Seth - "...this is for a contra dance. However, I'm delighted to be given
an opportunity to help shake up the grip reels and jigs* have on the
contra dance... challenged me to write a dance to match a slip jig they've
written..."

Hi Seth,
I doubt you will be a t a loss for inspiration, but your task reminded me
that the first contradance I ever wrote (1976) was to a Scottish rebel
song I liked called "Cam Ye O'er Frae France." It's not a slip jig but it
is a 3/2 meter piece so it kind of shocked the contradance crowd. It was
greeted with skepticism back then but has been increasingly called for
since and now is fairly standard at my dances.
Although I always do it to the original tune (and sing the song while they
dance), it would also work with a slip jig so here are the two main
features that I feel make it special.

1) The Ladies Chain has only 6 steps across and 6 back. I insist on a
courtesy turn rather than twirls because it is just asking for trouble to
embellish on that figure.
2) I delighted in and took advantage of the syncopation associated with a
duple meter balance against a triple meter melody. It feels really cool to
do and adds a large dose of spice to the balance and swing.

(Not true of other tunes)
3) The way I play this tune there are two extra beats at the end of the
first half. I use that pause to get the dancers fully prepared to be
totally together for the balance at the beginning of the second half.

The dance is quite simple improper double progression but it sort of rips
along at a breathless pace:
A1 1s down the center a little bit, turn singly, return and cast off
A2 Ladies chain
B1 With next neighbor, balance and swing
B2 1s do a 2-hand turn then swing
(end facing down and identify the next couple with whom you will be
casting off)

Twice through the tune for once through the dance - I play the second time
up an octave to make it easier for the dancers to associate figures with
melody. The tune is on my website
http://mysite.verizon.net/manystrings6/dance/
Click on "music" and then "more music."

Cammy


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Every year on this day I scribble down a poem in honor of romance,
dedicated "to my wife and all the others." They vary in quality and my own
opinion of this year's is that it lacks a certain inspiration. But I can't
let the day go by without honoring love. If you care to see previous
efforts, let me know offlist.

Two White Pines on a distant hill
Tall dark pines, standing still
Enough to touch, great boughs out-stretched
Hand in hand on clouds are etched
Above the tumble of rain-filled rill.

I saw a skirt at the Greek Church fair
Orange it was, with pleated flare
Dancing dancing, the skirt and she
Embodied sensu-ocity
I could not keep from watching there.

I heard my children hard at play.
The joyful sounds from where I lay
Reminded me how much you do
How fortunate we are that you
Are always making things OK

I caught the look as you went by
A hint of smile, a glint of eye.
So gently lifting with light behind
A wisp of hair brushed my mind.
I missed a beat as you went by.

These things I see, these things I hear,
These things I feel throughout the year
These things are how I can survive,
Evidence I am alive
And love and cherish you, my dear.

CK
(Carrie says "you want evidence, get a medical examiner - not someone
else's orange skirt!")