ACDOL: Roll Down

Roll Down

By Mike Richardson
Composed June 1, 1989

Source	Mike Richardson, "Crossing the Cascades" and CDSS "Gems"
Level	med (assigned by the editor)
Type	Contra
Formation	Improper

A1	(8) Long lines go forward and back, gents roll (see note) (8) Long lines go forward and back, ladies roll
A2	(8) Long lines go forward and back, gents roll (8) Gents allemande left 1 1/2
B1	(16) Partners balance and swing (on lady's side)
B2	(8) Right and left through (8) Ladies chain

Author's Notes:
I love southern squares with half sashay figures, but haven't seen the move in many contras. I wrote this dance after doing a square called by Frank Hall of Bloomington, Indiana, called "The Rainbow Walk". In the break figure for that dance, all go into the center and back and roll away one's corner with a half sashay. This figure is repeated 3 more times -- during the last repetition, one pulls one's partner into a swing, rather than a half sashay. I loved this figure and the wonderful weight that one could give and receive during it. This contra is distinctive, not only because of the three forward & backs and sashays, but also because men are not used to being sashayed. I find that the better dancers soon pick up the knack for it and also discover the nice transition from the last sashay into the men's allemande in A2.

Editor's Notes:
In A1 and A2 "gents roll" means the gent rolls his neighbor away with a half sashay (from left to right). "ladies roll" is the same, but the lady does the rolling (again from left to right). The roll away is done on the last two counts while still falling back.