Webpage of Dottie and Gary Welch
HOME Community Dances Square Dancing Contra Dancing Calling Travel Genealogy
E-Mail Dottie and Gary:
Proper Lines
Lockeport Strut 
By Dottie Welch, March 2012	
Formation: Proper contra lines, for elementary school children   
Recorded music:  "Donegal Jig" on Kalox 1216

A1  (8)  Forward 3 and stomp, Back 3 and Clap.
      (8)  Partners Switch Places 
          (pass right shoulders and turn alone to face in on the other side).
A2  (8)  Forward 3 and stomp, Back 3 and Clap.
      (8)  Partners Switch Places. 

B1  (8)  Top two strut down the center (others clap to music).
      (8)  Next two strut down the center (rejoin line at the foot).
B2  (8)  All solo turn to the right once around (right hand up).
      (8)  Solo turn to the left once around (left hand up).
 
Cheticamp Long Potato Simplified
By Dottie Welch, October 2011
Traditional idea from "Step Lively 2 - Canadian Dance Favourites" by Marion Rose
Formation:  Proper Lines with Partners Facing, best for twelve dancers or less 
            (no gender differentiation necessary)
Music:  Something with a French-Canadian flavor

A1  (16)  Long Potato Circle Left (all dancers make one long, skinny circle)
A2  (16)  Long Potato Circle Right

B1  (8)  Partners Left-hand Turn
      (8)  Partners Right-hand Turn
B2  (8)  Long Lines Forward and Back
      (8)  Top Couple Sashay (or Strut) to the foot

Parkland Stroll
By Dottie Welch, March 2013 for Parkland at the Lakes Seniors
Formation: Contra lines of four to six partner pairs facing each other.
Music:  "Gloucestershire Hornpipe" on Where'd You Get Them Great Chunes CD

A1  (8)  Long Potato Circle Left
      (8)  Long Potato Circle Right
A2  (8)  Turn Partner by the Left
      (8)  Turn Partner by the Right

B   (24)  Top Lady (or Gent) U-Turn Back then Wind and Weave to the bottom
          (Leader can choose their path around and through the other dancers.) 
      (8)  Forward and Back

June Bug Reel
By Dottie Welch, June 2008 for Cole's June Bug Barn Dance
Formation:  Proper Longways for 4-8 couples
Music:  "Vinton and Rival Hornpipes" on Southerners Plus Two

A1  (8)  Lines go forward, 2, 3 and stomp; back 2, 3, and stomp
      (8)  Lines go forward, 2, 3 and stomp; back 2, 3, and stomp 
A2  (8)  Long potato Circle Left (all dancers make one long, skinny circle) 
      (8)  Long potato Circle Right 

B1  (8)  Top couple separate down the outside, bottom couple up the center
      (8)  Return inside out (original top up center, bottom down outside) 
B2  (8)  Top couple down the outside to the bottom, others two-hand turn 
      (8)  (Others may turn twice around if time allows) 

Top to Tail
By Dottie Welch, inspired by Special Needs Students at Ian Forsyth, 2005
Suitable with guidance for age 6 and up. Idea from Quebec "Reel du Castor"
Formation:  Contra lines of four to six partner pairs facing each other
Music:  Something with a clear 8-beat phrasing

A1  (8)  Lines Forward and Back with a Whoop
      (8)  Two-hands joined Partners Switch places (turn either way) 
A2  (8)  Partners Switch back 
      (8)  Top Couple Walk down the Centre 8 steps 

B1  (8)  Turn and come back
      (8)  Top couple leads big left loop
B2  (8)  All the way around
      (8)  Leaders become the tail and end at the bottom, 2nds become top

Follow the Leader
By Dottie Welch, 2005 for DANS School CD (simplified Virginia No Reel)
Formation: Contra lines of four to six partner pairs facing each other.
Music:  "Road to the Isles" 

A1  (8)  Long Lines Forward and Back
      (8)  Two hands Partners Switch places
A2  (8)  Partners Switch back
      (8)  Top Couple Strut down the Centre 

B1  (8)  Turn alone and Come Back
      (8)  Top two separate and go down the outside and all follow their leader 
B2  (16) Leaders make a two-hand arch at the foot and the others go beyond
          the arch and Dive Thru it to come up with the 2nd pair now leading.

Couple Arch Over
By Dottie Welch, 2009, Variation on "Shindig in the Barn" by Bob Howell
Formation: Contra Lines of 4 to 6 partner pairs facing each other 
Music:  "Shindig in the Barn" on Wagon Wheel 921
Note: With six couples the Arch action will usually require 24 beats.

A1  (8)  Forward 3 and Clap, Back up 3 and Stomp
      (8)  Pass Thru and U-Turn Back
A2  (8)  Forward 3 and Clap, Back up 3 and Stomp
      (8)  Pass Thru and U-Turn Back

B1  (8)  Top Couple Strut Down the Center to the foot
      (8)  Same couple Arch up over one line 
B2  (8)  Arch down over the other line 
      (8)  Active Couple joins lines at the foot, others all move up

Contra Choreo Home