Shoot the Breeze

By Rick Mohr; December 2015

Contra, Becket Caller's Box

Level: Easy/Intermediate

A1:

Balance the ring (4)

Give and take (2)

Swing neighbor (10)

A2:

Circle left 3/4 (8) (keep hands with neighbor)

Dosido as couples (8)

B1:

Balance the ring (4)

Swing partner (12)

B2:

Half promenade with partner (wide loop to face new neighbors) (8)

Right and left through (8)

An accessible all-moving dance with a distinctive feel, and balances at the tops of the parts.

To set up the A1 "Give and Take", neighbors use the ring balance to create some arm tension. Ladies then release the tension to zip across the set and smoothly start a neighbor swing.

In the A2 couples' dosido, keep some elbow tension to have good sideways communication with your neighbor.

In the B2, couples progress by making an extra wide left turn in the half promenade. Then meet new neighbors with a right and left through.

Video: Glen Morningstar & Oakland County All Stars at a 2016 Flint MI Contra Dance (posted by John Newsome):