To Move or Not to Move

Source: Composed by John Sweeney
Formation: Contra; Becket

	Version 1
A1	Right & Left Through Right & Left Through back - finish with the Man sliding his left hand to the lady's left wrist
A2	Wrist-Lock Star Left Handshake Star Right - Men Drop Out
B1	Ladies' Chain to Neighbour Ladies' Chain back to Partner
B2	Long Lines Go Forward & Back Long Lines Forward & Back with a Slice to the next couple, or a Double Slice to the following couple

	Version 2
A1	On the Left Diagonal: Right & Left Through Right & Left Through straight across to New Neighbours - finish with the Man sliding his left hand to the lady's left wrist
A2	Wrist-Lock Star Left Handshake Star Right - Men Drop Out
B1	Ladies' Chain to Neighbour Ladies' Chain back to Partner
B2	Partner Balance & Swing

Music:
32 bar jigs or reels.

Notes:
This was intended as a teaching dance for the Right & Left Through, where the men move from their side to the other side, in contrast to the Ladies' Chain where they stay on their own side.

It also contrasts the two types of Star. The wrist-lock flows smoothly and naturally out of the end of the Courtesy Turn; whereas the Hands-Across Star is much better when the men need to drop out while the ladies stay in and keep turning.

If you want to keep the dance simple then you can change A2 to "Circle Left; Circle Right".

The first part of B2 was originally a "Circle Left and Fall Back into Long Lines", but I work with some non-zesty groups who have trouble getting all the way around a circle in eight steps, yes, sad, I know!

If you have an even number of couples then you can make the dance a double progression with a Double Slice: Slice forwards diagonally to New Neighbours, then fall back diagonally to face Next New Neighbours. The end couples need to switch to the other side immediately.

If you want a Swing then Version 2 makes a slightly more interesting dance, with the extra challenge for beginners of doing one Right & Left Through on the diagonal, then lining themselves up properly with New Neighbours for the second one.

Back to Dance Index

I'd love to hear from you if you try this dance.

Feedback is very welcome on any aspect of these dances or Web pages.

Please contact John Sweeney with your comments.