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StripThe Willow (square) instructions
Marie Disiewicz
May 16, 2006, 4:15 p.m. (Message 45298)
Hi to all My inquiry as to who devised it has not been answered, but maybe someone will recognize their instructions that I have. This is a smashing good fun dance and hats off to the person who thought of it. Now the new DVD that is coming out has this dance on it so we will see what version they used very sooooooooon! I tell everyone at the beginning to look at the opp SEX person on the right, across , left and then partner and that is the order they will be turning LH. This dance looks like it has been modified for SCD. I know Balance and Swing as a Contra dance term. I do hope I have typed the instructions correctly, if not get in touch with me. There are a lot of 4x48 Reels so music should not be a problem. Make sure it has zip and really you do not need to do the Hoe Down thing with this. Some good rip roaring SCD tunes works great. Cheers Marie Strip The Willow In a Square set Chorus 1-8 1st & 3rd cpls in ballroom hold dance 8 slip steps to change places, men passing back to back then slip 8 slip steps back again ladies passing back to back 9-16 2nd & 4th cpl repeat chorus 17 -32 1& 3 Men turn RH 3/4 (2 bars) then turn the lady who was originally on their right LH (2 bars) leaving lady in the position where they were 1& 3 Men turn RH 3/4 (2 bars) then turn next lady who was originally opposite LH (2 bars) la 1 & 3 Men turn RH 3/4 (2 bars) then turn the Lady who was originally on their left LH ( 2 bars) 1 & 3 Men turn RH 3/4 (2 bars) then turn partner LH to original places (2 bars) 33-40 All circle once round to the left - prepare for : 41 - 48 All promenade round anti-clockwise to original places Repeat with side couples leading, then side men turning Repeat with top & bottom couples leading, then top and bottom ladies turning Repeat with side couples leading, then side ladies turning 1 & 3 Men 1st time 2 & 4 Men 2nd time 1 & 3 Ladies 3rd time 2 & 4 Ladies 4 th time
Marie Disiewicz writes: >There are a lot of 4x48 Reels so music should not be a problem. There are even more 4 x 40 bar versions of Strip the Willow that don't really work for the dance but strike me as extremely appropriate for this square version were one to drop tha last eight bars and finish off each turn with the circle round and back. Jim Healy Monaco and Perth
I hate circle round and back so I would keep the circle once to the left in 8 bars myself. I find the 48 bars makes for a good dance. IMHO! I love the dance The Falkirk Millennium Wheel for the very same reason.- a circle once round to the left in 8 bars. The dance instructions and music are on Reels and Wheels - Gordon Shand and Band. A great dance anyone can do. Cheers Marie
We tried this dance last night at our club night and the 48 bar version is definitely preferable. The final "willow turn" with partner is a bit tight for getting into position for the 8 hands round, but otherwise it works very well and is easy for beginners to pick up. Also the initial 2 bar 3/4 turn flows more easily than the 4 bar 1 and a half turn that then has to be converted into two bar turns. A great dance for the whole club to do and a great leveller. I much prefer this to the longwise version as there is not that long wait while the dancing couple goes up and down the line (particularly if there are more than 4 couples). Also as a man one can strip the willow with another man, with accompanying "athleticism"! Campbell Cape Town