Not that I’ve ever written a particularly successful contra dance, but: When I try to, it’s usually an attempt to solve the same-gender-swing problem.
I think same-gender swings are nice, and I think other people do, too, but the problem is this – starting from either improper or becket position (the only two starting positions in idiomatic modern contra), there’s almost no good way to make them happen while keeping everyone active. Typically, same-gender swings just happen in the middle, with the non-swinging partners just standing around on the edges. I dislike this for two reasons: Firstly, my own sense of aesthetics in contra say that a good dance never has anyone inactive for more than 2 or 4 counts; a swing is 8 counts minimum. Secondly, I strongly dislike contras where the caller needs to decide, each time through the dance, which couple is going to be active. Mostly this latter point applies to dances where first and second couples alternate a swing in the center (yes, this means I’m not terribly fond of contra corners – sacrilege, I’m sure), but also applies to having the caller constantly choose “gents” or “ladies”.
I’ve spent an awful lot of time trying to figure out how to get proper from the allowed starting positions, but at this point I’m fairly certain that it’s actually not possible without breaking rule 2, above (by requiring the Ones and Twos to do different things). Without the ability to get proper, there’s no way to have both roles do a same-gender swing at the same time, so my attention has mostly turned to ways to keep the non-swinging couple busy.
While in Ghana, I had the idea that the non-swinging couple might orbit, but I always find orbits kind of lame (especially in crowded halls!). But then it occurred to me to have them orbit the entire set, separating them from their partner – a common feature of modern contra. So, for instance, the gents might orbit the major set while the ladies swing in the center. How to reunite them, then? Well, what if we simply swapped the roles – have the gents swing in the center while the ladies orbit around to meet them?
The dance below is the result.
Breakfast With Rice And Fish Double Progression, Becket
A1: (8) Circle left 3/4
(8) Ladies swing in the center, gents orbit clockwise
A2: (4,4) Shadow balance RH, box the gnat
(8) Shadow pass L, half a hey
B1: (8) Circle left 3/4
(8) Gents swing in the center, ladies orbit clockwise
B2: (4,12) Partner balance, swing
Notes:
- I’m not actually sure exactly how far it will feel natural to orbit in 8 counts; this could conceivably be single or triple progression (though I sincerely hope it isn’t the latter).
- Having a shadow to find at the end of the orbit will help the gents a lot, and is the only way the ladies will know which side to end their swing on; obviously it’s important to introduce everyone to their shadow before the dance begins. I believe this can be done just by double-progressing, waving at your neighbor, and they returning to place.
This is definitely a work-in-progress; contra-folk, please comment. In particular: Is this the right distance for folks to orbit? Does all the handedness make sense (in particular the hey-to-circle transition)? Is there any way to make this single progression?