Type: Contra Dance, Singlet or Doublet
Progression: None
Status: Proven
We almost ran out of these…
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 the choreography itself needs to change to fully reach the goals communities have been pursuing, such that the dance is successful regardless of which Partner finishes what actions relative to any Neighbor interaction. Then you don’t need to refer to any “gender” role at all, using traditional or “aliased” names (Lady/Gent or Lark/Robin). Notice this is somewhat different than “positional calling” for existing choreography, which still treats the roles as distinct but again aliases the naming in a mechanism once further removed.
My belief is that virtual dancing in the form of Singlet/Doublet and Solo dances presents a unique opportunity to try out the “new way” approach – note this dance features no differentiated typecast role, so all are equal in dance identity, but also works if you adhere to legacy expectations. The lack of progression for virtual dancing makes partner-role-agnostic choreography much easier to achieve while still feeling “like normal contra dancing”. This dance is also robust in regards to reversed actions: swap the A1 roll directions and who twirls under in the A2 and it has negligible impact on enjoyment of the dance.
This composition works for a single couple (Singlet) or for two dancing together (Doublet) if the couples line up as for a traditional hands-4. If Singlet, start facing the camera and B2 features a Two-Hand Turn. If Doublet, treat as a “Becket” dance (face across to other couple) and B2 features a Circle/4 Left. Can of course be danced solo but I’m not going to claim it’s a Solo dance, per se, because of the “Partner” focus in the story line.
Yes, the title is a nod to the great “loo roll shortage” crisis of 2020.
A1
Lines/2 Forward & Left Dancer Rolls Away Right Dancer on way Back;
Lines/2 Forward & Left Dancer Rolls Away Right Dancer on way Back [so roll positions swap] (keep last connection)
A2
Face PNR, Connected Hand Balance, Twirl to Swap (ideally, dancer using LH go under) [a.k.a. Star Thru + 1/4 turn];
Take Opp. Hand w/PNR, Connected Hand Balance, Twirl to Swap (same dancer, using RH, go under)
B1
PNR Balance & Swing
B2
PNR Allemande Left 1+1/2x;
Circle/2H Turn Left & open to face same direction as PNR (note who’s on Left, Right)
End effects: N/A
Tune suggestions: Punctuated or groovy marches, driving reels
Video: Coming soon!
See also: My overall set of virtual dances and this post of general guidelines in interpreting my “virtual” choreography.
First called by NAME at VENUE on DATE (I’ve danced this as a Singlet to another’s calling but don’t recall the details to share).