Keith Wood - My Other Dances

I have written a number of dances over the last few years, in a number of different styles.

Other styles

These dances are in miscellaneous other styles.

BMC/TSDAV winner BMC/TSDAV winner

Christmas carols "Christmas carols" series

Absolute Swedish

Animation Top
1-4Circle left once around
5-6Butterfly whirl in place – 1st man backwards, 1st woman forwards, 2nd man forwards, 2nd woman backwards
7-12Second corners (1st woman and 2nd man) left hand turn once around, then continue anti-clockwise around partner into opposite's place
13-18First corners (1st man and 2nd woman) left hand turn once around, then continue anti-clockwise around partner into opposite's place
19-22Left hand star once around
23-24Keeping 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.

All Around the Town

Animation Top
1-4Head couples cross in and out through the furthest side couple then cast to finish in diagonally opposite place
5-8Head couples turn partner left hand once around
9-12Head couples cross in and out through the furthest side couple then cast to finish in original place
13-16Head couples turn partner left hand once around; finish facing corner
17-20Half reel for four along the sides of the set - head couples end opposite, sides end in partner's place, facing same corner
21-24Half reel for four along the top and bottom of the set - side couples end opposite, heads end in partner's place, facing same corner
25-28Half reel for four along the sides of the set - head couples end opposite, sides end in partner's place, facing same corner
29-32Half reel for four along the top and bottom of the set - side couples end opposite, heads end in partner's place, facing same corner
33-36Right hand turn corner once around
37-40Left hand turn partner once around
41-42Men cast right outside the set to the next man's position clockwise, women dance inside the set to the next woman's position anticlockwise
43-44Men dance straight across the set passing right shoulders in the centre, women cast right to the man's position
45-48Swing 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.

Black Swan Waltz Quadrille TSDAV winner

Animation Top
1-2Right hand turn partner half-way
3-6Left hand turn the next person (your partner's corner's partner) once around
7-8Right hand turn partner half-way
9-10Left hand turn corner half-way
11-14Right hand turn the next person (opposite) once around
15-16Left hand turn corner half-way to finish in original places facing partner
17-18Head couples, taking both hands, slide two steps in
19-20Women swap to the other man and slide two steps out
21-24Head couples waltz inside the set to the opposite side
25-32Side couples repeat: in, women swap, out, and waltz
33-36Men's chain: men left hand star one place and turn right hand once around with the next woman
37-40Men left hand star one place and turn right hand once around with the next woman (their partner)
41-44Face your partner and set, using quadrille setting step
45-48Waltz half-way around the set
49-50Taking hands in the circle, all balance forward and back
51-52With partner turn as a couple to face out
53-54Taking hands in the circle, balance forward and back
55-56Men with the woman on their left turn as a couple to face in
57-58Taking hands in the circle, balance forward and back
59-60Men with the woman on their right turn as a couple to face out
61-62Taking hands in the circle, balance forward and back
63-64Men with the woman on their left turn as a couple to face in, finishing in original places beside your partner
65-128Repeat with sides leading swaps
129-192Repeat with heads leading swaps
193-256Repeat 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.

Butterflies in Clover

Animation Top
1-4Outer four circle right once around
5-8Circle left once around
9-121, 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)
13-162, 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)
17-203, 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)
21-244, 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)
25-281, 2, and 5 right-hand star 1 1/3 to progress and bring 2 into the middle
29-322, 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.

Cape Leeuwin

Animation Top
1-4Taking hands along the lines, balance forward and back, then drop hands and cross over; finish facing in again
5-8Taking hands along the lines, balance forward and back, then drop hands and cross over; finish facing up
9-121st couple lead down the middle, others dance up the outside and follow them down
13-161st couple cast back to the top, followed by the others
17-201st 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
21-24Couples cross again at the bottom of the set to dance up on their own side and return to place
25-321st 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.

Chinook

Animation Top
1-61 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
7-81 and 2, and 3 and 4 balance using right hand
9-121 through 4 chain around the centre person (one bar per change) starting right hand, 1 with 2, 3 with 4
13-161 and 2, and 3 and 4 swing with cross-hand hold, finishing back in place
17-203, 4, and 5 right hand star once around
21-241, 2, and 5 left hand star once around
25-281 and 5 left turn once around
29-311 chains anti-clockwise, starting right hand, changing places with 4, 3, and 2 in turn (one bar per change)
321 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.

Cygnus Waltz

Animation Top
1-2In half-ballroom hold, two waltz steps forward, starting on outside foot
3Turn anti-clockwise as a couple, man moving backwards, woman forwards
4Backwards one waltz step (along line-of-dance)
5-6Turn away from your partner (men left, women right), and come around to face them again while continuing along line-of-dance
7Right hand in right, change places with your partner turning the woman under
8Honour partner
9-12Gypsy partner
13-16Two 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.

Dance the Fishies

Animation Top
1-2Women circle the set clockwise: moving to the left in front of their partner
3-4Then behind the next man
5-6In front of the opposite man
7-8And behind the last man to home
9-10Men left star half-way
11-12Pick up the opposite woman in a half-ballroom hold and drop her off half-way around
13-14Men continue left star half-way
15-16Pick up partner in a half-ballroom hold and return home; finish facing partner
17-23Grand chain; starting right hand with partner, one bar per change
24Men don't pass the last woman, but twirl her back clockwise under the man's left arm into the man's position (the progression)
25-32Waltz around the set
33-34Men circle the set anti-clockwise: moving to the right in front of their partner
35-36Then behind the next woman
37-38In front of the opposite woman
39-40And behind the last woman to home
41-42Women right star half-way
43-44Pick up the opposite man in a half-ballroom hold and drop him off half-way around
45-46Women continue right star half-way
47-48Pick up partner in a half-ballroom hold and return home; finish facing partner
49-55Grand chain; starting right hand with partner, one bar per change
56Men don't pass the last woman, but twirl her back into the man's position (the progression)
57-64Waltz around the set
65-96Repeat from new positions - starting with women circling left, then men star left
97-128Repeat 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.

Diamond Knot

Animation Top
1-4Women star right past their partner and turn the next man left hand half-way
5-8Women dance anti-clockwise around the outside of the set to home, past their partner, to meet their corner; men return to place
9-10Grand square on the diamond: head men lead in with their corners, while side men and their corners face each other and back away
11-12Head men back out with opposite side woman away from their corner, side men advance towards opposite head woman
13-14Side men lead in with their opposite, head men and their opposites face each other and back away
15-16Side men back out with corner, head men advance towards corner; finish in original positions
17-20Men star left past their partner and turn the next woman right hand half-way
21-24Men dance clockwise around the outside of the set, past their partner, to home; women return to place
25-28All take hands in a circle, advance and retire
29-32Heads with sides on their left, half rights-and-lefts
33-64Repeat from progressed positions; at the end heads dance rights-and-lefts with sides on their right
65-96Repeat from progressed positions; heads dance rights-and-lefts with sides on their left
97-128Repeat 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.

Don's Party

Animation Top
1-4Men star left once around
5-8Women star right once around
9-12Two-hand turn partner once around, the sides moving in as they do to form a longways set; sides finish facing opposite
13-16Middle four, chain around starting right hand with opposite, one bar per change, finishing with opposite facing ends
17-19Dip-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
20-21Heads, 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)
22-24Sides, 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)
25-28Head positions half rights-and-lefts starting with new partner, side positions gypsy new partner once around
29-32Swing partner; men have progressed one place anti-clockwise, women one place clockwise
Repeat three more timess

For Don Richmond's 60th birthday.

EnchaNTmeNT

Animation Top
1-4All circle left half-way
5-8Cast off in lines on the side, led by 1st and 4th women, to invert the lines, finishing in partner's original position
9-10Set, moving forward, to form a wavy line down the middle of the set, right hand to partner, left to (same-sex) neighbour
11-12Balance the wave, forward and back
13-14Dance forward to original place and turn to face partner
15-16Set along the side lines, right and left, finish with 4th couple facing up, other three couples facing down
17-20Mirror 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
21-244th couple, at the top, lead down the middle followed by the others up the outside and then down to return to original positions
25-26Grand 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
27-28Pass opposite left shoulder, and continue on to form lines up and down the set facing partner
29-30Pass partner right shoulder, and continue on to form lines across the set facing opposite
31-32Pass opposite left shoulder, and continue on back to original positions
33-36In groups of four at each end, set forward to the centre of the group and retire, turning once clockwise
37-40In those same groups, circle left once around, finish facing the other couple
41-43All 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
44-461st and 4th couples circle left 3/4
47-481st 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.

Escher's Staircase

Animation Top
1-4Groups of four in each corner: Star left once around
5-6Star right half-way
7-8Middle four (in columns up and down the set) star left half-way; while ends (top and bottom) turn out to the left
9-12Groups of four in each corner: half rights-and-lefts starting with neighbour up or down the set
13-14Cross with neighbour giving right hand
15-16Those not on the major diagonals (i.e. not on the lines from one corner to the opposite corner of the whole square): left hand turn half-way
17-20(The orientation of the set now changes to four columns of two couples facing neighbours across the set) Groups of four in each corner: Star left once aroundd
21-22Star right half-way
23-24Middle four (in rows across the set) star left half-way to face ends; while ends (on the sides of the set) turn out to the left
25-32Hey for four across the set, passing neighbour by the right to start
33-48Repeat from progressed positions in new orientation (facing across the set)
49-64(The orientation of the set now changes to four rows of two couples facing up or down the set)
65-80Repeat from progressed positions in new orientation (facing up or down the set)
81-96(The orientation of the set now changes to four columns of two couples facing across the set)
97-112Repeat from progressed positions in new orientation (facing across the set)
113-128(The orientation of the set now changes to four rows of two couples facing up or down the set)

I pictured a dance in Dutch Crossing formation where the couples progress around the square like it was a Sicilian circle. This is the result. The name comes from an M.C. Escher print "Ascending and Descending" – a never-ending flight of stairs.

Eureka TSDAV winner

Animation Top
1-4Cloverleaf 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
5-8Middle 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)
9-12Middle couple continue half heys with heads
13-16Middle couple continue half heys with sides; finishing with middle couple in the centre, man near the top, woman near the bottom
17-20Stars: 1st couple and 5th man, 3rd couple and 5th woman star right once around
21-244th 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
25-283rd couple and 5th man, 1st couple and 5th woman star right once around
29-322nd 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
33-36Circular strip-the-willow: middles right hand turn 3/4, then left hand turn - 5th man with 1st woman, 5th woman with 3rd man
37-48Continue strip-the-willow,middles moving anti-clockwise around the set (5th man with 4th woman, 5th woman with 2nd man)
49-52All gypsy partner
53-56All swing partner
57-60Outer couples in a circle advance and retire, while moving one place clockwise; middle couple continues swinging
61-644th 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.

Four Seasons

Animation Top
1-2Pass neighbour by the right shoulder onto next neighbours
3-4Right hand turn half-way with that neighbour to face back the way you came
5-6Pass that neighbour by the right shoulder back to original neighbour
7-8With 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
9-16Reel for four passing neighbour right shoulder to start
17-24With 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
25-28Star right once around
29-32Star 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.

The Golden Age

Animation Top
1-2Women star left half-way
3-6Women with opposite corner, right hand in right, lead out, turn and come back
7-8Right hand turn corner half-way
9-10Men star left half-way
11-14Men with original corner, right hand in right, lead out, turn and come back
15-16Right hand turn corner half-way
17-18Women star right half-way to original position, men cast left into next man's position
19-24Swing new partner (original corner)
25-28Star promenade three places; women have progressed one place clockwise, men swap sides
29-32Whirl as a couple, man backwards, woman forwards
Repeat three more times

For Lisa Simon's 50th birthday.

Green Apple Quickstep TSDAV winner

Animation Top
1-2Holding inside hand with partner, starting on outside foot, three steps foward and tap inside foot
3-4Partners roll across, man turning clockwise behind the woman, who turns anti-clockwise, three steps and tap inside foot
5-6Holding inside hands, starting on inside foot, three steps forward and tap outside foot
7-8Turn 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
9-10Along line-of-dance, step forward on leading foot, step through with trailing foot, and chassé sideways
11-12Against line-of-dance, step forward on leading foot, step through with trailing foot, and chassé sideways; finish in ballroom hold
13-16Two 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.

Harbour Bridge Quadrille BMC winner

Animation Top
1-4All with partners in ballroom hold: gallop into the centre and out
5-8Gallop 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
9-12Grand chain half-way, starting left hand with partner, one bar per change
13-16Left hand turn partner once around
17-18Heads push-off hey: women cross passing right shoulder
19-20Men push off
21-22Women push off
23-24Men cross passing right shoulder
25-26Sides push-off hey: women cross passing right shoulder
27-28Men push off
29-30Women push off
31-32Men cross passing right shoulder
33-40All: ladies chain across and back – right star in the centre, turn men left hand only, not a courtesy turn
41-44Grand chain half-way, starting left hand with partner
45-48Left hand turn partner once around
49-52Heads 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
53-60Couple 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
61-64Head couples complete the hey for four, starting with women passing right shoulder
65-128Repeat with 2nd couple leading – sides push-off hey first, sides form the bridge, 3rd couple cast around the bridge to start
129-192Repeat with 3rd couple leading – heads push-off hey first, heads form the bridge, 4th couple cast around the bridge to start
193-256Repeat 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.

Hexed

Animation Top
1-2Odd numbered couples left hand star, holding hands only with the one directly opposite
3-4While 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
5-8Odd couples (men and their opposites) polka around anti-clockwise back to the man's home position
9-16Even numbered couples repeat
17-20Odd couples face current partner and pass by left shoulder to dance to the next odd position around the circle, men outside, women inside
21-24Even couples repeat
25-28All grand chain, four changes, one bar per change, starting right hand with current partner
29-32All swing new partner – the women return to their starting positions each time but the men move on one odd/even place clockwise
33-64Repeat two more times

I wanted to write a dance for six couples. The partner swapping movement comes from The Borrowdale Exchange.

Hibiscus Honey

Animation Top
1-85th 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
9-12Sides 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
13-16Sides circle left in fours at each end; while the 5th couple continues clockwise half-way around the set
17-20All swing partner
21-245th couple keep swinging, finish facing up and left; sides promenade across the set and face in
25-28Dip 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
29-323rd 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.

Jingle

Animation Top
1-2Starting in ballroom hold, top couples gallop across (men passing back-to-back), while side couples turn half-way (two polka steps)
3-4All couples balance in and out (pointing out)
5-6All couples gallop to next position anti-clockwise (women with their backs to the centre)
7-8All couples balance in and out (pointing in)
9-16Repeat all that with new top and side couples; finishing in original positions
17-18With partner, clap three times right, three times left
19-22Turn partner right arm once around
23-24Walk past partner by the right shoulder to face next person on the diagonal
25-26With that person, clap three times right, three times left
27-30Turn that person right arm once around
31-32Women 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.

Kaleidoscope Quadrille

Animation Top
1-4Men dance around their partners (clockwise), passing in front to start
5-8Women dance around their partners (anti-clockwise), passing in front to start
9-12Weave: 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
13-161st and 3rd couples repeat the weave through the couple now on their left to return home
17-202nd and 4th couples now weave, starting with the couple on their left
21-242nd and 4th couples complete the weave to return home
25-28Turn your corner by the right once around
29-32Back-to-back partner by the left shoulder
33-36Turn your partner by the left once around
37-40Swing corner, finishing in top/bottom lines
41-42Lines advance and pass through
43-44With 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
45-56Repeat advance, pass through, and turn three more times to return home
57-58Lines advance
59-64Swing partner to home
65-128Repeat with the sides leading the weave and forming side lines initially
129-192Repeat with the tops leading the weave and forming top/bottom lines initially
193-256Repeat 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

Matilda

Animation Top
1-2Couples join inner hands, face line of dance, starting on outside feet, walk forward three steps and kick
3-4Walk back three steps and face partner
5-6Set to your partner
7-8Clap hands with partner: right hand, left hand, both hands
9-12Gypsy partner by the right shoulder once around
13-16Left hand turn partner once around
17-20Two-hand turn partner once around
21-24Back-to-back partner by the left shoulder, finish slightly to the right
25-28Back-to-back neighbour (to the right) by the right shoulder, and finish facing them (progression)
29-32Two 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.

Monkey Mia Dolphins TSDAV winner

Animation Top
1-4Men dance clockwise around their partner and back to place, finish facing out
5-8Women dance anti-clockwise around their partner and back to place, finish facing out
9-121st couple gatepost turn 2nd couple back to place; 3rd and 4th couples the same
13-163rd couple gatepost turn 2nd couple back, finishing with 2nd couple in the centre, woman leading the man; 5th and 4th couples the same
17-202nd couple half dolphin reel with 1st woman and 3rd man, 4th couple the same with 3rd woman and 5th man
21-242nd couple half dolphin reel with 1st man and 5th man, 4th couple the same with 1st woman and 5th woman
25-282nd couple half dolphin reel with 5th woman and 3rd man, 4th couple the same with 3rd woman and 1st man
29-322nd couple half dolphin reel with 3rd woman and 5th man, 4th couple the same with 1st woman and 3rd man
33-362nd and 4th couple swing partner, finish facing up; others dance two places clockwise, to return to original positions
37-401st and 2nd couples and 3rd and 4th couples circle left once around
41-441st through 4th couples half hey for four along their lines, starting right shoulder
45-48All 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.

Monkey's Fist

Animation Top
1-2Heads pass through by the right shoulder
3-4Heads cast away from their partner to meet their opposite on the side, while the sides circle left 1/4 into the head positions
5-8Sides repeat the pass through and cast from head positions, finishing with women back in original positions, but men on the opposite side
9-12Sides advance towards partner, cross out between the heads (who separate), and cast (men right and women left) to finish on the opposite side
13-16Heads repeat the cross and cast
17-20Grand chain half-way, one bar per change, starting right hand with current partner
21-24Do-si-do current partner
25-26All cast over your left shoulder around your corner to meet your original partner in progressed position (one place clockwise)
27-32Swing 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.

Murray River Reel

Animation Top
1-81st 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
9-121st woman right hand turn 4th man 1 1/2, 1st man the same with 4th woman
13-161st woman left hand turn 3rd man 1 1/2, 1st man the same with 3rd woman
17-201st woman right hand turn 2nd man 1 1/2, 1st man the same with 2nd woman
21-241st couple left hand turn 1 1/4; finish facing down in the centre of the set, man behind his partner
25-321st 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.

One Couple Short

Animation Top
1-4Head couple lead down the centre of the set, cast back individually and come in between the side couples
5-8Head couple right turn once around
9-12Heads separate and left hand star for three with their respective side couples
13-16Head couple right hand turn once around back to place
17-20All gypsy partner once around
21-24Heads separate to half reel for three with their respective sides, sides starting passing right shoulder
25-28Those in top position left turn once around, while those now on the sides half rights-and-lefts starting across the set
29-32Ladies 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.

The Pumpkin Carriage

Animation Top
1-4All circle right
5-8All circle left
9-101st and 2nd couples star right half-way
11-121st and 3rd couples star left half-way
13-141st and 4th couples star right half-way
15-16All set
17-24Hey for four along each side
25-28In groups of four, circle left
29-32In 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.

Rainbow Reel

Animation Top
1-4At 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
5-8At 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
9-12Gypsy right the one you meet
13-16Swing current partner
17-18Grand chain two places, one bar per change; middles do-si-do
19-20Swing original partner; middles complete do-si-do
21-24Middles two-hand turn once around
25-28On 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
29-32On 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.

Roni's Reverie

Animation Top
1-2In 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)
3-4The man rolls back in front of his partner as she slides right, and both flourish back home
5-6Starting on the outside foot, two waltz steps forward
7-8Turn away from your partner while continuing forward (man anti-clockwise, woman clockwise), finish facing partner
9-10Cross-hand hold, rights on top of lefts, two slides along line-of-dance
11-12The man takes two slides along line-of-dance, while turning his partner clockwise once around under his raised hands
13-16Two waltz turns and open out to start again

For Roni Giacobetti’s 60th birthday.

The Roundabout

Animation Top
1-4Gypsy partner left shoulder; finish facing away from them
5-8Grand chain past four people (one bar per person), starting right hand, to meet your partner again
9-12Turn partner right hand 1 1/2; finish facing away from your partner
13-16Single file (men outside clockwise, women inside anti-clockwise) back to partner; face in with woman on the man's left
17-20Advance into the centre and retire
21-24Swing partner; finishing with men on the inside, women on the outside, except for 1st couple who finish with man on the outside
25-261st couple dip-and-dive around the set, starting by arching over 2nd couple (two bars per change)
27-281st couple dive under 3rd couple's arch
29-301st couple arch over 4th couple
31-321st 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.

Rubigold

Animation Top
1-4Side 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
5-8Side 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
9-12Sides hey for four along their lines, starting right shoulder with partner; heads cast back to the top (finishing on their partner’s side)
13-16Heads right hand turn 1 1/2, sides complete their heys
17-22Grand chain six places (one bar per change) starting right hand with partner (12 beats)
23-24Take 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)
25-32Balance 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.

Septenary

Animation Top
1-21st 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
3-41st 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
5-8Repeat arches and turns to return home
9-12Take hands in a circle and circle left
13-16Left hand star to return to place
17-241st 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)
25-26Take hands in the circle and balance the ring
27-28Turn single right half-way
29-30Take hands again and balance the ring outwards
31-32Turn 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.

Social Circuit

Animation Top
1-4Right hand turn with partner once around
5-8Left hand turn with corner once around
9-10Men 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
11-12Set to new partner
13-14Women 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
15-16Set to new partner
17-18Men left star half-way across the set, while women move one place clockwise around the outside of the set
19-20Set to new partner
21-22Women right star half-way across the set, while men move one place anti-clockwise around the outside of the set
23-24Set to new partner (this should be your original partner but on the opposite side of the set)
25-26Men move one position anti-clockwise inside the set
27-32Take 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.

Staircase to the Moon

Animation Top
1-4Grand 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
5-8Grand chain four places back to position, starting left hand
9-10Top three couples set to partner
11-12Bottom three couples set to partner
13-161st and 2nd couples circle left once around; while others back-to-back with partner
17-181st 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)
19-223rd 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
23-24As 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
25-283rd couple cast to the top followed by the others to invert the whole set (finishing 3, 4, 5, 1, 2)
29-32All 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. See https://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Things_to_See_and_Do/Natures_Calendar/Pages/Staircase_to_the_Moon.aspx. 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.

Sturt's Desert Pea

Animation Top
1-4End trios lead out from the set and turn singly; while the middle trios together circle left
5-8End trios return to the set; middle trios circle right
9-12At each end right hand star for six
13-16Left 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
17-20Lines of three advance, turn singly, and return
21-24Right turn neighbour 1 1/2
25-28Trio 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
29-32Each 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.

Sturt's Desert Rose

Animation Top
1-4Right hand turn partner once around
5-8Left hand turn corner once around
9-12Gypsy partner once around
13-16Swing partner, finish facing anti-clockwise in half-ballroom hold
17-20Grand cross anti-clockwise, then turn as a couple (anti-clockwise) to bring the women into the centre
21-24Grand cross clockwise
25-28Turn 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
29-32Circle 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.

Sundowner

Animation Top
1-4Side couples right hand star once around at each end; 1st couple crosses, passing right shoulder, and casts to between the two stars
5-8Left hand stars for five, 1st man joining the top following 2nd man, 1st woman joining the bottom following 4th man
9-121st couple pass each other right shoulder through the middle and cast back to the top; sides circle right once around
13-161st couple swing open-handed; sides circle left once around
17-18All circle left for four steps (4 beats)
19-20Men roll the woman on their left across in front and onto their right (4 beats)
21-24All circle right for eight steps (men progressing one place, women progressing two)
25-32All 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.

Three Kings

Animation Top
1-41st 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
5-83rd 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
9-121st person face up, others face down; repeat weaves and casts to form a line across ordered 3, 2, 1 from the left
13-163rd person face right, others face left; repeat weaves and casts to return to original positions
17-201st and 2nd people left hand turn once around
21-242nd and 3rd people right hand turn once around
25-261st and 2nd person left hand turn half-way
27-281st and 3rd person right hand turn half-way
29-302nd and 3rd person left hand turn half-way
31-322nd 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.

Tin Star

Animation Top
1-4Advance and retire
5-8Turn partner left hand once around, finish men facing out, women in
9-12Advance, turn around, and return, men out, women in to start
13-16Partners right hand turn 1 1/4
17-18Single file, men anti-clockwise on the inside, women clockwise on the outside, leave partner, pass one, meet the next
19Turn that person right hand half-way
20-21Single file, men clockwise on the outside, women anti-clockwise on the inside, pass one, meet partner
22Turn partner right hand half-way
23-24Single file, men anti-clockwise on the inside, women clockwise on the outside, leave partner, pass one, meet the next
25-28Swing new partner
29-32Promenade 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.

Trip to Rottnest

Animation Top
1-2In lower promenade hold: two chassés forward and to the right
3-4Two chassés forward and to the left
5-8Repeat that, finish facing partner, men facing out of the circle, women facing in
9-12Right hand turn partner once around
13-16Left hand turn partner once around
17-20Back-to-back partner by the left shoulder
21-24Back-to-back partner by the right shoulder
25-26Set to partner
27-28Slide right to meet new partner, men on the inside, women on the outside
29-30Set to new partner
31-32Slide 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.

Turning Gold Against the Grey

Animation Top
1-4Head men left hand turn once around and keep that hold
5-8Head 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
9-16Sides repeat left hand turn and arches to opposite side
17-20Sides half hey for four, women passing right shoulder to start; while heads left hand turn once around
21-24Heads half hey for four, women passing right shoulder to start; while sides left hand turn once around
25-26Men 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
27-28All return to original place facing corner
29-32Swing 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.

Visiting Jenolan TSDAV winner

Animation Top
1-8Grand chain all around the set, starting right hand with your partner (one bar per person)
9-10Heads continue past their partner, giving right hands, dancing outside the set to meet their opposite; while sides form arches (two hands)
11-12Heads come in through the arches with their opposite and two-hand turn partner half-way back to place
13-14Sides pull past their partner, giving right hand, dancing outside the set to meet their opposite; while heads form arches (two hands)
15-16Sides, 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)
17-24Dip and dive (one bar per change), couples facing up start with arches, California twirl when reaching the ends; finishing back in your starting positions
25-32Open out to original positions (side couples turning over their right shoulders) and all circle left once around
33-36Men 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
37-40Women 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
41-42Double 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
43-44Women left star in the centre to the opposite woman's position; while the men turn out to their right into the man's position
45-48Right 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.

Waltz MacPhail

Animation Top
1-4In groups of four on the ends, half rights-and-lefts, starting with partner
5-8Couples waltz half-way around neighbours to return to place
9-12Same groups of four slow left hand star half-way
13-16Couples waltz half-way around neighbours to return to place
17-18Balance into rings on each end, but retire to the next position to the right
19-20Repeat balance and retire right
21-24Couples waltz half-way around neighbours to return to place
25-28End couples waltz anti-clockwise to the other end of the set; middle couples waltz in place
29-32Couples 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.

The Waratah TSDAV winner

Animation Top
1-4Swing partner (ballroom hold); finish facing line of dance
5-8Promenade around the set (half-ballroom hold); finish facing in
9-10Women advance towards the centre, join hands and make arches
11-12Women retire, while men advance under the arches, join hands and make their own arches
13-14Men retire, while women advance under the arches, join hands and make arches again
15-16Women retire, lowering their arms behind the men, who keep hands held, to form a basket
17-20All basket left
21-24Swing partner; finish facing in
25-26Men advance towards the centre, join hands and make arches
27-28Men retire, while women advance under the arches, join hands and make their own arches
29-30Women retire, while men advance under the arches
31-32Men 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.

Wedding Bouquet

Animation Top
1-2Men left hand star half-way to opposite man's position; women cast clockwise to next woman's position
3-4Women right hand star half-way to opposite woman's position; men cast anti-clockwise to next man's position
5-6Men left hand star half-way to opposite man's position; women cast clockwise to next woman's position
7-8Women right hand star half-way to opposite woman's position; men cast anti-clockwise to next man's position; finishing opposite original place
9-10Right hand turn partner half-way
11-12Take hands in a wavy circle and balance forward and back
13-14Right hand turn partner half-way
15-16Take hands in a wavy circle and balance forward and back
17-20Keeping right hands joined, women turn and place their left hand on the man's shoulder, star promenade half-way anti-clockwise
21-22Women turn out and return to the next man at the same position; men star left 1/4
23-24In half-ballroom hold; star promenade 1/4
25-32Waltz 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.

The Wide Brown Land TSDAV winner

Animation Top
1-4Start 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
5-8Star right back to place
9-16All circle left in a big circle once around, slip step
17-20Heads keep inside hands held and arch over side couple to their left (who don't move) to finish in opposite place
21-24Sides arch over head couple to their left (who don't move) and finish in opposite place
25-28All right hand turn partner once around
29-32All 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
33-36Take 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)
37-40Take hands in a wavy circle, women facing in, men facing out, balance and circulate (women dance straight across, men turn right)
41-48Repeat balance and circulate back to place
49-55Head 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
56-58Head 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
59-60As 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
61-62Head men join left hand with nearest side man (on their corner) and the couples turn in a line half-way
63-64Couples 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.