In a message dated 15/02/2010 19:29:40 GMT Standard Time,  
tjwill3@sbcglobal.net writes:

My  question is: what dances can an ECD caller use that would satisfy a  
beginning-intermediMy  question i



The straight answer is contras!  However if you want to include some  
English style dances my first thought would be Midnight Ramble in which each  
couple, in turn, has to cross, cast and two hand turn to their own side.   The 
two hand turn can be 4 bars of partner swing ( the other couple could also  
swing). If partners finish on the wrong side the dance is sufficiently  
forgiving to accommodate this.
The version I use is a slight modification of the original which is from  
Thomson.
 
Midnight Ramble
longways proper
A1    C1 clap own hands once, cross and cast, C2 moving  up immediately; C1 
two hand turn once and a half
A2    C2 the same
B1    C1 cross and cast; C1 half figure eight up  thru C2
B2    Four changes starting partners right.
 
The four changes might be too slow for contra dancers so you might change  
that to taking right with partner, balance forward and back, square thru two 
 hands and then repeating all that again.
 
I think I'm getting close to having written a new dance!
 
If triplets are understood by your contra dancers you could include  Love, 
Port & Sherry which ends with an 8 bar partner balance & swing for  all 
three couples.
A1    C2 half figure eight thru C1; same two couples  star R
A2    C2 & C3 star L; C2 half figure eight thru  C3
B1    C1 lead down centre, turn alone, return to to and  cast to the 
bottom, others moving up.
B2    All balance & swing partners
 
Another possible triplet would be Robert's Reel which gives the opportunity 
 to change the dance at whim to give either a partner or "neighbour" 
balance  & swing.  
 
If you wanted an English square then I would suggest Oswestry Square which  
is fun and ends each time with a partner swing.  Like many English dances  
it has a tune associated with it so that's another problem for you.
 
Enough for now.  Give them contras, there's lots of good uncomplicated  
ones like Flirtation Reel and contra is much easier to call than ECD (that 
might  stir up the hornets!)
 
Barrie Bullimore
London UK


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