Ants Marching
Duple Improper Contra by: Ron T Blechner
Setup: Neighbors face up and down the set and take right hands.
A1: Bal N1 + Pull by w/R, Pull by N2 w/L (4,2,2) 
      Bal N3 + Box Gnat (4,4) to face home
A2: N3 Pull by w/R, N2 Pull by w/L (2,2) 
      N1 Swing end facing down the hall (12)*
B1: Lines of 4 Down the Hall, Loop Di Doo as you finish (4,4) 
      P S (8) end facing up the hall
B2: Lines of 4 Up the Hall, bend line (8)
      Circle L 3/4 (6) + Pass through (2)
Loop Di Doo: Left-hand Gent 1 lets go, 2s Arch Right to Face Lady 1, Lady 1
ducks under.
The Loop Di Doo is a variation on the MWSD move "Left Hand High Right Hand
Low", but without any dancers turning 180 degrees, and with the added meld into
a swing. It's a variation that I accidentally came across while writing this,
after I challenged myself to write a dance where people went down the hall and
did something more than just turning around somehow. The beauty of the move is
that while partners only get a 8 count swing, they have this lovely connection
that differs as 1s and 2s. Lady 1 ducks through the arch and heads to Gent 1's
side of the set to swing there, as he sees his beloved dive toward him.
Meanwhile 2s, forming that arch, meld into a swing on G2's side of the set in a
smooth motion.
The name? Thanks to Aleksandra Taranov for naming it.
Calling Note: For the B1, I recommend starting on beat 3 of the phrase with
"Centers Arch Lady Dive Partners Swing" with each word on a beat. You'll be
able to drop the call fairly early in the dance because it's the highlight of
the dance, and people will remember it as soon as they start down the hall.
Alternatively, if the walkthrough was really clear, you might just call it
"Arch and dive".
IMPORTANT Teaching Note: When teaching the Loop Di Doo, I recommend: "We're
going to march down the hall but it's NOT what you're expecting. Walk about 4
steps down. Gent 1 on the left drop hands. 2s, in the center, arch your hands
and turn RIGHT toward Lady 1 on the right. Lady 1, you should see your partner
across the set through the arch. Dive under and into his arms for a swing.
Couple 2, you should have the correct hand to pull naturally into a swing on
your side."
It is critical that while teaching it, you emphasize the arch and turn to the
right.
Music note: I recommend reels with a strong beat or marches.
Background: This one was inspired by the VanNorstands pairing Dave Matthews
Band's song "Ants Marching" with a contra, and is designed to go along with the
song. As an impressionable young teenager just learning to really love music,
this was the first song that I really fell in love with the sound of a country
fiddle.
Posted 1 year ago