I have had some luck with this with intelligent, sober, keen non-dancers: New Age Petronella (by Mike Richardson) Contra; Becket (CCW) Start in Circles of Four A1/2: Balance and Petronella* Turn x 4 to get back home B1: Partner Balance & Swing B2: Circle Left; Circle Right and Ladies lead your partner along the side to the next couple * Petronella Turn – look at where you are going – follow your head – turn to your right – turn clockwise. Usually I get beginners to balance the ring and circle one place to the right twice, then balance the ring and single file (no hands) one place to the right twice. They should then be home. Then show them the spin, now that they (theoretically) know where they are supposed to be going, and get them to do the four Petronellas. During the first teach I get them to circle left, circle right and then, from home, slide right along the line. Then I explain that there is no music for that, so they need to do it straight from the circle right. (Original was Circle Left; Star Right and slide to the next couple (CW)) If I want to get non-dancers doing contras then I usually start with a circle mixer to get them used to at least finishing the swing on the right side: The Exchange Swing (by John Sweeney) Circle Mixer A1: Into the Middle & Back; Neighbour Swing (= New Partner) A2: Circle Left; Circle Right B1: Partner Allemande Right; Partner Allemande Left B2: Partner Gypsy Meltdown (Gypsy into Swing) OR Virginia Reel Circle Mixer #24 Circle, Men on inside facing out A1: Partner Allemande Right Partner Allemande Left A2: Partner Dosido Partner Seesaw (Left Shoulder Dosido) B1: Partner Gypsy Meltdown B2: Promenade around the circle Men move on then face new partner But generally I avoid contras for people who are only going to dance once - there are lots of simple fun dances which are much more rewarding for one night stands. Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent ------------------------------------ The Traditional Dance Callers List: Subscribe by sending a blank e-mail message (no subject, no message) to: trad-dance-callers-subscribe@yahoogroups.comYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trad-dance-callers/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trad-dance-callers/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: trad-dance-callers-digest@yahoogroups.com trad-dance-callers-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: trad-dance-callers-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/