I have written a number of dances over the last few years, in a number of different styles.
These dances are in miscellaneous other styles.
BMC/TSDAV winner
"Christmas carols" series
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Circle left once around |
| 5-6 | Butterfly whirl in place – 1st man backwards, 1st woman forwards, 2nd man forwards, 2nd woman backwards |
| 7-12 | Second corners (1st woman and 2nd man) left hand turn once around, then continue anti-clockwise around partner into opposite's place |
| 13-18 | First corners (1st man and 2nd woman) left hand turn once around, then continue anti-clockwise around partner into opposite's place |
| 19-22 | Left hand star once around |
| 23-24 | Keeping hold of your partner's left hand, turn half-way and face the next couple |
I was listening to Väsen again and noted several tunes with potential for dance music. One such was Absolute Swedish which had a 16 and 24 bar repeat. However, the phrasing in the 16 bar parts was indistinct so I extracted just the 24 bar parts. This was a welcome change from the 32 bar Contras I'd been writing. The phrasing was made up of 6 bar sections, so the dance evolved to fit that sequence.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Head couples cross in and out through the furthest side couple then cast to finish in diagonally opposite place |
| 5-8 | Head couples turn partner left hand once around |
| 9-12 | Head couples cross in and out through the furthest side couple then cast to finish in original place |
| 13-16 | Head couples turn partner left hand once around; finish facing corner |
| 17-20 | Half reel for four along the sides of the set - head couples end opposite, sides end in partner's place, facing same corner |
| 21-24 | Half reel for four along the top and bottom of the set - side couples end opposite, heads end in partner's place, facing same corner |
| 25-28 | Half reel for four along the sides of the set - head couples end opposite, sides end in partner's place, facing same corner |
| 29-32 | Half reel for four along the top and bottom of the set - side couples end opposite, heads end in partner's place, facing same corner |
| 33-36 | Right hand turn corner once around |
| 37-40 | Left hand turn partner once around |
| 41-42 | Men cast right outside the set to the next man's position clockwise, women dance inside the set to the next woman's position anticlockwise |
| 43-44 | Men dance straight across the set passing right shoulders in the centre, women cast right to the man's position |
| 45-48 | Swing partner in new position (one place anticlockwise) |
| Repeat three more times |
The series of linked half reels is the central feature of this dance, and gives rise to its name.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Right hand turn partner half-way |
| 3-6 | Left hand turn the next person (your partner's corner's partner) once around |
| 7-8 | Right hand turn partner half-way |
| 9-10 | Left hand turn corner half-way |
| 11-14 | Right hand turn the next person (opposite) once around |
| 15-16 | Left hand turn corner half-way to finish in original places facing partner |
| 17-18 | Head couples, taking both hands, slide two steps in |
| 19-20 | Women swap to the other man and slide two steps out |
| 21-24 | Head couples waltz inside the set to the opposite side |
| 25-32 | Side couples repeat: in, women swap, out, and waltz |
| 33-36 | Men's chain: men left hand star one place and turn right hand once around with the next woman |
| 37-40 | Men left hand star one place and turn right hand once around with the next woman (their partner) |
| 41-44 | Face your partner and set, using quadrille setting step |
| 45-48 | Waltz half-way around the set |
| 49-50 | Taking hands in the circle, all balance forward and back |
| 51-52 | With partner turn as a couple to face out |
| 53-54 | Taking hands in the circle, balance forward and back |
| 55-56 | Men with the woman on their left turn as a couple to face in |
| 57-58 | Taking hands in the circle, balance forward and back |
| 59-60 | Men with the woman on their right turn as a couple to face out |
| 61-62 | Taking hands in the circle, balance forward and back |
| 63-64 | Men with the woman on their left turn as a couple to face in, finishing in original places beside your partner |
| 65-128 | Repeat with sides leading swaps |
| 129-192 | Repeat with heads leading swaps |
| 193-256 | Repeat with sides leading swaps |
The movements reflect the flowing motions of the black swans on the Western Australian rivers and lakes. Winner of the General section of the TSDAV Dance Composer's Competition 2014.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | All face up, holding inside hand with partner, walk forward |
| 3-4 | Individually cast back to original place |
| 5-8 | Ends left turn partner once around, middles left turn neighbour once around while moving out to form a circle |
| 9-12 | All circle right half-way |
| 13-16 | Men weave half-way anti-clockwise, passing in front of partner to start |
| 17-20 | Women weave half-way clockwise, passing in front of current partner to start |
| 21-24 | All circle left half-way |
| 25-28 | Heads right turn partner once around, sides right turn neighbour once around while moving in to form a longways set |
| 29-30 | All face down, holding inside hand with partner, walk forward |
| 31-32 | Individually cast back to original place |
| 33-36 | In groups of four, circle right |
| 37-40 | In groups of four, circle left |
| 41-44 | End couples: men lead partner straight out to the side of the set and slightly to their right, then individually turn about and women lead back into the set in the nearer middle position; while middles move out to their nearer end |
| 45-48 | Couples 1 and 4 (in the middle): Women lead partner straight out to the side of the set and slightly to their left, then individually turn about (left) and men lead back into the set in the other middle position; while couples 2 and 3 (at the ends) two-hand turn 1 1/2 |
| Repeat three more times |
Busselton Jetty is a tourist attraction in Busselton, WA. It is 1.8km long – making it the longest wooden-piled jetty in the southern hemisphere. It is traversed by an electric train, and hosts an underwater observatory at its end.
The dance reflects the train trip out, descending (anti-clockwise) down into the observatory to view the fish swimming around, then back up onto the jetty and return on the train, to finally see some dolphins swimming nearby.
This dance won the TSDAV dance composer's competition in the Dances for Experienced Dancers category in 2024.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Outer four circle right once around |
| 5-8 | Circle left once around |
| 9-12 | 1, 5, and 3 half hey for three (1 and 5 start right shoulder); while 2 orbits half-way clockwise and 4 orbits half-way anti-clockwise (passing right shoulders) |
| 13-16 | 2, 5, and 4 half hey for three (2 and 5 start right shoulder); while 1 orbits half-way anti-clockwise and 3 orbits half-way clockwise (passing right shoulders) |
| 17-20 | 3, 5, and 1 half hey for three (3 and 5 start right shoulder); while 2 orbits half-way anti-clockwise and 4 orbits half-way clockwise (passing right shoulders) |
| 21-24 | 4, 5, and 2 half hey for three (4 and 5 start right shoulder); while 1 orbits half-way clockwise and 3 orbits half-way anti-clockwise (passing right shoulders) |
| 25-28 | 1, 2, and 5 right-hand star 1 1/3 to progress and bring 2 into the middle |
| 29-32 | 2, 4, and 3 left-hand star 1 1/3 to progress and bring 3 into the middle; finishing clockwise from the top 5, 1, 4, 2, with 3 in the middle |
| Repeat four more times |
Numbered clockwise 1 (top) through 4, with 5 in the middle.
The orbits start by going away from the direction the middle person is heading.
After dancing a five-person diamond dance on the weekend I was again thinking about how I could achieve a new move in this formation. The result is the half hey and orbit combination that keeps everyone moving.
The name comes from the paths traced by the dancers in the main figure: those on the outside go through the middle and around the edges to create the butterflies, while the centre person dances a cloverleaf around the others.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-6 | Grand chain half-way, starting right hand to partner (12 steps); use the last right hand to finish men facing in, women facing out |
| 7 | Women cast one place anti-clockwise, while the side men change places passing left shoulders |
| 8 | (Note this partner and position: they are your new partner; new heads this is your new home place, new sides your new home place is opposite) |
| 9-16 | Take hands in the circle (facing in); top woman only drop hands with neighbour, lead the circle anti-clockwise in a spiral into the centre, then turn over your right shoulder to lead the line out again clockwise to your (new) partner's place |
| 17-24 | Top woman keep leading the line clockwise once around the set and back to partner's place |
| 25-32 | All gypsy and swing your current partner |
| 33-38 | Grand chain half-way, starting left hand to partner (12 steps); use the last right hand to finish men facing out, women facing in |
| 39 | Men cast one place clockwise, while the side women change places passing right shoulders |
| 40 | (Note this partner and position) |
| 41-48 | Top man lead the spiral in (clockwise) and out (anti-clockwise) |
| 49-56 | Top man lead the line anti-clockwise around the set |
| 57-64 | All gypsy and swing your current partner |
| 65-96 | Repeat from progressed positions, starting right hand, women casting, side men changing, top woman leading spiral |
| 97-128 | Repeat from progressed positions, starting left hand, men casting, side women changing, top man leading spiral |
The cabbage tree hat was the first distinctively Australian headwear. The leaves of the cabbage tree palm are boiled, dried, and bleached. They are first woven together to form a strip. That strip is then sewn into a spiral to form the top of the hat, before progressing down the sides and out onto the brim.
In this dance you get to dance in every position and with every partner.
| 1-8 | Grand chain three-quarters, starting right hand to partner |
| 9-16 | Man in top position lead the spiral in (clockwise) and out (anti-clockwise) |
| 17-24 | Man in top position lead the line anti-clockwise around the set |
| 25-32 | All gypsy and swing your current partner |
| 33-64 | Repeat from progressed positions |
| 65-96 | Repeat from progressed positions, but with man in bottom position leading the spiral and circle |
| 97-128 | Repeat from progressed positions, but with man in bottom position leading the spiral and circle |
The cabbage tree hat was the first distinctively Australian headwear. The leaves of the cabbage tree palm are boiled, dried, and bleached. They are first woven together to form a strip. That strip is then sewn into a spiral to form the top of the hat, before progressing down the sides and out onto the brim.
An easier version of the original dance without the every partner feature. Men progress anti-clockwise, women progress clockwise, and you get to dance with your partner and opposite.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Taking hands along the lines, balance forward and back, then drop hands and cross over; finish facing in again |
| 5-8 | Taking hands along the lines, balance forward and back, then drop hands and cross over; finish facing up |
| 9-12 | 1st couple lead down the middle, others dance up the outside and follow them down |
| 13-16 | 1st couple cast back to the top, followed by the others |
| 17-20 | 1st woman cross in front of 1st man and dance down oustide the men's line, 1st man cross in front of 2nd woman and dance down outside the women's line, other follow up and across in turn |
| 21-24 | Couples cross again at the bottom of the set to dance up on their own side and return to place |
| 25-32 | 1st couple swing to the bottom, others move up one place and can swing once the 1st couple has passed |
| Repeat three more times |
Cape Leeuwin is the most south-westerly point of the Australian mainland. In Australia it is regarded as the place where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean.
Waves roll on the beaches on each side of the point. The waters mix off the end of the point and form little eddies.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | 1, 2, 3 star left, 5, 6, 7 star left, 4 dance between the two groups and anti-clockwise around the latter back to place |
| 5-8 | 1, 2, 3 star right, 5, 6, 7 star right, 4 continue anti-clockwise to home |
| 9-12 | 3, 4, 5 circle right, 1 and 2 pass and dance (skipping) around the outside back to place, always passing right shoulder, 6 and 7 similarly pass and dance around |
| 13-16 | 3, 4, 5 circle left, others continue around and back to place |
| 17-20 | 1, 2, 3 left hand star 2/3 (progression) |
| 21-24 | 1, 4, 5 right hand star 2/3 |
| 25-28 | 1, 6, 7 left hand star 2/3 |
| 29-32 | Positions 2, 4, 6 dance into the line and back again into the "W" formation |
| Repeat six more times |
I was exploring formations for seven people or couples. The constellation of Cassiopeia has a "W" shape.
To get into position: from a line of seven across the hall; positions 2 and 6 move down, position 4 moves up to form the "W". There should be two triangles below the line at each end and one above in the middle.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-6 | 1 and 3 face clockwise, 2 and 4 face anti-clockwise, 5 faces down, and joins nearer hands with 2 and 4 to make arches; arches rotate anti-clockwise once around while 1 and 3 dance under the arches clockwise once around |
| 7-8 | 1 and 2, and 3 and 4 balance using right hand |
| 9-12 | 1 through 4 chain around the centre person (one bar per change) starting right hand, 1 with 2, 3 with 4 |
| 13-16 | 1 and 2, and 3 and 4 swing with cross-hand hold, finishing back in place |
| 17-20 | 3, 4, and 5 right hand star once around |
| 21-24 | 1, 2, and 5 left hand star once around |
| 25-28 | 1 and 5 left turn once around |
| 29-31 | 1 chains anti-clockwise, starting right hand, changing places with 4, 3, and 2 in turn (one bar per change) |
| 32 | 1 and 5 left turn half-way, keeping left hand hold ready to arch |
| Repeat four more times |
Numbered clockwise 1 (top) through 4, with 5 in the middle.
I wanted to create another five person dance that did not have a hey in it. So I had to look for some different moves instead and then make them flow together.
The name refers to the Chinook helicopter and its counter-rotating rotors, as well as the Chinook wind, breathing fresh life into an "un-reel" five-person dance.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | 1st couple cross down and out through the opposite side couples, then down and back in to meet in front of 2nd couple |
| 5-8 | 1st couple cross up and out through opposite side couples, then up and back to place; all face partner |
| 9-12 | All back-to-back with partner |
| 13-16 | All swing partner, cross-hand hold; finish in lower promenade hold facing into set |
| 17-20 | Couples 2, 3, 4 in lower promenade hold, half reel of three as couples, 2nd couple passing right shoulder with 4th to start; finish in a line of six across the set, 2s in the centre facing up, 3s and 4s at the ends facing down |
| 21-28 | Line of six form arches, 1st couple separate and dance down under the outermost arch, then up under the next arch, then down (together) under the central arch to finish in 2nd place |
| 29-32 | Couples 2, 3, and 4 in lower promenade hold complete the hey, 2nd couple passing left shoulders with 4th couple to start; finish with 3s and 4s back in place, 2nd couple in 1st place (it doesn't matter if people finish in their partner's place – after the gypsy and swing they'll be in the correct position again) |
| 33-36 | All gypsy partner |
| 37-40 | All swing partner, cross-hand hold; finish in lower promenade hold facing into set |
| 41-48 | In lower promenade hold, all promenade once around the set |
| 49-96 | Repeat with 2nd couple leading from 1st position |
| 97-144 | Repeat with 3rd couple leading from 3rd position |
| 145-192 | Repeat with 4th couple leading from 3rd position |
Celebrating the crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Wentworth, and Lawson in 1813.
The movements represent daily forays into the mountains before returning to camp each night, crossing the mountains to the other side, camping there, and seeing the wide open plains beyond.
This dance won the TSDAV dance composer's competition in the Dances for Experienced Dancers category in 2022.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | In half-ballroom hold, two waltz steps forward, starting on outside foot |
| 3 | Turn anti-clockwise as a couple, man moving backwards, woman forwards |
| 4 | Backwards one waltz step (along line-of-dance) |
| 5-6 | Turn away from your partner (men left, women right), and come around to face them again while continuing along line-of-dance |
| 7 | Right hand in right, change places with your partner turning the woman under |
| 8 | Honour partner |
| 9-12 | Gypsy partner |
| 13-16 | Two waltz turns |
The dancers flow around the room like swans on the river. The swan appears on the coats of arms and flags of both Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. These are the two featured states for 2019 at the National Folk Festival.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Women circle the set clockwise: moving to the left in front of their partner |
| 3-4 | Then behind the next man |
| 5-6 | In front of the opposite man |
| 7-8 | And behind the last man to home |
| 9-10 | Men left star half-way |
| 11-12 | Pick up the opposite woman in a half-ballroom hold and drop her off half-way around |
| 13-14 | Men continue left star half-way |
| 15-16 | Pick up partner in a half-ballroom hold and return home; finish facing partner |
| 17-23 | Grand chain; starting right hand with partner, one bar per change |
| 24 | Men don't pass the last woman, but twirl her back clockwise under the man's left arm into the man's position (the progression) |
| 25-32 | Waltz around the set |
| 33-34 | Men circle the set anti-clockwise: moving to the right in front of their partner |
| 35-36 | Then behind the next woman |
| 37-38 | In front of the opposite woman |
| 39-40 | And behind the last woman to home |
| 41-42 | Women right star half-way |
| 43-44 | Pick up the opposite man in a half-ballroom hold and drop him off half-way around |
| 45-46 | Women continue right star half-way |
| 47-48 | Pick up partner in a half-ballroom hold and return home; finish facing partner |
| 49-55 | Grand chain; starting right hand with partner, one bar per change |
| 56 | Men don't pass the last woman, but twirl her back into the man's position (the progression) |
| 57-64 | Waltz around the set |
| 65-96 | Repeat from new positions - starting with women circling left, then men star left |
| 97-128 | Repeat from new positions - starting with men circling right, then women star right |
My first dance, composed on the plane returning from the National Folk Festival and starting from the music When the Boat Comes In.
The dance moves reflect the fishing process: the fish swimming around, casting the nets and catching the fish, hauling in the catch, and celebrating back on shore. It was subsequently revised to include a progression and increase the length of the dance.
The star movements with the pick up and drop off are quite fast.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Women star right past their partner and turn the next man left hand half-way |
| 5-8 | Women dance anti-clockwise around the outside of the set to home, past their partner, to meet their corner; men return to place |
| 9-10 | Grand square on the diamond: head men lead in with their corners, while side men and their corners face each other and back away |
| 11-12 | Head men back out with opposite side woman away from their corner, side men advance towards opposite head woman |
| 13-14 | Side men lead in with their opposite, head men and their opposites face each other and back away |
| 15-16 | Side men back out with corner, head men advance towards corner; finish in original positions |
| 17-20 | Men star left past their partner and turn the next woman right hand half-way |
| 21-24 | Men dance clockwise around the outside of the set, past their partner, to home; women return to place |
| 25-28 | All take hands in a circle, advance and retire |
| 29-32 | Heads with sides on their left, half rights-and-lefts |
| 33-64 | Repeat from progressed positions; at the end heads dance rights-and-lefts with sides on their right |
| 65-96 | Repeat from progressed positions; heads dance rights-and-lefts with sides on their left |
| 97-128 | Repeat from progressed positions; heads dance rights-and-lefts with sides on their right |
For Jan Orloff's 75th birthday.
A diamond knot has the working ends passing each other through the middle and returning back around the outside, as the dancers do.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Men star left once around |
| 5-8 | Women star right once around |
| 9-12 | Two-hand turn partner once around, the sides moving in as they do to form a longways set; sides finish facing opposite |
| 13-16 | Middle four, chain around starting right hand with opposite, one bar per change, finishing with opposite facing ends |
| 17-19 | Dip-and-dive, those facing up arch first, three changes for the ends, five for the middles (changing sides at the end), one bar per change |
| 20-21 | Heads, from the ends of the dip-and-dive, cast away from partner into side positions, and start a grand chain right hand (3/4 around) |
| 22-24 | Sides, from the ends of the dip-and-dive, turn away from opposite to join the grand chain left hand (half-way around); finishing heads on the sides, sides at the heads, all with opposite (new partner) |
| 25-28 | Head positions half rights-and-lefts starting with new partner, side positions gypsy new partner once around |
| 29-32 | Swing partner; men have progressed one place anti-clockwise, women one place clockwise |
| Repeat three more timess |
For Don Richmond's 60th birthday.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | All circle left half-way |
| 5-8 | Cast off in lines on the side, led by 1st and 4th women, to invert the lines, finishing in partner's original position |
| 9-10 | Set, moving forward, to form a wavy line down the middle of the set, right hand to partner, left to (same-sex) neighbour |
| 11-12 | Balance the wave, forward and back |
| 13-14 | Dance forward to original place and turn to face partner |
| 15-16 | Set along the side lines, right and left, finish with 4th couple facing up, other three couples facing down |
| 17-20 | Mirror progressive reels on each side, starting with 4th couple moving out and up around 3rd couple, between 2nd couple, and out around 1st couple, others moving down and joining in when reached by the 4th couple |
| 21-24 | 4th couple, at the top, lead down the middle followed by the others up the outside and then down to return to original positions |
| 25-26 | Grand rights-and-lefts: pass partner right shoulder, and continue on to form lines across the set facing opposite, 1st and 4th couples on the outside (skipping) of 2nd and 3rd couples |
| 27-28 | Pass opposite left shoulder, and continue on to form lines up and down the set facing partner |
| 29-30 | Pass partner right shoulder, and continue on to form lines across the set facing opposite |
| 31-32 | Pass opposite left shoulder, and continue on back to original positions |
| 33-36 | In groups of four at each end, set forward to the centre of the group and retire, turning once clockwise |
| 37-40 | In those same groups, circle left once around, finish facing the other couple |
| 41-43 | All holding partner's nearer hand, 1st and 4th couples veer left past the facing couple, then come in to face the other couple across the set; while 2nd and 3rd couples veer left to the end of the set and then promenade clockwise (skipping) once around the entire set |
| 44-46 | 1st and 4th couples circle left 3/4 |
| 47-48 | 1st and 4th couples pass through (right shoulder with neighbour); while 2nd and 3rd couples complete their promenade and turn onto the ends of the set;
finishing 2, 4, 1, 3 from the top, with 1st and 3rd positions improper |
| Repeat three more times |
Celebrating the wonders and terrors of the Northern Territory (NT): Uluru, its snakes, the Red Kangaroo, its rivers and waterfalls, the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brolgas dancing, the Devil's Marbles, and a cyclone.
In the grand rights-and-lefts, the centre four dance a normal rights-and-lefts, while the end four dance a rights-and-lefts around the outside, skipping.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Cloverleaf and half-heys: Middle couple and heads individually half hey for three, starting 5th man up facing 1st woman, 5th woman down facing 3rd woman, passing right shoulders |
| 5-8 | Middle couple and sides individually half hey-for-three, middles going to the further side and starting right shoulder (5th man with 4th woman, 5th woman with 2nd woman) |
| 9-12 | Middle couple continue half heys with heads |
| 13-16 | Middle couple continue half heys with sides; finishing with middle couple in the centre, man near the top, woman near the bottom |
| 17-20 | Stars: 1st couple and 5th man, 3rd couple and 5th woman star right once around |
| 21-24 | 4th couple and 5th man, 2nd couple and 5th woman star left once around; the middle couple only travel 3/4 round to finish in the centre, man near 3rd couple, woman near 1st couple |
| 25-28 | 3rd couple and 5th man, 1st couple and 5th woman star right once around |
| 29-32 | 2nd couple and 5th man, 4th couple and 5th woman star left once around; the middle couple only travel 3/4 round to finish facing each other in the centre in their partner's original position |
| 33-36 | Circular strip-the-willow: middles right hand turn 3/4, then left hand turn - 5th man with 1st woman, 5th woman with 3rd man |
| 37-48 | Continue strip-the-willow,middles moving anti-clockwise around the set (5th man with 4th woman, 5th woman with 2nd man) |
| 49-52 | All gypsy partner |
| 53-56 | All swing partner |
| 57-60 | Outer couples in a circle advance and retire, while moving one place clockwise; middle couple continues swinging |
| 61-64 | 4th couple (now at the top) and middle couple half rights-and-lefts; finish with 4th man facing up, 4th woman facing down |
Repeat five times to return everyone to their originl positions.
Inspired by the Southern Cross flag that flew over the Eureka Stockade.
This dance won the TSDAV Dance Composer's Competition in the Dances for Experienced Dancers category in 2018.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Pass neighbour by the right shoulder onto next neighbours |
| 3-4 | Right hand turn half-way with that neighbour to face back the way you came |
| 5-6 | Pass that neighbour by the right shoulder back to original neighbour |
| 7-8 | With original neighbour right hand turn 3/4, and finish facing neighbour in a line of four across the set, men on the outside facing in |
| 9-16 | Reel for four passing neighbour right shoulder to start |
| 17-24 | With neighbour, waltz once around the other couple, finishing in progressed positions on the inside of the circle looking out, or on the outside looking in, women on the men's right |
| 25-28 | Star right once around |
| 29-32 | Star left once around and look for new neighbours |
Anne Hayes has written a waltz tune for her partner (Roger's Waltz). This is a dance to go with it.
The pass throughs are new shoots appearing, while the hey symbolises boughs intertwining. The waltzing suggests autumn leaves blowing around, while the stars represent snowflakes.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Women star left half-way |
| 3-6 | Women with opposite corner, right hand in right, lead out, turn and come back |
| 7-8 | Right hand turn corner half-way |
| 9-10 | Men star left half-way |
| 11-14 | Men with original corner, right hand in right, lead out, turn and come back |
| 15-16 | Right hand turn corner half-way |
| 17-18 | Women star right half-way to original position, men cast left into next man's position |
| 19-24 | Swing new partner (original corner) |
| 25-28 | Star promenade three places; women have progressed one place clockwise, men swap sides |
| 29-32 | Whirl as a couple, man backwards, woman forwards |
| Repeat three more times |
For Lisa Simon's 50th birthday.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Back-to-back partner |
| 5-8 | Gypsy partner right shoulder once around |
| 9-12 | Head men turn left hand once around |
| 13-16 | All star promenade half-way (men left hands in the middle) |
| 17-20 | Head women cast out to the right and return to place, others continue star promenade half-way |
| 21-24 | All star promenade half-way |
| 25-26 | All women cast right one place clockwise, while men cast right out to current place, turning to face new partner |
| 27-32 | Swing new partner |
| 33-36 | Back-to-back partner |
| 37-40 | Gypsy partner left shoulder once around |
| 41-44 | Head women turn right hand once around |
| 45-48 | All star promenade half-way (women right hands in the middle) |
| 49-52 | Head men cast out to the left and return to place, others continue star promenade half-way |
| 53-56 | All star promenade half-way |
| 57-58 | All men cast left one place anti-clockwise, while women cast left out to current place, turning to face new partner |
| 59-64 | Swing new partner |
| 65-96 | Repeat from progressed positions, men in the centre in the star promenade |
| 97-128 | Repeat from progressed positions, women in the centre in the star promenade |
A dance for when COVID-19 disappears and we can dance together again.
This dance starts out with no touching, then builds up to the spiked virus, before mutating, and being vanquished by antibodies. You get to dance with everyone and in every position so as to make the most of our return to dancing.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Holding inside hand with partner, starting on outside foot, three steps foward and tap inside foot |
| 3-4 | Partners roll across, man turning clockwise behind the woman, who turns anti-clockwise, three steps and tap inside foot |
| 5-6 | Holding inside hands, starting on inside foot, three steps forward and tap outside foot |
| 7-8 | Turn as a couple half-way, starting on outside foot, man going backwards, woman forwards, three steps and tap leading foot; finishing facing partner on own side in two hand open hold |
| 9-10 | Along line-of-dance, step forward on leading foot, step through with trailing foot, and chassé sideways |
| 11-12 | Against line-of-dance, step forward on leading foot, step through with trailing foot, and chassé sideways; finish in ballroom hold |
| 13-16 | Two rotary chassés and open out to start again |
A quickstep for the Apple Isle (Tasmania).
This dance won the TSDAV Dance Composer's Competition in the General Social Dance category in 2018.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | All with partners in ballroom hold: gallop into the centre and out |
| 5-8 | Gallop diamond to the opposite side – four gallop steps to the next position anti-clockwise, turn 1/4 clockwise, and four gallop steps to the next position |
| 9-12 | Grand chain half-way, starting left hand with partner, one bar per change |
| 13-16 | Left hand turn partner once around |
| 17-18 | Heads push-off hey: women cross passing right shoulder |
| 19-20 | Men push off |
| 21-22 | Women push off |
| 23-24 | Men cross passing right shoulder |
| 25-26 | Sides push-off hey: women cross passing right shoulder |
| 27-28 | Men push off |
| 29-30 | Women push off |
| 31-32 | Men cross passing right shoulder |
| 33-40 | All: ladies chain across and back – right star in the centre, turn men left hand only, not a courtesy turn |
| 41-44 | Grand chain half-way, starting left hand with partner |
| 45-48 | Left hand turn partner once around |
| 49-52 | Heads half hey for four, starting with women passing right shoulder; finish forming the Sydney Harbour Bridge – women make a two-hand arch in the centre, men stand behind their partner, being the pylons |
| 53-60 | Couple on the 1st's original left (2nd couple) turn and cast away around the outside of the set and return under the bridge; while right-hand couple (4th couple) chase them under the bridge and cast back to place |
| 61-64 | Head couples complete the hey for four, starting with women passing right shoulder |
| 65-128 | Repeat with 2nd couple leading – sides push-off hey first, sides form the bridge, 3rd couple cast around the bridge to start |
| 129-192 | Repeat with 3rd couple leading – heads push-off hey first, heads form the bridge, 4th couple cast around the bridge to start |
| 193-256 | Repeat with 4th couple leading – sides push-off hey first, sides form the bridge, 1st couple cast around the bridge to start |
Coming home from the National Folk Festival I came up with a formation that reflected the shape of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. An Australian Quadrille dance seemed the appropriate setting for this move.
The push-off hey represents the "creeper cranes" that worked their way in to construct the arch and then out again to hang the roadway. The grand chains represent the affixing and retrieving of the cables that supported the bridge during its construction.
This dance won in the Bush Music Club's dance composing competition in 2014 in the Dancer's Dance category.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Odd numbered couples left hand star, holding hands only with the one directly opposite |
| 3-4 | While still moving forward, raise joined hands, the woman with her hand on the bottom dives under to the opposite man, followed by the woman in the middle, and then the top |
| 5-8 | Odd couples (men and their opposites) polka around anti-clockwise back to the man's home position |
| 9-16 | Even numbered couples repeat |
| 17-20 | Odd couples face current partner and pass by left shoulder to dance to the next odd position around the circle, men outside, women inside |
| 21-24 | Even couples repeat |
| 25-28 | All grand chain, four changes, one bar per change, starting right hand with current partner |
| 29-32 | All swing new partner – the women return to their starting positions each time but the men move on one odd/even place clockwise |
| 33-64 | Repeat two more times |
I wanted to write a dance for six couples. The partner swapping movement comes from The Borrowdale Exchange.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-8 | 5th couple separate from their partner, heading out and up, to start a dolphin reel for three with their side couples – both side couples act as a single unit in the reel, each swapping the lead at each end |
| 9-12 | Sides circle right in fours at each end; while the 5th couple separates, passing out between the side couples, turning right and dancing clockwise half-way around the set |
| 13-16 | Sides circle left in fours at each end; while the 5th couple continues clockwise half-way around the set |
| 17-20 | All swing partner |
| 21-24 | 5th couple keep swinging, finish facing up and left; sides promenade across the set and face in |
| 25-28 | Dip and dive (middles arch): 5th couple arch over 1st couple (top left), then 1st couple arch over 3rd couple (bottom right); 5th couple change places turning the woman under;
while 2nd and 4th couple do-si-do left shoulder |
| 29-32 | 3rd couple arch over 5th couple; 1st couple change places turning the woman under, then 5th couple arch over 1st couple; 3rd couple change places turning the woman under;
while 2nd and 4th couples gypsy right shoulder once around |
| Repeat four more times |
I'd recently danced a dance in this formation and wanted to try my hand at it. And the name - the hibiscus has five petals and the words start with H.
Side couples are numbered clockwise from the top right, with couple 5 in the middle.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Starting in ballroom hold, top couples gallop across (men passing back-to-back), while side couples turn half-way (two polka steps) |
| 3-4 | All couples balance in and out (pointing out) |
| 5-6 | All couples gallop to next position anti-clockwise (women with their backs to the centre) |
| 7-8 | All couples balance in and out (pointing in) |
| 9-16 | Repeat all that with new top and side couples; finishing in original positions |
| 17-18 | With partner, clap three times right, three times left |
| 19-22 | Turn partner right arm once around |
| 23-24 | Walk past partner by the right shoulder to face next person on the diagonal |
| 25-26 | With that person, clap three times right, three times left |
| 27-30 | Turn that person right arm once around |
| 31-32 | Women turn under man's right arm as both move to the woman's home position (men progress one position right) |
| Repeat three more times |
This dance had to have the couples dashing across the set. This combined with a clapping sequence to fit the start of the chorus lines.
Part of the "Christmas Carols" series.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Men dance around their partners (clockwise), passing in front to start |
| 5-8 | Women dance around their partners (anti-clockwise), passing in front to start |
| 9-12 | Weave: 1st couple weaves around 2nd couple while 3rd couple weaves around 4th; the active woman moves in front of the inactive woman and behind the man to the opposite side, while the active man goes behind the inactive woman and in front of the man, so that the woman leads at the first crossover and the man at the second; at the same time, 2nd and 4th couples open for the cross-over, the woman moving obliquely forward to her right and back again, the man forward to his left |
| 13-16 | 1st and 3rd couples repeat the weave through the couple now on their left to return home |
| 17-20 | 2nd and 4th couples now weave, starting with the couple on their left |
| 21-24 | 2nd and 4th couples complete the weave to return home |
| 25-28 | Turn your corner by the right once around |
| 29-32 | Back-to-back partner by the left shoulder |
| 33-36 | Turn your partner by the left once around |
| 37-40 | Swing corner, finishing in top/bottom lines |
| 41-42 | Lines advance and pass through |
| 43-44 | With your corner turn together 3/4, away from the accompanying couple (i.e. couple on the left turn to their left, couple on the right turn to their right), to form side lines |
| 45-56 | Repeat advance, pass through, and turn three more times to return home |
| 57-58 | Lines advance |
| 59-64 | Swing partner to home |
| 65-128 | Repeat with the sides leading the weave and forming side lines initially |
| 129-192 | Repeat with the tops leading the weave and forming top/bottom lines initially |
| 193-256 | Repeat with the sides leading the weave and forming side lines initially |
The wheeling lines movement came to me late one night and the weaving movement derives from the Danish Otte Mands Dans (Eight Men's Dance). The rest is to get into and out of those sections. The name for this dance took a while to come, but eventually it was obvious: the twisting, turning patterns of the dancers suggest the changing patterns in a kaleidoscope – plus it commemorates the Dance Kaleidoscope group
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Mirror do-si-do: with neighbour, middles going between the ends to start |
| 5-8 | Mirror turns: Neighbours allemande once around, with middles going between the ends to start |
| 9-14 | Double figure of eight 3/4, ends casting in to start |
| 15-16 | Single file anti-clockwise half-way |
| 17-20 | In groups of four, circle right once around |
| 21-24 | In groups of four, circle left once around |
| 25-30 | Hey for four along the lines 3/4 |
| 31-32 | Swap places with partner, men turning the woman under their right arm; finishing 3,1,4,2 |
| Repeat three more times |
Experimenting with progressions, I found that the 3/4 hey worked well. This combined with the 3/4 double figure of eight to get the dancers into the correct positions to progress.
The name starts with the symbols for the third and fourth elements on the periodic table (lithium and beryllium).
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Couples join inner hands, face line of dance, starting on outside feet, walk forward three steps and kick |
| 3-4 | Walk back three steps and face partner |
| 5-6 | Set to your partner |
| 7-8 | Clap hands with partner: right hand, left hand, both hands |
| 9-12 | Gypsy partner by the right shoulder once around |
| 13-16 | Left hand turn partner once around |
| 17-20 | Two-hand turn partner once around |
| 21-24 | Back-to-back partner by the left shoulder, finish slightly to the right |
| 25-28 | Back-to-back neighbour (to the right) by the right shoulder, and finish facing them (progression) |
| 29-32 | Two rotary chassés to finish |
The Bush Music Club dance workshops wanted a dance to celebrate A.B. "Banjo" Paterson’s birthday, so I wrote one to the tune of Waltzing Matilda. The clapping sequence is timed to fit in with the lyrics "one, two, three" for the troopers appearing in the second verse.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Couples advance into the centre |
| 3-4 | As the women retire, men turn to face their partner and follow them out |
| 5-8 | Partners do-si-do |
| 9-10 | Chase: Women turn to face out and partners chase out |
| 11-12 | Women turn to face in, women advance, men retire |
| 13-14 | Men turn to face in and partners chase in |
| 15-16 | Men turn to face out, men advance, women retire |
| 17-18 | Partners right-hand turn 3/4 |
| 19-20 | Neighbours left-hand turn once around |
| 21 | Partners pull past by the right |
| 22-23 | With the next, left-hand turn once around |
| 24 | Partners pull past by the right |
| 25-28 | Swing new partner |
| 29-32 | Promenade around the circle and finish facing in |
Written for the May Heydays dance competition 2024. It came second.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Men dance clockwise around their partner and back to place, finish facing out |
| 5-8 | Women dance anti-clockwise around their partner and back to place, finish facing out |
| 9-12 | 1st couple gatepost turn 2nd couple back to place; 3rd and 4th couples the same |
| 13-16 | 3rd couple gatepost turn 2nd couple back, finishing with 2nd couple in the centre, woman leading the man; 5th and 4th couples the same |
| 17-20 | 2nd couple half dolphin reel with 1st woman and 3rd man, 4th couple the same with 3rd woman and 5th man |
| 21-24 | 2nd couple half dolphin reel with 1st man and 5th man, 4th couple the same with 1st woman and 5th woman |
| 25-28 | 2nd couple half dolphin reel with 5th woman and 3rd man, 4th couple the same with 3rd woman and 1st man |
| 29-32 | 2nd couple half dolphin reel with 3rd woman and 5th man, 4th couple the same with 1st woman and 3rd man |
| 33-36 | 2nd and 4th couple swing partner, finish facing up; others dance two places clockwise, to return to original positions |
| 37-40 | 1st and 2nd couples and 3rd and 4th couples circle left once around |
| 41-44 | 1st through 4th couples half hey for four along their lines, starting right shoulder |
| 45-48 | All face down, 5th couple casts and leads everyone to the top (5, 1, 2, 3, 4) |
| Repeat four more times |
Several dolphins come in at Monkey Mia in WA to interact with people. WA is the featured state for the next dance competition.
This dance won the TSDAV Dance Composer's Competition in the Dances for Experienced Dancers category in 2019.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Heads pass through by the right shoulder |
| 3-4 | Heads cast away from their partner to meet their opposite on the side, while the sides circle left 1/4 into the head positions |
| 5-8 | Sides repeat the pass through and cast from head positions, finishing with women back in original positions, but men on the opposite side |
| 9-12 | Sides advance towards partner, cross out between the heads (who separate), and cast (men right and women left) to finish on the opposite side |
| 13-16 | Heads repeat the cross and cast |
| 17-20 | Grand chain half-way, one bar per change, starting right hand with current partner |
| 21-24 | Do-si-do current partner |
| 25-26 | All cast over your left shoulder around your corner to meet your original partner in progressed position (one place clockwise) |
| 27-32 | Swing partner with cross-hand hold |
| Repeat with new heads three more times |
A monkey's fist is a knot that looks somewhat like a small bunched fist or paw. It is tied by weaving three sets of rings of rope together. Here the dancers weave through and around each other.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-8 | 1st woman turns on the spot and weaves to the bottom of the set, followed by her partner, they go clockwise around 2nd woman and across the set, anti-clockwise around 3rd man and back across the set, and clockwise around 4th woman to finish improper below 4th couple |
| 9-12 | 1st woman right hand turn 4th man 1 1/2, 1st man the same with 4th woman |
| 13-16 | 1st woman left hand turn 3rd man 1 1/2, 1st man the same with 3rd woman |
| 17-20 | 1st woman right hand turn 2nd man 1 1/2, 1st man the same with 2nd woman |
| 21-24 | 1st couple left hand turn 1 1/4; finish facing down in the centre of the set, man behind his partner |
| 25-32 | 1st couple lead down the set single file, woman leading, others come up the outside and follow them; in 4th position 1st couple make an arch, the others continue single file under the arch, and cast up their own side to progressed positions |
| Repeat three more times |
The Murray River starts off meandering across the countryside, then forms pools and eddies, before combining with tributaries to arrive at the sea.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Head couple lead down the centre of the set, cast back individually and come in between the side couples |
| 5-8 | Head couple right turn once around |
| 9-12 | Heads separate and left hand star for three with their respective side couples |
| 13-16 | Head couple right hand turn once around back to place |
| 17-20 | All gypsy partner once around |
| 21-24 | Heads separate to half reel for three with their respective sides, sides starting passing right shoulder |
| 25-28 | Those in top position left turn once around, while those now on the sides half rights-and-lefts starting across the set |
| 29-32 | Ladies chain one position clockwise with a courtesy turn, finishing with partner in progressed position |
Repeat three times to return everyone to their original positions.
We didn't have quite enough dancers for two sets, and someone mentioned we should have a dance when one couple short - so here it is.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | 3, 4, 5 reel for three half-way, starting 4 passing 5 right shoulder |
| 5-8 | 2, 4, 6 reel for three half-way, starting 4 passing 2 right shoulder |
| 9-12 | 1, 4, 7 reel for three half-way, starting 4 passing 7 right shoulder |
| 13-16 | Outside six circle left half-way, back to place |
| 17-24 | In lines on each side, hey for three, starting with 2 passing 1 right shoulder, and 6 passing 7 right shoulder (if 4 is quick, they can tandem reel with 2) |
| 25-26 | Progression: 1, 2, 4 star right one place (top left) |
| 27-28 | 1, 6, 7 star left one place (bottom right) |
| 29-30 | 3, 4, 6 star left one place (bottom left) |
| 31-32 | 3, 5, 7 star right one place (top right) |
| Repeat six more times |
The Pleiades, or The Seven Sisters, is a group of seven stars in the north-west of the constellation Taurus.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | All circle right |
| 5-8 | All circle left |
| 9-10 | 1st and 2nd couples star right half-way |
| 11-12 | 1st and 3rd couples star left half-way |
| 13-14 | 1st and 4th couples star right half-way |
| 15-16 | All set |
| 17-24 | Hey for four along each side |
| 25-28 | In groups of four, circle left |
| 29-32 | In groups of four, star left once around |
| Repeat three more times |
For the Cinderella-themed ball in Melbourne next year.
The dancers form the body of the pumpkin. Then some magic happens and the tendrils entwine to form the carriage's wheels.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | At each end, all outer women right hand star once around, joined by middle woman at the top and middle man at the bottom, outer men dance anti-clockwise two places |
| 5-8 | At each end, all outer men left hand star once around, joined by middle man at the top and middle woman at the bottom, outer women dance clockwise two places |
| 9-12 | Gypsy right the one you meet |
| 13-16 | Swing current partner |
| 17-18 | Grand chain two places, one bar per change; middles do-si-do |
| 19-20 | Swing original partner; middles complete do-si-do |
| 21-24 | Middles two-hand turn once around |
| 25-28 | On the top-right diagonal, couples 1 and 6 and couples 3 and 4 promenade across and turn about, while the other three couples half hey as couples with couple 7 in the centre passing couple 5 at the top left shoulder to start |
| 29-32 | On the top-left diagonal, couples 2 and 3 and couples 5 and 6 promenade across and turn about, while the other three couples dip and dive, couple 7 making an arch for couple 1 (bottom), then couple 1 making an arch for couple 4 (top); finishing with couple 4 in the middle and the others clockwise from the top: 2, 3, 7, 5, 6, 1 |
| Repeat six more times |
Inspired by the formation of the dance Mediocre Seven. When I find a new formation it's my challenge to write a dance for it. The name refers to the seven couples.
Couples are numbered clockwise from the top, with couple 7 in the middle.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Middles turn contra corners: middles right-hand turn just over half-way |
| 3-4 | Middles left-hand turn first corner once around |
| 5-6 | Middles right-hand turn 3/4 |
| 7-8 | Middles left-hand turn second corner once around; all back to place |
| 9-12 | Circle six to the right |
| 13-16 | Circle six to the left |
| 17-18 | Middles make an arch with the person on their left; all moving forward, arch over the single person opposite |
| 19-20 | Those in arches change places, with the outside person turning the inside person under their raised arms; single people turn individually |
| 21-22 | New middles make an arch with the person on their left; all moving forward, arch over the single person opposite |
| 23-24 | Those in arches change places, with the outside person turning the inside person under their raised arms; single people turn individually (note that dancers have changed positions within their line) |
| 25-28 | Back-to-back with opposite |
| 29-30 | Balance right-hand with opposite |
| 31-32 | Pass through by the right shoulder |
The Richmond Bridge is a heritage-listed arch bridge located in Richmond, Tasmania. It is the oldest stone span bridge in Australia.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | In half-ballroom hold, starting on the outside foot, the man rolls across in front of his partner as she slides left, and both flourish on the opposite side (swing your hand out gracefully) |
| 3-4 | The man rolls back in front of his partner as she slides right, and both flourish back home |
| 5-6 | Starting on the outside foot, two waltz steps forward |
| 7-8 | Turn away from your partner while continuing forward (man anti-clockwise, woman clockwise), finish facing partner |
| 9-10 | Cross-hand hold, rights on top of lefts, two slides along line-of-dance |
| 11-12 | The man takes two slides along line-of-dance, while turning his partner clockwise once around under his raised hands |
| 13-16 | Two waltz turns and open out to start again |
For Roni Giacobetti’s 60th birthday.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Gypsy partner left shoulder; finish facing away from them |
| 5-8 | Grand chain past four people (one bar per person), starting right hand, to meet your partner again |
| 9-12 | Turn partner right hand 1 1/2; finish facing away from your partner |
| 13-16 | Single file (men outside clockwise, women inside anti-clockwise) back to partner; face in with woman on the man's left |
| 17-20 | Advance into the centre and retire |
| 21-24 | Swing partner; finishing with men on the inside, women on the outside, except for 1st couple who finish with man on the outside |
| 25-26 | 1st couple dip-and-dive around the set, starting by arching over 2nd couple (two bars per change) |
| 27-28 | 1st couple dive under 3rd couple's arch |
| 29-30 | 1st couple arch over 4th couple |
| 31-32 | 1st couple dive under 5th couple's arch; all finish in a circle facing their partner |
| Repeat four more times |
Couples are numbered clockwise around the circle. Repeat five times to return home, with each couple leading in turn.
I wanted to write a dance for five couples in a circle, with a progression. The name came from the fact that I used the same music as for Crossroads.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Side couples left hand star with opposites once around at each end (leaving enough room between the two stars for the heads to pass through); head couple crosses, passing right shoulder, and casts to between the two stars |
| 5-8 | Side couples right hand star with opposites once around at each end; head couple crosses between the stars, passing right shoulder, and casts to the bottom and crosses again, passing right shoulder |
| 9-12 | Sides hey for four along their lines, starting right shoulder with partner; heads cast back to the top (finishing on their partner’s side) |
| 13-16 | Heads right hand turn 1 1/2, sides complete their heys |
| 17-22 | Grand chain six places (one bar per change) starting right hand with partner (12 beats) |
| 23-24 | Take the next person (one past your partner) in a lower promenade hold and promenade one place anti-clockwise (men finish one place clockwise in the set, women finish two places clockwise) (4 beats) |
| 25-32 | Balance and swing new partner, cross-hand hold |
Levi Jackson Rag formation - one couple at the top facing down, two couples on each side facing across.
Repeat five times to return to home.
Five couples in a horseshoe - it must be Levi Jackson Rag. We'll not any more.
Named for a Tasmanian apple I encountered on a trip to Tassie, and apples have five seeds arranged around their centre.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | All advance and retire |
| 5-8 | Partners left hand turn once around; finish facing corner |
| 9-12 | Grand chain half-way, one bar per change, starting right hand with corner |
| 13-16 | Facing out, take right hand with corner, advance on the diagonal, turn toward your corner and return |
| 17-20 | Grand chain half-way, starting right hand with corner |
| 21-24 | Facing out, take right hand with corner, advance on the diagonal, turn toward your corner and return |
| 25-28 | Heads basket left |
| 29-32 | Heads basket right |
| 33-64 | Repeat with sides dancing the basket |
| 65-96 | Repeat with heads dancing the basket |
| 97-128 | Repeat with sides dancing the basket |
The "Turtle" figure has the dancers forming the body and flippers, before pulling their heads in.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-8 | Heads individually face clockwise, sides individually face anti-clockwise, with couples acting as a single unit (one behind the other), weave once around the set, passing other couples without hands, starting left shoulder |
| 9 | Heads advance without hands |
| 10-13 | Heads full rights-and-lefts starting with opposite (one bar per change) |
| 14-16 | Heads, with opposite, mirror turn side couple once around, heads going through the middle to start |
| 17-24 | Heads, with opposite, dolphin reel (reel for three with the head couple acting as a single unit and swapping the lead at each end) with their side couple, turning to their right to start (head woman passing side man right shoulder) |
| 25-28 | Form side lines, facing out with heads in the centre, advance, turn individually towards your neighbour, and return |
| 29-32 | Heads two-hand turn partner once around to home |
| 33-64 | Repeat with side couples leading and form head lines |
| 65-96 | Repeat with head couples leading and form side lines |
| 97-128 | Repeat with side couples leading and form head lines |
The "Dolphin" figure featuring a dolphin reel.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Men face out, women face in, grand chain sideways (no hands, slip step), passing in front of partner to start, then behind the next, etc., one bar per change, finish on opposite side, in place, facing partner |
| 5-8 | Sides sideways half rights-and-lefts, start facing partner, slide past opposite, women through the middle; then turn to face across the set and slide past partner, men through the middle |
| 9-10 | Head men face away from their partner, heads slide past opposite (backs passing) to the other side of the set, women passing face-to-face through the middle |
| 11-12 | Heads rotate clockwise as a couple to face the opposite direction, women facing their partner's back |
| 13-16 | Heads repeat slide across and turn as a couple, with the men continuing the turn to face partner |
| 17-20 | All two-hand turn partner once around, with hands raised to shoulder height |
| 21-24 | Two-hand turn corner once around, with hands raised to shoulder height |
| 25-48 | Repeat with heads crossing first and sides doing the slides and rotations |
| 49-72 | Repeat with sides crossing first |
| 73-96 | Repeat with heads crossing firsts |
The "Crab" figure has many sideways movements and final claw-to-claw turns.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Grand chain half-way, one bar per change, starting right hand to partner |
| 5-8 | Right hand turn partner once around, sides moving in on the side to form a longways set up and down |
| 9-12 | In groups of four at each end (sides with their opposite and the end couple) star right once around |
| 13-16 | Sides star left once around in the middle, while heads chase clockwise to the opposite end |
| 17-20 | In groups of four at each end, star right once around |
| 21-24 | Sides star left once around in the middle, while heads chase clockwise back to place |
| 25-28 | All right hand turn partner once around, sides moving out to form a square set again |
| 29-32 | Grand chain half-way, one bar per change, starting right hand to partner |
| 33-64 | Repeat with heads moving in to form a longways set across the hall and forming the left hand stars while the sides chase |
| 65-96 | Repeat with sides moving in to form a longways set and the heads chasing |
| 97-128 | Repeat with heads moving in to form a longways set and the sides chasing |
The "Starfish" figure has many stars.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-8 | Grand chain all around, one bar per change, starting right hand with partner |
| 9-16 | Heads, with the couple to their right, waltz around each other to place |
| 17-20 | Grand cross half-way, men left hands in the middle |
| 21-22 | Men continue left hand star 1/4, while women turn out clockwise and return to the same place to meet the next man |
| 23-24 | Men, with new partner, continue grand cross 1/4 to the man's home (men return to their original positions, while the women progress one place clockwise) |
| 25-32 | Waltz once around the set |
| 33-64 | Repeat with sides waltzing around the couple to their right |
| 65-96 | Repeat with heads waltzing around the couple to their right |
| 97-128 | Repeat with sides waltzing around the couple to their right |
The "Jellyfish" figure has swirling dancers floating around the floor.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | 1st person and those either side (2nd and 7th) form arches and cross the set; while the two people opposite (4th and 5th) pass under the arches; 3rd and 6th remain in their place |
| 3-4 | 1st person and the one on their left (2nd) keep the arch with that person moving around to their right, while the person on the right (7th) goes under the arch to invert the line of three; while 4th and 5th person wheel as a unit – 4th going forwards, 5th backwards |
| 5-8 | Repeat arches and turns to return home |
| 9-12 | Take hands in a circle and circle left |
| 13-16 | Left hand star to return to place |
| 17-24 | 1st person and neighbours hey for three (1st starting right shoulder with 7th); while others hey for four (4th and 5th people face away from each other and start right shoulder with 3rd and 6th respectively) |
| 25-26 | Take hands in the circle and balance the ring |
| 27-28 | Turn single right half-way |
| 29-30 | Take hands again and balance the ring outwards |
| 31-32 | Turn single right half-way |
| Repeat six more times with each person leading in turn |
Fay Lau, a friend from Sydney, was celebrating her 70th birthday, so I tried my hand at a seven person dance. 7 people in a circle = 70.
Repeat seven times so each person leads in turn.
The heys can get confusing – knowing who you're dancing with – but that's part of the challenge. Take the time during the circle and star to prepare yourself for the heys.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Right hand turn with partner once around |
| 5-8 | Left hand turn with corner once around |
| 9-10 | Men left star half-way across the set into the opposite man's position, while women move one place clockwise around the outside of the set |
| 11-12 | Set to new partner |
| 13-14 | Women right star half-way across the set into the opposite woman's position, while men move one place anti-clockwise around the outside of the set |
| 15-16 | Set to new partner |
| 17-18 | Men left star half-way across the set, while women move one place clockwise around the outside of the set |
| 19-20 | Set to new partner |
| 21-22 | Women right star half-way across the set, while men move one place anti-clockwise around the outside of the set |
| 23-24 | Set to new partner (this should be your original partner but on the opposite side of the set) |
| 25-26 | Men move one position anti-clockwise inside the set |
| 27-32 | Take the next woman in an upper promenade hold and promenade 3/4 around the set (men finish opposite their original position, women have moved one place anti-clockwise) |
Repeat four times to return to home.
I composed the main figure for this dance while waiting at the doctor's. I devised a figure that was made up of fairly simple moves, but which served to progress each dancer through all the others of the opposite sex, hence the name. The rest of the dance then evolved around that figure, including a change of partner at the end of each round for even more mixing.
The intention is not to use hands during the crossings, but it proved to be useful while learning to touch hands as if in a star to keep the dancers oriented.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Grand chain four places, starting right hand, one bar per change – top four couples face neighbours to start, bottom couple faces partner – finish facing the 4th person you pass, still holding left hand |
| 5-8 | Grand chain four places back to position, starting left hand |
| 9-10 | Top three couples set to partner |
| 11-12 | Bottom three couples set to partner |
| 13-16 | 1st and 2nd couples circle left once around; while others back-to-back with partner |
| 17-18 | 1st and 2nd couples raise joined hands to form arches all around; bottom three couples face up and set as couples (forming the moon and mudflats reflections) |
| 19-22 | 3rd couple lead others up under 2nd couple's arch, separate and go out between men's and women's arches, then down to the bottom of the set to invert the bottom three places |
| 23-24 | As the other three couples finish inverting their positions, 1st couple turn and follow 5th couple down, moving into 2nd position; while 2nd couple lead up the centre to 1st position |
| 25-28 | 3rd couple cast to the top followed by the others to invert the whole set (finishing 3, 4, 5, 1, 2) |
| 29-32 | All two-hand turn partner once around |
| Repeat four more times |
The "Staircase to the Moon" is a natural phenomenon caused by the rising of a full moon reflecting off the tidal flats of Roebuck Bay at Broome, Western Australia.
The chains and setting at the start recall the laying of a submarine telephone cable from Broome to Java and sending a signal along it.
Confusion usually arises at the start of the grand chain, as people don't know which way they should be facing. Use the two-hand turn to prepare yourself for the chain.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | End trios lead out from the set and turn singly; while the middle trios together circle left |
| 5-8 | End trios return to the set; middle trios circle right |
| 9-12 | At each end right hand star for six |
| 13-16 | Left hand star back to place; finish facing along your line of three in the direction you're heading - trios 1 and 3 up, trios 2 and 4 down |
| 17-20 | Lines of three advance, turn singly, and return |
| 21-24 | Right turn neighbour 1 1/2 |
| 25-28 | Trio 2 (in first place) half hey for three along their line, with middle and top starting passing right shoulder; while trios 1, 4, and 3 half hey across the lines, starting with trios 4 and 3 passing right shoulder, finishing with 1st trio in end position |
| 29-32 | Each trio half hey for three along their line, starting left shoulder - trios 2 and 4 at the bottom, trios 3 and 1 at the top; finishing with trios 2-3-4-1 |
| Repeat three more times |
Continuing my dances for the Australian floral emblems.
Trios are numbered from the right (facing the music) 1 through 4. Start with end trios facing out, middle trios facing each other.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Right hand turn partner once around |
| 5-8 | Left hand turn corner once around |
| 9-12 | Gypsy partner once around |
| 13-16 | Swing partner, finish facing anti-clockwise in half-ballroom hold |
| 17-20 | Grand cross anti-clockwise, then turn as a couple (anti-clockwise) to bring the women into the centre |
| 21-24 | Grand cross clockwise |
| 25-28 | Turn as a couple (anti-clockwise) to face out, men turn on the spot (anti-clockwise) to face in, as women dance outside to the next man anti-clockwise and finish on his right |
| 29-32 | Circle advance and retire with new partner |
| Repeat four more times |
Sturt's Desert Rose is the floral emblem of the Northern Territory. The flower has five petals arranged in a whorl around the centre.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Side couples right hand star once around at each end; 1st couple crosses, passing right shoulder, and casts to between the two stars |
| 5-8 | Left hand stars for five, 1st man joining the top following 2nd man, 1st woman joining the bottom following 4th man |
| 9-12 | 1st couple pass each other right shoulder through the middle and cast back to the top; sides circle right once around |
| 13-16 | 1st couple swing open-handed; sides circle left once around |
| 17-18 | All circle left for four steps (4 beats) |
| 19-20 | Men roll the woman on their left across in front and onto their right (4 beats) |
| 21-24 | All circle right for eight steps (men progressing one place, women progressing two) |
| 25-32 | All gypsy and swing new partner in new position |
| Repeat four more times |
Another substitute for Levi Jackson Rag.
Named for a Western Australian apple (see Rubigold) - apples have five seeds arranged around their centre.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Heads cross |
| 3-4 | All single file 1/4 anti-clockwise |
| 5-6 | New heads cross |
| 7-8 | All single file 1/4 clockwise |
| 9-12 | Men weave clockwise half-way, in front of partner first |
| 13-16 | Right turn current partner once around |
| 17-24 | Grand chain 3/4, starting right hand to current partner |
| 25-28 | Do-si-do partner |
| 29-32 | Swing partner |
| Repeat three more times |
The single file moves reminded me of sweeping to each side.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | 1st person face down, others face up; 1st person pass left shoulder with 2nd person, right shoulder with 3rd person, cast right; 2nd person pass 1st and cast left; 3rd person move up, pass 1st and cast right; all form a line across ordered 1, 2, 3 from the left |
| 5-8 | 3rd person face left, others face right; 3rd person pass left shoulder with 2nd person, right shoulder with 1st person, cast right; 2nd person pass 3rd and cast left; 1st person move right, pass 3rd and cast right; all form a line up and down ordered 3, 2, 1 from the top |
| 9-12 | 1st person face up, others face down; repeat weaves and casts to form a line across ordered 3, 2, 1 from the left |
| 13-16 | 3rd person face right, others face left; repeat weaves and casts to return to original positions |
| 17-20 | 1st and 2nd people left hand turn once around |
| 21-24 | 2nd and 3rd people right hand turn once around |
| 25-26 | 1st and 2nd person left hand turn half-way |
| 27-28 | 1st and 3rd person right hand turn half-way |
| 29-30 | 2nd and 3rd person left hand turn half-way |
| 31-32 | 2nd and 1st person right hand turn half-way |
| Repeat two more times |
Obviously this dance had to be for three people – quite a challenge. The resulting "hey" that changes orientation developed after a few attempts at creating a different movement for three people.
Part of the "Christmas Carols" series.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Advance and retire |
| 5-8 | Turn partner left hand once around, finish men facing out, women in |
| 9-12 | Advance, turn around, and return, men out, women in to start |
| 13-16 | Partners right hand turn 1 1/4 |
| 17-18 | Single file, men anti-clockwise on the inside, women clockwise on the outside, leave partner, pass one, meet the next |
| 19 | Turn that person right hand half-way |
| 20-21 | Single file, men clockwise on the outside, women anti-clockwise on the inside, pass one, meet partner |
| 22 | Turn partner right hand half-way |
| 23-24 | Single file, men anti-clockwise on the inside, women clockwise on the outside, leave partner, pass one, meet the next |
| 25-28 | Swing new partner |
| 29-32 | Promenade and reform the circle |
| Repeat four more times |
It's the Bundanoon Dance Fest's 10th year, so here's a dance to celebrate it. Tin is the traditional gift for a 10th anniversary.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Double hey for four half-way, men passing left shoulders in the centre to start |
| 5-8 | Head couples gypsy once around, while side couples hey for four half-way back to place |
| 9-12 | Left hand turn corner once around |
| 13-16 | Right hand turn partner once around; finish facing centre |
| 17-20 | Heads advance and two-hand turn opposite once around |
| 21-24 | Circles of four half-way at each end, head men lead their circle out on the other side to reform lines of four |
| 25-28 | New circles of four half-way at each end, head women lead their circle out on the other side to reform lines of four |
| 29-32 | Swing partner out to new position (one place clockwise) |
| Repeat three more times |
The circles in the second half reminded me of tops spinning, and the Australian Open tennis tournament was about to start, hence the name.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | In lower promenade hold: two chassés forward and to the right |
| 3-4 | Two chassés forward and to the left |
| 5-8 | Repeat that, finish facing partner, men facing out of the circle, women facing in |
| 9-12 | Right hand turn partner once around |
| 13-16 | Left hand turn partner once around |
| 17-20 | Back-to-back partner by the left shoulder |
| 21-24 | Back-to-back partner by the right shoulder |
| 25-26 | Set to partner |
| 27-28 | Slide right to meet new partner, men on the inside, women on the outside |
| 29-30 | Set to new partner |
| 31-32 | Slide right to meet second new partner |
Rottnest is an island off the coast of Perth, Western Australia. The movements in the dance represent the trip in the ferry out to the island, cycling around the island, exploring the ruins, and meeting the quokkas (kangaroo-like animals).
This dance got a Special Commendation in the Traditional Social Dance Association of Victoria's Dance Composers' Competition in 2014 in the General Social Dance category.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Head men left hand turn once around and keep that hold |
| 5-8 | Head men make an arch with their partner, both facing anti-clockwise; arch over the side couple (who stand still) to their right and turn into place on the opposite side |
| 9-16 | Sides repeat left hand turn and arches to opposite side |
| 17-20 | Sides half hey for four, women passing right shoulder to start; while heads left hand turn once around |
| 21-24 | Heads half hey for four, women passing right shoulder to start; while sides left hand turn once around |
| 25-26 | Men single file anti-clockwise on the outside of the set, while women single file clockwise on the inside, all turn singly to the right at the end |
| 27-28 | All return to original place facing corner |
| 29-32 | Swing corner; ending in man's position with new partner |
Repeat four times to return to original positions.
Written for Wendy Richmond's 50th birthday. The name comes from a line in a song (He Fades Away by Alistair Hulett) referring to autumn leaves – her birthday is in autumn and 50 is her golden anniversary.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | First two and last two trios right hand star for six |
| 5-8 | Return to place with left hand stars |
| 9-32 | 1st trio sheepskin hey around 2nd trio (2nd trio stand still, 1st trio face down and dance in single file around bottom of trio 2 to weave between them - i.e. behind the bottom, in front of the middle, behind the top - as the last person weaving passes the middle they loop around the middle to become the new leader, the lead changes three times and finishes in original order dancing around the bottom person in trio 2, anti-clockwise behind their line and back to original places), while 3rd trio dance the same around 4th trio |
| 33-36 | Left turn neighbour once around |
| 37-40 | Do-si-do neighbour |
| 41-44 | Half hey for four across the lines, middles passing right shoulder with nearest ends |
| 45-48 | Trios 2, 3, and 4 continue into a half hey for three, 3s passing 4s right shoulder to start; while 1st trio star right once around; finishing with trios 2-3-4-1 |
| Repeat three more times |
This dance has lots of follow-the-leader type movements, including a sheepskin hey from English Country dancing.
Trios are numbered from the left (facing the music) 1 through 4.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-3 | Men star left 3/4, while women dance one place clockwise around the outside |
| 4 | Right-hand turn partner half-way |
| 5-7 | Women star left 3/4, while men dance one place clockwise around the outside |
| 8 | Right-hand turn partner half-way |
| 9-11 | Men star left 3/4, while women dance one place clockwise around the outside |
| 12 | Right-hand turn partner half-way |
| 13-15 | Women star left 3/4, while men dance one place clockwise around the outside |
| 16 | Right-hand turn partner back to place |
| 17-18 | Head men right-hand turn 3/4 |
| 19-20 | Head men left-hand turn side men to swap original positions |
| 21-24 | Do-si-do left shoulder with new partner |
| 25-28 | Grand chain half-way, starting right-hand to this partner |
| 29-32 | Swing this partner |
| 33-35 | Mirror image: Women star right 3/4, while men dance one place anti-clockwise around the outside |
| 36 | Left-hand turn partner half-way |
| 37-39 | Men star right 3/4, while women dance one place anti-clockwise around the outside |
| 40 | Left-hand turn partner half-way |
| 41-43 | Women star right 3/4, while men dance one place anti-clockwise around the outside |
| 44 | Left-hand turn partner half-way |
| 45-47 | Men star right 3/4, while women dance one place anti-clockwise around the outside |
| 48 | Left-hand turn partner back to place |
| 49-50 | Head women left-hand turn 3/4 |
| 51-52 | Head women right-hand turn side women to swap original positions |
| 53-56 | Do-si-do right shoulder with new partner |
| 57-60 | Grand chain half-way, starting right-hand to this partner |
| 61-64 | Swing this partner |
| 65-96 | Repeat from progressed positions, men star left first |
| 97-128 | Repeat from progressed positions, women star right first |
The title comes from the Colossal Cave Adventure game and refers to the twisty paths that everyone follows in the dance.
This is an all partners/all positions dance.
If you start each round facing your partner, then you are facing the correct way for the first figure.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-8 | All circle left once around, side-slipping |
| 9-12 | In groups of four at each end, circle left once around, side-slipping |
| 13-16 | Partners turn two-hands once around |
| 17-20 | 1st couple cast to the bottom, other couples step up and make two-handed arches |
| 21-24 | 1st couple lead up under the arches, followed by the other couples as they are passed (4, 3 and 2 in turn) |
| 25-28 | 1st couple cast to the bottom, followed by others (with the result that the 2nd couple basically turn on the spot), finishing 2,3,4,1 |
| 29-32 | All swing partner |
| Repeat three more times |
Undara is situated southwest of Cairns in Queensland and is home to a number of lava tubes, remnants of a large volcano that once dominated the area.
The dancers represent the bubbling lava, which then flows through the tubes (arches) and erupts.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-8 | Grand chain all around the set, starting right hand with your partner (one bar per person) |
| 9-10 | Heads continue past their partner, giving right hands, dancing outside the set to meet their opposite; while sides form arches (two hands) |
| 11-12 | Heads come in through the arches with their opposite and two-hand turn partner half-way back to place |
| 13-14 | Sides pull past their partner, giving right hand, dancing outside the set to meet their opposite; while heads form arches (two hands) |
| 15-16 | Sides, with opposite, come in through the arches and pass through up and down, the couple in 2nd place (facing down) forming an arch and the couple in 3rd place going under it (forming a longways set) |
| 17-24 | Dip and dive (one bar per change), couples facing up start with arches, California twirl when reaching the ends; finishing back in your starting positions |
| 25-32 | Open out to original positions (side couples turning over their right shoulders) and all circle left once around |
| 33-36 | Men right hand star almost once around and return to their partner's current position facing out; women dance outside (clockwise) to the next man's position and face in |
| 37-40 | Women right hand star almost once around and return to their current woman's position facing out; men dance outside (clockwise) to the next man's position and face in |
| 41-42 | Double hey for four half-way, starting with men left star in the centre to the opposite woman's position and give right hand to the opposite woman, who has turned out to her right into the man's position |
| 43-44 | Women left star in the centre to the opposite woman's position; while the men turn out to their right into the man's position |
| 45-48 | Right turn partner once around; keep hold of the right hand for the next grand chain (having progressed one place anti-clockwise) |
Repeat four times, each time with the new tops leading, to return everyone to their original positions.
New South Wales was the next featured state at the National Folk Festival. So I started working on new dances for the dance composer’s competition straight away. This dance won the Dances for More Experienced Dancers section of the
TSDAV Dance Composer's Competition in 2015.
The Jenolan Caves are a series of limestone caves located west of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales (175km west of Sydney). They were discovered in 1838 and are a popular tourist destination.
The movements in the dance represent the long trip out to Jenolan, entering the cave mouth, climbing up and down stairs and through tunnels, to finally arrive at the main cavern and wander around the stalagmites.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | In groups of four on the ends, half rights-and-lefts, starting with partner |
| 5-8 | Couples waltz half-way around neighbours to return to place |
| 9-12 | Same groups of four slow left hand star half-way |
| 13-16 | Couples waltz half-way around neighbours to return to place |
| 17-18 | Balance into rings on each end, but retire to the next position to the right |
| 19-20 | Repeat balance and retire right |
| 21-24 | Couples waltz half-way around neighbours to return to place |
| 25-28 | End couples waltz anti-clockwise to the other end of the set; middle couples waltz in place |
| 29-32 | Couples waltz half-way around new neighbours to progress |
| Repeat three more times |
Iain MacPhail, a long-time member of the Dance Kaleidoscope group, was turning 70 and deserved an appropriate present for that event – what better than his own dance. Being an elegant dancer I felt a waltz would serve to show off his style.
The progression came first, then the insight that the waltz around the neighbouring couple could link each figure.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Swing partner (ballroom hold); finish facing line of dance |
| 5-8 | Promenade around the set (half-ballroom hold); finish facing in |
| 9-10 | Women advance towards the centre, join hands and make arches |
| 11-12 | Women retire, while men advance under the arches, join hands and make their own arches |
| 13-14 | Men retire, while women advance under the arches, join hands and make arches again |
| 15-16 | Women retire, lowering their arms behind the men, who keep hands held, to form a basket |
| 17-20 | All basket left |
| 21-24 | Swing partner; finish facing in |
| 25-26 | Men advance towards the centre, join hands and make arches |
| 27-28 | Men retire, while women advance under the arches, join hands and make their own arches |
| 29-30 | Women retire, while men advance under the arches |
| 31-32 | Men turn to their left and dance out to the next woman (progression) |
The motions of the dancers re-create the flowers of the waratah, the state flower of New South Wales.
This dance won the General Social Dance section of the
TSDAV Dance Composer's Competition in 2015.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-2 | Men left hand star half-way to opposite man's position; women cast clockwise to next woman's position |
| 3-4 | Women right hand star half-way to opposite woman's position; men cast anti-clockwise to next man's position |
| 5-6 | Men left hand star half-way to opposite man's position; women cast clockwise to next woman's position |
| 7-8 | Women right hand star half-way to opposite woman's position; men cast anti-clockwise to next man's position; finishing opposite original place |
| 9-10 | Right hand turn partner half-way |
| 11-12 | Take hands in a wavy circle and balance forward and back |
| 13-14 | Right hand turn partner half-way |
| 15-16 | Take hands in a wavy circle and balance forward and back |
| 17-20 | Keeping right hands joined, women turn and place their left hand on the man's shoulder, star promenade half-way anti-clockwise |
| 21-22 | Women turn out and return to the next man at the same position; men star left 1/4 |
| 23-24 | In half-ballroom hold; star promenade 1/4 |
| 25-32 | Waltz once around the set; men have swapped sides, women have moved one place anti-clockwise from original position |
| Repeat three more times |
For James McMaster and Leanne Barbour's wedding.
| Bars | Figures |
|---|
| 1-4 | Start with heads facing the side couple to their left, sides facing the head couple to their right; in groups of four, star left once around |
| 5-8 | Star right back to place |
| 9-16 | All circle left in a big circle once around, slip step |
| 17-20 | Heads keep inside hands held and arch over side couple to their left (who don't move) to finish in opposite place |
| 21-24 | Sides arch over head couple to their left (who don't move) and finish in opposite place |
| 25-28 | All right hand turn partner once around |
| 29-32 | All half a double reel for four back to place, starting with men left star across the set in the centre as the women turn into the men's vacated positions, then the women left star across the set as the men cast to their right |
| 33-36 | Take hands in a wavy circle, men facing in, women facing out, balance (forward and back) and circulate (men dance straight across the set, passing right shoulders through the centre, women turn right into their partner's place) |
| 37-40 | Take hands in a wavy circle, women facing in, men facing out, balance and circulate (women dance straight across, men turn right) |
| 41-48 | Repeat balance and circulate back to place |
| 49-55 | Head couples in half-ballroom hold, figure of eight around both side couples, starting passing the other head couple by the right shoulder to dance anti-clockwise around the couple on their left |
| 56-58 | Head couples complete their figure of eight passing the other head couple by the left shoulder to dance clockwise around the couple on their right and back to place |
| 59-60 | As the head couples dance behind them to complete their figure of eight, side couples in half-ballroom hold cross as couples, men passing left shoulders, and face out on the opposite side |
| 61-62 | Head men join left hand with nearest side man (on their corner) and the couples turn in a line half-way |
| 63-64 | Couples whirl anti-clockwise to face on the diagonal to start again with new heads and sides – each couple finishes one place clockwise from where they started |
Repeat four times to return to original positions.
Inspired by the second verse of Dorothea Mackeller's poem "My Country".
This dance won the Dances for More Experienced Dancers section of the
TSDAV Dance Composer's Competition in 2016.