The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #126412   Message #2846530
Posted By: Mo the caller
22-Feb-10 - 08:05 AM
Thread Name: Ceilidh calling - the first dance
Subject: RE: Ceilidh calling - the first dance
Ah, with folk dance clubs we are always the same age in relation to the other members (One club we went to said to us 20 yrs ago 'it's nice to see some young ones'. We are pensioners now but still the 'young ones')
I think the Do Paso might not be a beginner figure, and even experience dancers won't all know it from the name so you might need to walk it through (An expert caller with a keen crowd might be able to do it 'on the call' but I don't think I'd try).
The men right hand turn their partner, cross the set and left hand turn opposite lady, cross again and turn partner. Then usually join the other hand making a promenade hold and go round the other couple.

It's a very slick, tight move. The ladies stay where they are and let the men come to them.
The call can be chanted
Turn your Partner with a Righthand Round (4 beats/steps, Capital letters on the beat)
Opposite Lady witha Left hand Round
Back to your Own witha Right hand round
Promenade Go Once Around

I can't quite remember how many bars in total 8 seems to rush the promenade, 16 maybe be too long. If the next move was a swing that would take up the slack.

If you want a really cumulative dance you could start with just a partner, do right and left turns, then promenade and find another couple.

The flutter wheel is another move that some experienced dancers don't know. Can be a bit clumsy at first.
Ladies give right hand and cross to opposite man (like the start of ladies chain BUT) take his RIGHT hand in your left. Let him go ahead to lead you across the set (like a star promenade for only 2 couples). This leaves the ladies where they started, men crossed. Do it again if you want to get back.

When I do scatter mixer dances I tell people that if they can't find a couple then join another ring, or do it with their partner. And I sometimes deliberately increase the size of the circles towards the end. Last time, all in one big circle, circle left and right, in to the middle and out twice, swing partner till the music stops or your partner cries for mercy.