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Friendship Basket                          Karen Missavage
open mixer, no partner                             August 1992

Start in two concentric circles

A1   Into the center and back
        Repeat

A2   Inners circle left; outers right (or promenade single file)
        Reverse all that

B1   Find 2 ++ people and circle left
B2   Same folks basket. Open out into concentric circles

N.B. Written expressly for dances with extreme gender imbalance. During B1, circling folks should look around to collect standees into their group. To enhance mingling, leave out the reverse in A2; "keep going, keep going." Nice ending--one big circle and basket.


Hasta Livonia           Karen Missavage
Trio (3 facing 3, any genders)     3/10/92

A1   Circle of six slip left
        Slip back to the right

A2   Middles turn contra corners; return to place

B1    Hey for three (start by facing right)

B2    Forward & back
         Forward again and pass through to new group

Written for the final dance in a new series (Livonia Public Schools' 2nd Fridays in metro Detroit). Intended as a farm club for a novice promoter, band, and callers, it served as training ground for freshly-collected dances, and a social event for newcomers to country dancing. Many are ballroom dancers sans partners, hence this trio format. (A relatively painless introduction to contra corners and heys, since they can't get lost.) "Hasta" is Spanish; it translates as "until next time."


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These are all 3 facing 3 dances, perfect for "extra gender" situations. I usually ask the band for bouncy jigs that can easily be sped up (i.e. not too many notes).

Three Hand Star                  Nibs Matthews
Trio--3 facing 3

A1  Circle left
       Back to the right

A2  Centers face right, right hand star with two end people (one partner, one neighbor)  
        Centers pass by left shoulder, left star with other two

B1  Swing right-hand partner
     Swing left-hand partner

B2  Forward and back
       Forward and pass through to the next


The Sewing Machine                       Birgit Nielsen
Circle trio--3 facing 3

A1    Middles do-si-do
         Ends right hand star

A2    Left star back to lines of three
         Lines sashay four steps to right; back to place

B1    Middles right elbow swing with right partner
         Left elbow swing with left partner

B2     Lines forward and back
          Pass through to the next

(optional: do-si-do with opposite)


Dashing White what?!         (I might have written this one, too)
Trio--3 facing 3

A1   Circle left
        and right

A2   Right allemande right end person
        Left allemande left end

B1   Contra corners  (Really! They can't get lost!)

B2   Lines of three pass through
        Basket three


Haste to the Divorce                 Tom Hinds
Trio--3 facing 3 lengthwise (or circle)

A1  Forward and back
     Circle left

A2  Circle right
       Do-si-do opposite

B1  3 on 3 do-si-do
      go 1 1/2 to face new group

B2  Basket 6; end facing same direction


The Margate Hoy                 Thompson 1783
Three-couple longways sets, proper

A1  Ladies make arches, gents run
(Women join hands, and HOLD STILL. Guys join hands and, led by gent #1, go through as many arches as they can to finish at home when the phrase of music ends)

A2  Gents make arches, ladies run

B1  Top couple lead down the hall
      Return, cast to foot

B2  All swing partners


Some of the hilarity that ensues as the gals run through the arches

Upcoming events

Other fun dances

What is contra dancing?

Dances I've composed

Dance resume

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Articles


Dutch Trade Faire - Maypole dance

All events somewhere in Michigan, and with live music by Golden Griffon, unless otherwise noted.
<-- With Golden Griffon at the 10th Michigan re-enactment dance in 2003
2008
February 5 (Tues) Mardi Gras. End of Times Orchestra Marching Band performs at the B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids. Freestyle dancing, second line.
February 23 (Sat) Mid-Winter Civil War Grand Ball. Twelth annual event hosted by the 8th Arkansas/22nd Michigan. Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol, Lansing. 6:30 - 11 pm. $15/person at the door. Refreshments, cash bar, door prizes, 50-50 raffle, rifle raffle. Preceeded by a CW swap meet 10 am - 3 pm. Swap meet info from Silas. Diana Long, 248/628-9212. This is a huge open wooden dance floor with no pillars and plenty of space for hoopskirts and mingling.
April 12 (Sat) Private function. Young adult social event for a church in Belmont.
May 3 (Sat) Dutch Trade Fair dance. For re-enactor participants of this opening event to Tulip Time in Holland, Mich. A Maypole dance to welcome spring, plus traditional vintage dances of the Netherlands and elsewhere. Contra dancers welcome, contact me. Period attire suggested. For more info click here!
July 12 (Sat) Private function. 25th anniversary luncheon dance party, Northville.
July 25 (Fri) Private function. Church dance party, Gobles.
August 1 (Fri) Private function. Second-annual Taylor family reunion dance party, Sawyer.
September 6 (Sat) Marshall Civil War Ball & Social Event. Downtown Marshall, Michigan. Part of the annual historic home tour. On Exchange Street by the historic GAR Hall (402 E. Michigan Ave). (Click here for more info. Outdoors, rain, snow, or shine!
Sepember 20 (Sat) Private function. Family barn dance, Gladwin.
October 4 (Sat) Civil War Muster Dance. Held at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, Ohio. Outdoors, rain, snow, or shine! 7 pm. Dance admission gratis, nominal fee for daily events. For more info click here
October 11 (Sat) The Grand Duke Alexis Dinner & Grand Ball. Hosted by the Monroe County Historical Society. Monroe Golf & Country Club, 611 Cole Road, Monroe. Soiree 6 pm, dinner 7 pm, ball 9 pm - midnight. RSVP by Oct 1. Admission $35/person. Any historical period attire, or black tie & floor length formal gown required. For more info click here Jean Guyor, 734/241-0720
Dance workshop, 1 pm, St Mary's Park, Monroe.

Nov 3 (Mon) Private function. Daddy-daughter hoedown, Grand Haven
December 14 (Sun) TUBACHRISTMAS Grand Rapids Not a dance, but a committment! More info
2009
February 28 (Sat) Mid-Winter Civil War Grand Ball. Thirteenth annual event hosted by the 8th Arkansas/22nd Michigan. Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol, Lansing. 6:30 - 11 pm.
2010
February 27 (Sat) Mid-Winter Civil War Grand Ball. Fourteenth annual event hosted by the 8th Arkansas/22nd Michigan. Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol, Lansing. 6:30 - 11 pm.


2007
February 11 (Sun) Private function. Wedding in Macomb County.
February 24 (Sat) Mid-Winter Civil War Grand Ball. Eleventh annual event hosted by the 8th Arkansas/22nd Michigan. Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol, Lansing. 6:30 pm. $15/person at the door. Refreshments, cash bar, door prizes, 50-50 raffle, rifle raffle. Preceeded by a CW swap meet 10 am - 3 pm. Swap meet info from Silas. Diana Long, 248/628-9212. This is a huge open wooden dance floor with no pillars and plenty of space for hoopskirts and mingling.
March 3 (Sat) Private function. Bat Mitzvah in Novi.
May 5 (Sat) Dutch Trade Fair dance. Event held for re-enactor participants of this opening event to Tulip Time in Holland, Mich. For more info click here!
June 4 (Sat) Festival of the Arts contra dance. Adult Involvement stage on Calder Plaza, downtown Grand Rapids. Music by the Calder City Open Jam String Band. 8:45 pm - til?? Part of a huge free street festival with many music, dance, and arts performances and opportunities. No admission charge. For more info click here!
July 27 (Fri) Private function. Company picnic in Holland.
July 29 (Sun) Private function. Family reunion in Sawyer.
August 18 (Sat) Ypsilanti Heritage Festival. Riverside Park, downtown Ypsi. Dance in the Ancestors' Gathering area outdoors on the grass by the rolling Huron River. 7pm - dusk. Preceeded by a concert by Golden Griffon 4 - 6:30 pm. Rain or shine! For more info click here
September 7 (Fri) Private function. Forest Hills neighborhood block party.
September 8 (Sat) Marshall Civil War Ball & Social Event. Downtown Marshall, Michigan. Part of the annual historic home tour. Click here for more info. Outdoors, rain, snow, or shine!
September 22 (Sat) Crimson Leaf Ball. Thorntown Christian Church, 125 West Main, Thornton, Ind. Music by Hasty Pudding. 4:30-9 pm, wine & cheese reception, dinner, dancing. $30 admission, period attire optional. A benefit for the Sugar Creek Historical Society. For more info click here
October 6 (Sat) Civil War Muster Dance. Held at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, Ohio. Outdoors, rain, snow, or shine! 7 pm. Dance admission gratis, nominal fee for daily events. For more info click here
October 13 - 14 (Sat) Historic Bowens Mills CW Days. Dance workshop for visitors 1-2 pm Saturday, noon - 1 pm Sunday. For re-enactors: a Saturday evening masked ball 7-10 pm. Possible live music (by the Original Dulcimer Players Club). Admission $5, kids $2. 55 Briggs Rd, Middleville. For more info click here
October 21 (Sun) Private function. All Souls Universalist-Unitarian youth barn dance, Grand Rapids.
October 27 (Sat) Big Rapids dance Music by the Rhythm Billies. Underground Dance Studio, 106 N. Michigan, Big Rapids. 7-10 pm. Admission $5. 231/796-2420.
November 3 (Sat) Private function. Birthday barn dance, Lowell. 6-10 pm.
November 24 (Sat) Private function. Civil War birthday bash, Fraser. 1-5 pm.
December 1 (Sat) Ypsilanti Civil War Holiday Ball In the new EMU Student Center, 900 Oakwood (between Washtenaw/Cross Streets and North Huron River Drive), Ypsilanti. 8 - 11 pm. Advance tickets $25 (by November 20), $30 at the door. Ages 12-16, $15. Period attire encouraged. Refreshments, seasonal music, authentic period dances. For more information contact Pam Setla, 313 534 4678, or psetla (at) yahoo (dot) com.
December 16 (Sun) TUBACHRISTMAS Grand Rapids Not a dance, but a committment! More info
December 21 (Fri) Allegan Woods Folk Arts Collective dance Music by Puddingstone. 7:30 pm. $8 admission. More info.
December 22 (Sat) OCTDS contra dance. Anniversary celebration of the Detroit Country Dance Society (merged with OCTDS a decade ago). Music by Stringtime. OCTDS(at) comcast (dot) net

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Karen Contra Caller

09/08