Cumberland Contra
Introduction
Author:
John Sweeney
Formation:
Longways duple becket (double progression)
Music:
My Love She's But A Lassie Yet, or other reels jigs or polkas
Choreography
A1
1-8
1s gallop down & back
A2
1-8
2s gallop up & back
B1
1-8
Basket (see Note 6, opening out into a circle at the end)
B2
1-4
Circle left
5-8
Circle right
C1
1-4
Neigbor dosido
5-8
Grand right & left (2 changes around the whole set, neighbor left, next neighbor left. At the end of the set, pull by your partner, no-one is ever out.)
C2
1-4
(Next new neighbors) star right
5-8
Star left
D1
1-8
(This) neighbor balance & swing
D2
1-4
Long lines forward & back with men rolling the ladies a with a half sashay (from right to left)
5-8
1s swing (end facing down in ballroom hold ready to gallop
© John Sweeney
Notes
Notes
1
Based on Cumberland Square Eight, using all the figures in a contra dance
2
The dance is 64-bars.Any reels, jigs or polkas will do, but the dance is intended to give the feel of Cumberland Square Eight. Either play AABBCCDD or play AABB twice for once through the dance. You can hear Ashley Hutchings and friends playing for the original dance on "Kickin' Up the Sawdust".
3
If there is no room at the end of the set for the gallop, turn left and go round the edge of the room (Lady on the outside).
4
To gallop back just turn your heads - don't mess around with arm/body positions
5
Optional Styling: Balance & Swing: Step R, Kick L (hopping on R), Step L, Kick R (Hopping on L), Swing
6
Basket: Get close together; the men put their arms around the ladies' waists and one grips the other's wrists; the ladies put their arms on the nearest shoulders (get them to put them straight up in the air then lower them onto the NEAREST shoulder when teaching). Put your right foot in and everyone does a buzz-step to spin the basket. Baskets only ever go clockwise.
Music
Download
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