Billy wrote:
> I was just talking to another contra dancer from Palisade, Colorado, who
described a shocking experience while dancing.  During a circle mixer while
everyone's hands were joined, an electric jolt went through the group.  He
described it as an "intense shock" that went through his back and arms.
The floor was wood, and had been recently varnished.
> 
> Has anyone heard of anything like this happening?  Hope this is not too
off-topic, I just found it fascinating!

   Yes.  Especially during the winter when the air is very dry.  A 
couple of years ago at Terpsichore's Holiday in West Virginia this was a 
big issue with a lot of static electricity causing shocks.  Andrew Stout 
wrote a dance to commemorate/take advantage of this called "Electric 
Swing".  [I suggested he should call it "So Many Dynamos." ;-) ]

    I don't think he would mind sharing it so here are the figures. 
Notice there is no contact until you swing your partner.  This is 
intended to allow plenty of time and movement for everyone to build up a 
charge and then everyone gets zapped when they swing their partners ;-)

Electric Swing
Andrew Stout
duple improper

1-2 Neighbors gypsy and swing
3-4 Hey for 4 (gents start passing left shoulder, ladies only go 3/4 of 
the way)
5 - Ladies gypsy left shoulder 1 1/2 while gents orbit half way CW 
(ladies start the gypsy when they meet for the 2nd time in the hey)
6 - Swing partners (on the ladies' original side)
7 - Ladies do-si-do in the center
8 - Gents do-si-do 1 1/2 in the center to progress

Jonathan
-----
Jonathan Sivier
Beckman Institute Flight Simulation Lab
jsivier AT illinois DOT edu
Home Page: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/jsivier/www/
-----
Q: How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
A: It depends on what dance you call.


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