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.

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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)


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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.

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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."

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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.

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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

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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