirely in B1 with a small zigzag. |
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Waiting for You
Cary Ravitz
6-2014
Becket
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For A1 you can substitute circle left 3/4, pass through up and down, new neighbors do-si-do. You can start this dance in A2 to make it an improper contra. |
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Waterfall
Cary Ravitz
3-2008
Becket
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YouTube, MRD |
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Wavefront
Cary Ravitz
9-2002
Improper contra
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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. |
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Wedding Contra for Debbie and John
Cary Ravitz
5-1996
Becket, double progression Complex
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Where is My Wave
Cary Ravitz
7-2014
Improper contra To start, step forward and left to a wave across, ladies in the middle, ones facing down.
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Use all 4 counts for the men allemande right 1/2 so that the slide starts at A2. |
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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.
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This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. The Petronella turn into a star left transition is from Discombobulation by Jim Kitch. MRD |
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Whim's Gym
Cary Ravitz
9-2002
Improper contra
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B2 here is from Jim's Whim by Rich MacMath. B2 can be replaced with circle left 3/4, balance, California twirl, for an easier, no walk through dance. YouTube, 2, 3, MRD, 2 |
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Whirl of Fortune
Cary Ravitz
4-1999
Becket
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B2 here is taken from Gene Hubert's Reunion. |
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Whirlaway
Cary Ravitz
5-2001
Becket
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MRD |
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Whitecaps
Cary Ravitz
11-2016
Becket, counter-clockwise Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
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For the push off, the dancers push off in the middle and, with respect to their initial positions, end on the same side of the set, one place to the left. For the push off across, the dancers push off in the middle and, with respect to their initial positions, end directly across the set. This dance has multiple individual progressions. Be alert on the ends. MRD |
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Whitewater
Cary Ravitz
2-1997
Becket Complex Face your partner, your shadow is beyond your partner.
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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 |
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Whitewater Whirl A
Cary Ravitz
10-2017
improper contra
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Whitewater Whirl B is a bit more complex. MRD |
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Whitewater Whirl B
Cary Ravitz
10-2017
Becket
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MRD |
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Wilderness Road
Cary Ravitz
1-2017
Becket, counter-clockwise
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In place of the mad robin, you can use men roll away and ladies half sashay (3), ladies step forward and right to start a 1/2 mad robin (3). MRD |
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Wilderness Whirl
Cary Ravitz
10-2017
Becket
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MRD |
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Winter Wind
Cary Ravitz
12-2011
Becket, counter-clockwise
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FB, MRD |
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Woven Waves
Cary Ravitz
5-1999
Improper contra
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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 |