Cheltenham Festival

  Ceilidh Dance for a 48 bar Polka or 48 bar Waltz ,  4 couple square sets
 

Tune(8 bar phrases)	Dance moves
A1 A2	Couples side by side, all holding hands in a circle.  Balance in, balance out.Men pass women in front (facing each other) from right hand to left hand .Var. women turn under the man's arm.  4 times to place.    Var. men 1 small step to right at each pass . At end of last pass men drop left hand ready for next move.
B1 B2	Men in left hand star, women on right holding hands facing same way. Men & women balance in (to star centre), balance out. Men lift right arm.Turn women under, men move forward to next women. 4 times to place
C1	Polka or waltz round set.
C2	Promenade.  Var. promenade with sideways in & sideways out.

This was written in 2002 at a workshop during the Cheltenham Folk Festival (2nd weekend in Feb) as a project to devise an advertising vehicle for the festival and the Fringe festival in July when we have a free ceilidh on the Promenade in the centre of Cheltenham.  Artistically the elements represent the Regency aspect of Cheltenham and the promenade move was too good an opportunity to decline.  If you like the dance please give it to your favourite callers and spread it far & wide. But make sure it's title is right !!!

Opinions varied on it's first outing at the festival.  Everyone agreed it worked, some would have preferred the waltz variation, Dave Hunt advised that not everyone likes (or can) waltz.  There was one nice variation that was tried that is really for the keener folks and probably better in the slower waltz. E.g.

Var.  Move B1 B2 (opp handed). – instead of a left hand star, go into a right hand star, bal in, bal out, women turn under, men move on.  What this produces is a more flowing entry and exit to the move and a progression.  But more confusion.

With thanks to Dave Hunt  (daverhunt@aol.com)  and Chris Beaumont (Cheltenham Ceildh Club 1st Fri St Lukes Church Hall) for their calling expertise and music advice. Oh & all the workshoppees for writing it.  Mr Red ran the workshop.

comments please.