Contra: Duple improper.Level: Intermediate.
A1 Balance and Swing below (16) A2 Pass through (4) California twirl (4) Gents chain over (8) B1 Right and left through (8) Ladies chain over (8) B2 Promenade across (8) Star by the left, one time (8)
Commentary:
This dance was written to explore the differences between the figures in A2 and B1. Both involve passing through, turning, and chaining, but A2 uses a California twirl before chaining so that the gents will be moving in the right direction for the chain.
A cast around will work just fine at the end of the gents chain in A2 and flow nicely into the right and left through of B1.
Contra: Duple improper. Level: Beginning, Intermediate.
A1 Balance and Swing below (16) A2 Circle left (8) Circle right (8) B1 Do-pas-so (left to opposite, gents cross,...) (gents reach across & grasp right hands ladies turn in behind opposite & grasp right hands)
(16) B2 Star by right, hands across (8) Star by left (8)
Commentary:
This contra affirmatively answers two questions: Can a do-pas-so be used in a contra? Can a do-pas-so ever lead to anything but a circle left?
The flow of a do-pas-so into a star in B1 has worked easily even with relatively inexperienced dancers.
Contra: Duple improper. Level: Advanced.
A1 See-saw below (8) Circle right 3/4 (8) A2 Ladies do-pas-so (L. right to partner, L. cross by left, left around opposite, cross by right, right around partner.) Ladies take left hands across. Gents continue turning, reach across behind partner
(16) B1 Left hand star, hands across, one time (8) Ladies turn back and swing partner (8) B2 Pass through (4) California twirl (4) Gents chain over (8)
Commentary:
This contra answers the question: What would a contra be like that is called from the viewpoint of the ladies?
Here the ladies lead their partners around the set, perform a do-pas-so (heretofore reserved for men), and chain the gents.
Specifically:
A1. See-saw flows into a circle right. The circle right lets the lady lead her partner around.
A2. Ladies don't usually get to do this. My dance "Passing Star" has proven a do-pas-so can lead into a hands-across star.
B1. Ladies lead their partners in the star.
B2. Why not a right and left through? The gents would have to reverse direction and disentangle themselves to chain. The ladies should twirl the gents at the end of the chain; that will leave the gents outside the line angling in and the ladies on the inside angling out, ready for a see-saw with the next.
Contra: Duple improper. Level: Advanced.
A1 Actives swing in center (8) Swing opposite on side (8) A2 Lines forward and back (8) Actives box the gnat (4) Actives balance (4) B1 Turn contra corners (16) B2 Actives allemande right 7/8 to a line in the center. Inactives take left hands across. (4) Balance (Actives let go of partner) (4) Star left one time around (3 handed at top). (8)
Commentary:
This contra is addressed to the question, "Is there anything that can follow contra corners except swing or hey on the diagonal?"
A1. The two swings can flow smoothly, albeit quickly.
A2. Why not half figure eight above? My experience is that a half figure eight usually gets dancers into the contra corners a little late, and starting from a greater distance with inertia outwards would make it worse.
Box the gnat will get the actives across quickly, but leave their hands down rather than up; the balance is necessary both to fill out the phrase and allow them to shift grips.
B2. B2 answers the initial question by leading from contra corners into a star. It is a little awkward at the top, and the dance might work as well or better starting at B2.
Contra: Duple improper. Level: Advanced.
A1 Do-Si-Do below (8) Circle left to a line of four facing down (Actives on left; twirl lady under on right) (8) A2 Down the center, turn as couples (8) Come back (twirl the ladies) (8) B1 Balance and swing partner (16) B2 Gents chain (half) (8) Pass through, take left hands (4) Twirl the ladies (2) Pass by the left, on to the next couple (2)
Commentary:
The question addressed here is: Is it possible to construct a dance where twirls are obligatory? Here is an example of such a dance; it flows with twirls, but is awkward without them.
A1. The twirl on the right is almost obligatory: Circle to a line never quite seems to get done in time.
A2. A twirl at the bottom is optional. The twirl at the top is essential: it converts parallel motion into the back-and-forth motion for the balance.
B2. Gents chain: a twirl is optional; cast around would be fine. This leaves everybody opposite to their correct side.
Pass through/Twirl the ladies/Pass by: I have started using this in my own dancing when a dance ends with a right and left through. Right and left through would work, but doesn't flow as nicely. If the gent twirls the lady (most easily with his left hand) he can turn himself to face out and right, the lady to face in and left, positioned properly to flow into a do-si-do.
The twirl is optional: Pass through, take left hands, and pull by would also work. Cross trails through might work, but I think the ladies could use some help with their sharp turn into the do-si-do.