THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
32 bar reel
Ceilidh - moderately complicated.  Bob Archer.

Seven couples arranged in an elongated square containing one couple at the top,
one at the bottom, two couples on each side and one couple in the middle.

A1 1 - 4 Top 4 men ( this includes the middle man ) right hand star while 
         the bottom 4 ladies ( this includes the middle lady ) right hand star, 
         all change places with partner left hand into ...

   4 - 8 Top 4 ladies ( this includes middle lady ) and 
          bottom 4 men ( includes middle man ) right hand star.

A2 1 - 8 All balance and swing partners

B 1 - 2 Outer six couples face partners, 
        two changes of a grand chain (progress one place ).

 3 - 16 New side fours dance reel of four while ...
  middle couple and top couple do half a ladies chain with an extra half turn
  middle couple and bottom couple do half a ladies chain,
  middle couple and bottom couple do half a right and left through

If there is time at the very end swing or dosido new partner

Repeat six times

Written for the Manchester University Folk Dance Society after we had a run of
meetings with seven couples, this dance is surprisingly tricky despite
containing no obviously difficult moves. If everybody is on the ball the dance
does not quite fill up the music - hence the swing or dosido if there is time.
Alternatively, any spare time can be used for working out whether you are at
the top or bottom of the set, whether you are male or female and therefore
whether you are in the star at the beginning of the next turn of the dance. It
is worth pointing out that the middle couple will be involved in two stars -
one at the bottom and one at the top.

Unfortunately the progression does not quite work; although you get to dance in
every position you do not get to dance with everyone of the opposite sex - any
suggestions as to how to achieve this would be very welcome. The men progress
anti clockwise around the set, taking a detour into the middle position as they
reach the bottom; the ladies progress clockwise, making their detour into the
middle as they reach the top.

Copyright © Bob Archer 1986