Synchronicity

By Rick Mohr; December 2004

Contra, Progressed Improper Caller's Box

Level: Easy/Intermediate

A1:

Gents allemande left 1 1/2 (8)

Half hey (partners pass right shoulders to start) (8)

A2:

Gypsy partner (8)

Swing partner (8)

B1:

Circle left (8)

Ladies chain (to neighbor) (8)

B2:

Left hand star (8)

Swing next neighbor (8)

Smooth transitions, unbroken momentum, and a mid-B2 progression make this a dynamic dance using standard figures.

Technically it doesn't start in the normal "improper" formation, but don't tell the dancers. Begin the first walk-through with a neighbor swing; then when you're ready to start the dance leave everyone next to the neighbor they've just swung rather than backing up to original places.

There's not much extra time, so encourage the dancers (gents especially) to keep the momentum going between figures—particularly the swing to allemande in A1, swing to circle in B1, and chain to star in B2.

Video: Dugan Murphy & Velocipede at a 2017 Portland Advanced Dance, Portland ME (posted by Dugan Murphy):