Contra Dances I've Written (and am
willing to share)
Terms of use: When calling my dances, I ask that you mention the title
and author, and think of me when booking dances in your area. And think
of me when you're in a happy mood, for the karmic benefits. --Jerome Grisanti
New Dances: .
Rerouted to Tulsa |
By Jerome Grisanti |
| |
Duple Improper Contra |
Composed Jan. 2011 |
| A1 |
Neighbor balance (4), box the gnat (4),
Pull by to previous neighbor (2), allemande Left once around (6). |
| A2 |
Ladies chain (8),
Ladies start a half hey (8) |
| B1 |
The captain announces a delay, please continue the hey
another 8 beats across the phrase while the runway is cleared (8),
Partners swing on gent's side (8), but you're not home yet. |
| B2 |
Long lines go forward and back, yearning left as you
go forward (with slight turbulence, to face original neighbors), partners
roll away as you back up (8).
Star Left 3/4 to face new neighbors (and give a right hand to next
new neighbor). |
| Note: The basic idea is to make you wonder whether you're
progressing or not, like changing a direct flight to one with stops
in several directions opposite from the final destination. |
* * *
Waylaid in Tulsa |
By Jerome Grisanti |
| Duple Improper Contra * Composed Jan 2010 |
| A1: |
Neighbor balance (4), box the gnat (4),
Pull by to previous neighbor (2), allemande Left once AND A HALF around
(6). |
| A2: |
MEN chain (8),
MEN pass right to start a half hey (8) |
| B1: |
Partners BALANCE & swing on gent's side (4, 12) |
| B2: |
Long lines go forward and back, yearning left as you go forward,
partners roll away as you back up (8).
Star Left 3/4 to face new neighbors (and give a right hand to next
new neighbor). |
| A variation of Rerouted to Tulsa (with differences in
all capital letters) |
* * *
Kimmswick Diamonds |
By Jerome Grisanti |
| Duple Improper Contra -- Intermediate -- composed
May 2010 |
| A1 |
(Next) neighbor allemande right 1 3/4 to wavy lines
(men in middle). Balance the wave, spin to right as in Rory O'More
but reform into diamond of four, women in the middle of the set facing
up and down, men on side facing into the set. |
| A2 |
Balance diamond, Petronella turn,
Balance diamond, Petronella turn. |
| B1 |
Balance diamond, women lift your arms and twirl into your partner's
arms. Men catch her & swing. |
| B2 |
Long lines forward & back,
Men allemande left 1 1/2 (and look for your next neighbor) |
Notes: From hands four I have dancers find the diamond
shape by first swinging the neighbor, then forming a ring and rotating
1/8 to the right. Then rotate back and unswing your neighbor to
start teaching the sequence.
I composed this dance during the five-hour drive to Kimmswick Dance
Weekend in May 2010. Based on Rory O'Nella, but I wanted to add
spinning into your partner's arms. It made more sense for the women
to spin and the men to catch, so I came up with this. |
* * *
Libra Boys |
By Jerome Grisanti & Susan Moffett |
| Duple Improper Contra --
Intermediate -- finalized Nov 2007 |
| A1 |
Balance the ring of four (4),
circle left halfway (4), ladies allemande left halfway to form wavy
lines (4), balance the wavy lines. |
| A2 |
Partners allemande right 1 1/2,
Men pass left shoulders to start a half hey. |
| B1 |
Partners balance & swing |
| B2 |
Ladies Chain ,
Balance the ring, symmetrical turn single* to face new neighbor.
|
| Notes: Symmetrical turn single can be prompted as "flirt
and twirl." The A1 transition from the circle to the allemande
is the "hook." |
* * *
Gateway to the South (aka Jerome's Dixie Twirl
contra) |
By Jerome Grisanti |
| Duple Improper Contra -- Medium/Easy -- composed
Aug 2005 |
| A1 |
Long lines go forward & back
Neighbors swing |
| A2 |
Down the hall in lines of four, Dixie twirl*, return |
| B1 |
Circle Left 3/4,
Partners swing |
| B2 |
Promenade
Ladies Chain |
| Notes: Dixie Twirl: Middles (inactives) make an arch,
active lady ducks through and crosses the set, pulling the inactive
man under. Active man walks around to other side of set. In effect,
the line of four turns as a line to face back up. |
* * *
Rory O'Nella |
By Jerome Grisanti |
| Duple Improper Contra -- Intermediate -- composed
Aug 2005 |
| A1 |
(Next) neighbor do-si-do 1 1/4 to wavy lines (women
in middle). Balance the wave, spin to right as in Rory O'More but
reform into diamond of four, men in the middle of the set facing up
and down, women on side facing into the set. |
| A2 |
Balance diamond, Petronella turn,
Balance diamond, Petronella turn |
| B1 |
Men step toward partner, Balance & Swing |
| B2 |
Circle left 3/4, ooze into a wavy line of four.
Balance the wave, drop hands and walk forward to next neighbor |
| Notes: From hands four I have dancers find the diamond
shape by pointing to the floor betwen them and the person to their
right. Then form the diamond while holding hands four. Then rotate
back and start teaching the sequence. |
| Alternate B2: Ladies chain, star left |
* * *
Just a Splash |
By Jenny Lavery & Callers Workshop at Hands
Four 2006, Berea Kentucky** |
| Duple Improper Contra -- Medium/Easy -- composed Apr
2006 |
| A1 |
Neighbor Balance & Swing |
| A2 |
Circle Left 3/4, Partner swing |
| B1 |
Long lines to splash*, Right & Left thru |
| B2 |
Hey for four, ladies start by passing Right shoulders. Instead
of second pass, men push back (splash) to progressed position. |
Notes: *Splash figure looks like the little slap
that people on the ends of long lines often give, only everyone
does it with two hands. Emphasize pushing "up" rather
than forward. The title refers to how a southern lady responds to
an offer for more bourbon: "Oh, just a splash."
Orient men to next neighbor at beginning of walkthrough so they'll
know where pushback ends.
|
| **Callers present included Susan Moffett, Jerome Grisanti,
Steve Bennett, Judy Goldsmith, John Coffman and Kathy Coffman. Jenny
intented the signature "splash" move. |
This
page last updated on:
Monday, August 29, 2011 21:57
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