Lost Dances 1 Instructions

Spring 1 The Path to the Well

A dance for as many couples as will in a single circle, all facing in towards centre of set and taking partners in high promenade hold. Start sequence with either foot and prepare for walking, sliding and balancing.Finish sequence with a new partner, all having progressed 1 place (M cw W acw) around circle. Dance sequence to any 32 bar polka, galop or march.as many times as will.

A1     With 7 steps all promenade in to centre.

         With 7 steps retire out of centre.

A2     With W's back to M and arms held out extended, take 8 slip steps to the left against l.o.d.

         Take 8 slip steps to the right along l.o.d. finishing W releasing partners l.h. and turning over r.sh. to face against l.o.d., 

         r.h. in, r.h. with partner who faces along the l.o.d.

B1     Chain for 4 hands with 4 steps each person starting pulling past partner by r.h. and finishing giving r.h. to 5th person.

B2     Throw l.h. underneath to take cross hand hold and swing, finishing unwinding into high promenade hold facing into centre of circle.

N.B. In B1- dances should be invited to count out loud as they chain 'right hand, 2,3,4, left hand, 2, 3, 4' etc.

Spring 2 Stomping Around

A dance for as many as will, no partner necessary, holding hands in, and facing into the middle of, a single circle. Start sequence with right foot and prepare for walking, running and stomping. Finish sequence taking hands in a circle back in place. Dance sequence to any 3 part 48 bar jig as many times as will, raising knees and hands on C part higher each time.

N.B. This is a very useful easily adapted dance. Depending on circumstances the call is often varied from 'men' and 'women' to 'boys' and 'girls' or 'adults' and 'children' and you don't need equal number of either - whoever is in the minority simply dancing the part here described for men.

Spring 3 Dizzy Mixer

A dance for as many couples as possible, those couples who can taking hands in random circles of 4 with an opposite couple. Start sequence with either foot and prepare for walking and swinging. Finish sequence with new partner, sliding into holding hands with new opposites. Dance sequence to any 32 bar polka, galop or march as many times as will.

A1     Everyone circle left.

         Back-to-back by r.sh. with partner.

A2     Circle left.

         Back-to-back by r.sh. with opposite.

B1     Circle left.

         Swing opposite in ballroom hold.

B2     Promenade in waist-shoulder hold with opposite to find new couple.

N.B. The only thing difficult about this mixer is remembering the repetition. The same simple circling of a ring-of-four takes place three times - though each time leading into and out of a different figure.

Spring 4 Fancy-Free Flirting

A dance for as many couples as will holding hands in a single circle. Start sequence M left foot, W right, and prepare for travelling waltz step. Finish sequence with new partner having progressed 2 places, M to left W to right. Dance sequence to any 32 bar waltz as many times as will.

A1         All circle left with 4 waltz steps.

             Release neighbour's hand, raise arch with partner, and W go acw around in front then behind partner 

             (if M is much taller than his partner he may consider dropping to one knee to enable her to go around more easily).

A2         All circle right.

             Release neighbour's hand, M raises arch with partner and goes cw round in front then behind partner, 

             back into holding hands in circle.

B1         M balance left, W right to face corner, balance other way to face partner, repeat to face corner and repeat to face partner,

             then letting go of partner 2h turn corner 1ý, finishing W rolling out on M's r.h. side and rejoining circle in progressed position.

B2         Repeat above balancing and turning sequence to progress a second time.

N.B. W always roll out of the 2h turns on the natural side, the M's r.h.side. After the first turn they follows the M as he leads her back into a circle to the left, but after the second they let themselves turn away from the M to start the sequence balancing towards the new man on her r.h. side.

Spring 5 Nymphs and Satyrs

A dance for as many as will, no partner necessary, holding hands in a single circle. Start sequence with either foot and prepare for walking. Finish sequence ready to send W in again, having progressed in random fashion. Dance sequence to any 32 bar jigs as many times as will.

A1         W 3 steps in and clap and 3 steps out.

             M 3 steps in and clap then go in any direction to face different W each time.

A2         Each M takes hands with 1, 2 or 3 W (only one M per group) and these small groups circle left.

B1         When facing in toward centre M let go with their l.h. and lead their small circle off to the left into lines facing in, 

             which then join into a large circle continuing left.

B2         Everyone circle back to right with 16 steps.

N.B. This is a very useful easily adapted dance. Depending on circumstances the call is often varied from 'men' and 'women' to 'boys' and 'girls' or 'adults' and 'children' and you don't need equal number of either - whoever is in the minority simply dancing the part here described for men.

Spring 6 The Gates of Terpsichorea

A dance for 6 or 8 couples (6 being easier and 8 a more rewarding challenge) in a longways set, dancers holding hands in own long line facing partner across set. Start sequence with left foot and prepare for walking and sliding. Finish sequence with end couples swapped over in the middle, and others having progressed as a couple towards their end of set. Dance sequence to any 32 bar polka, galop or march 8 times till back in starting place.

A1         All 4 slip steps to own left, then 4 right.

            1st diagonal (top M, bottom W) with 4 sliding steps, r.sh. leading galop past each other face to face, catch 2hs, 

             pull back past same and with 4 sliding steps and l.sh. leading galop to originalplace.

A2         All 4 slip steps to own right and 4 left.

             2nd diagonal (top W, bottom M) with l.sh. leading galop past each other face-to-face, catch 2hs and then pull back 

             and with r.sh. leading and 4 slip steps galop to place.

B1         All turn to face own end-of-set while ends face each other, cross over by r.sh. and lead the next three in line on a caste out    

            down the outside and to middle of set, where 4 leading end people make 4 way arch.

            Others file in side arch to meet partner and lead out under top and bottom arches

B2        Complete leading to progressed position.

            The 4 holding hands in middle circle cw 1/2 way, let go of partners but retain neighbours hand 

            while everyone else 2h turn partner once with 8 steps, so that all finish holding hands on original side in progressed position.

Spring 7 Yarralumla Rumba

A dance for 7 couples in a longways set, holding hands with neighbours and at end of set and facing partner across set. Start sequence with either foot and prepare for walking and slipping. Finish sequence with top couple at bottom of set, others having moved 1 place up. Dance sequence to any 32 bar polka, reel, galop or march 7 times till back in original place.

A1         Everyone circle left with 7 steps.

             Everyone circle right.

A2         Forward with 3 steps and kiss partner then back with 3 steps.

             With 8 steps forward and pass through by r.sh. (don't turn around, finish back to back taking hands again in long line).

B1         Reverse greet with 3 steps and optional (perhaps unavoidable!) bottom bump, and then forward away from partner.

             Reverse with 8 steps passing l.sh. (dropping hands at the last possible moment) to home place.

B2         Top couple galop down set with 8 sliding steps while everyone else claps and takes 8 small steps up.

             Top couple 2h turn cw at bottom of set, finishing retaining M r.h. in W l.h.

Spring 8 The Celtic Spiral

A dance for as many couples as will in a single circle, all facing in towards centre of set and holding hands with neighbours. Start sequence with either foot and prepare for walking and sliding. Finish sequencewith a new partner having progressed 1 place, M cw W acw around set. Dance sequence to any 32 bar polka, reel, galop or march as many times as will.

A1         All in to centre with 7 steps.

             All release partners hand, M turns to W on left, W turns to M on right and take ballroom hold with neighbour and 

             galop out with 8 sliding steps arcing against the l.o.d. and finish with M facing in, W out.

A2         8 galop steps looking forward over shoulder along l.o.d.

             Still in ballroom hold, swing partner, then slide into holding two hands, arms spread out, M facing in, W out.

B1         M back W in towards centre then M take hs with M, W with W.    

             Facing circles 8 slip steps to own left.

B2         Circles 8 slip steps right..

             Taking 2hs with partner, M draws partner out with 4 steps and then twirls her under his raised r.arm so that 

             she progress one place along the l.o.d. and all are back in a single inward facing circle.

Spring 9 Red Rocks Bourrée

A dance for as many couples as will in a single circle, M facing out W in, holding hands with partner and neighbour. Start sequence left foot and prepare for slow lilting step, quick bourrée step and pivot swing. Finish sequence reforming wave with new partner and neighbours, having progressed 1 places, M against W along l.o.d. Dance sequence to any 32 bar bourrée as many times as will.

A1         All balance forward with 1 single lilting step and lift and back with another then balance forward and back again.

             With 4 bourrée steps (12 quick steps) r.h. turn person on right once around to reform wave.

A2         Again balance forward and back twice with simple lilting step.

             L.h. turn person on the left with 4 bourrée steps (12 quick steps) then release this person and reach out 

             with r.h. for person on right.

B1         Putting r.arm around front of new partner's waist and l.h. in the air, swing partner with 4 bourrée steps (12 quick steps).

             W about face and slide into holding inside hs with partner, M on inside of circle, W on outside) 

             lead forward along l.o.d. with 4 slow steps (or 12 quick running steps).

B2         Both about face, change to hold other inside hand and lead back with 4 slow steps (or 12 quick running steps).

             W about face, slide into having l.arm around partner's waist, and swing with 4 bourrée steps (12 quick steps).

Spring 10 The Bridges of Königsberg

A dance for 7 couples side-by-side in line facing up towards music, all holding hands with neighbours. Start sequence with either foot and prepare for brisk walking and sliding. Finish sequence with the leading couple at bottom of set and with a new top couple. Dance sequence to any 32 bar polka, reel, galop or march 7 times till all back in original positions.

A1         Without anyone releasing hands, 1M (at the left hand end of the line) raise his r.h. to turn 1W about over her l.sh. under her own l.arm, and 1st couple lead arch along the line to the other endwhile everyone else moves towards 1st couple and under their arch to invert the line.

A2         At the end of the line, once clear of the other dancers, the 1M steps across in front of partner to face the music while 1W come forward, turns to face him with back to music. As others bunch up.M turn back over their l.sh. under their raised r.h hand (holding partners l.h.) while W continue a little forward to face partners till M are all in line facing music and W in line with backs to music, with Ms r.hs crossed on top of their l.hs. All raise joined hands to form bridge.

B1         1M unravels bridge by leading all back under arch and to original positions in line facing up.

B2         1W takes 8 slip steps to galop to right in front of others to far end of line while 1M takes 8 slip steps to galop in same direction behind others to end of line where he catches the r.h. of the end W in his l.h. at the same moment that he catches the l.h. of his partner in his r.h.

All forward with 3 steps and back.

Spring 11 Lotsi's Spell

A dance for 6 couples in a longways set, facing up towards the music and holding partner's inside hand. Start sequence right foot and prepare for walking and running. Finish sequence with top couple at the bottom of set, others having progressed 1 place up, and a new couple ready to lead dance. Dance sequence to any 32 bar polka, galop, reel or march 6 times to return to original place.

A1         Up and back a double by taking 3 steps forward and lift, 3 steps back and lift.

             2h turn partner cw, separate and fall back into holding hs with neighbours in long side lines.

A2         Forward, kiss partner and retire back.

             2h turn partner cw 11/4 opening out into and take hands in a single line.

B1         1M leads the others cw around to bottom and then back up to where the line started.

B2         1W let go of 2M and 1st couple keeping hold arch down over rest of line to bottom of set, and as they pass, 

             couples break away from line, 2h turn (moving up the set a little) and open out to face up.

N.B. In each sequence there are three 2h turns with partner - the first ending facing each other in two lines, the second ending side-by-side in one line and the third side-by-side in a column facing up- ready to start the dance again.

Spring 12 Opposites Attract

A dance for as many couple as will, M backs to the centre on the inside of a double circle facing out holding r.hs with partner across the l.o.d. facing in. Start sequence with either foot and prepare for walking and swinging. Finish sequence with new partner, W having progressed 1 place forward along l.o.d. Dance sequence to any 32 bar march, jig, polka or reel as many times as will.

A1         R.h. turn partner.

             Back-to-back by the r.sh.

A2         Back-to-back by the l.sh.

             L.h. turn partner.

B1         While keeping l.hs joined, join r.hs over the top, cross hand cw swing with partner

B2         Keeping r.h. in r.h., l.h. in l.h., take over the shoulder hold and promenade. 

             Finish with W moving forward along l.o.d. to M in front, M reaching back to give r.h. to on coming W.

N.B. This mixer could hardly be simpler. Those dancing the men's part need only remember to keep returning to the inside circle and those dancing the women's part to keep returning to the outside.

Spring 13 Dancing in the Meadow

A dance for as many couples as will in a single circle, all facing and holding right hands with partner. 8 couples, however, gives the optimum basketing experience. Start sequence with both feet and prepare for jumping, running and basketing. Finish sequence with new partner having progressed 4 places around the set, M cw W acw. Dance sequence to any 32 bar polka as many times as will.

A1         With first partner jump toward each other, jump away, pull past by r.sh. with 3 steps.

             Give l.h. to next person, jump towards new opposite, away, pull past by l.sh. with 3 steps.

A2         Give r.h. to 3rd person, jump and pull past.

             Give l.h. to 4th person, jump and pull past.

B1         M take 3 steps in toward the centre and clap and as they retire, W take 3 steps in and clap.

             As the W retire, the M go in again and take hands in a circle and the W go in again with their arms held out wide 

             and form a basket with the M by putting their r.arm over and l.arm under their neighbouring men's arms and joining 

             hands with the other W.

B2         All basket to the left for 15 counts then prepare to jump towards the person with whom you were about to give r.hs 

             before being interrupted by the basket figure (i.e. M turn to right, W to left).

Spring 14 The Clap Waltz

A dance for as many couples as will facing along the l.o.d., M on the inside of a double circle, holding inside hands with partner on outside. Start sequence with outside foot, M left foot W right, and prepare for travelling and turn waltzing. Finish sequence reaching out for new partner, W having moved ahead of M around l.o.d. Dance sequence to any 32 bar waltz as many times as will.

A1         8 waltz steps forward, finish turning in to face and taking 2 hs in wide open hold.

A2         2 sliding steps to M's left along l.o.d. and 2 sliding steps back in other direction.

             Repeat.

B1         Retaining 2h open hold, balance away from partner, towards partner, away from partner and clap twice.

             Balance towards partner, away, towards, and clap twice behind partner's back.

B2         Taking ballroom hold, waltz on around l.o.d.

             Letting go of hands, W drift on along the l.o.d while M look back over their r.sh. ready to take inside hands with new partner.

Spring 15 Four Baskets

A dance for 4 couples in waist-shoulder hold with partner, numbered acw in, and facing towards the centre of, a square. Start sequence with either foot and prepare for running, basketing and swinging. Finish sequence with new partner W having progressed 1 place cw around set. Dance sequence to any 32 bar jig 4 times till back with original partner.

A1         Top and bottom couples, 1s and 3s, take waist-shoulder holds and basket to left.

A2         Side couples, 2s and 4s, take waist-shoulder holds and basket to left.

B1         Taking partners with them in waist-shoulder hold, M give l.hs across (in a star) and all wheel with 16 steps.

B2         Everyone link up with waist-shoulder holds and grand basket to the left.

C1         Sliding into holding hands and using slip step, everyone circle right back to place.

C2         Letting go of partner's hand and pulling neighbour into a ballroom hold, swing corner, finish opening out M in original place

             facing in with W on r.side of new partner.

Spring 16 Indoor Games

A dance for as many couples as will in a single circle, all facing partner, M along W against l.o.d., and taking right hands with partner. Start sequence with either foot and prepare for walking and sliding. Finish sequence with new partner, having progressed 1 place around set, M cw W acw. Dance sequence to any 32 bar polka, reel or galop as many times as will.

A1         R.h. turn partner once around.

             L.h. turn same and pull past by l.sh.

A2         With 8 steps and in single file on own track M go acw on outside while W go cw on inside

             Turning in towards opposite line and go single file back in reverse direction reaching out with r.h. to partner and 

             take high promenade hold facing in.

B1         With 7 steps promenade in towards centre (W take hs with W, M with M).

             With 8 slip steps W circle right while M slip circle left.

B2         Reverse direction so W slip circle left while M slip circle right and a little bit more.

             M takes high promenade hold with the W on the right of his previous partner, draws new partner out of the circle 

             with 4 steps then W turns out over r.sh. to face new partner.

Winter 1 The Choreographer's Fancy

A dance for as many pairs of couples in a double circle as will, 1s with M on the inside, 2s with M on the outside, holding crossed hands with partner across the l.o.d. Start sequence with either foot and prepare for walking and swinging. Finish sequence with 2s 8 steps behind 1s and M and W having progressed 4 places left. Dance sequence to any 32 bar polka, reel, jig or march as many times as will.

Winter 2 Rings and Swings

A dance for as many as will in a longways duple improper contra set, 1s facing down holding hands in ring of 4 with 2s facing up. Start sequence with either foot and prepare for walking. Finish sequence backs to old opposites, facing new opposites, having progressed as couples 1 place in original direction, 1s down 2s up set. Dance sequence to any 32 bar reel as many times as will. When dancers get to the end of column they face about as a couple and wait out one turn.

Winter 3 The Quarter-Short Square

A dance for 4 couples in a square set, holding inside hand with partner and facing into centre. Start sequence with left foot and prepare for travelling waltz/ bourrée step. Finish sequence with new top and bottom couples ready to centre 3/4 in the middle. Dance sequence to any 32 bar bourrée 4 times for every couple to have danced from every position. For an extra challenge, then dance another 4 times in the opposite direction - all starting with r.f., making small 3/4 circles acw to the right, pulling past opposite by l.sh., and all finishing circling right to new starting place.

Winter 4 Past, Present and Future

A dance for 3 couples holding hands in as full a circle as possible, numbering cw! Start sequence with either foot and prepare for stately walking. Finish sequence with partner 2/3 of the way cw around set and with couple to left of previous lead couple preparing to lead the round. Dance sequence to any 32 bar reel 9 times. At end of 3rd, 6th and 9th time, towards end of circling, M pass W on left across in front to their r.h.side, so while M progress 2/3 way around set, W only progress 1/3. 9th time ends with original partner.

N.B. All turns and promenades should be as full and as wide as possible and no corners cut.

  Winter 5 Turning the Tables

A dance for 4 couples in a square set, holding inside hands with partner and facing opposite couple. Start sequence with either foot, walking briskly. Finish sequence with partner in place, next couple cw ready to lead towards opposites, new tops. Dance sequence to any 64 bar reel 4 times, all having a turn leading.

Winter 6 Two-to-Twirl

A dance for as many couples as will, M on the inside in high promenade hold with partner and all facing along l.o.d. Start sequence with outside foot, M left W right, and prepare for travelling waltz step. Finish sequence in high promenade hold with partner further around l.o.d. Dance sequence to any 32 bar waltz or bourré as many times as will.

Winter 7 The Loose Cannon Galop

A dance for as many couples as will in ballroom hold around l.o.d., M on inside with backs to the centre facing partner across l.o.d. Start sequence with outside foot, M left W right, and prepare for galop, polka and pivot steps. Finish sequence with M back to centre again, having progress as a couple around l.o.d. Dance sequence to any 32 bar galop as many times as will.

   Winter 8 The Coachman's Puzzle

A dance for 4 couple in longways set, dancers holding hands in a circle and facing across the set. Start sequence with left foot and prepare for travelling waltz step. Finish sequence with end couple swapped over in middle, others having progressed 1 place towards end of set. Dance sequence to any 32 bar waltz 4 times till back in starting place.

N.B. All figures start and finish with M on the M's side and W on the W's side of the set.

Winter 9 A Delightful Play

A dance for 4 couples facing up and holding inside hands with partner in a longways set. Start sequence with right foot and prepare for walking. Finish sequence with top couple at bottom, others up 1 place, and new top couple ready to lead. Dance sequence to any 64 bar reel 4 times to return to original place.

   Winter 10 The Shepherd's Trials

A dance for as many as will in a longways proper triple minor set (or 3 or 4 couple set). Start sequence with either foot and prepare for walking or skipping. Finish sequence 1s 1 place down, 2s and 3s one place up the set. When 1s have only one couple below them they should slip to the bottom to allow the end couple to join in as 3s. When three couples have emerged at the top of set a new number 1 couple can start dancing. Dance sequence to any 32 bar jigs as many times as will.

N.B. As they progress up set 2s and 3s will alternate roles and take turns being the tail end sheep who doubles back in the hey.

Easier version - dance in 3 or 4 couple set and have 1s slip to the bottom after their second turn.

Winter 11 The Knotted Square

A dance for 4 couples in a square set, numbered acw, and facing into the centre. Start sequence M with left foot and W right foot and prepare for travelling and turning waltzing. Finish sequence W having progressed 1 place cw. Dance sequence to any 48 bar waltz or bourrée 4 times to return to first partner.

Winter 12 Reconciliation Reel

A dance for as many as will in a longways duple improper contra set, holding hands with neighbours while facing partner across set. Start sequence either foot and prepare for walking. Finish sequence on original side of the set facing partner, all having progressed 1 place, 1s down set, 2s up set. Dance sequence to any 32 bar reel as many times as will. When dancers get to the end of column they face about as a couple and wait out one turn.

Winter 13 The Tangled Web

A dance for 4 couples, numbered acw around a square and facing in. Start sequence with right foot and prepare for walking, basket and pivot swing. Finish sequence with new partner, W having progressed 1 place cw around set. Dance sequence to any 64 bar reel 4 times to return to original place.

  Winter 14 The Cavalier's Mazurka

A dance for as many couples as will around l.o.d., M on inside facing partner across l.o.d. Start sequence M left foot, W right foot and prepare for various mazurka steps. Finish sequence releasing ballroom hold, having progress as a couple around l.o.d. Dance sequence to any 32 bar mazurka as many times as will.

Winter 15 The Druid's Ring

A dance for 8 couples in a single circle, M facing acw around l.o.d., W cw. Start sequence with right foot and prepare for chassée and walking steps. Dance sequence to 64 bar reel 5 times through till all finish with original partner in original place, M having gone twice acw around circle, W twice cw.Continue thus twice through the first tune till the figure has been danced 8 times and original partners meet 1/2 way around the circle. Then:ontinue thus twice through the second tune till back facing partner in home place. Then:

Continue thus till all have chained quickly around the circle and can take original partner for a dying swing.

Winter 16 The Chess Dance

A dance for 32 dancers, no partner necessary, arranged as on chess board in 2 lines of 8 facing 2 lines of 8. Start sequence on easiest foot, walking and sliding. steps. Finish sequence with pawns progressed 1 place to right and nobles 1 place left within their respective ranks. Dance sequence to slow 24 bar jigs 8 times till back in original place.

N.B. This dance obeys the rules of both chess and country dancing. It opens with the slow advance of the pawns and concludes as a draw with the slow moving King in the company of his Queen still standing. In between, the faster moving rooks move in straight lines, bishops on the diagonal and knights, if danced carefully, in a series of Ls (2-forward, 1-to-the-side-and- close). Dancers aim to finish each sequence in the diagonally opposite place but right at the end usually progress as here described so the nobles all get to dance each other's roles and the pawns, usually children or less experienced dancers, rotate the leadership among themselves. 

Advanced version:

All 32 dancers progress through every position, noble and pawn, on their own side - this requiring twice the normal music - that is 16 x 24bars, dancers No need for a pawn to drop out or rook to travel. To finish, all nobles simply move one place to the left and the left- hand rook steps forward to left most pawn position while all pawns file back on as far as they can go and the last one becomes the right hand rook. Beautifully simple!