This is dance #8166 in The Caller's Box, a contra dance database.

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Thoughts on the Ice

by Luke Donforth

Permission: full

FormationBase: Other Longways
FormationDetail: Six Facing Six; Improper
Progression: Single

Figures:

A1

(8) In lines of six, go forward and back

(8) C1 corner swing

A2

(4) [Groups of six] Balance ring

(4) Petronella turn

(4) [Groups of six] Balance ring

(4) Petronella turn

(0) [Groups of six] [Ones and fours] Fall back from partner; individually, form head positions of six-person squares

(0) [Groups of six] [Others] Stand next to nearest neighbor; face across, form side positions of six-person squares

B1

(1-2) [Sides] Pass through across (R)

(3-4) [Heads] Pass through along (PR); face across

(3-8) [Center sides] Ladies chain with power turn (across the set) (W2 to M6, W5 to M3)

(9-16) [Groups of six] [Sides] Ladies chain to partner with power turn in center (across the set)

(13-16) [Heads (ones+fours)] Pass through across (NR); face partner; walk forward to partner

(0) Form groups of four [ones+fives, twos+fours, threes+sixes]

B2

(1-6) [Center four] Circle left 3/4

(1-10) [End groups of four] Circle left 1 & 1/4

(6-10) [Center four] Partner swing

(11-16) Partner swing

Calling Notes:

In one line, couples are 1-2-3 from left to right. In other line, couples are 4-5-6 from left to right, as seen from the perspective of those in the line.

At the end of the A2, there are two six-person sets with two side couples and two head individuals. (The group that has ones as heads: M6+W5 on outside, M2+W6 on inside. The groups that has fours as heads: M3+W2 on outside, M5+W3 on inside.) The inside side couples are facing the side couples in the other hands-six

There's no way to explain this dance well. For step-by-step diagrams, see:
https://plus.google.com/104785381669836716439/posts/PKwMXG4emBa

Edit check: Link went down with Google plus. See if author has this eleswhere

Lines of three couples finish 2-3-1.

Not called as of 6/2025. Please contact Luke Donforth at calling.luke@gmail.com if you call this.
Appearances: website Donforth archive