This is dance #16920 in The Caller's Box, a contra dance database.

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Bias Contra

by Luke Donforth

Permission: full

FormationBase: Grid Contra
FormationDetail: Improper
Progression: Triple. 1 along, 2 major sets across

Figures:

A1

(4) Balance ring

(4) Women trade by left [odd lines] || Men trade by left [even lines]

(0) Face across

(8) Hey 1/2 (NR;L;R;L) (across the hall)

A2

(4) [Groups of four] Balance ring [with major set #3]

(12) Neighbor swing (in center); face partner

B1

(4) [Groups of four] Balance ring [with major set #3]

(12) Partner swing; face across

B2

(4) [Groups of four] Balance ring [with major set #3]

(4) Men trade by left [odd lines] || Women trade by left [even lines]

(0) Face across

(8) Interrupted square through 2:

(4) Partner balance (RH)

(4) Square through 2 (PR;NL)

Calling Notes:

To try and understand this dance, please follow the link to Luke Donforth's blog.

When starting dance, line to stage left is the first line. Label all lines even-numbered lines or odd-numbered lines. The ones in the odd lines are progressing down and to the caller's right. The ones in the even lines are progressing down and to the caller's left. A dancer in an odd line stays in an odd line until they hit the side wall of the room, in which case they flip roles.

In the odd lines, it's always the first corner positions that are trading. In the even lines, it's always the second corner positions that are trading.

As for the progression, when progressing across the hall in the hey, you pass four neighbors, but I count it as a double progression because it's already hard enough to notate. (Your partner is not in your hey, but in a hey parallel to you.)


Not called as of 2019. Please contact Luke Donforth at calling.luke@gmail.com if you call this.
Appearances: website Donforth archive