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 Dance (ECD) tune “Softly Good Tummas” at a contra dance and that got him to think about adapting the associated ECD to a contra format. We had some discussion on that FB thread and he posted his Becket formation dance.
This discussion forced the tune to become an ear worm for me and I was compelled to take my own shot at composing a very simple dance to match the tune – one that could be used for a very beginner heavy dance venue. I put mine nominally in Duple Improper formation (but it arguably also works as a gender-role-free dance – so long as you’re careful to end in correct spots/facing direction with your P). As Jeff did, I lifted the A parts pretty much intact from the ECD.
A1
(Facing CW around your hands/4 – think of the hands/4 as a box with the dancers at the corners)
(4,4) March 4 steps & turn 90 deg. right, march 4 steps more & turn to face center
[have walked around 2 sides to opposite the starting spot, facing back at original spot]
(4,4) Take 4 steps to center, loop/turn single over left shoulder to face CCW back at this corner spot, clap
(for a simpler version, substitute a double ring balance for the into the middle and turn singles)
A2
(Facing CCW around your hands/4)
(4,4) March 4 steps & turn 90 deg. left, march 4 steps more & turn to face center
[have walked around same 2 sides back to starting corner spot]
(4,4) Take 4 steps to center, loop/turn single over your inside shoulder (wink at your Partner) to face your Neighbor on the side, clap
(for a simpler version, substitute a double ring balance for the into the middle and turn singles)
B1
Neighbor Balance & Swing
B2
(4,12) Ring Balance, 1s Swing & all face new group/4
B2 Alternatives:
- 1s Balance & Swing
- 1s Gypsy & Swing
- 1s Half Figure 8 up and around opposite N to Swing P below
- Circle Left 1x, 1s Swing
- 2s take the place of the 1s for any of the above/mirror moves
- Alternating action for 1s then 2s
Tune: Softly Good Tummas (see the original ECD with the tune)
First called by Linda Leslie at the LCFD Spring Dance Camp in Woodstock, CT – May 5-7, 2017
Fun fact: The title is obviously a play on Softly Good Tummas, but was inspired by a yummy candy from Trader Joe’s…
