By Philippe Callens
Composed August 18, 1991; last revised June 13, 1992
| Source | Phillippe Callens, "From a Belgian Yankee Caller" |
| Level | med (assigned by the editor) |
| Type | Contra |
| Formation | Improper |
| A1 | (16) Neighbors balance and swing |
| A2 | (12) Down the hall four in line; couples wheel towards each other, pass through across and wheel to face up; come up the hall (4) Those couples in the gents' line (G1 and L2) hand cast off |
| B1 | (8) Half hey, ladies pass right shoulders to start (6) Ladies chain (2) Roll away with a half sashay |
| B2 | (8) Left-hand star 3/4 (8) New neighbors right-hand star |
Author's Notes:
The movements in A2 result in a horseshoe pattern: dancers go down four in line, drop hands, pass across, join hands again and go up four in line. It should be one continuous, flowing movement. First gent and second lady end the movement by doing a cast off (inside hands already joined); second gent and first lady simply face across.
In B1 the ladies start a hey halfway which is followed by a ladies chain. After courtesy turning their partner, gents roll their partner away so that ladies finish on their left-hand side (left hands still joined). This roll away goes nicely into the ensuing left-hand star. Ladies follow their partner in both of the stars.
In order to re-start the dance with a new neighbor, ladies should turn right, ready to balance and swing.
I wrote this dance on August 18, 1992, and revised it on June 13, 1992. In the summer of 1991, I spent five weeks in the USA and wrote this dance a few days before flying back home.
Ideas from Ocean View Reel, a contra dance by Tony Parkes, and Kit's Contra by Fried de Metz Herman inspired me to the choreography of this smooth-flowing contra.
Tony is a professional New England style caller who lives in Billerica near Boston. The "caller with the velvet voice" provides a unique opportunity for everyone who is interested in a real New England dance experience.
Fried is a transplanted Dutch caller who lives in Larchmont, New York, and teaches English country dancing. She is especially well-known for her ingenious and inventive work as a choreographer. Fried is my favorite "English" choreographer. As a choreographer myself, I can even more appreciate her dances. Both Tony and Fried have called in Belgium.
Editor's Notes:
A timing variation to consider: move the roll away to the start of B2 and giving only 6 counts to the 3/4 star.
This dance is from American Country Dances On Line
All rights reserved by the author; used by permission.
Added to database 5/25/2002; edited by Russell Owen