Monday, December 25, 2006

Karissa's Cowboy Reel

A Christmas present for all of you!

Karissa's Cowboy Reel

A major set proper contra, count structure optional; in the manner of the Virginia Reel. That is to say, the steps outlined are to be danced every time, in the order they are listed; but the caller my repeat them or add in other steps whenever or wherever he or she chooses.

Counts:
1-4: All kick balance with partner
5-8: All kick balance with partner
9-16: All do-si-do with partner
17-20: All box-the-gnat with partner
21-24: All box-the-gnat with partner
25-28: All swat-the-flea with partner
29-32: All swat-the-flea with partner

Head couple casts off, and travels outside the line to the bottom of the set-- the line follows. When they reach the bottom, the join left hands high, and use right hands to pull the rest of the couples through. That is: The head gent offers his right to the second lady, pulling her across to his side. The head leady offers her right to the second gent, pulling him across to her side. They repeat this with every couple.
Every couple (except the original heads) turn or twirl in any preferred manner to get back on the proper sides.
When all couples have gone under, the original head couple reels up the set backwards-- they offer left arms to each other and right arms to their friends.
When the head couple reaches the top, all other couples form arches, the heads skip under and down the line, and when they reach the bottom, the couple at the top becomes the new head couple and the dance starts over.

Terms for the dance:

Kick Balance--Partner/friend--4 counts--Join right hands with your partner, step forward on your right foot, kick your left foot across your right, step back on your left foot and kick your right across your left.

Do-si-do--two person move--8 counts--(this figure returns you to your starting position)Commonly performed with your partner. Face the other person and pass right shoulders, pause and fall back to where you started, passing left shoulders. It should be noted that you continue to face the same direction the entire time.

Box the Gnat--a turn--4 counts--A couple meet offering right hands, they change places with the woman going under their joint raised arms, and turn to face each other still holding right hands. This means that they swap positions, and end up facing back the way they came.

Swat the Flea--a turn--4 counts--A couple meet offering left hands, they change places with the woman going under their joint raised arms, and turn to face each other still holding left hands.

All terms used can be found here.