One comment was that some mixers don't allow you to meet enough new people.
This is a traditional English dance (I am told) that has been claimed by various other countries. It is easy, fun and only 16 bars, so you dance with twice as many people: La Chappeloise http://www.webfeet.org/eceilidh/dances/la-chapelloise.html And this one has you dancing with FIVE people for each 32 bars: Moving Along by Ray Dawson http://homepage.ntlworld.com/greenery/BarnDances/BigCircles.html I wrote this one where you get to dance with the 2nd and 4th people as you move around the circle. It is for more experienced dancers. Two & Four (by John Sweeney) Circle Mixer A1: Circle Left Into the middle and back with a Neighbour Roll Away with a Half Sashay (Man rolls Lady from Left to Right) A2: Into the middle and back with a Neighbour Roll Away with a Half Sashay (Man rolls next Lady from Left to Right) - face this one: New Partner Allemande Right 1 & 1/2 to Alamo Wave (Men facing out) B1: Balance the Wave (R/L); Rory O'More Balance the Wave (L/R); Rory O'More B1: Swing Through (1/2 Allemande R; 1/2 Allemande L) Swing the Next Or if you want something different, get the band to play something with a Latin feel and try this: Pa' Bailar III (by John Sweeney) Circle Mixer Start in Wide Hold - face to face, both arms stretched out horizontally facing around the circle - men on the inside A1: Tango counter clockwise and back - wide hold: Feet go: Side, Through, Side, Behind, Side, Through, Side, Tap - repeat to return A2: Partner Two-Hand Turn; Partner Dosido B1: Partner Allemande Right 1 & 1/4 to an Alamo Wave - Men facing out, Ladies facing in Balance the Wave L/R/L/R (Left is your New Partner) B2: New Partner: Slide past into a Gyspy Meltown - finish facing around in Wide Hold You may know the move in A1 as a Grapevine or a Columbian or a Zigzag. I encourage improvisation, for example shimmy down and up instead of swinging! This one mentioned earlier I have as Cincinnati Reel: A1: partner (right shoulder) dosido, allemande left the one on the left A2: partner (left shoulder) seesaw, allemande right the one on the right B1: partner balance & swing B2: partner promenade (8 counts); [ladies turn back &] gents move up to next partner See http://homepage.ntlworld.com/greenery/BarnDances/BigCircles.html Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent
