Erik Erhardt Contra Dances
The Calamitous Milkcrate Caper
by Erik B. Erhardt
2003.05.27
Improper Contra Dance
[Pulses Call]
A1:
4 Circle Left 1/2
4 Gents Roll Ladies Left into
4 Gents Chain across
4 Ladies Courtesy turn Gents
A2:
4 Circle Right 1/2
4 Ladies Roll Gents Right into
8 Ladies Left shoulder 1/2 Hay
B1:
6 Gypsy Partner 1&1/2 around
2 Gents cross set (by right shoulders) into
8 Swing Neighbor on Ladies' side
B2:
4 Circle Balance
4 Ladies California twirl Gents
8 Actives (Inactives) Swing
while Inactives (Actives) cast alone over outside shoulder
[alternate actives and inactives role in B2
if long sets and very sharp dancers]
Dance Notes:
-
This dance was written with gender role reversal in mind. It's about time the
guys get the dance action! Also, if the gypsy is done meaningfully, it can be
a real tease.
-
It's probably worth a little extra instruction to get the Gents Chain across
correct. Most people only dance one gender role. As such, they have
difficulty when called upon to reverse roles. I suggest two walk-thrus of the
Gents chain across. The first one suggest the traditional courtesy turn with
the right hands on the waist/lower back. The second one suggest an underarm
twirl. This will give the dancers a wider vocabulary of moves.
-
Also, I would suggest that if the man is much taller than the lady, that they
resort to the traditional courtesy turn rather than the underarm twirl to avoid
injury. In this case there is a nice "whip" twirl where, if they take hands in
front for the turn, at the end the lady can whip the guy for an unspotted spin
at the end. More advanced dancers will find this on their own.
Last updated
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