Category Archives: Proven

Complementary Corners – Singlet – Don Veino 20210201

Type: Singlet Progression: None Status: Proven Starts facing your PNR. Doesn’t care about particular roles or set orientation – fit as you have the room. If followed exactly, the two Contra Corners sequences will happen roughly at right angles to … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven, Set Dance, Set Dance, Singlet, Virtual | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Traditional Wines – Singlet/Solo – Don Veino 20210104

Type: Singlet or Solo Progression: None Status: Proven A parts riff off the zipper move from Beneficial Tradition with a special twist. Was briefly known as “Pin to Win”. This sequence was in response to a challenge to create more … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven, Set Dance, Set Dance, Singlet, Virtual | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sanitizer Shuffle – Singlet/Doublet/Solo – Don Veino

Type: Contra Dance, Singlet, Doublet or Solo Progression: None Status: Proven Another exploration about how simple partner-role-agnostic “new model” contra compositions might fit into the virtual dancing phenomenon (see Can You Spare A Roll? for more info on my “new … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, Doublet, My Dances, Proven, Singlet, Solo, Virtual | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can You Spare A Roll? – Singlet/Doublet – Don Veino

Type: Contra Dance, Singlet or Doublet Progression: None Status: Proven More exploration of purpose-built Singlet/virtual dances within my first group. Was deliberately playing with a concept I’ve been quietly advocating for in regards to “gender free” contra dancing – that … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, Doublet, My Dances, Proven, Singlet, Virtual | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stretch & Fold – Singlet/Solo – Don Veino

Type: Contra Dance, Singlet or Solo Progression: None Status: Proven Another exploration about how certain contra conventions might fit into the new model for distant dancing. This one looked at the use of “convenient Ghosts”. Notice that “Ghosts” are used … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven, Singlet, Solo, Virtual | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Masked Compassion – Singlet/Solo – Don Veino

Type: Contra Dance, Singlet or Solo Progression: None Status: Proven Another from my early first set of purpose-built Singlet/virtual dances, continuing the exploration about how certain moves might fit into the new model for distant dancing. This considered how a … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven, Singlet, Solo, Virtual | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Perspective – Singlet/Solo – Don Veino

Type: Contra Dance, Singlet or Solo Progression: None Status: Proven Another from my early first set of purpose-built Singlet/virtual dances. Thinking about how certain moves might fit into the new model for distant dancing, I was playing around with some … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven, Singlet, Solo, Virtual | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Equal & Opposite (v2) – Singlet/Doublet – Don Veino

Type: Contra Dance, Singlet or Doublet Progression: None Status: Proven Another from my early first set of purpose-built Singlet/virtual dances. Was striving for variety in simple yet satisfying dances, focused on just a few co-located dancers. This could be seen … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, Doublet, My Dances, Proven, Singlet, Virtual | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Together in Spirit – Singlet/Doublet – Don Veino

Type: Contra Dance, Singlet or Doublet Progression: None Status: Proven Another from my first set of purpose-built Singlet/virtual dances. Was playing around with how basic moves could form a simple yet satisfying dance for a few co-located dancers with the … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, Doublet, My Dances, Proven, Singlet, Virtual | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Infectious Energy – Singlet/Doublet – Don Veino

Type: Contra Dance, Singlet or Doublet Progression: None Status: Proven My second purpose-built Singlet/virtual dance. I wanted something very up energy and memorable so calling could taper quickly. As is likely becoming obvious, my naming scheme for these dances all … Continue reading

Posted in Ceilidh, Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, Doublet, My Dances, Proven, Singlet, Virtual | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sourdough Starter – Singlet/Doublet – Don Veino

Type: Contra Dance, Singlet or Doublet Progression: None Status: Proven This is the first of my purpose-made remote/virtual dances in a genre that I began referring to as “co-contras.” I had previously composed The Spaniard’s Latte (To Go) for similar … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, Doublet, Family Dance, My Dances, Proven, Singlet, Virtual | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Spaniard’s Latte (To Go) – Set Dance – Don Veino 202003

Type: Set Dance Status: Proven Due to the 2020 COVID-19 health issue, April’s New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) was canceled. As a scheduled performer I was invited to submit material for a “Virtual NEFFA” to be presented on-line via video. … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, Doublet, English, English Country Dance, My Dances, Proven, Set Dance, Set Dance, Singlet, Virtual | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kitty Awesome! – Becket – Don Veino 20200124

Type: Contra Dance, Becket Left/CW Status: Proven The name and artwork for this one comes from our daughter. She’s currently crazy about kitties and her highest compliment is when something is “kitty awesome.” Unusual enough to be interesting, this one … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Long Courtship – Becket – Don Veino 20181209

Type: Contra Dance, Becket Left/CW Status: Proven This dance came out of a discussion Will Mentor and I had about writing a dance which built up and defied expectations regarding when you’d get together with your partner. It was briefly … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dreaming of Dolphins – DI – Don Veino 20190123

Type: Longways, Duple Improper Status: Proven The title pretty much says it all. I was in a period where I was thinking about Dolphin Heys repeatedly, generating gobs of DH dances. Between this Duple Improper dance and two other 4-Face-4 … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, English, English Country Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rockslide – DI – Don Veino 20180522

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven One of several related dances composed this date which were inspired by the new Becky Tracy tune Black Rock, off the Eloise & Co. album with Rachel Bell. Yeah, I love the tune. … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Caught My Eye – DI – Don Veino 20180522

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven For Sage, who caught my eye. ♥ One of several related dances composed this date which were inspired by the new Becky Tracy tune Black Rock, off the Eloise & Co. album with … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three Out Of Four Ain’t Bad – 4 Face 4 – Don Veino 20180829

Type: Contra Dance, 4 Facing 4 Status: Proven Another of my “extra swings” dances – you get to swing with 3 out of the 4 opposite role dancers in your set without resorting to tricks like ending one swing mid-phrase … Continue reading

Posted in 4 Face 4 Dances, Contra, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pumpkin Spice Madness – DI – Don Veino 20181006

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven We’re in that season again – where everything gets offered in some form of pumpkin spiced variant. I find most such things (but for pancakes or other baked goods) totally foul but the … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fun With Flipper – Triplet – Don Veino 20181006

Type: Proper Triplet Status: Proven Yep, I’ve been on a real Dolphin Hey compositions run – which led me to research the history of that move back toward its origin. It appears the Dolphin Hey first appeared in the modern … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, English, English Country Dance, My Dances, Proven, Triplet | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Feeling Gravity’s Pull – DI – Don Veino 20180710

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven I wanted something smooth and stately which swapped around the idea of who typically does certain sorts of moves (e.g.: in this dance, it’s the Ladies who gate the Gents – not the … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, English, English Country Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mad For Ogontz – DI – Don Veino 20180808

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven At CDSS Ogontz Family Camp 2018 Steve Zakon-Anderson wanted to teach Mad Robin to the 11s & 12s group but didn’t have a suitable dance. We couldn’t find one in my deck either, … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bonus Round/Repeatronella (in Dublin) – DI – Don Veino 20180726

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven This is a set of dances approaching the same two-Neighbor-Swing theme in different variations. Dancers seem to really like these and they can scale in difficulty from working with more beginner dancers or … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fairly Nicked From Nick – Becket – Don Veino and Nick Howe 20180815

Type: Contra Dance, Becket Status: Proven In a conversation with Nick Howe following Ogontz Family Week 2018, we reviewed a draft of his 2017 “The Cuckoo and The Robin.” Nick’s dance features a double Mad Robin sequence (CCW into CW) … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

So Long and Thanks for All the Fish – 4 Face 4 – Don Veino 20180528

Type: Contra Dance, 4 Facing 4 – single progression, alternating sides Status: Proven I’ve become slightly obsessed with Dolphin Hey dances. In this case I was striving for one that automatically alternates who gets to act as the traveling pair, … Continue reading

Posted in 4 Face 4 Dances, Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(Home Again, Home Again) Jiggity Jig – DI – Don Veino 20180430

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven This dance was a bonus spin-off while thinking through my dance The Right In Tension. It was intended to be useful as an easy frame for the Right Hand High, Left Hand Low … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Oddball In Charge – Mixer for 5, 7 or ? Dancers – Don Veino 20171210, rev. 20180112

a.k.a. “The Magic Charm” Type: Circle Mixer for odd number of dancers, Gender-free Status: Proven At smaller venue dances you may find yourself at the beginning or end of the evening below the comfortable number of dancers for a contra … Continue reading

Posted in Circle Mixers, Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Force of Nature – DI or Becket – Don Veino 20180620

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper or Becket Right/CCW Status: Proven Shel Michaels made me write this… just kidding ;-). But he did suggest I write a dance to commemorate this event. On 6/18/18 a microburst/tornado struck our neighborhood. Nobody was … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Clap Happy – Gender Free Longways or Circle – Don Veino 20180115

Type: Longways or Circle Family/Ceilidh Dance – Gender Free Status: Proven This dance always gets smiles with the right crowds. Very useful for those community dances where you want want to sense the crowd or provide some variety without the … Continue reading

Posted in Ceilidh, Circle Mixers, Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, English, English Country Dance, Family Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Right In Tension (a.k.a. Synchro de Mayo) – Becket – Don Veino 20180430

Type: Contra Dance, Becket Left/CW Status: Proven I’ve written a series of dances playing with the residual tension from the last contact in a roll-away and this one I feel is my simplest solution to date for it feeding a … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Two Hearts Beat As One – DI – Don Veino 20180203

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven For my wife Sage on our 10th Valentine’s Day. Written independently but likely strongly inspired by my recollection of Don Flaherty’s Heartbeat Contra – the A parts are the same and the B … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Filet Mignon – DI – Don Veino 20170918

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven The instant I heard Simon Riopel’s tune L’Air Mignonne played by Eric Boodman I knew I must write a dance to match. This dance plays with dancer expectations re: Rory O’Moore moves, so … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

¡Que Linda! – DI – Don Veino 20180211

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven, Public Here’s a contra in honor of Linda Leslie. I wanted to give Linda a dance more likely to be regularly called than my prior dance Linda’s Gifts (which is a waltz-time Contra … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dosi Dude – DI – Don Veino 20171006

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven This dance is one of a set that grew out of my work on (Like) Juggling Chainsaws. There is a mirror role and move dance to this one, Swinging Chainsaws, which could be … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Oh, The Indecency! (v2) – Indecent – Don Veino 20170802

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Indecent Status: Proven Indecent formation = ones proper, twos crossed over Not much to say about this one other than I hope dancers really enjoy the novelty of the formation and somewhat uncommon moves. I’m guessing … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lobster Roll – 4 Face 4 – Don Veino 20170823

Type: Contra Dance, 4 Face 4 Status: DRAFT This sequence re-uses a concept I’d first developed for a down the hall dance Strolling & Rolling. When thinking about the commonality of facing lines/4 and a line/4 down the hall I … Continue reading

Posted in 4 Face 4 Dances, Contra, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ephervescence – DI – Don Veino 20170729

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven This is a conventional respin of my all-reverse dance Counter Clock-Weiss, written in memoriam to Eph Weiss. Eph was an active dancer in many folk styles in the Boston, MA area up until … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wicked Smooth – Becket or DI – Don Veino 20170803

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper or Becket Left/CW Status: Proven There’s been a dance “seed” on my whiteboard for some time, which germinated today into what I think is a wonderfully smooth dance (what we New Englanders might describe as … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Poussette in Boots – Becket – Don Veino 20170715

Type: Contra Dance, Becket Left/CW Status: Proven This dance came out of playing with Poussettes towards my dance Poussettey Spaghetti, intended to be simpler than that dance. At the time of it’s composition, our daughter Raeden was obsessed with getting … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

(Riding in the) Zoomy Car – DI – Don Veino 20170717

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven The A parts of this composition were inspired by Lindsey Dono’s work-in-progress composition Working Title (WT), which I’d become involved in discussing. Lindsey, several others and I were challenged to date in finding … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, English Country Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dance No Evil – Becket – Don Veino 20170710

Type: Contra Dance, Becket CW/Left Formation Status: Proven Another in a series of my “not evil” Star 3/4 explorations. See Shining Sparkle for my original Star 3/4 composition and motivation. This dance counts on the “New England Style” Promenade and … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trip Through Athol – Becket – Don Veino 20170609

Type: Contra Dance, Becket CW/Left Formation Status: Proven US Route 2 is a significant road connecting contra dances in the eastern and western parts of Massachusetts (in particular at the Concord Scout House and Guiding Star Grange in Greenfield). To … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shining Sparkle – DI – Don Veino 20170609

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven Alternate Title: During testing this was temporarily known as “The 75% Solution” and “Stellar Redemption.” While discussing a caller’s draft dance with colleagues, one persisted that a Star 3/4 was always “Evil, Don. … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trip to Santa Fe – Circle Mixer – Don Veino 20170622

Type: Circle Mixer Status: Proven During a trip to New Mexico for other reasons I arranged to be booked for the Santa Fe FolkMADS Contra Dance. Shortly before the event I was informed that a group of 20+ international students … Continue reading

Posted in Circle Mixers, Contra, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

House of Love – DI – Don Veino 20170529

Type: Contra, Duple Improper Status: Proven This is a re-imagining of my dance Soft Gummy Tummies to provide everyone partner and neighbor swings plus allow for greater tune flexibility. Note the A-parts marching direction is reversed here vs. SGT in … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, English, English Country Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Dark Side of the Moon – DI – Don Veino 20170526

Type: Contra, Duple Improper Status: Proven In the Contra Dancers Facebook group Emma Rushton posted to ask if anyone had or was planning to write a contra themed for the August 21, 2017 total eclipse of the sun. I originally … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Super Robin – DI – Don Veino 20170523

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven Dedicated to Robin Humes – family friend and super volunteer in service of the Concord Scout House area contra community. It’s only fitting this dance include a Mad Robin (besides the obvious eponymous … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Bang a U-Ey! [V2] – DI – Don Veino 20140321

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Proven but revised 20170528 I wanted to create an improper dance which provided the opportunity for cross-set play so often available in proper contras. Originally the A1 action was for the ones and then … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Mighty Mommy Mole – Proper Triplet – Don Veino 20160327

Type: Proper Triplet Status: Proven This is my first Triplet dance. I was inspired to come up with this after seeing Bob Isaacs’ dance Cinnamon Cruller on the SharedWeight Caller’s List. I love the transition from the star into the … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven, Triplet | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Love Pirate – Becket Right/CCW – Don Veino 20170331

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Becket Counter-Clockwise Status: Public, Proven This is a spin-off of my dance Ladies, Whirled. The ends must participate in the big oval promenade and interleave between the two neighbor-partner dyads coming out of the endmost star … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Soft Gummy Tummies – DI – Don Veino 20170415

Type: Contra (or ECD), Duple Improper (or Gender Role Free) Status: Proven The inspiration for this dance came from Jeff Kaufman on Facebook. He related a story where his band The Free Raisins were asked to play the English Country … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, English, English Country Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Spring Fling – Becket – Don Veino 20170404

Type: Contra, Becket Left/CW Status: Proven A relatively simple/straightforward composition containing two uncommon points: a Mad Robin figure (easy, once taught – and which I feel flows wonderfully into a chain) and a Courtesy Fling*. Dancers often rush a Mad … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Whole Slice – Becket – Don Veino 20170401

Type: Contra, Becket CW/Left Status: Proven I was reviewing candidate dances for the 2017 New England Folk Festival, and this dance literally wrote itself. It came to me in a straight stream of consciousness, in a little under a minute. … Continue reading

Posted in Contra, Contra Dances, Dance, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ladies, Whirled [V2] – Becket Right/CCW – Don Veino 20160716

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Becket Counter-Clockwise Status: Public, Proven but REVISED since (3/31/2017) and likely to be significantly revised once more. See my dance The Love Pirate for my recommended current variation. This dance is a further refinement of an … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Holy Cannoli! – DI – Don Veino 20160415

Type: Contra, Duple Improper Status: Proven I wrote this dance on the way home from the 2016 New England Folk Festival’s Friday session, after indulging in some delicious cannoli in the food hall. Suggest dancers take hands in Long Lines … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sage Thoughts – 4 Face 4 – Don Veino 20170315

Type: 4 Facing 4 Status: Proven, reviewing B1 timing This dance’s feature sequence is all in the Bs. My wife, Sage, really liked the feel of the Butterfly Whirl in my dance Give the Gents a Whirl (where Ladies whirl … Continue reading

Posted in 4 Face 4 Dances, Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Traditions With Benefits [V3] – 4 Face 4 – Don Veino 20151004

Type: 4 Facing 4 Status: Proven but REVISED since My experiment with adopting the signature move of Dan Pearl’s contra Beneficial Tradition (flowing from Cor Hogendijk’s English dance Pat’s Tradition) into a 4 Face 4 format. Note this dance never … Continue reading

Posted in 4 Face 4 Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Madly in Love (with Mermaids) [V2] – DI – Don Veino 20160430

Type: Contra, Duple Improper Status: Public, Proven Dedicated to all those who’ve found their joy through our Concord Scout House Monday dance (we’ve hosted several weddings!). Another dance in my “Mermaid” series – which all feature a Diagonal Pass The … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dirty Rotten Double Crosser [V2] – DI – Don Veino 20140723

Type: Contra, Duple Improper Status: Public, Proven My second double cross-trails dance, see also Double Crossed Again! Rewritten 6/15/15 to retain the main theme but make the timing more forgiving in light of feedback I’d received on Double Crossed Again! … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged | 1 Comment

Double Crossed Again! [V2] – DI – Don Veino 20140721

Type: Contra, Duple Improper Status: Public, Proven My first double Cross-Trails dance. Revised 6/15/15 per trial feedback from Lisa Greenleaf, to better meet dancer expectations (add balances pre-cross trails), ease timing and to allow for dropping calls sooner. Revised dance … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Linda’s Gifts (of Time) – Longways Duple Proper in Waltz Time – Don Veino 20160818

Type: Longways Contra or English Dance, Duple Proper Status: Public, Proven In grateful recognition of Linda Leslie‘s investments of time in the folk dance community and in particular her consultation and mentoring given me as I hone my dance calling … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, English Country Dance, My Dances, Proven, Waltz | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

(I’ll Take) What’s Behind Door #2 – DI – Don Veino 20160822

Type: Contra, Duple Improper Status: Public, Proven A1 Star Right Neighbor Allemande Rt. 1+1/2 A2 Next Neighbors Star Left Original (Allemande) Neighbor Swing B1 Circle Left 3/4, Partner Swing [alt. music fit: Give and Take to Gent’s Side, Swing] B2 … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Charlie’s Free Flowing Elixir – DI – Don Veino 20160827

Type: Contra, Duple Improper Status: Public, Proven Updated 8/18/2017 (see below and comment). Charlie Harvey wrote a nice dance, New Elixir, which I liked in concept and used several times but it had some flow issues which I’d had dancer … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Reluctant Robin – Becket – Don Veino 20161103

Type: Contra, Duple Improper Status: Public, Proven I really like Mad Robins, just in case that isn’t obvious. I was wondering what else could be done with them, whether they could be used as a progression, facing direction changed, etc. … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Pony Fun – DI – Raeden Veino 20161012

Type: Contra, Duple Improper Status: Public, Proven This isn’t, strictly speaking, one of my dances. On 10/12/2016 at bedtime my 5 year old daughter and I had the following interaction: Raeden: “Daddy. I want to write a new dance, Pony … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Ruth’s (For) Reel – DI (swapped w/N) – Don Veino 20161113

Type: Contra, Duple Improper but with 1s below the 2s Status: Public, Proven Written for Ruth Potwin’s 60th birthday celebration. Have dancers briefly swing their Neighbor to swap places from duple improper hands-4 position before walk-through, so 1s below 2s. … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Another 30 Years – DI – Don Veino 20161203

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Public, Proven I asked several of our excellent local (for most of you they’re touring) musicians if there were any tunes that they’d love to play for a contra dance – but which they … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Boston Cream Pie – 4 Face 4 – Don Veino 20161005

Type: 4 Facing 4 Status: Public, Proven Lynn Ackerson’s Coconut Cream Pie is a fave as it’s interesting yet bulletproof with mixed crowds. I’d used it so much, I wrote this dance leveraged from it to have some variation. My … Continue reading

Posted in 4 Face 4 Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Oceans 4 – 4 Face 4 – Don Veino 20161204

Type: 4 Facing 4 Status: Public, Proven Tune suggestion: Thomas Shrug’s March This is one of several of my dances in a series of “Oceans” and “Seasons” compositions which bring Ocean or Sea Waves into a 4 Facing 4 dance. … Continue reading

Posted in 4 Face 4 Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Sue Said it was Ted – Circle Mixer – Don Veino var. 20170201

Type: Circle Mixer Status: Public, Proven My further variation on a folk-processed variant of Ted’s Mixer by Ted Sannella. I collected something from Sue Rosen’s calling in Carlisle MA which she said was Ted’s Mixer (but differed in the B1/B2 … Continue reading

Posted in Circle Mixers, My Dances, Proven | Tagged | Leave a comment

Mermaids & Seahorses [V2] – Becket – Don Veino 20160510

Type: Contra Dance, Becket Left/CW Formation Status: Public, Proven To the best of my knowledge, this is another unique transition/progression sequence that I’ve come up with. I have a whole series of “Mermaid” dances I’ve written, which all feature this … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Greenfield Tornado – Becket – Don Veino 20161218

Type: Contra Dance, Becket Left/CW Formation Status: Public, Proven The Chain to Allemande Left 1+1/2 (the “Tornado”) is another instance of an “I’ve not encountered it yet” transition – to the best of my knowledge it’s an new use (but… … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Wavy Star Slice – Becket – Don Veino 20170120

Type: Contra Dance, Becket Left/CW Formation Status: Proven, Public Respin on the theme from my dance Wavy Star Shuffle to move from a 4 Face 4 to Becket formation contra. First called at the Monday Contras series at the Concord … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Wavy Star Shuffle – 4 Face 4 – Don Veino 20170120

Type: 4 Facing 4 Status: Public, Proven First called at the Monday Contras dance at the Concord Scout House on 2/13/2017 to positive comments. There were plenty of smiles on dancer faces through the dance… 🙂 That’s great, because I … Continue reading

Posted in 4 Face 4 Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , | 3 Comments

I ♥ Faeries – DI – Don Veino 20170125

Type: Contra Dance, Duple Improper Status: Public, Proven Writtten in response to a challenge on the Shared Weight Caller’s Discussion List, here’s my take on a non-glossary way out of the Dublin Bay style Down-the-Hall figure – via a believed … Continue reading

Posted in Contra Dances, My Dances, Proven | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment