Hi Everyone,
I'd like your advice on the timing and teaching of "flutter wheel
with a butterfly whirl."
Lots of dances use the following in a 16 beat section:
Gents Allemand Left 1 1/2, scoop up Partner star Promenade, Butterfly whirl
or
Ladies Allemand Right 1 1/2 scoop up Neighbor for star Promenade 1/2, Butterfly
whirl
In Butterflies by Cary Ravitz, A2 is
A2 Men allemand left 1/2 . Men keep left hands, pick up your partner, star
promenade across, and butterfly whirl 1/2 to put the ladies in the middle.
Ladies allemand right 1/2 Ladies keep right hands, pick up your
neighbor, star promenade across, and butterfly whirl 1/2 (men go forward, ladies
go backward) to put the men in the middle
so allemande left 1/2, star promenade, butterfly whirl is done in a 8 beat
phrase.
However in American Gothic by Nathaniel Jack which starts
A1 (around Neighbor) Mad Robin Ladies Allemand Left 1 1/2 (Scoop up
Partner)
A2 Star Promenade 1/2 (Ladies in the center) w/ whirl Gents start 1/2 hey
by Right
Allemand Left 1 1/2 is done in a 8 beat phrase, and star promenade, butterfly
whirl is done in a 8 beat phrase.
I tried this dance earlier this year with experienced contra dancers and
many were having trouble
getting through A2 in time.
A1 Circle Left 3/4, Partner Swing
A2 Promenade across, Ladies Allemand Right 1/2, scoop up Neighbor for star
promenade 1/2, butterfly whirl
B1 Pass Thru across (right shoulder), Neighbor Swing (face down four in
line)
B2 down the hall four in line, Turn alone, come back four in line, 2's in the
middle make an arch and pop the 1's Thru to the next couple.
How do you help people with the timing? I've tried to suggest that those getting
scooped up need to be ready.
Thanks.
Cheers, Bill
PS - in MWSD, right hand dancer allemand right 1/2, pick up person across,
star promenade back, is called Flutter Wheel
and left hand dancer allemand left 1/2 , pick up person across, star promenade
back is called Reverse Flutter Wheel. Both are
meant to take 8 beats. I have square dancers in my regular contra group and need
to get them used to
contra dance timing.
