Contra Mixers
Small Groups with Scatter Promenade
THE GATE MIXER
Type: Suggested for a University Get-Acquainted dance
Formation: Several circles of 3 to 6 couples
Music: Golden Slippers, or other 64 beat music
A1 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Forward and Back;
A2 (8) With partner, Gate in 8 (Cast off full around, Man is pivot);
(8) Forward and Back;
B1 (8) With corner, Gate in 8 (Man is still the pivot so now clockwise);
(8) Ladies Promenade Inside;
B2 (8) Swing corner;
(8) Scatter Promenade;
THE BARN MIXER
By Rick Mohr, August 1986
Formation: Scattered small circles with two couples in each circle.
(Partner pairs should have the gent on the left and the lady on the right.)
Music: Jigs
A1 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Right-hand Star;
A2 (8) Right and Left Thru;
(8) Dosado Neighbor;
B1 (16) Balance and Swing Neighbor (new partner);
B2 (16) Scatter Promenade;
JENNY REEL
Unknown choreographer, idea researched by Susan Morris at the Don Armstrong
Memorial Dance, May 2002 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Presented by Susan at the BDPLS in Kansas City, April 2009.
Formation: Several Circles of three couples each
Music: Any strongly phrased 64-count music
A1 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
A2 (8) Dosado Partner;
(8) Right-Hand Star Across;
B1 (8) Lowest Level Pull Thru and Swing;
(8) Middle Level Pull Thru and Swing, Top level Pull into a Swing;
B2 (8) Scatter Promenade;
(8) Make new circles of three couples;
Big Circle of Partners
KATHIE'S DELIGHT (Mixer)
By Stew Shacklette
Formation: Partners in a double circle facing counter-clockwise.
Music: "Military Two Step" (two-step rhythm)
Footwork: Opposite footwork, begin with gent’s left and lady’s right.
A1 (8) Walk eight and face partner;
(8) Back away four, Forward four;
A2 (8) Claps and Stamps; (Own, Right, Own, Left; Own twice, Quick Stamp 3);
(8) (Two-Hand) Star Right and Gents move forward (to new partner);
LANCASH BARN DANCE
Traditional
Formation: Double circle of facing partners standing about 6 feet apart.
Men will be in the inside circle facing the wall.
Ladies will be in the outside circle facing the center of the hall.
Music: Lloyd Shaw LS E-35 "Lancash Barn Dance" (special 48-count music)
or other 48-count music
Intro: On the chord bow to partner;
A1 (8) Forward 3 and Stamp, Back 3 and Clap 2;
(8) Repeat forward and back;
A2 (8) Right-Hand Star;
(8) Left-Hand Star;
B1 (8) Two Hand Circle Left full around
(8) DoSaDo and Move to the left
THE VOWEL DANCE
Used by Shannon Lynch at Smokin' Contra, April 2008
Formation: Big Circle of Partners facing the center
Music: Many singing calls will work
A1 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Forward and Back;
A2 (8) Allemande Left;
(8) Dosado;
B1 (8) Grand Right and Left saying, "A" - - -, "E" - - -;
(8) "I" - - -, "O" - - -;
B2 (16) "U" and Promenade with "U";
LASSO MIXER
by Dottie Welch, June 2008 for Cole's June Bug Barn Dance
(Combination of Lariat Circle and Lighted Sconce)
Music: Cowgirl's Sweetheart (slow it down)
Formation: Circle of Couples all facing the center, lady on the right side of her partner.
A1 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Lasso Lady (see description);
A2 (8) Circle Right;
(8) Lasso Gent and a bit more to put him in Center;
B1 (8) Ladies push the gent into the center (4); Back out (4);
(8) Dosado with the same dancer and then and move to left to a new partner;
B2 (8) Two-hand Circle Left halfway. The lady continues to turn into the circle
on the right side of her new partner;
(8) Forward and Back;
Description:
- Lasso Lady: Gent raises his right hand holding his partner's left hand and circles it around
his head as the lady walks forward in front of him and on around behind back to her spot.
- Lasso Gent: Lady raises her left hand holding her partner's right hand and circles it around
her head as the gent walks forward in front of her and on around behind back to his spot.
Continue the turn until the gent is standing in front of the lady with his back to the center.
BACKTRACK MIXER
By Dottie Welch
Formation: Circle of partners
Music: Something with a marching rhythm
A1 (16) Circle Left (16 beats); - ;
A2 (8) Circle Right (8 beats);
(8) Go Single File 8;
B1 (8) Leader Backtrack and pass four;
(8) Next dancer Right-hand Star;
B2 (8) Same two Left-hand Star;
(8) Holding on into a Promenade;
KIWI RING
Scottish Country Dance from New Zealand
Formation: Circle of partners
Music: "Kiwi Ring" on Lloyd Shaw E-40 (special 80-count jig)
A1 (8) Circle Left;
(8) Circle Right;
A2 (16) Ladies figure eight around the gents;
(left in front of partner and around then right in front of corner and around)
B1 (16) Gents figure eight around the ladies;
(right in front of partner and around then left in front of corner and around)
B2 (8) Face partner, clap own hands twice, stamp foot twice, right hand step by;
(8) Repeat claps and stamps and left hand step by the next;
C1 (8) Repeat claps and stamps and right hand step by the next;
(8) Repeat claps and stamps and left hand step by the next;
Big Circle of Partners with Footwork
JEAN'S FLING (Mixer)
By Stew Shacklette
Formation: Partners in a double circle facing each other, gent in center.
Music: "Baldovan Reel"
Footwork: Opposite footwork, begin with gent’s left and lady’s right.
A1 (8) Two hands joined Walk out four steps; Walk in four steps;
(8) Side, Close, Side, Touch; both ways;
A2 (8) Back Away three and Touch; Together three and Touch;
(8) Turn by the Right full around and individually move forward;
MICHAEL'S CONFUSION (Mixer)
By Stew Shacklette
Formation: Partners in a double circle facing counter-clockwise.
Record: "Sporty Boys" or "Cowboys Jubilee"
Footwork: Begin on Gents Left and Ladies Right
A1 (8) Walk eight and face partner;
(8) Lasso Ladies (or Gents);
A2 (8) Walk eight;
(8) Lasso Ladies ending with lady in front of gent;
B1 (8) (towards center) Side Touch, Side Touch; Side, Close, Side, Touch;
(8) (towards wall) Side Touch, Side Touch; Side, Close, Side, Touch;
B1 (8) Dosado and Pass By;
(8) Two-Hand Turn; and Open Up;
GRAND COLONEL MIXER
By Dottie Welch, March 2017, for International Students
(Idea from "Kiwi Ring" on Lloyd Shaw)
Music: "The Grand Colonel Spin" on Kalox 1112, or another march
A1 (16) Circle Left for 16 beats;
A2 (8) Forward and Back;
(8) Forward and Back again;
B1 (8) Face Partner, Clap 2, Stamp 2, Right pull by;
(8) Clap 2, Stamp 2, Left pull by;
B2 (8) Clap 2, Stamp 2, Right pull by;
(8) Clap 2, Stamp 2, Left pull by;
GRAND SASHAY MIXER
By Dottie Welch
No cue sheet with record, this version written by Dottie Welch, Feb. 2012
Formation: Big Circle of Partners facing the center
Music: Blue Star 1782-A "You Call Everybody Darling" by The Shannonaires
Grand Sashay is defined in Burleson's Encyclopedia #362 as a Grand Right and Left
with a Dosado or Left Dosado before each pull by.
Formation: Normal Couples in a Big Circle facing in.
Intro 8 beats, 64 x 5, Ending
A1 (8) New Partner Swing;
(8) Circle Left;
A2 (8) Circle Right;
(8) Forward and Back;
B1 (8) Partner Dosado
(8) Clap 2, Stamp 2, Right Pull By;
B2 (8) Left Dosado
(8) Clap 2, Stamp 2, Left Pull By;
Big Circle of Partners with Swing
SCOTTISH CIRCASSIAN CIRCLE
Traditional
Formation: Circle of partners
Music: Originally "Scottish Circassian Circle" (sheet music online),
or "Frisky Solomon Medley" (Jigs on Caledonian Ball)
A1 (16) Forward and Back; twice;
A2 (8) Ladies In and Clap (forward 3, clap on 4, backup);
(8) Gents In, Clap and Turn Left;
B1 (8) Set twice; (Set = Right, close, right and then left, close, left);
(8) Swing new Partner;
B2 (16) Promenade for 16 beats; - ;
LA BASTRINGUE
Traditional French Canadian Dance
As used by Dave and Jane Schlosberg at NTOT dances
Formation: Circle of couples all facing the centre
Music: "La Bastinque"
A1 (8) Forward and Back (3 steps in, raise hands, hoot on 4);
(8) Forward and Back again;
A2 (8) Circle Left (gent backing up facing his partner);
(8) Circle Right (gents backing up facing girl on the other side);
B1 (4) Lady Under (gents raise hand and turn corner counter-clockwise into position);
(12) (Swing for 12 beats, then move into Promenade position);
B2 (16) With new partner Promenade (16); - ;
LANCASHIRE REEL MODERNIZED
Traditional Mixer
Source: A version of this dance was printed in Northern Junket in October 1978.
It appears to be a Traditional Mixer from Northern England.
The modernized version adjusts the handedness for a more familiar and smooth action.
Usage: Beware of left versus right confusion.
Formation: Circle of couples, men with their back to center and facing partner.
Music: A reel or other music with clear 8 beat phrasing.
Sheet music for a 32 bar jig called "Lancashire Reel" is available on the internet at abcnotation.com.
A1 (8) Partners Left Shoulder Dosado;
(8) With dancer to the right make a Right-Hand Star ending in the starting formation;
A2 (8) Partners Right Shoulder Dosado;
(8) With dancer to the left make a Left-Hand Star ending facing this new partner;
B1 (8) The same two (new partners) Balance double (see description);
(8) Swing;
B2 (16) Promenade; - ;
Balance double: Join both hands, step on right foot, swing left foot diagonally forward and right,
step on left foot, swing right foot diagonally forward and left, repeat.
GROSSER ATLANTIK (ATLANTIC MIXER)
German couple mixer
Formation: Circle of Couples in varsouvienne position
Music: 2/4 rhythm
A1 (16) Promenade 16 beats; ;
A2 (16) Girls turn back outside for 16 beats (there maybe clapping during this); ;
B1 (8) With nearest dancer right-hand turn;
(8) Left-hand turn the same person;
B2 (16) Swing new partner (perhaps a two-hands crossed version);
Usually dancers leave partner, pass six dancers, and dance with the seventh.
If there are stray dancers, they should meet in the middle to Swing
and then rejoin the circle during the Promenade.
Big Circle using Rory O'More Balance
LIARD WHIRLPOOL MIXER
By Dottie Welch, July 2016, Alaska Highway, British Columbia
Formation: Circle of partners facing with men back to center, step to an Alamo Ring Wave
Music: Reels such as "St. Ninian's Isle" or "Irish Rover" medley on Caledonian Ball
A1 (8) To right Rory O'More Balance and Slide (optional spin);
(8) To left Balance and Slide;
A2 (8) To right (Right) Dosado;
(8) and to left Left Dosado;
B1 (8) To right Swing;
(8) Promenade;
B2 (8) Men move ahead one and Promenade more;
(8) Solo Circle to Alamo (Wavy) Ring (take rights with Promenade partner)
ROARING MIXER
Source: Heiner Fischle (see Contra Syllabus from US National in Detroit)
Formation: Couple mixer dance; couples facing counterclockwise
Music: "Arriving to Saint John's", or other jig
A1 (8) Promenade, U-Turn Back;
(8) Reverse Promenade back, face partner;
A2 (8) Face partner and Back Away, stomp 3 and clap 3;
(8) Dosado 1 1/4 to Alamo Ring;
B1 (8) Balance to right and left; Slide Right (optional turn Right);
(8) Balance to left and right: Slide Left;
B2 (8) Turn last partner right full around;
(8) Turn the next by the left into a Promenade;
Big Circle using Single File Promenade
TEN O'CLOCK MIXER
By Al Brozek from Connecticut
Formation: Single Circle of Couples all facing the centre of the hall
Music: "Lay Some Happiness on Me" or "Callison Hall Jig" or
"I Don't Love Medley" # 3 on Sound of New England
A1 (8) Forward and Back (Walk in 2, 3, swing foot, Back 2, 3, swing);
(8) Forward and Back and face partner;
A2 (8) Face for Heel and Toe In and Out (Join both hands, start with inside feet);
(8) Again but just the Lady move out (Heel Toe, side, close, side);
B1 (8) All walk forward 8 steps (Ladies clockwise, Gents counter-clockwise);
(8) Turn alone and return to partner in 8 steps;
B2 (8) Turn partner left arm full around;
(8) Swing Corner (or pass by the next and face in), join hands ready for top;
MARMADUKE MIXER
By Allan Brozek from Connecticut
Formation: Circle of couples facing in, lady on gent's right.
Music: "Marmaduke's Hornpipe" on Lloyd Shaw CD Contratoons or other hornpipe played
about 118 beats per minute.
(DW: "Bob's Double Clog and Doodler's Hornpipe" on Southerner's Plus Two)
A1 (8) All go Forward and Back;
(8) Forward and Back;
A2 (8) Ladies to left inside and men to right outside Single File Promenade;
(8) Reverse back to Partner;
B1 (8) Partners Gypsy;
(8) Corner Swing;
B2 (16) Promenade;
GAY GORDONS
A standard ceilidh dance
Formation: Couples in a circle around the room facing counter-clockwise with
ladies on the right side of the gents.
Position: Versouvianna (Right hands joined over lady's shoulder (man's arm behind her back)
and left hands joined in front.)
A1 (8) Beginning with the left, walk four steps forward in line of dance.
On the fourth step pivot clockwise to face reverse line of dance.
Lady is now on left side of gent, with left hands joined over her left shoulder.
(8) Still moving in the same direction, take four steps backward.
A2 (16) Repeat A1 going clockwise around the circle and ending facing counter-clockwise.
B1 (16) Drop left hands, raise right hands above lady's head. Man takes four two-steps
while the lady turns clockwise under the gent's right arm in four two-steps.
B2 (16) Joining hands in closed ballroom position, take four two-steps turning
clockwise and progressing in line of dance (counter-clockwise).
In order to make the dance a mixer, the ladies may leave their partners between
section B1 and B2 and move forward to the next gent.
ALL AMERICAN PROMENADEAll American Promenade
Choreographer: Jim Arkness
This is a popular mixer that can be watched on YouTube.
Formation: Couples facing counter-clockwise around the hall, lady on the
man's right, with both hands joined at waist height in Promenade handhold
(shake rights and join lefts under);
Footwork: Opposite footwork for the man and the lady.
Music: Something with a lively feel such as “Some Old Side Road” on C Bar C 88
Type: 32-count Partner Mixer
A1 (8) Walk forward 4, Turn backup 4;
(8) Walk forward 4, Turn backup 3;
A2 (8) Balance Together and Apart, Roll her Across;
(8) Balance Together and Apart, Girls Twirl Back;
Description:
1-8 Starting with outside feet (gent’s left and lady’s right) and both hands joined
in Promenade handhold (join right to right and then join lefts under),
couples walk forward counter-clockwise around the hall three steps.
Dancers turn towards their partner on the 4th step to face clockwise.
The lady is now on the left side of the gent.
Couples back up four steps continuing to move counter-clockwise around the hall.
9-16 Couples reverse direction of travel and walk clockwise around the hall three steps.
Dancers turn towards their partner on the 4th step to face counter-clockwise.
Couples back up three steps clockwise around the hall ending with weight on the
outside foot and touching with the inside foot on the 16th count.
During the last three steps couples change their handhold to join adjacent hands
(the gent’s right with the lady’s left).
17-20 Still facing counter-clockwise couples step (or jump) together and touch
with the outside foot next to the inside foot in 2 counts.
Then dancers step apart on the outside feet and touch the inside foot beside
the outside foot in 2 counts.
21-24 The lady rolls across in front of the gent to the inside by doing a
full turn to her left in three steps while the gent does a 3-step vine
to his right. Both end facing counter-clockwise.
25-28 Dancers join adjacent hands (the gent’s left and the lady’s right)
and repeat counts 17-20.
29-32 Dancers raise their adjacent hands and the lady twirls to her right
under them and releases the handhold. The lady continues her twirl moving
back to the outside of the next gent. The gent moves forward to join
Promenade handhold with the lady who was ahead. All dancers take four steps
during this twirl to end with their outside feet free ready to begin again.
Big Circle Waltz Mixer
CLASSIC COMMUNITY WALTZ
Formation: Circle of partners facing in
Music: "Valse Du Vieux Moulin" (Waltz from Any Jig or Reel CD)
Measures (3 counts each):
1-2 Forward and Back;
3-4 Left Lady Roll Across from Man's left to Man's right;
5-16 (repeat this 4 times)
17-20 Face new partner: Step Swing In; Step Swing Out; Slide In, Slide In;
21-24 Step Swing Out, Step Swing In, Slide Out, Slide Out;
25-28 Banjo waltz around in four groups of 3's turning to Sidecar on the last;
29-32 In Sidecar waltz around in four groups of 3's to Big Circle;
or 25-32: Waltz in closed position with a quarter left turn on first, third, fifth and seventh measures;
Alternate version of 17-32:
17-20 Face new partner: Step Swing In; Step Swing Out; Roll In (6);
21-24 Step Swing Out, Step Swing In, Roll Out (6);
25-28 Slide In, Slide In, Slide Out, Slide Out;
29-32 In Banjo waltz around in four groups of 3's to Big Circle;
Or 29-32 In Closed position free waltz for four measures;