Jerome Grisanti's use of the "hands-across grip in several dances where there is a 'balance the star' move before or after turning the star" immediately brought to mind Michael McKernan's "Daybreak Reel" (which was often called just before breakfast at the dawn dances that used to take place at the beautiful old hall on Number 10 pond in Calais, Vermont).
Daybreak Reel, by Michael McKernan (Duple Improper) A1: Allemand L below 1-1/2; women dosido A2: Men balance, dosido, allemand R 1-1/4 to form wave by joining L hands with partners B1: Balance wave, swing partners B2: Women chain 1/2 to R-hands across star position; turn star 1/2 and look for next neighbor Following David Millstone's suggestion, went to David Smukler's discussion of Dandy's Hornpipe at http://www.davidsmukler.syracusecountrydancers.org/dandies.htm which was so intriguing that it was hard to resist trying yet another tweaked version. This is a totally spur-of-the moment conception with no time spent researching, so if it's already been done, my apologies for reinventing someone else's wheel. Comments and suggestions would be extremely welcome. Handy Dandy (Duple Proper) A1: Long lines forward and back; actives turn by R hand 1/2, allemand L neighbor (till women are facing in again--will be less than a full turn in men's line) A2: Ladies chain over and back B1: Star L; star R with NEXT couple down B2: Actives swing; end facing up and cast off with original neighbor If A1 is too rushed, what about A1: Actives turn by R 1-1/2; allemand L neighbor, etc?
