Rhonda's Romance
Introduction
Author:
Michael Barraclough (Sep 2000)
Formation:
Longways duple improper
Music:
32-bar contra reels (smooth)
Published:
Rhonda's Romance (Michael Barraclough)
Choreography
A1
1-8
Neighbor balance, 'wrap' & swing
A2
1-4
Lines forward & back
5-8
Partner do-si-do
B1
1-8
Partner gypsy & swing (in the center of the set, end with the 2s facinbg down and the 1s facing up)
B2
1-4
Circle left
5-6
Balance the ring
7-8
California twirl
© Michael Barraclough, 2016
Notes
Notes
1
This dance needs plenty of space down the line as most of the action takes place across the set. In A1 the balance should be two-handed. For the wrap, still holding both hands, the man raises his left arm and brings the lady round counter-clockwise in front of him until she can go no further. He then lets go with his right hand and continues to twirl her until she is facing him again and his right arm is behind her shoulder blade in ballroom hold for the swing.
2
This was the first contra I ever wrote. Rhonda is Rhonda Hotop, then a gleam in my eye and now my wife. The first performance was at the Chicago Barn Dance Company’s Abbey Pub contra dance on 11 Sep 2000. It was Rhonda’s last visit to the Abbey (where we first met) as she was moving to a new post in Fort Collins, Colorado and I had returned to the UK. I telephoned the instructions to Paul Watkins, who called the dance. Paul Tyler stood in for me and took her to the head of the line. The dance tells a tale - after a brief flirtation with your neighbor you get ever closer to your partner until you melt into each other’s arms and swing. As the dance goes on you are forever tempted but remain steadfast and always return to your own.
Music
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